11.13 reaction/review

[ash48]

Dear Show, more like this one please *g*.

The best thing about this season is seeing Sam and Dean as recognisable characters again - they are the Sam and Dean I remember falling in love with. I have missed these brothers (so much it hurts!). The ones who fall into easy banter, have each others backs, care for the victims, are vulnerable (but kick-ass) and trust each other.

I am absolutely loving having this Dean back. Man, I have missed him. I know there are issues still wide open (and may never be addressed), but at least I'm seeing the characteristics that endeared me to him in the first place - smart, smooth-talking, caring, vulnerable, strong. Him finally opening up to Sam about Amara was such a relief - not only because it removed that secret between them, but because Sam already knew and had been waiting for Dean to be ready to share it. Sam not judging or blaming him came as no surprise to me. That's the Sam I feel in love with too. <3

I'd say there was some character development for the characters here, but I won't. I actually don't believe that actually exists any more - and not in a negative way, just in a factual way. They will go where the story takes them and if that means that next week a new secret develops between then that's where they'll go. I won't like it, but it's just the way it is.

As I've said before (probably many times!) MoTW eps with a splash of myth arc are my fave kind of episodes. Add in some great bro moments (yay rock, paper, scissors *g*), some scary bits, remove the heavy angels and demons SL and I'm there!

I like the way this episode continued the mystery about Amara's hold over Dean, without making it an excuse to have the brothers hate on each other. The non-consensual element of this is intriguing and I would love to think this might be a vehicle to examine this whole issue in the show, but I'm not holding my breath on that.

I seem to be much more invested in Amara's hold over Dean than I was the MoC's. I know the MoC is still in play, but at least this isn't make Dean unrecognisable (and, ya know, a bit of a dick). I love his vulnerability and confusion about what's happening to him (rather than stoic ignorance we saw last season).

I'm not sure how I feel about Amara yet. At the moment she doesn't make much sense. Apparently she's the most scariest thing EVER IN THE WHOLE WORLD, and yet we've not really seen that. Sure, she smited (smote??) some dick angels and perhaps killed a couple of innocents but so far she's no more threatening than anything else we have seen. Also - she's God's sister. That's kind of huge and yet seems rather meh so far. But I'm happy to wait and see where that goes.

I really enjoyed the mystery of the MotW - and how clever the boys were in solving it. Sure, there were a couple of annoying moments (like why didn't Sam stab that heart as soon as he found it and why did he put his gun down etc), but I can easily overlook those.

I know some of fandom were hoping Dean may, once again, ask Sam to be his Valentine (as he did in the last two Valentine episodes), but at the end of the episode Dean opened his heart to Sam and Sam gave his heart to Dean. That's seems very Valentines to me. :))

Comments

[chomaisky.livejournal.com]

I agree! The episode is one of the easier ones to watch. No annoying angel and demon drama or brother fight.

I was genuinely scared by the qareen. I don't know if it's because most of its entry happened at night in confined space. But good job on that, show. Back to horror again!

I know some of fandom were hoping Dean may, once again, ask Sam to be his Valentine (as he did in the last two Valentine episodes), but at the end of the episode Dean opened his heart to Sam and Sam gave his heart to Dean. That's seems very Valentines to me. :))
Awwww yes!

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Easy to watch is my jam these days!

I was genuinely scared by the qareen

Oh me too! I love that it was a new (cool) monster. I always love it when they can give us genuine scares. I think it's why I miss the original "urban legend" brief so much. I have never found either demons or angels that scary (though Alistair used to freak me I confess).

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

I have a lot of loving feelings after this episode - I loved Dean, I really loved Sam and his gentleness which finally felt genuinely Sam-like. To me it feels like his contentment is through being at ease with himself for the first time ever. I said to someone else, he comes across as calm rather than empty now, and I love that enormously.

I loved the banter, the post-hookup Dean, the rock paper scissors moment - not least because they didn't try to explain why Dean was so delighted, they knew we'd know! The monster didn't feel terribly new, but it served its purpose nicely - and yes, I absolutely agree, the love was in their final exchange and was perfect for a Valentine's Day episode.

I'm happier this season than for an AGE.

[ash48.livejournal.com]

To me it feels like his contentment is through being at ease with himself for the first time ever.

