10.21 ep reaction and poll

[ash48]

It's been 24 hours since I watched the episode and I still haven't been able to work out what my reaction is. I'm feeling discombobulated (I hope that's the correct use of that word because it's my fave word ever and I'm pretty sure it describes my reaction…*g*).

I'm torn because in my heart I feel like this is a cheap way to tell a story. It feels lazy and openly contrived. I'm not sure if that's because of the writing (this writing pair lack the finesse of, say, Berens), or because we've seen this so many times we just know how it all works now.

I was spoiled for Charlie's death (couldn't help myself - Twitter man /o\) and so I was on the edge of my seat during the whole episode, wondering how they were going to do it.

When it happened I found it strangely underwhelming. That's possibly because I was spoiled for it, but I think it was mostly because the events leading up to it were so annoying that I almost felt like say "well, you all deserve this because you all acted so stupidly!". I know "classic horror" is to scream "don't go down there" at the stupid person going down to the attic when the lights are mysteriously out, so I should just accept that it's part of the genre. But man, Charlie not calling for Cas the minute she knew she was in trouble seemed like a glaring oversight (?). Maybe she was embarrassed that she went behind his back. Maybe she was blaming herself for the trouble she was in. I'm not sure about that one.

I was also disappointed because the purpose of her death is clearly about moving the emotional story for the brothers forward, and that just seemed so crass. It is no doubt the catalyst to the rest of the season and I can tell you now it will be HOW they play that out as to what I ultimately feel about them killing her off like this. If it's a catalyst for understanding and change between them (I mean come on! How many times did they have to mention doing stuff like this will end badly?) then I'll see that it might not be completely in vain (or pointless). If (and I suspect this will be the case) it is about sending Dean over the edge - blaming Sam for Charlie's death and pushing Dean to the predicted fratricide, then *sigh* I really don't know. So much will depend on how that is written if it goes down like that.

But. And here's the bit I'm torn with. This is Supernatural. This is what they do. Time and time again. Secondary characters are expendable, it really shouldn't shock or surprise us when one of them is written off killed. It's always about increasing the emotional journey of Sam and Dean (or Cas), so it should really be no surprise. I accepted that long ago and I'm rarely up in arms because they've killed off a character. I liked Charlie (a lot!), but I'm not going to start ranting about killing her off because - yep, if you're on the show, expect to die! (also, she'll be back one day. Along with Kevin and Bobby probably).

It was an incredibly dark and brutal episode. The "dark" I don't mind (these characters live in a dark world and so it's expected), but I found the "brutal" not as easy to accept. The mindless, relentless killing of people was just the wrong side of too much. But, each to their own. That's just me.

The part I'm not looking forward to is all the fandom in-fighting about who's to blame etc. etc. At this point Sam and Dean are so equally involved in pretty much everything that happens that there is just no good argument (I think) for laying blame on any one character. This is the dark side of their co-dependeny. One thing that the last three seasons have made very clear - their inability to live without each other ends up hurting other people, not just themselves.

"Family don't end in blood"

Actually, it does. Lots and lots of blood. See, here's the thing for me. In "The Whether Project" we saw Sam willing to drain himself dry of blood to open the safe as a means to save Dean. It was the first time this season that I really felt that Supernatural, the one I fell in love with many years ago, was back. It was about seeing the personal sacrifice each are prepared to make for the other. But this episode wasn't about the personal sacrifice. It was about being prepared to sacrifice other people, and potentially the world to save the other. It was the same when Dean "saved" Sam in S9. Dean didn't make a personal sacrifice in doing that. He sacrificed Sam and, eventually, Kevin. I know Sam didn't willingly sacrifice Charlie of course, the same way Dean didn't willingly sacrifice Kevin, but by involving other people in their quest, they are putting them in danger. Charlie made her own choices (as did Cas in being there), but I'm pretty sure it would be impossible to say no to either Sam or Dean. And they are essentially good people, so they do want to help. I do actually enjoy the complexity of that. And I think it makes for a great discussion (but not out and out arguing…).

I said in a previous reaction post "I want them to burn the world for each other." To do that they'd have to become the psychotic, serial killing, selfish murderers that the show hints at. Maybe I'm not really prepared for them to go that far after all. I like liking my boys. I want them flawed, but have the ability to learn.

So yeah. I think there were some problems with the episode (how did the baddies find Charlie so easily after not being able to find her for so long?), but the end result is really not surprising. I think I'm just disappointed that we're going to see the brothers at odds again.

