8.14 reaction 'n stuff...
Feb. 14th, 2013 09:07 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ash48OH.MY.FUCKING.GODDDDDDDDDD!! Did they seriously just give us the most amazing dialogue between our two favourite brothers? Like EVER!!!! I cannot believe they actually said those words. (I remember this being tweeted about ages ago but I thought it was for a different ep. I had not idea that was coming).
This is it...(yep, I had to transcribe it because I want it etched in my brain forever)
Dean:
I need you to be safe Sam. Ok? That's what I need.
...
I'm a grunt Sam. You're not. You've always been the brains of this operation. And you told me yourself, you see a way out. You see a light at the end of this ugly ass tunnel. I don't. I'll tell you what I do know - that I'm gonna die with a gun in my hand. That's what I have waiting for me. That's all I have waiting for me. I want you to get out. I want you to have a life. Become a Men of Letters...whatever. You, with a wife and kids and grandkids. Live until you're fat and bald and chugging Viagra. That is my perfect ending. And it's the only one that I'm going to get. So I'm going to do these trials and I'm going to do them alone. End of story.
and
Sam:
I want to slam Hell shut too. Ok? But I want to survive it. I wanna live. And so should you. You have friends up here. Family. Hell, you've even got your own room now. You're right. I see light at the end of this tunnel. And I'm sorry you don't. I am. But it's there. And if you come with me I can take you to it.
Dean: Sam, be smart.
Sam: I am smart. And so are you. You're not a grunt Dean, you're a genius. When it comes to lore to....you're the best damn hunter I've ever seen. Better than me, better than dad. I believe in you Dean. So please, please believe in me too.
GUH!!!!!! All of this is pretty much everything we know about Sam and Dean. All of this wrapped up in these sections of dialogue. It's essentially who they are and what they want. Not just for themselves but for each other. Dean wants Sam to be safe and have a normal life (lalala first half of the season) and be the one who dies in a blaze of glory and Sam wants Dean to believe in him. He wants to do this and survive - with Dean. It's the Dean we've always seen - the one who took his approaching deal stoically in S3. The one who has been suicidal. The one who knows it will end either bloody or sad.
It's the Sam who still needs to prove himself in the eyes of his brother. He still looks up to Dean and just needs him to fully trust he can do the job at hand.
(I am completely handwaving the fact that this dialogue almost makes a mockery of the story arc of those first ten episodes. This has ALWAYS been in them and part of them. The only reason I can imagine the first half existing the way it did - the brothers almost hating each other - is to make all this so much stronger. If that was their plan...IT WORKED!).
None of this is new. This isn't something they've suddenly learned since Dean's return from Purgatory. I am STILL waiting for the penny to drop about what on they were trying to do there. Or rather why. Maybe is was for Dean to realise that Sam having a normal life IS actually something he really, really wants for Sam. Maybe it was about Sam developing a positive outlook - knowing that it IS possible to find happiness in this crazy world he lives in.
MORE STUFF:
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU SHOW for giving Sam this job. I know Sam has saved the world before but this time it's not for redemption. It's on his terms. MY HEART JUST UP AND BURST AT THE END. I cried. I did!! But this time it was tears of friggin' joy rather than despair. Seeing Sam like this is, in this role, might just be one of the ultimate highlights for me this season. Second only to the Batcave 'o Love.
And DEAN!!! *hearts* This is the complex hero that I love. The man you has grown thinking he's the grunt in the outfit - the expendable hero. Who doesn't friggin' know how amazing he is. The one who DOES care for others (lalalala first half). And the chick magnet with a heart of gold.
And we know the last two trials won't just come down to Sam completing them by himself. It will take BOTH OF THEM so there's no fear that one will do this above the other. And wanna BET it will come down to involving them both in the last trial. (HOW EXCITING! TRIALS!!\o/)
I haven't read any reviews yet. I pretty much had to come here and BLAH and SQUEE before reading stuff. I'm not sure if there might be concerns about revisiting old ground with both Sam and Dean. Thinking maybe that both would have moved on from these well known thoughts and desires. My feeling is that they are such an ingrained part of their characters that it's likely that they'll ALWAYS carry these. Sam may never feel he measures up in his brothers eyes (even though Dean makes it clear he does) and Dean may never know his worth (even though Sam has told him before).
