Supernatural’s F*** You to Female Fans

I wasn’t going to write about Malleus Maleficarum, the Jan 31/08 episode of Supernatural, because it’s outside the scope of this blog. But it was truly horrific, an over the top display of misogyny which the show has been building towards all season. Since it plays after Smallville and is paired with it because of genre and fandom, I felt I had to say something about it.

As Deadbeat Nymph stated in a comment, “They’ve mined misogynist propaganda for all it had to give, and without reflecting on its insidiousness. And so, they’re basically offering misogynist propaganda themselves, perpetuating it.”

If you don’t watch Supernatural and don’t care for it, lucky you. It was a great show that had race and gender issues from the beginning, but also some amazing potential that was squandered by clueless writers. If you’re still watching it and haven’t noticed the ramping up of the misogyny and racism this season – to the point where the showrunners/writers seem to be actively seeking to drive away their (majority) female viewership and all viewers of colour – you need to read these articles. And if you are like me and could only sputter in inarticulate rage over Malleus Maleficarum (assuming you were able to watch past the gruesome opening), you will definitely appreciate these.

• Hell Hath No Fury like a Woman Born
• SPN 3×09: Malleus Maleficarum “I’m not sure, but I…think this was Supernatural’s attempt at feminism. Kill me now.”
• Burn, bitch, burn (follow-up to previous)
• SPN Art: _itches
• SPN 3×09: Malleus Maleficarum: First reactions and additional thoughts

I will miss this show; I will miss what this show could have, should have been (fandom gets it: why can’t the men writing it?); I will especially miss Dean (the Dean who didn’t viciously hate women). So much wonderfulness squandered by men writers with serious, fucked up issues with women and race.