8.20 Ep reaction
Apr. 25th, 2013 08:11 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ash48Dear Robbie...
NO WHERE!!
OMFG!!! Can we just take a moment to...SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!
As near to a perfect ep for me as you can get!
Awesome bromance, sick!Sam, caring, worried, protective Dean, Dean being AWESOME, Sam being AWESOME, Dean looking INCREDIBLE! (*guh* that guy can wear a uniform), Charlie being AWESOME, interesting MoTW, bunker being AMAZING - THEY HAVE A SHOOTING RANGE!!! ARGHHHHHHHH! \o/, characters given DEPTH, WITTY dialogue, positive fangirl representation, opening sequence of squee, reference to the SPN books, Sam being recognised for how strong her is, Dean's nightmare being Sam in a hospital bed, Dean continuing his hug fest, HUUUUUUGGGSSSSSS,
But my favourite....
In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort.
Comfort! It's so perfect. I never saw the connection to a hobbit's home before. But there it is - round door and everything. :D The bunker oozes comfort and safety and home.
Going a little deeper:
Dean and his current hug fest.
I happened upon a comment that Dean is out of character giving so many hugs (not on LJ). It made me think. Certainly the earlier seasons didn't have Dean hugging so much. It could be that they are pandering to our love of the bro hugs OR it could be that we are seeing character development.
I'm going with the latter. This episode in particular highlighted Dean's growing ability to let people in. He knows about loss and I am now seeing a Dean who is taking the chance to say "I love you" or "I care about you" with a hug. It's almost like he's taking the chance while he can. He knows how fragile life is in his world and he's now, quite literally, embracing it. I like it. Dean's happier than I can really ever remember. Even with Sam struggling, Dean is in a familiar place. He's scared, but I also see him ready to take on the fight.
Also there's:
Charlie: What about you? Are you going to let it go?
Dean: Never
Once again we see Dean giving advice but not being able to follow it himself. He can't let Sam go. Yet. Maybe his final step of development will be being able to let him go (as Charlie has done with her mother), but for the moment he's hanging on. Thank god!! Please keep hanging on Dean.
There is pretty much nothing the Winchesters can't do if they work together.
Word! I hope this is a reference to what's to come as the finale approaches. I can only believe the success of these trials will come down to the boys working together.
If anyone can get through the trials Sam, it's you
It's interesting how Charlie has said the words that's need to be said to both Sam and Dean. Sam has shown his strength over and over - it's so nice to have it acknowledged from an outside pov. I am so intrigued by what's actually happening to Sam. I think it has to be more than just dying - they've done that too many times now. I think some sort of change in him could be interesting. I am not going to speculate, nor am I reading speculations. Alls I can say is I can't wait to see how this will play out.
Charlie
Robbie has a great way of rounding out characters. He did it with Meg and now with Charlie. We got some history and we saw character growth. Her story also related to the boys. She's strong and independent, knowledgable and kickass. She's also emotional and recognises her flaws. No wonder Dean admires her so much. I also like that she has fangirl qualities that are endearing and not condensing to the fangirl audience. A truly wonderful addition to the Supernatural universe. I hope they keep her around until the very end.
Story structure
A good episode works best when it feels solid. When the story unfolds with moments of action, humour, warmth, myth arc progression, character progression and overall entertainment. Robbie alway manages to find the correct flow - peaks and troughs in the story telling. He uses past canon respectfully (I can only surmise that they had dream root in the boot of the car) and adds believable twists to what we already know about certain monsters (yay, fear feeding Djinn). It feels like he knows these characters and he knows them like we know them. He seemed to get right to the heart of what makes the show so loved - brotherly moments to die for. Let's hope this sets the theme for the remaining three episodes.
and now some gifs I made (I promise I won't spam you with all my gifs. They are so damn addicting. I AM going to be spamming Tumblr though, as I figure that's what the place is for...;D)
WOOT! I'm in my happy place with that ep. Oh and Charlie is a Woman of Letters! \o/ (I'm sure![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
womanofletters was happy to hear her name referenced...;D)
xx
NO WHERE!!
OMFG!!! Can we just take a moment to...SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!
As near to a perfect ep for me as you can get!
Awesome bromance, sick!Sam, caring, worried, protective Dean, Dean being AWESOME, Sam being AWESOME, Dean looking INCREDIBLE! (*guh* that guy can wear a uniform), Charlie being AWESOME, interesting MoTW, bunker being AMAZING - THEY HAVE A SHOOTING RANGE!!! ARGHHHHHHHH! \o/, characters given DEPTH, WITTY dialogue, positive fangirl representation, opening sequence of squee, reference to the SPN books, Sam being recognised for how strong her is, Dean's nightmare being Sam in a hospital bed, Dean continuing his hug fest, HUUUUUUGGGSSSSSS,
But my favourite....
