6.16 Episode review/reaction..

[ash48]

LOVED IT! Really loved it. (I know... I pretty much say the same thing every week but come on! That was a ride and a half...\o/ )

I do just need to get my one, I suppose, disappointment out of the way first:

Three. Count 'em THREE recurring characters killed in ONE episode. Are they going for a record or something?! I figured Grandpa would buy it sooner or later but... Idk, I thought there might have been something more about him. Though I suppose he was all about that last scene. Blood doesn't make you family.

Gwen was a shock. And disappointing. I thought we might have her a round for a while. I liked her. I thought it was a character that might have been explored some more.. :(

And Rufus. :(((( That one really hurt. I really, really liked that character and could have easily watched more episodes with him in. I just love the connection he and Bobby had. They were like an older Sam and Dean. Which was probably the whole point. I liked the "twist", I suppose you could call it, that Rufus couldn't ever forgive Bobby. Fair call. Not everybody can forgive. It was testament that they remained friends.

RIP OC's.

Ok. Loooovvveeedd....

1. The tension! \o/ I was squirming in my seat pretty much the whole time. Especially the beginning.

I love the shout out to The Thing and to that X-file episode with a similar creepy crawly. In fact - I think if referenced a few films/tv shows with that on. Always love creepy crawlies that inhabit bodies. :)

2. Bobby and Rufus. This could have been an interesting partnership to explore some more. Initially I thought we might have had just the two of them. I'm glad we didn't because I would have missed the boys, but I did think it would give the Js a break.

3. Bobby, Rufus, Sam and Dean. I loved the four of them together. A hunting family. It was great to see them tackling a hunt together. Damn shame we won't be able to see that again. (*eek* this might be a sore point..)

4.SamnDean. FOR THE WIN!! I think I am still wallowing in Sam having his soul back. I'm just adoring the dynamic these two have once again. Dean honestly looks so much happier lately. I know he's suffering huge losses - but that boy. He has a philosophy now. Forgive. Life is too short. I'm assuming this is a new for him. Something that is making him stronger and able to cope with everything that has passed. Also a way of saying "I forgive you" to Sam. Which Sam no doubt needed to hear. His soulless year is pressing down on him. A new slate suggests a new beginning. Which I don't really trust I have to say. I worried what will happen when Sam finds out more about his soulless year.

5. Sam grabbing Dean before he tripped the wire.. *HEARTS*

6. "Sam take Dean for a walk".. *HEARTS*

7. Them being protective of each other..*HEARTS* AND Sam being separated from Dean like in Fresh Blood...and Dean being all angsty. and Sam being handcuffed. What? Just saying...

I most definitely wear my heart on my sleeve when it comes to these boys. <33

Oh and the number of times they communicated without talking. Just little nods. They read each other THAT well.

8. Sam having to turn away when Dean went for the big fry of the Big (well, small) Bad in Bobby. Sam's soul is most definitely home. Show has been giving us these moments of soulful Sam almost as a direct comparison to soulless!Sam. Him in regards to Lisa, having Dean's back and now not wanting to hurt Bobby after being prepared to kill him. Gold star for that..

9. Show letting us (well, me) think for a moment that they killed Bobby. I mean, I know they wouldn't but I thought that maybe they were really going to go the whole hog and just kill EVERYBODY that Sam and Dean know.

10. First time we've had Jesus mentioned in all this. Interesting.

11+. Good 'ole fashioned entertainment. A fun Monster of the Week. More of the new myth arc. Some gore (of course Bobby had a cranium saw in his boot. Why wouldn't he? sheesh...). and boys being awesome.

Aside from killing off OC's (which I think in itself has become a signature of the show...) that was great.

It's episodes like this that make me think how sad it will be when it's all over. Hopefully we won't have to think about it for a while yet.

Comments

[debbiel66.livejournal.com]

I LOVED this episode.

(Except for Rufus...don't know why Show feels compelled to kill it's most awesome side characters. The stakes are already UPPED for God's sake!)

But I loved it. I've written this before, but I loved the physicality of the episode, the way they put their bodies in front of each others, the looks, the fact they had to look away when someone they loved was hurt. The guns... Rufus and Bobby griping at each other... but the whole reason I watch the show is for the Sam and Dean of this episode.

That scene at the end healed a thousand hurts. I'm telling you, all is forgiven, clean slate. This is a good place for our boys.

