11.22 reaction

[ash48]

Warning for negativity (though I'm probably more bewildered and sarcastic than anything else). I want to be squeeful. I do! I really really do! But.../o\



Remember that episode where Sam and Dean were driving a different car - not the Impala? And then Sam lost at Rock Paper Scissor? Then Ellen appeared as Bobby's wife and it was like WTF, that's not right?!! And then we find out they are living in an alternate reality? (My Heart Will Go On - 6.17)

That's what's happening here isn't it? Somehow a different reality is playing out and next week the joke will be on us. Yes? The trickster will appear with a "tricked ya!"?

In this reality Sam didn't go to hell for years and years (and years!) being raped and tortured by Lucifer. Nor did he consequently be fucked over mentally by him (twice!). In this reality Sam and Dean are fine with making chit chat with Lucifer and God - playing the "comic relief" counsellors. And Sam is totally fine with Lucifer using his bedroom (and probably sleeping in his bed). In this reality all they want is for Lucifer and God to apologise to each other - hug and make up (because in this reality neither God or Lucifer or Crowley or Rowena or any supernatural-being have royally SCREWED THEM OVER! AND OVER!).

This is a nice reality. Sam and Dean get to sit back and watch heaven and hell family dramas play out. Get to watch the tearful confessions of these sad, sympathetic supernatural beings. They even don't mind being zapped about by God (bless 'em. They just take it in their stride). They are not traumatised by their past. In fact, they're pretty damn chipper. Dean even calmly allows Sam to take on the Mark (because in this universe Dean didn't have the Mark previously to understand how damning and horrible it really is).

In this universe God cooks pancakes whilst millions of people around the world starve. And pray (he's currently not listening because his son is a wee bit upset with him).

It's also wonderful to know that the world is ending and the chances are no one else is even noticing (a gaping big hole in the sky followed by a last of white light. I wonder if that even made the news?)

In this universe God can "nearly" die (dammit!). The Mark can easily transfer from Amara to Sam. And Lucifer is a good guy - who just wants his dad's love. *throws confetti*

And in this universe Sam and Dean don't have a voice. Don't have emotion. Don't have a past.


I seriously don't know how to even process this episode. I think it's possibly the most insane episode in the entire series. And maybe that's the point. It's such a HUGE, epic story. It's a story about darkness and light, God and his Sister, The King of Hell and his Mother, an absent father and his wayward (sadistic/rapist) son - and two lowly, heroic human beings. Maybe it's supposed to be too big to process. Maybe, as a viewer, I am suppose to be left on the sidelines like Sam and Dean because what the hell do we do with this?

Do we have to care about God? A being who knowing left Sam to rot in Hell, who abandoned Dean over and over.

Do we have to care about Lucifer? A sadistic being who has hurt Sam and Dean more than we can even fathom.

Do we have to care about poor Crowley? Who's killed and tortured countless innocent people - including the lovely Sarah.

Do we have to care about Rowena? Who betrayed Sam and allowed Lucifer to get his claws in him again.

Maybe we have to care about Cas? Who felt unloved and took on Lucifer to feel needed - to make a difference. Atone for his mistakes (and I'm not a fan of Cas, but boy if I was I would be pissed at his treatment this season - as it is I'm pretty damn pissed).

Maybe we have to care about Sam and Dean. Who decide that at the end of the day to throw caution (and trauma) to the wind and get everyone who has ever betrayed them into a room to make some plan to defeat an all powerful being (who Dean is attracted to) who hates his brother (who happens to be God).

Is that the point? That Sam and Dean are such amazing heroes to be able to do this? To put everything past them (once again) to save the world?

*sigh* I don't know. I'm not even mad or sad or frustrated after that episode. It was such a monumental cluster fuck that I'm either so stupid that the significance went over my head or it was just. Stupid. And boring. And non sensical. Argh! I don't know! Why aren't I getting it?!!!


The good bits?

Crowley saying "I want to make Hell Great Again" (BRILLIANT!)

and there was this little moment. This moment amongst all the weirdness when Amara and God were talking were I actually got the real sense of why God made the planet. It was the line about him wanting to be great and important. To make this "thing" so he could be lord. It was existential and it's where the show (or Beren's) wanted this all to go. It felt significant. But it was then blown away with, idk, insanity - Dean being drawn to Amara (and how weird is all that stuff now?) and Sam taking the Mark (WTF?!) and Lucifer exiting Cas (to where?) and 4 witches being killed (but not Rowena?). Just nuts.

