ash48 | 7.23 review & reaction

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s7 episode reaction

7.23 review & reaction

Well. I gotta say, I didn't think they could pull that off. I am pleased (and rather thrilled) that they did.

To be honest, I am rather shocked that I was so happy with it considering the overall lack of SamnDean angst and the amount of Dean and Cas there was - but.... it all sat quite well with me and I even actually liked the the Dean and Cas stuff!! I KNOW!!! Colour me God damn shocked!!!

In fact, there wasn't much I didn't like. There were a couple of bits that I puzzled over and lagged slightly, but mostly I was on the edge of my seat. There are certainly things that I'm disappointed with (in terms of season 7 overall), but I'm going to leave that stuff for an overall S7 post.

I'm going to start at the end because as much as many maybe annoyed, upset, disappointed etc. with the ending I think the whole season was heading toward this very thing. The end was the whole point...

Counting the ways:

1. The boys - at the end.

Throughout the whole season the boys have had people and things taken away from them. Everything has been striped away - Cas (initially), the Impala, Bobby, Bobby's home, Frank etc.. Through this striping back they found each other again. They came to rely on and trust each other more and more and their relationship grew stronger and stronger. It was a season of rebuilding. By the end I thought they were in the best place they had ever been as brothers. So it makes perfect sense to me that in the very end the final thing, the final person is taken away from each of them. Sam is now left completely alone and Dean, probably, is by himself also. The striping back is complete.

It was both heartbreaking and perfect. THIS is what the show is about. There is as much power in them being together as there is in them being apart.

It's hard to tell how alone Dean is. Cas is there, but with his disappearing act in the end it hard to know if that leaves Dean completely alone. Personally, I would love Dean to be alone so it mirrors his brother. Both will need their wits to survive and I am VERY EXCITED about the story opportunities this opens up next season. I won't speculate about how much it will be Dean and Cas in Purgatory and Sam by himself on Earth because that might just upset me too much. I trust show not to give us a complete Dean and Cas show (and yeah, I totally get that there are fans that would love that but it ain't me). I think the power will come from them being alone in some way (all three of them for that matter).

Mostly it means we will have Sam doing everything in his power to find Dean. He will have to be resourceful and call on those who are around to help (I can only think of Jodie and Charlie as possible allies. Though there is the Alpha!Vamp and maybe Crowley, Meg and Kevin - If Sam can find a way of rescuing the latter 2). Last time Sam was without Dean he fell apart. It will be interesting to see what he does this time. Last time Sam wasn't able to get Dean out of hell. I am SERIOUSLY hoping the next season will provide a fix-it for that. Sam has to go marching into Purgatory... SURELY!!!

No idea what we will see from Dean. It will depend on what the show does with the Purgatory universe. Very curious to find out. Lots of Dean peril I hope!! OH DEAN!

(and I gotta say

sockkpuppett totally called it! The notion of them ending in Purgatory never crossed my mind but once I heard that idea I was seriously hoping it ended like that. Hee... and it did! *g*)

2. The boys - during the episode.

Maybe not as many SamnDean moments that I would have liked but I did like they way they, once again, were in tune with each other. Dean trying to make Sam laugh at his lame jokes will always be a winner and Sam telling Dean to shut up was AWESOME! They almost seemed like a single unit and I liked that.

3. Sam:

Sam was a friggin' HERO. Sam stopping Bobby and saving the maid was fabulous. WE GOT CHOKED!SAM!!!!! \o/ I do have a soft spot for Sam being the rescuer and it was good to see him rescue Kevin also. He also had lovely hair. *nods* that had to be mentioned. I also loved how wibbly his face was during the ghost!Bobby scene (OMG THAT SCENE!!!). I know there wasn't a huge amount of Sam (which I anticipated because of new baby) but I did love what we did get.

4. Dean

Dean was in control, focussed and still looking damn hot in him new jacket. Once again I enjoyed Jensen's understated performance. He is like this ball of emotion that barely stays contained. But he does contain it and I love the way he's doing that. I dunno - Dean seemed like a mature, strong and a seasoned hunter. I liked the way he held it together.

5. Bobby

I can't believe I actually cried! I really did. I didn't think I could be moved any more by Bobby dying but that was so beautifully and quietly handled I really felt it. I didn't expect them to tie this loose end up so quickly (and so well) but I'm glad they did. They have already morned for Bobby so this was like a final release. So sad, but so right. And Bobby's final words about making sure you move on after death...*sniff*. Does that really mean no more Bobby?

6. Cas.

Dammit!! My feeling are always SO MIXED UP when I think of Cas. One minute I begrudge him and the time he takes away from the SamnDean-ness of the show and the next I really love him and enjoy watching him. I actually really enjoyed him in this episode. He MADE SENSE! I love his craziness because it makes sense that as an angel he just doesn't fix anything. He doesn't even though he could. I also love this particular brand of crazy because the dialogue is so wonderful.

And he was fixed in the end wasn't he? There was a notable change in his voice, face and eyes yeah? Back to clearer thinking angel!Cas? No idea what this actually means for him. Hopefully badass!Cas is back and he can help re-unite the boys.

