I'm feeling a bit ho-hum about this one, as well. It felt rather like the brothers were reduced to bit-part players in their own show at times, and I really fail to see what the point of it all was, since the vessel ended up in exactly the same place in the end. There was Sam'n'Dean development and Castiel development, but it was shoehorned in around the edges of the main Jimmy plot instead of being the focus.
It all felt a bit like the writers indulging themselves, because Misha Collins has proved so popular and they perhaps wanted to 'reward' that by placing him in the spotlight and giving him some backstory. Trouble is, his vessel's backstory is largely irrelevant! So, yeah. There were bits I liked about the episode, but for the most part it felt bitty and unbalanced. Disappointing for this point of the season.
Forgot to add, I do think, though, that Sam's personality change has been deliberately done in order to demonstrate how much the demon blood is changing him. That we are supposed to be questioning how much this new coldness and ruthlessness is psychological, a result of everything he has been through, and how much the demon blood is changing him physiologically, including the way he thinks and feels. Because none of it is entirely new to him, just that certain personality traits he already possessed have been accentuated, while others have been repressed.
I don't have a problem with the demon blood coloring and affecting Sam's views as long as Sam is still ultimately the one in control of his decisions. I can't think of anything more disappointing then at the end of this Sam and Dean just agree that all is forgiven because "it was only the demon blood talking/acting". I think the whole premise of SPN is this idea of personal choice operating within the strictures of destiny. And sure maybe Kripke has this idea that destiny is an overarching determinator, but to reduce all personal decisions to something out of the realm of a character's control (demon blood, extending destiny to encompass everything) would just feel like the easy way out. Plus, it would go against the whole American ethos of personal free will and choice; after all this is a show steeped in Americana and reflects largely an American mindset
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Oh, definitly - Sam has acres of unresolved issues that Show has never really dealt with. We never got to see how he felt about being possessed, never got to see him dealing with having been dead, his grief for John got shoved aside. He has always had a vengeful temper, though, and I rationalise that he is channelling all those unresolved issues into this one thing, because it feels like something he can take control of and achieve. Or did, anyway, until it was too late to turn back, and having committed himself he maintains that unwavering resolve because it is either that or fall to pieces completely.
I just wish so much that this episode had focused on the brothers falling apart in their different ways, instead of trailing Jimmy McMook all over the place, only to ultimately leave him in exactly the same place he started. Plus the internal inconsistencies within the storyline made me want to throw something at the screen.
Okay so you kinda nailed what I wasn't able to do in my post--why I was having mixed reactions (or confused?) to this ep. I did enjoy the last 20ish minutes. And it's not like I disliked the Jimmy scenes. But it did seem a little strange for the third to last episode of the season I must admit. That's what was bugging me and I couldn't put my fingers on it.
Yes, the last portion of the episode in the warehouse were the strongest of the episode (no surprise, it was the climax), but, you know, there just could've been so much more to this episode if it was shown from Sam and Dean's perspective instead of Jimmy's. For example, "JtS" had strong moments throughout (not just at the climax) that weren't all action sequences because it emphasized the emotional impacts between all three brothers. That is what the core of The Show is, not the twists and turns of the plot or how much action is stuffed between the lines because without an emotional context it's just gun shots and blood. Episodes that cater to the emotional story are ALWAYS the strongest regardless of how they're framed ("Faith", "Home, "Scarecrow", "ImToD", "WiaWSNB", "MS"). I guess I just felt like this episode could've be so much more if only we were allowed to see it from Sam and Dean's POV. It's that lost potential that's so disappointing, esp. at this point in the season.
Oh, that's interesting and makes me think of Mythbusters, which used to be about one thing -testing myths- but is now basically a show about people blowing shit up. To me that show's lost all its appeal and this previous ep of Spn totally missed the mark for me too.
I think this ep should've come much earlier in the season and the twist of Castiel getting spanked by God or the Archangels could've been great as a reveal in a different epi.
I really felt screwed over in terms of Show staples in The Rapture. It sure wasn't the rapturous experience I'd hoped for.
I'm confused as to why Kripke and Carver assumed we'd care about how and why Castiel came to be in his vessel in lieu of Sam and Dean's current story, especially when the brother's situation had so much potential for some juicy storytelling and some serious characterisation.
AMEN! The whole of the 2nd half of the season they danced around the topic of Sam's activities with Ruby, i.e. drinking her blood, and how terrified he is about Dean finding out and to then just squeeze the whole reveal and Dean's reaction to it at the end of an episode that is nothing, but a vehicle for a recurring character, is anti-climactic, to say the least. I don't know what to make of that. :( The worst part is that Castiel's backstory is really of no consequence for the story and to waste a whole episode on it, especially so shortly before the finale, is just completely frustrating and annoying to me.
