Supernatural 3.09 In which I am dazed and confused
So I've gotten a little carried away here. This episode, not only comes after an unreasonably long break, but it contains elements that have my brain doing back flips, so to speak. Sorry folks I don't have much in the way of answers for you, just ten billion more questions.
Edit:
just_ruth has left the lyrics to "Conquistador" by Proco Harum in the comments which you might find interesting.
3.09 Malleus Maleficarum
This episode was written by Ben Edlund who has a tendency to write scripts that are a little off kilter and, how can one put this kindly, freaky. So I must say I'm not entirely sure how to read what happened. Was this all just strangely bent humour, serious commentary, set up for what follows (and so consequently will only make sense once we see the rest of the season) or a complete mess of a script?
Probably all of the above given the wide variety of fen reaction I've read.
To quote wikipedia on the Malleus Maleficarum
Misogyny runs rampant in the Malleus Maleficarum. The treatise singled out women as specifically inclined for witchcraft, because they were susceptible to demonic temptations through their manifold weaknesses. It was believed that they were weaker in faith and were more carnal than men. Most of the women accused as witches had strong personalities and were known to defy convention by overstepping the lines of proper female decorum. After the publication of the Malleus, most of those who were prosecuted as witches were women. Indeed, the very title of the Malleus Maleficarum is feminine, alluding to the idea that it was women who were the evil-doers.
So, by using this particular title for an episode, are they saying this is what women are or are they suggesting otherwise? I found it very hard to determine what the makers of this episode pov was on this.
I've never been among those who see Dean Winchester as a man who loves women. Quite simply, he likes to fuck and will take what ever opportunity he can to get laid. For me, the reason that he's interesting is that he presents a very macho exterior that hides a very stereotypical feminine interior. He has self esteem issues. He seeks and wants his father's approval. He nurtured his younger brother at great cost to his own individuality. Without Sam, he sees himself as nothing. I could go on. Getting inside the head of a character like that is fascinating but he's not going to win prizes for an enlightened attitude to women. In this episode we see a lot of Dean's facade and not much under the surface which adds to my confusion about what this episode is really trying to say.
Note: For more interesting commentary on the meaning of the episode title see Refur's episode review of doom part one.
Now I've got all that off my chest here's a meander through a few more thoughts I also had about the episode.
~
The gore at the beginning completely freaked me out. I was hiding behind my hands once again. There's definitely been a drift away from the darkness and into the gore this season. I must say I miss the darkness. *sigh*
~
Oddly, I rather enjoyed seeing boys in suits being rained on. I am perverse, so sue me.
~
Dean: I hate witches. Always spewing their bodily fluids everywhere.
Sam: Pretty much.
Dean: It's creepy. Y'know it's down right unsanitary.
So I'm not a 'Dean as woman friendly male' subscriber but, W!T!F!? What is it about this whole over reaction to witches that Dean has? There has got to be back story that explains this reaction. The reference to bodily fluids is just odd. The Winchesters deal with all sorts of monster slime and dirt every week. What's especially revolting about witches?
~
Maggots in roast. *eeewww*
Maggots in burgers. *eeewww*
More hiding behind fingers and generally wanting to barf, right there.
~
That the 'baddie', Amanda, ends up dead with slashed wrists was a huge shock. I was not expecting that. I like being surprised. I want more of that.
Dean: That's a curve ball.
Hell yes!
~
Dean: Ho, God! Frigging witches. Seriously man, come on!
Sam: Guess we know where she got the rabbits' teeth from.
Dean: Well, Paul sure knows how to pick'em. It's like Fatal Attraction all over again.
Sam: Yeah.
Dean: And why's the rabbit always get screwed in the deal? Poor little guy.
I giggled at the bunny empathy, I do confess it, but Dean, isn't this a mite misplaced?
~
I like the fake clues we keep getting throughout this episode about who the baddie is but really isn't. Unfortunately, there's also a little too much standing around giving exposition when we have the book club together which kills the tension that's being built.
~
Dean: They killed the nut job. Should we thank them or what?
Sam: They're working black magic too, Dean. They need to be stopped.
Dean: Stopped like stopped? They're human Sam.
Sam: They're murderers.
Dean: Burn witch burn.
So, yeah, Sam really isn't Sam any more is he?
~
We have the Impala, Sam, Dean and Ruby, on a road, in the dark of night. Ruby tries to save Sam and there is the most incredible explosion of tension and violence between them. Sam is very uncertain and weak in the face of Ruby's entreaties to leave and Dean just wants to blow Ruby away. He can't believe his brother is conversing with a demon and taking her advice. In the end Sam physically intervenes and stops Dean from killing Ruby.
This has got to be one of the best scenes this entire episode. It's complete in every way and so so tight. This scene right here buys the whole episode for me. Unfortunately, the seams elsewhere become a little more obvious as a consequence.