And dammit! Even all the Cas/Dean didn't make me squirm. (What's wrong with me!!?!) I loved the forgiveness scene. Misha's face was so loving. He totally adores Dean. (It's scenes like this that make me wish I could actually ship them because it's ALL THERE. I just can't because, essentially, I see Cas as being asexual I can't get passed that. *shrugs* each to their own. I do like the bromance though.). I did LOVE that Dean was still pissed with Cas for what he had done. The "clean your mess up" section was great also.

So yeah. All that stuff was solidly done I thought.

7. IMPALA!!!

About fucking time!! God it was good to see her again. AND WITH MUSIC!!!! \o/ I would like to have seen more fawning over her from Dean but I'm thinking that Dean had been back a few times to check on her during the season. That wasn't the first time he'd seen her since she was put in the corner. The line about naked Cas covered in bees laying on his car made me think he'd seen the car earlier (and DAMN if there weren't a gazzillion underlying Dean/Cas comments in that ep. Seriously? He was your boyfriend first? Hee....normally that would piss me off but I can't begrudge fans that. We has some great Sam/Dean moments this season so fairs fair I suppose).

But poor baby. Trashed as soon as she makes an appearance. It probably makes little sense that the car was brought back only to be driven by Meg then smashed. I do have some thinky about that (and Dean's new jacket!), which I'll save for later. Let's just say I think it was deliberate and it's probably says a lot about where Dean is at at the moment.

Let's hope we see some Sam working on her in S8 while he PINES for Dean. Sam does at least have the car. <33

8. Meg, Crowley, Dick, Kevin

Enjoyed them all (Again! Colour me surprised!). Particularly loved Dick and Crowley together. That dialogue in that opening scene was priceless. So much flirting and tension. The contract was to die for.

I even thought Meg was more solid. I actually felt her fear of Crowley and felt sorry for her. She's been messed about and she lost in the end. I did love how much Cas cared for her though. Strange alliance but nice.

Kevin has grown a lot in a few short eps. Gone is the hyperventilating victim. He is taking it all on board and being proactive in his on welfare.

Not sure what the Polly thing was all about. I suspect she represented the vulnerable and helped make us more aware of the power the Levis have. The changing into the dress was lost on me. As was her removing it. We could tell she was slight with it on. *shrugs*

9. Other stuff

The end of Dick was nice. I particularly liked the explosion being identical to the opening credits. No idea what was going on with the shimmer effect. Was that him calling his other "dicks" to him? Or just building up for an explosion? If the other Dicks are still around then surely no much has been achieved. He still there. Though he WAS the brains behind them all so I'm thinking without him they will be disorganised and be easy (?) to kill.

Hmmm... maybe we'll still see some more of Susan? I liked her.

The angel garrison is all gone. I'm not sure how many angels that includes but I was rather happy about that. It makes sense that Cas is all alone too - in terms of his back up. Being alone definitely ended up being a major theme this season. It was reflected in both Bobby and Meg. Even Frank and Charlie.

10. The potential for S8

I think mostly I am excited about S8 potential stories now. Sam is truly alone and so there will be lots to explore there. The Leviathans are still a threat - he has to make sure they don't re-organise and he has to find Dean. I am hoping for LOTS of angst over that. I would LOVE to see him enter purgatory to rescue Dean. He didn't get the chance to do so when he was in Hell so maybe this is his chance. It will also give Sam purpose again - of which he has been lacking lately.

I am not at all satisfied with how his hell wall was resolved so I'm hoping there is more to come there. I still hold out hope that Lucifer is somehow around. Mark is too good an actor for them to lose so I'd love to see him back. Maybe even foiling (or helping?) Sam save Dean. I hope that door is still open.

As much as I would love to see Sam facing the peril that Dean is, I think this balances out quite nicely. For Sam to be stuck in some sort of hell again would have been too much, too soon. Though I am sure will be in some sort of hell anyway having to deal without his big brother.

I'd love to see Dean in danger and have to survive on his wits alone. I have no thoughts about what I want from Cas. Probably I'd like to see him lost in Purgatory maybe? Don't know. Not sure what kind of powers he'll have in hell. He seemed stronger so maybe he's off finding a solution.

I really hope they don't spend tooooo long apart. The best thing about them being apart is that we have a REUNION to look forward to. \o/ MORE HUGS MAYBE!!! (though maybe it will be Dean's turn to return "altered"?? Hmmmm..... I could go some evil!Dean...ooops. Speculating...)

Even though that wasn't as powerful as some finales I was surprisingly happy with it. It might be because I got to watch it with fellow fans (that's always nice!), or maybe my expectations weren't that high to start with. Which ever way, I think they've paved the way for some interesting stuff next season.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Even all the Cas/Dean didn't make me squirm. (What's wrong with me!!?!)
Obviously, you're turning in a Dean/Cas shipper (I REFUSE TO USE DESTIEL) and you don't even know it. :D
I agree with you, bb, the potential is awesome.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!! *runs*

Hee...

I do like seeing them be friends though. Seems like we are told they are friends but we don't often really see it. There's a rather lovely innocence about it that puts me in my happy place. :)

My morning so far: Breakfast, SPN, drying my tears, going to your LJ.

