Difference between revisions of "Wincest"

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[[Image:Wincest.JPG|right|350px|thumb|Sam and Dean in [[1.21 Salvation]]]]
 
[[Image:Wincest.JPG|right|350px|thumb|Sam and Dean in [[1.21 Salvation]]]]
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== '''Definition''' ==
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==Definition==
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Wincest is the term commonly used to describe fanfiction (or other fanworks) that depict or assume a romantic or sexual (i.e. [[Slash]]) relationship between [[Sam]] and [[Dean Winchester]]. It is the most popular pairing in Supernatural fandom, along with [[Destiel]] or Dean/Castiel.
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Wincest is the term commonly used to describe fans of a romantic or sexual (i.e. [[Slash]]) relationship between [[Sam]] and [[Dean Winchester]]. It is one of the most popular pairings in the Supernatural fandom, along with [[Destiel]] or Dean/Castiel.
  
 
The word is a portmanteau of brothers' last name, Winchester, and the word "incest".  The term Wincest is also commonly used as interchangeable with '''Sam/Dean''' (or Dean/Sam) when describing a fanfic pairing. Fans of Wincest occasionally refer to themselves as Wincesters.
 
The word is a portmanteau of brothers' last name, Winchester, and the word "incest".  The term Wincest is also commonly used as interchangeable with '''Sam/Dean''' (or Dean/Sam) when describing a fanfic pairing. Fans of Wincest occasionally refer to themselves as Wincesters.
  
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=== '''Wait a second... Just which Winchesters are involved in Wincest?''' ===
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===Wait a second... Just which Winchesters are involved in Wincest?===
 
In the early days of the Supernatural fandom (around late 2005), the term 'Wincest' referred to slash between any of the Winchester men - so [[John/Dean]], [[John/Sam]] and [[John/Dean/Sam]] as well as Sam/Dean could be termed 'Wincest'.  
 
In the early days of the Supernatural fandom (around late 2005), the term 'Wincest' referred to slash between any of the Winchester men - so [[John/Dean]], [[John/Sam]] and [[John/Dean/Sam]] as well as Sam/Dean could be termed 'Wincest'.  
  
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[[Wee!cest]] refers to Wincest where one or both of the boys are underage.
 
[[Wee!cest]] refers to Wincest where one or both of the boys are underage.
  
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In Season 5, interest rose in the pairing of [[Michael]] and [[Lucifer]] - itself an incestuous relationship. The pairing often occurs when the angels are possessing their [[Vessel]]s Sam and Dean, and so is a form of [[Wincest]].
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In Season 5, interest rose in the pairing of [[Michael]] and [[Lucifer]] - which could be considered an incestuous relationship. The pairing often occurs when the angels are possessing their [[Vessel]]s Sam and Dean, and so is a form of [[Wincest]].
  
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== '''You do realize they're brothers?'''==
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==You do realize they're brothers?==
 
[[Image:Wincest pic.jpg|300px|right|thumb|Wincest manip by nemo]]
 
[[Image:Wincest pic.jpg|300px|right|thumb|Wincest manip by nemo]]
 
Wincest fic arose the moment the show was aired, supported by the typical ingredients a slasher needs: two extremely hot guys, a dead girlfriend, and a brotherly love that leaves no room for anyone else. Add a bit of spice like daddy issues, betrayal, childhood trauma and emotional dependency and you have your perfect dish to satisfy hordes of [[Slash]] fans.  
 
Wincest fic arose the moment the show was aired, supported by the typical ingredients a slasher needs: two extremely hot guys, a dead girlfriend, and a brotherly love that leaves no room for anyone else. Add a bit of spice like daddy issues, betrayal, childhood trauma and emotional dependency and you have your perfect dish to satisfy hordes of [[Slash]] fans.  
  
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* 2005.09.14: Within hours of the [[Pilot]] airing, the first Sam/Dean fic is posted as the first fic at [http://community.livejournal.com/supernaturalfic supernatural_fic] and sn_slash. The story is [http://supernaturalfic.livejournal.com/550.html 'Reunion' by janedavitt]
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* 2005.09.14: Within hours of the [[Pilot]] airing, the first Sam/Dean fic is posted as the first fic at the Livejournal community supernatural_fic (now archived [https://supernaturalfic.dreamwidth.org/968.html here]) and sn_slash. The story is [https://archiveofourown.org/works/72869?view_adult=true  'Reunion' by janedavitt]
  
 
* 2005.10.16 First recorded use of the term ''Wincest'' as a [[Fic Warning]] in [http://joyfulgirl41.livejournal.com/261178.html Can’t Just Walk Away] by joyfulgirl41.
 
* 2005.10.16 First recorded use of the term ''Wincest'' as a [[Fic Warning]] in [http://joyfulgirl41.livejournal.com/261178.html Can’t Just Walk Away] by joyfulgirl41.
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And it wasn't only fangirls who noticed the dynamic. [http://www.nathanexposed.com/blog/2005/11/supernatural-is-supergay.html Gay  blogger Nathan Exposed] wrote in November 2005 "It’s like the Hardy Boys, only gayer. The cheese factor is no surprise. This is the WB, after all. But I love the awkward sexual tension between the brothers."
 
And it wasn't only fangirls who noticed the dynamic. [http://www.nathanexposed.com/blog/2005/11/supernatural-is-supergay.html Gay  blogger Nathan Exposed] wrote in November 2005 "It’s like the Hardy Boys, only gayer. The cheese factor is no surprise. This is the WB, after all. But I love the awkward sexual tension between the brothers."
  
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In December 2006 Sera Gamble admitted to teasing Eric Kripke by referring to the story the writers were telling as [[The Epic Love Story of Sam and Dean]], a phrase later used by Eric himself in the [[Season 5 DVD]] commentary to [[5.04 The End]].
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In December 2006 Sera Gamble admitted to teasing Eric Kripke by referring to the story the writers were telling as [[The Epic Love Story of Sam and Dean]], a phrase later used by Kripke himself in the [[Season 5 DVD]] commentary to [[5.04 The End]].
  
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Obviously pairing Sam and Dean in a sexual relationship is something does not appeal to all fans, and some are strongly opposed to it. On [[Livejournal]], the centre of the fandom for writing, art and vidding, Wincest and non-Wincest fans have generally co-existed peacefully in the fandom and there has been very little [[wank]]. From the start of the fandom, many authors have written across both [[Gen]] and Wincest genres, which probably lessened the likelihood of opposing camps arising.  
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Obviously pairing Sam and Dean in a sexual relationship is something does not appeal to all fans, and some are strongly opposed to it. In the early days of the fandom particularly on [[Livejournal]], which was then the centre of the fandom for writing, art and vidding, Wincest and non-Wincest fans generally co-existed peacefully in the fandom and there was little [[wank]]. Many fanfic authors wrote across both [[Gen]] and Wincest genres, which probably lessened the likelihood of opposing camps arising. T
  
 
Due to the fact that there are so few recurring characters on the Show available as potential partners for Sam and Dean in fanfiction, [[slash]] fans who were uncomfortable with Wincest moved into writing and reading [[Jsquared]] fic, many of whom would previously have avoided [[RPF|RPS]] fandoms. This lead to the phrase "Supernatural fandom - where RPS is the moral high ground"!   
 
Due to the fact that there are so few recurring characters on the Show available as potential partners for Sam and Dean in fanfiction, [[slash]] fans who were uncomfortable with Wincest moved into writing and reading [[Jsquared]] fic, many of whom would previously have avoided [[RPF|RPS]] fandoms. This lead to the phrase "Supernatural fandom - where RPS is the moral high ground"!   
  
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After the appearance of [[Castiel]] in Season Four, the pairing of [[Dean/Castiel]] offered a non-incestuous [[Slash]] pairing, and attracted a new crop of writers to the fandom.
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Some communities on [[Livejournal]] and message board forums ban mentions of [[Wincest]]. For example [[Supernatural.tv]] states  "This community as a whole has nothing against homosexuality, but this is a site about Supernatural--two brothers with no romantic feelings for each other--and changing their relationship changes the characters we tune in to watch every week. As another site states, fans borrow characters when they use them in creative work. If fans change major aspects of characters, they might as well create original characters."
  
