11.04 reaction/review

[ash48]

It's pretty scary going into an ep that has had SO much hype surrounding it. I was pretty excited for this one, but also apprehensive because I really didn't want to be disappointed. I had a "picture" of what it was going to be like and, I'm happy to say, it didn't disappoint.

In fact, I got a lot more than I had imagined. :D

I knew it was going to be fan-servicy (Robbie Thompson & an episode name called "Baby" kinda gave that away), but I am not complaining. Honestly, give me fan service any day if it means getting (nearly) an entire episode of Sam and Dean. <3

Also, any episode that decides to take the POV of a vehicle I'm going to be pretty happy about. In terms of technicality it's bloody fascinating. I think they pulled off the cinematic aspect of that really well. It would have been a huge challenge. Kudos to Thomas J Wright for the direction. The editing also has to be mentioned because I have a feeling there would have been a variety of angles to sift through.

But really? It was all the lovely SamnDean moments that were the real treasures. I thought the first half was the strongest because it felt like a "day in the life of". I was kinda hoping it might have continued like that (a bit like Weekend at Bobby's, where we got a snap shot of Bobby's life), but it veered off to a mix of myth arc and MoTW. Again, I'm not complaining about that because a) I love MoTWs and b) it gave us a little more about the Big Bad and we got to see a Sam vision. :)

Things this episode made me realise I had been missing:

1. Bobby. Cas taking on the Bobby role made me really notice how much I miss that "voice" on the other end. I'm not sure if they are planning for Cas to take on that role this season, but it really made it noticable how big the gap is that Bobby left (*handwaves* that Cas wasn't well enough to zap over to the boys to help them out. It's a constant issue but, whatever).

2. A genuine smile from Sam. Yeah, feels like it's been ages.

3. Big brother!Dean. I suppose it's no secret how much I love Dean as "big brother". And I don't just mean as someone who cares for Sam, but the Dean who is proud of Sam when he "scores" (as though it's something he's taught him) and how he has this back-handed way of putting Sam's fears to rest.

During the wonderful "chat before bedtime" scene, I initially thought that Dean was dismissing Sam's concerns about his visions. It felt like he might have been shutting him down. But it was also really reminiscent of when Sam used to voice his concerns to Dean in the past. I don't feel that he was shutting him down, but rather trying to reassure him. "It'll be ok". It made me think of all the times Dean would have tried to help Sam feel safe when they were young. It's also Dean's way of assuring himself that things will be ok. Especially when it comes to Sam. Sure, too much has gone on since then for that to be really believable but as this episode was trying to capture everything we "remember" of the brothers, I thought it was spot on characterisation.


Other notables:

It seemed to me Robbie sat down with a list of things he wanted to included in the episode that he knew fans have been missing or were crying out for: car washing, hook ups (though I'm not sure exactly how many fans were calling out for that), bitch/jerk, BMs, John, boys talking about their childhood, "he ain't heavy" leaning on each other moment, geeky Sam, food, sleeping in the Impala, sex in the back of the Impala, badass (and sometimes hilarious) Dean and being on the open road. He got it all in (except for a gratuitous shirtless scene! AND they had the perfect opportunity! Who else was hoping Sam would pop up from the back seat?! ;D).

The convenient "get outs" when Dean was captured were, um, convenient and made me eye roll initially. But, dammit, the show is called "Supernatural" so why can't we have some supernaturally convenient escape tools?! I also like the idea that the car somehow assists the boys in their adventures and the fact that she managed to hold onto objects that helped Dean escape is kind of awesome. In other words…*HANDWAVE*.

I was totally unspoiled for young!John. That was a lovely surprise (though damn, imagine if that had been JDM!?!).

Sam's vision was highly curious and I like that we don't know who that is yet. At first I thought it was Lucifer, but that doesn't seem likely. Maybe it's God, but that would be weird also. So a nice little mystery.

I had the feeling we are supposed to believe Dean had told Sam about his connection to the darkness? They talked as though it had been mentioned? Or is Dean still keeping that one to himself?

I am SO relieved Sam told Dean about the infection from 11.02 and even MORE RELIEVED that Dean showed concern about that, but he wasn't pissed. Sam has no more secrets. Praise the heavens!

Probably my biggest head scratch of the ep was "the Darkness is coming". Um, I thought it was here already? I thought Sam and Dean released it and it had already arrived. Or is Amara growing up the Darkness "arriving"? So the black stuff was the infection but not the Darkness?? I am confused about that.


