8.16 reaction

[ash48]

Well, actually Dear Cas but I'll get to that later.

I really REALLY liked that one. I can't quite put my finger on it but it felt, um...grown up or something. It felt really comfortable and solid. I think a lot of that had to do the the boys being smart and competent. They were in charge of the situation. They were professional and it felt so good to watch them work this case calmly and with a sense of knowledge and experience. I liked that they were calling the shots and even though they got thrown around a bit (thank you), it's all part of "another day at the office".

It was refreshing and it continues this lovely reboot of where they are at.

I really don't have a lot to say about the story line because, ashamedly, I know nothing about Greek mythology. I should, but I don't. (check out what maenad has to say on her journal though - she's in the know...;D). I'll just say I liked all the characters and the story was interesting enough to keep me engaged. I think a lot of that had to do with the acting of the guess stars. There wasn't the histrionics we get sometimes. It was nicely handled I thought. Kudos to Steve Boyum for his directing. I think in less experienced hands this wouldn't have worked so well.

Some things I have to mention:

Let's start at the very end and *swoon* over that final speech of Dean's. OH MY GOD! Did Dean just pray to Cas to watch over his little brother?! He said LITTLE BROTHER!! \o/ Be still my hurt!Sam / protective!Dean heart!! I think I died and went to the bat cave. And Jensen is always amazing when he does scenes like that. <33 I will be re-watching that scene SO MANY TIMES!! (and I loved "eat your burger"...)

I am beyond THRILLED that they didn't make a huge issue about Sam not telling Dean about the blood. THANK YOU! THANK YOU!! THIS is how Dean reacts. He knows Sam is hurting and he knows why Sam would be keeping that from him. Instead of ranting about Sam hiding things or keeping secrets he prays to keep him safe. There may never be a finer moment (well, there might be but that one tops it so far this season).

I also love that we got more from Dean about how he really feels about those trials. It should have been him. Dean wants that more than possibly anything at the moment. He doesn't want Sam in danger and he knows that if Sam dies it will somehow be his fault. Even if it isn't. ON DEAN!! So much love for this Dean I CAN'T EVEN!!!

Now let's go to the scene just before that. *ADORES* Sam all but tells Dean he's not well. That was all little brother speak for "I'm scared and I'm not actually sure I will be able to do this." And as much as Dean said he didn't want emo I didn't think Sam was being particularly emo about it. He just stated a concern, tried to inform Dean carefully about his predicament. I honestly believe that Sam is keeping this from Dean to protect him. He knows Dean will freak. He promised Dean he'd be ok and he isn't. He really doesn't want to worry, upset, disappoint Dean. (and yeah, Dean DID freak. It brought about prayer, which is Dean freaking...). I love it even more that Dean can see right through him.

Also - it's SO going to take BOTH of them to complete these trials successfully. (\o/)

As always the MoTW connects to the brothers in some way and Sam seeing himself as Prometheus and seeing that future for himself was powerful. They have often considered themselves cursed - and it's clear what happens to those who are cursed. *meep* (I'd be really surprised if one of them dies as the cliffy this season - but you never know).

One of my other favourite scenes was the moment Sam had with the little boy. At first I wondered what that was all about - it didn't seem to really do or mean anything. But it was actually very poignant I thought. Dean is usually the one to connect with children. It looked like it was going to start out that way, but it ended with Sam trying to reach out. It was important that Sam saw this little boy make the decision to stay. He could have run away (like Sam has done in the past) but instead he chose to stay and accept what was happening. That meant something to Sam. (and yeah, Sam has faced his responsibilities before, but I think it served as a nice reminder. In the beginning of the season he was all for leaving it behind, now he needs reminding of the reasons he needs to stay). It was a lovely catalyst for the next scene of Sam opening up to Dean.

I also have to say that that scene was beautifully filmed. It wasn't rushed - the director allowed the moment to sink in. Allowed some quiet contemplation for both characters (and was anyone else thinking that Jared will have a better understanding of children now that he has one of his own? I was...).

The brother moments were fantabulous! So many quiet moments of bro!love. Dean was back to being proud of Sam, impressed with Sam's knowledge. Dean was in command and Sam took his lead acknowledging Dean's capabilities. They worked so smoothly together - I just loved it.

And the bat cave continues to be gorgeous and awesome. I wondered if they would let other people know about it. It looks like it's going to be a sanctuary for themselves and for others. (I just hope they don't let too many people know - I would hate to see that place threatened).

Dean is proud of being legacy. <33

*happy sigh* I love it when Show is like this.