In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort.
Comfort! It's so perfect. I never saw the connection to a hobbit's home before. But there it is - round door and everything. :D The bunker oozes comfort and safety and home.
Going a little deeper:
Dean and his current hug fest.
I happened upon a comment that Dean is out of character giving so many hugs (not on LJ). It made me think. Certainly the earlier seasons didn't have Dean hugging so much. It could be that they are pandering to our love of the bro hugs OR it could be that we are seeing character development.
I'm going with the latter. This episode in particular highlighted Dean's growing ability to let people in. He knows about loss and I am now seeing a Dean who is taking the chance to say "I love you" or "I care about you" with a hug. It's almost like he's taking the chance while he can. He knows how fragile life is in his world and he's now, quite literally, embracing it. I like it. Dean's happier than I can really ever remember. Even with Sam struggling, Dean is in a familiar place. He's scared, but I also see him ready to take on the fight.
Also there's:
Charlie: What about you? Are you going to let it go?
Dean: Never
Once again we see Dean giving advice but not being able to follow it himself. He can't let Sam go. Yet. Maybe his final step of development will be being able to let him go (as Charlie has done with her mother), but for the moment he's hanging on. Thank god!! Please keep hanging on Dean.
There is pretty much nothing the Winchesters can't do if they work together.
Word! I hope this is a reference to what's to come as the finale approaches. I can only believe the success of these trials will come down to the boys working together.
If anyone can get through the trials Sam, it's you
It's interesting how Charlie has said the words that's need to be said to both Sam and Dean. Sam has shown his strength over and over - it's so nice to have it acknowledged from an outside pov. I am so intrigued by what's actually happening to Sam. I think it has to be more than just dying - they've done that too many times now. I think some sort of change in him could be interesting. I am not going to speculate, nor am I reading speculations. Alls I can say is I can't wait to see how this will play out.
Charlie
Robbie has a great way of rounding out characters. He did it with Meg and now with Charlie. We got some history and we saw character growth. Her story also related to the boys. She's strong and independent, knowledgable and kickass. She's also emotional and recognises her flaws. No wonder Dean admires her so much. I also like that she has fangirl qualities that are endearing and not condensing to the fangirl audience. A truly wonderful addition to the Supernatural universe. I hope they keep her around until the very end.
Story structure
A good episode works best when it feels solid. When the story unfolds with moments of action, humour, warmth, myth arc progression, character progression and overall entertainment. Robbie alway manages to find the correct flow - peaks and troughs in the story telling. He uses past canon respectfully (I can only surmise that they had dream root in the boot of the car) and adds believable twists to what we already know about certain monsters (yay, fear feeding Djinn). It feels like he knows these characters and he knows them like we know them. He seemed to get right to the heart of what makes the show so loved - brotherly moments to die for. Let's hope this sets the theme for the remaining three episodes.
and now some gifs I made (I promise I won't spam you with all my gifs. They are so damn addicting. I AM going to be spamming Tumblr though, as I figure that's what the place is for...;D)
WOOT! I'm in my happy place with that ep. Oh and Charlie is a Woman of Letters! \o/ (I'm sure
womanofletters was happy to hear her name referenced...;D)xx
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2013-04-25 12:36 pm (UTC)OMG....I never made the Hobbit hole connection either! That is amazing!
There was so much to love here...it will take awhile to digest!
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Date: 2013-04-25 01:21 pm (UTC)Charlie has consistently been handled well. <3
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Date: 2013-04-25 12:39 pm (UTC)That episode was just Made Of Awesome. I lol'ed a whole mess of times. Awwwwwed a whole mess of times. Just a beautiful blend of angst and caring and worry and giggles. Robbie Thompson, you are the KING.
I keep seeing people gripe about Charlie being a Sue, and I just want to smack them upside the head. Charlie ROCKS. I love that Dean's letting her in as a little sis, caring about her, enjoying her company, confiding in her. She's their Leia! And I not only have no issues with that, I think it's *perfect*.
Can't wait to re-watch tonight. And tomorrow night. And a bunch more times over the weekend.
Plus. DUDE. Batcave!! It has a shooting range! What else is down there, Show? Huh? Huh?
And yes. That hobbit thing. Awwwwww.