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Some communities on [[Livejournal]] and message board forums ban mentions of [[Wincest]]. For example [[Supernatural.tv]] states  "This community as a whole has nothing against homosexuality, but this is a site about Supernatural--two brothers with no romantic feelings for each other--and changing their relationship changes the characters we tune in to watch every week. As another site states, fans borrow characters when they use them in creative work. If fans change major aspects of characters, they might as well create original characters."
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''Supernatural'' is certainly not the first fandom to feature a popular incestuous pairing. There's the Weasleys, Draco and Lucius Malfoy and the Black family from ''Harry Potter'', Simon and River Tam from ''Firefly'', the Eppes brothers in ''Numb3rs'', all the Petrellis in ''Heroes'', and not forgetting Luke and Leia in ''Star Wars''. In [[RPF]] Gerard and Mikey Way from ''My Chemical Romance'' have been a popular pairing.
  
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''Supernatural'' is certainly not the first fandom to feature a popular incestuous pairing. There's the Weasleys, Draco and Lucius Malfoy and the Black family from ''Harry Potter'', Simon and River Tam from ''Firefly'', the Eppes brothers in ''Numb3rs'', all the Petrellis in ''Heroes'', and not forgetting Luke and Leia in ''Star Wars''.  In [[RPF]] Gerard and Mikey Way from ''My Chemical Romance'' have been a popular pairing in recent years.
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After the appearance of [[Castiel]] in Season Four, the pairing of [[Dean/Castiel]], which offered a non-incestuous [[Slash]] pairing, become incredibly popular. Over time, and probably inevitably, a deep animosity arose between Destiel and Wincest fans, and became the fandoms main [[Shipping War]]. Pejorative terms used by Destiel fans for those who shipped Wincest include Wincesties and Wincels. (a masshup of Wincest and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incel Incel]).
  
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== '''Themes in Wincest''' ==
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==Themes in Wincest==
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[[File:Wincest j2 11 by travellerintime74-d3camjs.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Manip by travellerintime74]]
 
Stories which feature Sam and Dean in a sexual relationship cover a wide range of themes, but many explore how and why Sam and Dean have developed a sexual relationship, and what that relationship is like. Themes in these stories include:
 
Stories which feature Sam and Dean in a sexual relationship cover a wide range of themes, but many explore how and why Sam and Dean have developed a sexual relationship, and what that relationship is like. Themes in these stories include:
 
* Incest taboo - "But we're brothers!" - Sam and Dean deal with their desire for each other
 
* Incest taboo - "But we're brothers!" - Sam and Dean deal with their desire for each other
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In the [[Top/Bottom]] sexual roles commonly assigned in fanfic, generally Sam is the top, and Dean is the bottom.
 
In the [[Top/Bottom]] sexual roles commonly assigned in fanfic, generally Sam is the top, and Dean is the bottom.
  
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== Other [[:Category:Fanworks|Fanworks]] ==
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==Other [[:Category:Fanworks|Fanworks]]==
 
[[image:Oxonesis.png]]  [[Image:Epiclublanket.gif]]  [[Image:Bv1978.jpg]]  [[image:Moodymuse19.jpg]]  [[Image:Morpheus4-griseldajane.png]]  [[Image:Sera.gif]]<br>
 
[[image:Oxonesis.png]]  [[Image:Epiclublanket.gif]]  [[Image:Bv1978.jpg]]  [[image:Moodymuse19.jpg]]  [[Image:Morpheus4-griseldajane.png]]  [[Image:Sera.gif]]<br>
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Wincest also appears in various types of [[Fan Art]] including digital manipulations, drawings and paintings and [[Fan Vids]] which may imply a sexual relationship through clever editing or the use of manips. No [[Fan Craft|cross stitch]] samplers have yet been seen, but are sure to exist.
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Wincest also appears in various types of [[Fan Art]] including digital manipulations, drawings and paintings and [[:Category:Fanvids|Fan Vids]] which may imply a sexual relationship through clever editing or the use of manips. No [[Fan Craft|cross stitch]] samplers have yet been seen, but are sure to exist.
  
 
The icons here represent a range of fannish engagements with Wincest.
 
The icons here represent a range of fannish engagements with Wincest.
  
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== '''Wincest in Canon''' ==
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==Wincest in Canon==
 
Shippers  often seek validation of the character pairing they are interested in from canon. Wincest fans haven't had to look too hard. In fact in December 2006 [[Sera Gamble]] referred to Supernatural as [[The Epic Love Story of Sam and Dean]]. On the [[Season 5 DVD]] commentary for [[5.04 The End]], Kripke, speaking about the brothers' relationship dynamics in the season, says: "they're going to come together and then in the second half of the season they're going to start drifting apart... the boys are kind of like The Defiant Ones in that they're kind of chained together and one moves ahead and drags the other one with him and then they reverse and... it's the epic love story of Sam and Dean."  
 
Shippers  often seek validation of the character pairing they are interested in from canon. Wincest fans haven't had to look too hard. In fact in December 2006 [[Sera Gamble]] referred to Supernatural as [[The Epic Love Story of Sam and Dean]]. On the [[Season 5 DVD]] commentary for [[5.04 The End]], Kripke, speaking about the brothers' relationship dynamics in the season, says: "they're going to come together and then in the second half of the season they're going to start drifting apart... the boys are kind of like The Defiant Ones in that they're kind of chained together and one moves ahead and drags the other one with him and then they reverse and... it's the epic love story of Sam and Dean."  
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Since Season One, Sam and Dean have been mistaken for a gay couple on several occasions: by a realtor<ref name="one08">[[1.08 Bugs]]</ref>, by [[Young Michael]]<ref name="one18">[[1.18 Something Wicked]]</ref> at the motel who cheekily asks if Dean and Sam want a "King or two queens?" and by the inn owner [[Susan Thompson]] <ref name="two11">[[2.11 Playthings]]</ref> who asks if Sam and Dean if they are in the area antiquing and whether they want a king sized bed. This later encounter causes Dean to ask
 
Since Season One, Sam and Dean have been mistaken for a gay couple on several occasions: by a realtor<ref name="one08">[[1.08 Bugs]]</ref>, by [[Young Michael]]<ref name="one18">[[1.18 Something Wicked]]</ref> at the motel who cheekily asks if Dean and Sam want a "King or two queens?" and by the inn owner [[Susan Thompson]] <ref name="two11">[[2.11 Playthings]]</ref> who asks if Sam and Dean if they are in the area antiquing and whether they want a king sized bed. This later encounter causes Dean to ask
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Next we meet one of these slash writers - fangirl [[Becky Rosen]]. She is a fan of [[The Supernatural Books]] by Carver Edlund aka [[Chuck Shurley]] and runs a website called morethanbrothers.net.<ref name="five01">[[5.01 Sympathy for the Devil]]</ref>  She is first seen writing a [[Wincest]] fic which can be read [[Becky Rosen|here]]. The fact that the writers of Supernatural had now themselves written Wincest fanfic caused much delight amongst Wincest fans.
 
Next we meet one of these slash writers - fangirl [[Becky Rosen]]. She is a fan of [[The Supernatural Books]] by Carver Edlund aka [[Chuck Shurley]] and runs a website called morethanbrothers.net.<ref name="five01">[[5.01 Sympathy for the Devil]]</ref>  She is first seen writing a [[Wincest]] fic which can be read [[Becky Rosen|here]]. The fact that the writers of Supernatural had now themselves written Wincest fanfic caused much delight amongst Wincest fans.
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When Becky later invites Sam and Dean to a Supernatural convention the MC announces that there will be a session on "The homoerotic subtext of Supernatural". The two fanboys featured in the episode [[Demian and Barnes]], who are role playing as Sam and Dean at the convention, are revealed at the end of the episode to be lovers.<ref name="five09">[[5.09 The Real Ghostbusters]]</ref>
 
When Becky later invites Sam and Dean to a Supernatural convention the MC announces that there will be a session on "The homoerotic subtext of Supernatural". The two fanboys featured in the episode [[Demian and Barnes]], who are role playing as Sam and Dean at the convention, are revealed at the end of the episode to be lovers.<ref name="five09">[[5.09 The Real Ghostbusters]]</ref>
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Over time more references are made in the show to the extreme closeness of Sam and Dean's relationship, not actually suggesting that the characters were involved in a sexual relationship, but acknowledging that it is a relationship of great intimacy. Even Dean finds it hard to capture what it is "Because whatever we have between us -- love, family, whatever it is ..."<ref name="five04">[[5.04 The End]]</ref>
 
Over time more references are made in the show to the extreme closeness of Sam and Dean's relationship, not actually suggesting that the characters were involved in a sexual relationship, but acknowledging that it is a relationship of great intimacy. Even Dean finds it hard to capture what it is "Because whatever we have between us -- love, family, whatever it is ..."<ref name="five04">[[5.04 The End]]</ref>
  
