8.14 reaction 'n stuff...

[ash48]

OH.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.

Comments

[greyowl88.livejournal.com]

*reads your post, agrees and has nothing to add*

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

[ash48.livejournal.com]

*twirls you* bb!

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

[auntmo9.livejournal.com]

It was just full of awesomeness for all of the reasons you said!

What Dean said! What Sam said! Nerdy Clark Kent glasses! Grill Master Dean!

[stir-of-echoes.livejournal.com]

I CAN'T I don't even have words to describe the love I feel right now. I've always had the love but sometimes it's been so damn hard to hold on but I did and OMG! were we rewarded for it. Just BOTH of them and Sam and the man of letters, he's not just learning from them he's adding to them in such a way that the legacy isn't just becoming a part of him, he's becoming a part of it, expanding it and finding a way to be comfortable in his own skin for the first time in... and oh, Dean. We knew he was so much more than the muscle, the foot soldier and now it's out there as truth, our truth, Sam's truth and oh, I so hope Sam takes him there I really do because boys, and show and... and..

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.

[ash48.livejournal.com]

HA!! Grill Master Dean! \o/ Dean was the master of every damn thing! :D

[quickreaver.livejournal.com]

Someone's been studying early-series writing AND IT WAS GOOD.

...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

[sam-dean-lover.livejournal.com]

hi! i watched this ep also, i feel high on happiness from last night's ep, come here cant wait to read your review, not a step in at all! agree 1,000%. strong, STRONG possibility i may watch the finale, definately come back for good til the end! god you're making me want to watch for a 3rdx *joins you happily*

[galathea-snb.livejournal.com]

Man, I hate being at work so much right now! Reading those transcripts alone makes me all misty. I want to go home and watch it, dammit!

[lyryk.livejournal.com]

So much love for everything rn. And it's so good to see the whole fandom so happy!

♥

[ash48.livejournal.com]

YES YES YES!! All of that!! You know, it's funny. I can't imagine negative stuff being said because I'm just so full of the love. But...I guess, as usual, not every episode suits everyone. I get that some what different things from it. But, for me, this is pretty damn close to what I initially signed up for. It's about them and that's all I every really want. And both of them were so perfect.

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. :)

[novakev.livejournal.com]

This episode was awesome! I loved everything about - the boys, nesting, Dean's room, Kevin (so cute), Ellie, speeches!, Trials, Sam drenched in Hellhound blood. I agree the trials will take more than just the one to complete. Maybe that's how they survive and not end up as Dean expects.

[cassiopeia7.livejournal.com]

*agrees with EVERYTHING*

*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

[ash48.livejournal.com]

IT WAS GOOD INDEED!! Mr Dabb I take my hat off!

LALALALALALAAAA....what? the show started at 8.11 I think...;)

xxx

[stir-of-echoes.livejournal.com]

So very true, but I guess if you're watching for just one character then there's always going to be something negative but if you're watching for them both, then, oh joy of joys.

I don't want it to end but when it does I want what the song promised, peace when they are done, or what each would want for the other because what they want for each other is breathtaking.

[ash48.livejournal.com]

I want what the song promised, peace when they are done

Oh man. Won't that be poignant. The final ep when they play that song....

*sniff* ...even if it IS a happy ending (which I'm sure it will be....)
xx

[debbiel66.livejournal.com]

LOL, am planning to watch once I drop the kiddo off, but I saw your cut tag (Seriously?) and my heart dropped because I was all - oh no, everyone else seemed to like it but Ash didn't...

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!

[destina.livejournal.com]

I was struck by how the show is "fixing" things that have lingered from the past, like the ending of season 3, where Sam had to watch Dean torn apart by a hell hound. This time, he saved Dean from that, and he came away with a literal scratch. ("He's had way worse.") Chilling but lovely.

[maenad.livejournal.com]

I am STILL waiting for the penny to drop about what on they were trying to do there. Or rather why.

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. :)

[antrazi.livejournal.com]

I can picture it now, Sam with a nice and sassy wife and a few children, working and researching out of the batcave, Dean coming home after a hunt to them and getting some rest in his own room, playing with his nephews and nieces...

[growyourwings.livejournal.com]

LOVE.

I posted this and others. So in love with show again. And this episode was so wonderful.

[elsewhere91.livejournal.com]

I loved this episode! This is what has been missing - just them talking to each other and listening. I loved the speeches they both made! So happy!

[stir-of-echoes.livejournal.com]

I don't think my heart would survive if they played it. It would either burst from love, or just simply burst because... boys.

But, man I'd sure like to put it to the test.

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

This episode made me soooooo happy for all the same reasons you've said...I'm in love with our boys all over again and it was totally consistent with how their characters have built up from season to season.

Oh show! *hugs it so hard*!

[harrigan.livejournal.com]

DO come back! I just rec'd to another fan who left the show this season to go watch starting with 8.11 (LARP ep) too. It is SO damn satisfying!!! It will make you want to write!

[harrigan.livejournal.com]

Still on the road, and limited time online. But I have been able to watch the shows and OMG! Just re-reading the dialogue you posted made me tear up all over again.

Jubilant is the right mood! \o/