You gave a very good explanation for the necessity to split up the brothers. I don't like theme apart, but I do like the idea that Sam can now fix his not being able to rescue Dean from Hell.

BTW, what happens if Dean is ripped apart in Purgatory? He is mortal in there, right? Dies he go to Heaven/Hell/Starbuck's if he dies in there?

And I also thought Cas might be back as he commanded (!) Dean to wake up. But when he disappeared a second later I felt that that again was due to his mussing marbles... but I don't know, maybe he took off to search for some protection for Dean as he has no weapon in Purgatory, I presume.

I feel so, so sorry for the way they did away with Bobby! I always imagined it to be a great tragedy once Dean had to kill him (which I always believed would happen), and I wanted to see all the emotions and the grief and drinking. But what I got didn't feel like a grown-up, mature Dean to me (whom I perceived and loved in the Charlie-episode!), but just a "we need to solve this within the last 5 minutes of this episode"-situation. It feels like a wasted opportunity to me, and I wish they would have gotten Bobby over into S8 and dealt with him there. But maybe there is still hope- Dean didn't burn that leather thing that was wrapped around the flask the whole time... but no, to bring Bobby back yet again would be too much. So just scratch that idea. ;-)

As for your evil!Dean thoughts- when Dick exploded, there was a second I panicked that the Leviathan or at least a part of him would make himself a new home in Dean. And maybe the time is right. I talked to a Sam!girl who said that us Dean!girls always had it easier because we never need to fear about our boy, while Sam's storyline with the demon blood and all always had him in danger- of going darkside etc. Maybe they now turn it around... yikes. Would suit the leather jacket. Badass. And would we still love Dean then? (Heee... rhetorical, maybe, but... maybe not... I have begun to develop a serious interest in Sam. And his hair.)

Morning! :DD

I don't like them apart either, but at least it gives us some much needed angst and hopefully a chance to see some desperate boys. :)

I actually wondered if maybe God hauled Cas out of Purgatory? A far cry maybe but I'm not sure that Cas would have deliberately left Dean. He might have been pulled out of there, leaving Dean all by himself (which I have to admit I am secretly hoping for...*g*)

And now idea how Purgatory works. I take it he is mortal in there, so yeah... if he dies that's it (though I suspect Show will make up its own rules).

I'm torn with the way they dealt with Bobby. In some ways I'm glad they did tie it up quickly because I think it could have gone on too long. But I am surprised they didn't make more of him hurting Sam and the decision to finally end him. I thought Dean was going to be a lot more wibbly over the final "death", so to see him hold it together was quite controlled. But I can also see how it could have seemed "let's get this over and done with". I think because I was genuinely moved by it I didn't mind it so much.

The reason I mused evil!Dean (or maybe something "other") was precisely that we've seen quite a lot of that in Sam. I feel like they might like to give Jensen the chance to try something different for Dean. Jared seemed to relish the chance to play soulless!Sam, so perhaps they might try and give Jensen something new to play with. They are going to have to create some sort of angst between them during S8 so that might be it? Maybe? I think I'd like to see something a little different...:)

xox

This is a Perfect review of the episode! I agree with everything you stated here. For a season finale, it pulled off the tie-ups really well, and then left us with an intriguing cliffhanger. I loved it!

Thank you! Looking at some of my Flist reviews I feel like I'm out of step. This is an ep that might well put a wedge into fandom (one that I think has been there for a while now). Let's hope it's not too nasty... :(

Glad you enjoyed it too! :)

It was both heartbreaking and perfect. THIS is what the show is about. There is as much power in them being together as there is in them being apart.

There is, I think, something quite lovely in their mirrored situations at the end there representing their current relationship. When you look back at similar situations in previous seasons - Dean in hell in the season three finale, Sam ( ... 's soul) in the cage after season five - there's a sense of one of them being at a disadvantage: he's helpless, he'll have to be saved, and how that plays out is going to mess with how they are together. Here, with Sam in that bright, white lab, exposed to any monster who cares to pop in, and Dean in that darkened forest with no idea what's out there hunting him - their circumstances are the same, even though they're also opposite. There's a fantastic chance to make something of all those oaths not to leave each other, and all that solidarity, in telling a story about their determination to fight their way back to each other. I'm looking forward to it.

Although - if I were Crowley, I would not be popping in to snark at Sam Winchester if I thought there was the slightest chance he might be holding me even partly responsible for the sudden absence of his brother. But I like living, and apparently Crowley is up for a bit of gambling. :)

And Bobby's final words about making sure you move on after death...*sniff*. Does that really mean no more Bobby?

Well, I wonder though. Several times now they've wondered - where do ghosts go? :)

But poor baby. Trashed as soon as she makes an appearance. It probably makes little sense that the car was brought back only to be driven by Meg then smashed. I do have some thinky about that (and Dean's new jacket!), which I'll save for later. Let's just say I think it was deliberate and it's probably says a lot about where Dean is at at the moment.

