A great summary of how I feel myself. I've always loved Dean and I'm pretty sure I always will, but he has lost a lot of the heroic shine that was very much a part of what endeared me to him in the first place.
Both Dean and Sam are very flawed characters which is a huge part of why I love them. I don't put either of the on a pedestal, and I'm not one of those fans who wears blinkers and can see no flaws in my favourite character. Nor will I twist things to justify either of the boys actions as I see so many people doing.
Dean's shine began to tarnish for me in season 4. I'm not saying Sam didn't deserve a lot of the grief Dean heaped on him - some of his actions were horrific - but there was often such a level of self-righteousness in Dean that he became spiteful and cruel at times. Forgivable to an extent because of his own suffering, but still. When Sam reached out for help and told Dean he was Lucifer's vessel; something that is possibly the most terrifying revelation ever and Dean rebuffed him, I found that very hard to get past but I did. Until the moment the amulet was tossed in the trash in season 5. He was hurt, exhausted, and stretched beyond his limits, but it was such a cruel blow to deliver to his brother I found it hard to forgive.
I have similar issues with all of the other things you've mentioned, especially telling Sam he should pray to be forgiven for being brought back without a soul. I think that's one of the most callous and shocking statements in the history of the show. I was dumbfounded. And then after the mess with Ezekiel, instead of saying he couldn't be sorry for saving Sam's life (which I completely understand) but apologizing for deceiving Sam and tricking into the possession, he said he'd do it again. There was no remorse shown to Sam, and I think that's all he really needed.
I do love Dean, but I can no longer see him as the hero he once was. You're right, hunting things has become more important than saving people, and I'm hoping this is the turning point for both of them, where the reverse becomes true again.
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Date: 2014-11-06 03:38 pm (UTC)Both Dean and Sam are very flawed characters which is a huge part of why I love them. I don't put either of the on a pedestal, and I'm not one of those fans who wears blinkers and can see no flaws in my favourite character. Nor will I twist things to justify either of the boys actions as I see so many people doing.
Dean's shine began to tarnish for me in season 4. I'm not saying Sam didn't deserve a lot of the grief Dean heaped on him - some of his actions were horrific - but there was often such a level of self-righteousness in Dean that he became spiteful and cruel at times. Forgivable to an extent because of his own suffering, but still. When Sam reached out for help and told Dean he was Lucifer's vessel; something that is possibly the most terrifying revelation ever and Dean rebuffed him, I found that very hard to get past but I did. Until the moment the amulet was tossed in the trash in season 5. He was hurt, exhausted, and stretched beyond his limits, but it was such a cruel blow to deliver to his brother I found it hard to forgive.
I have similar issues with all of the other things you've mentioned, especially telling Sam he should pray to be forgiven for being brought back without a soul. I think that's one of the most callous and shocking statements in the history of the show. I was dumbfounded. And then after the mess with Ezekiel, instead of saying he couldn't be sorry for saving Sam's life (which I completely understand) but apologizing for deceiving Sam and tricking into the possession, he said he'd do it again. There was no remorse shown to Sam, and I think that's all he really needed.
I do love Dean, but I can no longer see him as the hero he once was. You're right, hunting things has become more important than saving people, and I'm hoping this is the turning point for both of them, where the reverse becomes true again.