What would Harry, Ron, and Hermione do?

I love Supernatural!!  This may not seem substantive or groundbreaking for me, but after watching an episode tonight (2x11, “Playthings,”), I realized I’d forgotten what it was like to watch a drama that was telling a story.  I’ve been watching only procedurals for so long- Bones, Castle, Chuck.  The last non-procedural drama I watched was BSG, which ended three years ago and hardly even counts in my mind because it was on Sci-Fi instead of a network channel (and I didn’t like its ending or its characters much). 
 
I think I had honestly forgotten that non-Joss shows could have arcs and stories and be planned out ahead of time.  I think I associated planned plotting (a la the Angelus arc or S5) with Joss because it’s so prevalent in BtVS.  But there’s planned plotting (there has got to be a better phrase than this that I just can’t think of cause my brain has been melting out of my ears the past few days) in SPN, too, and it’s so exciting to watch.  It’s not like BSG where it was clear the writers were making shit up as they went along.  Whether I’ll personally like the resolution or not, the YED plot definitely has a beginning, middle, and an end.  I have something to which to look forward.  The mystery is tantalizing and slowly unfolding, and best of all, there’s character development, too.  And I love both Dean and Sam, which is another thing BSG did not have going for it, as I had gotten fed up with just about every single character by the end of that show. 
 
Most of my current shows (which, granted, are mostly sitcoms) I’m watching for entertainment value or because I’m bored while I’m eating and can’t hold a book.  SPN, though, I’m watching because I am legitimately invested in the story and want to keep watching.  I watched it tonight even though I didn't have time to and am way behind on my reviews because I just couldn't help myself.  The last time I felt so invested in a show was mid-Castle S3, when it seemed like the writers were actually going to break the mold with Castle/Beckett (arguably they did, but I personally was very displeased with the finale).  Even that I was watching for the characters and for fun, though, not because I was invested in the plot.

I’m invested in SPN.  I’m so excited that I have five more seasons.  I can't wait to find out all the answers.  “Playthings” wasn’t even a groundbreaking episode, but it was as good as the rest of S2 has been, and I felt overcome with love.
 
And on that note, speaking of other dramas that aren’t afraid to tell a story,
 
RRRIIINNNGGGEEERRR!!!  It was SO GOOD TONIGHT.  BRIDGET.  GEMMA.  ANDREW.  I even felt an ounce of sympathy for Henry of all people.  And they are moving the mystery RIGHT ALONG.  GAH, I want next week’s episode NOW.

I’m going to strive to post more intelligent and coherent thoughts in a few days when my midterms are over, but for now, is anyone else as enthralled as I am?? 

I realized a few days ago why I'm still having cognitive dissonance when I think of Ringer (besides the fact that if I'm watching SMG, I also expect to see James, Alyson, Nick, Michelle, Emma, and Tony on-screen) and why the little interview snippets and previews I watch aren't making me more excited.  All of SMG's co-stars are men.  There may be one other female (I think there was some casting shuffling a while ago), but she hasn't shown up in any of the previews.  Add to that, the actor who plays Bridget's sponsor said when describing his role, "of course" his character loved her, which implies to me that at some point, if not to begin with, all the male characters are going to be vying for her affection.  Bridget is one of those women whom every male falls for.  There's nothing wrong with that trope, per se, but it is one that can easily go wrong if romance becomes the sole focus of that female character's life.

Adding to my disappointment that there aren't more strong female characters on the show, it's just going to be weird to see SMG surrounded by guys.  BtVS wasn't a feminist show only thematically but also in its casting; not many dramas even today, I think, have an even number of men and women, let alone more women than men.  I want SMG to interact with other women; I don't want to watch SMG interact with a harem of men.  On a more personal note, with the exception of Ioan Gruffudd (whose real accent is really throwing me- never thought I might prefer an American accent to a British accent...), I also don't find any of them attractive.  Dark, thin, and broody isn't my type, and that label seems to fit every supporting actor I've seen so far.  Someone somewhere, maybe on my flist or maybe on a media blog, commented that at their most basic, all the men seemed to resemble Freddie Prinze Jr., and since as a producer SMG was involved in casting, she apparently has a type; I agree with that hypothesis.

Onto a different TV show: Charisma Carpenter tweeted this photo of her and James from the SPN set.  I am doubly excited to see this episode because I found a friend here at school who's obsessed with both SPN and BtVS and who flipped out when I told her, and we might have an episode-watching party when the time comes (fortunately for me, that means she could explain anything that was really confusing, since I will most likely be nowhere near caught up to S7 when the episode airs).  We're also going to have a BtVS-cast-members-in-other-projects party and watch Chance (Amber Benson's movie with James Marsters) and Timer (Emma Caulfield), both of which I highly recommend.

It looks like I will have my first CW show to watch next season, because the CW has reportedly picked up SMG's pilot "Ringer"!  Though CBS and ABC co-produced it, apparently CBS's love for SMG did not extend to the pilot.  While CBS's pass does not imbue me with enthusiasm, maybe Ringer will have a better chance on the CW anyway because it probably won't be competing against as many shows in the same target demographic.  Also, if it's on the CW it will probably be picked up for next fall, whereas CBS might have moved it to a mid-season pickup in 2012 (and I have waited long enough to have SMG back on the small screen, thanks).  So this CW switch-up is surprising news, but I'd say it's also good news.  :D