As an aside...(skip if you've managed to somehow avoid the recent news re a certain character)



if they continue to have Cas as part of what's going on with Dean AND Sam I will happy (well, happier. I am ambivalent about him continuing to be around next season. Happy if it's about all three, downright depressed if it comes at the expense of Sam). I actually loved that Dean turned to Cas here to ask him to help Sam. I hope Cas heard him - though I suspect he might not have. And as much as the destiel shoutouts irk me, I do love it when they actually make some effort to show them as friends. Maybe now there will be some consistency in how they feel about him and act toward him. It will be tricky to have him as an ally (they will never face mortal danger again) but better if they can work as some sort of team. I'd love to see Cas as a protector to both of them. And some BAMF!Cas wouldn't go astray either...;D That's just me...those who know me know my turbulent history with Cas. :)


Anyway. That was highly satisfying. And I hope it continues to inspire Bat Cave works. Don't forget they can be cross posted to spn_batcave \o/

Boo! Have to wait until March 20th now...:(((((

Comments

[ash48.livejournal.com]

because he and Sam once were variously awed, frightened or deceived by various demons, angels and gods, and now they know better.

Yeah, isn't it great that we are seeing them as experienced, seasoned hunters. They still care (and how nice is it that we've got that back also), but they succeed because they know what they are doing.

the whole thing is an interesting commentary on how love changes perspective.

Oh bravo. I love that. Love changes so much when it comes to the Winchesters. Rules go out of the window as does doing something they know is stupid (like selling ones soul). There is so much potential here for some interesting stuff to happen - especially remembering that Cas isn't in full control. A lot will depend on what the heavenly Powers That Be want him to do with or for the Winchester. I just pray to God (or Cas) that he doesn't offer up some miracle cure for Sam this time. If he touches him and the symptoms are gone I might just weep (or throw things). I really hope we don't get easy answers to this dilemma.

Sam spoke very reasonably there.

Yeah, that's what I was getting. Sam knows how Dean will react so he has to be careful. But Dean also doesn't really want to hear that things are not ok either. It was a great scene that typifies how they are with each other (when they are not being childish and blocking each other out).

I just ... geeked out all over your journal, didn't I?

Oh god I love it!! If you're able to find more connections to mythology I am all ears!! I am wondering if we might be heading toward Sam and Dean almost become mythical characters themselves. Is this how Gods are made? Sam and Dean have already overcome massive trials and tribulations. I think this makes the Men of Legacy introduction even more exciting and poignant. How exciting!


And yes, the "regular" status isn't so much an issue. He's been pretty much a regular since he was introduced. I agree it's his overuse that's more of a concern. Fundamentally I have no major issue with the character - other than him being hard to get a handle on (maybe deliberately) and eating up Sam's screen time. If they can find a way to use him effectively and somehow involving both the boys then I'll be ok with that.

(looks like I need to read up on Greek Mythology. Or...can you recommend a good film that gives me a 101 lesson?)

thanks for your awesome thoughts.
*hugs your brain*

[maenad.livejournal.com]

I just pray to God (or Cas) that he doesn't offer up some miracle cure for Sam this time. If he touches him and the symptoms are gone I might just weep (or throw things). I really hope we don't get easy answers to this dilemma.

Yeah. We certainly don't need that twice. I have hope, though. They did that last year, and it would be silly to do it twice in a row. And last year, even if I didn't like it, there were reasons. They needed to rehabilitate Castiel, and technically Sam's mental anguish was only a subplot - they needed to get him functional to fight leviathans. Now Castiel seems to need saving more than Sam does, and Sam closing the gates of hell is the main plot, so they don't need to brush it aside.

Not that that's a guarantee, but I'm excited about the show again lately, so I'm trying to be optimistic. :)

I am wondering if we might be heading toward Sam and Dean almost become mythical characters themselves. Is this how Gods are made?

Thank you for indulging my geekery. :)

I'm really intrigued to see where this goes, and I hope I'm not just seeing patterns that aren't there. Sam and Dean have always followed the heroic pattern to some extent, due to Kripke being familiar with some combination of Joseph Campbell, Star Wars and Neil Gaiman, but this feels much more specific. It's natural in a way, too, because they have become larger than life.

There have been a lot of gods around this year, haven't there? Plutus, Vili, Cacao, Zeus, Artemis and Prometheus.Bitten has Michael mistaking himself for a god after overhearing Sam and Dean. Blood Brother had a whole thing about a vampire's maker being like a god. Yahweh, of course, via the tablets. This ... requires more thought. Preferably after some sleep. :)

looks like I need to read up on Greek Mythology. Or...can you recommend a good film that gives me a 101 lesson?

Hm. Maybe the Percy Jackson film? It's basically a Harry-Potter style story, so they do work to introduce you to all the characters. Since it's a modern-day story they're not trying to faithfully retell any actual myths, but if I recall correctly they do give you a tour of various gods and monsters and how they work (although pretty much every film these days thinks Hades is evil because they confuse him with Satan). I mean - it's a kids' film, so you have to have tolerance for that, but it does do the 101 stuff. There are things like Clash of the Titans too, but ... well, that one is a mess of things they got right, things they got hilariously wrong, and a significant amount of 'where on earth did that idea even come from?'