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The Supernatural writers even hint a close metaphysical connection when they show Sam and Dean share the same "heaven", a situation Ash points out occurs between soulmates. <ref name="five16"> [[5.16 Dark Side of the Moon]]</ref>
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The Supernatural writers even hint a close metaphysical conenction when they show Sam and Dean share the same "heaven", a situation Ash points out occurs between soulmates. <ref name="five16"> [[5.16 Dark Side of the Moon]]</ref>
 
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[[Zachariah]] is less subtle. When trying to make sure a resurrected [[Adam]] doesn't side with the Winchesters, he says: "So you know you can't trust them, right? You know Sam and Dean Winchester are psychotically, irrationally, ''erotically'' codependent on each other, right?" <ref name="five18">[[5.18 Point of No Return]]</ref>. Even [[Lisa]] says to Dean of his relationship with Sam: "You two have the most unhealthy, tangled up, crazy thing that I've ever seen".  <ref name="six06">[[6.06 You Can't Handle the Truth]]</ref>
 
[[Zachariah]] is less subtle. When trying to make sure a resurrected [[Adam]] doesn't side with the Winchesters, he says: "So you know you can't trust them, right? You know Sam and Dean Winchester are psychotically, irrationally, ''erotically'' codependent on each other, right?" <ref name="five18">[[5.18 Point of No Return]]</ref>. Even [[Lisa]] says to Dean of his relationship with Sam: "You two have the most unhealthy, tangled up, crazy thing that I've ever seen".  <ref name="six06">[[6.06 You Can't Handle the Truth]]</ref>
  
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In [[8.04 Bitten]], students [[Michael Wheeler]] and [[Brian Wilcox]] film Sam and Dean who are posing as FBI agents investigating a case. Michael comments to Brian on first seeing them: "Is it just me or are you getting a workplace romance vibe from those two?" Later, after watching Sam and Dean in a cafe, Brian reports back to Michael: "They just sat and talked about how they’ve been apart for a year. You were probably right about that whole office romance thing."
  
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In [[8.04 Bitten]], students [[Michael Wheeler]] and [[Brian Wilcox]] film Sam and Dean who are posing as FBI agents investigating a case. Michael comments to Brian on first seeing them: "Is it just me or are you getting a workplace romance vibe from those two?" Later, after watching Sam and Dean in a cafe, Brian reports back to Michael: "They just sat and talked about how they’ve been apart for a year. You were probably right about that whole office romance thing."
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In [[10.05 Fan Fiction]], dean notices the actors playing Sam and Dean standing near the fake Impala having what Marie dubs a BM (Boy Melodrama) moment. When Dean asks why they are standing so close together, Marie replies "Reasons."  Dean responds "You do know they're brothers, right? to which Marie responds "Duh!"". ''Dean's line harks back to his response in [4.18 The Monster at the End of This Book]] when he and Sam discover the existence of [[Slash]] fans on the message boards for the [[The Supernatural Books]].
  
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== '''What do those outside fandom think?''' ==
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==What do those outside fandom think?==
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{{Quotation
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|title=
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|text= "Some (fans).. want to take a hand in the story, and their fan fiction can explore areas mostly untouched on the show, like the latent homoerotic suggestiveness of the Winchesters’ intense relationship. Asked if he reads any of this material, Mr. Ackles said: “I don’t. I know it’s out there, and I’m, I’m — the people that have asked me about it are well aware that I would rather not know about that.”
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|author= 
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|source= [https://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/20/arts/television/secrets-to-the-long-life-of-supernatural.html?_r=1 Secrets to the Long Life of Supernatural] by Mike Hale, New York Times, 2014.
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}}
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Some of them want to take a hand in the story, and their fan fiction can explore areas mostly untouched on the show, like the latent homoerotic suggestiveness of the Winchesters’ intense relationship. Asked if he reads any of this material, Mr. Ackles said: “I don’t. I know it’s out there, and I’m, I’m — the people that have asked me about it are well aware that I would rather not know about that.”
 
Wincest got its first bit of official recognition at the [[Asylum 2007|Asylum fan convention in England]] in the Spring of 2007. When [[Jensen Ackles]] was asked what he thought of fan fiction, he replied:
 
Wincest got its first bit of official recognition at the [[Asylum 2007|Asylum fan convention in England]] in the Spring of 2007. When [[Jensen Ackles]] was asked what he thought of fan fiction, he replied:
  
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"Some of those fan fictions have some very, very crazy ideas. And sometimes very...disturbing ideas. One of my favorites is, uh, Wincest...I-I only hope that my grandmother never reads those. Jared and I had a good laugh about that one. It was only brought to our attention because [[Kim Manners]] posted it. So um... that's that." [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdYh2wJh7vE Video of quote]
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"Some of those fan fictions have some very, very crazy ideas. And sometimes very...disturbing ideas. One of my favorites is, uh, Wincest...I-I only hope that my grandmother never reads those. Jared and I had a good laugh about that one. It was only brought to our attention because [[Kim Manners]] posted it. So um... that's that." [Video no longer available]
  
 
When asked about Wincest and fanfiction at [[EyeCon April 2008]], Jared proved diplomatic - and eloquent:
 
When asked about Wincest and fanfiction at [[EyeCon April 2008]], Jared proved diplomatic - and eloquent:
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On 6 November 2011, [[Jim Beaver]] responded to some [[Tin Hats]] on [[Twitter]] with this comment: For the record, I think slash fiction is cool, and if Wincest is what you dig, more power to you. But regardez vous: fiction ISN'T real life. [https://twitter.com/#!/jumblejim/status/133132542814597120 source]
 
On 6 November 2011, [[Jim Beaver]] responded to some [[Tin Hats]] on [[Twitter]] with this comment: For the record, I think slash fiction is cool, and if Wincest is what you dig, more power to you. But regardez vous: fiction ISN'T real life. [https://twitter.com/#!/jumblejim/status/133132542814597120 source]
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Even the New York Times noted in a 2011 review of the show "at its most basic it is about sibling devotion: no pair of brothers or sisters on television is more closely bound — not even the siblings on “Brothers and Sisters.” Proving their intimacy each week the Winchesters argue as if they were a married couple ..."<ref name="NYT">[http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/27/arts/television/27supernatural.html?_r=1&src=twrhp New York Times 2011]</ref>
 
Even the New York Times noted in a 2011 review of the show "at its most basic it is about sibling devotion: no pair of brothers or sisters on television is more closely bound — not even the siblings on “Brothers and Sisters.” Proving their intimacy each week the Winchesters argue as if they were a married couple ..."<ref name="NYT">[http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/27/arts/television/27supernatural.html?_r=1&src=twrhp New York Times 2011]</ref>
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In an article on "Shipping" in the print edition of Entertainment Weekly, (February 17, 2012; p. 26, "Just Do It" by Jeff Jensen), Wincesting was given the nod by [[Sera Gamble]]:
 
In an article on "Shipping" in the print edition of Entertainment Weekly, (February 17, 2012; p. 26, "Just Do It" by Jeff Jensen), Wincesting was given the nod by [[Sera Gamble]]:
  
 
::The CW’s Supernatural — which owes its seven season to a fiercely loyal an dynamic fan base — has periodically winked at its “Wincesters,” shippers who write sexually charged fan fiction about bogeyman-hunting brothers Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) Winchester. “We have no judgement about that,” say exec producer Sera Gamble. “We’re glad we spark people’s creativity.”
 
::The CW’s Supernatural — which owes its seven season to a fiercely loyal an dynamic fan base — has periodically winked at its “Wincesters,” shippers who write sexually charged fan fiction about bogeyman-hunting brothers Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) Winchester. “We have no judgement about that,” say exec producer Sera Gamble. “We’re glad we spark people’s creativity.”
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Early in Season 8, TV Guide again bought up Wincest, with its review of the first couple of episodes entitled "Is Wincest Dead?" The article provided a handy definition of Wincest, although it actually focused on the rift between the brothers. It ended with the salutation "So get well soon, Wincest! We miss you already." <ref name="TVGuide Oct 2012">[http://www.tvguide.com/News/Supernatural-Season8-Wincest-Sam-Dean-Winchester-1054745.aspx]</ref>
 
Early in Season 8, TV Guide again bought up Wincest, with its review of the first couple of episodes entitled "Is Wincest Dead?" The article provided a handy definition of Wincest, although it actually focused on the rift between the brothers. It ended with the salutation "So get well soon, Wincest! We miss you already." <ref name="TVGuide Oct 2012">[http://www.tvguide.com/News/Supernatural-Season8-Wincest-Sam-Dean-Winchester-1054745.aspx]</ref>
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TVGuide continued its Wincest obsession in an article title "The Pros and Cons of Shipping" <ref name="TVGuide Nov 2012">[http://www.tvguide.com/News/Shipping-TV-Couples-1055186.aspx The Pros and Cons of Shipping]</ref>
 
TVGuide continued its Wincest obsession in an article title "The Pros and Cons of Shipping" <ref name="TVGuide Nov 2012">[http://www.tvguide.com/News/Shipping-TV-Couples-1055186.aspx The Pros and Cons of Shipping]</ref>
  
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== Other Use of Term ==
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==Other Use of Term==
  
 
On the imageboard 4chan incest is referred to as Wincest although this is not related to the Supernatural fandom. [http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/BrotherSisterIncest source]
 
On the imageboard 4chan incest is referred to as Wincest although this is not related to the Supernatural fandom. [http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/BrotherSisterIncest source]
  
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== See also ==
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==See also==
 
* [[Supernatural Fic Link Archive]] - delicious tags of over 30,000 Supernatural fics classifed by pairing, rating and author
 
* [[Supernatural Fic Link Archive]] - delicious tags of over 30,000 Supernatural fics classifed by pairing, rating and author
 
* [[SPN J2 Big Bang]] - an annual fic challenge for fiction over 20,000 words.
 
