If I actually cared about the whole angel, demon, witch and (now) Darkness plot I might have actually enjoyed that episode. As it is, that episode wasn't designed for me so I feel like I can't really comment too much about it. So often now, I catch myself watching an episode and thinking "why am I watching this? This isn't the kind of television I usually enjoy". There are quite a few supernatural themed shows (Vampire Dairies etc) that I don't watch because they just don't appeal to me. Doesn't mean they are bad shows, they are just not my cup of tea. (Of course, it just takes Sam and Dean to appear on the screen and I am remembered why I continue to watch the show. ;D)
So yeah. I found it pretty uninteresting. I went from feeling *meh* about that to getting annoyed about it (and hence not posting the reaction sooner. I had hoped to change my view on it before I posted anything).
So, for what it's worth, here are some thoughts on it.
I thought Jensen did a fine job directing. He clearly knows his way around a camera and there were some nice shots and mostly good performances. I thought the little girl who played Amara did a very good job
My favourite scene was the random!demon and random!angel in the bar. I actually laughed out loud. It seemed to sum up everything about demons and angels at the moment. "TPTB don't know what they're doing, someone has to do something". The sense of the utter mundane-ness in that scene was perfect. It also helped me put the Supernatural universe in perspective. Demons and angels are no better (or worse) than humans. They exist side-by-side with humans and they have the same bitches about their bosses that we do. I am still laughing.
Dean trying to get Crowley on the phone. *headdesk* What happened to summoning him, like they used to do. Again, it emphasises that mundane quality of demons and angels. "Hang on, I'll just get the King of Hell on the phone. He's on my speed dial".
Dean telling Cas not to heal him because he had it coming - I think I should be feeling sorry for someone here maybe? But I kind of don't. Dean beat up Cas in the last season, Cas beat up Dean. They are even (for the moment at least. Until the next beating session).
I thought we'd be moving past guilty boys this season. *sigh*
The only other thing I think is worth mentioning (because I am sure you don't need to read me describing how underwhelming everything else was) is Rowena goading Sam and Dean to fight by mentioning the deal that Sam made to save Dean.
It felt like such a lame excuse to set the brothers apart again and I am so totally sick of it. Dean being pissed that Sam made a deal to kill Crowley in order to save him makes just *sigh* very heavily. I figure it's the "secret" that he's actually pissed about, but…really? Isn't Dean carrying a rather huge secret at the moment too? Jeez. And all that in front of Rowena. The Dean I know wouldn't fall for the bait - let alone be pissed because Sam had made a deal to kill Crowley. I am SO tired for Dean being cross with Sam about - well, whatever. After all the verbal abuse that Sam copped last season from MoC and demon!Dean surely they could make Dean a little more sympathetic toward Sam. I don't expect an apology but why have we had 3 episodes of this uncaring Dean toward Sam? Is is caring some resentment for Sam saving him and releasing the Darkness maybe? We saw Dean care more about Cas in one episode than we've seen from Dean since…I can't remember when.
I hope this is building up to some major healing between then soon. It is getting SO SO tiresome (and I swear to god if Crowley becomes a reason for a rift between Sam and Dean I will fucking scream. Dear Dean, Crowley is the ENEMY. Remember what he did to Sarah? Remember how he tortured Kevin and kidnapped his mum? You should have been high-fiving Sam on his deal. Crowley's life for your life? Sound like a damn good deal to me).
No mention of the infection that was so urgent during the first 2 episodes. And, unsurprisingly, no mention of the cure Sam found.
Dammit. I ended up moaning about it when I didn't want to. I really really don't want to moan about the show because it will always hold a special place in my heart. As I said, this episode wasn't created for a viewer like me. I know they have to have them, so I really have to learn to just accept them and move on.
(oh forgot to mention Sam mothering Dean was sweet. "Keep ice on that". <3 A tiny moment but we gotta take what we can get).
Bring on next week!
5 = AWESOME!! 1 = Nope.
Granted, little girl!Amara and Crowley had fun interactions. I'm not 100% sure about that mirror moment? But the little actress really did do a great job.
But also! Seriously! Dean already *knows* that Sam will do anything to keep Dean alive and safe, and Sam knows the Sam for Dean. Dean shouldn't be surprised, and how does he NOT remember that he'd do the exact same thing if he had been in Sam's place??
