Dark Fanfic & Dead Dove | Navigating AO3 Tags in Supernatural Fandom

Dark Fanfic & Dead Dove | Navigating AO3 Tags in Supernatural Fandom

If you read darkfic, you've likely encountered AO3's Dead Dove: Do Not Eat tag; a warning label with as many interpretations as there are fics tagged with it. Sandra and Kasey explore how Supernatural fanfiction writers use this tag to navigate fandom safety, discuss why fans tag so inconsistently, and share their favorite (and most surprising) Dead Dove fic recommendations. A discussion for fanfic readers seeking deeper insights into fandom tagging culture. Content Warning: This episode discusses self-harm, sexual assault, and dark fics in general. If you might be triggered by any of these topics, please skip and join Sandra and Kasey next time. Link to the Dead Dove: Do Not Eat [https://fanlore.org/wiki/Dead_Dove:_Do_Not_Eat] Fanlore Page. Doc with all the stats and fic links discussed in this episode can be found here [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1cFrfje2Amf51-zL3Du1oEKiVQsELIUg-mW3bVRCfY0s/edit?usp=sharing]. Join us in the Idling server’s #backseat [https://discord.gg/nsbSBSjfbX] to share your recs and thoughts! ~~~ We're taking you for a spin in Baby's backseat. Dean's House Rules - Driver picks the music, shotgun shuts his cakehole, and the ones in the back enjoy the ride... idling in the Impala. ~~~~~ TL;DR - If you can’t be bothered clicking on all the things in this description, just visit our website: idlingintheimpala.com [https://idlingintheimpala.com/] We'd love to hear your thoughts. Send us an email (idlingintheimpala@gmail.com [idlingintheimpala@gmail.com])! All the Socials and AO3 and Fiction links: https://linktr.ee/idlingintheimpalapodcast [https://linktr.ee/idlingintheimpalapodcast] Our Discord #backseat [https://discord.gg/nsbSBSjfbX] Channel. Interested in being a guest on the podcast? Give us some info about you here [https://forms.gle/s2KQhNfgT8yYNNrK8] so we can connect. Feel inclined to leave us a tip for all this AWESOME content? Visit our Ko-fi [https://ko-fi.com/idlingintheimpala] page. Monthly supporters will get special behind-the-scenes perks! We’ve got podcast merch for our fellow idlers. Take a look [https://idlingintheimpala.com/pages/merch]! ~~~~~ Charities IITI Supports: Check out the Causes, ‘cause [https://idlingintheimpala.com/pages/causes-cause] page on our website for the whys: World Central Kitchen [https://wck.org/] and Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) [https://www.msf.org/] ~~~~~ For Those in the US: Educate and Empower Yourself, Find Ways to Take Action Support Basic Human Rights - American Civil Liberties Union [https://www.aclu.org/] (ACLU) Prioritize Your Mental Health - National Alliance on Mental Illness [https://nami.org/Home] (NAMI) Thrive (Not Just Survive) After Abuse - Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network [https://www.rainn.org/] (RAINN)   ~~~~~ LGBTQ+ Charities Switchboard LGBT [https://switchboard.lgbt/] UK The Trevor Project - USA [https://www.thetrevorproject.org/] and Global [https://www.thetrevorproject.org/resources/article/resources-for-international-lgbtq-youth/] ~~~~~ Our podcast occasionally incorporates brief excerpts from the CW television show "Supernatural" for transformative commentary and analysis. This use falls under the Fair Use doctrine codified in Section 107 of the United States Copyright Act. The included clips are short, constituting only a minuscule portion of the original work, and illustrate specific points within our critical commentary. Our podcast does not compete with the show's market. This use promotes public discourse and understanding of the work, strengthening its cultural significance. ~~~ Chapter Timestamps 00:00:00 - Intro 00:01:33 - When Doves Cry 00:13:15 - Previous interactions with the tag 00:29:16 - AO3 Stats 00:34:51 - A fic that Kasey thinks needed the tag 00:41:39 - Two fics by Kasey that use the tag 01:08:12 - Sandra read some of the recs 01:18:05 - Outro

