8.03 again! (with the bromance this time...)

[ash48]

Because...yes. That episode was just that good.

Just a couple of tiny observations and a rec.

Comments

[de_nugis]

I really hope they don't play out Sam leaving and coming back through Dean being in danger and Sam having to come back and save him, and stay and keep saving him. Because that comes down to a situation where Dean's choice dictates Sam's: if Dean chooses to hunt, Sam has to choose to hunt with him, or make himself responsible for Dean's danger and death. I don't want Sam blackmailed into coming back out of guilt. Even if it's not Dean himself emotionally blackmailing Sam, that to me still taints their relationship with an element of blackmail, and comes down on the side of Dean's whole buying produce while people die guilt trip.

I need the show to allow Sam's non-hunting values to be real and valid, and to somehow be integrated into how he and Dean end up living their lives together. The way they've set it up, I'm really thinking they need to change the model of the show some: let Sam and Dean become more like Bobby, or Ellen, or Rufus, let Sam maintain a long-distance relationship and hunt part-time, as Dean once envisioned with Lisa. Honestly, I think a little change in structure would also be good for keeping the show from becoming too repetitively procedural. Maybe not a shake-up as major as Angel s5, but a shake-up. (Though part of me would love to see Sam go to law school and become a lawyer for hunters AND monsters.)

If it's just Sam leaves but comes back, Sam doubts but is reconverted, that will be very cheap to me. In a way, even while they are lightening the show some with a return to emphasis on the more positive aspects of hunting, they've also set up a situation where they have to confront head on some of the darkness and ambiguity that has been part of that model of heroism from the beginning. They can't do that by going back to "hunting is good, it's about saving people with your brother," even if it comes with a side of "other things are also good and it's very sad that Sam has to give them up." I think they need to actively change the way they do hunting so it is different and better.

[ash48]

*nods* I can see that. I think it will be problematic if it's a simple matter of leaving, Dean gets hurt so he has to return. It won't progress their story or make for interesting developments so I'd be surprised if they did this.

The last time they willingly separated their reunion was valid for both of them (I'm thinking of after The End). Sam staying just to watch Dean's back won't provide any real solution to either of their issues. Doesn't mean it might not be explored though I suppose.

I think a shake up would be quite cool. (especially if there are pans for more seasons after this one...)

(Though part of me would love to see Sam go to law school and become a lawyer for hunters AND monsters.)

Oh I would love that! I have this hankering to see Sam as a Lawyer. (and I did love that he was exploring options other than hunting I have to admit). Hee... a lawyer for monsters. A type of Law and Order, Supernatural style. ;)

[de_nugis]

Yeah. I think their greatest challenge in all this, really, is dealing with the impact the format of the show has on the themes, characters, etc. As they have things set up it's not coming across as Dean is right, Sam is wrong, or Sam is right, Dean is wrong on the emotional and philosophical fronts at all. At the moment they are each rejecting the other in a way, and each shutting out some values that they ought to give weight to, but also each showing that they matter to each other. But the niggling worry I have is that, when it comes down to it, Dean at the moment = Supernatural as we know it, and Sam = something different. Even if Sam chooses the same old hunting formula out of his own genuine conviction, not out of guilt or sacrifice or because (please no) something happens to Amelia, it's still going to feel awfully . . . convenient. I guess I'll understand if the show goes that route why it did so, but I hope it will do something a bit riskier.

[ash48]

Risky would be great. Edgy also.

Man, I just don't know. We've seen Show do some fairly daring things and pull it off (mostly), but now as it moves into its eighth season it's challenged with, on the one hand, being the show that we all fell in love with, but also keeping the characters evolving, finding justifiable reasons to keep them together AND present us with MotW stories each week. On top of that, developing new and interesting characters that somehow fit into the lives of our boys.

*cheerleads* them on.

[cassiopeia7]

I have this hankering to see Sam as a Lawyer. (and I did love that he was exploring options other than hunting I have to admit). Hee... a lawyer for monsters. A type of Law and Order, Supernatural style.

Agreed. And I have a present for you, bb!