* [[SPN J2 Big Bang]] - an annual fic challenge for fiction over 20,000 words.
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* [[Slash]]
 
* [[Slash]]
  
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== External Links ==
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==External links==
 
* [http://delicious.com/supernatural_fic/Sam%2FDean Sam/Dean fics] tagged at the [[Supernatural Fic Link Archive]]
 
* [http://delicious.com/supernatural_fic/Sam%2FDean Sam/Dean fics] tagged at the [[Supernatural Fic Link Archive]]
 
* [http://community.livejournal.com/supernaturalfic/profile Supernatural fic community] on LJ
 
* [http://community.livejournal.com/supernaturalfic/profile Supernatural fic community] on LJ
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* [http://www.journalfen.net/community/daddycest daddycest] - A community for John/Dean, John/Sam and John/Dean/Sam fic on Journal fen - inactive since 2007.  
 
* [http://www.journalfen.net/community/daddycest daddycest] - A community for John/Dean, John/Sam and John/Dean/Sam fic on Journal fen - inactive since 2007.  
 
* [http://papawinchester.livejournal.com papawinchester] - John-centric [[Livejournal]] community. Slash is locked for members only.
 
* [http://papawinchester.livejournal.com papawinchester] - John-centric [[Livejournal]] community. Slash is locked for members only.
−
* [http://www.zshare.net/video/2094347787b569/ Jensen Ackles at Asylum Fan Convention]
 
−
* [http://journal.transformativeworks.org/index.php/twc/article/view/30/36 Tosenberger, Catherine: "The Epic Love Story of Sam and Dean".Supernatural, queer readings, and the romance of incestuous fan fiction, in "Journal of Transformative Works and Cultures", Volume I, 2008]
 
−
*[http://silver-spotted.livejournal.com/8111.html Hugging & brotherly love: a comparison of the way brothers relate in Supernatural, Heroes & Prison Break] by silver_spotted
 
−
* [http://technosage.livejournal.com/139351.html Of Alphas, Betas, and omegas]: of Winchesters and Alphabet soup by technosage
 
−
*[http://missyjack.livejournal.com/114173.html Redemption narratives and kissing] by missyjack
 
−
*[http://www.sequentialtart.com/article.php?id=1364 Sam and Dean's transformative love story] by Catherine Tosenberger
 
−
* [http://community.livejournal.com/ship_manifesto/122065.html Sam/Dean] Ship manifesto by slytherinblack
 
−
* [http://setissma.livejournal.com/567370.html  Why I write Sam/Dean even though I've never liked incestfic] setissma
 
−
* [http://luzdeestrellas.livejournal.com/156537.html Analysis of Sam's love/devotion for Dean] by  laurificus
 
−
* [http://hidingincanada.tumblr.com/post/4562383289/on-incest-and-wincest-the-wrong-way-and-the-right-way On Incest and wincest: the right and wrong way to write Sam/Dean] by hidingincanada
 
−
* [http://sn4gu.myfastforum.org/archive/sarah-s-wincest-manifesto__o_t__t_124.html A Wincest Manifesto] by Sarah
 
−
*[http://vichan.livejournal.com/357116.html Sam and Dean and Me: codependence in Supernatural] by vichan
 
−
* [http://katieyoungauthor.wordpress.com/2011/06/18/psychotically-irrationally-erotically-co-dependentthe-obsessive-bromance-of-supernatural/ Psychotically, irrationally, erotically co-dependent…the obsessive bromance of Supernatural] by pinkwood
 
−
*[http://missyjack.livejournal.com/592966.html What we write] - an analysis of genres and pairings, and changing trends in Supernatural Fanfic from 2005-2009
 
−
* [http://www.afterelton.com/blog/lylemasaki/whats-up-with-supernatural-homoerotic-hoyay HOYAY! "Supernatural": Coded gays, slashfic bait and Wincest, oh my!] on After Elton
 
−
* [http://www.afterelton.com/blog/michaeljensen/supernatural-first-facebook-recap Supernatural recap on Facebook] by Michael Jensen on After Elton
 
−
* [http://www.afterelton.com/print/2010/08/slash-fandoms-part-one?page=0%2C0 Has Slash made the world better for gay men?] on After Elton
 