Ranking Supernatural Plotlines (Seasons 4-6): Sam & Dean Winchester Fandom Deep Dive

Sandra and Kasey dive into ranking the compelling plotlines of Supernatural, focusing on Seasons 4 through 6. Join them as they explore the story arcs of beloved characters Sam Winchester and Dean Winchester at the end of the Eric Kripke era and the start of Sera Gamble as showrunner. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to the fanfic community, learn what drives the passion behind the stories and how plots continue to inspire creative works across the fandom. Reference: handy dandy plotline chart [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vv-6OmL5IKrKGQ-bHuSL7FeO0U02y3KY/view?usp=sharing] created by Sandra ~~~ We're taking you for a spin in Baby's backseat. Dean's House Rules - Driver picks the music, shotgun shuts his cakehole, and the ones in the back enjoy the ride... idling in the Impala. ~~~~~ TL;DR - If you can’t be bothered clicking on all the things in this description, just visit our website: idlingintheimpala.com [https://idlingintheimpala.com/] We'd love to hear your thoughts. Send us an email (idlingintheimpala@gmail.com [idlingintheimpala@gmail.com])! All the Socials and AO3 and Fiction links: https://linktr.ee/idlingintheimpalapodcast [https://linktr.ee/idlingintheimpalapodcast] Our Discord #backseat [https://discord.gg/nsbSBSjfbX] Channel. Interested in being a guest on the podcast? Give us some info about you here [https://forms.gle/s2KQhNfgT8yYNNrK8] so we can connect. Feel inclined to leave us a tip for all this AWESOME content? Visit our Ko-fi [https://ko-fi.com/idlingintheimpala] page. Monthly supporters will get special behind-the-scenes perks! We’ve got podcast merch for our fellow idlers. Take a look [https://idlingintheimpala.com/pages/merch]! ~~~~~ Charities IITI Supports: Check out the Causes, ‘cause [https://idlingintheimpala.com/pages/causes-cause] page on our website for the whys: World Central Kitchen [https://wck.org/] and Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) [https://www.msf.org/] ~~~~~ For Those in the US: Educate and Empower Yourself, Find Ways to Take Action Support Basic Human Rights - American Civil Liberties Union [https://www.aclu.org/] (ACLU) Prioritize Your Mental Health - National Alliance on Mental Illness [https://nami.org/Home] (NAMI) Thrive (Not Just Survive) After Abuse - Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network [https://www.rainn.org/] (RAINN)   ~~~~~ LGBTQ+ Charities Switchboard LGBT [https://switchboard.lgbt/] UK The Trevor Project - USA [https://www.thetrevorproject.org/] and Global [https://www.thetrevorproject.org/resources/article/resources-for-international-lgbtq-youth/] ~~~~~ Our podcast occasionally incorporates brief excerpts from the CW television show "Supernatural" for transformative commentary and analysis. This use falls under the Fair Use doctrine codified in Section 107 of the United States Copyright Act. The included clips are short, constituting only a minuscule portion of the original work, and illustrate specific points within our critical commentary. Our podcast does not compete with the show's market. This use promotes public discourse and understanding of the work, strengthening its cultural significance. ~~~ Chapter Timestamps 00:00:00 - Intro 00:04:30 - The plotlines we’re working with from S4 to S6 00:13:31 - Kasey ranks the plots 00:38:53 - Sandra ranks the plots 01:08:01 - Outro