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Date: 2013-04-25 01:28 pm (UTC)I keep seeing people gripe about Charlie being a Sue,
I say ..WHAT? Oh my. No no. I can't see Sue here at all. She has too many awesome lines. I think she's one of the most fleshed out female characters that we've had.
OMG! The bat cave! \o/ I squealed with delight when those lights came on. I wonder about the look on Dean's face when it was first discovered... he must have been in raptures.
And no one can trace their calls in or out?! More canon about the fab bunker...<3
SO MUCH AWWWWWW on one ep! \o/
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Date: 2013-04-25 01:12 pm (UTC)This episode in particular highlighted Dean's growing ability to let people in. He knows about loss and I am now seeing a Dean who is taking the chance to say "I love you" or "I care about you" with a hug.
Out of character? Really? Wasn't that ... the whole point of the story? I mean, Charlie's thing is that she can never tell her mum what she needs to. Her mother is tantalisingly 'there', but also not. Dean's nightmare has Sam in the same state. So go home and hug your brother now. Don't wait till the next time he comes back from the dead. :)
Once again we see Dean giving advice but not being able to follow it himself. He can't let Sam go. Yet.
Honestly, that's the only bit of weirdness in the whole thing. For Charlie to 'let go' makes sense. Her mum isn't really there anymore and she's just tormenting herself with the possibility. I know Dean can be overprotective, but Sam tends to fall down when he tries to stand up. If ever there were an appropriate moment for some hovering ...
It's interesting how Charlie has said the words that's need to be said to both Sam and Dean.
It is interesting. I mean, Charlie speaks as a fangirl – but not of Supernatural specifically. She's a fan of Tolkien and Star Wars and Terminator and a billion other things. She knows the shape of these stories, so she knows how to talk to heroes.
I am so intrigued by what's actually happening to Sam. I think it has to be more than just dying - they've done that too many times now. I think some sort of change in him could be interesting.
I have no idea where they are going with this in any practical sense, so I can't speculate either. I only note with interest that this is the second time they have referenced Tolkien. And today it makes me think of:
'He is not half through yet, and to what he will come in the end not even Elrond can foretell. Not to evil, I think. He may become like a glass filled with clear light for eyes to see that can.'
:)
It feels like he knows these characters and he knows them like we know them. He seemed to get right to the heart of what makes the show so loved - brotherly moments to die for. Let's hope this sets the theme for the remaining three episodes.
He really is good. It's what makes storytelling work: when things happen they mean something, both to the audience and to the characters.
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Date: 2013-04-25 01:44 pm (UTC)What a beautiful line! :)
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Date: 2013-04-25 01:25 pm (UTC)Gosh, that last gif is a killer. *grabs heart*
You know, when Sam got up with his messed up hair and Dean said something about being ready to cut it I SO was thinking of your last gif post! :D
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Date: 2013-04-25 02:41 pm (UTC)I LOVED Dean's line about the clippers. And I think Sam's hair was actually shorter during the second half? Looks like Sam might have had a trim...;)
xxx
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Date: 2013-04-25 01:40 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-04-25 02:42 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-04-25 01:40 pm (UTC)Happy place indeed!
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Date: 2013-04-25 02:44 pm (UTC)EPISODE OF LOVE!! So nice to see that they can still give us these...<33
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Date: 2013-04-25 02:05 pm (UTC)I love you forever for making this connection. Forever, do you hear me? (Love ya for the gifs, too -- now where is your Tumblr again? I hate that place, but if you'll be gif-spamming, I'll make the trip.)
Dean's growing ability to let people in.
Ooooh, this. THIS. Dean opening up is a good thing, how is that OOC? People are not static -- they grow, and they change. I don't get the folk who don't get THAT, but whatever.
Beautiful reaction post, and thank you again for the Hobbit-hole/Batcave entrance comparison. That's gonna have me smiling for DAYS. <3
*steals all the gifs*
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Date: 2013-04-26 12:31 pm (UTC)I don't get some comments sometimes either. I see growth and a wonderful, warm Dean emerging from the other side.
(I had to make a little hobbit-batave pic spam ... on the way..;D)
xxoo
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Date: 2013-04-25 02:12 pm (UTC)Thank you for pointing out the obvious hobbit hole connection that I missed!
I was surprised to see from the shot of Charlie walking away at the end that the batcave is much closer to civilisation than I thought. For some reason I imagined it was quite a distance out of town.
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Date: 2013-04-26 12:33 pm (UTC)I think they don't love too far from town. There's a shot that I've seen that had Dean walking back with the beer and food. they obviously cut that shot out but it suggests they are walking distance from the town.