~
I like that we seem to be getting some more honest interactions between the brothers. They ask the questions that need to be asked and answer them directly. It doesn't solve much but at least no one is pretending that Dean is going to live. His time is running out and that's the reality that has to be faced.
~
Sam: Look, we have to start looking at the big picture, Dean, start thinking in strategies and, and moves ahead. It's not so simple, we're not we're not just hunting any more. We're at war.
Dean: Are you feeling okay?
Sam: Why are you always asking me that?
Dean: 'cos you're taking advice from a demon for starters. And by the way, you seem less and less worried about offing people. Y'know, it used to eat you up inside.
Sam: And what has that gotten me?
Dean: Nothing. But it's just what you're supposed to do. Okay? We're supposed to drive in the frigging car and frigging argue about this stuff. You go on about the sanctity of human life and all that crap.
Sam: Wait, so you're mad because I'm starting to agree with you.
Dean: No. I'm not mad. I'm worried. I worried because you're not acting like yourself.
Sam: Yeah, you're right. I'm not. I don't have a choice.
Dean: What's that supposed to mean?
Sam: Look, Dean, you're leaving. Right? And I've got to stay here in this crap hole of a world. Alone. So the way I see it, if I'm gonna make it. If I'm gonna fight this war after you're gone, I've gotta change.
Dean: Change into what?
Sam: Into you. I've gotta be more like you.
Dean is so confused and losing his way because Sam isn't Sam anymore. Having raised Sam, I think Dean sees his brother as the better person, as possessing those things he is missing Sam has kept him focussed and stopped him from going completely off the rails. And now Sam isn't being Sam, he's becoming Dean. Dean is lost and facing the reality that Sam isn't going to save him. Argh!
I think part of the the problem I have with the anti-female vibe of this episode is that normally Dean's actions or dialogue are balanced by Sam's. So if Dean's remarks get to off colour, Sam usually smacks him and reinforces the 'that's not appropriate' message. Sam isn't doing that. He's not Sam any more. There is no one to balance Dean's negative tendencies.
~
Ruby saves Dean from the new demon in town. And Dean is faced with another one of those just-because-it's-supernatural-doesn't-mean-it's-evil moments. Though a non-evil demon has got to be something new in our universe. Isn't that the point of demons, that they are evil? If a demon isn't evil does that make them something else, something new?
~
I like that Sam works out who the demon is possessing. The brain wins again. *round of applause*
~
So, the demon can stop bullets from the Ruby-fixed demon killing Colt. What's going on with that? Is that a commentary on the power of the demon or the role Ruby is playing?
~
The witches we see in this episode have sold their souls, just as Dean has, only for more trite rewards. They might have done it with less consideration and knowledge of the costs but they are all going to the same place. Are we supposed to read something into this? Because if so I don't think we're hearing it as clearly as we should.
~
There's a new leader rising in the west who doesn't like Sam very much? I'm not touching that with a ten foot barge pole.
~
This new demon tells us that Ruby was once a witch who sold her soul to it. Hmm? The 'demons lie' buzzer goes off again. There's lots of that this episode. What ever happened to my simple show-trusting nature, eh?
~
Elizabeth distracts the demon long enough for Dean to get the knife and kill it. I do hope there are cookies and milk for Liz where ever she's going 'cos she saved everyone's bacon.
~
It turns out the brothers have been staying at the Conquistador Motel.
According to wikipedia a Conquistador was:
a Spanish soldier, explorer, and adventurer who took part in the gradual invasion and conquest of much of the Americas and Asia Pacific, bringing them under Spanish colonial rule between the 15th and 19th centuries.
In English it means conqueror. So who conquerored who this episode?
~
In the conversation between Dean and Ruby at the end we get another reference to Dean becoming the thing he hunts. (The reaper in IMToD, told Dean this but it's not entirely clear if Dean has any memory of this.) Clearly it's an argument that is useful to manipulate him, to drive his behaviour in a particular direction. I think Dean does have a reasonable fear of becoming evil. Just how long can you go pursuing and killing evil before you start to take on elements of that which you hunt? Gordon Walker being a pretty recent shining example. What does this say for Sam's future?
Ruby explains that humans become demons or evil spirits by forgetting their humanity as they suffer in the torment of hell. Does this mean they could be returned to their humanity by remembering? Is this how Dean is going to be saved from this fate through the connection to Sam (and John and Bobby) that's represented by the pendent?
Is Sam forgetting who he is as he takes on more of Dean's persona?
~
I keep going back to the fact that demon's lie. How much of what Ruby says can we believe? Or the demon she sold her soul to? Ruby is up to something but what isn't clear yet. Yes, she saves Dean but to what end? It's not like he's going to be around too much longer so she's not really storing up trouble for herself in the future.
