Thinky thoughts and pics - 6.12

[ash48]

Now that I've calmed down a bit...

There were a few things that struck me when watching this ep and a few other things that stood out on re-watch. Though um... fairly random and geeky... *g*

Comments

[maenad]

It's adorable that about 70% of the episode could be summarised as:

Sam: *is Sam*
Dean: *bounces gleefully*

Just - aww.

Something else that this episode really brought home to me was the value of souls. Balthazar said "Do you have any idea what souls are worth, what power they hold?". I suspect that this refers more to the soul's value to other supernatural beings but to me the value and power of Sam's soul was enormous to Dean. It certainly has healing powers because I can't recall a time (recently) that Dean seemed so happy and at some sort of peace. And obviously worth a lot to Dean also. To die, once again, for Sam (and his soul) speaks volumes of what it is worth to him.

*nods* Sam kept pointing out that this wasn't what Dean did when he came back, or that Dean would need to deal with this if he were in Sam's shoes, which is such a contrast to what he said before - that they were completely different, that he couldn't fathom needing the kinds of things Dean did when he came back. It plays so nicely into what they've been saying about family so far - that it's common experience and affection that make it count, rather than blood. Dean kept offering that before, and Sam didn't need or want it; now he doesn't need to offer, because Sam simply intuits it. It was a lovely way of demonstrating that Sam has come home. :)

I also love that the force of this hug seems to make up for the complete lack of passion we got from episode one.

You really have to appreciate eleven episodes of set up, there. That that was the test. Not salt, not iron, not a quiz on Sam's habits - you'll just know Sam when you see him.

[ash48]

that it's common experience and affection that make it count, rather than blood.

Indeed and I think it's great that the boys have common ground to work on now. Even though Sam doesn't remember his time in hell he knows he's been away for a long time and the effect that would have on Dean (having been through it himself). And Dean knows enough about hell to want to keep Sam safe from ever remembering it.

That that was the test. Not salt, not iron, not a quiz on Sam's habits - you'll just know Sam when you see him

Oh yes. It was immediate wasn't it? His body language, his face, his demeanour... everything spoke "Sam".

<3