Various observations on 7.14

[ash48]

As much as this episode was a filler and full of sparkly moments, I think we can extract some thinky... :D



I just need to take a moment to drool over that motel room. Honestly. My squee knows no bounds looking at this room. Re-watching it yesterday we had to pause to take a good look.










A tiki (islander?) themed motel in Kansas. I'm not sure why but that cracks me up.

I adore the lighting. Green on one side, red on the other. Of course all the little touches - like A TIKI THEMED TISSUE BOX COVER - are to die for. Surely that wallpaper is custom made. SO COOL!


Other stuff:

1. Dean ditched Sam at Plucky Penny's so he could hook up with girls.

We are given some canonical evidence of where and when Sam's fear of clowns began. I'm not sure if this is a deliberate attempt to load some more guilt on Dean or just one of those things. I suspect the former because he apologises to Sam at the end. I also felt that Dean may have been defending himself a little when he was defending Tyler's mother.

I'm sure she was there to represent John more than Dean but it did occur to me at the end that Dean might see himself in her a little bit. (Assuming Dean took on the care taker role as often suggested) He could see somebody who, like himself and John, had other things on their minds. (though I really didn't like her. Making a kid that age take a bus all by themselves.. :(()

Once again we get to see Dean interact with kids. I like this consistency - we see him reach out and help children that seem to have a similar childhood to himself (Kirsty in Adventures in Baby Sitting for example). Though on the flip side we saw him kill Amy in front of her child. I suspect Dean still sees a difference between a "monster" child and a human child.


2. Dean was smiling!

zebra363 mentioned that she felt Dean was too out of character immediately following 7.13. He seemed to be in a very bad place at the end of that episode, telling Sam he'll "do what he can" to stay alive and here he was much happier. Laughing even. I agree but I wondered if this was Dean making himself smile, as suggested by Frank in 7.11. Finding the smallest of moments that can bring out that smile. Sam covered in sparkly glitter, a giant slinky and getting Sam to repeat "ball washer" (tehe), all moments that he can enjoy and smile about. He's workin' it.

Either that or it's inconsistent writing. I'd like to think it's not. We can't have episode after episode of Dean being down in the dumps. I mean, we can but (for me) that would get rather tedious. Same with having every episode where Sam is having to deal with Lu in his head. It's all there, just pushed aside so we can have a "filler" episode where we can sit back and enjoy the ride.

(To clarify - I think Dean's smiles and overall better mood are genuine. I don't think he's "faking it", I just think he's allowing himself to enjoy the moments when they present themselves rather than keep seeing the glass as half empty. I'd like to think it's because of Frank's advice, that's all.)

I'm not spoiled for the future but I suspect this was a light one before some heavy ones ahead. I like that they mix it up.


3. Fear

It's interesting to me that another Dabb and Loflin written episode, Yellow Fever, was based on fear. That one using Dean's fear of hell and this one Sam's fear of clowns.

It mirrored that episode in so many ways (opening chase scene, count down clock etc.) - but, thank god, it wasn't a bad as YF. I hate YF with a passion, mostly because the boys were SO out of character. I felt this one at least had them in character. The plotting was probably a little weak (I really can't get my head around that ending), but it served as a way to bring unicorns and clowns into the story. It wins for that alone.

I think that D&L have a good grasp on the boy's history and I think this episode demonstrated that.

We first heard about Sam's fear of clowns way back in Season 2 (Everybody Loves a Clown) so I love that we got some more on that. It was by no means a deep, psychological look at that fear and but it think it works much better than Yellow Fever. That episode used Dean's fear of hell as a joke. At that time (and probably even now) that fear was no laughing matter whereas Sam's fear of clowns is a little less "serious" and therefore a more appropriate catalyst for an episode like this.

It does amuse me that someone like Sam, who has been through SO MUCH is still afraid of clowns. I suppose it's the leveller. They are, in many ways, super human. But to see a very real fear like this reminds us that they are just humans after all. (though I don't believe that for a second. Anyone as good looking as those two can't be merely human...)


4. A shout out to 70's cop shows.

I'm taking a bit of a leap here but Starsky and Hutch springs to mind. (\o/) There were just too many references for it not to be deliberate.

The biggest hint is the 70's feel "action" music when the boys were chasing Cliff. Even the way that scene was shot is reminiscent of S&H. I mean really.... conveniently placed pile of tyres (though empty cardboard boxes would have been better) and the rather obvious stunt actors making the drive and tumble. (It might just have been me but all I could think there was... that's not Jensen!).

There's also the "good cop, bad cop" reference and Sam acting (so very badly) as a "tough" cop when interrogating the staff. I'm sure S&H have tossed aside many a chair when trying to be threatening. I thought maybe he was trying to imitate Horatio from CSI, but the more I think on it I reckon it's meant to be more "cheesy" - 70's style cheesy.

And that hotel room reminded me of the episode Murder on Voodoo Island for some reason.