  
−
== References ==
+
====Meta and Ship Manifestos====
 +
 
 +
<div style="-moz-column-count:2; -webkit-column-count:2; column-count:2;">
 +
*[https://ship-manifesto.livejournal.com/122065.html Erotically Co-Dependant: A Dean/Sam Manifesto] by slytherinblack and kissedbythegods, at Ship Manifesto (December 2005, updated through season 5); [https://web.archive.org/web/20181209230243/https://ship-manifesto.livejournal.com/122065.html archive link]
 +
*[https://angstslashhope.livejournal.com/973409.html Daddy, would you like some sausage?: Oedipal narrative in Supernatural] by angstslashhope (March 2006); [http://archive.today/2019.02.17-211010/https://angstslashhope.livejournal.com/973409.html archive link]
 +
*[https://angstslashhope.livejournal.com/1093865.html subtext in fantexts] by angstslashhope (September 2006); [http://archive.today/DNpYi archive link]
 +
*[http://destina.livejournal.com/364283.html Emotional Intimacy & Communication] by destina (October 2006); [http://archive.today/2017.01.02-195339/http://destina.livejournal.com/364283.html archive link]
 +
*[https://monster-of-hope.livejournal.com/2823.html Justifying Sam/Dean] by monster-of-hope (March 2007); [http://archive.today/2019.01.03-010838/https://monster-of-hope.livejournal.com/2823.html archive link]
 +
*[https://destina.livejournal.com/392796.html Could Dean kill Sam?] by destina (March 2007); [http://archive.today/2019.01.03-003305/https://destina.livejournal.com/392796.html archive link]
 +
*[https://missyjack.livejournal.com/96382.html When with the Wincest?] by missyjack (April 2007); [http://archive.today/2019.01.06-201113/https://missyjack.livejournal.com/96382.html archive link]
 +
*[http://missyjack.livejournal.com/114173.html Redemption narratives and kissing] by missyjack (May 2007); [https://web.archive.org/web/20180629034833/http://missyjack.livejournal.com/114173.html archive link]
 +
*[http://setissma.livejournal.com/567370.html Why I write Sam/Dean even though I've never liked incestfic (Untitled)] by setissma (August 2007); [https://web.archive.org/web/20180629034833/http://setissma.livejournal.com/567370.html archive link]
 +
*[https://fannishliss.livejournal.com/3414.html?thread=6230 Wincest and Romanticism] by fannishliss (February 2008); [https://web.archive.org/web/20181209231334/https://fannishliss.livejournal.com/3414.html?thread=6230 archive link]
 +
*[https://setissma.livejournal.com/630095.html Things That Are Completely Fantastic About Sam/Dean] by setissma (March 2008); [http://archive.today/2018.12.09-231629/https://setissma.livejournal.com/630095.html archive link]
 +
*[http://sn4gu.myfastforum.org/archive/sarah-s-wincest-manifesto__o_t__t_124.html Wincest Manifesto] by Sarah on Supernatural for Grown Ups (circa 2008); [https://web.archive.org/web/20180620094550/http://sn4gu.myfastforum.org/archive/sarah-s-wincest-manifesto__o_t__t_124.html archive link]
 +
*[https://chasingtides.livejournal.com/243165.html Incest in my Canon?] by chasingtides (October 2008); [https://web.archive.org/web/20181209231339/https://chasingtides.livejournal.com/243165.html archive link]
 +
*[http://missyjack.livejournal.com/368771.html Wincest: transgressive taboo or conservative construct?] by missyjack (February 2009); [https://web.archive.org/web/20191204143130/https://missyjack.livejournal.com/368771.html archive link]
 +
*[http://luzdeestrellas.livejournal.com/156537.html Analysis of Sam's love/devotion for Dean] by laurificus (May 2009); [https://web.archive.org/web/20180629034833/http://luzdeestrellas.livejournal.com/156537.html archive link]
 +
*[https://coyotesuspect.dreamwidth.org/31949.html Wincest! The Musical] by coyotesuspect (December 2009); [https://web.archive.org/web/20190103040103/https://coyotesuspect.dreamwidth.org/31949.html archive link]
 +
*[https://bree-black.livejournal.com/16060.html 5.22 Meta - The Epic Love Story of Sam and Dean] by bree-black (May 2010); [http://archive.today/xOl7t archive link]
 +
*[http://antiquers.tumblr.com/post/6008116286/why-the-sexual-layer-was-added-to-sam-dean Why the Sexual Layer Was Added to Sam/Dean] by antiquers (May 2011); [https://web.archive.org/web/20110820052542/http://antiquers.tumblr.com/post/6008116286/why-the-sexual-layer-was-added-to-sam-dean archive link]
 +
*Young, Katie. 2011. [https://katieyoungauthor.com/2011/06/18/psychotically-irrationally-erotically-co-dependentthe-obsessive-bromance-of-supernatural/ Psychotically, irrationally, erotically co-dependent…the obsessive bromance of Supernatural]. ''Katie Young Author'', June 18; [https://web.archive.org/web/20181209230221/http://pinkwood.blogspot.com/2011/06/psychotically-irrationally-erotically.html archive link]
 +
*[https://myspecialhell.tumblr.com/post/8849400019/149-reasons-why-i-ship-wincest-1-the 149 reasons why I ship Wincest] by myspecialhell (August 2011); [https://web.archive.org/web/20170522213906/http://myspecialhell.tumblr.com:80/post/8849400019/149-reasons-why-i-ship-wincest-1-the archive link]
 +
*[https://nohopeforawinchester-archiv-blog.tumblr.com/post/21231705608/alexipyretic-im-sure-there-are-people-who I’m sure there are people who honestly believe that what is between Dean and Sam can be described within the context of a relationship between two men who are just brothers] by hookerdean (August 2012); [http://archive.today/G0Qcv archive link]
 +
*[https://naruto-uzu-butt-cheeks-blog.tumblr.com/post/28605424200/okay-guys-lets-talk-morality-the-morality-of On The Morality Of Incest Ships] by naruto-uzu-butt-cheeks (August 2012); [https://web.archive.org/web/20190103004755/http://naruto-uzu-butt-cheeks-blog.tumblr.com/post/28605424200/okay-guys-lets-talk-morality-the-morality-of archive link]
 +
*[https://nickigrants.tumblr.com/post/38483110508/a-samdean-manifesto A Wincest Manifesto] by nana (circa 2012); [https://web.archive.org/web/20121122082518/http://theongreyjoy.tumblr.com/post/20822368404/a-wincest-manifesto archive link]
 +
*[http://spectaculacularmooseketeer.tumblr.com/post/33381622401/how-i-learned-to-stop-worrying-and-love-wincest How I learned to stop worrying and love Wincest] by spectaculacularmooseketeer (October 2012); [https://web.archive.org/web/20170511023744/http://spectaculacularmooseketeer.tumblr.com/post/33381622401/how-i-learned-to-stop-worrying-and-love-wincest archive link]
 +
*[https://reachstiel.tumblr.com/post/43161105412/you-know-i-think-its-super-awesome-that-sam-and You know I think it’s super awesome that Sam and Dean are soulmates because] by reachstiel (February 2013); [http://archive.today/JHCmB archive link]
 +
*[https://travellerintime.tumblr.com/post/46597219480/why-i-think-that-wincest-isnt-that-far-fetched-of Why I Think That Wincest Isn't That Far Fetched Of An Idea]. by travellerintime (March 2013); [https://web.archive.org/web/20181209232814/http://travellerintime.tumblr.com:80/post/46597219480/why-i-think-that-wincest-isnt-that-far-fetched-of archive link]
 +
*[https://brothersintheimpalaarchive-blog.tumblr.com/post/47043171835/what-is-wincest-and-how-do-i-ship-it-a What is Wincest and How Do I Ship It: A Comprehensive Guide] by brothersintheimapala (April 2013); [https://web.archive.org/web/20150408120114/http://brothersintheimpala.tumblr.com/post/47043171835/what-is-wincest-and-how-do-i-ship-it-a archive link]
 +
*[https://codependentsamanddean.tumblr.com/post/56448658262/i-ship-wincest-but-not-only-in-a-romantic-way Soulmates (Untitled)] by codependentsamanddean (July 2013); [https://web.archive.org/web/20200423195922/https://codependentsamanddean.tumblr.com/post/56448658262/i-ship-wincest-but-not-only-in-a-romantic-way archive link]
 +
*[http://spnmonster.wordpress.com/2013/07/21/sam-dean-soulmates/ Sam & Dean: Soulmates] by spnmonster (July 2013); [https://web.archive.org/web/20181209230238/https://spnmonster.wordpress.com/2013/07/21/sam-dean-soulmates/ archive link]
 +
*Anonymous asked: [http://taesthetique.tumblr.com/post/58793506077/first-thing-first-we-know-that-the-siren-targets “(the siren) gave dean what he really wanted which was sam." He gave him a brother who wasn't like Sam at all. Like, I don't care what you ship, but I don't really see how that's a point in Wincest's favour?] by taesthetique [angryweecest] (August 2013); [https://web.archive.org/web/20190103014154/http://taesthetique.tumblr.com/post/58793506077/first-thing-first-we-know-that-the-siren-targets archive link]
 +
*[https://nickigrants.tumblr.com/post/61620470798/i-really-wish-people-understood I really wish people understood... Wincest is not about brothers fucking] by iamsupernaturalsbitch (September 2013); [http://web.archive.org/web/20200429003335/https://nickigrants.tumblr.com/post/61620470798/i-really-wish-people-understood archive link]
 +
*[http://rabidbehemoth.tumblr.com/post/62877362459/why-wincest-is-canon Why Wincest is canon] by rabidbehemoth (October 2013); [https://web.archive.org/web/20170515234000/http://rabidbehemoth.tumblr.com:80/post/62877362459/why-wincest-is-canon archive link]
 +
*[https://incestmurderbrosarchive.tumblr.com/post/166820257175/bossydean-so-were-just-going-to-ignore-the-fact So we're just going to ignore the fact that...] by bossydean (December 2013); [http://archive.today/9WoUF archive link]
 +
*[https://allforsammy.tumblr.com/post/71667523185/the-epic-queerplatonic-love-story-of-sam-and The Epic (Queerplatonic) Love Story of Sam and Dean] by bossydean (December 2013); [https://web.archive.org/web/20190603042729/https://allforsammy.tumblr.com/post/71667523185/the-epic-queerplatonic-love-story-of-sam-and archive link]
 +
*Anonymous asked: [http://samwinchesterappreciation.tumblr.com/post/70514705166/dustily-samprincesschester-when-ash-is How are Sam and Dean soulmates? They woke up in different heavens. I'm not trying to be rude, I'm want to know how people got that?] by samprincesschester, dustily (December 2013); [https://web.archive.org/web/20181229222829/http://samwinchesterappreciation.tumblr.com/post/70514705166/dustily-samprincesschester-when-ash-is archive link]
 +
*[http://jfeck.tumblr.com/post/77815689849/why-wincesta-fan-asks-why-people-ship-it Why Wincest] by jfeck [jayisfeck] (February 2014); [https://web.archive.org/web/20190103005746/http://jaysisfeck.tumblr.com/post/77815689849/why-wincesta-fan-asks-why-people-ship-it archive link]
 +
*[https://thatwitchwhovapes.tumblr.com/post/80923732044/on-wincest-and-incest-and-triggers On Wincest and Incest and Triggers] by thatwitchwhovapes [dykeadellic] (March 2014); [https://web.archive.org/web/20190605013820/https://thatwitchwhovapes.tumblr.com/post/80923732044/on-wincest-and-incest-and-triggers archive link]
 +
*[http://qalaxysam-blog.tumblr.com/post/98986476305/how-can-i-hold-all-this-wincest-alternative How Can I Hold All This Wincest? (Alternative title: Wincest in Supernatural, Abridged)] by bossydean ([http://archive.today/2020.04.23-214631/https://percysowner.tumblr.com/post/84047553659/how-can-i-hold-all-this-wincest-alternativ April 2014]); [https://web.archive.org/web/20190103034059/http://qalaxysam.tumblr.com/post/98986476305/how-can-i-hold-all-this-wincest-alternative archive link]
 +
*[https://wincestislove.tumblr.com/post/89084353011/favorite-sam-and-dean-moment Favorite Sam & Dean Moments] by wincestislove (July 2014); [https://web.archive.org/web/20170518115507/http://wincestislove.tumblr.com/post/89084353011/favorite-sam-and-dean-moment archive link]
 +
*Soulmate talk with rirren: [http://cotrona.tumblr.com/post/94117578869/soulmate-talk-with-rirren-more-yes-i Part 1] + [https://rirren.tumblr.com/post/94681264060/djcotronas-soulmate-talk-with-rirren-read Part 2] by rirren, djcotronas (August 2014); [https://web.archive.org/web/20170524064614/http://cotrona.tumblr.com:80/post/94117578869/soulmate-talk-with-rirren-more-yes-i archive link 1] + [https://web.archive.org/web/20170515144923/http://rirren.tumblr.com/post/94681264060/djcotronas-soulmate-talk-with-rirren-read archive link 2]
 +
*[https://tina-hale.tumblr.com/post/102531048220/supernatural-and-wincest Supernatural and Wincest] by tina-hale (November 2014); [https://web.archive.org/web/20200423215924/https://tina-hale.tumblr.com/post/102531048220/supernatural-and-wincest archive link]
 +
*[https://femharringrove.tumblr.com/post/107508059447/this-is-gonna-be-one-of-those-annoying-sam-and this is gonna be one of those annoying 'sam and dean are canon soulmates' posts (it’s not meta it’s just me being very annoying and picking transcripts apart)] by femharringrove [henrik-holm, daneelackles] (January 2015); [https://web.archive.org/web/20190103004505/http://henrik-holm.tumblr.com/post/107508059447/this-is-gonna-be-one-of-those-annoying-sam-and archive link]
 +
*[https://babybrotherdean.tumblr.com/post/117832326783/heaven-and-soulmates-in-supernatural Heaven and Soulmates in Supernatural] by babybrotherdean (May 2015); [https://web.archive.org/web/20181227021627/http://babybrotherdean.tumblr.com/post/117832326783/heaven-and-soulmates-in-supernatural archive link]
 +
*[https://bythehighwayside.tumblr.com/post/143574877707/boy-culture-in-supernatural Boy Culture in Supernatural] by bythehighwayside (April 2016); [https://web.archive.org/web/20180423225030/http://bythehighwayside.tumblr.com/post/143574877707/boy-culture-in-supernatural archive link]
 +
*[http://qalaxysam-blog.tumblr.com/post/105180049315/why-do-i-ship-wincest Why DO I ship Wincest?] by nancy444 (n.d.); [https://web.archive.org/web/20190103013256/http://qalaxysam.tumblr.com/post/105180049315/why-do-i-ship-wincest archive link]
 +
</div>
 +
 
