10.03 reaction/review

[ash48]

I will not deny that my response to this episode is clouded by my expectations. I honestly went in dreading it, getting prepared to pack it all in and eating a block of chocolate to commiserate.

Instead I was left with such an overwhelming sense of relief (to the point of giddiness) that I've come away thinking it wasn't all that bad.



This was always going to be one of those episodes that would divide fans. It's the ultimate confrontation between demon!Dean and Sam. It was going to reveal what lengths Sam went to to find Dean and show us whether Sam would be successful (this time), in saving Dean. It was going to show us just how "bad" demon!Dean was and what role Cas would play in him becoming human again.

It was a big ask and I suspect many may feel let down by it. Dean was cured and Sam left the building.

But I found it engaging and didn't find myself as bothered by some of the things I'm sensing others have been bothered by.


Let's start at the end shall we? After many many months of Sam looking for Dean, being confronted by Dean, being verbally abused by Dean Sam finally captures him and cures him. He weathered the storm. We were hanging on for that final scene to be between him and Dean yeah? A moment that would let us know the state of their relationship now. Instead, Sam leaves to get food and asks Cas to watch over him.

For some reason (and maybe this will change), I was really ok with this. In fact, can I say I liked it?

Here's why. After everything that Sam had been through in finding and curing Dean that man needed some air. I know that sounds trivial, but boy. He has a lot to digest and to be able to go out and get his, now normal brother normal food has to be the best thing he could have done. There was NO WAY they were going to talk. I had absolutely NO expectations that they would. Sam's perfectly relieved face when Dean came back and his desire to feed his brother was just enough for me.

One big reason for this is how strongly it links to the past "resurrections". Instead of writing about it here - I made a tumblr post about it. I know we didn't get to have the scene of them eating-but the connection was there. It was also significant that we know that there's probably no way they could sit and share food together at the moment. Things are still raw, but Sam wanted to comfort and heal Dean and (for now) that's enough for me.

The was a full on SamnDean episode and so I wasn't surprised (or even disappointed) that we didn't get a bro scene at the end. Sure, I would have LOVED a hug - but it just didn't feel right. Sam's face spoke volumes though.

I even didn't mind Sam asking Cas to watch over him. It's been a long time since I've actually felt the genuine friendship between Sam and Cas and even between Cas and Dean. Finally, there's a sense of them all being on the same page.

I won't deny I was dreading that it would be something that Cas does that finally cures Dean, so I was relieved (relieved I tells ya!) that Cas actually helped Sam and not performed some "miracle" that cured him. I liked the team work.

I like Cas and Hannan ok? I just can't help it. Hannah is growing on me (shame, as I'm sure she'll die) and I can't deny I'd love to see them become an item (just 'cause).


I loved Sam in the episode (I know! shock eh?). He was so stoic under fire. He could have lashed out and did the same thing that Dean did to soulless!Sam and beat the crap out of him, but he didn't. He held back his hurt and anger and merely jabbed that needle in a little harder than was maybe necessary. He wasn't overly emotional and he didn't get hung up on guilt (at the moment) and let it all cloud his task at hand. He fought with his options and the knowledge that he might end up killing his brother. He trusted Cas and did what he thought was best for his brother.

And um..actually? I didn't think Dean's words were anything harsher than Dean has actually said to Sam before (like just before he went into confession in the church in 8.23). Or anything that Sam didn't already feel about himself. I didn't think anything out of Dean's mouth was a surprise - he's been hurt by much more ("if you leave, don't come back" in Levee Breaks). We know, deep down, that he thinks Dean thinks this stuff anyway (flashbacks in Levee Breaks, stuff that possessed!Dean said to him in S8), so I'm not surprised he took it as well as he did. Good for you Sam!


D!Dean was pretty scary, though I think the best performance was last week's. Which, is actually not a surprise. Jensen had 2 episodes under his belt by then. It was still pretty good and I am very sorry to see him go. Jensen clearly loved playing him and I hope that maybe they'll treat us with some flashbacks later (though, I suspect Jensen had is hair cut so maybe not…). I at least hope we get a "lighter" Dean and maybe new Dean channels demon!Dean every now and then because - hot damn! he was great (*guh* him constantly referring to Sam as "Sammy"..creepy…). And the difference when real Dean returned was so very noticeable. Credit to Jensen. I'm sure Dean's arc, or story, isn't over yet. The mark is still there and no doubt he'll have to reconcile his demon side at some point.

Loved the red lighting during the bunker chase.

Talks of them killing each other. Dean actually trying to kill Sam and Sam worrying about having to kill Dean. The only other time this has come up (as far as I can remember) is when Dean worried that detoxing Sam could kill him. The "killing your brother" might be revisited with the Mark still in play.

