I know I shouldn't post about this..

[ash48]

but *shrugs* ... I'm trying to make some sense of this, so yeah...blogging against my better judgement.



I got caught up reading a post the other night that revolved around peeps expressing their disappointment in Season 6. It kinda saddened me because the main reason came down to not liking where their favourite character's story line was going. It seems to be that fans invested in Dean's story line aren't happy with his story arc and fans invested in Sam's are the same.

From what I understand, Dean invested fans are worried that his story is only ever reactionary to Sam and Sam invested fans are worried that Sam is only a plot devise and we won't get to see his emotional response to what's happened to him. (and yes I know there's a lot more to it than that, but I'm trying to summarise it here...). And I get that... I really, really do. I would say that there's definitely some truth in that.

I think what I don't fully get is when being that passionate for one brother's story over the other one can lose sight of how each of their stories involve and revolve around the other.

I started to reflect on where I stood and I realised that I've never really been invested in one story over the other. I often claim to be a "sam girl", but I think that mostly boils down to what I like to read. When I'm watching the show I am interested in both of their stories. Equally. In fact, if anything I am mostly invested in them. I live (and watch) to see them being together. It's why I signed up in the first place. The fact that Show keeps tearing them apart is probably what keeps me watching because I want to see them resolve their problems so that can work cohesively together again.

To hear people say that to see Dean look out for Sam means Dean's story is lessened, confuses me. Equally, for Sam to need Dean and to be rescued by him lessens Sam's story. I just. Idk. I see this as part of their dynamic. Part of their brotherly bond. Often their individual stories explore ways for them to break their traditional roles of Big Brother / Little Brother. Sam having to prove himself, Dean trying to find himself outside of the role of care taker.

It's complicated, I know. And damn messy. But if it was straight forward then I don't think the show would be as interesting - or have as many fans invested. The boys are flawed, which is what makes them such interesting characters. But it seems that their flaws are often the cause of some of the character hate (particularly for Sam) that gets flung around.

And I totally get that some people are drawn to one character over the other. I also get that show screws up sometimes but to hear one character berated because they are "dominating" the story arc makes me incredibly sad. As far as I can see both boys have strong individual stories AND play a huge part in each others' story.



/removes soap box. *sheesh* anyone would think that this was important.. hee...

And no... I haven't written this to start Dean v Sam arguments. AT ALL!

Instead - a poll (out of curiosity)

[Poll #1706039]

Comments

[redteekal.livejournal.com]

In a word. THIS. And now in some more words because English teachers just can't not. LOL. I have often struggled (and pretty much given up) on understanding how people have lost their faith, their zing, their zeal, their interest, their investment in this show. I don't understand how in a show that has never made any bones about being the story of two brothers how one brother's story arc can be prioritised over another. I absolutely understand if you like one character more than the other and it's fantastic that the show has two such rich, vibrant and different characters that there are clear cut favourites for fans but I can't comprehend how such a liking seems to somehow lead to giving more significance and weight to one over the other. To the extent that the show has been wrecked for you, destroyed forever? What the? These two brothers are so intrinsically and explicably completely characterised by each other. And yet they are each very unique and individual characters but this show and the stories it tells has been and is always going to be revolving around their flaws and weaknesses for each other (and their strengths). Dean absolutely has limitless and probably extremely rewarding value in a role outside of big brother, as does Sam beyond little brother. Would I be as tied up in this show and as invested in their characters if it didn't always come back to their relationship and all it's fucked-up glory and universally imbalancing ramifications? I don't think so. I'll admit I've had thoughts cross my mind throughout the seasons along the lines of 'Wow, I'd really like to see some more Sam-centric storyline now or Dean-centric story line here' particularly when they have been heavy, emotionally driven episodes that you need to take a deep, long breath after. Never once have I felt that they have done injustice to either character's story and that's because the directions they've taken have been so vastly different at times. I've rambled somewhat here so I am going to leave it at that and the whole ITA vibe with your excellent post :)

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Hey honey...

I've had this typed up for a couple of days - I wasn't going to post because it can stir up issues, but then it's been gnawing at me and I thought what the heck..

I largely stay away from threads that go into people complaining about the show. I think it's great that we have a forum to be able to do that and the post I happened upon was pretty well conducted. There was no real nastiness, just a "I'm sick of Sam dominating the story line... Sam being back means Dean will now be ignored... etc." I ended up having an interesting discussion and it made me think about how each of us see the show and want different things from it.

I know there are times that I am frustrated with the way the characters are represented - especially when Sam is made to hurt Dean (often unwittingly), but I trust that that is part of the journey that he and Dean are on and accept it.

Thanks sweetie. Sometimes it just helps to chat about it. I was feeling so down after reading all that. I felt like staying away for a while. I blogged instead. :)

xx