And the red sky. That was nice.


I had this weird sense that Berens was being somewhat passive/aggressive with this episode. That he was given this mytharc to sort out and just shook his head and said "ok. You want that crap sorted out? Take this". I like Berens a lot. His episodes have ALWAYS made sense. Just not this one. :( (It passed the Bechdal test though, so there's that).


As I said on twitter. I love this show. I appreciate the talent and the effort that everyone puts into it. But on what planet, what universe did that episode fit into? If someone can shed light I am all ears!

Comments

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

I watched on the train on the way to Rome and am primarily bewildered. I thought perhaps we were getting somewhere when Amara confronted God and called him on his bullshit - a real twist would have been a reconciliation between the warring god siblings, and for them both to bugger off somewhere to work out their issues and see if forgiveness was possible for God after what he'd done. But that didn't happen so all we did was waste a perfectly awesome new character - the lovely Louisanna witch - oh and not to forget the poor Donatello prophet who was introduced solely to get thrown away this episode, it seems.
I have NO freaking clue what's going on or how they are going to finale the crap out of this one.

[fanspired]

> I had this weird sense that Berens was being somewhat passive/aggressive with this episode. That he was given this mytharc to sort out and just shook his head and said "ok. You want that crap sorted out? Take this".

Yeah, I got that vibe, too. And you've expressed very well how I felt about the whole thing. They've sucked all the drama out of the epic and turned it into farce.

[ash48.livejournal.com]

It literally made no sense.

The new witch was awesome. She was killed. Donatello had potential. He was killed (which was idiotic. She beat him up - as you do as the most powerful being of all time- and then decided to suck out his soul to get the answer (hello, do that first).

I have to admit, at this point I have zero hope for the finale. Unless everyone dies (expect Sam and Dean) I can't see being satisfied.

Can I just say, suddenly, Carver is looking like the better option (Dabb would have been in control of this second half of the myth arc).

[ash48.livejournal.com]

It was definitely weird. Not like a usual Berens ep. Just no heart.

I admire the fan who was actually engaged in that episode (and wish it was me). With Sam and Dean seemingly disinterested in the whole thing (it felt like there was nothing at stake) it left me disinterested.

Such a shame. :(

[gidgetgal9.livejournal.com]

I was left bewildered so I will tell you what my husband said- he is the casual watcher- seen all the episodes first air with me. This was the 'jump the shark episode' and not in a good way. They finally painted themselves into a corner that they can not rationally get out of. They lost sight that this is a story about two brother's who against all odds fight the good fight. I have to agree with the hubster. I mean, I'm really not getting it. I liked some moments but yeah... as a whole I'm just confused as to what I saw. It didn't feel like our show.

[roxymissrose.livejournal.com]

Normally, I love all the shows, to the point of being annoying I'm sure, but this show...there were things I loved, that sadly did not involve our heroes, and things I hated, but mostly I just felt confused and horrified.

[cherry916.livejournal.com]

I had no idea what to take of this episode either. I think my liveblog on tumblr testified to how confused/angry I was at this whole mess. I think all of tumblr felt the same based on all of the liveblogging.

There has been some horrible episodes to data, no doubt about it, or even good episodes with really bad OOC scenes or continuity errors but this thing? Like I don't know what to categorize this as. Is it OOC? Continuity? Like I feel like it scales straight off the stratosphere of just 'wrong'. The first 15 mins. of this episode left a very bad, rotten taste in my mouth. I am happy that a lot of viewers are voicing their displeasure with the way Sam's abused is being handled because they're genuinely upset with the way abuse, rape, and mental illness is being portrayed it sort of feels like a slap in the face to what Jared and the boys are trying to do with the stigma of abuse and mental illness.

I was so off put that I had to see who wrote the episode (which I normally don't do) and I was very surprised to see that Berens wrote it. Maybe he was being passive/aggressive considering he had to wrap A LOT of things up in one episode for the finale? Or that the episode precluding his was by the horrible writing dynamic duo? I honestly don't have answers. I think this is one of the worst episodes in supernatural's history. Remember when the bad episode used to be Route 66 and Bugs in everyone's opinion? Ha, I would gladly watch those episodes ten times over because they were excellent compared to the sloppy mess we are in now. I am just hoping that the finale is A LOT better than this because then what will I have to look forward to for next year?