I was also surprised how much I enjoyed Crowley! (See, I WAS riding high by my relief!!) I loved him reminiscing about Dean and his minions trying to be like him. I think because I much prefer this "charming" Crowley to shouting, boring (sorry!) Crowley. I have no idea what his plan is for Dean (with the Mark), but it can't be good (I hope!). I do think he genuinely likes Dean though.


I know there were quite a few weaknesses (like, why doesn't Hannah actually act like an angel? She was hurt and didn't cure herself immediately (looked like a broken rib maybe?). Also… is Sam luring an innocent man (who he was planning to stop from making a deal anyway) as monstrous as Dean actually killing him? Or even all that problematic? I mean, Sam and Dean have killed innocent people many times. All those meat suits. And worse, have actually given an innocent person to another person (Mrs Tran) to kill. Is it as bad as non consensual possession? Killing a person to drink their demon blood? I don't know about you but it seems a bit try hard to me (for which I am damn relieved I have to tell you! I didn't want Sam actually doing something that was totally OOC).

That pie in Dean's room would have mould on it, for sure.

An angel "hug" (more like a circle of arms) can hold down a demon? Since..when?

"Hell" always looks disappointing when they show it. I like it when it doesn't look like some traditional idea of Hell (like the long lines of waiting people from that past ep…).

Boo, Sam didn't use his own blood to cure Dean (though, makes a heap of sense that he didn't really).

The pacing might have lacked a little and it did feel anticlimactic. Demon!Dean seems to have been cured far too easily (and quickly!). But I was good with it ending where it did. It felt like we could now get into some good ole MoTW stories, sans angels and demons for a while. I really want that! I want to see Sam and Dean, on the road, hunting monsters. Sure, their relationship will no doubt be tense but it can't be ANYTHING like it was last season. Can it? Did this feel like "nothing" to anyone else? Dean was a demon so all that can be excused on that (even if it comes out that some of it's the truth. It wasn't nearly as confrontational as the stuff they made Sam say to Dean in S9). Sam was determined and dedicated to the cause (and we even got POV and family pictures and pie!), he cured Dean, looked massively relieved, went an bought him comfort food for his soul and came out of the whole thing with little more than leading douche Lester into a trap. No doubt, there'll be deeper discussions about all that, but at the moment I'm just damn happy to not be weeping over my show.


I am interested to see what the discussion will be between them about "who's the bigger monster". It's a non starter as far as I can see. I still hope it becomes a discussion about what they do for each other, but at the moment I'm just happy that we got through this as relatively unscathed as we did.

(I did mention relieved didn't I?)


POLL (for some reason was screwing up positing it here).

Comments

[tebtosca.livejournal.com]

You know how I feel, so I'll just say this show is terrible and I'm ready for the Green Cooler scene next week lol

[killabeez.livejournal.com]

I don't have much comment on this one, except that my favorite part of the whole thing was Sam planning to go get Dean food and then get drunk. That seemed a highly appropriate response, to me.

Jensen's acting was really good. Best thing I can say about it.

[ash48.livejournal.com]

I do hun! As much as I was ok with the ending I will be disappointed if we don't have a "special" scene at the beginning of the next one.

and YAAAY! Green cooler scene! I can't wait.

And seriously - MoTW eps with just the boys is pretty much all I need from my show. I don't want all that stupid angst like last season. So far, this feels nothing like that (and yeah, I know, it can change). Was it just 'cause Sam went sky diving that you hated it? Or just…everything…? (you don't have to answer that - just curious…)

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Yep! Sam NEEDED that! So much. I felt like he just needed to collapse in a heap and not resurface for ages. All that work to cure Dean - only to be abused liked that. But hey, he's strong and he knew what he was up against. He did good I think.

Jensen has knocked it out of the park this season. I'm so glad he had this opportunity. I'll miss him! He was a joy to watch.

[cassiopeia7.livejournal.com]

Agreed 100% with this post. Of course, I'm disappointed that the demon!Dean issue seems -- emphasis on seems -- to have come to an end, but we've still got the Mark to deal with, so it ain't over yet. Also agreed that what Sam did is not "monster"-worthy, and what Dean said isn't all that far from things he's said in the past. I liked 10.3 a great deal. :)

[tebtosca.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't say that I even hated it, because my expectations were already super low knowing the writers. I mean, the Deadly Duo are the most offensive pieces of shit on the writing staff, so it could have been much, much worse. But overall, I was...bored. And that's a high crime to me, particularly in an episode that should be an emotional apex.

I do think that this episode was much too important for the first one back from hiatus. Jensen did a fine job directing, but none of the actors felt like they were settled back into their roles again. Even compared to last week (which was fantastic), everything felt tentative and off. I didn't feel anything, and what's worse than that?