Inside Supernatural Fanfiction | SuperWiki Editor Jules on Writing

Jules returns to discuss fanfiction writing! As managing editor of SuperWiki and fanfic author Missyjack, Jules explores fix-its, AUs, and how fanfiction rewrites Supernatural canon. Sandra and Kasey dig into trope language, the role of archives in fandom discovery, and why certain fanfic themes resonate with readers. A deep dive into creative storytelling and fandom resilience. From the SuperWiki site on how to contact if you’re interested in helping to maintain the Wiki: “Any fan is welcome to join the Supernatural Wiki as an editor, just email Jules (she/her), the Supernatural Wiki Managing Editor at juleslwilkinson@yahoo.com.au to get an account created, or with any queries or suggestions for the site.”  Reference Doc [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1qGkVPewjVEhoIkeQqp1x2-z2luBtJtnSbXU9nPkv74Y/edit?usp=sharing] (External Fic Lists and Links provided by Jules) ~~~ We're taking you for a spin in Baby's backseat. Dean's House Rules - Driver picks the music, shotgun shuts his cakehole, and the ones in the back enjoy the ride... idling in the Impala. ~~~~~ TL;DR - If you can’t be bothered clicking on all the things in this description, just visit our website: idlingintheimpala.com [https://idlingintheimpala.com/] We'd love to hear your thoughts. Send us an email (idlingintheimpala@gmail.com [idlingintheimpala@gmail.com])! All the Socials and AO3 and Fiction links: https://linktr.ee/idlingintheimpalapodcast [https://linktr.ee/idlingintheimpalapodcast] Our Discord #backseat [https://discord.gg/nsbSBSjfbX] Channel. Interested in being a guest on the podcast? Give us some info about you here [https://forms.gle/s2KQhNfgT8yYNNrK8] so we can connect. Feel inclined to leave us a tip for all this AWESOME content? Visit our Ko-fi [https://ko-fi.com/idlingintheimpala] page. Monthly supporters will get special behind-the-scenes perks! We’ve got podcast merch for our fellow idlers. Take a look [https://idlingintheimpala.com/pages/merch]!June 30, 2026 is the final day for our Priding in the Impala 2026 Fundraiser! [https://idlingintheimpala.com/collections/priding-2026]~~~~~ Charities IITI Supports: Check out the Causes, ‘cause [https://idlingintheimpala.com/pages/causes-cause] page on our website for the whys: World Central Kitchen [https://wck.org/] and Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) [https://www.msf.org/] ~~~~~ For Those in the US: Educate and Empower Yourself, Find Ways to Take Action Support Basic Human Rights - American Civil Liberties Union [https://www.aclu.org/] (ACLU) Prioritize Your Mental Health - National Alliance on Mental Illness [https://nami.org/Home] (NAMI) Thrive (Not Just Survive) After Abuse - Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network [https://www.rainn.org/] (RAINN)   ~~~~~ LGBTQ+ Charities Switchboard LGBT [https://switchboard.lgbt/] UK The Trevor Project - USA [https://www.thetrevorproject.org/] and Global [https://www.thetrevorproject.org/resources/article/resources-for-international-lgbtq-youth/] ~~~~~ Our podcast occasionally incorporates brief excerpts from the CW television show "Supernatural" for transformative commentary and analysis. This use falls under the Fair Use doctrine codified in Section 107 of the United States Copyright Act. The included clips are short, constituting only a minuscule portion of the original work, and illustrate specific points within our critical commentary. Our podcast does not compete with the show's market. This use promotes public discourse and understanding of the work, strengthening its cultural significance. ~~~ Chapter Timestamps 00:00:00 - Intro 00:02:10 - What’s up at SuperWiki 00:11:36 - The fandom that got Jules into fanfic 00:15:43 - Finding fic in the dawn of the Internet 00:20:37 - LiveJournal 00:30:54 - Gold Rush of SPN Fic 00:33:45 - Reader Insert Early Days 00:35:59 - Tops and Bottoms 00:38:58 - Fandom fic preference crossover 00:41:45 - Context clues and fandom husbandry 00:50:50 - Writing outside of fanfic 00:56:07 - Jules’ first SPN fanfic 01:01:45 - RPF 01:05:00 - Any tropes for Jules 01:07:37 - Tentacles 01:12:47 - Omegaverse 01:22:16 - Dalliances with other fandoms 01:29:10 - Film to fan delay 01:32:05 - A Tech Support Jensen fic by Jules 01:39:17 - Fave SPN fanfic authors 01:46:12 - Kasey has questions 01:49:11 - Final thoughts and outro