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Date: 2013-04-25 03:33 pm (UTC)I had questions about the episode, like why does the bunker have a shooting range, if the MoL were supposedly so against brute force? (I assume Grandpa Winchester was wrong about something, there, or his attitudes weren't shared by all the MoL.) Why did Charlie act so weird all of a sudden when they figured out it was a djinn? That whole sequence was odd. I get that she was hiding why she was in town, but I was confused about why she behaved the way she did when she did. And what are the odds that Charlie's home town in Kansas is the same place the MoL bunker resides?
But really, I am fully prepared to not think about it too much, because SO MUCH AWESOME.
I love that they consciously used the Hobbit and the line about home, and the shots of the bunker. They had to have. Why else shoot all those scenes right there, and show the door so clearly? I loved that we were left to understand Dean hugs Sam because he doesn't want to wait until it's too late to let Sam knows he still loves him. I cried over Charlie and her mom, and over Dean connecting so strongly with her because of his mom. So much emotional honesty from Dean—I don't feel like we've had that in years and years. Like, since S1, honestly. And SAM KILLED THE DJINN. I've been pissed since WIAWSNB that he wasn't the one who killed the djinn who tried to kill Dean, and it was amazingly satisfying to see him use his brain and play dirty pool to kill the young one. Can't get it done with brute force? He'll find another way. Fuck, yes.
I could go on. This episode. What just happened?? I made a new SPN icon. I haven't done that since S6. Oh, my heart.
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Date: 2013-04-25 11:16 pm (UTC)Welcome back! I actually have a fic idea to address why the Batcave/Men of Letters has a shooting range, but I honestly don't see any writing time in my future this year at all. But I'll enjoy musing about it as I drift off to sleep, for many nights to come!
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Date: 2013-04-25 03:48 pm (UTC)i loved this episode!!
dude, you are not going to poke that with a stick!
everything you said was what i thought!!
Charlie montage!!
seriously loved all of it!
i have my speculations of what's going on with Sam, but i'm going to keep them to myself.
i was telling my husband about the Hobbit hole and actually freaking choked up. sigh.
i love this show. i love this episode.
gah, must go to work.
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Date: 2013-04-26 02:33 pm (UTC)You're hubby choked up?! How awesome. My hubby can't stand the show, unfortunately. (we share the love of lots of other ones though..;D)
yay Show!
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Date: 2013-04-25 04:05 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-04-26 02:34 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-04-25 04:06 pm (UTC)I 100% agree. I loved this episode.
Comfort! It's so perfect. I never saw the connection to a hobbit's home before. But there it is - round door and everything. :D The bunker oozes comfort and safety and home
I never made the hobbit hole connection. Awesome.
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Date: 2013-04-26 02:50 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-04-25 04:15 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-04-26 02:54 pm (UTC)I'm loving seeing Dean embrace more people into his life. I think he went through a stage of being too scared of losing people to let anyone in. Now he seems to be enjoying the friendships he can make.
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Date: 2013-04-25 05:02 pm (UTC)Being minutia-distracted me, I have to point out what a pro Jared is, in the "Know your lines, hit your mark, find your light" kind of way. It makes me giggle that in the "I know" gif, that big hand comes up just right to mash down the poof of Dean's jacket so Sam's whole face is on camera.
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Date: 2013-04-26 02:57 pm (UTC)HA! That's awesome. It's totally that! :D (actors know how to get their faces seen).
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Date: 2013-04-25 05:23 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-04-26 02:59 pm (UTC)But I can understand that Spartacus high! I'm still missing it....
Hope you enjoy the next ones. *hugs*
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Date: 2013-04-25 06:20 pm (UTC)Holy crap that was a delightful episode. I love Charlie so very much and I'd love her to be around as a permanent fourth edition to Team Free Will. (Lady of Letters, indeed!)
So much love for this episode. So, so much.
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Date: 2013-04-26 03:04 pm (UTC)I would LOVE to see her part of TFW! In fact - I'd love to see some scene between her and Cas. I imagine they would be hilarious.
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Date: 2013-04-25 06:31 pm (UTC)Jeremy Carver has been reading some hurt!Sam, protective!Dean fanfic, methinks :-)
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Date: 2013-04-26 03:06 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-04-25 07:48 pm (UTC)And I agree with everything you said. Charlie really needs to stay. I think that many fangirls can see themselves in her in many ways and therefore it's really awesome that they portray her consistently in a positive, kickass manner.
Even with Sam struggling, Dean is in a familiar place. He's scared, but I also see him ready to take on the fight.