Sam going sky-diving at the end made me eye-roll but I'm so used to them doing that to him that it's not really surprising. I also know that logistically, they did it because [SPOILERS] Cas is fucking off by himself for the next five episodes, so I expected that scene to be there. I mean, you can fanwank it, but that's actually why that scene was there lol. I do find it pretty hilarious that the entire scene was basically Cas playing marriage counselor, so that was amusing.

So, yeah, anti-climactic as fuck, with bad writing/pacing and acting that wasn't up to par even compared to last week. And I know you liked it, but the entire Crowley bit was completely unneccesary and proved once again that the Duo pack too many things into their episodes to the detriment of everything.

[thursdaysisters.livejournal.com]

Jensen is beautiful. Still miss Edlund's writing, especially when it comes to torturing demons.

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Actually, I can see all that. Very much so. It didn't feel as powerful as it could have done and I think a lot has to do with them settling into their roles. It must be hard having to get to this point without having down the first two episodes. And, to be honest, to have Jensen direct an episode he is so heavily in I don't think it a wise choice. To have to switch from behind the camera to in front of the camera would have been a huge ask. He did ok of course, but I'm surprised they didn't get someone else for this one - considering how important it was.

Or different writers for this one. I didn't know until I saw the intro who wrote it. You should have seen me…I collapsed into the sofa and cried…NOOOOOO!

So again, went in preparing for the worse - and was pleasantly surprised.

I have no idea why Crowley worked for me this time. He never usually does. At all! I was laughing at some of his lines - most unusual! ( or maybe it was the guy trying to be Dean. The subtext in all that…man….). I get that none of it was necessary - but then I find all the angel stuff unnecessary too. I can only assume it's to support the Js - and I figure he's popular enough to warrant whole scenes like that.

And a potential 5 eps of MoTW?! I'll be totally cool with that! (oh, until they make Sam do something stupid and Dean buries himself in self loathing…)

[suebsg9.livejournal.com]

I am going with the majority who feel that somewhere deep down the demon is still within. Dean cannot live without being a demon really. Sam will say nearly patched Dean up but I think since he is wearing the mark of cain and notice how Cas told Dean he didn't need to hunt right away. Start hunting and he will start needing to feed the mark. And still think giving crowley the blade dumbest thing in the world because him and dean are connected by the blade. Sam should have found a way to hide the dang thing. So i don't think Demon Dean is gone just dorment he needs to keep Dean alive only way mark can stay on him if he can figure out a way like Cain did to live without the blade. But since Dean hunts the mark will need to be fed eventually and that is just my opinion. Cain is a demon after all Dean will get sick again if he does not feed the beast on his arm. So a part of him is a demon then he can have the mark not effect him. And he was knight of hell i would think he could figure out how to manipulate his powers when he is a demon or not. Just because we didn't see black eyes don't mean they are not hiding within. JMO

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Yeah - so sad to see the back of demon!Dean. He was so awesome! I think I could become a D!Dean!gal…:D (I love purgatory!Dean too…). Lets hope there's more to come somehow (the mark was making Dean pretty dark before AND he'll be itching to kill maybe...

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Oh, great screen cap! He IS beautiful indeed. (and I've been watching Hell on Wheels and "Alistair" is in it and he's MARVELLOUS!).

Ooh, On the Head of a Pin. What an amazing episode. Now there's a dark and scary Dean (which d!dean never really was. I mean, he was darkish but because of all the charm didn't seem quite as dark as the Dean in that ep.

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

Yay, you did feel more positive about this one than I did, that's good. Though reading your review has reminded me of something else that jarred me too - how did that Adina angel get the better of Hannah so damned easily, and yes, why didn't Hannah heal herself immediately? Show - please let's have some more consistency!

But I had no issue with Sam and Dean - the dialogue felt a bit stilted to me but the content wasn't anything I didn't expect and, like you, I wasn't unhappy with the fact Sam went off to get food. That felt right.

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

That is where I am with this one - I felt nothing. Dean wasn't scary, I cared less about Cas this week than last week, half the script made no sense... and you saying it was Dabb and Loflin explains that perfectly. I want the Feels, dammit.

[ex1led-nyer.livejournal.com]

I really, REALLY liked this episode, and yeah, when I see these writers my heart always sinks a bit. Like when Benitez would get called up to close Mets games even though he almost always fucked it up. I think part of my enjoyment is due to me keeping myself as spoiler-free as I could, for a change. Of course it was impossible to avoid the cat-and-mouse scene in spoilers, but otherwise I managed.

