Episode reaction 6.01
Sep. 25th, 2010 05:52 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ash48I actually have no definite place to start with this. I have such a mix of emotions that I just don't know which one to pick to make sense of anything I want to say.
And by reading some other reactions, many people have come away feeling a little similar.
One word sums it up for me. Weird. Almost AU kinda weird. And I'm not sure if that's good or bad.
The good is that it holds promise. There's mystery and intrigue - for me anyway. I am desperate to know more. More than anything - what has happened to Sam? And what's the deal with the Campbells. And what will bring Sam and Dean together next.
The bad is that I am terrified that that was just a seriously medicore episode that just didn't know what to do with itself.
It was either brilliant because of future reveals or horrible because it was heart achingly sad for both the boys (once again!) and a mish mash of a heap of stuff (yes, I am extremely literate when it comes to writing reactions *g*)..
I was totally sold on the idea that that wasn't really Sam whilst watching the episode. I am still clinging to that in some ways because that was not a Sam I recognised. The evidence to me was that he tested himself to prove Dean he was who he said he was. The knife could have been made of anything and that could have been sugar he put in the water. And the hug was not convincing AT ALL. I don't think he even held Dean. Even a Sam that was letting Dean have a new life would have hugged him tight after a year of not being with him. I was waiting for the reveal that he wasn't really Sam and really thought it was going to happen through Dean's hallucination sequence. But it didn't. So then.... I got worried.
Is this a new Sam? And if it is why? The "why" is the intriguing part. But you know...I'm not sure I'm up for it. I really don't want a cold hearted Sam. I don't want 5 episodes before we find out why Sam is hollow and prefers his new family and car to Dean and the Impala. And more than that, the very thing that I was afraid of (the writers giving the audience more reason to hate Sam) just happened. I dread to think of the Sam hate posts that will come out of this. Because even I am struggling to understand why Sam didn't tell Dean he was alive a lot sooner and I don't buy the BS of him thinking Dean had a "new" life and was doing ok. Surely Sam knows his brother better than that. Even I'm non plussed with Sam and I'm a staunch Sam supporter.
But. I'm going to be patient on that one. I remember feeling a little similar at the beginning of season 4. I'm either hoping that wasn't really Sam OR he has a damn good reason for being the way he is. I suppose I better just settle in for another season of ambiguous Sam. *sigh*
Back to the weird. It was interesting to see Domestic!Dean. I actually enjoyed some of it but it just felt weird. I mean a whole year of domestic bliss?! No desire to hunt? To help people? No itch to get in the Impala? Surely that must have killed him just slightly. Killed me a bit. I enjoyed Jensen's performance though (and his new, longer hair). He had a restrained quality about everything he was doing, as though it really didn't sit as well as he was making out.
I liked Lisa. In fact, the moment on the step in Bobby's house was one of my fav moments. She was gorgeous and so understanding. They gave Lisa a depth and quality that I felt was lacking in our boys.
Yay! Mitch being back. Another mystery that I am looking forward to. He's up to no good and that's great!! <33 (Though has Sam been duped by them in some way?! God...not again. Please! WE'VE DONE THAT ALREADY!!).
Having said all that. I am thrilled the show is back. At least it's stuck to its theme of family. That makes me happy because it hasn't neglected its core. I hate that already it's left an ache in my heart and then I remember this is Supernatural and it's what I've signed up for. Well, not initially but it seems like I better get used to it. Hmm...well, more used to it.
Ack! Is it next Friday yet!! (God I LOVE that there will be another episode in a week!).
Oooh and I something that does make me happy is that Sam and Dean are apart (again!) which means at some point they'll have to come together (again!) which means more reuniting! YAY! Surely it's gotta be better than THAT (awful) reunion. It WILL be. I have FAITH.
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Date: 2010-09-25 11:19 am (UTC)And of course he was hunting in a way - it sounds like he spent a lot of the time hunting for a way to save Sam.
And god I cant wait to see what happens next!
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Date: 2010-09-25 11:54 pm (UTC)I like this explanation. Not only did Dean feel out of place, we did too. (And boy! I really did....)
it sounds like he spent a lot of the time hunting for a way to save Sam.