~
As I think is pretty clear from the ramblings above. I have no clue what we're supposed to take away from this episode and no idea where we're headed other than a visit to hell looks like it's on the agenda.
Edit:
just_ruth has left the lyrics to "Conquistador" by Proco Harum in the comments which you might find interesting.
3.09 Malleus Maleficarum
This episode was written by Ben Edlund who has a tendency to write scripts that are a little off kilter and, how can one put this kindly, freaky. So I must say I'm not entirely sure how to read what happened. Was this all just strangely bent humour, serious commentary, set up for what follows (and so consequently will only make sense once we see the rest of the season) or a complete mess of a script?
Probably all of the above given the wide variety of fen reaction I've read.
To quote wikipedia on the Malleus Maleficarum
Misogyny runs rampant in the Malleus Maleficarum. The treatise singled out women as specifically inclined for witchcraft, because they were susceptible to demonic temptations through their manifold weaknesses. It was believed that they were weaker in faith and were more carnal than men. Most of the women accused as witches had strong personalities and were known to defy convention by overstepping the lines of proper female decorum. After the publication of the Malleus, most of those who were prosecuted as witches were women. Indeed, the very title of the Malleus Maleficarum is feminine, alluding to the idea that it was women who were the evil-doers.
So, by using this particular title for an episode, are they saying this is what women are or are they suggesting otherwise? I found it very hard to determine what the makers of this episode pov was on this.
I've never been among those who see Dean Winchester as a man who loves women. Quite simply, he likes to fuck and will take what ever opportunity he can to get laid. For me, the reason that he's interesting is that he presents a very macho exterior that hides a very stereotypical feminine interior. He has self esteem issues. He seeks and wants his father's approval. He nurtured his younger brother at great cost to his own individuality. Without Sam, he sees himself as nothing. I could go on. Getting inside the head of a character like that is fascinating but he's not going to win prizes for an enlightened attitude to women. In this episode we see a lot of Dean's facade and not much under the surface which adds to my confusion about what this episode is really trying to say.
Note: For more interesting commentary on the meaning of the episode title see Refur's episode review of doom part one.
Now I've got all that off my chest here's a meander through a few more thoughts I also had about the episode.
~
The gore at the beginning completely freaked me out. I was hiding behind my hands once again. There's definitely been a drift away from the darkness and into the gore this season. I must say I miss the darkness. *sigh*
~
Oddly, I rather enjoyed seeing boys in suits being rained on. I am perverse, so sue me.
~
Dean: I hate witches. Always spewing their bodily fluids everywhere.
Sam: Pretty much.
Dean: It's creepy. Y'know it's down right unsanitary.
So I'm not a 'Dean as woman friendly male' subscriber but, W!T!F!? What is it about this whole over reaction to witches that Dean has? There has got to be back story that explains this reaction. The reference to bodily fluids is just odd. The Winchesters deal with all sorts of monster slime and dirt every week. What's especially revolting about witches?
~
Maggots in roast. *eeewww*
Maggots in burgers. *eeewww*
More hiding behind fingers and generally wanting to barf, right there.
~
That the 'baddie', Amanda, ends up dead with slashed wrists was a huge shock. I was not expecting that. I like being surprised. I want more of that.
Dean: That's a curve ball.
Hell yes!
~
Dean: Ho, God! Frigging witches. Seriously man, come on!
Sam: Guess we know where she got the rabbits' teeth from.
Dean: Well, Paul sure knows how to pick'em. It's like Fatal Attraction all over again.
Sam: Yeah.
Dean: And why's the rabbit always get screwed in the deal? Poor little guy.
I giggled at the bunny empathy, I do confess it, but Dean, isn't this a mite misplaced?
~
I like the fake clues we keep getting throughout this episode about who the baddie is but really isn't. Unfortunately, there's also a little too much standing around giving exposition when we have the book club together which kills the tension that's being built.
~
Dean: They killed the nut job. Should we thank them or what?
Sam: They're working black magic too, Dean. They need to be stopped.
Dean: Stopped like stopped? They're human Sam.
Sam: They're murderers.
Dean: Burn witch burn.
So, yeah, Sam really isn't Sam any more is he?
~
We have the Impala, Sam, Dean and Ruby, on a road, in the dark of night. Ruby tries to save Sam and there is the most incredible explosion of tension and violence between them. Sam is very uncertain and weak in the face of Ruby's entreaties to leave and Dean just wants to blow Ruby away. He can't believe his brother is conversing with a demon and taking her advice. In the end Sam physically intervenes and stops Dean from killing Ruby.
This has got to be one of the best scenes this entire episode. It's complete in every way and so so tight. This scene right here buys the whole episode for me. Unfortunately, the seams elsewhere become a little more obvious as a consequence.