 +
====Further Reading====
 +
 
 +
<div style="-moz-column-count:2; -webkit-column-count:2; column-count:2;">
 +
*Cox, Whitney. 2006. "Un-, Sub-, or Supernatural Forces Butch-femme dynamics in the series of brotherly love." ''SMRT-TV'', February 1; [http://web.archive.org/web/20080925114319/http://www.smrt-tv.com/v2-09/column_outtakes.html archive link]
 +
*Tosenberger, Catherine. 2008. "The epic love story of Sam and Dean": Supernatural, queer readings, and the romance of incestuous fan fiction. ''Transformative Works and Cultures'', no. 1. [https://doi.org/10.3983/twc.2008.030 https://doi.org/10.3983/twc.2008.030]
 +
*Masaki, Lyle. 2009. [http://www.afterelton.com/blog/lylemasaki/whats-up-with-supernatural-homoerotic-hoyay HOYAY! "Supernatural": Coded gays, slashfic bait and Wincest, oh my!] ''After Elton'', February 9; [https://web.archive.org/web/20130221025337/http://www.afterelton.com:80/blog/lylemasaki/whats-up-with-supernatural-homoerotic-hoyay archive link]
 +
*Chan, Suzette. 2009. [http://www.sequentialtart.com/article.php?id=1364 Catherine Tosenberger on Sam and Dean's Transformative Love Story]. ''Sequential Tart: A Comics Industry Web Zine'', April 6; [https://web.archive.org/web/20170221015717/http://www.sequentialtart.com/article.php?id=1364 archive link]
 +
*Hellekson, Karen. 2009. [https://khellekson.wordpress.com/2009/04/06/catherine-tosenberger-talks-about-supernatural/ Catherine Tosenberger talks about "Supernatural."] ''Karen Hellekson,'' April 6; [https://web.archive.org/web/20100608142738/https://khellekson.wordpress.com/2009/04/06/catherine-tosenberger-talks-about-supernatural/ archive link]
 +
*Gennis, Sadie. 2012. [https://www.tvguide.com/news/supernatural-season8-wincest-sam-dean-winchester-1054745/ Supernatural: Is Wincest Dead?] ''TV Guide'', October 16; [http://web.archive.org/web/20150906112431/http://www.tvguide.com/news/supernatural-season8-wincest-sam-dean-winchester-1054745/ archive link]
 +
*Newitz, Annalee. 2013. [https://io9.gizmodo.com/supernatural-is-the-best-gay-romance-on-tv-that-isnt-ac-5977201 Supernatural is the best gay romance on TV that isn’t actually gay]. ''io9/Gizmodo,'' January 18; [https://web.archive.org/web/20200425051650/https://io9.gizmodo.com/supernatural-is-the-best-gay-romance-on-tv-that-isnt-ac-5977201 archive link]
 +
*Torrey, K. T. 2014. [http://www.academia.edu/9268608/Writing_with_the_Winchesters_Metatextual_Wincest_and_the_provisional_practice_of_happy_endings Writing with the Winchesters: Metatextual Wincest and the provisional practice of happy endings]. ''Journal of Fandom Studies'' 2: 163-180.
 +
*Workman, Kimberly. 2015. [http://mediacommons.org/imr/2015/06/12/brothers-lovers-shipping-wincest-supernatural Brothers As Lovers: Shipping Wincest in Supernatural]. ''In Media Res: A MediaCommons Project'', June 15; [https://web.archive.org/web/20200424041342/http://mediacommons.org/imr/2015/06/12/brothers-lovers-shipping-wincest-supernatural archive link]
 +
*Mary Sue. 2017. [https://fanslashfic.com/2017/01/18/the-appeal-of-wincest/ The Supernatural Appeal of Wincest]. ''FAN/FIC Magazine'', January 18; [https://web.archive.org/web/20171016202342/https://fanslashfic.com/2017/01/18/the-appeal-of-wincest/ archive link]
 +
*Collins, Hannah. 2019. [https://www.cbr.com/supernatural-tv-wincest How 'Wincest' Became Supernatural Canon]. ''CBR.com'', August 2; [http://web.archive.org/web/20190802232550/https://www.cbr.com/supernatural-tv-wincest/ archive link]</div>
  
 +
==References==
 
{{reflist}}
 
{{reflist}}
 +
 
[[Category:Fandom]][[Category:Fanfiction]][[Category:Fic Genres]][[Category:Slash]][[Category:Pairings]][[Category:Vernacular]][[Category:Fanworks]]
 
[[Category:Fandom]][[Category:Fanfiction]][[Category:Fic Genres]][[Category:Slash]][[Category:Pairings]][[Category:Vernacular]][[Category:Fanworks]]

Revision as of 07:27, 21 February 2021

Sam and Dean in 1.21 Salvation

Definition

Wincest is the term commonly used to describe fans of a romantic or sexual (i.e. Slash) relationship between Sam and Dean Winchester. It is one of the most popular pairings in the Supernatural fandom, along with Destiel or Dean/Castiel.

The word is a portmanteau of brothers' last name, Winchester, and the word "incest". The term Wincest is also commonly used as interchangeable with Sam/Dean (or Dean/Sam) when describing a fanfic pairing. Fans of Wincest occasionally refer to themselves as Wincesters.

Wait a second... Just which Winchesters are involved in Wincest?

In the early days of the Supernatural fandom (around late 2005), the term 'Wincest' referred to slash between any of the Winchester men - so John/Dean, John/Sam and John/Dean/Sam as well as Sam/Dean could be termed 'Wincest'.

