I think, even after 9 eps, I still feel that Sam wanted to die because he thought he was a failure... Possibly tired of it all also.
I would agree there were probably elements of that to his decision also and after all he's been through I don't think any of us could blame Sam for being tired.
But I do think his chief motivation was not wanting to allow anyone else to get hurt as a result of another resurrection, which has never ended well in the past. For all the issues I have with the Carver era and its characterisation of the brothers I would say this is the most consistent character development. In this episode he was willing to allow himself to die to protect others from the negative consequences of tampering with the natural order, and this harks back to early season eight. When faced with what he believed to be the reality of losing Dean unlike past occasions this time he had the maturity to step back and accept it.
Don't get me wrong at the time I loved some of the brothers self-sacrificial actions to save the other during the early seasons. Now however eight seasons in Sam's development in this front makes sense to me. After all they've been through for them to keep tampering with the natural order would make them look stupid and frankly callous.
This is different because he hasn't sacrificed himself this time, he's sacrificed Sam (though I might be one of the few who actually really like this story line).
That's exactly the distinguishment that makes me unable to feel sympathy or back Dean's actions in this scenario. I know you're a fan and I don't want to be a downer on something you love, but it is also the final nail in the cross in terms of my investment in the brothers bond unless it drastically changes. I think Dean's decision here shows along with his behaviour in season eight that while Dean loves Sam and I don't think anyone could deny that. He doesn't respect Sam as a separate person with his own viewpoint and rights. At times its more like he views Sam as an accessory that should do what Dean wants.
And if he isn't utterly shattered by Dean's decision to not only trick him into saying yes, but continuing the deception even after he was able to make a "proper" decision I will be dumbfounded.
I'm not holding my hopes up. I fully expect them to follow their usual lameass formula because this creative team lack just that creativity.
What we'll get is an episode of Sam being pissy with Dean then he'll have some big revelation and come crawling back apologising something along the lines of "You were just looking out for me and I should be grateful. How dare I get mad that you rented my body out to an angel without my consent and took all autonomy away from me. And how dare I be mad that you lied and deceived me for months"
Yeah I'm pretty cynical about this show right now. I've really come to resent (and to an extent Dean as a result) the shows growing habit of making Dean this 'saint' always in the right. While portraying Sam as a demon for daring to go against his wishes.
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Date: 2013-12-17 09:38 pm (UTC)I would agree there were probably elements of that to his decision also and after all he's been through I don't think any of us could blame Sam for being tired.
But I do think his chief motivation was not wanting to allow anyone else to get hurt as a result of another resurrection, which has never ended well in the past. For all the issues I have with the Carver era and its characterisation of the brothers I would say this is the most consistent character development. In this episode he was willing to allow himself to die to protect others from the negative consequences of tampering with the natural order, and this harks back to early season eight. When faced with what he believed to be the reality of losing Dean unlike past occasions this time he had the maturity to step back and accept it.
Don't get me wrong at the time I loved some of the brothers self-sacrificial actions to save the other during the early seasons. Now however eight seasons in Sam's development in this front makes sense to me. After all they've been through for them to keep tampering with the natural order would make them look stupid and frankly callous.
This is different because he hasn't sacrificed himself this time, he's sacrificed Sam (though I might be one of the few who actually really like this story line).
That's exactly the distinguishment that makes me unable to feel sympathy or back Dean's actions in this scenario. I know you're a fan and I don't want to be a downer on something you love, but it is also the final nail in the cross in terms of my investment in the brothers bond unless it drastically changes. I think Dean's decision here shows along with his behaviour in season eight that while Dean loves Sam and I don't think anyone could deny that. He doesn't respect Sam as a separate person with his own viewpoint and rights. At times its more like he views Sam as an accessory that should do what Dean wants.
And if he isn't utterly shattered by Dean's decision to not only trick him into saying yes, but continuing the deception even after he was able to make a "proper" decision I will be dumbfounded.
I'm not holding my hopes up. I fully expect them to follow their usual lameass formula because this creative team lack just that creativity.
What we'll get is an episode of Sam being pissy with Dean then he'll have some big revelation and come crawling back apologising something along the lines of "You were just looking out for me and I should be grateful. How dare I get mad that you rented my body out to an angel without my consent and took all autonomy away from me. And how dare I be mad that you lied and deceived me for months"
Yeah I'm pretty cynical about this show right now. I've really come to resent (and to an extent Dean as a result) the shows growing habit of making Dean this 'saint' always in the right. While portraying Sam as a demon for daring to go against his wishes.