[catinplaid.livejournal.com]

ALL OF THIS. SO MUCH.
I agree with everything you said here. As we already discussed on twitter, why should we care about all those characters? I mean, yes, I gotta say I love Crowley and Rowena, for example, but WHY should all the baddies be the only ones who are allowed emotions? I don't give a rat's arse for Lucifers teenage allures and him being pissed with Daddy. Not as long as he, Sam's abuser, is in Sam's ROOM for crying out loud and Sam's trauma is totally forgotten. F*ck this!

And in this universe Sam and Dean don't have a voice. Don't have emotion. Don't have a past.

YES AND THIS PISSES ME OFF SO, SO MUCH. Arghhh. Using our boys as comic relief in their own show in the penultimate ep of the season is just plain wrong. (Hee. Penultimate. I learned this word from Sam in The French Mistake ;D)

These last few mytharc epis have been shite and that was just the cherry on top. I already said this on twitter, but seriously, SPN needs to lay off this mytharc, cos nobody can save this train wreck. (And yes, maybe all mytharcs. The MotW eps were amazing this year!)

I had this weird sense that Berens was being somewhat passive/aggressive with this episode. That he was given this mytharc to sort out and just shook his head and said "ok. You want that crap sorted out? Take this".

HA! Maybe you're right. I didn't get this vibe, but why not? Beren's eps are usually great. This one, absolutely not. But really, how are you supposed to get out of this corner they maneuvered themselves into with this stupid mytharc?

Uff. I ranted a bit, sorry (and sorry for the language, as well... I just... couldn't not swear). But seriously, SPN, as much as I love you: I really can't get in line with this shit. I really, really hope S12 gets better :))

P.S.: There was some good stuff, too :)
Crowley's "Let's make Hell great again" is the best line in the whole ep. So.much.shade!! Go Berens!
And I really, really loved the WPA inspired murals/art Jerry Wanek and team created for this ep.
Oh, and also: Even though Sam wasn't really allowed any emotions, I had the feeling that Jared did play him as scared of Lucifer. Sam's little panicked reaction when Lucifer snapped his fingers to blow up Dean (and found out he couldn't), or him holding his breath and freezing in place as Lucifer walked past them - I loved those little reactions. Even when there's nothing there for Sam, Jared manages to work something out through little reactions and mannerisms. Go Jared! :)

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

Unless Dabb is clearing the decks for next season somehow... I see a writer from American Crime has been recruited, don't know what he's like.

[lyryk.livejournal.com]

For a moment I let myself hope that that conversation between Chuck and Amara was actually going to lead to something good, maybe Amara whisking him off somewhere to have it out. Chuck's been saying over and over that he's the Light and she's the Dark, not giving a damn about all the crap he's pulled. By what possible reasoning is he the Light?

Still confuzzled over the big plot hole in the last episode, with Chuck saying that Amara had warded herself against him while she's actively trying to look for him. I think Berens tried to fix that by having Chuck say that ~he had put up wards against Amara, but that doesn't make sense either, and in any case, how do you rewrite something that's already been aired?! Guess that's sort of a metonym for how this episode whitewashed (to use your term) everything that Sam and Dean have gone through at the hands of God, Lucifer and Crowley. I can't even think about the way Sam and Dean were treated in this episode, because that way lies endless rage.

[batgurl10.livejournal.com]

I was left so beyond upset last night I truly did not know what to do with myself. I have been enjoying this season and even the last few eps that you mentioned not liking, but this one? Where to begin with the cluster fuck that was this episode?
I dont want to repeat everything you said, but I have to add
This was by far the WORST pre finale I have seen in 11 years. Sam and Dean stood around doing nothing for 45 minutes. The God scenes should have been intriguing but were instead played for laughs. Lucifer is a joke...the rebellious teenager BS? Really Carver? is that the best you could come up with? Did everyone conveniently forget that this was the Biggest bad to ever bad? that he spent centuries tormenting Sam in every possible way??? yeah not even a mention of how uncomfortable it SHOULD have been for Sam to even be in the same room with him? WTH? and lets not forget that stupid ass plan of theirs?! Sam taking on the mark? yawn rehash -Amara doing the villain monologuing-NO creative ideas, I wish Carver would have left already, Im seriously convinced he is trying to destroy this show single handedly!! GTFO already! so disappointed..

