ash48 | Episode reaction 6.01 (Reply)

I 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.