~
I like that we seem to be getting some more honest interactions between the brothers. They ask the questions that need to be asked and answer them directly. It doesn't solve much but at least no one is pretending that Dean is going to live. His time is running out and that's the reality that has to be faced.
~
Sam: Look, we have to start looking at the big picture, Dean, start thinking in strategies and, and moves ahead. It's not so simple, we're not we're not just hunting any more. We're at war.
Dean: Are you feeling okay?
Sam: Why are you always asking me that?
Dean: 'cos you're taking advice from a demon for starters. And by the way, you seem less and less worried about offing people. Y'know, it used to eat you up inside.
Sam: And what has that gotten me?
Dean: Nothing. But it's just what you're supposed to do. Okay? We're supposed to drive in the frigging car and frigging argue about this stuff. You go on about the sanctity of human life and all that crap.
Sam: Wait, so you're mad because I'm starting to agree with you.
Dean: No. I'm not mad. I'm worried. I worried because you're not acting like yourself.
Sam: Yeah, you're right. I'm not. I don't have a choice.
Dean: What's that supposed to mean?
Sam: Look, Dean, you're leaving. Right? And I've got to stay here in this crap hole of a world. Alone. So the way I see it, if I'm gonna make it. If I'm gonna fight this war after you're gone, I've gotta change.
Dean: Change into what?
Sam: Into you. I've gotta be more like you.
Dean is so confused and losing his way because Sam isn't Sam anymore. Having raised Sam, I think Dean sees his brother as the better person, as possessing those things he is missing Sam has kept him focussed and stopped him from going completely off the rails. And now Sam isn't being Sam, he's becoming Dean. Dean is lost and facing the reality that Sam isn't going to save him. Argh!
I think part of the the problem I have with the anti-female vibe of this episode is that normally Dean's actions or dialogue are balanced by Sam's. So if Dean's remarks get to off colour, Sam usually smacks him and reinforces the 'that's not appropriate' message. Sam isn't doing that. He's not Sam any more. There is no one to balance Dean's negative tendencies.
~
Ruby saves Dean from the new demon in town. And Dean is faced with another one of those just-because-it's-supernatural-doesn't-mean-it's-evil moments. Though a non-evil demon has got to be something new in our universe. Isn't that the point of demons, that they are evil? If a demon isn't evil does that make them something else, something new?
~
I like that Sam works out who the demon is possessing. The brain wins again. *round of applause*
~
So, the demon can stop bullets from the Ruby-fixed demon killing Colt. What's going on with that? Is that a commentary on the power of the demon or the role Ruby is playing?
~
The witches we see in this episode have sold their souls, just as Dean has, only for more trite rewards. They might have done it with less consideration and knowledge of the costs but they are all going to the same place. Are we supposed to read something into this? Because if so I don't think we're hearing it as clearly as we should.
~
There's a new leader rising in the west who doesn't like Sam very much? I'm not touching that with a ten foot barge pole.
~
This new demon tells us that Ruby was once a witch who sold her soul to it. Hmm? The 'demons lie' buzzer goes off again. There's lots of that this episode. What ever happened to my simple show-trusting nature, eh?
~
Elizabeth distracts the demon long enough for Dean to get the knife and kill it. I do hope there are cookies and milk for Liz where ever she's going 'cos she saved everyone's bacon.
~
It turns out the brothers have been staying at the Conquistador Motel.
According to wikipedia a Conquistador was:
a Spanish soldier, explorer, and adventurer who took part in the gradual invasion and conquest of much of the Americas and Asia Pacific, bringing them under Spanish colonial rule between the 15th and 19th centuries.
In English it means conqueror. So who conquerored who this episode?
~
In the conversation between Dean and Ruby at the end we get another reference to Dean becoming the thing he hunts. (The reaper in IMToD, told Dean this but it's not entirely clear if Dean has any memory of this.) Clearly it's an argument that is useful to manipulate him, to drive his behaviour in a particular direction. I think Dean does have a reasonable fear of becoming evil. Just how long can you go pursuing and killing evil before you start to take on elements of that which you hunt? Gordon Walker being a pretty recent shining example. What does this say for Sam's future?
Ruby explains that humans become demons or evil spirits by forgetting their humanity as they suffer in the torment of hell. Does this mean they could be returned to their humanity by remembering? Is this how Dean is going to be saved from this fate through the connection to Sam (and John and Bobby) that's represented by the pendent?
Is Sam forgetting who he is as he takes on more of Dean's persona?
~
I keep going back to the fact that demon's lie. How much of what Ruby says can we believe? Or the demon she sold her soul to? Ruby is up to something but what isn't clear yet. Yes, she saves Dean but to what end? It's not like he's going to be around too much longer so she's not really storing up trouble for herself in the future.
~
As I think is pretty clear from the ramblings above. I have no clue what we're supposed to take away from this episode and no idea where we're headed other than a visit to hell looks like it's on the agenda.