Yeah. And I think when Dean is the one in strife, Sam knows how to be there for him - calm and accepting. I would love to think there's less emptiness in him now (though it will be interesting to see what happens when he learns that Lucifer is free again *meep*)

I'm happier this season than for an AGE.

Oh gosh, me too. And it's nice to see the ratings back up a bit for this one. I think the more generalised eps (not so heavy arc ones) are a little more popular. Maybe.

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

Mmm yes, Lucifer on the loose is going to be rattle Sam, I'm sure, but I do feel he's stronger now than he's ever been and that makes me more confident. But of course, the writers might be heading somewhere entirely different so there's always that undercurrent of worry for us, hey?

But for the time being, they seem to be playing down the angst and that is so refreshing - I was getting tired of being anvil-dropped every five seconds. Now they seem happy being much more subtle and for me, that makes it MUCH more affecting.

[greyowl88.livejournal.com]

Dear Show, more like this one please *g*.

Yes, yes and YES! :D
And I wholeheartedly agree with rest of your post, too! It felt so good watching this epi. It left me happy and content. (while I really had trouble connecting with the last 2 epis.)

...but at the end of the episode Dean opened his heart to Sam and Sam gave his heart to Dean. That's seems very Valentines to me.

Awwww! Reading this gave me the warm and fuzzies. ♥♥♥

Yay for episodes like this one. XX

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Warm fuzzies for the win!! \o/ We gotta take them while we can! :)))

xoxox

[ex1led-nyer.livejournal.com]

Amen, sister. I feel exactly the same about this episode and about the relationship the boys have had with one another this season, especially from Baby on.

[ash48.livejournal.com]

*nods* yes. It seems to have taken a while to get into that flow again, but now it feels back to being genuinely good again. I seriously hope it can stay that way for a while. :)

[novakev.livejournal.com]

An all-brothers episode! - I'm up for more like this, too!!

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Yup! Me too! :))

[manzanita-crow.livejournal.com]

Yay for having loveable boys back!

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Indeed! \o/

[amypond45.livejournal.com]

This is a perfect review, so far as I'm concerned. Thank you for putting it all so well! (I can't help especially appreciating that last bit about Dean opening his heart to Sam --- and Sam giving back his reassurance and understanding. Gawd yes!)

I'm enjoying this season so much I'm a little worried. This is SPN, after all, and I can't help worrying the other shoe's about to drop!

But meanwhile, what a wonderful season so far and what a fantastic episode!

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

I'm enjoying this season so much I'm a little worried.

I know what you mean. This is SPN and there seems to be no way we can actually continue to get episodes where the brothers are getting on so well. I suppose we have to enjoy it while we can! (I always hope that TPTB will ditch the conflicts and focus on them always working together well).

[sam-dean-lover.livejournal.com]

i'd like to add my grade's a B+, didnt like the witch actress without that, A

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Good score! :)

[caranfindel.livejournal.com]

Yes! And aw, your last paragraph. {sniff}

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it felt like there was a lot of loved shared in the final scene. A nice end for a Valentines episode.

[borgmama1of5.livejournal.com]

I am particularly enjoying how we are getting glimpses into the boys' past casually tossed into the episodes (crushing on the Golden Girls, Daisy Duke)and the rock-paper-scissors bit was pure delight! Did you notice that Sam said he'd search upstairs and Dean challenged him, but Dean was so taken with winning the game that he didn't react when Sam said he'd just go upstairs then. That made me laugh out loud.

I enjoyed that the case was a little twisty and the boys were smart in figuring it out.

I had a momentary crazy thought when Sam yelled at Dean for taking on the curse that Sam should kiss Dean to take it from him. It could have been done platonically, though a lot of fandom would have gone crazy...

Also it was pretty obvious that Dean was going to see Amara as his heart's desire. If it had not been necessary to connect with the season mytharc, though, I wonder who he would have seen? I'm sure fandom could come up with some interesting ideas...

Dean telling Sam about Amara at the end was everything I could have asked for--vulnerable Dean, calm and understanding 'got-your-back' Sam...Sam said exactly the right words, that he understands Dean feels ashamed but it's not Dean's fault...not that Dean will completely believe it, but I loved that connection!