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Yeah - this was one of those really enjoyable ones. Though I have to admit during the "then" I was getting really worried. I was thinking we might be in for some major angst - of the yuk variety.

But yay! It wasn't. :)

Yes- the physicality was just wonderful. Good way to describe it. And this Sam and Dean is what we signed up for yeah? So great to see them like this again.

I liked the "clean slate" notion. I'm wary of it of course. Show being Show is likely to turn that on its head somehow, but for the moment I'm settling in with it. :)

<3

[greyowl88.livejournal.com]

Yes, yes and yes!! I agree! *happy sigh* ♥ *hearts show* ^_^

I didn't care all that much for Gwen, so no loss for me here.
And the way Grandpa died? Getting shot, then his head just about cut open and springing back to life until he is fried by electricity (and the worm "runs")? How creepyly awesome is that? What a send off for the old man. (Not very heroic :P)

And yes, Rufus *sniff*. Looks like they have to come up with another cool character to make up for that loss, huh?

xx

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Oh you didn't care for Gwen? I wished they given her more of a chance to develop. The whole Campbell thing is kinda weird. Seems like good potential wasted. Unless they bring them back somehow..

And man!! Gramps really bought it. Twice. See, I figure Sampa was meant to be this big bad - which he kinda was, but not really - so they had to make sure he died in a horrible way. That was well gruesome. The sawing of his head...*yikes*

NO idea why they got rid of Rufus. Makes no sense. I mean, I can see that they needed to kill three characters in this episode. It was significant that each of them got to kill a character - but did it have to be Rufus?!

Oh well... we should be used to it by now.

<33

[cece-away.livejournal.com]

Nods to all that above.

They had me when Sam first threatened to shoot Samuel in the head if Dean didn't come back alive. Then he did end up shooting him in the head later!

And Sam sitting between Dean and Samuel glaring.

Then Dean physically getting between Sam and Samuel trying to bring back soulless memories.

Oh, the joy of all the little protective brother moments just turned me to a bag of goo.

[ash48.livejournal.com]

A lot of awesome in this one I reckon.

And yes - Sam ending up shooting Samuel in the head was clever. I really didn't expect all the killing in this one - it took me by surprise (and why I like not being spoiled). And Sam feeling bad about killing him if the slug thing wasn't in him. THAT'S the Sammy I love... <33

The protective bro moments were complete WIN! Missed them so much. They are obviously making up for lost moments.

Yay! :)

[phoenix39.livejournal.com]

Three. Count 'em THREE recurring characters killed in ONE episode. Are they going for a record or something?!

My theory was budget cut.

And Rufus. :(((( That one really hurt.

I agree with everything you said about Rufus.

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Yeah - not sure about budget cuts for this. I mean, they could just not have those characters appear again, rather than kill them. That way they are there for future episodes if needed. But Show just doesn't do that. I think it's part of their trademark or something.

And yeah - poor Rufus. He didn't deserve to die. Neither did Ash or Pamela or Hendrickson or.... ha... did I mention sore point?

<33

[sandymg.livejournal.com]

I liked it, too. Edge of seat. Really creepy and well paced. And the love between the brothers a living, breathing, entity bouncing back and forth between them.

3. Bobby, Rufus, Sam and Dean. I loved the four of them together. A hunting family. It was great to see them tackling a hunt together. Damn shame we won't be able to see that again. (*eek* this might be a sore point..)

This -- it's a sore point for me, too. He was a great character in his own right. And just for that I regret his death. But it was lovely to see the boys have others watching their collective backs just once. I know the show is Sam'NDean and not meant to be about a foursome. But since season 1 I've missed letting them interact with someone else they love while on a hunt.

Sure, they have Bobby. But he hasn't been shown actually hunting with them very much. He has their back in other ways. So that scene where they all came out of their cars ready to lock and load was just great. Anyway, this is a really long-winded way for me to say I will mourn the loss of that potential.

[ash48.livejournal.com]

And the love between the brothers a living, breathing, entity bouncing back and forth between them.

oooh yeah, nicely put. You can almost touch it sometimes. I love it when it's like this.

But since season 1 I've missed letting them interact with someone else they love while on a hunt.

It's so very rarely we see them interact with other hunters well, ones they care about. For a moment there I got excited that we might see more of this. But no... not meant to be. Shame really.

