Supernatural episode 3.11
Now I finally have more than a few minutes access to the computer I can write up a few thoughts.
3.11 Memory Spot (was originally scheduled as 3.12)
Guh! And a little more guh! And, what's that? Guh!
This episode pretty much wrecked me. There's not really much else to say is there? The producers put us in the position of feeling what Sam feels. To see what Dean's deal has done, is doing, to him. To put us in a head space that will intensify our reactions to what will follow.
The first time watching this episode was a very odd experience. Immediately from the get go everything feels off kilter. Details that should be in the background are placed front and centre. They are made memorable, but it's hard to fathom why. So we follow along. Waiting for the punch line. Which doesn't take long to come but is so out of left field it's like being kicked in the guts. Dean is shot and dies.
Oh shit! They can't possibly do that. But they have. And there's a moment when the titles appear that I'm floundering and the shock is sinking in.
And then we see Sam's eyes and hear Asia playing on the radio again. I heave a huge sigh of relief. That's okay then. It's Groundhog Day. And I know how these things go having seen it all before with the Bill Murray movie plus the X Files and ST:TNG versions.
But it's not the same. Yeah, there's humour and all that. But, damn it, Sam keeps seeing Dean die and there's not a damn thing he can do about it. And I just get more and more depressed. And the humour is a nasty bitter pill. How can I laugh when Sam's going through hell? And my emotions are all over the shop. It's so confusing. But Sam saves the day. Works out who's up to no good. Does a deal. Everything is going to be fine.
Wendesday comes. All is well with the world. And then Dean is killed. Again. Which can't happen because Groundhog Day is no more. There's no coming back from dead. And I'm numb. As numb as Sam, apparently, in what has to be an alternate universe because really, there's no way Dean can be dead. But he is.
Then Bobby goes all weird and I know that's not Bobby. So yay me, but the trickster is selling something here and they really need to find a new way to pin down and kill tricksters because this bastard just won't die. Sam refuses to learn the lesson the trickster claims he's teaching. So the trickster fixes the universe and Dean lives. But Sam, Sam has lived probably the worst six months of his life. With one last look at the motel room Sam turns off the light and closes the door on this town. This hell. And he remembers every damn moment of it.
~
We've reached a point in the season where Sam seems to be continually told that he can't save Dean and he shouldn't waste his time trying. Now I'm seriously suspicious of this message. Someone, or something, doesn't want Dean saved. It's clearly to someone's advantage, which is why Sam is being ground down on this issue. I take from this that, yes, Dean can be saved and it is of the utmost importance for Sam to do so.
What the trickster gets out of all this isn't clear. Going after Sam doesn't seem to fit his m.o. And really, torturing Sam makes him happy? I don't buy it. His motivation is a complete mystery.
~
There's only one moment of relief from the spiraling down into the darkness that is Sam's emotional life. That's the most fabulous hug in the history of the universe. I'm all about the brother!hugging. *whimper* And I'm seriously in love with Eric Kripke for letting it happen.
3.11 Memory Spot (was originally scheduled as 3.12)
Guh! And a little more guh! And, what's that? Guh!
This episode pretty much wrecked me. There's not really much else to say is there? The producers put us in the position of feeling what Sam feels. To see what Dean's deal has done, is doing, to him. To put us in a head space that will intensify our reactions to what will follow.
The first time watching this episode was a very odd experience. Immediately from the get go everything feels off kilter. Details that should be in the background are placed front and centre. They are made memorable, but it's hard to fathom why. So we follow along. Waiting for the punch line. Which doesn't take long to come but is so out of left field it's like being kicked in the guts. Dean is shot and dies.
Oh shit! They can't possibly do that. But they have. And there's a moment when the titles appear that I'm floundering and the shock is sinking in.
And then we see Sam's eyes and hear Asia playing on the radio again. I heave a huge sigh of relief. That's okay then. It's Groundhog Day. And I know how these things go having seen it all before with the Bill Murray movie plus the X Files and ST:TNG versions.
But it's not the same. Yeah, there's humour and all that. But, damn it, Sam keeps seeing Dean die and there's not a damn thing he can do about it. And I just get more and more depressed. And the humour is a nasty bitter pill. How can I laugh when Sam's going through hell? And my emotions are all over the shop. It's so confusing. But Sam saves the day. Works out who's up to no good. Does a deal. Everything is going to be fine.
Wendesday comes. All is well with the world. And then Dean is killed. Again. Which can't happen because Groundhog Day is no more. There's no coming back from dead. And I'm numb. As numb as Sam, apparently, in what has to be an alternate universe because really, there's no way Dean can be dead. But he is.
Then Bobby goes all weird and I know that's not Bobby. So yay me, but the trickster is selling something here and they really need to find a new way to pin down and kill tricksters because this bastard just won't die. Sam refuses to learn the lesson the trickster claims he's teaching. So the trickster fixes the universe and Dean lives. But Sam, Sam has lived probably the worst six months of his life. With one last look at the motel room Sam turns off the light and closes the door on this town. This hell. And he remembers every damn moment of it.
~
We've reached a point in the season where Sam seems to be continually told that he can't save Dean and he shouldn't waste his time trying. Now I'm seriously suspicious of this message. Someone, or something, doesn't want Dean saved. It's clearly to someone's advantage, which is why Sam is being ground down on this issue. I take from this that, yes, Dean can be saved and it is of the utmost importance for Sam to do so.
What the trickster gets out of all this isn't clear. Going after Sam doesn't seem to fit his m.o. And really, torturing Sam makes him happy? I don't buy it. His motivation is a complete mystery.
~
There's only one moment of relief from the spiraling down into the darkness that is Sam's emotional life. That's the most fabulous hug in the history of the universe. I'm all about the brother!hugging. *whimper* And I'm seriously in love with Eric Kripke for letting it happen.