My Thoughts On SPN's The Purge
Last night's Supernatural seriously left me feeling depressed. It seems a large number of people have forgotten the basic premise of this show, including Sam. But I'll get to that in a moment. First, let me get a few things off my chest ( Read more... )
The beginning and that horrid, acidic scene at the end, this was plain and simple verbal manipulation on Sam's part. Sam is far better with words, and Dean is at a distinct disadvantage every time, but to hear some of the things Sam said, I. Was. Fuming.
The opening scene, ohmygod... As Sam has pointed out, he’s been following Dean around since he was four trying to be just like his big brother and he knows Dean better than anyone - maybe even Dean. Sam wasn’t actually asking Dean if he was okay. He knows damned well that Dean isn’t okay. He knows that what he told Dean about not being brothers is eating away at him. It’s a knife in Dean’s heart just as it was in his when Dean said that Benny was a better brother than Sam had ever been. Bringing the issue up, isn’t about Sam reiterating that he’s “just being honest.” It was a twist of the knife.
Right away that set the tone, that exchange; for all the physical violence Dean's ever perpetrated, even against Sam when he's hit him a number of times, it's the words that do the most damage. How Dean didn't end up eating a bullet by the end of this episode is beyond me.
Then, as the bad monster is gone and the brother's debate about what to do with Marissa, or Maritza (however that's spelled), Sam jumps back in it with the worst argument ever in his comparison to his own possession by Gadreel and if that had gotten him killed by some other hunter and would that have been fair?
Good god. Are you kidding me? The comparisons weren't even remotely close! He was possessed and not in control of his body. A better comparison would have been when he was addicted to demon blood, but he chooses the more recent situation, and I think it’s because Dean caused it. Sam KNOWS Dean won't say “yes” - even though they kill innocent vessels all the time - because Dean still won’t admit that what he did was wrong.
Sam is trying to break Dean down, it's clear to see. But my god. Really? He's doing it in the most abhorrent way and far worse than any monster could EVER break him. I dunno, perhaps we need some of show from Sam's pov because I really am finding it hard to understand how ANYBODY can stick up for the guy.
Again. He knows Dean and how to push his buttons. He's manipulating him and assaulting him verbally, cutting with all the precision of a surgeon. Why the hell did Dean go back to hunting with him?? I don't get that. At. All.
After that conversation from last week about them hunting and not being brothers, Dean should have left Sam's ass in that parking lot. Of course we knew he wouldn't but I don't think there was any reason for what he ended up doing!! I DO NOT GET IT!!! Is that just senseless writing????? Since there is no reason any person would have after words like those, I can only assume that yes, terrible writing.
And then to that last, ending conversation, the final knife, or scalpel to Dean's already eviscerated soul. I can't even rehash that.. it's just too awful to recant.
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One gal commented on another review post, and said it best: "any inconsistencies or gaps I chalk up to the new writing crew not being able to operate a DVD player past season seven. I think a lot of this conflict is bad writing. I mean. Really bad.
If this were Kripke writing it, or Sera, I would trust that the pretzels they were twisting the boys into had a purpose or a logic. With Carver, I get a sense of a spoiled kid in a sandbox, moving and throwing things wherever he wants. I don't believe Sam's argument, Sam has never been so cruel. I don't think Dean is scared to be alone. As you said a lot of the comparison's aren't true parallels (because there is no corporate memory past season eight.... I don't think there is much intelligence directing the storyline these days."
Now what? Well, how about a prediction: I'm going out on a limb here and say that I believe we're nearing the end and not just of the season 9, but of the show.
We won't get any brotherly makeup or apology this year. The brothers are going to come to a point at the end of 9 where Dean is sick, something to do with the mark of Cain, and it's killing him. No longer hiding things, Dean will tell Sam and Sam will feign shock, dismay-- whatever the hell that looks like on him any more. Then BOOM! End of season 9.
Season 10: We see stead-fast Sam, trying to have the courage of his convictions, trying to 'ease Dean's passing' while they hunt, and trying to come to terms as to what it means to be a brother and accept the others faults (because you know, Sam is perfection personified...*SARCASM*) and still love, or continue being the worthless motherf**ker that canon has now established that he is. So he soldiers on all brave faced while Dean continues to have good days and bad, until the bad outnumber the good, and on the bad, he finds a way to help Dean without being too brotherly and caring and all that nonsense.
Midway point of 10: boys find out it's the mark that's killing Dean and if they can remove it, he'll live. So they are busy trying to find a way to remove the mark of Cain without killing Dean. No luck, though and Dean gets more ill, much closer to death. Finale: Dean's on his death bed, Sam apologizes, Dean accepts and takes his last breath. Sam cries. *curtain*
And you know what? I would be just fine with that. I am so sick of the show's bad writing and maligning and manipulating and I'm ready for Jensen to have a better career than this. Like, seriously ready. And that kind of ending works for me. Leave Sam alone and brother-less, oh but hey, he'll always have his high horse and his convictions! *sarcasm*
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The alternative is that the writers really believe this is progress in their relationship. That the writers really believe Dean has been wrong to sacrifice and love his brother beyond himself all this time. The alternative is that they believe the things Sam said. And I just can't with that. If that's the case, I'm just done with the writers and Sam.
Some think in order to make a new, healthier relationship, you first have to break it down--but what they fail to realize is, this isn't Dean's fault. Sam is not right in what he said. That description that Sam gave of Dean is so far from canon Dean as it can get. And its wrong because SAM is the primary problem in this relationship. HE'S the one who keeps Dean in his big brother, save Sam mode. He manipulates Dean into the choices he makes against others and into making sure Dean is all about Sam. SAM is the problem. Not Dean.
So, I really hope this is their way of pushing Dean over the edge even though I don't want dark!Dean. But, even so, Sam still has no motive for acting like this and I don't know how they think we're supposed to just forgive him for his words to Dean.
I don't know. This is really too much and has gone too far for me to grasp and accept.
Also, one note, its not just Sam girls who think there is value in last night's harsh talk. A few Dean fans think so too--and Cas fans definitely. That's what's so upsetting. Its not just Sam girls. :(
One of the writers from last night's ep tweeted this was "progress, not resolution." But progress toward what? The answer to that question is what will make or break this show for me.
I guess your theory depends on whether we're pushing Dean into darkness or not and whether or not the boys sign on for more eps beyond season 10.
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Well, I feel the whole Dean wanting to kill the pishtaco(?) was ridiculous anyway. Current canon Dean lets monsters go based on whether they are killing people or not. So, that was a stupid thing there...unless, like some think, this is a symptom of the mark. Its an inconsistent characterization because Dean is not bloodthirsty. Even when he killed Amy, he was sad about it, he apologized to her and looked devastated about it. Last night, it was like he was squishing a bug w/no feeling at all. That's not Dean.
But, yes, after last weeks ep, I so much wanted Dean to just get in the car and leave. He doesn't need to be with someone who is becoming clearly verbally abusive. Sam is most assuredly picking the most painful things to say to Dean--but what is his motivation? Why? Nothing Dean has done warrants Sam being cruel and the writers have failed to give us any reasonable evidence as to why Sam is this cruel stranger. More to follow in next post...
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Thanks for saying all the things I've been thinking.
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*hugs*
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