It’s this world they live in; this horrible, dreadful world they live in. Though, this isn’t to say why foul language is thrown around the way it is, but it’s important for us to understand where they come from. They live in a world where things that go “bump in the night” are real. Where Lucifer has risen and people they love have died. Hell, they’ve watched the people they love die. Sometimes by their own hands; naturally against their will. That’s what they’ve been told. It’s all for the good of the world. An angel told them that. An angel in a trench coat tells them what to do, though these two brothers don’t always follow his orders. One of the brothers (the older one) constantly speaks in a manner that would make the generations before them cringe with anxiety.
Welcome to the world of Supernatural.
Or, more appropriately, the language that exists on the show.
For those of us who are familiar with the show (and, if you aren’t, get into it strictly for Jensen Ackles), maybe you can agree with me on the development of the language on the show. Now, I’ve never been naïve enough to believe that the two boys speak with eloquence and avoid all types of vulgar language (however that’s defined), but it’s seemed to me that, over the last couple of seasons in particular, they’ve become a bit riskier with the level of bad language on the show. Television shows in the past decade have kept to the guidelines given to them, but it seems that more and more often, we’re getting these television shows that are pushing the metaphorical envelope.
It first started on Supernatural (or, when I first noticed it, rather) when Dean (the older brother) called Castiel (the angel) a dick. Naturally, they’ve got a unique relationship because most of the angels, as Dean so maturely calls them, are dicks. But, I remember watching the episode for the first time and doing a double-take. It wasn’t familiar to hear the word on the show. And I would know; I’ve seen the show from the beginning. Fast-forward a couple of weeks later and, again from Dean’s mouth do you hear the word “douche”. Now, if you are a fan of the show, you know the language almost always comes from Dean (not that I mind), but up until then, I hadn’t thought that the language would be challenged into “dangerous territory”, I guess you could call it.
After that point, it seems to me that the show just kind of took off the filter for language (however, they do keep away from the “taboo” words). Dean has always had his famous catchphrase: “Son of a bitch!”, but it began to be used far more often. Phrases that followed were remarks like, “We’ll look into Sam and Dean’s homoerotic dependency”, “Eat it, Twilight”, and “I’ve been rehymenated”. All of these phrases stray to the more sexual side of language, however many people would call it bad, so I’m throwing it in there.
The history of inappropriate language on television has changed so much just in the last decade, however I can’t really be bothered by it. I think that if it’s not just there to be there (all of those Rob Zombie movies, if you’re looking for an example), and it’s mixed well into the scene and plot of the show, then the language is fine. Personally speaking, Dean’s language is part of what makes Dean who he is. He’s the major bad-ass with an impossible task assigned to him. If he lets off steam every now and then with language, then I say let the writers do so. For me, at least, his “Son of a bitch!” makes me laugh every time.
Television of today has changed drastically from television of past generations. I always kind of wished to take someone from the 50s or 60s and have them flip through the shows on today and see how they would react. But that will never happen sadly because I think it would be pretty funny. I have not seen the show Supernatural, but I have heard of it. This show, like many others are great examples of how the language filters are coming off of our televisions. Before bad language was only heard on channels like HBO, channels that you had to pay extra to watch. But now like you pointed out it is on regular channels and shows that are very popular to many different kinds of people.
ReplyDeleteLanguage taboos are just going to be broken over and over again till it is commonplace to hear some bad language on the television. It is part of our society and we have to understand that. But there are still some taboo words that are not being used on the shows we watch. This reflects the morals of our society and how far we are willing to push the limits of what can be said and what cannot be said on television.
I read the first sentence and I let out a loud groan. Not you too... It seems every female I know loves that show and worse they are absolutely, positively, irrovocably, in love with... you guessed it, Dean. It's always Dean this, and Dean that, Dean, Dean, DEAN! Now I have never seen an entire episode of Supernatural, though I have tried and I end up asleep or wanting to put on another episode of Dexter. (Now that show is worth watching...) But in the small amount of time I have seen that show I am almost convinced that Mr. Big Badass Dean is trying waaaaay too hard to be the heroic, take shit from nobody, and overly egotistical stereotype. The guy seems as cool as the other side of the pillow but then he opens his mouth and I feel like I am listening to Paul Walker talk. His acting is just God awful! Well Dean is not that bad... But it was kind of close. I mean I get the whole gist of everything but come on really? He doesn't need to try so hard... The cussing adds to this point I mean it was funny the first, I dunno twenty or so times, but now I mess with my girlfriend while she is glued to Netflix and I blurt out a random curse before he says something and I am getting quite accurate at calling it right.
ReplyDeleteSo anyway getting back the point. I agree that language, just ain't what it used to be. Things have changed, what is socially acceptable today was considered heinous just the other day. Things are always changing so fast, and while some of us have a hell of a time catching up. Others just see it as: that's the way it is, and that's the way it's going to be. But why? I get that shows from the common networks are trying to be on par with shows on HBO, Showtime, and STARZ. But the truth is there is a reason those shows are on those networks. Those shows are for paying adults who seek adult oriented content. If the shows that are on basic become like that then what will people be subjected to?
I love Supernatural! I used to watch it whenever I had the chance, but life has gotten in the way and I can’t watch it so often now. But come on, who doesn’t love cute boys with cool cars and abilities to send the damned back to hell? Anyway, you make a good point when you state that Dean uses vulgar language because it is who he is. I have a friend that curses like a sailor, and if she did not curse, then she would not be the same girl that I know her to be. It is almost as if her cursing is a part of her being. You also state that Dean and the characters on Supernatural stray away from taboo language. Now, if Dean had decided that he wanted to use taboo words on the show, then that would not be acceptable, at least from my perspective. Television is for the purpose of entertainment, not for upsetting members of society. I must say though, I think you picked a perfect example to describe how sometimes bad language can be a part of a character on television, but this bad language should be controlled to some extent. Additionally, your title is certainly eye-catching.
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