Yes, Dean was a Man of Action after the hug. He's not kicking himself about Sam doing the trials, and I love to see the boys getting ready for the big fight. \o/
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Date: 2013-04-26 03:12 pm (UTC)Yes! It's such a good place for him to be now. I love the journey Dean has taken to get here. They are not only on the same page, they are now ready to fight together (again of course, but it's always fun to see the journey it takes for them to get there...)
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Date: 2013-04-25 09:38 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-04-26 03:15 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-04-26 12:00 am (UTC)Great episode.
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Date: 2013-04-26 03:16 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-04-26 12:09 am (UTC)"I'm going with the latter. This episode in particular highlighted Dean's growing ability to let people in. He knows about loss and I am now seeing a Dean who is taking the chance to say "I love you" or "I care about you" with a hug. It's almost like he's taking the chance while he can. He knows how fragile life is in his world and he's now, quite literally, embracing it. I like it. Dean's happier than I can really ever remember. Even with Sam struggling, Dean is in a familiar place. He's scared, but I also see him ready to take on the fight."
Yes yes yes!! People change and I think THIS is more IN character than anything from the beginning of the season.
And, okay YES!!!!! To pretty much everything you said. Charlie is such a great character, she compliments the boys so well. SO HEART HER.
LOVE THE GIFS!!! Yes yes yes! lol
*just starts doing cartwheels*
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Date: 2013-04-26 03:23 pm (UTC)I'm so loving Dean - he's growing and it's been nice to see him happy.
<3
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Date: 2013-04-26 03:39 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-04-26 03:26 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-04-26 04:25 am (UTC)I'm with you completely on this being a near-flawless episode filled with all that has made SPN good and none of what made it go wrong in certain seasons that shall remain forgotten. This whole season has been excellent, and this ep was top of the heap. Isn't it great to think that a show in its 8th damn season can make a comeback like this?
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Date: 2013-04-26 03:31 pm (UTC)Isn't it great to think that a show in its 8th damn season can make a comeback like this?
Oh it is!! I'm a little nervous for the next few eps, but at least we've had this one and it looks to be heading in an interesting direction. :D
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Date: 2013-04-26 05:05 am (UTC)Dean: Never
I think the 'it' here refers to the fear of losing Sam, of Sam dying, etc. Not actually Sam his brother who is still very much very alive. And Dean is never gonna let go of a walking talking and breathing Sam, and all the feels that come with the person.
This is a lovely episode. Me likey.
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Date: 2013-04-27 11:55 am (UTC)Such a lovely ep. :)))
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Date: 2013-04-26 05:34 am (UTC)And speaking of heads, Sam rocks the bad hair day like no one else.
I saw the comment about Charlie as a Mary Sue and I don't know but I think she's the massive apology owed to any fan after the character slaughter of Becky in S7. I thought a Mary Sue was writing yourself in as a character, in which case, Chuck is the Mary Sue in this 'verse. I could have that totally goofed up.
This episode had some really great shots like the view of the army hospital hallway from above the dead nurses in the teaser. After Charlie lets go in the game and they open the door, there's a poster of a woman with the US flag like they've gotten some freedom by letting go.
And there was Dean in another uniform. Thank you, Robbie. Dean may not ever be Charlie's wingman at the bar but he was totally the BFF waiting by the fitting room. It cracks me up that in movies, the guy is always pulling a My Fair Lady thing and giving the girl a clothes makeover. Here, Dean's trying to get her to frump it up. Ah, geez, I have such a crush on this Dean, it's like junior high.....giggles and goes to write Dean all over my Trapper Keeper with heart stickers, unicorns and rainbows....
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Date: 2013-04-27 12:09 pm (UTC)Yeah - this was the big one. We have an interesting situation here because by finding out what the last trial is they are speeding up Sam's deterioration. Dean has been a little bit all over the place in regards to this - last week he was pushing to get the trials finished, this week he was holding back. I think not only wanting Sam to recover but also to delay finding out what they next trial is. It's quite the dilemma.
I've also been thinking about how Sam must have felt being given that hug from Dean. In many ways it was an admission that Sam might not survive the trials. I'm sure Sam is feeling like he might not and that lovely hug might have just confirmed it.
And yes that Charlie is probably an apology. She feels like one. Becky ended up being such an insult and joke. Such as shame, when they can write women well.
A shot I particularly loved (and one I made a gif of but didn't post) is the shot of the camera going over the impala as Charlie's car pulls up. So nice. The filming of the ep was great ( I look forward to your review! :D)
And I'm fully crushing on this Dean as well. Crushing and swooning. :DD
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