But mostly…*happy sigh*. The boys chatting in the car and then sleeping was like putting on comfy slippers. Sam being happy but still asking about a normal life was bitter sweet. Dean finding his humour and love for hunting was wonderfully refreshing.

The boys being beaten to shit along with their beloved car was poetic - possibly my fave thing. Or maybe it was Sam referring to the car as "home". I dunno - there was a lot to love. By no means perfect, but probably as close to a "day in the life of" as we are going to get. And we'll probably never get that much thoughtful dialogue between them again, so I'll be re-watching for that reason alone.

I also feel (and hope!) this is a reset on their relationship. A time to move on from the past crap that they've been made to carry. It's the most in-tune I've seen them in - well, years. I hope it lasts (lols quietly to self).



5 = Awesome! OMG! \o/ to 1 = Nope *sadface*
[Poll #2026418]

Comments

[tebtosca.livejournal.com]

Misha said they are NOT going to have him doing that role in the press interviews they did last week, thank God. So one-off fan pandering way for Robbie to get him into the episode and a waste of one of his contracted episodes (oops lol)

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Haha, oh yeah actually. So that would count as a contracted ep?

Though I did lol at Misha's "phoning it in" tweet.

Icon perfection. :)

[zubeneschamali.livejournal.com]

I really enjoyed it for all of the reasons you mentioned, plus nerdy!Sam, lots of closeups of Dean, and a shout-out to one of my favorite JIB lines. A whole episode of "a day in the life" would have gotten boring, plus keeping it in Impala POV meant that scenes were still extended beyond what we would normally see (like Dean putting Cooler in the trunk).

I also like the idea that the car somehow assists the boys in their adventures and the fact that she managed to hold onto objects that helped Dean escape is kind of awesome.

Headcanon accepted.

I kind of figured Sam's visions were coming from Lucifer, as much as I don't want to see him come back. Why do you think they're not?

[ash48.livejournal.com]

"a day in the life" would have gotten boring,

Yeah, I agree. And essentially the story needs to move along. I like that we got some of that at least.

Why do you think they're not?

It's more that I'm not sure why they would be? Would Sam's wall be failing again? Has the darkness or the infection meant that somehow Lucifer is contacting him from the cage? I'm just not clear how that would work (though, why I'm even thinking it has to "work" is beyond me). I'm wondering if it's something we don't know about yet maybe

[borgmama1of5.livejournal.com]

My fav part was Dean trying to get Sam to say werepires :)

We should have seen Sam putting his shirt on in the backseat too!

Loved the brother conversations, especially the one were Sam was in the backseat...

Matt Cohen was an amazingly kept secret!

One tiny quibble--Cas explained the ghoulpires were already dead and just needed to be prompted to move on by putting copper coins in their mouths, and that when that was done to the alpha the rest would be cured. But if they were already dead, how could they be cured back to life?

But hey, not gonna let that matter to how much I enjoyed this ep...Robbie Thompson clearly is a fangirl at heart!

[ash48.livejournal.com]

My fav part was Dean trying to get Sam to say werepires :)

Oh yes! Best. I loved all of that actually. I loved seeing that humour in Dean again.

But if they were already dead, how could they be cured back to life?

haha, oh man, I don't even think of all that stuff any more. though…I thought maybe they were under a spell rather than dead? That killing the Alpha meant they were released from that? I'll go with that, or something.

Robbie Thompson clearly is a fangirl at heart!

The biggest fan!girl there is!

[el1ie.livejournal.com]

Bravo!

I had to give it 5 for the simple matter of never thinking I would find 'my' Sam and Dean in a Carver era episode - and what do you know? There they were. But it pretty much deserved the 5 all around.

Really enjoyed it while watching, excellent and ingenious way of doing a MOW episode and making it feel new. In some ways I kept waiting for Dean to realise Baby had been taken on a joy ride - but you know what? A girl's got to have some fun and some secrets! Seeing her all scarred and battered as she drove the boys away was sad but also kind of fitting, they were all beat to shit and all need time to heal, absolutely makes her family and we know this isn't the worse thing that's happened to her, hopefully she'll be back to gleaming glory soon and hopefully this wonderful time together is a signal for the future for them.

I did wonder if 'dad' was Michael, Lucifer reached out to Sam first and he was too traumatised to hear, so maybe big brother had his chance. I'm thinking the darkness is here, but it's growing and needs time before it consumes the world? Hell if I know really, just a tick in the 'YAY' box with this one makes me very happy.

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Bravo indeed! I've just watched it again and I think I loved it even more on second viewing.

