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Thursday, August 27, 2015

Supernatural VS The Walking Dead: guest post Tara Fox Hall + giveaway

Supernatural VS The Walking Dead


I’ve written a lot of blog posts over the years, but none so far about a TV show. So I thought, why not break the mold and write about two at once?

I’ve been a fan of Supernatural since the very first episode aired, revolving around a Woman in White, the very first “monster” introduced on the show. What’s not to like about two sexy brothers who’d die for each other driving around the country in a kick-ass black Impala hunting monsters and saving people? I’ve mentioned the TV show repeatedly in my Promise Me Series, ahhed over photos and videos of the luscious Dean, and went so far as to sing a duet to “Carry on my Wayward Son” with my fellow author Tori Ridgewood when she visited me this summer and we were driving about in my black car (sadly NOT an Impala). 


With Walking Dead, I’m the direct opposite, a latecomer to the series who only began watching during the “catch up” over last December leading up to the mid-season finale to its fifth season. After seeing the episode “No Sanctuary,” I was hooked and went back, watching through all the previous seasons, which aired during the New Year’s Eve Walking Dead marathon. Now rabidly waiting for season six to begin, I’ve got my official “Run like a Walker’s After You” T-shirt, oohed over photos of the rugged Daryl Dixon, and received a brand new machete last Christmas with a note from my husband “In case of zombie apocalypse.”

First off, what is so compelling about these shows? My personal view is the characters, hands down. Both shows are not afraid to show a really dark side to their “heroes” and a very human side to their “villains.” The theme for both series is often that the ends justifies the means, that in fighting a war for survival, you do whatever it takes to win, no matter what that might be. Rick Grimes, Daryl Dixon, Michonne, and Carol of Walking Dead have shown over and over that they have what it takes to survive, even if their choices are horrific. Similarly, Dean and Sam of Supernatural have also given their all for what they think is right, though ruthlessness came a bit late to Sam, who had to die and come back to gain his killing edge. Yet in all the gore and horror and death, both shows retain their heart; within Supernatural in the love between the brothers and their willingness to do anything to protect one another, and within Walking Dead in Rick’s group’s willingness to protect baby Judith and try to retain what small amount of their humanity is left to them in the wake of all the horror of their everyday lives.

Which show is more successful? It depends on how you measure success. Walking Dead has a far broader audience with a huge Twitter base (Talking Dead, a show decided to recapping the most recent episode of WD and airs directly after each new episode, holds a Twitter contest several times during the show, with winners to trivia questions winning points) and also a new spin-off series called Fear the Walking Dead. Supernatural has a much smaller fan base, but they are very devoted, and the show will shortly begin its eleventh season, with no signs of being put out to pasture. Yes, monster lovers, that’s two seasons more than even the now iconic Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

So what’s my final comparison? Supernatural wins hands down for humor and for sheer recklessness in episodes. Between the episode where Sam is locked in a sort of Groundhog Day and must watch Dean die in all kinds of inventive ways, and the several episodes where both brothers come face to face with their alternate universe characters (solving a murder at a Supernatural Convention, meeting the writer who penned the Supernatural series the brothers have been living, and then being stuck in the “real” world on the Supernatural film set as their characters and having to pretend they are actors), this TV show has literally gone further and stranger than any other that I know. The one-liners are priceless, particularly the lines of Crowley, the current king of Hell, when he interacts with the duo who he dubs “Moose” (Sam) and “Squirrel” (Dean) after Rocky and Bullwinkle. Entire websites are devoted to Supernatural slang and various terms and jokes in the series. As much as I love Walking Dead, there were and are times that series just too grim for me to watch.

Still, I will say when it comes to compelling episodes, Walking Dead wins hands down. Episodes like TS-19, where Rick Grimes and Co. visit the CDC to gain answers on what the hell caused zombification, always leave me tearful and hoping that I’m appreciating my life enough. It’s central message, that you always think there is going to be enough time to do everything you want in life and that one day the clock will run out before you’re ready is going to stay with me the rest of my days.


So what say you, fans? Tell me which show is your favorite, or why you love both! Random commenter will win a 25$ Amazon gift card!


More Supernatural VS Walking Dead is happily found below on YouTube: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DybYf6pbsDM
Supernatural meets Walking Dead
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uscc147xiVs
Daryl Dixon and Dean Winchester
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WS4KznVDks
Supernatural, Walking Dead style
(Supernatural Opening Credit Pics with Walking Dead Opening Credit music)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QegdXJyVNew


Sundown & Serena (Promise Me Series Book #12)
by Tara Fox Hall
Neither human stripper Sundown nor virgin were-halfbreed Serena knew how their futures would change when catalyst vampire Devlin Dalcon walked into their lives. Sundown was just looking to party and forget her tragic past; Serena was hoping for excitement and love, to be swept away from the dull routine of her short-order cook job and solitary life. Will these very different women finally face their fears in time to seize their own dreams of happiness?
Excerpt: Chapter One

It felt like the day from hell. Everything had gone wrong for me. I’d gotten hit on by an overzealous, middle-aged buffoon who’d fondled me intimately on his second lap dance. That had put me off so much, I’d been a beat behind when I took my turn onstage. The men in the audience hadn’t cared, but I had. I liked to think I was the most sought after girl in Hotcakes, and how could I, feeling like some amateur her first night on the pole.

