"their codependency is toxic and I'm leaving" and other baffling reactions

[redteekal]

I'm not one to post a lot lately. But since it's school holidays and I should be doing distasteful things like tax returns, breast scans, blood work ups, 9th grade english assessment marking, trying to book a pleasant dinner reservation for 7 people for the parents' 40th Wedding Anniversary (when said Parents are about as adventurous as Victor

Comments

[amberdreams]

As a dyed in the wool Dean girl, can I just say - I don't get this whole whiny 'when's Dean going to get his own storyline' thing. The only time I've been disappointed with Dean's story arc was around the Michael/Lucifer thing. I would have liked to see both brothers taking on the archangels and winning through (or not). But with the show renewed any plans Kripke had along those lines went out the window as they would probably have been all about going out with a bang. Instead we got (so far) 4 more seasons. Which I'm ok with!

Dean HAS his story - it's about Sam. Sam's story is about Dean.

Mostly. There are a few other elements thrown into the mix - monsters, angels, demons, friendships and loss, but the underpinning theme is Sam and Dean, not the things in between.

That's how SPN rolls and that is why I love this show so bloody much.

[redteekal]

I think Jensen has managed to portray Dean as such a fascinatingly complex flawed hero of a character. I think he's hugely strengthened and weakened by the relationship he has with his brother. Dean has the most screen time of any character on the show. To say he has no authentic storyline is myopic. If the character who has the most screen time has no legitimate fulfilling storyline then such a show would never be renewed for this many seasons.

[amberdreams]

Absolutely, even though I tend to focus on Dean, I've actually been more concerned about Sam's storylines and lack of focus on him at times than I have been about Dean. I want to see both of them, and have that relationship explored - like Jared talks about in that Girl on Guy interview.
I get more annoyed when they digress into secondary characters - with the exception of Bobby's key episode which was important. I love Misha, and I like Castiel but I don't want loads of episodes about Cas - that is not what keeps the show going for me.

[big_heart_june]

Dean has his storyline. That storyline has always been and always will be Sam. Since Sam was 6 months old he has been Dean's storyline. Sam has wanted Dean to have more than just big brother as his storyline. But Dean has tried that. And failed at it. It's messed up but it works. And if I wanted a show about normal brother relationships I would watch Parenthood or Malcolm in The Middle. Thanks be to Kripke for my psychotically, irrationally, erotically co dependent brothers. May they never change, have normalcy or end up dying separately.

YES YES YES. SO MUCH THIS ♥

[redteekal]

Thanks hun. I'm not sure what people are thinking but a healthy sibling relationship has never ever been on the cards for these two. I find it fascinating that while their relationship is horribly fucked up it is at the same time amazingly awe-inspiring and one of the most powerful relationships ever portrayed in fiction. All of us no matter who our siblings are and how much we already love them, even single child situations would cherish just a small amount of their absolute devotion to each other.

[ash48]

I have been baffled too by some of the reactions. I mean, I get it and you know how interested I am in hearing what other people have to say, but man..I wasn't prepared for some of the ideas coming out of that one.

I thought the opener was a perfect example of the messed up, co-dependent, unhealthy, wonderful, captivating relationship these two men have. In fact, I think I'm loving it more and more the more I examine it.
<3

[zebra363]

In fact, I think I'm loving it more and more the more I examine it.

Me too!

[redteekal]

Ahhh we'd all be wondering what was wrong if everyone loved it right? ;) LOL. They sure have been baffling. Equating what Dean did allowing Ezekiel to possess Sam with rape? I can just imagine Bob Singer's reaction to that one! Just bamboozles me completely. Saying that Sam once again is failing as a brother because he chooses death initially? Moaning about Dean having no storyline again. Oh well. I hope those people who feel that way just get out of fandom for a while because clearly watching the show is doing nothing for them but causing pain and then ultimately harshing others' enjoyment.

[amberdreams]

Me too - everything you said here!

What goes on in some people's heads is weird, man.

[growyourwings]

Where do the banished Angels go? I think it must be Vegas.

LOL.

Yeah, while what Dean tricked Sam into is a violation and will have huge impact when exposed, that is what this show is about after all. Made me feel very uncomfortable. Like I did in On the Head of a Pin when I saw Dean act in ways that also made me very uncomfortable. But we/I need that uncomfort to get to the comfort (lol).

If there wasn't fan debate/wank/yelling/whatever, the show wouldn't be the show I guess.

[harrigan]

Heading out of town imminently so I can't formulate a detailed, thoughtful comment. So instead I'll just drop by to applaud yours!