In some ways I kept waiting for Dean to realise Baby had been taken on a joy ride

Oh yes! I was worried which direction the story was going. The I had the feeling these gals were like Thelma and Louise. I kind of like they got away with having a joy ride in the Impala. Lucky girls!

I'm thinking the darkness is here, but it's growing and needs time before it consumes the world?

Yeah. Maybe after being dormant for so long she needs to develop her strength. Or something. *shrugs* I'm sure we'll find out :) In the meantime I'm going to keep smiling thinking about all those lovely little moments we got in that episode. :)

[greyowl88.livejournal.com]

It was a great episode! :D \o/ ♥ It certainly made up for last week's boredom.

Probably my biggest head scratch of the ep was "the Darkness is coming".

The thing that instantly popped into my mind was Jon Snow's (GOT) "Winter is coming" - for several seasons now, lol. And I burst into laughter. This can't have been a referrence to that, could it? I just found it amusing, and indeed, the darkness is there already. But perhaps they mean when the girl is grown up. Who knows.

It would be great if this ep signalled a reset of their relationship. One can hope... :)

Roll on more epis like this! :D

xx

[ash48.livejournal.com]

This can't have been a referrence to that, could it?

Haha! It could have been! But yeah…I think it's about her growing up.

Roll on more epis like this indeed! :D

[gidgetgal9.livejournal.com]

Loved it all for the reasons you mentioned!

My thought on the vision was that it is Michael. I mean he has worn young John's meat suit before and been in that head so that was a thought but could be Lucifer or... yeah other things. But I'm leaning towards Michael.

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

Oooooh good call!

[cassiopeia7.livejournal.com]

Loved this episode to pieces. TO PIECES. And I already want to watch it again.

imagine if that had been JDM!?!

Oh, man, that would've been AWESOME!

. . . though I really hope Castiel isn't "taking over" Bobby's role as lore guru, because nope.

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Hey! I've just watched it again and I think I enjoyed it EVEN MORE the second time around. :)

And I've been assured that he won't be. Though I suspect if he comes in handy like that again he might be used for Lore Purposes. I just can't imagine what they'll do with him this season actually. Now that he's cured I wonder how they'll "de-power" him.

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

There was some handwaving - but I felt that was there on purpose, not because they'd dropped the ball - I mean all the contrived hair pins, purses, machetes should have been cheesy but I just loved it because it was purposeful. And your idea that this was the car's doing adds a shade of brilliance so YAY!

I'd happily have sat and watched a whole season of episodes like this one - and I'm with you regarding the way the Darkness was referred to here. It made me wish this had been the first episode of the season, and that they had never decided to make the Darkness human so effing early. Keeping the menace and mystery would have been so awesome. But hey ho, that opportunity has long gone.

[ash48.livejournal.com]

but I just loved it because it was purposeful.

Yeah. I loved the way it was all set up and shown. Baby has some magical powers I reckon! :)

Keeping the menace and mystery would have been so awesome.

Yes. It's weird they revealed her so early. Unless they have even bigger plans. I mean, we know what she's going to grow into so there's no mystery. Her purpose is still mysterious I suppose.

But yes yes. More boys and baby will suit me just fine! :)

[ficwriter1966.livejournal.com]

I was beside myself, I loved it so much! Loved ALL of it, which is something I haven't been able to say since I don't know when. All the humor, the brother moments, the surprises... I laughed all the way through it, and how nice is it to end the evening giggling?

I suspect using JDM for this ep didn't even cross their minds. It's going to take some serious juggling of his schedule for him to come back, and I would guess that when we do see him, it'll blow us right across the room.

[ash48.livejournal.com]

So glad you loved it too! I was laughing out loud a few times. The banter was sheer delight! :)

I suspect using JDM for this ep didn't even cross their minds.

I suspect it did cross their minds (it would have been a perfect opportunity to get him back into the show briefly), but I would say his schedule wouldn't have allowed for it. OR they're saving him for a series finale.:)

[sam-dean-lover.livejournal.com]

my grade's an A+, im looking forward to next week, :D

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Good news! Though, I'm sure next week will have us back to where we were, so I'm going to live on this high for a while. ;)

[fufaraw]

Of all the (many! wonderful!) things I loved? My very favorite was Baby cranking, despite her damage. Twice. Atta girl.

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Yes! I LOVED that. She just keeps on. Just like the brothers. <3

[debbiel66.livejournal.com]

What did I love?

Every. Freakin'. Minute.