“Shit.” I drank my seven-and-seven down in a gulp, and decided to pay my tab. It was time to go home.

Leaving some money on the bar, I motioned to Bill, the head bouncer at Hotcakes. He came over grinning snidely, his tanned face sharp, yet still friendly. “Another, Sundown?”

“No,” I said tiredly, getting to my feet. “I should go home.”
He leaned in close. “Even though you’ve got a fan still here?”
I gave him a look that said he’d better not annoy me in the mood I

was in. “What are you talking about?”
“That guy in the corner,” he said, with a discreet hand gesture. “He

came in when you were on stage. He watched your set like he’d never seen a woman before.”

“Good for him,” I said dispassionately, though inside I was pleased to hear of the special attention. “It’s nice I can still give a man a lift, even as bad as I was.”

“You weren’t bad,” Bill replied seriously. “Just off by a few seconds.”

“Not good enough,” I replied stiffly. “I strive for perfection. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

As I went for my coat, a soft yet deep voice called out, “Please wait.”

I turned back to see my admirer coming toward me. As men went— especially compared to the type who came in here usually—he was a solid nine. He was handsome, tall, and his body was nicely muscular without being too bulky. He looked sort of young for some reason, yet I reasoned that he had to be at least twenty-one for Bill to have let him in the door. His straight dark hair was pulled sharply back in a short ponytail, which made me think he was older than the early twenties I pegged him for. That hairstyle wasn’t popular with the twenty-something crowd, and the clothes he was wearing also spoke to him being at least thirty-something.

“Can I take you for coffee?” he asked softly, his dark eyes staring at my breasts before looking up to my face.

At least he’s close to my age. It was nice to have a man come on to me who wasn’t old enough to be my father...wait. The stranger’s eyes had seemed red for a moment. Now they were dark again. It must have been a trick of the light. The bartender had just shut off the flashing neon signs in the front windows and announced last call. Maybe it had been the glare of the strobe lights that were still going strong? Maybe I’m drunker than I thought...Nah.

“Or something to eat,” the stranger added, when I didn’t reply. “You look like you could use a good meal.”

“Listen, buddy,” I replied sarcastically. “This isn’t Pretty Woman, got it? I’m not looking for a savior.”

“What woman is these days?” he stated bitterly. “I was just offering company, if you wanted some.”

I was surprised that someone so young could sound so bitter. Maybe he only looked young. Or maybe he’d had a childhood like mine. I reached out and ran my hands over his chest. His muscles bunched reflexively under my hands, making a shiver of desire snake its way through my body.

Maybe this is a good way to end the night. “What are you offering?” I said suggestively, giving him my best bedroom eyes.


About the Author:
Tara Fox Hall’s writing credits include nonfiction, erotica, horror, suspense, action-adventure, children’s stories, and contemporary and historical paranormal romance. She is the author of the paranormal fantasy Lash series and the paranormal romantic drama Promise Me series. Tara divides her free time unequally between writing novels and short stories, chainsawing firewood, caring for stray animals, sewing cat and dog beds for donation to animal shelters, and target practice. All of her published children’s stories to date are free reads on www.childrens-stories.net.
Connect with Tara Fox Hall
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48 comments:

  1. supernatural because i do have seen a few episodes here but i haven't watched any walkind dead episodes ( not really fan of zombies either^^;;)

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  2. Like them both but love Supernatural more...

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  3. I love both of the shows. They're different. Supernatural is well... supernatural. The Walking Dead is apocalyptic. :-)))

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  4. I actually have never seen Supernatural, not for any reason except no time. But I love, love, love WD!!! thanks for sharing!

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  5. I love pretty much anything supernatural. I know you said you had to play catch up but that's what I love. Marathons are my favorite. It feels like you are more into the story than just an hour or 2 a day. Love supernatural books too. Read many of Supernatural, Buffy, and Charmed books.

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    1. I agree, its was JOY to watch the episodes back to back and not have to wait. Waiting for new seasons just kills me! lol.
      Supernatural 5, WD 2.5 :)

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  6. I can honestly tell you, you won;t get the humor breaks in Walking Dead like Supernatural (I came to both from the first season, though Supernatural I had to buy the DVD set as we did not have CW at first here year of it). Supernatural is my #1 show,though WD in top of m faves, as I love horror. And hubby watches WD as he likes zombies and apocalyptic dysoptian worlds in science fiction. But WD is pure horror, not unlike the vampire horror flick (and one of the best vampire horror movies in my opinion), 30 Days of Night. No humor in that movie. You go for the characters and the monsters for both the series and movie. Though humor is good-breaks the unrelenting tension. Of course, I write horror and dark fantasy, so I see the good in both series.

