Meta rec and Very Scientific Poll

[ash48]

bardicvoice has written some great meta on why we see Sam and Dean differently: The Rainbow Connection, or Can You See What I See?

I like the ideas presented - it all makes perfect sense to me. It should help people realise that it's OK to see the show differently and arguing about it (read "being nasty") isn't going to achieve much. I think discussing is valuable because I think sharing the differing views can be interesting. Though, as bardicvoice's put it - "You're going to believe what you believe no matter what I say, unless I happen upon an explanation that fits your emotional reality and both allows and persuades you to change your point of view. Trust me, those occasions are few and far between".

She also refers to an article written about why we connect to fictional characters in such a passionate way. This is fascinating also.

If you enjoy this type of analysis I highly recommend it.

She can't answer what it is in each of our personalities that makes us respond the way we do, unfortunately. I imagine such a study would be extraordinarily difficult.

However...I did wonder if we might be able to do a highly (un)scientific survey to see if there's anything we can pin down that make us either a Sam!person or a Dean!person or a both bro!person.



I think of myself as a Sam!girl (who adores Dean <333). I often wonder what draws me to Sam and I think I can simply put it down to:

1) He's the younger brother
2) He has long hair
3) I find Jared ridiculously attractive

(I find Jensen ridiculously attractive too. I love Dean and there's no way I would adore Sam the way I do without Dean being there).

In most TV/film partnerships I've always favored the younger of a pair - Luke over Han, AJ over Rick (Simon and Simon), Stephen over Mike (in the Tomorrow People). I have no idea why that is. I've sometimes wondered if it has anything to do with my position in my family. I am the eldest.

Which makes me wonder if the way we favour either Sam or Dean has anything to do with whether or not we have younger or older siblings? (I think not, but it might be fun to see if there is any trend).


[Poll #1918144]


It's just for fun (and I'm curious...). In all honesty I imagine there are a number of factors dictating not only the way we sympathise with a particular character but also how we interpret story lines and "see" the show. I don't know how you'd ever find out what makes one person see it one way and other a different way. It would be quite a study I should imagine.

Comments

[alleysweeper.livejournal.com]

100% Dean!girl. Always have been.

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Ah...now. Can I ask a "scientific" question? Hee...not really very scientfic of course. "100%" suggests no room for Sam at all. Which is all cool but many people responding here have a slant toward one brother but agree you can't have one without the other. So would you say that in your case that isn't so? Just curious.

[alleysweeper.livejournal.com]

Can I ask a "scientific" question?

How very sneaky of you to tempt me with the science after you snared me with your ticky boxes.

...you can't have one without the other

Here I agree with the masses. And Sam has had a big role in making Dean the man he is today.


There was a time, years ago, when I tried to be PC and see both POV's but somewhere along the way (I think Dead Man's Blood) I had to admit I just didn't like Sam. Once I owned this, I found I could enjoy Show more. I didn't have to like him. In fact, it gave me great pleasure being angry with Sam. I still hold him accountable (on Dean's behalf, of course) for everything Dean has forgiven him of.

I think Dean's loyalty and love should be rewarded and not wasted. I look forward to the day Sam steps up and earns it.

please don't de-friend me

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Hey!

There's no way I'd defriend someone for stating their opinion - especially when I asked for it..;)) And thank you for doing so. I know it's always a little contentious - which is a shame because we all have thoughts about this but feel we can't say anything for fear of upsetting someone (I feel the same way about Cas sometimes, so I know what you mean). Though I think if it's done properly there shouldn't be an issue.

It's interesting to me because I came into fandom after the first season. People were talking about the Sam "hate" and I never really got a good understanding where it came from. To know that certain episodes caused the issues is good to know.

And actually I can see that. I think much of who Sam and Dean are comes down to what they do to each other and how their actions effect the other. I think Sam has been set up to be the brother who hasn't outwardly shown his appreciation for Dean. I think he's shown his love for him, but there's probably more he can do to outwardly show his appreciation for all Dean does. Though there's also the things Dean does that effects Sam (like his dependence on Sam) that messes with him - so I think it's pretty even in that respect. But that's what I love about their relationship.

The only thing I might not agree with here is that for everything Dean has forgiven him of. My feeling is that Dean hasn't really forgiven Sam of, well - anything. Not even going to Stanford. Deep down Dean still resents a lot of what Sam has done (the ghost possession episode is a good example of this). On the outside Dean knows it's something he shouldn't carry and he works really hard for it not to bother him (which works most of the time) - but deep down I don't think he's really forgiven Sam for a lot of the things he's done. And I think Sam knows it - hence the final scene in S8.

HA! Dammit - I could chat about this stuff for ever. I find differing perspectives really interesting. But it's like the meta - I don't think our views can change a lot (though I actually adore Dean also) because of what we bring to our view of the characters.

/blab. Sorry about that. Thanks for answering.