Family Matters Episode Reaction (Chock Full of Spoilers)
So just prior to writing this post, I was having an email exchange with the lovely and talented debbiel, one of the nicest people on the internet and a consistent ray of sunshine about all things Supernatural. We're both big-time Sam fans and she's very happy with tonight's ep. I really enjoyed the ep too, but I've got some issues with Dean. I might be proven wrong, or there might be a payoff later down the road, as Deb has assured me there will be. But for right now, I think I'm officially annoyed. Which is sad because I thought this was a good episode overall.
Random Observations:
- I wish someone would sit Jared and Jensen down and explain to them that after a person has taken a terrible pummeling to the head, they're usually very careful about moving it. Jensen whipped his head around in Swan Song last season after Sam had made his jump and Cas his reappearance. At the time, I couldn't help but think that should have given him a massive headache and/or have ruined his balance. Tonight, Jared was moving his head all over the place after being beaten into unconsciousness. I've never been made into some guy's punching bag, but I do get the occasional migraine, and I can tell both Sam and Dean--when your head hurts that badly, you move it very slowly and very carefully. I'd love to see them take that into consideration next time.
- On the plus side though, Sam's face when he was tied to the chair and Dean and Cas were talking about his situation, was more puppy-like than anything I've seen in ages, even with it covered in blood.
- I'm not the biggest Cas fan in the world, but he amused me tonight. I liked his doctor routine ("Is he speaking in tongues? Are you speaking in tongues?"), his snark ("Yes, because all your needs come first." Or whatever the line was) and his ego (Of course Cas's true being is as big as the Chrysler building. Of course.)
- Some fun lines tonight sprinkled throughout the ep. I like Dabb and Loflin in that regard.
- I wanted them to make more of Sam's freaky super strength. Where does that come from? Why was he willing to keep it under wraps? Clearly he could have fought Dean off if he'd chosen to. So why didn't he?
- Rick Worthy did a nice job with the alpha vamp. He had the necessary gravitas and menace.
- Good riddance, Christian--though I'm sure we'll see you again.
- Glad Grandpa's duplicitous nature has been revealed. I wonder how Cowley is keeping him in line.
- Speaking of the King of Hell--Surprise!Cowley is always a pleasure.
- As is the guys working together. With one very notable exception.
This is actually the meat of my reaction. As much as I enjoyed so many things in tonight's episode, one particular issue was troubling. The way Sam was treated, particularly by Dean. I welcome comments in this journal. I always have and I always will, but I don't want my observations to start a wank war. I love the character of Dean, so my criticism of his behavior is not meant to demonize him (which on this show could be taken literally) or to suggest Sam is ready for sainthood. Neither is true. If you pop in with your two cents, please keep that in mind.
I'm disappointed over Dean's reaction to learning Sam is without his soul. While the beat-down Dean gave Sam last week was intense and hard to watch, I could understand to some degree the rationale for it. This thing with Sam's face, that Veritas had called "not human," had allowed something terrible to happen to Dean and had cost him the family he'd enjoyed for the last year. Seems to me something like that could get a brother riled up.
But this week, Cas, a trusted expert when it comes to souls, does his best Doogie Howser imitation and learns Sam is without his. Does Dean seem upset on Sam's behalf? Does he in any way express sympathy? His kid brother sacrificed everything to save the world, got tossed into a cage in hell and was sprung only after something intrinsic was stripped from him. What Sam has gone through is the equivalent of spiritual rape. And how does Dean react? By making jokes about keeping Sam locked up and by telling Sam if he doesn't like the way Dean is calling the shots to try his luck with Samuel and see how that turns out.
When he learns Sam is in an even more precarious situation--not only is Sam's soul missing, but Cowley has it and intends to keep it. And if Dean and Sam cross him, he'll simply toss Sam back in the cage--Dean's behavior doesn't change much. He says, "We can't work with demons." It's Sam who says, "What about my soul?" And no one even discusses what damage that soul must be suffering, having been trapped in hell now for over a year.
I get that Dean has every reason not to trust Sam. Sam is impaired--his emotional response just isn't there, his judgment is faulty, and he is all about the end justifying the means. But that's not his fault. It would be like getting angry with an Alzheimer patient. Sure, they behave as they shouldn't. They make bad choices and can be hurtful towards the people they're supposed to love most. But it's not their fault. They didn't ask for this terrible thing to happen to them and they have no control over it.
I love this Take Charge Dean. It's a callback to the dynamic we first saw between the brothers, with Dean as the leader and Sam as the rebellious follower. I love the way this new Sam seems drawn to Dean, almost without truly understanding why. There's a bond there that seems to surprise them both, but it's real and it's powerful. And it's very good to see.