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    1. I enjoyed 30 days of night, though it was very dark. Yes, you're right about the humor. I find I need it the older I get to break up some of the tension and relentless bad-bad-bad stuff. I'm not much for either zombies or apocalyptic movies, which is why I resisted WD for so long! But I'll be around til the end now, unless they kill off Carol and Daryl.
      Supernatural 6, WD 3.5 :)

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  7. don't watch these shows

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  8. Love them both, but The Walking Dead is my favorite of the two!

    Betul E.

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  9. I love both shows but Supernatural wins HANDS DOWN! They guys are so cute and I love the fight between good and evil.

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    1. Supernatural 7, WD 4.5 :) Yeah, I love seeing new pics or videos of Dean and Sam :)

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  10. I couldn't get into The Walking Dead. So, I'd say Supernatural though it jumped the shark for me a couple of seasons ago. I still watch most of the episodes though I usually do something else like clean at the same time.

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    1. Lol, Anne. I confess I felt the same for a while, when the demons took a backseat to the leviathans and the devil.
      Supernatural 7.5, WD 4.5 :)

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  11. I prefer Supernatural, because I'm just not into zombies.

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    1. We could use a new monster, I think. :)
      Supernatural 8.5, WD 4.5

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  12. I only watched the first season of Walking Dead. It's just not for me. I really don't care for zombies. I do love Supernatural though. I've been watching that show forever.

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    1. I didn't like the first season either...but I like a lot of action and it seemed to me that stuff began slowly. Also, I hated the scene with the horse, even if it was logical and realistic.
      Supernatural 9.5, WD 4.5 :)

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  13. I don't watch Supernatural, but am a fan of The Walking Dead.

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  14. Supernatural, never watched a full episode of Walking Dead.

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  15. I never saw either...I associated Padalecki too much with Dean on GILMORE GIRLS to get over the cognitive dissonance on SUPERNATURAL, and WALKING DEAD always looked too gory! I loved REAPER best, and still miss it.

    --Koozebane

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    1. Yeah, J. Ackles stint on Smallville threw me for a while too, lol. I have never seen Reaper - will have to check it out!

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  16. I've watched both shows from the beginning of each and I have to go with Supernatural all the way. Although I do love The Walking Dead and tend to wait on the edge of my chair on Sunday evening when it's about to come on, I will DVR it but when it comes to Wednesday nights when a new Supernatural is on, I will cut off the heads of anyone who dares disturb my viewing pleasure. So, another vote for Supernatural here :D

    Shelly H
    booski24@hotmail.com

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    1. Supernatural 11.5, WD 6.5 :) Glad to see you have passion! :)

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  17. Supernatural is my favorite.
    Thanks for the chance to win!

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  18. I watch both, but I love Supernatural more. I started Supernatural at the beginning, but real life got in the way (dang it, lol). I ended up going back and binge watching from the beginning and falling in love all over again. I love the variety of the different creatures that the Winchesters and company face each episode. Even after all these seasons, they still are able to keep it original and engaging. Plus, they are FINE! All three of the Winchesters are: Sammy, Dean, & John! There is no way that I could pick just one :)

    TWD is good too but I am not as fanatical about it. I started watching it after catching a marathon at my sister's house. SHE is a huge TWD fan! Never misses a marathon, if it's on and she's at home, she's watching! I think it drives her crazy that of her 3 kids, only 1 watches it, and he only watches it part of the time with her, lol.

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    1. Yes, I get annoyed when my hubby makes fun of me "Walking my Dead" as he calls it, lol! But yes. those Winchester men are FINE :)
      Supernatural 13.5, WD 7.5

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  19. I LIKE BOTH SHOWS! THANKS FOR THE GIVEAWAY! SHELLEY S. calicolady60@hotmail.com

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    1. Supernatural 14.5, WD 8.5 :) Glad to see there are so many fans! :)

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  20. I like both shows, but I love Scandal and How to Get Away With Murder more.

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    1. I'll give a half point for each, lol! :) Supernatural 15 to WD 9. :)

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  21. I like Supernatural best, I don't really get the whole zombie thing or its appeal. LOL

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    1. I feel the same about zombies, as a rule, But Daryl Dixon had me at that "Alone" episode :)

      Supernatural 16, WD 9

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  22. I like Walking Dead more. I anticipate upcoming episodes while I tend to forget that there's a new episode of Supernatural.

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  23. I am a sucker for The Walking Dead and Daryl. Love the drama, action and emotional roller coaster of the show. I will beat up the producers if they ever kill him off.

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