JA initially auditioned for Sam, right? I can't wrap my head around that. I'm trying to imagine the Sam Show with JA as lead. Too weird. I really like what we got, with JA in front and JP growing into his role. I can see that as a SamGirl one might be discomfited. But I think they're a great team the way they're configured.

I did wonder from the git go how JP managed to get his name listed first.

Ignore me being a delicate little flower. I am totally capable of not clicking on Wincest links (although I cannot stop myself from reading the synopses--they're like crack and boggle my mind). Don't not link here on my account.

Now I'm left with a visual of the two of them huddling in a shower of ash and fire.

Well now you're just trying to kill me.

I still kinda like Plei's stunt casting of if JA is Sam, then CK is Dean. Older, of course.

JP got first billing because he had been in the featured cast of a long running show for several seasons. Although JA had been around in tv for longer, he had series-skipped, and the only season he had been listed as a featured, rather than a recurring, character was for Smallville. Name recognition was higher for JP when the pilot was shot; he was considered the bigger draw.

Kripke envisioned Sam as the central character of his five-season arc, and looking back, he actually has been the primary focus of the myth arc. It's just that JA has carried the weight, acting.

Plei's stunt casting of if JA is Sam, then CK is Dean

Oh, that's genius. Sweet.

Name recognition was higher for JP when the pilot was shot; he was considered the bigger draw.

Huh. I came into SPN knowing JP had played some wussy guy called Dean and knowing JA had been kickass on crappy (sorry, Plei) DA, and appeared on Smallville. He was definitely the action/genre draw for me.

he actually has been the primary focus of the myth arc. It's just that JA has carried the weight, acting.

I find it hard to separate doing the bulk of the emotive work and being the primary focus, but I see what you mean. I do think that Sam has had a fair amount to do--I'd say a 60/40 split at most on Dean's side, because so far it's been Dean's job to save Sam.

But I expect Sam to save himself, and am heartened by his behaviour in MBV.

eta:

I just got the seal of obsessive approval from my sister. WRT to me mentioning SPN again:

You are as sick as I am. Thank god I know someone else who is totally functional on most other levels, and yet totally not, on another.

You're right, and I stand (both abashed and) corrected; JA was a featured cast member on DA. It still was only a single season, and JP had been in the featured credits (and presumably paid more) for several seasons.

But yes, I nod vehement agreement that JA's characters had impressed me far more than JP's wussy Dean had. I had not seen Young McGyver, Flight of the Phoenix nor, thankfully, New York Minute by then. I have seen FotP since, but although I watched Devour for JA, I refuse to sit through Cry Wolf or House of Wax or NYMinute for JP. I did watch a few eps of that teen series JA played a clueless cutie on, though. Mr. Something. Frightening how dumb the character was, and how effortless JA made that seem.

Sam: Because I know you!
Dean: Really?
Sam: Because I've been following you around my entire life! I mean, I've been looking up to you since I was four, Dean, studying you, trying to be just like my big brother. So, yeah, I know you. Better than anyone else in the entire world. And this is exactly how you act when you're terrified. And I mean I can't blame you. It's just...
Dean: What?
Sam: It's just I wish you would drop the show and be my brother again. 'Cause...just 'cause.

::sniff::

I love the look on JP's face as Dean calls Sam to come look under the hood of the car. Before the explanation starts he has this look of patient expectancy that's so...younger sibling. And the heartbreak on his face when Dean explains what he's doing.

Yeah, the way he's so naturally leaning in to do whatever it is and pauses, thinks, makes that decision, and then looks at Sam. And Sam is exactly the little brother there, ready to assist, even if it's boring, and then ...

I think the way Dean settles onto the cooler as he says, "Put your shoulder into it," is what really breaks me.

For me it's the look on Dean's face after Sam leans in and starts work on the engine. He looks so...it's almost closed, but it's sad and it's old and it's responsible. And I think it's a little proud.

Aw. Yes, that too.

IT'S THE WHOLE SCENE, OKAY.

I should do my S2 top five.

I've been reading all your lists and marvelling at your ability to winnow down the episodes into bite-sized chunks of goodness. I think for me it would be easier to go through and pick out the episodes that don't make any kind of best-of list.