SPN Fandom Deep Dive | Interviewing the Sam Girl Retrospective Podcast Creator

Sandra and Kasey welcome Audree (sunflowerchester on tumblr), creator and co-host of A Sam Girl Retrospective Podcast, a Supernatural rewatch series celebrating Sam Winchester. Fresh off wrapping Season 3, Audree joins us to discuss what makes Sam-centric storytelling resonate, how fanfiction amplifies character depth, and a decade of friendship built around SPN fandom. Learn more about the art of loving the boy Sam Winchester with unshakeable conviction. Find the podcast here: https://samgirlretrospective.podbean.com/ [https://samgirlretrospective.podbean.com/] Find Audree on tumblr [https://www.tumblr.com/sunflowerchester]. ~~~ We're taking you for a spin in Baby's backseat. Dean's House Rules - Driver picks the music, shotgun shuts his cakehole, and the ones in the back enjoy the ride... idling in the Impala. ~~~~~ TL;DR - If you can’t be bothered clicking on all the things in this description, just visit our website: idlingintheimpala.com [https://idlingintheimpala.com/] We'd love to hear your thoughts. Send us an email (idlingintheimpala@gmail.com [idlingintheimpala@gmail.com])! All the Socials and AO3 and Fiction links: https://linktr.ee/idlingintheimpalapodcast [https://linktr.ee/idlingintheimpalapodcast] Our Discord #backseat [https://discord.gg/nsbSBSjfbX] Channel. Interested in being a guest on the podcast? Give us some info about you here [https://forms.gle/s2KQhNfgT8yYNNrK8] so we can connect. Feel inclined to leave us a tip for all this AWESOME content? Visit our Ko-fi [https://ko-fi.com/idlingintheimpala] page. Monthly supporters will get special behind-the-scenes perks! We’ve got podcast merch for our fellow idlers. Take a look [https://idlingintheimpala.com/pages/merch]!  Our Priding in the Impala Fundraiser merch is available now! [https://idlingintheimpala.com/collections/priding-2026] ~~~~~ Charities IITI Supports: Check out the Causes, ‘cause [https://idlingintheimpala.com/pages/causes-cause] page on our website for the whys: World Central Kitchen [https://wck.org/] and Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) [https://www.msf.org/] ~~~~~ For Those in the US: Educate and Empower Yourself, Find Ways to Take Action Support Basic Human Rights - American Civil Liberties Union [https://www.aclu.org/] (ACLU) Prioritize Your Mental Health - National Alliance on Mental Illness [https://nami.org/Home] (NAMI) Thrive (Not Just Survive) After Abuse - Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network [https://www.rainn.org/] (RAINN)   ~~~~~ LGBTQ+ Charities Switchboard LGBT [https://switchboard.lgbt/] UK The Trevor Project - USA [https://www.thetrevorproject.org/] and Global [https://www.thetrevorproject.org/resources/article/resources-for-international-lgbtq-youth/] ~~~~~ Our podcast occasionally incorporates brief excerpts from the CW television show "Supernatural" for transformative commentary and analysis. This use falls under the Fair Use doctrine codified in Section 107 of the United States Copyright Act. The included clips are short, constituting only a minuscule portion of the original work, and illustrate specific points within our critical commentary. Our podcast does not compete with the show's market. This use promotes public discourse and understanding of the work, strengthening its cultural significance. ~~~ Chapter Timestamps 00:00:00 - Intro 00:02:40 - Kasey needs to ask THE question 00:06:58 - When did Audree get into Supernatural 00:11:47 - When blorbos collide 00:18:40 - Growing up with Sam 00:20:45 - Other faves on the show 00:23:42 - The Needs of Sam and Dean 00:33:00 - The Finale and other frustrations 00:45:40 - Watching Sam with Sam fans 00:56:03 - Mystery Spot 00:58:56 - Born Under A Bad Sign 01:02:37 - Sam wardrobe malfunctions 01:16:43 - Sacrifice 01:26:50 - Bugs 01:28:51 - Making longtime fandom friends 01:33:25 - Deciding to podcast 01:38:45 - Behind the podcast curtain 01:50:58 - Podcast connections and goals 01:53:25 - The brothers provide reflection and safety 02:01:47 - Questions from Kasey 02:11:28 - Final thoughts and outro