But I would love, truly, truly love Dean to acknowledge Sam is a victim here too, as much as Dean was when he was turned by that vamp. Sam is right; he needs help. And Dean is really the only one who can provide it. I hope we continue to see the brothers working together towards a common goal, and that in time Dean's attitude towards Sam thaws. Sam has messed up in the past, no question. But this time, he is not to blame.
Random Observations:
- I wish someone would sit Jared and Jensen down and explain to them that after a person has taken a terrible pummeling to the head, they're usually very careful about moving it. Jensen whipped his head around in Swan Song last season after Sam had made his jump and Cas his reappearance. At the time, I couldn't help but think that should have given him a massive headache and/or have ruined his balance. Tonight, Jared was moving his head all over the place after being beaten into unconsciousness. I've never been made into some guy's punching bag, but I do get the occasional migraine, and I can tell both Sam and Dean--when your head hurts that badly, you move it very slowly and very carefully. I'd love to see them take that into consideration next time.
- On the plus side though, Sam's face when he was tied to the chair and Dean and Cas were talking about his situation, was more puppy-like than anything I've seen in ages, even with it covered in blood.
- I'm not the biggest Cas fan in the world, but he amused me tonight. I liked his doctor routine ("Is he speaking in tongues? Are you speaking in tongues?"), his snark ("Yes, because all your needs come first." Or whatever the line was) and his ego (Of course Cas's true being is as big as the Chrysler building. Of course.)
- Some fun lines tonight sprinkled throughout the ep. I like Dabb and Loflin in that regard.
- I wanted them to make more of Sam's freaky super strength. Where does that come from? Why was he willing to keep it under wraps? Clearly he could have fought Dean off if he'd chosen to. So why didn't he?
- Rick Worthy did a nice job with the alpha vamp. He had the necessary gravitas and menace.
- Good riddance, Christian--though I'm sure we'll see you again.
- Glad Grandpa's duplicitous nature has been revealed. I wonder how Cowley is keeping him in line.
- Speaking of the King of Hell--Surprise!Cowley is always a pleasure.
- As is the guys working together. With one very notable exception.
This is actually the meat of my reaction. As much as I enjoyed so many things in tonight's episode, one particular issue was troubling. The way Sam was treated, particularly by Dean. I welcome comments in this journal. I always have and I always will, but I don't want my observations to start a wank war. I love the character of Dean, so my criticism of his behavior is not meant to demonize him (which on this show could be taken literally) or to suggest Sam is ready for sainthood. Neither is true. If you pop in with your two cents, please keep that in mind.
I'm disappointed over Dean's reaction to learning Sam is without his soul. While the beat-down Dean gave Sam last week was intense and hard to watch, I could understand to some degree the rationale for it. This thing with Sam's face, that Veritas had called "not human," had allowed something terrible to happen to Dean and had cost him the family he'd enjoyed for the last year. Seems to me something like that could get a brother riled up.
But this week, Cas, a trusted expert when it comes to souls, does his best Doogie Howser imitation and learns Sam is without his. Does Dean seem upset on Sam's behalf? Does he in any way express sympathy? His kid brother sacrificed everything to save the world, got tossed into a cage in hell and was sprung only after something intrinsic was stripped from him. What Sam has gone through is the equivalent of spiritual rape. And how does Dean react? By making jokes about keeping Sam locked up and by telling Sam if he doesn't like the way Dean is calling the shots to try his luck with Samuel and see how that turns out.
When he learns Sam is in an even more precarious situation--not only is Sam's soul missing, but Cowley has it and intends to keep it. And if Dean and Sam cross him, he'll simply toss Sam back in the cage--Dean's behavior doesn't change much. He says, "We can't work with demons." It's Sam who says, "What about my soul?" And no one even discusses what damage that soul must be suffering, having been trapped in hell now for over a year.
I get that Dean has every reason not to trust Sam. Sam is impaired--his emotional response just isn't there, his judgment is faulty, and he is all about the end justifying the means. But that's not his fault. It would be like getting angry with an Alzheimer patient. Sure, they behave as they shouldn't. They make bad choices and can be hurtful towards the people they're supposed to love most. But it's not their fault. They didn't ask for this terrible thing to happen to them and they have no control over it.
I love this Take Charge Dean. It's a callback to the dynamic we first saw between the brothers, with Dean as the leader and Sam as the rebellious follower. I love the way this new Sam seems drawn to Dean, almost without truly understanding why. There's a bond there that seems to surprise them both, but it's real and it's powerful. And it's very good to see.
But I would love, truly, truly love Dean to acknowledge Sam is a victim here too, as much as Dean was when he was turned by that vamp. Sam is right; he needs help. And Dean is really the only one who can provide it. I hope we continue to see the brothers working together towards a common goal, and that in time Dean's attitude towards Sam thaws. Sam has messed up in the past, no question. But this time, he is not to blame.