Yes, I think that the immediate effect, setting aside the overarching character stuff, is that it's a final thing taken away - for perfectly sound tactical reasons, they don't get to hop in their car and make a big entrance. It has to be a decoy. There's a thread there of things being taken away just as they're reclaimed. So they get Bobby back, but he can't stay. They get Castiel back, but he's not as they remember. And they get the car back - only to have it smashed again.

Not sure what the Polly thing was all about. I suspect she represented the vulnerable and helped make us more aware of the power the Levis have. The changing into the dress was lost on me. As was her removing it. We could tell she was slight with it on.

I think, or at least hope, that it was a means of seeing how alien the leviathans are. We can see Polly is slender, but we look at her as a girl - they're looking at her as livestock. And people poke at animals. Look at their teeth, prod them to see where the muscle and the fat is. Strip her down and you can really see how little meat is on the bone. They put her in a nice dress because she was going to a board meeting. That's a thing humans dress up for, and they're trying to be human. But it's all wrong when they do it.

And ... I'm just really glad they got renewed. That was not a cliffhanger to end on. :)

There's a fantastic chance to make something of all those oaths not to leave each other, and all that solidarity, in telling a story about their determination to fight their way back to each other

Yes yes...I can only see that this has to be a good thing for exploring Sam and Dean's relationship. I know we have been here before but they have both changed since the last time/s we've seen them like this. There's new avenues to explore and I sincerely hope they take advantage of that.

Hmmm... where do ghosts go? I think we might find out next season. I'm not sure we've seen the end of Bobby. Though I hope he isn't suddenly resurrected somehow.

So they get Bobby back, but he can't stay. They get Castiel back, but he's not as they remember. And they get the car back - only to have it smashed again.

Yeah. I love this. I really want to think that more thought went into smashing up the car than just...smashing up the car.

My, um, thinky thoughts are revolving around the notion of Dean being able to let go of things that he has become attached to over the years - his original jacket, the amulet, the flask and now his car. I'm wondering if he's learning that not being attached to things is a better way to be? It's probably a stretch, but to not have some sort of Dean moment with the car - touching it and saying something to her - spoke volumes that he's trying not nurture that attachment. He was not only prepared to let Meg drive her but also allow her to be smashed up - all in the name of a diversion. ANY car could have done that. For Dean to choose the Impala not only gave the Levi's an "up yours, we're here" message but also a "I can let the things I love go" message also. Like he did with Bobby. (I just hope Sam is still the one thing he can't live without...).

I hope the writers thought that choice of using the Impala to create a diversion through. Even if only to have Sam work on it in the beginning of S8.

Too many thoughts....

And if they hadn't got renewed after that cliffy I would have been devastated. I think they knew.... :)

Ooh... and I love the thoughts on Polly. Live stock..*shiver*

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maenad.livejournal.com - 2012-05-20 04:06 (UTC) - Expand

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ash48.livejournal.com - 2012-05-20 11:21 (UTC) - Expand

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maenad.livejournal.com - 2012-05-20 15:13 (UTC) - Expand

I cannot ship Dean/Castiel either. It would make a lot of sense, just not to me, don't see it however I look.

About Sam, as a rule, I think, we might not get a lot of him, but what we do get; are pure gold, ever since season 4, when the storyline shifted significantly toward Dean and Castiel.

I don't think I actually LIKE this finale? but it got me all jittery, ah, it's gonna be October before the show resume. Sheeth.

Pure speculation on my part, I suspect we'd see less Sam in the beginning, 'cause of new baby? and the way Jared couldn't stop talking about him.

Yeah... show leaves it totally open for that ship and I get it. I tried a Sam/Castiel fic once but even then I couldn't do it. Cas is just too damn non sexual (too me).

I really hope we don't see less of Sam. It would make me sad and if it becomes Dean and Cas heavy I would struggle significantly. But I'm holding on to hope. The producers KNOW it's the boys' chemistry that makes this show so awesome. They won't mess with that. *fingers crossed*

xx

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fourtenpm.livejournal.com - 2012-05-19 19:55 (UTC) - Expand

I would love Dean to be alone so it mirrors his brother. Both will need their wits to survive

Oh, wow. WOW. Dean's and Sam's situations mirroring each other? Never even thought of it, and now, I don't want anything BUT. If we get Sam, all alone, trying to find his way in, and Dean, equally alone, trying to find his way OUT, well, that could be a brilliant setup for much of S8. Let's hope they do it this way. (Not to mention explaining why Cas disappeared and left Dean in peril.)

My feeling are always SO MIXED UP when I think of Cas. One minute I begrudge him and the time he takes away from the SamnDean-ness of the show and the next I really love him and enjoy watching him.

Get out of my head. Just . . . GIT. ;) I thought I was the only one who felt that way. In my neck of the woods, people are either: D****** fans (the word that shall not be mentioned); those so gung-ho for Cas, they don't really give a crap for Sam and/or Dean; or brothers!girls who don't care for Castiel at all. You're the first person I've found who feels the same way I do about him. *clings forever*

not at all satisfied with how his hell wall was resolved so I'm hoping there is more to come there. I still hold out hope that Lucifer is somehow around. Mark is too good an actor for them to lose so I'd love to see him back. Maybe even foiling (or helping?) Sam save Dean

This, so very, very much! All that pain Sam went through, then Cas "took" it, then . . . nothing. All that Hell crap left scars, you better believe, but after Cas took it on, Sam's PTSD (not to mention the effects of all that sleep deprivation!) just dropped off the scope. :( Here's hoping that at least some part of it gets revisited?