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Haha! Amen! <3

[cloex-brosluvr.livejournal.com]

I voted 4 but really it would be more like 4.5 because it wasn't quite perfect (a few nitpicks) but it was the best one of the season.

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Yes. I voted 4 and 5 because I'm in-between too. I could have done without a couple of little bits, but the rest of it made up for my niggles. :)

[batgurl10.livejournal.com]

Gave it a 5! which considering I rated the last one a -1 is a major improvement. I credit the fact that it was an entire ep about the BOYS and Baby. thats what Im here for and this episode delivered in spades. I felt Sams apparition was Luci first and then I kind of shifted to Michael. Loved Deans fight scene, Loved the fact that Sam actually said more than 2 words. He talked to Dean OMG @@! They conversed! lol, sorry just been jaded but this season is proving to be a major Sam improvement character-wise. I agree with whomever posted that it would have been scarier to keep the reveal of the Darkness as a woman for a bit longer. I found it curious that we didnt see naked chest Sam, I mean that scene was the perfect set up. Wonder if the boys have some anti nudity clause in their contract cause they sure are shy....lol. Overall such a breath of fresh air I could cry. Instead, Im gonna go rewatch.
cheers. =)

[ash48.livejournal.com]

which considering I rated the last one a -1 is a major improvement.

Chalk and cheese! Two different shows (which is why my last review mentioned feeling like I was watching a different show).

I found it curious that we didnt see naked chest Sam,

I watched the episode again today and I figure it's because there was no way they were going to fit both him and Piper in there comfortably. And I suspect being shirtless takes a lot of prep and guts. And maybe our imagination filled in what we wanted to see…;D

[amypond45.livejournal.com]

My first thought when "John" says the "I never could fool you" was, oh damn. Lucifer the father of lies again. But wouldn't Sam know? I mean, he did spend 120 years or whatever in the cage with Lucifer, so now I'm letting that idea go. But maybe Michael? And the earlier vision in the hospital was Lucifer?

I still think Dean hasn't told Sam about the depth of his connection to the Darkness, but maybe I'm reading too much into Dean's reactions. He's been hard for me to read since the whole demon!Dean thing. He seems to be hiding things from Sam as a matter of course now, but that's probably just me. Sam is so open, so honest, so ready to tell Dean everything and so trusting that his big brother will be there to help him fix things. Am I wrong to feel a little foreboding here? I'm so enamored of Sam's newly recovered faith, his belief that he and Dean can do what "John" says they and only they can do...

I think I need a tissue...

[ash48.livejournal.com]

But wouldn't Sam know? I mean, he did spend 120 years or whatever in the cage with Lucifer

Yeah, I wouldn't rely on them remembering Sam spent that long in the cage and therefore know it's him. That line would be very haunting if it turns out to be Lucifer. Imagine how many times he tried to fool Sam in the cage…

And yes. I think it's hard to read Dean at the moment. I'm not sure they've figured out what to do with the "new" him. Whether it's the "old" him (trying to protect Sam) or whether he's still trying to keep Sam in the dark about things (thinking he can solve it without Sam knowing). I just hope Dean doesn't keep it secret for too long -or that it becomes a reason for another riff between them.

Though I think this episode proves that no matter what goes on between them, they'll always find their way back to each other without recriminations. <3

[debbiel66.livejournal.com]

Did Dean call Sam, "Buddy" twice or was that my wishful hearing?

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Hmm, I'm not sure. I watched it again today and I can't say I noticed. I'll listen for it on my next watch! :)

[catinplaid.livejournal.com]

The boys chatting in the car and then sleeping was like putting on comfy slippers.

That's how the whole epi felt like for me. The boys on the road, having a good time, felt like old school SPN to me. With the added bonus of the amazing point of view of Baby. I loved seeing all the BTS pics of the filming process the crew posted on twitter, and hearing the boys talking about how they filmed it. This episode was special indeed!
I voted "Awesome" :)

Honestly, give me fan service any day if it means getting (nearly) an entire episode of Sam and Dean. <3

So much THIS!!

I absolutely loved the first half of the epi and its "day in the life" feeling. I felt like the second half with the motw story dragged a little bit, but I enjoyed it more on my re-watch. Dean fighting the nachzehrer had a lot of comedy moments, and I loved what you said about Baby assisting the boys on their adventures. It really felt like she was "swallowing" all these objects just to make them available later, when they needed them. Yay Baby! :D

I also feel (and hope!) this is a reset on their relationship.