I'm torn between loving this level of angst and hating it. If Sam buries himself in guilt (because, you know, that boy clearly hasn't suffered enough) and Dean tears into Sam because he "lied" to him (because, you know, Dean's never been guilty of that) I'm not going to be very happy. I am hoping they change things up and actually have an equal acknowledgement of why shit keeps happening to them from their choices.

And one last thing. It has never been made clear why Dean gave up trying to find a cure. Maybe because he knew that no matter what it would end badly? The thing is, Dean's destiny is going to end badly anyway. He's either going to turn into a demon and be full of evil or…? Idk…die and be evil? Kill Cas and then Sam and then be evil? Just…be evil? I wonder what it would have been like to see them fighting this together, to the end.

I think I'm just finding the constant roundabout of lies and deceit leading to hate and destruction tiresome. It's emotionally draining - and not in a good way. I want to cheer them on. I want them to fight the good together. It won't happen in the next 2 episodes I'm guessing (I'm still thinking it will end with MoC!Dean killing Sam *meep*), but maybe one day.

And after all that, I AM looking forward to the next two episodes. If nothing else, they will be full of action and emotion. They will tear at our heartstrings and leave us hanging for Season 11. :)



[Poll #2010499]

Comments

[el1ie.livejournal.com]

this writing pair lack the finesse of, say, Berens

They're about as subtle as a gorilla in a tea shop - I lost it totally with the Frunkensteens - Gene Wilder will no longer shut up in my head and I'm pretty close to chopping a vid together with the good Dr interrupting Dean every time!

Besides which, the plotting and writing for this was dire. A fictional book drove this huge corporation (don't tell me - they contracted and built the Arc of the Covenant too) underground? Bwahha, what a load of neenars! Crowley conversing with a hamster, Castiel handing out snacks and phoning Sam every 10 minutes like an amateur extra from Columbo - you're a bloody ANGEL! Deal with it! Then Charlie, who's been on the run from the Frankensteins (shut up Gene) leaves the protection of the angel for a shady motel - although at this point I'm not sure I blame her - what a whining bunch of nincompoops!

More visitors to the bunker? No one locked up behind them? Oh, left the key in the door did you boys? *sigh(* Chained up by one arm and not the usual chair? Talk about telegraphing your plot.

I was totally un-spoiled, didn't even know Charlie was due an episode and yet her loss didn't resonate emotionally one little bit when they found her bloodied and broken in the bath - ridiculous as the rest of it, spending so much time watching her upload complete instead of multi-tasking and contacting the bloody ANGEL. All the water and she loudly smashes her screen and not the hard drive of her Microsoft Surface, running Windows ! **facepalm** Oh product placement, how thou hast ruined many a character!

I'm tired of the tit for tat, Dean lies and Kevin dies, Sam lies and Charlie dies, but I'm guessing the blame game and anger isn't going to be equally shovelled.

It was bad, Dean is not much different from any other Dean we've encountered, but I keep getting told he is, which is so infuriating, let him off the leash and let's see how unhinged and dangerous he is. Sam does look a little jumpy around him, pretty sure Castiel is first on his list though, makes Sam safe for now. So next week Cas gets the chop at Dean's hand yes? Sam's down for the finale surely...

They've pulled out the stops for the last two episodes before, just hope their track record holds.

[percysowner.livejournal.com]

I'm tired of the tit for tat, Dean lies and Kevin dies, Sam lies and Charlie dies, but I'm guessing the blame game and anger isn't going to be equally shovelled.

And that's what bothers me most. Dean got all the support in the world over the Gadreel possession. Castiel leaped to reassure him that the only thing he did wrong was trust the wrong angel. Kevin told them to "get over it" implying that Sam being angry at Dean's betrayal was equal to Dean handing his body over to an angel. Now, we get Cas and Charlie and freaking Bobby coming back from the dead to tell Sam he is wrong to lie to Dean and implying that Dean should just be allowed to turn into a demon, kill Crowley, Cas and Sam and then start up the Knights of Hell again because all that is better than lying to Dean.

[el1ie.livejournal.com]

**nods**

As characters who see and approach things in different ways, it's a real shame that script writers can't or perhaps won't find equal ways to support those characters during the executions of dubious plans.

I really wanted to hear one of them to turn around and say "No, but I'll do it for YOU, Sam" just one.

Oh, and editing to add - right now? I think I'm all for Dean killing Crowley and taking up the throne as king of hell, re-establishing the knights and lets get back to a little more threat and horror - *slinks away* - sorry everyone...

