Yeah, I definitely need to experiment a bit too. Since I have been back I am pretty much focused on text and composition/textures. I really want to get a hold of these close crops, I usually find them appealing, just not on my icons :D
Ooof, if I tried the one icon per episode my posts would be even more all over the place fandom wise, I usually go with whatever fandom I'm into the moment + whatever I've watched recently. And I agree about SPN, it's not as good as seasons 1-4, but at least it's better than the mess that were seasons 7-9, which caused me to drop it in the first place.