For them to be actually VOICING these truths to each other is something we just don't get very often. *wallows and wallows*
ALSO:
GLASSES!!!! Seriously!?! The producers are SO stalking our journals. Boys in glasses is just...*GUH*... (though they both looked a little silly but I kinda loved that too...)
Then there's...
- Dean cooking for Sam (and being awesome at it!) I love that it took Dean having his OWN PLACE to discover his talents in the kitchen (FIC! FIC! We need Dean cooking followed by Sam really showing his appreciation...;D).
- Sam taking the burger with him. :)
- Dean having is own room WITH GUNS ON THE WALL
- Dean having a photo of his mom in his wallet
- Sam smiling SO warmly when he sees Dean's room... god I loved that moment.
I pretty much loved everything else also. I mean, it was pretty easy to pick that Ellie was the one with a hellhound on her tail. I was a tad miffed that Dean didn't pick that up when they were making it pretty clear (to us) that it was her - "one time offer" and all that. But maybe that was about upping the tension. Or something.
Oh and I loved Ellie. Strong, driven, knows what she wants woman. I just hate harping on but when they show us they CAN write decent women (*waves* to Charlie and Jody), why couldn't they give poor Amelia just a little bit of that (I know... move on Sarah...). The Kevin montage was cool. The hellhound effect was cool. Dean was cool. I have SO many warm fuzzes for Dean right now.
But seriously (yeah, I've said that a lot *g*) ....it was ALL about Sam and Dean and they EPIC EPIC love for each other. Surely they can't go backwards from here (hee...famous last words I know). But I'm sure they can have "relationship drama" without it being about them horrible to each other.
I'm so happy right now. Happy the show is giving us this amazing stuff. Happy to come off of an ep wiping tears of joy. Happy we have S9 as they obviously DO understand these characters.
Am I in step with y'all? It's weird not knowing what the general consensus might have been. All I know is I loved it.
xx
If you come with me I can take you to it.
ETA: Just a thought. I often hear of people wanting to see Sam save Dean (like me...), maybe this is how Sam will do it. Showing him the "light" at the end of the tunnel might be a big picture kind of saving that Dean needs.
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Date: 2013-02-14 01:27 pm (UTC)except:...
♥SQUEEHAPPYJOYLOVEWARMFUZZIES♥ :DD
THis is all so wonderful! And I loved that moment, in Dean's room, when Sam snipped the chewing gum paper on the floor. It was such a 'brotherly' thing to do. lol. :D
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Date: 2013-02-14 01:31 pm (UTC)ALL THE WARM FUZZIES!!! \o/
And Sam putting rubbish on Dean's floor!! HA!! And neat was Dean's bed?! Neatest ever I reckon. I love that he has something to take pride in. (well, other than his beloved car of course...:D)
xoxox
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Date: 2013-02-14 01:37 pm (UTC)What Dean said! What Sam said! Nerdy Clark Kent glasses! Grill Master Dean!
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Date: 2013-02-14 01:43 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-02-14 01:42 pm (UTC)And Dean has a room of his own, a bed that remembers him, a place to come back for the first time since it burned to the ground and the photograph of Mary, he's carried it for so long, the only safe place for her, with him but now he has a safe lace she can be, his space, a pace to return to. And here he is the tough guy, telling us for so long that he didn't want anything for himself, didn't need anything because his life was the hunt, the road, but he wants this, a place, a bed that remembers him, a home.
I know there have been a few negative responses I've seen a few on my friends list but it's all about them, not Sam, not Dean but Sam and Dean and we're back, the Impala is back, the boys are back, an oh, are they ever and I have so much love right now I could burst apart at the seams.
Show!
I want to see where *there* is, I want them to show me.
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Date: 2013-02-14 02:22 pm (UTC)I hope we get to see "there" one day too. That's how I want it all to end. Not bloody or sad. There's been cries of wanting to see Sam save Dean one day. Maybe it will be like this - showing him the light at the end of the tunnel. :)
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Date: 2013-02-14 01:49 pm (UTC)...If that was their plan...IT WORKED! Yeah, I think this was the plan from the get-go. Problem was, the boys just didn't feel in-character with their confrontations at the beginning of the season; you shouldn't have to break the characters to cause tension. So I LALALA right along with you, bb!