!!! Not to mention nonsensical. No matter how I try to justify it, centering this episode around new/subsidary characters at the expense of emotionally important Sam and Dean reveals makes no sense to me. What happened would be akin to pain stakingly building a story only to, upon reaching the climax, revert to sequel instead of scene and tell it all in a brief summary before skipping to the resolution whereby important bits and pieces of the climax that were previously left out are conveniently revealed after the fact
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Heh. Whereas I see some very interesting connections being drawn here between Jimmy and Dean. *g* I really like this one. Also? I think it's clearly meant to be part 1 of a 3 part story arc to finish out the season, which is why I think it doesn't feel 'complete'. Mind you, I think there are a couple of plot things going on here, that felt a bit wobbly, but I'll reserve judgement until I've seen the last 2 eps.
Heh, I bet for all the Castiel fans out there this episode was heaven on toast, but I am really not that interested in Castiel himself, for me he is only a tool to drive the story of the Winchesters. I am sure that this episode was the lead in for a further exploration of Sam's addiction and Dean's reaction to it, but the way The Rapture was set up, it suggests that once again that plot between the brothers is simply one story amongst many, with the angels and demons being front and center. :(
For my sake, I'm so pleased I am. *g* I totally get the niggles if you're not. But yeah, this has evolved into a massively complex multi-stranded story. One that's practically impossible to evaluate piecemeal, which is what's happening at the moment. These stories are so closely interwoven, it's like trying to judge an entire book by a single chapter. Which is why I'm holding fire till we get the endgame of the season.
Hm, I am just really unhappy when the brothers are reduced to side-kicks in their own story and the angel plot increasingly does exactly that. You know, I would even have preferred for the episode to have no Sam and Dean at all instead of giving them a handful of superficial scenes which only left me wanting more! I guess I am just not all that interested in Supernatural turning into a massively multi-stranded story, I miss the personal touch in the mytharc, which seems to get buried under all the epicness.
I didn't get home in time to watch it and weirdly enough, I think I'm glad. Jump the Shark reminded me why I <3 SPN, this episode would have reminded me why it makes me want to beat my head against a wall.
The nasty side of me would theorize that the whole Castiel thing was just to indulge the fans because FANS LOVE HOT MISHA COLLINS ANGEL!! and make Dean/Castiel the new Sam/Ruby but eh. The nice side would just think that Jared and Jensen were happy that they got to sleep more. Maybe.
As for the demon blood thing, at this point I just don't care. They kind of started at Point B, skidded around Point C, and will probably end up at Point D via a shortcut. I am hoping that next week's won't disappoint. Sera Gamble said "be careful what you wish for" in relation to Sam's head so who knows...
I loved "JtS", too! It's an excellent example of how a new character can be properly used as a foil for the main characters. I liked the new depth it gave to John, it made him a million more times interesting (to me, at least). I thought casting for Adam was well done; that kid could act, horray. \o/
The nasty side of me would theorize that the whole Castiel thing was just to indulge the fans
I wish I could say that thought didn't cross my mind. It did feel a little self-indulgent. I don't mind fan service when it's played for laughs ("TMatEoTB") or doesn't detract from the story, but when it feels like it's taking over the story for the sake of taking over the story then I think it's probably best to put it where it belongs (in the fandom box).
Sera Gamble said "be careful what you wish for" in relation to Sam's head so who knows...Generally, I'm OK with Gamble's episodes. Sometimes her plots are a little convoluted, but I think she's got her fingers on Sam's pulse more than any other writer in that writer's room (dare I
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Hehe. Yeah, the kid was good. I kind of had to stare vacantly at his vacant stare quite a bit but the more I think about it the more that's one of my favorite - if not THE favorite - episode of S4 because it was so, so back to basics. And no mytharc / angels n demons!! Just think - considering the episode was written by the people who did Yellow Fever, which was blah, then After School Special, which was good-ish, to JtS, which was awesome, it means their next episode will be Emmy-worthy. Or such. I don't know if they'll be kept on or not, at this point I actually hope they do. Also I hope that Humprhis can get more than 2 episodes...
I did see two meta/reviews today that pointed out that Jimmy was a mirror to SamnDean, especially Sam, but not seeing the episode, I can't judge. I can say that at this point any time I do hear someone mention "Oh Castiel's got quite a story..." I automatically flinch and decide whatever it is is just Not For Me. Even more disappointing than that is that this was a Jeremy Carver episode and
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OK, I can't be bothered to look up the html code for making my font white because...
