Crush of the Week

[xakara]

Greetings, Kittens!

Let's kick of today's installment with a little background. There are many things that can land someone here as Crush of the Week material. Some are actor crushes, built through interviews and convention appearances and a consistant demonstration of being a great person who stands for something. Others capture my affections for the characters they play, the stories they tell and the worlds they make me believe in. Of course it is a fine day when someone is both, but there is a third category, those who are the best of the best in my affections and they are the Fantasy Cast. Every writer has them, those people that embody a character physically, emotionally or spiritually that you'd either want to see play your character on screen, or that got you through writing by being featured in the movie in your head.

I'm guilty of Hollywood casting at times in that the character I describe on the page and the character I see in my head when I picture the scene aren't the same. Most of the time this is because the written character's description is important but I have no visual equivalent and, yet, I can easily see certain actors or models together in my head and can't shake it loose, so I go with it. This happened with Ghost of Christmas Past. It plays out in my head with entirely different people of different body types than Quintus and Sky, so I can't share them with you to avoid confusion. But the one person I can give you is the physical inspiration for Torrin St. James.

Who is it that captures the six-and-a-half foot, doe-eyed, broad shouldered, wounded puppy of "baby sasquatch" proportions? Yes, Kittens, that's right; this Friday's Crush of the Week is Jared Padalecki.

Jared first came to the attention of many as Dean Forester on The Gilmore Girls, a great show that still garners praise in the industry nearly four years after ending it's seven year run. But despite the popularity of The Gilmore Girls, there is no doubt that Jared hit the big time of male hottie-hood as Sam Winchester on the WB's and now the CW's Supernatural. 

The show follows two brothers on the road fighting evil and malice in its many incarnations. On its sixth season, the boys have been to hell and back--literally--but our dark knights keep moving forward, carrying the scars and bruises that a life on the road, on the run and in the cross-hairs of evil leave behind.

It's Sam's dedication to the truth and his willingness to take each situation on its own merit that allows Supernatural to be more than just a "shoot-em-up" killing spree. Instead the show is a series of explorations as well as hunts, revealing that even the monsters aren't always what they seem, and sometimes it's the humans that are the worst monsters of all. 

That Sam's influence has made his older brother Dean a better person and a better hunter is a clear premise of the show's first main story arc. Now as the story turns and our Sammy has been down a darker road, it's Dean's turn to be the moral compass and remain a light in the darkness that is destiny's payback.

I don't know if Jared's character Sam will ever find his happy ending, but as Torrin he got something better--a new beginning. 

Onto pictures. Enjoy. 

Relaxed GQ Casual Suave


Broody Sam Winchester Hot


Extra Broody Emo-liciousness


Pre-Make-up Sex Broody


Dirty...Sexy...Lovely


Thugs Need Love Too



Just Enough Room For Two


Mmm, now doesn't that just bring sweet dreams for all? 

And there we are, the intellectual, emotionally vulnerable, loveliness that is Sam, the versatility that is Jared, and the personal happy sigh of seeing another of my characters as Crush of the Week. :)

Crush Ramble Done

~X

Comments

[sophy.livejournal.com]

Yum.

[xakara.livejournal.com]

Right?!

[(Anonymous)]

I've said it before that Supernatural is one of my fave shows! I've watched it since day one and I've been having withdrawals waiting for it to come back on the 28th. Gotta love the Winchester brothers! Xakara, is that you in the last pic with him? ;)

Cindy L

[xakara.livejournal.com]

So lovely of you to notice, Cindy! But, shhh, we're keeping it on the dl.*grin*

The 28th can't come fast enough. I found myself watching the reruns on TNT this morning. It's obviously been too long.

I Love Sam!

[mary carlson (from livejournal.com)]

I hope he comes back to us soon!

Re: I Love Sam!

[xakara.livejournal.com]

So do I! I can't wait until the 28th and beyond so see our Sammy again.

In the meantime I commend Jared for taking a character I love and want to take care of, and making me sympathize every time Dean smacks him so far this season. *grin*

Re: I Love Sam!

[(Anonymous)]

Yes, I know, I admire Jared as well, but I've had to step away from the show this season because I truly hate how they have de-constructed Sam.
The show itself has strayed so far from the original formula, no more funny crappy hotels,no more classic rock power ballads, very little banter or brotherly love, everyone, Bobby and Castiel stating they prefer Dean. I can't bear to watch. Wake me when it's over , then I'll come back, meanwhile, I'm hoping for better things for Sammy!

Re: I Love Sam!

[xakara.livejournal.com]

Does that mean you haven't seen the episodes up to the winter break? Or that you're white-knuckling it until it returns and have higher hopes then? I don't want to spoil anything, but hopefully it'll be the show you remember in not so long.

Re: I Love Sam!

[(Anonymous)]

I've watched about half of them , and been told about the rest. I will probably watch come the 28th, but I've felt no need to see re-runs of episodes that left me unhappy! I truly don't like this seasons arc and or format. I don't know if it is Sera Gambles fault or what, I just dislike it. I read a spoiler where they will have the guys end up in a universe where they are in the show? It may end up being brilliant , but it sounds kind of lame to me.
We'll see.
As long as Sam becomes Sam again.

Re: I Love Sam!

[xakara.livejournal.com]

I completely understand not wanting to revisit episodes that made you unhappy. I hope the second half brings you and others back around.

It's been a very divisive season, with a clear love it or hate it line fanbase. On one hand it's worrisome as to what happens when it comes back next season, (some 80% certain by the reports), on the other hand I'm proud of the show for taking risks assuming the pay-off is what Sera Gamble promised and that's a show about them as brothers again.

I'm a little trepidatious about the alt-universe show myself, but I was trepidatious about Hollywood Babylon, Changing Channels, Live Free or Twihard and Clap Your Hands If You Believe, and all turned out to be among my favorite episodes for different reasons. So I'm holding out hope.

But in the end, yes, it's all about Sam being Sam again so that they can be brothers again.

[xakara.livejournal.com]

Hey, Julia!

I got seasons 1-5 on a spending spree as well. 1-4 went on sale when 5 came out and I got them all for a steal! *grin* I also have all of season 6 on the DVR. I'm about to start watching them again to get me through to the 28th, it's taking too long!

So glad you loved the Jared pics. I aimed to please so it makes me happy to have succeeded. He made such a wonder Torrin when I was writing that the story became my Happy Place. I'm thrilled to revisit it, and part of that it him. :)

I'm with you as well, I think that this season has really pushed Jared and Jensen to grow and stretch. They have a very easy chemistry and commadarie and that always came through on screen. That they had to embody these long term characters and yet leave behind everything they relied on between them,for this new dynamic, is a wonderful opportunity to grow.

My favorites have been yours plus the vampire episode and the baby shapeshifter. :)