11.15 reaction

[ash48]

I wasn't really taken with that episode I have to confess. I started writing up why and it sounded like sour grapes so I've decided to just say that even though it had some funny moments (Jensen and his physical comedy being a highlight) and a couple of cute bro moments (Sam ribbing Dean while watching the wrestling), overall it left me feeling pretty flat and disappointed (and a bit squicked tbh). It might be that I'm feeling flat today due to a cold, so I'll watching it again to get a better perspective (though I will have to skip the Lucifer & Crowley scenes and the torture scene *meep*)

Happy to discuss in comments if anyone wants to chat. :)

Comments

[borgmama1of5.livejournal.com]

I didn't expect much from this ep at all, figured it would be overexaggerated and painful to watch for the sake of milking the comedy.

I loved it.

First, I thought they brought the whole boys-love-wrestling in organically, talking about how John took them to it. It didn't feel like it came out of nowhere, unlike how Sam was a football geek all of a sudden in the episode where the famous football player was really a centuries-old Aztec.

Second, I found the funeral scene where Dean geeks out over Gunner was on point--it was funny seeing Dean as a fanboy contrasted with his usual cool persona, but it wasn't overdone--to Gunner, Dean was clearly a overwhelmed fan, but he wasn't a caricature of one.

Dean in the wrestling ring was priceless physical comedy, and again I could believe he'd do that if no one could see him. (How much fun do you think Jensen had filming that?!)

Then, in a way that an episode hasn't done for a very long time, the light-heartedness turned tragic. I thought both Gunner and Harley developed into more than cardboard characters. I felt bad when Harley was killed, and sad when the hellhounds came for Gunner even though it was his own choice that brought him to that end...he did save the boys, there was still some good in him.

As far as Crowley and Casifer...I have never been a Crowley fan, I can't overlook the evil he's done (killing Sarah!) just because he's become Dean's buddy. But last night I was rooting for him because Lucifer's smugness made me really want to see him get his comeuppance! Yes, Casifer is annoying, but Pelligrino played him the same way tormenting Sam when the wall was broken.

While I can't possibly make a list of the 10 best episodes, this one ranks as one of my all-time favorites. Hoping you find a little something to enjoy on the rewatch.

[jessm78.livejournal.com]

Piggybacking onto your comment to say I totally agree. I went into this one not expecting a lot, but I really liked it a lot more than I thought I would... pretty much for all the same reasons you listed.

I wasn't as thrilled with the Casifer stuff, but like you I was really rooting for Crowley. Lucifer was just getting on my nerves so much, I was really hoping for Crowley to one-up him (even if Simmons did double-cross him).

[borgmama1of5.livejournal.com]

I'm kind of surprised that we're the minority for liking it, but that's okay, I'd rather be happy than disappointed.

[jessm78.livejournal.com]

Agreed. :)

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Hey. I wasn't expecting much either (Dabb isn't one on my fave writers, so I was ready for that) so I'm surprised that didn't help.

I am so glad you liked it though. As you say below, it's much better to be happy than disappointed. It certainly is!

For me, pretty much everything you mention here I had an opposite reaction to (particularly Dean's reaction to Gunner - it was funny and Jensen is great at that kind of humour, but the overall acting in this episode really left me cold). Though I literally laughed out loud of Jensen in the ring. *g*

And it's not that I find Casifier annoying (he should be), its just the performance I struggle with. Though I desperately want him to get his comeuppance! I actually was hoping Crowley was going to kill him, but then remembered we weren't near the finale yet.

This ep isn't enough to get me down though (like some do). It was meant to be light hearted and a break from the heaviness the boys deal with so it worked on that level. :)

[quickreaver.livejournal.com]

I felt the SAME WAY about Luci vs. Crowley. Definitely Team Crowley, here. Whoda thunk it!

That being said, with Crowley, Lucifer and the Darkness roaming the world, the Winchesters better get their heroic asses in gear! And they'd better get some help... *sneaky eyes*