However, as time went on and the fandom grew, the term 'Wincest' came to be most commonly used with (and recognised as) the Sam/Dean pairing only. Slash involving John was most commonly called Daddycest and occasionally 'Johnslash' or 'Johncest' but mostly just labeled with the particular pairing in individual stories.

There are also stories known as Winsister fic- AU stories involving one or more female Winchester siblings. Sometimes these characters are female versions of Sam and/or Dean - Genderswap - while in other cases they are entirely original characters. These stories may involve Het or Fem Slash.

Very occasionally the boys have been paired with their mother, mainly in AU stories where it is Mary who raises them and trains them as hunters.

When Dean first traveled back in time to 1973 where he encounters his parents as young adults, Dean comments that his mother is very attractive.[1]

Dean: Sammy, wherever you are - Mom is a babe! I'm going to hell. Again.

Also in this episode, when Azazel possesses Samuel Campbell, Mary's father, he kisses her to seal the deal to save John's life, technically providing a canonical example of Wincest (or strictly speaking Campbellcest). In the Season 5 episode 5.13 The Song Remains the Same, Sam also gets to meet both his parents and remarks how beautiful Mary is - "in a platonic, totally not weird way," Dean helpfully clarifies.

Adam Milligan is the son of John Winchester and Kate Milligan.[2] The LiveJournal community "Wincest" has stated here that pairings involving Adam count in their definition of Wincest.

Wee!cest refers to Wincest where one or both of the boys are underage.

In Season 5, interest rose in the pairing of Michael and Lucifer - which could be considered an incestuous relationship. The pairing often occurs when the angels are possessing their Vessels Sam and Dean, and so is a form of Wincest.

You do realize they're brothers?

Wincest manip by nemo

Wincest fic arose the moment the show was aired, supported by the typical ingredients a slasher needs: two extremely hot guys, a dead girlfriend, and a brotherly love that leaves no room for anyone else. Add a bit of spice like daddy issues, betrayal, childhood trauma and emotional dependency and you have your perfect dish to satisfy hordes of Slash fans.

  • 2005.09.14: Within hours of the Pilot airing, the first Sam/Dean fic is posted as the first fic at the Livejournal community supernatural_fic (now archived here) and sn_slash. The story is 'Reunion' by janedavitt
  • 2005.10.25 Fic community Wincest opens.

And it wasn't only fangirls who noticed the dynamic. Gay blogger Nathan Exposed wrote in November 2005 "It’s like the Hardy Boys, only gayer. The cheese factor is no surprise. This is the WB, after all. But I love the awkward sexual tension between the brothers."

In December 2006 Sera Gamble admitted to teasing Eric Kripke by referring to the story the writers were telling as The Epic Love Story of Sam and Dean, a phrase later used by Kripke himself in the Season 5 DVD commentary to 5.04 The End.

Obviously pairing Sam and Dean in a sexual relationship is something does not appeal to all fans, and some are strongly opposed to it. In the early days of the fandom particularly on Livejournal, which was then the centre of the fandom for writing, art and vidding, Wincest and non-Wincest fans generally co-existed peacefully in the fandom and there was little wank. Many fanfic authors wrote across both Gen and Wincest genres, which probably lessened the likelihood of opposing camps arising. T

Due to the fact that there are so few recurring characters on the Show available as potential partners for Sam and Dean in fanfiction, slash fans who were uncomfortable with Wincest moved into writing and reading Jsquared fic, many of whom would previously have avoided RPS fandoms. This lead to the phrase "Supernatural fandom - where RPS is the moral high ground"!

Some communities on Livejournal and message board forums ban mentions of Wincest. For example Supernatural.tv states "This community as a whole has nothing against homosexuality, but this is a site about Supernatural--two brothers with no romantic feelings for each other--and changing their relationship changes the characters we tune in to watch every week. As another site states, fans borrow characters when they use them in creative work. If fans change major aspects of characters, they might as well create original characters."

Supernatural is certainly not the first fandom to feature a popular incestuous pairing. There's the Weasleys, Draco and Lucius Malfoy and the Black family from Harry Potter, Simon and River Tam from Firefly, the Eppes brothers in Numb3rs, all the Petrellis in Heroes, and not forgetting Luke and Leia in Star Wars. In RPF Gerard and Mikey Way from My Chemical Romance have been a popular pairing.

After the appearance of Castiel in Season Four, the pairing of Dean/Castiel, which offered a non-incestuous Slash pairing, become incredibly popular. Over time, and probably inevitably, a deep animosity arose between Destiel and Wincest fans, and became the fandoms main Shipping War. Pejorative terms used by Destiel fans for those who shipped Wincest include Wincesties and Wincels. (a masshup of Wincest and Incel).

Themes in Wincest

Manip by travellerintime74

Stories which feature Sam and Dean in a sexual relationship cover a wide range of themes, but many explore how and why Sam and Dean have developed a sexual relationship, and what that relationship is like. Themes in these stories include:

  • Incest taboo - "But we're brothers!" - Sam and Dean deal with their desire for each other
  • Porn - stories written solely for their erotic content with no concern for why two heterosexual brothers might want to have sex with each other.
  • We couldn't help ourselves - aka sex pollen, curses, or mystical forces make them do it, or the brothers have to pretend to be gay for a case and things develop
  • And then they had sex - Sex is often used within slash fics in general to allow closure or resolution to conflict. In Wincest, the boys will frequently have sex following an argument or fight. As such, they are often written to codas to episodes where conflict is unresolved.

One of the most important aspects of Wincest fan fiction is the theme of "More than just brothers" - the ultimate trust. Part of the fascination with the relationship between the boys comes from the level of connection they seem to have (they are their only family left, they don't have any other meaningful relationships in their lives, no friends are there to stay, they usually can't reveal their true identity to others). Sam and Dean are portrayed as each others' absolutes in the show, something that calls forward the ultimate, romantic love, the love that would give everything and the love that is everything.

The sexual relationship is just a logical conclusion, or one might say, an extension of that perceived soulful "oneness". Shared physical intimacy is the last step in bringing these characters together as one, not just one mind and soul, but one body.

Some writers take this concept to the point of portraying the brothers as soul mates or soul bonded. This may occur in a way suggesting it is their destiny, or the act of sex actually brings about the soul bonding.

Of course a lot of stories are purely written because Sam and Dean are hot, and fans like to read and write them having every variety of sex you can imagine, and quite a few you probably can't.

In many stories featuring Wincest, the sexual relationship will simply be part of a broader tale which may fit into a variety of genres. There are many fics in which Sam and Dean's relationship is simply part of a story that may cover any range of genres including Case Fic, Bodyswap, Genderswap, AUs, Future Fic, Pre-Series Fic, Crossover, Angst, Deathfic, Crack, Post-Apocalypse, Curtain Fic, Kid Fic, Mpreg, Hurt-Comfort especially involving the Magical Healing Cock, PWP and any other genre one can think of. Oh and Kink. Lots of that.


Given that Sam and Dean have a very close canonical relationship, some writers will note on their fic that there is "Wincest if you squint" e.g. even if a sexual relationship isn't explicit in a story, a reader could easily read the story as if there was.

In the Top/Bottom sexual roles commonly assigned in fanfic, generally Sam is the top, and Dean is the bottom.

Other Fanworks

Oxonesis.png Epiclublanket.gif Bv1978.jpg Moodymuse19.jpg Morpheus4-griseldajane.png Sera.gif
Wincest also appears in various types of Fan Art including digital manipulations, drawings and paintings and Fan Vids which may imply a sexual relationship through clever editing or the use of manips. No cross stitch samplers have yet been seen, but are sure to exist.

The icons here represent a range of fannish engagements with Wincest.

Wincest in Canon

Shippers often seek validation of the character pairing they are interested in from canon. Wincest fans haven't had to look too hard. In fact in December 2006 Sera Gamble referred to Supernatural as The Epic Love Story of Sam and Dean. On the Season 5 DVD commentary for 5.04 The End, Kripke, speaking about the brothers' relationship dynamics in the season, says: "they're going to come together and then in the second half of the season they're going to start drifting apart... the boys are kind of like The Defiant Ones in that they're kind of chained together and one moves ahead and drags the other one with him and then they reverse and... it's the epic love story of Sam and Dean."

Since Season One, Sam and Dean have been mistaken for a gay couple on several occasions: by a realtor[3], by Young Michael[4] at the motel who cheekily asks if Dean and Sam want a "King or two queens?" and by the inn owner Susan Thompson [5] who asks if Sam and Dean if they are in the area antiquing and whether they want a king sized bed. This later encounter causes Dean to ask

Dean: Of course, the most troubling question is why do these people assume we're gay?
Sam: Well, you are kind of butch. They probably think you're overcompensating.