I hope so too! It felt like it. This epi was a breath of normalcy for them. Seeing them laugh and sing felt like they're not completely, irrevocably broken. Sam having sex after all these years was a sign of it as well, I think. I think this supports your theory about Sam in 11.02. Sam curing himself (from an uncleanness in the biblical sense, no less) and thus taking control back from what has been done to him must really have helped with his self-esteem, so much indeed, that he doesn't need to stay a virgin anymore. For me, it felt like Sam hung on to that virginity pledge from Rock and a Hard Place cos he wanted to feel "pure", since deep inside, he still felt tainted. And who can blaim him with all the non-con sh*t going down in his life (Yellow eyes and demon blood, Lucifer and the Cage, Gadreel...)

I like that Sam's visions are still a mystery. Sam seems to think that they might come from God. I'm a bit afraid that they might come from Lucifer (*meep*)...

All in all, I'm still excited for this season. I love how they can still surprise us with epis like that. It was a nice change from the usual episodes and I love that Jared and Jensen are so proud of Show being able to do that :)

P.S.: I'm pretty sure that the lot where Dean cut the nachzehrer's head was the one with the old Impala Jensen posted about on his Facebook some time ago. And we could see the old car in some scenes, in addition to current Baby. I think that was the first time ever where we saw two Babys on screen at the same time! Kinda meta, eh? :)

[ash48.livejournal.com]

but I enjoyed it more on my re-watch.

I did too! I watched it again the next day and enjoyed it even more. :))

For me, it felt like Sam hung on to that virginity pledge from Rock and a Hard Place cos he wanted to feel "pure", since deep inside, he still felt tainted.

Oh, how interesting! I thought Dean was just joking with Sam (and perhaps referring to the time Sam DID lose his virginity in the back seat of the Impala - even though I don't think Sam would have done that). Hmmm, so yeah. Maybe it was from then. I never though to that.

But yes. I think it could definitely be read as taking back some control and feeling confident to "share" his body. Ooh, good thinky.

I think that was the first time ever where we saw two Babys on screen at the same time! Kinda meta, eh? :)

hee, so much of this show is meta!

And I am excited about this season because it looks like Sam has been included in it more that the past 2 seasons. But, that might just be my way of looking at it...;D

[madebyme-x.livejournal.com]

I'm just going to drop some squee and run!!! Because there wasn't a single minute that I didn't love about this ep!!! ♥

(I'm loving Sam's visions - God? Lucifer? Young John could maybe suggest Michael? Love the mystery, and the idea that Sam mentioned about Dean getting Darkness visions and Sam the opposite of the Darkness visions!)

[ash48.livejournal.com]

I'm loving all of the Sam stuff so far this season! Man, I hope they can keep that up! :D

Lots of squee to be had by all! <3

[batgurl10.livejournal.com]

I totally forgot to mention Jesse! How much fun her and her GF were having while joyriding and popping wheelies in the Impala. @@ if dean only knew...LMAO. That scene was even funnier on rewatch!

[ash48.livejournal.com]

That scene was even funnier on rematch!

I agree! The first time I was terrified they were going to damage her - or steal her. When it's known as purely a joy ride, it's so much more fun tot watch! Also - lucky girls! :)

[milly-gal.livejournal.com]

The level of love coming out of fandom for this episode is making my heart kinda ache, in a great way :D

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it's been wonderful! :D

[turquoisetumult.livejournal.com]

Loved this ep to BITS. You don't even know how big the smile on my face was throughout. As much as I adored the Day in the Life segment of the episode, the MotW was equally as important as well as the curing of the ghoulpires because it served yet another callback to days past - "SAVING PEOPLE (when did THAT happen last), hunting things." They even focused on the woman and her family as the Impala left them. I thought it was all very carefully thought out and it was worth it. The whole ep really made my heart happy.

[ash48.livejournal.com]

I agree! I enjoyed the second half more the second time around. I always love MoTW episodes and I love that they got to save some people! All round great ep! :D

[jessm78.livejournal.com]

Honestly I know I'm quite late chiming in here (being sick sucked :P) but I just want to say "THIS" to your whole post. I really enjoyed this episode. So much to love. :)

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Hey. I'm sorry to hear you've been sick. It was a great episode - full of bromance. :))

Wow...

[ferlonda.livejournal.com]

My favorite episode so far- and I have a LOT of favorite episodes! What everyone else said- though that was not my mental image when the idea of a car wash scene was leaked! :D I guess I'll just have to keep running my own mental movie...

Re: Wow...

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Haha! yes. Mental movie is all we have!

It's certainly one of my fave eps for a while. I loved the Impala pov and seeing so much of the bros. It makes me want more of it!