All that said, I liked the finale and am truly looking forward to S8 and all its wonderful possibilities.

Edited 2012-05-19 14:26 (UTC)

Hi hun! (still really strange about not showing up on your Flist....*head scratch*, but glad you're getting notifications)

Yeah - the idea of them being alone (together) excites me. I'm keen to know where Cas has gone and whether he chose to leave or if he was removed somehow.

HA! brain twins! :) I get so confused when thinking about Cas. I like to see him as a friend to the boys (both equally) but then all the Dean/Cas stuff gets kinda overwhelming. I also can never figure out how all the angel stuff works - one minute he's powerful, next he's not. I'm curious to see what they do with him next season.

Yeah - the season seemed to change quite dramatically just over half way through.

killabeez has written up a good explanation (http://killabeez.livejournal.com/424040.html) of this and leaves hope for it returning next season. I've also heard rumblings that we'll get more on that.

I think S8 hold a lot of promise. \o/

I cried. I didn't when Bobby died but this time left me a weepy mess. Then came the car and the music. \o/. It smashed into the sign and made goo splatter out of the glass as much as the title card does. Awesome image. The car is not going to let Dean rot in Purgatory and neither will Sam. She's not so banged up that Sam can't drive her out of there and he can manage the repairs. He's not entirely alone if he can get to her. I'm a lot more confident about his ability to cope without Dean this time around. I really hope we get to see him go into Purgatory to get Dean out (with the car?).

The implications for Dean are awful. He's the only real food there and he's there without a drink. Anyone else is there as a soul. Think of all the things he's put there. We didn't get to see him make his way through Hell but there a ton of fics about both him and Sam making their way through the wasteland. The possiblilities here could be really awesome. If purgatory works in SPNland like it does in Catholic theology, it's also the place where those destined for heaven end up to have the last imperfections expunged before they get there. You got to wonder if any of the boys' dead comrades-in-arms might be there on their way through. The possibilities for who might be there are endless including Bobby, John, Mary, Jo, Ellen, Hendrickson and Gordon. Just about anyone who's died on the show that isn't already in Heaven or Hell plus all of your favorite dead monsters. Not really a shortage. Maybe we'll even get to see Death again.

The wait for October is going to feel really long.

I KNOW!! I can't believe I actually cried. Again....

Think of all the things he's put there.

Oh wow... that's a scary thought. There's great possibility for him to meet up with many other souls. And the idea that some - like Ellen, Jo etc. could be down there opens up a world of possibilities. He might even find some "dead" allies down there to help him through. Exciting.... I love your thinking.

And how awesome was that final shot of Sam with all that splatter around him. After you did your post about the splatter patterns throughout the season I thought that was a perfect shot to end on. It even had a somewhat "marble" look about it. I did think of you!!

October is TOO FAR AWAY!

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callme-k.livejournal.com - 2012-05-20 01:52 (UTC) - Expand

I agree with so much of this - I prefer this to be all about Sam and Dean all the time, but I did start to develop a fondness for this crazy version of Cas, and his scene with Dean about forgiveness was undeniably touching. I liked Cas in that moment. Of course, now that Cas is probably gone, but yeah, for a little while there...

That said, I really hope Dean is alone in purgatory, and Sam alone up there trying desperately to find him. That has potential, the boys clawing their way back to each other -- and Sam having the opportunity this time to rescue Dean. Mmm, think of the fic :)

I wish Dean and Sam had been driving the Impala, but that was a cool scene. And I think I'm ok with Bobby really being gone now, as much as I love Jim Beaver. It felt like...time.

Your review made my SamDean OTP little heart feel a bit better -- thanks for that :)

I always look for the OTP! At the end of the day it IS all about them and they've left it in a great position to explore their bond even more.

Cas disappearing is a mystery and I'm hoping that there's something interesting in that... DAMN! But October is a long way away.

I suspect we'll still be seeing more of Bobby. Probably not nearly has much but I'm thinking he'll be in Purgatory somewhere (we was a vengeful ghost after all). Depends what kind of "monsters" Purgatory hold. Exciting possibilities...

The Impala scene was weird because at one point there was a shot of two people in it (see pics in below comment)...suggests Sam and Dean. Them it became just one? Can't tell if that was a continuity error or they started off in there and were zapped out by Cas (or they used old footage maybe??)

As much as I think there will be Dean/Cas fic everywhere - we gotta hope there's still some diehard S/D fans writing some stuff too. ;DD

xx

Thing is, you're not wrong about any of this, there's nothing technically wrong with the ep... And yet I'm still unimpressed. :/ Dunno, out of tune with show at the moment, I guess.

Oh oh... jumping here because...I'd love to know what wasn't working for you? What comment did Jensen make that had you excited before?

I know there have been many fans not like this. I thought I was one of the few that did - but I'm seeing that I'm not the only one.