Regarding the big bro hug scene that wasn't there: Dean said some pretty nasty shit to Sam, shit that's gotta sting even worse than what Dean said at the church because, their MOM. I thought it was interesting, too, that Dean referred to Mary as his mother, not theirs. There's plenty of canon to support the strength of Dean's feelings about Mary, and I'm sure that omitting Sam in that relationship was deliberate.

So I'm figuring Sam really did need a bit of a break, but also, they must have had *some* time together for Sam to know that Dean was hungry. I was pretty touched that he went out to get his brother food, personally.

Speaking of unangelic behavior, I know the RL reasons why Cas couldn't just heal Sam, but he might have offered. Cas: Sam, let me heal your shoulder. Sam: It's almost all healed, save your grace.

I don't know what to make of the fact that ultimately it was Crowley who saved the day.

And, what is it with this show and redheads?!

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Not Dabb and Loflin. The racist truck Taxi Driver, canon messing duo.

[greyowl88.livejournal.com]

*raises hand and waves* I enjoyed the episode!! :D
And am glad I'm hearing a "relieved" from you! :)

D!Dean going with a Hammer after his brother is horror enough for me to be glad the demon side is gone now. And Sam showed so much emotional strength by going through with it all to cure him. He was the true grown up in this episode. To me, anyway.

An angel "hug" (more like a circle of arms) can hold down a demon?

When Cas put his arms around D!Dean to hold him, I thought that was possible because D!Dean wasn't 100% demon by then anymore, from the so far treatment.

I do like the idea of Hanna being affected by human emotions and Cas seeing it, and making an effort to set clear boundaries (so far ;) ).

xox

[tebtosca.livejournal.com]

Oh no, the Deadly Duo is Buckner and Ross-Leming aka Bob Singer's wife aka the Racist Truck writers. Loflin hasn't been around since mid-S8 and Dabb solo is the one that wrote the (great) episode last week.

[ash48.livejournal.com]

I did and I am actually really happy I did. Can't say I "loved" it - but I'm just so damn glad they didn't do things I thought they would that that seems to be enough for me (at the moment!).

And yep! I mentioned Hannah not healing herself straight away - makes no sense! they keep changing the rules on us! And that angels can hold a demon to control him.

As I said to tebtosca above, I'm surprised they gave Jensen this one. He had such a lot to do on screen - big stuff too. This performance didn't feel as tight as, say last weeks. You could see him trying to come to grips with it a bit. Still, credit to him. He's owned Demon!Dean. I've loved it!

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

Oh right, whatever, both duos generally suck, I've found. Though I notice Dabb and Loflin can write reasonable episodes on their own.

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

Gotcha. Aren't they now co producers too? Sigh.

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

I think my expectations were too high after last week, which was so good. And I really wasn't comfortable watching Jensen's demon!Dean in this one, for all the wrong reasons. It just felt like he was kind of shouting his lines, really hamming it up.

So I didn't hate it, I just didn't much like it.

Oh and were we supposed to recognise the red headed woman with the blokes pinned to her ceiling?

[tebtosca.livejournal.com]

the minute Kripke left, Singer brought them back and promoted them

[tebtosca.livejournal.com]

It wasn't that the Crowley stuff was bad, it was that the episode was already packed full and it was a waste of time. That's always one of the problems with a duo episode.

[SPOILERS] Next three are MOTW, then a mytharc where J2 filmed separate from Misha, then another MOTW, before the mid-season finale with all three of them (as usual)

Oh by the way...did Sam really get the save? I mean, he did all the hard work and gets shit thrown in his face and Cas gets the thank you while the minions preen lol

[quickreaver.livejournal.com]

I skimmed everyone else's comments, and I'm not sure I have a whole lot to add! I thought last week's episode was the best of the demon!Dean triptych, for the very reasons Tebtosca pointed out. They could've used a fourth ep, to flesh things out. I wanted to see more of Dean's wickedness and Sam's descent into supposed immorality. Stretch the three into four. I absolutely think they could've done that and not lost their audience.

I'm still bored to bits by the angel and demon threads, but the brother thread keeps me hanging in there.

My favorite part was probably Sam saying "And then I'm gonna get drunk" and Dean's face at the end. He looked...simply sad. Sad because he's lost the carefree, hedonistic couple of months he just enjoyed and now he has the weight of the world back on his shoulders, sad because he treated Sam like shit, just...sad. Beautifully nuanced by Jensen. We'll probably get a chunk of Dean self-pity for a while, but I'm hoping that will spur some actual conversation between the boys. Just a smidge, because God knows it would feel OOC if they actually, yanno, talk talked.

It was an okay episode! I suspect I'll like it better upon a rewatch, but given who wrote it, I was surprisingly pleased.

[quickreaver.livejournal.com]

Yup yup and yup.