But fun episode nonetheless.
:)

[august-monsoon.livejournal.com]

SAM AND DEAN WERE LOVE.

I know what you mean, I can't get over how *Sammy* Sam is now! (that makes very little sense, I know)

I'm still grieving Rufus! He was such a great character and I would've loved to see him more, but I guess this was highlighting the tragedy of the boys' lives, people they ( and we) love die because of the way they live. It's a miracle and Rufus lived as long as he did. Doesn't stop me being *sadface* though. I thought they were about to kill off Bobby too for a second, that wouldn't borken me for for good.

On point 10, it'll be interesting to see if it was meant for just this episode or an new introduction to the last leg of the mytharc for this season. The mother/father references while the Mother was talking about God was quite chilling, in fact the Mother seems like she'll be a tough cookie to crack.

This turned to be much longer and ramblier than I originally intended, sorry!

♥

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Sam is so Sammy again. It so, so fabulous to see.

And I suppose you are right - we were lucky to have Rufus for as long as we did. Sad to see him go though.

And never apologise for saying stuff. I love it! I love hearing what other people think of episodes - (even when they don't match mine).

Thanks for dropping in. :)

[tiniowien.livejournal.com]

I think the main reason (by a mile) that I loved this ep so damn much was because 'Ice' was my favourite X-Files episode for so many, many years. (I could probably quote that thing even nowadays; I was a big nutter over that show. *g*) And the nods to it in theis ep were so delightful - not to mention having not one but two XF regulars present made it extra delightful. :D

And oh gosh... shivers when Sam gets all possessive over Dean. XD

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Ahhh yes. That was the name of the episode. One of my favs as well. I remember thinking how much like The Thing that one was.

Sammy being possessive makes me happy in my pants. Either of them actually...

Yay icon! <3

[geckoholic]

Besides the obvious (RUFUS! BOYS & HEARTS), this really got me thinking:

4.SamnDean. FOR THE WIN!! I think I am still wallowing in Sam having his soul back. I'm just adoring the dynamic these two have once again. Dean honestly looks so much happier lately. I know he's suffering huge losses - but that boy. He has a philosophy now. Forgive. Life is too short. I'm assuming this is a new for him. Something that is making him stronger and able to cope with everything that has passed. Also a way of saying "I forgive you" to Sam. Which Sam no doubt needed to hear. His soulless year is pressing down on him. A new slate suggests a new beginning. Which I don't really trust I have to say. I worried what will happen when Sam finds out more about his soulless year.

You know, I've always seen Dean as someone to bear grudges, keep them well fed and pet them often. If he's hurt, he's clinging to that, and it takes a while and some serious effort to make him forget about that. So yes, I agree that this *points to quote* is a new thing for him, and I think it will do him good.

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Yes. I definitely see this as a step forward for Dean. He has harbored grudges (I think throwing away the amulet was evidence of that and even his need for vengence on Sampa(?)...). Maybe in the past that hurt has kept him going- kept him strong. But maybe now he is beginning to lift the weight. Anger, hurt and hate can weigh heavily on a person and I think we've seen this in Dean for quite a while now. Learning to forgive is quite a huge thing... I wonder if that is what we are seeing here?

I have to say I'm loving seeing Dean "lighter"..

Thanks for your comment. It's given me some food for thought. There might even be some meta in this... :)

[geckoholic]

YES, THE AMULET. I'm not sure if I'd put revenge on Sampa in that category. Sampa refused to help Sam, that's another brand of betrayal alltogether for Dean, I'd say. Which is why I don't see that as falling back into old behaviour regarding harboring grudges.

Jeez, I hope it is. Might also be related to some sort of, IDK, learning to forgive himself, going easier on himself, and therefor more ready to forgive others as well? Though, seeing as we're talking about Dean . . . ;) Whatever it is, I love it too. He needs to give himself a break.

Ohhh, hopefully!! \o/ I'd love to talk about this at length when you do end up writing something. Or more. *gg*

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Yeah, you're right. Dean had a lot of reasons to follow through on this threat. And I like that Sam knew what he did to them. Dean obviously told him. I love that Sam totally backed Dean in this episode also. When he stopped Dean from killing him I thought something was up... but I liked Sam's thinking.

And Dean learning to forgive himself would be great as well. It might be a new leaf for him..

I hope I have a chance to write something. Probably not with everything going on at the moment. Well see.. :D
xx