And even though we have kinda been here before we really haven't because the boys are in different places now.

I know you're a Dean!gal so I'm keen to know what was lacking for you there? If you feel like sharing that is...

*hugs*

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#1 - You know I'm a spoilerphobe so I was totally blindsided by the ending. OMG, Sam's lost 'I'm falling apart and don't know which way to turn' desperation shuffle and Dean 'alone' in purgatory and being circled by what I imagined as at least some of the monsters that he and Sam had sent there had me flailing and screaming OMFG! NOOOOO! Damn it, you can't expect me to wait until October! *o* The only thing that would have made the ending better to me would have been Dean's shaky voice calling out "Sammy". :D

#2,3,&4 - Yes, YEs, YES!!

#5 - I knew Bobby being a ghost couldn't end good. I hated the idea of Bobby dying, but I'd really hoped he chose to view his last and favorite memory of his boys and then went with his reaper but I guess when you look up the definition of idjit it says Singer & Winchester. I do have a question on the burning of his flask to release his spirit tho. Every other time we've seen Bobby's flask it had a leather cover

but when Dean tossed it in the flames the leather cover wasn't on it.

Wouldn't they need to burn the whole thing to completely release Bobby's spirit? Does not burning the cover give Bobby a way to come back?

#6 - Now I have read some Dean/Cas *shamed face* but Dean/Sam is the OTP!! I loved Meg saying Cas was Dean boyfriend first (it gave me a good chuckle), but I mainly loved the look on Dean's face! It was like grrr "Don't say that in front of (Sammy) my true boyfriend!!" ;P

#7 - No way Dean let Meg drive his baby! That was Dean and Sam!!

I my mind Dean drove her in (making Cas put angel mojo on her so that when she crashed through the Sucrocorp sign his baby wasn't damaged!)

Then Cas zapped them outside the door they snuck in through while Meg zapped herself into the drivers seat so that she could provide a further distraction while they snuck in. That's my canon and I'm sticking to it!!

Jumping in.

I *thought* the flask looked different. Why would they remove the leather cover? I would think it's the leather cover that actually has Bobby's DNA on it - not the metal flask.

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Well... I am very happy with this finale!! :D \o/ I do have one problem though: Why do we have to wait so long for season 8 to start? And how am I supposed to survive the wait?!

;)

I KNOW!! The wait will seem like FOREVER!! And I will be totally spoiling myself because I seriously want to know what they plan to do. <333333

Hope things are better for you BB.
<33

Sam was a friggin' HERO.

right? RIGHT? I cheered so hard. I liked seeing him get to help the maid and Kevin, as well. When Sam's not struggling against whatever huge evil force trying to use him as a pawn, he can and does take all of that energy and put it into helping people, for its own sake.

He will have to be resourceful and call on those who are around to help (I can only think of Jodie and Charlie as possible allies.

ahahaha, GARTH TO THE RESCUE, I devoutly hope. Because: adorable.

She's been messed about and she lost in the end.

Did she, though? She was there to cause a diversion; the plan worked. She's gotten out of hell before, she can do it again.

Even though that wasn't as powerful as some finales I was surprisingly happy with it. It might be because I got to watch it with fellow fans (that's always nice!), or maybe my expectations weren't that high to start with.

Yeah. S7 as a whole didn't have quite the emotional resonance for me as 3-6 did? It felt a lot more MOTW-oriented, the way the first couple of seasons were, which doesn't seem to lead to finales that are quite as satisfying as the big arcs the show can do so well. But I liked it a lot as an episode, and I think it set up a lot of fantastic potential for S8.

OMG!!! Garth!! How could I forget him!! \o/

Hmmm... yes. Meg. Maybe all is not as it seems with her. Again. I wonder if she might be Crowley's right hand Demon now? Or something...

And yeah... the S8 potential is rather exciting. CAN'T WAIT!!!

Loved all your thoughts on the finale.

This...

"I could go some evil!Dean"

I hadn't thought of that. I could go for some of that.

Thanks honey!

Essentially what I'd really love to see is Jensen to get a chance to play something "other". Jared was given that chance and he did brilliantly at it. We know what Jensen can do (per The End) so I think to have him "off" in some why would be very exciting. I'm not sure they can keep playing him as a man just holding on through the power of drink. A little evil might be just what is needed....;)

xox

(ooh and the flask. I'm not sure how that works. If it's DNA that keeps a ghost linked then the leather would certainly hold it more that the metal. I also wonder (and would love to know) if Dean removed the casing so he could still keep something of Bobby. I'd bet that it was a continuity problem, but I'd love to think it's Dean's way of holding on to a bit of Bobby's memory).

OMG - the IMPALA!!!!!
I think they heard me squee all the way a couple states away. :)

As much as I dislike them being apart, the set up for next season is rather rich. And all I have on the brain is Sam driving away in the Impala and saving Dean.

I'm mixed about Cas, too. I'm not thrilled with Dean and Cas being stuck in Purgatory together, if Sam is on his own I'd like Dean to be on his own, too. *shrugs*

ION, Sam still looked baffled and confused this episode -- especially in the lab. I don't know why, but it felt out of place. Although I haven't re-watched it... ?

