Saving People, Queering Things

What happens when pursuing peace becomes violent? Abigail and Jessy explore "Playthings", exploring how Sam and Dean's pursuits of peace are diametrically opposed and how their parentified relationship only makes that more apparent. They discuss Sam's morality, Dean's love for a classic queer-read character, and how gothic horror tropes contribute to the lack of peace every character has by the end of the episode. CW: This episode is often used for an interpretation that involves inc*st. We reject explicitly this interpretation, but we decided to leave our in-depth discussion of it out of the main episode, choosing to focus instead on a defensible interpretation that sees Dean as queer-coded and closeted at this point in the story.  We think that focus allows us to stick by the values that we are bringing to this show and these conversations. We know that this topic can be a difficult and painful one for fans and so we wanted to leave you the option of avoiding it easily. If you do want to hear that conversation, it will be available on our Discord server, which you can access through the Linktree at the bottom of this description. 

Find us on the internet: www.queeringthingspodcast.com

Follow Jessi: @.tired.gay on TikTok 

This show contains content and discussions that may be inappropriate for those under 18. Listen with discretion.

How do we break traumatic patterns? Abigail & KJ explore "Hunted", how Sam is struggling with his anger, and how Dean chooses to respond to his fear. They also discuss how Ellen is a hunter parent without traumatizing her kid, how John makes Dean responsible for Sam's morality, and a queer reading, this time of Sam!

*A Note this week: We had some technical difficulties with our platform which resulted in some edits being lost last minute, so there is more rambling than usual this episode!

Find us on the internet: www.queeringthingspodcast.com

Find KJ: @lifemessesofKJ and their show Supernatural Opinions: https://linktr.ee/SupernaturalOpinionsPodcast.

This show contains content and discussions that may be inappropriate for those under 18. Listen with discretion.

How do we make good judgment calls in bad situations?  Abigail & Hana explore 2.09, hunting ethics, and judgment's connection to salvation, particularly Sam's. Dean expresses (again) a desire to get out of the life, & Sam continues to fight his dark side. They also talk about the racism and misappropriation of indigenous history inherent in this episode's plot. Additionally, there is yet another example of Dean Winchester's complicated relationship with sexuality (#deanisbi)!

Content warning for a (non-graphic) discussion of racism, colonialism, and the erasure of indigenous history. 

The audio quality is a bit echoey at moments in this episode and we apologize for that! 

Fanfic Recommendation: No Line on the Horizon: https://spnstoryfinders.livejournal.com/10635000.html

Find us on the internet: www.queeringthingspodcast.com

This show contains content and discussions that may be inappropriate for those under 18. Listen with discretion.

What is worth committing your soul for? Jai and Abigail explore the repercussions of making a deal with a demon and the significant moral crossroads that Dean reaches in 2.08: Crossroad Blues.  They discuss what it means for Dean to carry the guilt of someone else's commitment, and speculate on how that decision will influence his self-perception and future choices.

We had so much fun recording this episode that it ran long, so you can find our Fanfic recommendation section of the week discussed over on Discord!

Find us on the internet: www.queeringthingspodcast.com

Follow Jai on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jaistiel?lang=en and Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sassystonehart/.

This show contains content and discussions that may be inappropriate for those under 18. Listen with discretion. 

What were Sam and Dean doing from 2001-2005? Abigail & KJ come up with canon-based (and fan-based) theories for the Stanford era, including Sam and Jess' apartment, an AU theory where Jess knows about the supernatural, ideas about Dean & Lee Webb's relationship (#deanisbi), multiple headcanons about Sam's hair, Dean's GED, and more!

Fanfic:

Headcanons from: 

Find us on the internet: www.queeringthingspodcast.com  

Find KJ: @lifemessesofKJ and their show Supernatural Opinions: https://linktr.ee/SupernaturalOpinionsPodcast.

This show contains content and discussions that may be inappropriate for those under 18. Listen with discretion.

How does privilege affect how we experience adversity? Renny and Abigail explore 2.07 and ask the all-important question - how does Sam hack so many passwords? They discuss the clever way that the Winchesters use communication to overcome adversity. This week's supernatural being is the victim of this episode, which leads to a conversation about adversity, gender, and victimization. 

Content warning for discussions of violence against women.

Find us on the internet: www.queeringthingspodcast.com

This show contains content and discussions that may be inappropriate for those under 18. Listen with discretion.

Is it jealousy, or is it chemistry?  Abigail is joined by guest Frances to talk about 2.06, Jo's first hunt, serial killers, and jealousy. Sam and Dean are finally working with other hunters and it's complicated. Frances shares her extensive knowledge of the origins of this week's monster, and Jo and Dean bond and clash over their relationship with hunter fathers. 

Find us on the internet: www.queeringthingspodcast.com

Follow Frances on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@letitbelove_93?lang=en and on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Destiel1993

This show contains content and discussions that may be inappropriate for those under 18. Listen with discretion.

What do you do when your mind is being attacked? Abigail, Jamie & Beth discuss 1.05, talk about the special children with their morally complicated powers, come up with a theory for why Ash knows Enochian, and rage about John Winchester's disconnection with other hunters. Also, more conversations about Dean + gender!  

Find us on the internet: www.queeringthingspodcast.com

Listen to Driver Picks the Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/driver-picks-the-podcast/id1583116429 and follow Jamie on Twitter: https://twitter.com/driverpickspod and Beth on Tumblr: https://driverpicksthepodcast.tumblr.com/  

This show contains content and discussions that may be inappropriate for those under 18. Listen with discretion.

How do we have willpower of our own actions? Abigail & Noah talk about 2.04, the importance of consent, and how willpower gets twisted into abuse by this week's monsters. They also explore the battle of wills between Sam and Dean in relation to addressing their family trauma. This episode is anchored by the phrase "what's dead should stay dead", adding further fuel to the fire of Dean Winchester's self-hatred and heavily foreshadowing what is to come.

Find us on the internet: www.queeringthingspodcast.com

This show contains content and discussions that may be inappropriate for those under 18. Listen with discretion.

Is hunting valorous? Abigail & Renny talk about 1.03 and the introduction of Gordon Walker. Is a monster 'evil' because it's not human or because of the things it does?  Is shoot first, ask questions later the only way to hunt? They talk about the confidence that Sam brings to this moral quandary and the mid-episode flip that Dean makes. Finally, they have a theory about Ty Olsson's character Eli! 

Find us on the internet: www.queeringthingspodcast.com

This show contains content and discussions that may be inappropriate for those under 18. Listen with discretion.