WHAT?!?!?!?!?! OMG, I read your spoiler!!!! \o/ I knew the former person was going to be in the episode but I had NO CLUE about the latter. *FLAILY FLAIL* I adore that person to an unbelievable degree. OMG. You think the two guest stars will be in the same scene!??!? OK, yeah, I know in canon that's an impossibility but I long for a scene where guest star #1 cuddles (!!!) or talks to or gets to interact with guest star #2 because that would ONLY BE FAIR in the sea of unfairness and epic tragedy Sam's been afloat in all his life.
OK, I will have to reply about all your writery comments (because I have MANY) when I calm down. *breathes* Thursday is so far away....
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It all felt a bit like the writers indulging themselves, because Misha Collins has proved so popular and they perhaps wanted to 'reward' that by placing him in the spotlight and giving him some backstory. Trouble is, his vessel's backstory is largely irrelevant! So, yeah. There were bits I liked about the episode, but for the most part it felt bitty and unbalanced. Disappointing for this point of the season.
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I just wish so much that this episode had focused on the brothers falling apart in their different ways, instead of trailing Jimmy McMook all over the place, only to ultimately leave him in exactly the same place he started. Plus the internal inconsistencies within the storyline made me want to throw something at the screen.
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I think this ep should've come much earlier in the season and the twist of Castiel getting spanked by God or the Archangels could've been great as a reveal in a different epi.
I really felt screwed over in terms of Show staples in The Rapture. It sure wasn't the rapturous experience I'd hoped for.
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AMEN! The whole of the 2nd half of the season they danced around the topic of Sam's activities with Ruby, i.e. drinking her blood, and how terrified he is about Dean finding out and to then just squeeze the whole reveal and Dean's reaction to it at the end of an episode that is nothing, but a vehicle for a recurring character, is anti-climactic, to say the least. I don't know what to make of that. :( The worst part is that Castiel's backstory is really of no consequence for the story and to waste a whole episode on it, especially so shortly before the finale, is just completely frustrating and annoying to me.
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The nasty side of me would theorize that the whole Castiel thing was just to indulge the fans because FANS LOVE HOT MISHA COLLINS ANGEL!! and make Dean/Castiel the new Sam/Ruby but eh. The nice side would just think that Jared and Jensen were happy that they got to sleep more. Maybe.
As for the demon blood thing, at this point I just don't care. They kind of started at Point B, skidded around Point C, and will probably end up at Point D via a shortcut. I am hoping that next week's won't disappoint. Sera Gamble said "be careful what you wish for" in relation to Sam's head so who knows...
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The nasty side of me would theorize that the whole Castiel thing was just to indulge the fans
I wish I could say that thought didn't cross my mind. It did feel a little self-indulgent. I don't mind fan service when it's played for laughs ("TMatEoTB") or doesn't detract from the story, but when it feels like it's taking over the story for the sake of taking over the story then I think it's probably best to put it where it belongs (in the fandom box).
Sera Gamble said "be careful what you wish for" in relation to Sam's head so who knows...Generally, I'm OK with Gamble's episodes. Sometimes her plots are a little convoluted, but I think she's got her fingers on Sam's pulse more than any other writer in that writer's room (dare I ( ... )
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Just think - considering the episode was written by the people who did Yellow Fever, which was blah, then After School Special, which was good-ish, to JtS, which was awesome, it means their next episode will be Emmy-worthy. Or such. I don't know if they'll be kept on or not, at this point I actually hope they do. Also I hope that Humprhis can get more than 2 episodes...
I did see two meta/reviews today that pointed out that Jimmy was a mirror to SamnDean, especially Sam, but not seeing the episode, I can't judge. I can say that at this point any time I do hear someone mention "Oh Castiel's got quite a story..." I automatically flinch and decide whatever it is is just Not For Me. Even more disappointing than that is that this was a Jeremy Carver episode and ( ... )
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WHAT?!?!?!?!?! OMG, I read your spoiler!!!! \o/ I knew the former person was going to be in the episode but I had NO CLUE about the latter. *FLAILY FLAIL* I adore that person to an unbelievable degree. OMG. You think the two guest stars will be in the same scene!??!? OK, yeah, I know in canon that's an impossibility but I long for a scene where guest star #1 cuddles (!!!) or talks to or gets to interact with guest star #2 because that would ONLY BE FAIR in the sea of unfairness and epic tragedy Sam's been afloat in all his life.
OK, I will have to reply about all your writery comments (because I have MANY) when I calm down. *breathes* Thursday is so far away....
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