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

I'm convinced the show teased us for a second with that shadow morph thing because I'd swear just before it formed into Amara's skinny slinkiness it looked like Sam.... ;)

[ash48.livejournal.com]

I love the glimpses into their past also. I think Dean's crush on Daisy Duke has been mentioned in another episode (hmmm, I'll have to check that).

Did you notice that Sam said he'd search upstairs and Dean challenged him, but Dean was so taken with winning the game that he didn't react when Sam said he'd just go upstairs then. That made me laugh out loud.

Haha! No. I was too distracted with Dean winning. I ADORE that! Dean is so consumed by winning that sneaky little bro went ahead and "won" the prize anyway (though, not why searching upstairs was better than searching downstairs I'm not sure….I'll have to watch this ep again!).

I had a momentary crazy thought when Sam yelled at Dean for taking on the curse that Sam should kiss Dean to take it from him.

Oh lordy! That would have been amazing! Can you imagine it?! :DD
It would she the most gif'd scene in the history of the show!

And yes, I knew that Amara was going to show up as his desire. I like the way that it confirmed that Dean is carrying the "curse" inside of him.

I loved the final scene. How I have longed for that simple honesty between them - Dean opening up and Sam being allowed to simply support his brother without judgement. *happy sigh*

[el1ie.livejournal.com]

The best thing about this season is seeing Sam and Dean as recognisable characters again - they are the Sam and Dean I remember falling in love with.

More than anything - THIS! I can sweep pretty much anything and everything under the rug if they give me a Sam and Dean I not only recognise but empathise with and actually like.

I've been very happy with this season.

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Liking Sam and Dean again is so lovely. I am not so naive that I think that will last, but I am happy to enjoy it while we've got it.

Yay! :)

[jessm78.livejournal.com]

You know what? I have nothing to add. I agree with everything you've said here.

I really enjoyed this episode.

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Yay! :))

[roxymissrose.livejournal.com]

so far she's no more threatening than anything else we have seen. Also - she's God's sister. That's kind of huge and yet seems rather meh so far.

Also my feeling about her. It's interesting that Dean is able to resist her as long as she's not close to him, but it changes in her presence. I'm impatient to know what their connection is! It's certainly seems to be more than Dean having carried the Mark.

[ash48.livejournal.com]

It's certainly curious. It seems Dean can be logical about Amara when she's not near, but the last 2 episodes suggest that the "desire" is still there even when she's far away. I'm interested to see where they are taking this.

[quickreaver.livejournal.com]

I had fun with this episode too! It felt like Jared and Jensen were having a really great time with the script, the sneaky silver pen (that the writers didn't need to explain) was awesome, and while I didn't think the actual case as all that snazzy, I always find Charmelo and Snyder's writing to be campy and simply a good romp. The scene at the end, however, gave a fulfilling sense of emotional weight. Dean, opening up, and Sam accepting him. OH, MY SHRIVELED BLACK HEART, IT BEATS AGAIN.

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Sneaky pen was awesome! You'd definitely need to know the show to understand what was going on there. I'm glad they didn't then of on an explain it.

For me Charmelo and Snyder have improved the more they do. They do write some fun eps - often a little tongue in cheek. :)

The last scene was a wonderful pay off. I'm glad that is now out in the open.

[hugemind.livejournal.com]

So much bro-goodness in this one! I love the final scene: Dean's vulnerable and open, Sam's supportive and loving. ♥ That scene honestly made me tear up because it was so full of emotion.

Apparently she's the most scariest thing EVER IN THE WHOLE WORLD, and yet we've not really seen that. Sure, she smited (smote??) some dick angels and perhaps killed a couple of innocents but so far she's no more threatening than anything else we have seen. Also - she's God's sister. That's kind of huge and yet seems rather meh so far.

She's scary because she has the potential to do pretty much whatever she wants. We did get a glimpse of her powers when she killed the street preacher and his flock in 11x09. For now her beef seems to be solely with her brother and she's focused on that instead of randomly causing problems. Show's obviously setting up the pieces (Amara, Lucifer, Crowley, the boys) before it gets serious. :)

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Hey. Yeah, good point about Amara. We have seen her do some horrible things - I suppose because it's done with an innocence she seems less "evil". I mean, I like that they aren't playing her overly evil - she's certainly more intriguing that way. And yes, they can't have her being totally destructive just yet. And maybe she doesn't really want to destroy the world. I am curious to see how they play this.