Sam and Dean even play on the misconception in order to get information in 3.08 A Very Supernatural Christmas.

As the show started breaking the fourth wall, Wincest fanfic entered canon.[6]

Dean: There's Sam Girls and Dean Girls and...what's a slash fan?
Sam: As in Sam slash Dean, together.
Dean: Like together, together? They do know we are brothers, right?
Sam: Doesn't seem to matter.
Dean: Well, that's just sick!

There followed much discussion in fandom whether this exchange indicated the Show's support or condemnation of Wincest. It is certainly the first time on a TV show that incestuous gay fanfic has been mentioned by the characters about whom it is written.

Next we meet one of these slash writers - fangirl Becky Rosen. She is a fan of The Supernatural Books by Carver Edlund aka Chuck Shurley and runs a website called morethanbrothers.net.[7] She is first seen writing a Wincest fic which can be read here. The fact that the writers of Supernatural had now themselves written Wincest fanfic caused much delight amongst Wincest fans.

When Becky later invites Sam and Dean to a Supernatural convention the MC announces that there will be a session on "The homoerotic subtext of Supernatural". The two fanboys featured in the episode Demian and Barnes, who are role playing as Sam and Dean at the convention, are revealed at the end of the episode to be lovers.[8]

Over time more references are made in the show to the extreme closeness of Sam and Dean's relationship, not actually suggesting that the characters were involved in a sexual relationship, but acknowledging that it is a relationship of great intimacy. Even Dean finds it hard to capture what it is "Because whatever we have between us -- love, family, whatever it is ..."[9]

The Supernatural writers even hint a close metaphysical connection when they show Sam and Dean share the same "heaven", a situation Ash points out occurs between soulmates. [10]

Zachariah is less subtle. When trying to make sure a resurrected Adam doesn't side with the Winchesters, he says: "So you know you can't trust them, right? You know Sam and Dean Winchester are psychotically, irrationally, erotically codependent on each other, right?" [11]. Even Lisa says to Dean of his relationship with Sam: "You two have the most unhealthy, tangled up, crazy thing that I've ever seen". [12]

In 8.04 Bitten, students Michael Wheeler and Brian Wilcox film Sam and Dean who are posing as FBI agents investigating a case. Michael comments to Brian on first seeing them: "Is it just me or are you getting a workplace romance vibe from those two?" Later, after watching Sam and Dean in a cafe, Brian reports back to Michael: "They just sat and talked about how they’ve been apart for a year. You were probably right about that whole office romance thing."

In 10.05 Fan Fiction, dean notices the actors playing Sam and Dean standing near the fake Impala having what Marie dubs a BM (Boy Melodrama) moment. When Dean asks why they are standing so close together, Marie replies "Reasons." Dean responds "You do know they're brothers, right? to which Marie responds "Duh!"". Dean's line harks back to his response in [4.18 The Monster at the End of This Book]] when he and Sam discover the existence of Slash fans on the message boards for the The Supernatural Books.

What do those outside fandom think?

"Some (fans).. want to take a hand in the story, and their fan fiction can explore areas mostly untouched on the show, like the latent homoerotic suggestiveness of the Winchesters’ intense relationship. Asked if he reads any of this material, Mr. Ackles said: “I don’t. I know it’s out there, and I’m, I’m — the people that have asked me about it are well aware that I would rather not know about that.”

– , Secrets to the Long Life of Supernatural by Mike Hale, New York Times, 2014.

Some of them want to take a hand in the story, and their fan fiction can explore areas mostly untouched on the show, like the latent homoerotic suggestiveness of the Winchesters’ intense relationship. Asked if he reads any of this material, Mr. Ackles said: “I don’t. I know it’s out there, and I’m, I’m — the people that have asked me about it are well aware that I would rather not know about that.” Wincest got its first bit of official recognition at the Asylum fan convention in England in the Spring of 2007. When Jensen Ackles was asked what he thought of fan fiction, he replied:

"Some of those fan fictions have some very, very crazy ideas. And sometimes very...disturbing ideas. One of my favorites is, uh, Wincest...I-I only hope that my grandmother never reads those. Jared and I had a good laugh about that one. It was only brought to our attention because Kim Manners posted it. So um... that's that." [Video no longer available]

When asked about Wincest and fanfiction at EyeCon April 2008, Jared proved diplomatic - and eloquent: "With fan fiction and RPGs, it's sort of an aspect of what I was talking about earlier, about how everybody's taking a part in Supernatural, and they're not just watching it... and they're really passionate about the show, and especially for the fans of Supernatural, it's great... it's a great learning tool, and exploring tool to explore this world. So I'm supportive." Video of quote

Some fans have criticized those who bring the world of Wincest or fan fiction to the attention of those involved with the show, claiming it shouldn't be spoken of and should remain only between the fans.

In the March 2009 publication In the Hunt: Unauthorized Essays on Supernatural by Benbella Books, Wincest is discussed in the essay "Scary Just Got Sexy" by Emily Turner.

In an article on Supernatural in Entertainment Weekly on 2 April, 2009, Wincest was described as a "unique and creepy type of fanfiction." [13]

Perhaps because of the mentions in Canon, Wincest is mentioned more often in the media in association with the fandom than other Slash pairings or even fanfiction generally. The reaction is generally one of "ewwww".

On October 6, 2009, Entertainment Weekly named Supernatural as one of the 25 top cult TV shows of all time. And only the Supernatural fandom was picked out for the fans' creativity:

Why It's Cult: Because some members of the show's small but passionate fanbase have taken to writing fan fiction. And any show that inspires people to want to continue the heroes' adventures on their own time qualifies as cult. (We'll not mention that some of that fan fiction has the Winchester brothers doing things that brothers shouldn't be doing. It's called Wincest. Nuff said, ja?) —Marc Bernardin[14]

On March 2010, tv.com rated the craziest fanbases: "The show's weirdest fans are known for writing tales about a little something called "Wincest". Many of the comments to the blog were by Supernatural fans avowing their own dislike for Wincest.[15]

The gay popculture site After Elton has mentioned Wincest, as well as Dean/Castiel on a number of occasions. (see below for links)

On 6 November 2011, Jim Beaver responded to some Tin Hats on Twitter with this comment: For the record, I think slash fiction is cool, and if Wincest is what you dig, more power to you. But regardez vous: fiction ISN'T real life. source

Even the New York Times noted in a 2011 review of the show "at its most basic it is about sibling devotion: no pair of brothers or sisters on television is more closely bound — not even the siblings on “Brothers and Sisters.” Proving their intimacy each week the Winchesters argue as if they were a married couple ..."[16]

In an article on "Shipping" in the print edition of Entertainment Weekly, (February 17, 2012; p. 26, "Just Do It" by Jeff Jensen), Wincesting was given the nod by Sera Gamble:

The CW’s Supernatural — which owes its seven season to a fiercely loyal an dynamic fan base — has periodically winked at its “Wincesters,” shippers who write sexually charged fan fiction about bogeyman-hunting brothers Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) Winchester. “We have no judgement about that,” say exec producer Sera Gamble. “We’re glad we spark people’s creativity.”

Early in Season 8, TV Guide again bought up Wincest, with its review of the first couple of episodes entitled "Is Wincest Dead?" The article provided a handy definition of Wincest, although it actually focused on the rift between the brothers. It ended with the salutation "So get well soon, Wincest! We miss you already." [17]

TVGuide continued its Wincest obsession in an article title "The Pros and Cons of Shipping" [18]

Other Use of Term

On the imageboard 4chan incest is referred to as Wincest although this is not related to the Supernatural fandom. source

See also

External links

Meta and Ship Manifestos

Further Reading

References

  1. ↑ 4.03 In the Beginning
  2. ↑ 4.19 Jump the Shark
  3. ↑ 1.08 Bugs
  4. ↑ 1.18 Something Wicked
  5. ↑ 2.11 Playthings
  6. ↑ 4.18 The Monster at the End of This Book
  7. ↑ 5.01 Sympathy for the Devil
  8. ↑ 5.09 The Real Ghostbusters
  9. ↑ 5.04 The End
  10. ↑ 5.16 Dark Side of the Moon
  11. ↑ 5.18 Point of No Return
  12. ↑ 6.06 You Can't Handle the Truth
  13. ↑ EW April 2009
  14. ↑ EW Oct 2009
  15. ↑ TV.Com 2010
  16. ↑ New York Times 2011
  17. ↑ [1]
  18. ↑ The Pros and Cons of Shipping
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