Sweet, sweet ep. My shriveled heart is full. :D
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Date: 2013-02-14 02:29 pm (UTC)LALALALALALAAAA....what? the show started at 8.11 I think...;)
xxx
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Date: 2013-02-14 02:05 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-02-15 11:01 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-02-14 02:06 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-02-15 11:04 pm (UTC)*loves*
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Date: 2013-02-14 02:07 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-02-15 11:05 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-02-14 02:23 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-02-15 11:08 pm (UTC)It's so wonderful to be excited again.
xx
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Date: 2013-02-14 02:27 pm (UTC)*except this*
they both looked a little silly
BITE YOUR TONGUE, WOMAN!! They looked . . . mrowr! ;)
And we know the last two trials won't just come down to Sam completing them by himself. It will take BOTH OF THEM so there's no fear that one will do this above the other. And wanna BET it will come down to involving them both in the last trial.
. . . and this is why I keep coming back to your LJ. &hearts&hearts&hearts
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Date: 2013-02-16 05:26 am (UTC)And yay! I'm glad you keep coming back. :)))
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Date: 2013-02-14 02:57 pm (UTC)And you know, I trust you implicitly.
So I peeked at your next line and was vastly reassured. :-)
Will be back after I watch! Which will be soon. I am so friggin glad our boys are SERIOUSLY back this time around!
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Date: 2013-02-14 04:20 pm (UTC)(no subject)
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Date: 2013-02-14 03:04 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-02-14 04:46 pm (UTC)(no subject)
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Date: 2013-02-14 03:08 pm (UTC)You know, it's funny. I've heard theories that the first half of the season was meant to be 'clean up' for season seven. The trouble is, it didn't really feel like that - aside from the obvious 'extract Dean from purgatory' bit, it didn't resolve any of the issues that they had in season seven and it created a whole lot of new ones.
But this? This looks like it's cleaning up season seven. I mean, remember early season seven when Sam had found internal hope and peace but was nevertheless facing something that was all too likely to kill him? And Dean had pretty much defined himself out of existence and couldn't see a way out of his misery and self-loathing beyond suicide -by-monster? Here we are, addressing those issues in slightly different circumstances.
I think one of the things that makes the last few episodes so strong is that it's picking up Sam and Dean's character arcs from the last point where they made sense - just before the wheels fell off the plot last season and they became background characters in their own story.
Dean cooking for Sam (and being awesome at it!)
I loved this because it was a) adorable and b) one of the nicer metaphorical pieces in the story. Dean demonstrates a genius for something that doesn't involve killing people and Sam is openly appreciative of it. It's a good representation of the way Dean thinks, because he is honestly proud of his burgers (just as he is sometimes proud of his hunting skill and ability to stop apocalypses) but can't translate that into self-worth - it's Sam who makes that leap for him.
I mean, it was pretty easy to pick that Ellie was the one with a hellhound on her tail. I was a tad miffed that Dean didn't pick that up when they were making it pretty clear (to us) that it was her - "one time offer" and all that. But maybe that was about upping the tension. Or something.
Yeah, I that would be my only real criticism of the episode. Dabb just doesn't have as deft a touch as Edlund or Thompson, so stuff got telegraphed. It was clear that Ellie was a target early on, it was obvious that once Dean had made his speech he couldn't complete the trials - etc. That's something he should definitely work on, but the story definitely had its heart in the right place so I'm happy to forgive.
Oh and I loved Ellie. Strong, driven, knows what she wants woman. I just hate harping on but when they show us they CAN write decent women (*waves* to Charlie and Jody), why couldn't they give poor Amelia just a little bit of that.
They write excellent women, but often poor girlfriends because of exactly this. They make those relationships about what Sam and Dean want - 'a normal life' - and the women's motivation is murky at best. They need to have the girls know what they want.
I think they should be barred from writing 'relationships' and just write lots of great women. Bobby and Jody made a sweet romance because they bothered to make us love Jody first. Dean and Charlie are platonic, but their friendship is better for being based on Charlie's strength of character. That's the way to create relationships that don't make viewers crazy.
I often hear of people wanting to see Sam save Dean (like me...), maybe this is how Sam will do it. Showing him the "light" at the end of the tunnel might be a big picture kind of saving that Dean needs.
