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

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Then you know why some of us are frustrated by it all. If it's a story about two brothers it can't be the story of Sam via Dean's POV.

Yes, I can understand that.

I've never really considered it has Sam's story through Dean's before. I've only ever really seen it has a story of both the boys- with the POV's alternating. But if it is Sam's story through Dean's eyes then I'm not sure that would bother me so much. I still think we are getting both of the boys' stories. But... and this is why I've written this - I'm missing something that both Dean and Sam investors are getting frustrated with. That's not to say I don't understand it. I do. But I'm not feeling that level of frustration.

What I hope is that they emerge from it.

I am really interested to see if they do work toward this. I think it would give their journeys (over the last 5.5 seasons) some real meaning.

Lisa and Ben are still out there, aren't they?

God, I hope so. I was thinking about them the other day and wondering how they will be brought back into the story. Though, that's with some nervousness... going by SPN's record with OC's... :(

xx

[smilla02.livejournal.com]

Well, the frustration is always cyclical. In season 4 there was a big uprising from one section of fandom, now it's the time someone else protests. It's just the way of fandom, you know?

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[ash48.livejournal.com]

Yeah... I'm discovering. :) I didn't get involved in too many discussions back then. Even last year. This year I've read and chatted more probably. (to be honest the whole notion of fandom is still pretty new to me. I've been here for about 4 years, but I know many others have been involved in other fandoms for a lot longer than that and are probably used to it all. Maybe. )

And I love that fans can get together to voice their frustrations. It's what gives it all a sense of community. The discussion I came across was very civil. It was just a real eye opener. More so to hear why Dean followers were so frustrated. I feel like I have a better understanding now. :)

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[smilla02.livejournal.com]

We watch the show with different lenses and with different satisfaction and that's quite normal I think. I'm surprised by some of the reading on Dean and Sam I see around and how different those readings are from mine, and I know that there's not helping it. We bring different background to what we watch.

I definitely value them as individual first (Dean, Sam, as opposed to Dean and Sam) and in their relationship secondly and I like that the show is showing the ugly toll hunting has on them. But this season has been hard. There was no relationship to talk of, only Dean trying to understand what the hell was happening and a Sam who, by no fault of his own, kept hurting him again and again, and basically didn't give a fuck about Dean. That has detached me from the relationship, and the last episode, where Sam kept ignoring Dean's warnings/pleas has not helped. We've talked about it and you know I think it's intentional, so I espect a lot of work done on Sam so he can come to terms with himself and what has been done to him and to others - specifically Dean.

But I must be real, the only way I can connect with the relationship again is when Sam says that nothing is more important than Dean. This way I'll know that that person who didn't care about Dean is gone. Yeah, you can call me a Dean girl, but it's also a matter of storytelling. If the drama comes from that break (I was watching Live Free and Twit Hard yesterday) then the resolution of the drama MUST have to do with it.

Will the show give it to me? I have no idea. I'll keep watching. Dean's hot and compelling and so is Sam, and Castiel, and yeah Bobby and Lisa and Ben - sorry people feel so threatened by them because I think they add a wonderful dimension to the story and specifically to Dean.

*smooch*

[ash48.livejournal.com]

*smooch* back. And well put.

But I must be real, the only way I can connect with the relationship again is when Sam says that nothing is more important than Dean.

I most definitely what this also.


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