Supernatural Alternate Versions | The Many Selves of Sam and Dean Winchester

Sandra and Kasey dive into the show Supernatural, exploring all the wildly creative alter egos of Sam and Dean Winchester across 15 seasons, from parallel universe versions to possession and shape-shifting storylines. But they didn't stop with Sam and Dean, so the supporting character list grew quite lengthy. Discover what makes these variations resonate with fans, and why fanfic writers keep returning to this endlessly adaptable canon. ~~~ We're taking you for a spin in Baby's backseat. Dean's House Rules - Driver picks the music, shotgun shuts his cakehole, and the ones in the back enjoy the ride... idling in the Impala. ~~~~~ TL;DR - If you can’t be bothered clicking on all the things in this description, just visit our website: idlingintheimpala.com [https://idlingintheimpala.com/] We'd love to hear your thoughts. Send us an email (idlingintheimpala@gmail.com [idlingintheimpala@gmail.com])! All the Socials and AO3 and Fiction links: https://linktr.ee/idlingintheimpalapodcast [https://linktr.ee/idlingintheimpalapodcast] Our Discord #backseat [https://discord.gg/nsbSBSjfbX] Channel. Interested in being a guest on the podcast? Give us some info about you here [https://forms.gle/s2KQhNfgT8yYNNrK8] so we can connect. Feel inclined to leave us a tip for all this AWESOME content? Visit our Ko-fi [https://ko-fi.com/idlingintheimpala] page. Monthly supporters will get special behind-the-scenes perks! We’ve got podcast merch for our fellow idlers. Take a look [https://idlingintheimpala.com/pages/merch]!  Our Priding in the Impala Fundraiser merch is available now! [https://idlingintheimpala.com/collections/priding-2026] ~~~~~ Charities IITI Supports: Check out the Causes, ‘cause [https://idlingintheimpala.com/pages/causes-cause] page on our website for the whys: World Central Kitchen [https://wck.org/] and Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) [https://www.msf.org/] ~~~~~ For Those in the US: Educate and Empower Yourself, Find Ways to Take Action Support Basic Human Rights - American Civil Liberties Union [https://www.aclu.org/] (ACLU) Prioritize Your Mental Health - National Alliance on Mental Illness [https://nami.org/Home] (NAMI) Thrive (Not Just Survive) After Abuse - Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network [https://www.rainn.org/] (RAINN)   ~~~~~ LGBTQ+ Charities Switchboard LGBT [https://switchboard.lgbt/] UK The Trevor Project - USA [https://www.thetrevorproject.org/] and Global [https://www.thetrevorproject.org/resources/article/resources-for-international-lgbtq-youth/] ~~~~~ Our podcast occasionally incorporates brief excerpts from the CW television show "Supernatural" for transformative commentary and analysis. This use falls under the Fair Use doctrine codified in Section 107 of the United States Copyright Act. The included clips are short, constituting only a minuscule portion of the original work, and illustrate specific points within our critical commentary. Our podcast does not compete with the show's market. This use promotes public discourse and understanding of the work, strengthening its cultural significance. ~~~ Chapter Timestamps 00:00:00 - Intro 00:01:45 - Trying to deep dive and rank this episode 00:05:49 - Categorizing the alter egos 00:08:27 - Alternative character versions 01:08:25 - Possessed characters 01:37:53 - Sick characters 01:45:39 - Our top performers 01:47:16 - Outro