(Shut up! S&H have to be homaged at some point in this show. It may as well be now! *g*).

I really did enjoy this episode. The multitude of pop culture references alone made it a romp. But to throw in some AWESOME bro moments (SAM GOT DEAN THE SLINKY!!!), some beaten up Sam (shut up! You know me...), a spectacular hotel room and classic one liners you have a very satisfying episode indeed.

ETA: Oh, and did you all notice the clown's wink at the very end?

Comments

[no-ones-sleep.livejournal.com]

My thoughts on Dean (yes, surprise!): I think his laugh was genuine. The brothers were working a case, Sam was doing okay, they could rely on each other- almost like old times, so I think Dean felt better and dared to hope and laugh (just to be crushed underfoot next episode, my thoughts exactly, as they always do that...). But the strongest indicator to me was the absence of alcohol. Dean didn't drink. And that must mean something. (Hopefully something other than inconsistent writers.)

I needed this episode. I really did. Even hubby said it was remarkable how the writers of SPN influenced my emotional state. So to me, even though it might be a filler episode, it felt necessary to take some breath.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts, I am always looking forward to it :-).

[greyowl88.livejournal.com]

Before I even read your post I have to blurt out: It made the episose for me the moment Dean called Sam "Sammy" in the sort of beginning. It was a moment that really made my heart smile. :D

Ok, now I'll read your post.

Yeah, that hotel room was something, eh? *giggle*
I enjoyed the feel of the early seasons this episode had. And like you I'm expecting heavy ones to come, so, enjoy the fun while it's there. :D
Killer-unicorn with rainbow shooting out of it's ass... made of win! lol

Made me laugh how the clown Dean gave Sam in the end, ended up trown out on the road. I wonder if it is a hint that Sam has finally gotten over this fear and has tossed it out. (Not that he will ever like clowns much...)

I think the word "satisfying" is a good word to decsribe this epísode. I enjoyed it thoroughly. :D

[callistosh65.livejournal.com]

Agreed - that motel room was a jaw-dropper! And that tag felt earned. No alcohol, and a Sammy still alive and covered in glitter. All kudos to Jensen for making that laugh of Dean's seem completely unforced and genuinely infectious.

[zebra363.livejournal.com]

The mood shift still jars me, but I was thinking today that Dean managed to raise a laugh at the demons being hit by holy water from the sprinklers in No Rest For The Wicked, just minutes before his deal came due.

[elsewhere91.livejournal.com]

I love that motel room it's just so....Supernatural. This episode felt like a breath of fresh air, i needed to have a light hearted episode.

I agree i think last episode was a wake up call for Dean, even Dean stated that at the beginning of this episode. I also feel that this season has been exploring and dealing with Dean's issues and flaws a lot more than previous seasons (i.e. people bringing up his hypocrisy more, his drinking, his coping mechanisms etc) and i, personally, felt that this season was similar to that of Sam's emotional journey of season 4/5 - just that Dean has hit rock bottom but i think he is slowly starting to climb out of that hole. I also think that Dean is taking advice from people this season, Bobby, Frank, Elliot Ness and Sam and i think he is 'faking it until he makes it' not just for him but for Sam too. I think that Sam desperately begging Dean to stay alive at the end of last episode also helped give Dean some strength as well as that last scene in 7.13 was quite similar to Fresh blood with Sam asking Dean to be his brother again just 'cause. I do think Dean's behaviour was genuine also because Dean has always been 'it's the little things that count' kind of person but i don't think it will last.

I loved the last scene and the banter between the brothers. I loved that Sam loved that Dean was laughing at him - just because Dean was laughing. I loved the giant slinky and... just everything. Also evil killer unicorns!!

[el1ie.livejournal.com]

Nope, refuse to think about it. Hee!

There was so much I could find fault with if I study it, plot, pacing, repetition, cruelty, Sam changing clothes while tailing a subject...what? You know me and my hinkey time line fascination.

I think a less drunk Dean is a less morose Dean and if he's put the bottle down for a while then I can see a place where he can still find joy teasing and working with his brother - yep, it was a bit of a jar from last week but a welcome one and although I don't really think someone who was tipping back as much alcohol as Dean was could possible just stop - it was a joyous episode in many ways - funeral humour is something Dean has a penchant for, I found his change of attitude pretty genuine in the situation and not the forced "Frank's theory" one and the one liners came fast and furious, it was great fun to watch, but not think about or dwell on.

Pretty, pretty hotel room and as soon as I saw the first glimpse of it I thought of you jumping up and down squealing and pointing at the screen!

[linda3m.livejournal.com]

This is just my opinion, but I think Dean was able to genuinely laugh and smile at the end of this episode because it was the first time in months he's been sober all episode. Dean is a cranky drunk.

[maenad.livejournal.com]

We are given some canonical evidence of where and when Sam's fear of clowns began. I'm not sure if this is a deliberate attempt to load some more guilt on Dean or just one of those things. I suspect the former because he apologises to Sam at the end. I also felt that Dean may have been defending himself a little when he was defending Tyler's mother.