I think my fav moment was the no-look bag toss, when Dean grabbed that witch's purse and threw it to Sam from behind his back. Jensen was SUPER proud of that on twitter :D
Edited at 2015-10-24 03:19 am (UTC)
It's one of the things I've never understood. Same for knowing how the other would feel if one of them actually died. They are so connected by this trait they both share. Instead of "how could you do that?" it could now be "I totally understand why you did that".
And YES! The bag toss was awesome!
So, suppose I should go back and watch for the bag toss! Pretty poor reason, but. Oh, well....
I thought the sense of disconnect between them (and between them and the rest of the world) was much stronger in this episode than the previous two, and then I started wondering if that was because they filmed this one first.
I could be totally wrong and this is not what the show intends, but it's certainly what I got from it.
Oh you don't? That's probably good then. I thought Dean's look to Sam was quite pointed, but you could be right. I'll have to take another look.
Um, yeah - I was struggling to feel much from either of them in this one. It could be because it was the first episode filmed. The disconnect is still so strong - even after they've been saying they are working together to fight a common goal this season. Which might yet happen. I'm hoping the next ep is the beginning of a new direction. We'll see.
I'd also be sure that the Js might just be sick of the secret stuff as much as we are. I saw one of them tweet about stopping the secrets. In their case glass houses and stones come to mind. Neither of them should be calling the other out of their sacrificing actions (unless its to start a real conversation about addressing them).
2 seconds later *Dean, the virus has fled the bunker, let's go get it.
3. Sam left the room for Dean to chat with the Rowena,
4..Sam Dean Rowena in baby, everything in that scene 5. the *I deserved to get hit because i nearly beat the shit out of you Cas*.. i dont know, about next week im really worried :( i will wait til see what you thought of it and then i'll watch. long comment i know, my grade of this ep is 1 Nope
I am seriously hoping to be squeeing after next week!
Mostly I failed to find, well, to be honest just lately I constantly fail to find any logical point to any of it. Round and around we go again - wheee - oops, I fell off. Not sure if I'm bothered enough to get back on. The tiny gems just don't outweigh the boring, plodding banal heaven and hell plots or the angel and demon bland characters any longer for me. Their humour doesn't travel well for me any longer and the show's outlook on what constitutes abuse isn't on an acceptable par with me either these days. Huh, I'm a grumpy bitch this morning aren't I? Sorry.
As much as I moaned at the possibility of the whole secret/division between the boys, in many ways I am enjoying Sam much more this season. It's not that I didn't enjoy/like him before but it's like there have been better moments for him this season so far- finding the cure, the interaction w/ Cas when he called his car crapppy, calling Dean out on the obvious about Crowley. ( well, maybe not calling him out but reminding him that it was not surprising that Crowley is a dick). Yes, the cure was all but forgotten this episode but but as someone who has leaned more toward Dean, I've grown a little tired of how they've been portraying him. As much as Sam hasn't gotten the best treatment in recent seasons either, I've just enjoyed him in the last couple of episodes more, if that makes any sense.
I think Crowley is getting over is head with the little girl and he's starting realize it. On some level that was nice to see. I really don't want him to end up working with Sam and Dean to resolve this. It could be interesting to see what other options he might try to come up with.
Edited at 2015-10-24 02:32 pm (UTC)
haha! I think Zach would be horrified!
in many ways I am enjoying Sam much more this season.
Oh me too! SO much more. In fact, I'd say (other than maybe end of S8) it's been my fave Sam in Carver's era. He's been self sufficient, snarky and compassionate. Qualities I've missed. I really hope they give Dean a chance to find his feet properly after his last season and a half journey. I'd love to see him move past the guilt and see both himself and Sam's worth again.
Also, someone commented that at least Sam has some lines to say and yes I am loving animated useful caring Sam, but as a Dean girl, even Im annoyed with the way Dean is coming across. I can only blame the writers and watch old seasons....le sigh!
This doesn't. It makes the whole mythology and storylines sillier. It's where, to my mind, the show under Jeremy Carver fails time and again. Reminds me of Charmed's last years. Even Sera, coming up with the B movie craziness that was the leviathans, still basically kept up the darkness rather than the silliness.
About the Sam keeping secrets moment, I actually thought, oh, Dean's moving on now. The look he gave Sam was, to me, like he was concerned because once again, secrets, but he didn't look mad, which is his default to anything he thinks Sam does wrong. I thought it was progress in their relationship! It's always interesting how people read things differently.
but he didn't look mad, which is his default to anything he thinks Sam does wrong.