Surely the idea is that they are both now committed to saving each other? :)
I love that, because it's such an obvious post-Swan Song issue for them to have. They have no doubt they can save the world, it's just that they know what the price is. And neither is willing to suffer that loss again. So the only way to heal is to aim for them both to live. And 100 points to Sam for coming up with that idea. :)
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Date: 2013-02-16 10:42 am (UTC)Yeah. I don't consider those first 10 eps cleaning up S7 at all. And I agree it's now doing a much better job of that. It's weird to me because it almost feels like that first half was almost an interlude. It feels like someone else had taken the show and gave us insight on what it would be like if completely different people were running it. People who didn't know about the show. That's a little what it felt like to me. I think that's why I got so worried. I thought this is what Carver was going to do and keep on doing. I just can't get over the massive turn about.
one of the nicer metaphorical pieces in the story
That's a lovely idea. I loved that Sam was able to say how great Dean's cooking was. And Dean looks so comfortable and proud. I know that some fans love Dean all torn up and angst (and I have no issue at all with that), but this is the Dean I love. The one who still has all that going on inside, but it able to find joy in those little things - like having his own room. The one who can smile and be proud and actually happy.
That's the way to create relationships that don't make viewers crazy.
This is what drives me a little nuts. The can and DO write wonderful women. And I agree - when they have to create a women to be the "other half" they seem to forget to give us the strong charactisations. I really, really wished they had given us an Amelia that we loved. I was so ready to be torn by Sam's decision to leave her. Instead I was left with never feeling that Sam actually loved her so I was not invested. I wanted to be. I want that for Sam but I think they, quite honestly, screwed it up.
I think the idea of them having to save the world and that their lives will be at stake again is an interesting way to go. I don't think it's going to be cut and dried though. I am hoping there are some nice twists to all this. Mostly I hope it doesn't end with one of them dying again. I'm sure it won't - though a cool twist on that kind of ending could be fun. And the notion that they can do this and survive it gives them a drive that should carry them through to the next season.
xx
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Date: 2013-02-14 03:24 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-02-16 05:34 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-02-14 03:25 pm (UTC)I posted this and others. So in love with show again. And this episode was so wonderful.
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Date: 2013-02-16 05:35 am (UTC)no subject
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Date: 2013-02-16 08:28 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-02-14 03:41 pm (UTC)Oh show! *hugs it so hard*!
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Date: 2013-02-16 10:44 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-02-14 04:23 pm (UTC)Jubilant is the right mood! \o/
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Date: 2013-02-16 10:45 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-02-14 04:42 pm (UTC)I think there is a strong sense of redemption for Sam in this if he can - the vessel of Lucifer? The boy with the demon blood? The man that angels hate? (grrr... I still hate that) - being the man who can succeed in the trials in God? Perfect. Take that all those angels who thought nasty thoughts about Sammy.
I also loved that we get to see how scared Sam is about this too, in that final scene. When he said he could do this, I felt like he was trying to convince himself and I think he will really need his stone one at his back to keep reminding him that he CAN do it. Sam has always wanted his brothers' approval even when it seemed like he didn't.
And I loved how little hesitation there was in Dean before he agreed that he could believe in Sam. Loved that. AND this is the first episode I watched this season so that is saying something. They finally got it it right (the writers that is ;p). THOSE are the brothers I love and have missed so much. I could not bare to watch before because I hate seeing the boys at odds.
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Date: 2013-02-16 10:57 am (UTC)And WELCOME BACK to the show. It's been so sad to see people leave. But I understand it. I was almost one of them. I had major issues with the first half (and still do), but I'm thrilled that they've taken this new direction. I love the batcave and I LOVE LOVE that Sam and Dean are back together and obviously happy about it. I also love that Sam will be doing the trials. My sammy!gal's heart just BURST!
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Date: 2013-02-14 04:49 pm (UTC)And I feel that in many ways, Sam's saves (giving Dean hope; believing in Dean; giving Dean some sense of purpose) is more about saving Dean's soul and protecting those things that make Dean, Dean.
We have seen that time and time again, most pronouncedly when Dean turned Micheal away at the last moment, him drawing his strength from Sam. And we have seen many, many episodes where Sam has physically saved Dean too, most recently last night. So that want kinda confuses me. What exactly else do you want Sam to do to prove his devotion to Dean?