Yes. I suppose there was that. I got the feeling though that that was the first time he's come into contact with something "supernatural". Well, for a long time any way. Which I'd say is the decision he'd made for the sake of his new life. (and maybe his promise to Sam??)
And god I cant wait to see what happens next!
Oh me too!!! And only a week to wait... :D
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Date: 2010-09-25 12:08 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-09-25 11:56 pm (UTC)I'm trying to remain positive! :D
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Date: 2010-09-25 12:20 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-09-26 12:00 am (UTC)Definitely! And I LOVE that... And I loved Mitch. He was suitably creepy. I am soooooooooo interested to see what happens next. I haven't seen any promos so I have no idea which direction they will be taking with this.
Exciting!
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Date: 2010-09-25 12:34 pm (UTC)There was a bit of that going on, I agree. I'm completely weirded out by Sam's behaviour.
I enjoyed the ep though; I liked the mystery of it all.
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Date: 2010-09-26 12:04 am (UTC)Yeah - that for me above all else.
I liked the mystery of it all.
Yes. I did too. I mean... I hope there is something really interesting behind it all - particularly why Sam is the way he is..
xx
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Date: 2010-09-25 01:56 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-09-26 12:09 am (UTC)I didn't like seeing him being so damn smug either.
::group sob: until they reveal his motivations... (and they better!!)
xx
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Date: 2010-09-25 02:21 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-09-26 12:14 am (UTC)Yes! I have faith that all will be revealed. And it will definitely rock! *nods* (and tries to sound convincing *g*)
I am excited about finding out more and I do like that that episode was more of a teaser than anything else... they like to mess with us!
xx
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Date: 2010-09-25 03:00 pm (UTC)I was thinking this morning about how Sam felt to me. Remember how Lucifer mentions to Sam and Dean that he actually runs cold rather than hot (and then blows his frosty breath on the window)? That's how Sam felt. Cold.
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Date: 2010-09-26 12:18 am (UTC)I was totally thinking that as well. That he was going to wake up. They certainly played with that idea and I suppose that must have been the whole point. Tease us, but not let us know anything.... argh!!!
That's how Sam felt. Cold.
Yes. Good call. It was almost has if he could have been possessed. And I'm still thinking maybe he was. But by whom? Not sure they'd bring Lucifer back...
Oooooh, the mystery! I look forward to finding out more....
:)
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Date: 2010-09-25 03:10 pm (UTC)SO. MUCH. THIS.
I agree, the episode was unsettling but Jensen played it off really well. Dean was confused so I sort of felt like we were seeing everything played out through his eyes (and being a Deangirl, I am totally cool with that :P)I didn't mind the slightly AU feeling, but I still clung to the hope this was all a dream or hallucination of his...
What I'm afraid of though? All this buildup and tension and potential what-ifs and there'll be absolutely NO PAYOFF. The boys just battled with God and the Devil (literally) so yeah, there's gonna be some character changes, but more often than not the writers just blow the amazing angles they set up with lazy writing and random story turns instead of actually dealing with the 4000 plot points they create for the characters.
/rant
So yeah, basically this ep just set the tone for a roller coaster of a season....
Or it was one 42 minutes of crap.
The good news? Fic heals all ;)
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Date: 2010-09-26 12:29 am (UTC)I think this is why I'm so unsure about this episode. IF it's a big set up for something bigger and better then YAY...great way to start the season, but, if it's not, then I will be seriously disappointed. I want to hang on to the belief that all will be ok... it will... :)
And I agree Jensen did a great job. With that many reveals in one episode he could have overplayed it, but (as usual) he gave a nice, multi-layered, performance. (And I did get a bit of a buzz seeing him in domestic mode. I would like to think he could have this one day. Just not at this season...*g*)
xx
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Date: 2010-09-26 12:37 am (UTC)This! So much. Why do they have to be opposing each other all the time? I mean, I know their relationship has to carry some story arc, but I wish they could it didn't always have to be one of pain. I really don't want it to take a whole season to figure out that they need each other and work best by each others side.
I'm hoping that will be resolved fairly quickly so they can get on with saving people and hunting things... happily together.