Oh good. I'll have to look at that again. Others have said the same so maybe I missed something. I am ALWAYS looking for progress in their relationship - so I'd love it to be progress. Especially if it was Dean somehow thinking about the secret he was keeping from Sam. Having a connection to the Darkness is a must tell I reckon. Maybe it will come out next ep.
Recently they had S4 and 5 on TNT. Rewatching those seasons really made the contrast stark. Nobody seems like they're enjoying themselves, except perhaps Mark Sheppard. It's definitely become an ensemble show--just look at how most of the show's promotional art features all four characters.
Mark does look like he's enjoying himself. :)
I thought the way they played the secrets scene was a lot like just getting it over with. It felt like they delivered the obligatory dialog and moved on as fast as they could to the next thing. It was kind of like okaaaay, we said the stuff, back to Cas. "Sam knows my point, keyword...." And Sam is thinking Abracadabra? Cheeseburger? Plastics? And then Sam thinks "Oh, yeah secrets, whatever Dean, plastics are more interesting....." Leviathan!Sam would have eaten him by now...and Rowena, Crowley and Cas for that matter. I think the Js are as bored with it as we are.
Still this isn't the worst episode these 2 have written so that's a small comfort.
He did! Such a major improvement from last season (hair wise) and JA sure knows how to frame him. :)
I just didn't know what to make of the Mega Coven. I am assuming it was there for the comedy but, idk. Removes the dark nature of it all. But then, that level of darkness seems to be removed from the show now anyway. Demons seem to be comic relief also.
this was a Destiel shipper's dream if you like your romance flavored with beatings,
Yeah, I figured it might be. I'm not sure what's with all the beatings. Is it code for "I really want to have sex with you but I can't so I'll beat you instead? ;D. There was face touching so I figure that will have been giffed a lot!
the angel and demon at the bar need to have a balcony box, popcorn, and a pay raise.
LAUGHS!! Perfect.
I think the Js are as bored with it as we are.
From the way they talk in cons I would agree. Enough already!
Still this isn't the worst episode these 2 have written so that's a small comfort.
*nods*. It was probably pretty solid if you're into the whole demon, angel, witch sub plots. I find it hard to judge and be objective when I'm not very interested. That said, there have been D & A episodes in the past that have really held my interest - so maybe it's the writing.
Sam summoned Crowley at the end of 9.23, but Crowley didn't appear for him. Crowley answers his phone (or being summoned) only if he wants to.
Also, Dean isn't upset that Sam tried to kill Crowley... it's about the deal with Rowena being a secret. I don't think it's something that will cause a big rift between them. And yes, they're both keeping secrets.
After all the verbal abuse that Sam copped last season from MoC and demon!Dean surely they could make Dean a little more sympathetic toward Sam. I don't expect an apology but why have we had 3 episodes of this uncaring Dean toward Sam?
In 11.01 and 11.02, Dean asked Sam if he was ok. He does care about Sam. If Sam had been truthful with him, there would've been more opportunity for Dean to show how much he cares about Sam. But instead, the writers had Sam keep it a secret, and kept them apart for most of 11.02. The next ep focuses on Cas, and has Dean caring about him, instead of the focus being on the brothers reconnecting after being separated. And that's the problem. *sigh*
No mention of the infection that was so urgent during the first 2 episodes. And, unsurprisingly, no mention of the cure Sam found.
All that momentum gets dropped. I don't understand why.
*phew* I hope not.
Dean asked Sam if he was ok.
Did he? Damn, I feel bad that I can't remember that. And I know Dean really does care about Sam. Always. I suppose I would just love to see that care translate more on the screen at times. Especially after everything that they've been through. But, I will be patient. ;)
The bar scene was my fave, legit cracked up.
Jensen is meant to be a director.
Amara as a kiddo was cool
They whole angel/demon arc fsdkljlsj
Crowley doesn't seem as evil anymore and yeah everything just seems apathetic re: all of that
But then Sam and Dean come on the screen, and I'm like - oh yeah - those two idjits are my faves ever.
Jensen seems like a great director. I always wonder if he'll continue after the show ends.
Edited at 2015-10-26 02:27 am (UTC)
I CAN'T WAIT EITHER! If it's as good as it sounds then I should love it! :DD \o/
I know that not all eps will be great so I keep reminding myself that there's always the next one! :D