Maybe it's just a matter of presentation, but Kripke's interviews give the impression that he was more about "wow, dumping that bucket of blood over everything would be KEWL!" fanboyish thrill-seeking rather than a thoughtful and considered approach to Winchester family relationships. I assume that the deeper level planning had to be there somewhere as it's unlikely that someone could accidentally stumble into good writing and characterization over the course of several seasons, but I can definitely see how people could walk away feeling he lucked into it.

The other thing is, a lot of writers aren't great at speaking. Not that Kripke wasn't thrilled by the chance to have monsters and blood and car crashes, but I think there was more to his vision of the Winchesters than that, even if he doesn't/didn't express it very well in interviews.

Whether he lucked into it or not, or farted it out after an especially ripe dinner, it's still his (now Gamble's). We take what we can from it, but it's *his*. The people I read bitch like they own the Winchesters, and Kripke is some sort of cockblock in the relationship, as opposed to the person who facilitated the fuel for our fervent imaginings. It's not perfect, but it's also not ours.

I can definitely see how people could walk away feeling he lucked into it.

I'd like to see someone who's run a show say that, though. Backseat quarterbacking is easy (I do it to ficwriters all the time, and I can't write for shit), but come on. This is a whole different level of "it's not that simple" and "how many of us could do something comparable?" Voting with your tumblr doesn't count. Your feet is what you have.

I'm not saying a show, this show, any show is above criticism. It's just about apparent expectations.

I'd like to see someone who's run a show say that, though.

Something along the lines of "I am not your bitch."? Well OK, that was series of novels not a show (though now it is also a mini-series).

Wasn't it "he is not your bitch"? I mean, it was Gaiman talking, right?

But if a showrunner does it, it would have to be "I".

No, my point is saying it on someone else's behalf. I'd like to see someone else in the business criticise like the fans do. Or defend. Like Gaiman did.

Right - Gaiman saying on Martin's behalf.

Just read a fic where Castiel's last name was "Azbit". Heh.

I love the gyrations people go through not to give him the surname Novak, Milton, and in a distant third, some variation of De L'Ange.

I know there are some vocal bitchers about the first two last names. I can't bring myself to care.

Someone replied to my "poor D:ean" post on IO9, agreeing with me and calling Sam "such an insensitive doodyhead". Even though she goes on to say maybe the Lucifer thing is affecting his ability to empathise, I don't know if I can reply fairly.

Why is it Sam's job to be there for Dean? He's no more less there (elegant phrasing, eh?) for Dean than Dean is failing Sam. They're both really only able to do the practical stuff. I don't get why Dean needs all the understanding here.

I'm not her sort of DeanGirl.