And yes, I thought Lisa was great. I know women in the show often get a bad rap - especially the romantic interests, but she's a believable partner for Dean. She showed genuine concern, but gave Dean his space. I like that Dean decided to stay with her at the end of the episode. Obviously he'll have to leave at some point. I just hope it doesn't hurt her too much when he does.
Hee! Me rambling now...:D
xx
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Date: 2010-09-25 06:42 pm (UTC)The closest I have to a fandom like that is Fringe.
Also: Did you PM me a response? If so, I didn't get it. If not, then whenever...
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Date: 2010-09-25 11:46 pm (UTC)Ha! No!! It's just getting started! :D :D
And Fringe is seriously cool. So glad it's back. Really enjoyed the last episodes.
And YES! I did PM you. It was huge too.... damnit! I wonder where that went?? *heavy sigh*
I won't have a chance to type it again for a couple of days because my sister is in town and I doubt I'll have the time, but I will. Don't remove ANYTHING in the mean time. I'd still like to hold the discussion at some point on my LJ too.
xx
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Date: 2010-09-26 01:47 am (UTC)I'll leave everything as is for now.
And yes I'd like to be involved in said discussion.
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Date: 2010-09-26 02:08 am (UTC)It was very rambly anyway, about content and popular fandoms etc. I'll probably just put it in the post instead. (Are you happy for me to link your vid as a point of reference?)
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Date: 2010-09-26 02:16 am (UTC)I really feel more comfortable doing artistic or conceptional pieces. They just don' have very much appeal to most viewers...
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Date: 2010-09-27 12:20 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-09-25 11:30 pm (UTC)And a group of vengeful blah Djins who sit in trees? Seriously? That's the best they could come up with the freaking premiere?! Oh, and let's not forget Sam already has the cure. *rolls eyes*
And don't even get me started on Sam's "I let you think I was dead for a year for your own good" bullshit. I would have punched him! I actually ranted to me sister for 20 minutes about how I would never do that to her! *lol*
The one shining good thing about the ep for me was Dean. He was the only thing that felt even remotely real to me. Maybe it's cause the ep was from his POV but still. The pain was real. I was so proud of him for letting Sam leave. I would have been pissed at him if he just walked out on Lisa. That scene on the steps was awesome.
Everything else....the writers took a freaking vacation! They didn't explain anything! I understand mystery and blah, blah, blah. But this just felt like lazy writing. I'll bet that whoever wrote the Dean stuff didn't break down the other stuff. Totally bet!
The show better freaking improve or I'll be pissed!
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Date: 2010-09-26 12:52 am (UTC)I HAVE to believe there's something more going on with Sam. I have to because I will just cry if this is the Sam we are going to get this season. I love my Sam caring and emo. Not cold and detached. Him being so noticeably different helps me cling on to hope that there's something wrong with him.
And a group of vengeful blah Djins who sit in trees? Seriously?
I know. In fact... I just couldn't follow the story line with all that to be honest. I'd have to watch it again to see what that was all about. I think I was focussing on what the hell was up with Sam rather than following the monster of the week story line.
But. I agree. Weak. (Though I'm sure the djin was picked because of it's ability to give you the dream life. And here Dean was, living it.... it's why I think there is more going on that meets the eye. At least, I HOPE there is!!).
I was so proud of him for letting Sam leave.
Indeed. There was nothing to draw him to want to leave with Sam anyway. And certainly after his sudden (smug) appearance why would he up and leave 2 people that seem to care more about him that Sam does?!)
I loved that he chose to stay. I mean, he's going to have to leave at some point - I just hope he doesn't hurt her too much when he does (or heaven forbid they kill her off!).
Oh show!! Why do you have to hurt/annoy/love us so much!
xx
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Date: 2010-09-25 11:34 pm (UTC)As I said in my post, I'm withholding judgment until I see where they go with this. I'm going to assume there will be payoff. If there isn't...I'll be very sad. Almost as sad as both Sam and Dean were last night.
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Date: 2010-09-26 12:57 am (UTC)I'm going to be very nervous going into next week's episode.... ::clings::
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Date: 2010-09-26 01:00 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-09-25 11:37 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-09-26 01:00 am (UTC)I'll be interested in your thoughts on this ep.
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Date: 2010-09-26 11:48 pm (UTC)