May 2016

Sam was in the bunker kitchen setting up the coffee for the next morning when Dean came in.

"Hey," Sam said. "How was the season finale of Dr. McSexy?"

"Ugh, don't even ask," Dean complained. "It was a total joke. It was horrible. It was – eleven years that show has been on and they just retconned the whole series. The entire series. It was stupid. It was so stupid, I might even owe an apology to that showrunner I hated."

"It was renewed, wasn't it?" Sam asked. "With another new showrunner? I'm sure it'll be better next season."

Dean scoffed. "I doubt it. Even if it is, I'm not going to be watching. I'm never going to watch that show again."

"Uhhhhh hunh."

"I mean it. I'm done. They F'd it up so bad, I can't even watch the old seasons, back when it was really good. It's just – it's over."

"Uh, yeah. You've said that before Dean. A couple of times at least. And everytime, you've gone back."

"Not this time. I mean it. I'd rather go back to hell than watch that show again."

Sam shrugged and clapped Dean on the shoulder as he walked past. "I'm sorry for your loss."

October 2016

Sam let himself into the Bunker, carrying plastic bags from the grocery store. Dean was nowhere around, probably in his room, so after Sam put the food away he grabbed a couple bottles of beer and headed that way.

He was just outside Dean's open door when he heard familiar theme music. Quietly, he looked into the room to find Dean on his bed, intently watching his computer screen. He was definitely watching his show.

"So," Sam said, deliberately loudly, startling Dean. "How was hell?"

"Uhhh….oh...well..." First Dean looked embarrassed, then he shrugged. "I read some reviews that said the premiere was pretty good, so I thought I'd give it a look."

"And?"

"And – not bad. Sure not as bad as the last few episodes of last season."

"Sooooo – you're going to start watching again?"

Dean thought a minute. "I'll take it episode by episode, I guess. There's still twenty-two episodes that can suck. Especially if they let 'Yes, Dear' write any episodes. Which they always do. But – " He shrugged. "I don't know. I figured out that the show is more than just good or bad – or asinine – episodes. It's the people, the actors and the other people who watch the show, more than anything else. That's what the show really is."

Sam nodded. He came into the room, handed Dean his beer then sat on the bed next to him and gestured to the paused computer screen.

"All right, catch me up."

The End.

A/N: Why, no, I did not get hurt when I fell off my very high horse. ;o)