I liked that we didn't see Bobby burn up, that the camera focused on Sam and Dean's reaction instead. Still, it was a quick scene and sad. :(

What does Crowley want with Kevin, I thought that was interesting. I didn't get the sense that he was the same sort of prophet Chuck was, like they're specialized. Kevin's speciality is reading the 'word of God'.

IMPALA!
SAM!
DEAN!
♥

Seeing the Impala again was such a relief! I rather wish more had been made of it, but she was great to see.

I'm thinking Sam was just so totally confused about what had just happened in that final scene. I think there was a sense of unbelievability about Dean and Cas not being there. Maybe?

I liked that we didn't see Bobby burn up, that the camera focused on Sam and Dean's reaction instead

Oh yes. I liked that too. I thought it was more powerful not to see him burn. *sniff*

I think the potential for Crowley is interesting for next S8. I'm very curious to see what he plans for Kevin and Meg.

4 months is just TOO FAR AWAY!!

I'm kind of glad Bobby's gone now. As Jared said at the upfronts, death still has to mean something on the show, not everyone can always come back.

I think it was the weakest finalé they've yet done ( which ties in with rumors that the Js - especially Jensen - weren't altogether happy with it), though I am putting my faith in the fact that the guy responsible for Mystery Spot is now in charge, and that there will hopefully be lots of frantic, angsty Sam right off the bat in S8.

Edited 2012-05-20 08:04 (UTC)

Yeah...death should still mean something. I do feel that it's not the last we'll see of him though. I'm thinking vengeful ghosts might go to Purgatory...?

I'm really hopeful for Carver taking over. And I also put a lot of faith in the Js. I am sure they know why the show has such dedicated fans... it's THEM!

I am disappointed that they took out 2 lines that appeared in the promo. "Don't get killed" and "Yeah, you too". really hope that that wasn't the choice to turn the bromance down. That's rather stressing me now.

Looks like fic with have to be the cure.

xx

(and DAMN if there weren't a gazzillion underlying Dean/Cas comments in that ep. Seriously? He was your boyfriend first? Hee....normally that would piss me off but I can't begrudge fans that. We has some great Sam/Dean moments this season so fairs fair I suppose).

oh THANK YOU for that. it's so true. shipper wars are so pointless. i completely agree that i can't see cas as sexual, either, but if some do, that's their prerogative.

thank you for just being so sensical.

and this:

Sam has to go marching into Purgatory... SURELY!!!

god PLEASE LET THAT HAPPEN.

Thank you! I never understand the nastiness that can be around with the shipping wars. Each to their own and if it means that some other fans can get some pleasure out of another aspect of the show then good for them.

As long as I don't see anyone bad mouthing my Sam I'm ok. (Or Dean for that matter...)... ;)

I SERIOUSLY want a major Sam rescuing Dean scene.... PLEASE!!

Man, one heck of an ending! *wrings hands* If I calm down and dig, the only discrepancy for me was as much as it was interesting on many fronts, I have to admit that compared to previous finales, the plot of this one seemed a tad almost... clinical to me. The few emotional moments were marvelous (more bromance scenes plz PTB), but story-wise it seemed to be the writers gathering all the loose yarn in their box, missing one or two in their haste and tying them together as best they could. It worked in some parts and others it left me dying to know more. A very clever way of doing things or a case of running out of time to tell it all? S8 will tell. Bring on October! :D

I loved the way we have everyone blown back into their respective corners at the end of this, left to fend as best they can in the one situation they seem to struggle with the most: alone.

I loved the forgiveness scene. Misha's face was so loving. He totally adores Dean.

I am and will always be a Wincest girl. But that right there that you just described is what drew me into exploring a second pairing in my spare time. I can't look past it because it's all right... there. Misha's face just broadcasts that whole "youre the furtherest thing from perfect you assbutt, but I love you" emotion at times and I can't ignore it when Show dangles it about. Argh.
And on a side note, unfortunately I don't see the crazy being gone in any way as there's still no room in the show for a fix-it-all powerful angel. I see it lingering for a bit longer, if only until they figure out what the heck they want to do with the character next season.

(I think I read somewhere that CW wants the bromance turned down a notch, which affected the outcome of this ep and that Jensen in particular wasn't happy about that. Can't remember where though. I've read so many blogs lately! But heck, he's back directing the next opener so here's hoping!)

Aaaaaand Baby! I scared the living crap out of my mate who was in the same hotel room with me while I was watching it because I squealed so ridiculously hard. \o/

All in all, an ep that had that many dick jokes in it can't be anything but delightful. ;)

Yes yes.. I agree to all of this.

Clinical is indeed a good word to describe the episode. I've just been looking at past finales and this lack so much of that brother angst and pain and searching. I did feel the Bobby moment and that there was they only real "heart" in the episode, but it did feel squeezed in.

I was certainly entertained and if it had been anywhere other than the finale it would have been a great, solid episode.

The end holds lots of promise for S8 and I sincerely hope they make the most of it.

I am so disappointed that they wanted the bromance turned down. They did take out a lovely little moment - which backs up that claim. I just hope they don't continue in that vain next season. Let's hope with Jensen at the helm in the first ep we get the heart back in it.