[zebra363.livejournal.com]

The monotony - good episode after good episode!

[ash48.livejournal.com]

I know. It's just so damn boring…

:)

[catinplaid.livejournal.com]

Dear Show, more like this one please *g*

Yes please! I loved it. The banter and the brotherliness and everything!

I knew Dean would see Amara while cursed, but I thought Sam would see her as well and confront Dean about it and that would be... meh. But instead, we got this wonderful, amazing, marvelous ending scene. I have SO MUCH LOVE for that ending scene. Dean finally opening up to Sam. And Sam knowing all along and never judging. No more secrets between our boys, just love and understanding and that makes my heart melt. That's the brothers and their relationship I love!

at the end of the episode Dean opened his heart to Sam and Sam gave his heart to Dean. That's seems very Valentines to me. :))

Ahh boys. That's pure LOVE!! <3 <3 <3

[ash48.livejournal.com]

I agree! I am so glad they didn't make Sam confront Dean and be bitter about it all. Maybe they are beginning to realise it's not why we watch these guys. We want to see them support each other and understand what's happening when the other is in trouble. Let's hope they stick to this! :)

[madebyme-x.livejournal.com]

I'm with you all the way - so much love for this episode (and motw with a touch of mytharc)! The silver pen, the rock paper scissors, Dean in his socks (I don't even know! I just enjoyed it), the boys figuring out the case together at the table, Sam's white shirt, the talking and being brothers, the valentine banter, and no more secrets!!! (only now I feel like we're getting spoiled so we must be heading for a sucker punch of a finale - or y'know, this is the final season!! No, we'll get 12 - WON'T WE CW!?!)

I'm hoping that we're supposed to feel confused by Amara. We don't know what her plans are or her end game, not really, and we know she's mad at her absent brother, but she hasn't really done anything truly 'bad' yet (I guess a whole lot of people died/were infected with that darkness infection thing? and then at that rally). But at the moment, I'm happy for that to be mystery, as long as it's developed more later. I do really like how they're peeling the layers away with the Dean/Amara connection mystery...

Wonderful review.x

[percysowner.livejournal.com]

I don't know what about eating souls isn't bad. It's turning people into soulless killers. I mean when Sam was soulless it was portrayed as the worst thing in the world, but with Amara suddenly it's not bad? If you are going with "well she's just eating", so are vampires, rugarus, werewolves that don't have the good fortune to be second or third generation and don't fall in love with a member of Garth's family, plus many other monsters. The fact that Amara seems to be childlike doesn't mean she isn't doing bad things.

Eve was acting only to save her children from torture. Cas was torturing her children to fight a war with Raphael. The Archangels were trying to fulfill what they saw as God's plan.

She's also shown a huge willingness to slaughter anyone she sees as her brother's "favorites" just to get his attention. Yes, she's not going MWHAAH but I think she's plenty bad and she has done plenty of bad things.

[madebyme-x.livejournal.com]

Yes, she's done bad; the souls, the Angels, the rally and church, the infection etc, but I guess considering she's supposed to be the Darkness, I just thought we'd be seeing more 'bad' from her. At the moment I don't feel that she's any worse than any of the others big bads that we've seen, but maybe Show is working up to that, and we haven't gotten there yet? But right now I'm not feeling the imminent threat of world destruction, nor am I sure what her game plan is (recreation of the earth, but her way instead of SPN!God?) Or maybe Show is playing her in a more 'shade of grey' way; where she's not all bad, but not all good either?

It's still early days yet of course, but I'm really enjoying it so far. I'm loving the way they've slowly played out the whole Dean/Amara connection thing, so I'm excited to see where TPTB take this.

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Hey!

*nods* to all those awesome moments!

And yeah - I think we are supposed to be confused by Amara. I also think we are to assume she is the worse thing to have ever existed because everyone says so. But, as you say below, so far she hasn't done anything that seems to be any worse than anything else we have seen. Perhaps it's yet to come... (Maybe I'd just love to see some apocalyptic stuff!). I know they can't go there just yet, so I have to accept they are waiting to show us her full force.