I think the idea is to remind Dean that his actions do affect Sam's wellbeing. Anybody who's been paying attention can see that Sam is terrified that Dean is going to die on him - but Dean's been so thoroughly swamped by his own misery that he's been missing the depth of Sam's desperation. He's also agreed, on the surface level, to go along with Sam's insistence that he's fine and there's no need to worry.

So they use a little thing to highlight a big thing: there was a time, long ago, when Dean vanished on Sam and left him alone with the clowns and he couldn't cope. Substitute in 'dying' for 'running off to hit on girls' and 'Lucifer' for 'clowns' and you've got the current situation. In the end Sam needs Dean to banish the clowns for him because they don't bleed and he can't kill them - like Lucifer they're the product of fear and misery, and having some backup is why he survives.

I think that's a big part of (although not the only reason) why Dean was doing better here - he still has his half of the partnership to manage. Revenge is generally a dead-end street for them, and drowning his sorrows in sex and alcohol just gets him really screwed-up teenage daughters. But this is an actual positive thing he can do, and puts meaning behind his vow to stick with Sam.

Because he's got a sense of meaning, he also has the breathing space to laugh and be happy - because he apparently has not yet learnt that that is tempting fate. :)

[phx69.livejournal.com]

Dean's belly laugh wasn't a forced smile. It was so genuine it even made Sam smile. I just think Dean was so relieved that Sam wasn't dead and then to see him like that? There is no way he won't find it funny. And his pure joy at seeing that slinky??? awww... (I also think it was a nice shout out to that episode that had Dean saying he didn't know the last time he'd laughed with his brother. It shows how much they've repaired their relationship. And the fact that Sam let him laugh at him? Very sweet!)

SN constantly does this so I am not surprised why anyone thinks it doesn't fit. Every time they do a funny episode it is on the back of something darker. I think we see Dean starting to heal here. Although last week was angsty, Dean also did get an affirmation of how important he still is to someone and that he still has a reason to fight. I think last week helped put things in perspective for him. it gave him a very good scare about where his irresponsible behavior could led him.

As for the Dean being that mom thing? That is a bit of a stretch, IMO. It did not feel, at all, like he was talking about himself. There were no parallels. For example, Dean put Sam there to chase girls - not because he was out playing caregiver. No, he was being a normal kid for once and I have no trouble with that. I think this was meant to show us that, even with all the realistic ways he sees his father now, he still understands some fundamental things. That and Dean clearly identified with the kid, not his mom. The mirroring of behaviors and attitudes screamed 'Dean'.

Dean apologizing at the end wasn't even a serious angst filled thing. I just think Dean finally got a very good understanding about the power of fear. I don't think it was meant to be anything to show he was feeling very guilty about it at all. Especially since he ended it with giving Sam a clown doll. That was just so Dean and so big brother :) If he really did feel bad, he never would have given Sam that doll. He'd have bought him a pie or something instead, lol!!

I took the episode for what it was - a funny little side trip before things get all dark and angsty again. Like placing that Babylon episode after Sam killed Madison. Odd timed but still enjoyable :)

[zimshan.livejournal.com]

He seemed to be in a very bad place at the end of that episode, telling Sam he'll "do what he can" to stay alive and here he was much happier.

See, I think it's not so much Dean's words in response at the end of that ep that are important to remember but SAM'S words and Dean's reaction to them that make them both so much more comfortable together in this one. Beginning of the ep Dean has his little swearing off women and bars and alcohol. He plays it off as a joke, but like everything Dean does, his actions say more than his words. Sam was smiling at him constantly throughout this ep, like he thought his words got through to him and worked. It's the only episode to date this season, where Dean's drinking something and it's not alcohol, but coffee. It's the stuff unsaid. :) Of course, I think it's gearing up for next ep unfortunately, so it's a set up for a fall, but still, it happened.

[In fact, I feel like there's this potential for unsaid canon before that first scene by the car, that explains Sam's little smiles at Dean even in the beginning. Like Sam woke up this morning and Dean hadn't poured a glass of whiskey before they went out to breakfast, then at breakfast he never once went for his flask, ordered two coffees, and looked like he actually slept the night before. (Fic potential! Writers, get on it! XD)]

I got the 70s cheesy feel too! The score kinda played it up in that chase scene but there were other places too. Ooo, yes and the tiki hut motel room. Sam is trapped in by green and red, conflict colors, not a good omen for the future. Trouble's a-coming!

[runedgirl.livejournal.com]

So agreed with just about everything said here - the affection between the boys was obvious from the start and only grew as they worked through some of the very early resentments from their childhood, with an actual spoken apology and the exchange of gifts. Add to that Dean's growly affectionate "Sammy" on the phone and you have an episode that I felt like *I* needed as much as the brothers did. Of course, this being SPN, it only means we should hold on tight for the next episodes.... But for now, I'll keep smiling :)