[killabeez.livejournal.com]

Lucifer is a joke...the rebellious teenager BS? Really Carver? is that the best you could come up with?

Apparently it's all the rage these days. Have you watched the show Lucifer? LOL.

It's funny, but having attended my first SPN convention recently, I have the distinct and overwhelming impression that after 11 years, SPN is a big ongoing frat party, where all the cast and crew are such buddies that they have completely lost sight of the story. For them, it's all about getting their buddies back on the show and having a good time, regardless of whether it makes any sense. And I can appreciate that! I'm glad our cast and crew are fond of each other and have a good time together. Good for them. Just not good for the story.

[batgurl10.livejournal.com]

you know I said the same thing last night. This was the jump the shark episode. SOOOO bad, I cant even...Im almost crying as I write this because I really love this show and I cant believe Im so pissed off about how terrible this was...

[batgurl10.livejournal.com]

I too caught the little nuances from Jared and thought please let there be one freaking line from Dean or someone saying "dont worry, well deal with that fucker later" something! no, we get yeah ok take the mark of cain, sure why not. hey, I lie to sam all the time, see? and then when he dropped him like a hot potato because his bff *Cassifer was hurt. WTH? completely OOC for Dean, actually it was character assassination in my opinion.

Crowleys "make hell great again" I loved the Trump shade, lol. and Rowena with the moose line and the black witch who was amazing and completely wasted...ugh. but that was IT. =(

[batgurl10.livejournal.com]

I havent watched lucifer and if thats true then I wont be either, this show just ruined that character for me. Lucifer was the most evol MF ever. I did like the twist that maybe there was something other than envy for humanity that set lucifer on his path of evilness, but this silliness is not that! I feel like Im watching the bizarro world version of sam and dean. Its teflon reality, nothing sticks, traumas are overlooked but their hair looks great! YUCK.

[debbiel66.livejournal.com]

Well, I guess I'll be skipping this one... sigh.

[indiachick.livejournal.com]

Re:Lucifer, after yesterday's episode I had a strange thought that the two shows were doing pretty much the same thing with the character, which would have been unfathomable for SPN last season. It fits that show because its primary premise is Lucifer being part of a celestial plan, but with SPN? I can't even begin to understand the writers' motivations. But the end of Lucifer season 1 was basically just like the beginning of SPN season 11, and I wonder at all the rage these days and also influence.

[amypond45.livejournal.com]

I don't really have anything to add to the general confusion (and lack of interest) this episode generated. I don't care about the politics of Heaven and Hell, I don't care about God and his prodigal son (so Michael the good son is still stuck in the cage -- I don't CARE!) I was sorta hoping Gabriel might return, because then we could have the alternative universe story line and I kinda like that idea...

But I do care that they made Sam and Dean into spectators of their own story. That's just stupid. This is THEIR story, their show. Putting them on the sidelines is really, really bad storytelling.

I did like that Louisiana witch, though.

My question: who is the audience for this episode? General viewers? (if so, I'm pretty sure they weren't watching!)

[gateslacker.livejournal.com]

I haven't had a chance to watch but I'd heard rumblings so I totally came on here to "spoil" myself- something I usually don't do. But I just can't go into this blind. Do I skip it? Do I watch it and cringe. I've only missed one EP and I think it was the pilot test episode for Chicago supernatural crime lords. Or something.

I'll probably watch for the continuity but nothing makes me madder than shows forgetting the characters' past. Hopefully, there's no where to go but up for the finale. Hopefully

[greyowl88.livejournal.com]

←icon image = my reaction to the ep.

I think it's possibly the most insane episode in the entire series.

So far... :/
I just couldn't take it seriously. Supernatural has become a lame ass, crazy comedy show and nobody told me.

It was such a monumental cluster fuck

For sure. *nods* It's left me speechless. *drinks chocolate liqueur to forget the ep*

[marciaelena.livejournal.com]

Yes. To everything you said.

