All the characters who aren't Sam and Dean are going to be devices. Which means all the women in it are going to be devices. But they picked the structure (a tragedy) and the lead characters (Sam and Dean) and now they're committing to telling that story.

The above is from the link. That's pretty much what I've always believed about the show, and it's why I've had a hard time understanding the unhappiness about Jo and Ellen, for instance, not having larger roles.

Amy Berg, Leverage writer, watched last night's SPN for Mark Sheppard and fell for Misha and wants to cast him, she tweeted. Misha says anytime.

Awesome!

...any chance we can get her to watch Dollhouse and cast Enver, y'think?

(And I agree that I don't feel very hopeful about JA's mad acting chops getting the recognition they deserve once this project's over. He's just so distractingly pretty that it seems that casting people have him pigeonholed as Just A Pretty FAce - I mean, his movie outings seem to have been very so-so, afaik? If he were more cocksure and less serious & reticent, he might be able to make them register that he's a character actor, but...ah well. Fingers crossed for the guy. (Although, really, I'd love to see him doing more theatre for a bit. Not that I'd get to go watch him, so, y'know, kind of a dumb thing for me to wish for him, I suppose.)

Dean was taken down by a hell hound as they ran for cover. Jo raced back to save him and received her mortal wound in the process. And save him she did. Hero.

Jo knew the score better than any of them as they all tried to save her, and I knew instantly Ellen would NEVER leave her child to die alone. The women died for a just cause, knowing that to save the world they needed to get Sam and Dean out of there to go after Lucifer. For Sam and Dean to go after Lucifer, they needed to take out the hell hounds.

Heartbreaking, but they were hunters doing the family business, not clueless bystanders.

Heroes. Both of them. Honorable, strong, determined, righteous. I'm sorry they're gone, but I can't think of a better way for a character (male or female) to be killed off than for that character to have knowingly sacrificed for the greater good. If Sam and Dean aren't ultimately successful, it won't diminish the valor and courage and love of those two women one iota, in my eyes.

Ultimately, this is Sam and Dean's story. They've lost family, friends and allies of both genders. I expect there will be more death and loss and sadness (and fan disappointment) to come. It is the Apocalypse, after all.

Excerpt from Samantha Ferris' blog:

The shout out to Kim Manners was an idea from one of the Camera guys, Brad. He came up to me quietly on the down low before we shot that piece where I say goodbye to Dean and said, "hey, when you turn around to say "don't miss" try one where you say "kick it in the ass" ". The line was just supposed to be "....and Dean, don't miss". We did both. They put both in. It was a bittersweet moment for the cast and crew. Robin the props gal cried......Kim is/was and will always be a very loved and missed man. Especially on that set.

The rest is here.

That was really well put, mellenbal.

And that's so sweet, Bev. Thanks for sharing that.

mellenbal - that is how I feel about Jo and Ellen's deaths too. Thank you.

I rewatched last night. Cried again. (On Thursday I phoned a friend during the commercial break and was stunned when she asked me what was wrong - I mean - didn't she just watch what I did??!!??)

Thanks, Amy and sumi. :-)

I must say, my initial reaction to their deaths was visceral and negative. I feel better after having read this thread, so thanks, y'all.

Was the photograph a call out of some sort to Butch and the Sundance Kid ? Because, although I have not seen the movie in years, it reminded me of it. . . or maybe it was the poses. . . or maybe it was reminding me of Civil War photos. . .

I don't know what the photo reminded me of but as soon as they took it I said, "OK who's not coming back?"