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Date: 2013-02-16 11:10 am (UTC)What I was referring to is fans' calls for Sam to be the one to do the "big" saving - saving Dean from Hell and then from Purgatory. He didn't on both accounts and there's a lot of discussion about that weighing on Sam. There was a lot of speculation that Sam was set up to save Dean from Purgatory. It turned out not to be the case and some were upset about that (I was one too...though mostly I would have like to see him try. I cannot fathom why they thought Sam wouldn't even try. *holds self back from mini rant about that*
I think this episode (that final speech) made it clear that the way Sam saves Dean is by showing him the light at the end of the tunnel. It's very big picture and that's very Sam I think.
I think it might (?) also be a way of addressing the "didn't look for Dean" issue early on. I can't be sure. As I said in the post, I am still trying to work out why they even had that story line, especially has it was never really resolved.
So yeah - I personally don't expect any more from Sam. He proves his love and devotion all the time. ;)
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Date: 2013-02-14 05:06 pm (UTC)Oh, but Dean's room! That broke my heart - it was essentially a small boy's room (despite the weaponry) - the room that Dean never had growing up. Heartwrenching stuff.
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Date: 2013-02-16 11:12 am (UTC)Setting up his room was such a wonderful moment. I loved everything they did there. His picture of Mary....*sniff*. I adore how much pride he took in it. And then Sam acknowledged it...<333
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Date: 2013-02-14 06:08 pm (UTC)Wait, no, DON'T pinch me! I'd rather enjoy the bliss awhile longer...
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Date: 2013-02-16 11:13 am (UTC)<33
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Date: 2013-02-14 06:19 pm (UTC)There's still the small everyday tensions between them, like over Kevin (rest vs. work), but OMG they are such a unified front right now that I'm giddy. The small things only makes it realistic and perfect.
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Date: 2013-02-16 11:16 am (UTC)I think the bickering will always be a part of them. It's endearing and very brother like. As long as they are not being down right awful to each other I'm more than happy with that. :))
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Date: 2013-02-14 06:33 pm (UTC)I had these exact same thoughts, including, most tellingly, the last one. :D
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Date: 2013-02-16 11:33 am (UTC)It suddenly dawned on me that Sam has been presented with a different way of "saving" Dean. I really like it - I think it's very Sam-like.
yay show! :)
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Date: 2013-02-14 07:22 pm (UTC)The first scene with Dean's room was awesome. I loved the little smile on Sam's face after he discovers Mary's picture on the desk. And now I wanna know how Sam's room looks like. :)
My heart almost burst when Dean made them burgers and they were awesome. And Sam even took it with him for the drive. He eats salad so often that I kinda forget that he likes burgers too and he seems to love Dean's. Which isn't a surprise at all for me. ;)
I have so much love in me right now, I can't even. I don't really have the words to express how much their speeches got to me. I was crying so hard when Dean started talking about wanting Sam safe, and then Sam said he wanted Dean to come with him and he'll take him to the light. Gosh. I still get teary eyed when I write it. That's so much SamnDean, the Sam and Dean I fell in love with and I don't know, but it feels like a friggin' long time since we've seen them. And I love they're going back to this.
I'm so excited about Show... I can barely refrain myself from watching the promos. But I won't. I've discovered that it makes so much more fun to not watch them and stay completely unspoiled. :)
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Date: 2013-02-16 12:29 pm (UTC)So many moments to treasure. We were spoiled (or maybe rewarded for sticking around through all the nastiness).
I'd be curious to see what Sam's room looks like. Lots of books I imagine! (though why do I imagine him creeping into Dean's room when he can't sleep...;D).
I'm looking forward to seeing the other rooms. I wonder if we'll actually get to see the kitchen (and bathroom).
YAY! So much potential. <333
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Date: 2013-02-14 07:25 pm (UTC)I feel like this episode was the light at the end of the tunnel, our reward for sticking with the show during its inexplicable first half of this inexplicable season. I don't understand what happened, but I'm taking it!
(((brothers)))
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Date: 2013-02-16 12:32 pm (UTC)It will be up there as an all time favourite for me also. SO.MUCH.LOVE!
(and yeah - I think we needed a reward after the first half...)
xx