Supernatural, Slash and Subtext: Part 2
While at Supernatural convention SF, 2015, Misha Collins was answering fan questions and a young woman, maybe 17 or 18, asked him if he had read any of the Slash fiction that fans had written about his fan-favorite character, Castiel and his not-quite-boyfriend, Dean Winchester (Jenson Ackles), lovingly dubbed by fan-girls (and rarely but not unheard of boys) as “Destiel”. Misha had not read the fan’s manuscripts, except when he was new to the role and accidentally stumbled upon some in 2009 while looking up what people thought of his character in general. His response was shock and awe, saying “Cas! You are being a very naughty angel,” in the most good-natured and ribbing way that Misha has when talking to fans.
(Jimi Hendrix “Kiss This Guy” from our vast music t-shirt collection.) Since then, the writers of the show have dropped innumerable “hints” that the relationship between Dean, the surly pretty-boy alchaholic and his socially awkward, trench coat sporting, blue-eyed pal are more than just friendly. Misha tried to play coy with the audience and at other conventions, Jenson has dodged similar questions, sometimes even outright accusations from real world gay or bisexual fans who are offended at his teasing portrayal (who I guess don’t realize that he’s not in control of what his character says or who he ends up dating in fiction).