[percysowner.livejournal.com]

If this ends up with Dean as the King of Hell, running rampage over the earth, I'm all for it as long as it isn't part of whatever Sam does to cure him. Or as long as Dean figures out what will happen and tells Sam to cure him to honor Charlie and her work because he knows he will then become the King of Hell.

[gateslacker.livejournal.com]

Yes to everything you said.

Dean should just be allowed to turn into a demon, kill Crowley, Cas and Sam and then start up the Knights of Hell again because all that is better than lying to Dean.

And more YES. Even though I have no doubt that Sam is trying to save Dean for the same reasons that Dean was desperate to save Sam, the expected outcome from failure to do so is very, very different. Sam was and is ready to die and the worse thing that could have happened is that Sam would be dead. What is worse, Dying or becoming a Demon? Given their history and Sam's up close and personal experience, there is no doubt where his feelings lie. Lying is lying but, somehow, it's okay, nay heroic, when Dean does it. I don't get the double standard that has been perpetuated since, I don't know, season 2, and I will never get it.

[greyowl88.livejournal.com]

The only way I accept gorillas in tea shops. (Sorry, I just had to. lol)

[el1ie.livejournal.com]

LOL!

How wonderful,, I'm so pleased you shared that, I've never actually seen a gorilla teapot and it's delightful, thank you.

[gateslacker.livejournal.com]

I'm tired of the tit for tat, Dean lies and Kevin dies, Sam lies and Charlie dies, but I'm guessing the blame game and anger isn't going to be equally shovelled.

THIS!! Gah!! It drives me crazy. I don't think I'd mind the tit for tat so much if the blame game was handled differently; equally. Poor Sam. I find myself cringing over just how he is going to be villainized next. It actually makes me anxious and if that's not total investment in a show and its characters I don't know what is! I have been good about avoiding spoilers but now I find myself wanting to know what is going to happen so I can prepare myself for the worst. LOL!

I wish I'd never known just how much Sam is blamed for everything (fandom). The only thing that tempers this is friends outside of fandom who have a more balanced viewpoint despite their Dean leanings.

[el1ie.livejournal.com]

**nods**

I've found that certain parts of fandom are a far bigger hindrance to me enjoying the show than any actual episodes. However it's fandom that keeps me around, so it's a double edged sword. Fandom magnifies everything, so I found it necessary to limit my exposure to places I trust to be balanced, open to discussion and have various views, I love seeing how many people liked this one, goes to show how hard it is to please all of the fans all of the time!

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Haha! Gene Wilder! (oh I did love that film *g*)

don't tell me - they contracted and built the Arc of the Covenant too

I wouldn't be surprised!

Crowley and the hamster.../o\ (I totally tuned out during that bit…).

Chained up by one arm and not the usual chair? Talk about telegraphing your plot.

*nods* So much telegraphing all through the episode. It's like they had that end point and, bam, that's all they had to work toward.

Why do they continue to use these two for such important episodes?! *shakes head*

Dean is not much different from any other Dean we've encountered, but I keep getting told he is

This has been so weird. It's like Dean acts like normal Dean and suddenly he's "off". Why won't they actually let Dean do something bad?! S2 Dean was more "unDean" than the current MoC!Dean. It's like they are just too scared to really take Dean there. If they did, I'm sure Sam's lying would be more "acceptable". I have a feeling they've been trying to show that Dean is a real threat to Sam - there's been moments of Sam jumping when Dean appears - but I don't think they've really committed to that. And now that Sam is full of guilt and Dean full of anger, neither will be "themselves".

Hmmm, idk. I am hoping this was a glitch because of these 2 writers and the next two episodes will be back on track (which, I think they were heading in a solid-ish direction).

[el1ie.livejournal.com]

Haha! Gene Wilder! (oh I did love that film *g*)

Dramatically banging his bloody stump of an arm against the motel door and instead of feeling worried for Charlie, I was happily singing along "Putting on the Ritz..."

These two hams hand you mocking material like this and yep, gonna run with it. Onwards to the finale where I expect the real shit will hit the fan and fandom will explode once again, don't know about you, but I'm stocking up on the popcorn and staying well hidden!

[ash48.livejournal.com]

I'm going to be in amongst it after the finale! The Aus convention is just after the finale, so no doubt there will be lots of talking about it. I'll probably have to hold my tongue if I don't like it. ;)