Thanks for your thoughts hun.
xx

Hee to your Cas thoughts especially! :D

Cas messes with my brain!!!

I wanted to respond to your comment about how you were torn about Cas and how you sometimes think he takes away from the "SamnDean-ness" of the show.

First, a disclaimer. As you know, I do ship Dean/Cas, but I have watched the show since the pilot and have been in it since the beginning. I'm not someone who came into the show just for the ship; I've loved it all from the first season. The Sam and Dean brotherly relationship is what drew me in. If I had to choose, frankly I'd cheer for Team Free Will above all, anyway.

But I digress. Now speaking *without* my shipping goggles on, the thing about Cas is that he provides Dean with the opportunity to trust someone other than his inner circle of Bobby and Sam. Dean has always been a shoot first ask questions later kind of guy, and doesn't trust easily. It took him a long time to even trust Castiel -- despite him being an angel -- even though Sam was ready to right away. They've built up a relationship of solidarity and camaraderie that, I think, was rare for Dean because his life is centered around Sam. Dean is so laser focused on his duty to protect Sam at all costs that I don't think he ever considered he could have someone else in his life that he might be able to trust and consider a friend.

Look at it this way: Dean has never been close to other hunters (Bobby excluded because he's essentially the father figure); he's never had any solid long-term relationships, friend or otherwise; he's unable to form any kind of emotional connection to anyone other than Sam...all of which shifts when Cas comes along. Cas serves as Dean's emotional outlet, because we all know he hates talking about that stuff. I think he's more willing to unburden himself to Cas as well, because he still sees the need to protect Sam, to be the strong, stalwart big brother, even from what he's feeling. There are scenes in which Dean is more willing to express himself to Cas, from admitting to not being strong enough to handle what has been placed on him ("On the Head of a Pin") to his fear about Sam drinking blood again. I don't think we'd ever have a scene with Dean *admitting* he's not strong enough to a character he's only interacted with a few times unless Dean knew he could trust him absolutely.

I guess the tl;dr of this is that Dean needs someone like Cas, someone who Dean has finally allowed to get close and know him emotionally, to be able to unburden himself from the stuff he would never want to tell Sam because he's supposed to be the strong one.

Oh yes indeed. I think Dean most definitely needs someone like Cas to share the load with and I do think their relationship has been interesting. Often solid, sometimes painful but always shifting and trying to find the balance.

The bond between them is very clear and it's nice that Dean can have someone else (mostly...;D). I suppose because I am less interested in that relationship I usually find Dean and Cas scenes not so engaging. Though I did enjoy the ones in this episode. I really, really want to like Cas because he's in the show and I suspect he will be around for a while. I've just struggled to connect with him because I find the whole "angel" thing problematic. But I know that's purely personal.

I also think it's great other fans CAN enjoy a different ship to say Sam/Dean is they want one. :DD

Love your thoughts on the finale. There are so many possibilities to next season and I look forward to what Carver and the other writers comes up with.

Thank you! And yes... I think the potential is exciting... Can't wait! :))

I finally got to watch the ep yesterday, so now I can comment! Late as usual!

I didn't feel that this was a particularly strong or emotionally resonant finale compared to 1,2,4, and 5, but I think it left us with an awesome setup for the next season. I think part of the reason it didn't resonate as much is because in the past, it seems like there were often big-deal-emotional episodes leading in to a plotty finale, especially in seasons 1,2 and 4. Perhaps I am simply overthinking it, but it seemed like 7x21 and 22 just didn't have the same heft that leads to emotional investment in the finale.

Impala! I cheered, and then I peered. I kept thinking that Dean surely wouldn't let his baby wander all over the road like that, so I was actually kind of tickled to see Meg step out, even though the idea of Meg driving the Impala is kind of horrifying just on principle, considering how Dean feels about her from way back when. And I liked that the boys didn't say anything to "Bobby" as he said goodbye, because it kind of suggested to me that even though it still looks like Bobby, it really isn't the man they knew, which is why he had to go. They'd already said their goodbyes to the real guy.

I'm with you on hoping for lots of repercussions and things for season 8. I want Jensen to grow his hair and beard this summer and be scruffy when we next see him! I want Sam to find some GOOD allies that won't be setting him up to end the world! According to missyjack there will indeed be more of Sam's mental issues with hell, and I keep thinking of people they could bring back!

How about Gordon? I have a new appreciation for what a fine actor Sterling K Brown is after watching a few eps of Army Wives with someone who's into the show. I actually found myself really liking the character he plays, whereas I often have lingering feelings when the first character I see an actor play is someone who's set up to be evil/bad. Or how about Lenore? I know there are more monsters than just vamps, but those are two actors I'd love to see again.

Okay, I'm done spewing verbiage all over your comments! I just had so many thoughts to share... Now it's prime fic season - and I have homework, dang it. A pox on summer classes! Oh well, at least by August (when I will actually have a couple weeks off) there will be rec lists up for the summer fic! (And I have podfic commitments, so it's not like I should be reading, anyway. *looks shifty*)

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