Why Bobby Is Da Man and Sam is already down the Rabbit Hole and Dean is a Fluffy White Bunny of Bzuh
1. You know how it seems like we keep getting the same dad-gummed scene at the end of every episode lately? Yellow Fever... Heaven and Hell... Family Remains... ETC. and now Sex and Violence. Remember how I've said before there was a reason for it and we'd know why very soon? It's because they were setting precedents. Let's go in real-time order:
2. In 4.09, I Know What You Did Last Summer, Dean (and we) notice that Sam is clean sober and we learn in flashback that Ruby made a stipulation for helping Sam with his powers: he had to stop drinking. (Sideline: There is a very important reason for that and it isn't because he was abusing it.) We don't see Sam take a drink again until Yellow Fever.
3. In 4.04, Metamorphosis, Sam tells Dean that he isn't going to do "it" anymore. In 4.09, Ruby says his powers will weaken if he doesn't keep doing it. He refuses anyway. That means whatever they were doing to increase his powers, it has effects lasting beyond the stark present. Bobby obviously is not aware of the duration of the effects, because...
4. In 4.06, Yellow Fever, Bobby showed up to save the boys and at the end they were all sippin' beer and having a State of the Union guy moment. Until Dean notices that holy crap Sam is drinking a beer... and his eyes flash yellow in what appears to be quite an unintentional way. Dean pretends NOT to notice.
5. Dean uncoils his secrets in 4.09, 4.10, and 4.11... all during end scenes leaning on the car, his safe place, his protection. Shot the same way in similar locations to draw parallels to the other main topic this season: Sam's secret activities. The bridges and underpasses are visual metaphors telling us that these two things are linked... DEEPLY LINKED. The presence of the Impala also alludes to WHY these things are happening. Dean's confessions are warnings to Sam... to keep him safe. Sam's guilt and inability to console him... point toward his one reason for doing what he's doing: it isn't for revenge... it's for Dean, to keep him safe.
6. In 4.12, Criss Angel is a Douche Bag, Sam changes his mind and decides that what he and Ruby were doing was too important. Even if it is dangerous and could (theoretically) kill him, it's worth it for the person he loves the most. When Sam asked Dean what he thought of growing old doing this, Dean surprised him: he said that he doesn't see any way out of dying young. Sam can't bear the thought of Dean making that sacrifice again.
7. In 4.13, After School Special, Sam is handed a beer and uses it to ice his wounds but doesn't drink it. He's also taken on the role of protector: sleeping clostest to the door, holding secretive conversations, finding the hunts, calling Dean "kiddo", NOT drinking. Dean notices.
8. Now, 4.14, Sex and Violence. CHECK IT:
Dean: "Root beer?"
Bobby: "You boys are drivin' ain't ya?" *stares at Sam*
Sam: *frowns*
Dean: *turns away and pretends NOT to notice*
9. BS drivin' excuse is BS. Why would Bobby bring beer in 4.06 after Sam stopped the "thing" with Ruby and then bring soda in 4.14 now that he's started up again? BECAUSE HE KNOWS WHAT SAM AND RUBY ARE DOING, THAT'S WHY. AND APPARENTLY HE'S OKAY WITH IT. We don't see him confronting Sam, do we? We know, based on 2.22, that he wouldn't hesitate to do that given the dire circumstances, right?
9a. ALSO. DEAN KNOWS THAT BOBBY KNOWS WHAT SAM IS DOING and THAT BOTH OF THEM ARE PURPOSEFULLY KEEPING HIM IN THE DARK ABOUT IT.
9b. ALSO. ALSO. DEAN KNOWS THAT WHATEVER SAM IS DOING HAS METABOLIC EFFECTS ON SAM'S BODY.
9c. There's allusions in the scene, too. Look at what they're wearing. When was the last time they, more or less, wore these same clothes?
I'll give you a hint:
(Metamorphosis... an episode about not becoming a monster until you take the plunge and consume the blood-soaked flesh of another.. NOT TO MENTION the recurring theme of vampires and the key to immortality being a science that you can learn and apply if you want it bad enough to suffer the consequences...)
I'll give you a minute...
Let's continue on that thought train...
10. You know in Lazarus Rising when Dean climbs out in Pontiac, Illinois... 250 miles away from where he died in New Harmony, Indiana? Do you think Sam was in any shape to drive 250 miles to anywhere, let alone down the block? Do you think he would refuse to be anywhere other than holding Dean's body in the back seat of the Impala? Which means... Bobby drove? Which means, Bobby didn't just pick some random spot after hauling ass for 250 miles with Sam cradling Dean's body in the backseat? Which means it was probably picked out ahead of time?
11. You know how Sam said he tried everything to get Dean back? You know how Bobby was questioning Sam right along with Dean?
12. You know how in Sex and Violence, Bobby was the only one to call in and figure out that their FBI nemesis was not FBI at all? And how he chided the boys for not TURNING THE QUESTION AROUND ON THE GUY WHO'S ASKING?
13. You know... how the boys have never asked Bobby what he knows or does when they're not around and why he's always just... there? I think we're ALL just taking that for granted.
14. BOBBY ROCKS THE CASBAH AND HE IS A FREAKING NINJA IS WHAT.
*LOVES HARD*
14a. Dean is sad and left out and confused and scared.
14b. Sam has a plan and Ruby and Bobby are in on it and yet they are not "in" on where Sam is planning to go with it. I think both -- well, all of them -- will be surprised.
Why is Dean being kept in the dark? ...
DISCUSS.