[locknkey.livejournal.com]

My icon seems very relevant. I wish I could laugh about it, but I can't. I mean can you even imagine the writer's room sitting around say, "Hey. let's give God a sister!" I thought it was a terrible idea from the beginning. Unless you are a superb writer that's not material to take on lightly. Truthfully Amara as written was not scary at all - they kept telling us she was, but I never felt it - unlike The 100 - which has many problems - but thriller stories and perfect pacing aren't one. I felt no tension at all watching this - just a morbid curiosity over the impending train wreck. :( I view with some casual viewers myself and they were both WTF? at this episode as well. We even rewound bits because we couldn't make sense of it - especially the whole Dean is in love with Amara bit - again we were told this but I never really felt it. And hell if I wanted Dean to join me for all eternity I'd just threaten Sam - hello lady who can supposedly read his thoughts?

I really wanted them to use his love of Sam as what was holding him back at least in part. I can see the allure ending it all would have for Dean although I don't think he'd be in for ending it for everyone, but we never get that he's struggling beyond Jensen's performance - again I feel he was given nothing to work with. Additionally supporting someone in Carvers mind and being mature means letting people make dumbass decisions - there is nothing mature about that. *sigh*

The boys were sidelined and honestly that's mostly who I watch for theses days even if I feel like we only get tidbits and crumbs. Jared - as said above made the most of it by acting like Lucifer was scary and Jensen was doing a lot to look like he was always holding back because of the powerful beings(?), but they didn't have squat to work with. Hell, if they hadn't even been in the episode it wouldn't have made any difference.

I think because overall this season - mytharc aside - has been enjoyable TV for me - especially Nancy Won's episodes - hope she's sticking around - I was really hopeful for something better. I enjoyed the MoW episodes quite a bit and was really hoping the prophet and the new witch would stick around. I like them better than Crowley, Cass, Amara & Rowena put together. I sometimes wonder how the producers and show runners decide to keep actors/actresses because their choices boggle me. The first thing I said, and my friends talked about after viewing was if God and Amara are equal how did she so easily put God down after being grievously injured. And that wasn't the only logic problem as you've said above. Logic is your friend, dear writer's, use some. ~smh.

Like everyone else I kind of felt like What show am I watching?</> The ep. was all over the place and unsatisfying. :(

[sam-dean-lover.livejournal.com]

my breaking point is here
i cant take this anymore
whatever's going on next week
i dont care

for next season i hope it is the last
i'm finally seeing the light now
Supernatural is going down

this series i love so much
is gone forever it seems
Jared is pretty wallpaper wouldnt you say?
i've been hurt by Supernatural before

S7, 8, 9, and now 11;i'll say it again
i dont trust Andrew Dabb
whatever's going on next season, i dont think i'll care anymore

im at a loss on what else to say :(
im loyal and i want to see how the series ends
11 years watching this show

its becoming painfully clear
its hard to watch with seriousness
sorry im very heartbroken right now

[percysowner.livejournal.com]

Honestly, I'd seriously consider skipping it. You have the basic details, so you won't miss anything plot wise. Unless you really want to watch Sam say "Lucifer's right" and urge God to be less lordly because Lucifer deserves a fair hearing and is making good points. Also too, if you want to know Sam had a long talk with God where he agreed to take the Mark to bind Amara OFF SCREEN.

There is zero focus on either Sam or Dean as characters as opposed to plot points and observers.

I'm a completeist and I almost turned this off 15 minutes in. I kind of regret staying for the whole thing, but I couldn't believe it would go the way it did.

[percysowner.livejournal.com]

I had this weird sense that Berens was being somewhat passive/aggressive with this episode. That he was given this mytharc to sort out and just shook his head and said "ok. You want that crap sorted out? Take this". I like Berens a lot. His episodes have ALWAYS made sense. Just not this one. :( (It passed the Bechdal test though, so there's that).

I do know that Dabb was supposed to write this episode and Carver the finale. When Carver didn't have time, due to his new show, Berens got the call to do the episode. He got pulled from Red Meat and Dabb helped wrap that episode up. So he may not have been in the best mindset to pick up the slack that Carver left.

I really had problems with this episode. It made no sense and I DON'T CARE about "How God's Family Turns". I was appalled that Sam was given NO reaction to Lucifer or God. I hate that both Sam and Dean were sidelined. I don't even like Cas, but he played zero part as well. I wish they'd kept Clea alive. Also Donatello.

I hope that they are basically cleaning house so they can start from scratch next season, but boy this was not what I wanted in a penultimate episode.