4x09: Reaction
Job: Can we stop with the stupidity already? *grrr*
Yay, we're on number nine of the season! \o/
Let's see... In S1, this was "Home", in which Sam came clean to Dean about having dreamed Jessica dying for weeks before it happened. In S2, this was "Croatoan", which... well. It was revealed that Sam's immune to at least one demonic virus. And oh, yes, Dean almost revealed that his fate was to forever love his brother. Yes. In S3, "Malleus Maleficarum", in which, um... Ruby revealed how demons are made (no, it didn't really have much to do with the birds and the bees).
So eyes open for Great Big Sekrits!
Still completely, utterly spoilerfree. Hoping to remain so, too.
Before we take a dip into the new ep, I'd like to voice a desire:
The Castiel we saw in "It's The Great Pumpkin, Sam Winchester" (4x07) is not the same as in "Lazarus Rising" (4x01), imo. The same angel, yes, but... "When you gaze into the Abyss, the Abyss also gazes into you." Every day he spends in a human vessel, every time he touches Dean, every time he draws a breath... Castiel's not falling. But he is sauntering slowly away from angeldom and into humanity. And this? Is what I'd like to see, I think.
An angel learning to live.
Completely unrelated, but I never knew before that Bon Jovi's got the perfect wincest song. Sort of especially with how S4's been so far. ;)
I'm not even going to guess how the ep's gonna play out based on that. :p
I do, however, feel slightly anxious over how much crack/comedy we've gotten over the last couple of episodes (relatively speaking)...especially considering the number of this ep. But apparently we're getting 4x10 before the hiatus, so...Wait, that's not a good sign.
Then
Castiel!!! \o/ Rising of the Witnesses! Apocalypse! Castiel!!! Lilith! Lucifer!
Ruby. I'm... withholding judgment still.
"Cas(tiel) said that if I don't stop you, he will."
Samhain- Nutty Motel Room Filled with Meta!
Sam! \o/
"Ask Dean what he remembers of Hell."
Flashy stuff!
Oh, shut up, brain. I'm not listening to you. La la laa. I know nothing and can guess even less; the narrativium nose's suffering of the cold. But I sure am happy they have lots of awesomely voiced men in this Show, currently. \o/
Now
Day? Barred windows, stark interior, vacant occupant = hospital/asylum?
I love the girlAnna's red hair, though.
Remember Gloria Sitnick?
And lovely 'crosses' on the windows, while we're (sort of) on the subject...
I think I like Anna. Not so sure about the hospital, but that's just personal preferences talking...
It's gonna be hard to call her 'Anna' instead of 'Cassandra', though. But how does she know all this? Castiel's been unfaithful to Dean spreading the rumours?
In this case, I think I like the fact that the Show reminds me of T2. Sarah Connor rocked. And hospitals are bloody disturbing places.
Of a lesser note... Anna was Virgin Mary's mother.
Hee. It's the same whispers we heard in "Houses of the Holy" (2x13). :)
I like Anna's look when she listens to those whispers. It's evoking the memory of that statue of a female saint, caught in rapture. I just can't for the death of me remember her name at the moment... Namely Bernini's The Ecstasy of St. Theresa.
Also? Four people to hold down a hysterical adult? That's not much; I know a sick kid (not even 10) who freaked out bad enough they needed six adults to restrain her...
\o/
Thank You, Show, for clearing that up!
You see, hubby and I were talking about the 66 seals one of these days. The way he figured, it couldn't be that all the seals have to be intact, because that would mean breaking one of them would be enough. It couldn't be that as long as even a single one remained unbroken, everything was fine, either, because why not just camp around one seal and concentrate the forces there? So we came to the conclusion that it's a certain percentage that needs to be broken.
Now, the Show has cleared that up. *loves the Show, hard*
66 out of (about) 600? Boy, no wonder if Castiel and co. are having their hands full...
"-That's why it's nearly impossible to stop her.-
Love, don't you know that one in a million chances happens nine times out of ten?
"That's why we're all gonna die."
Let's go back to "Lazarus Rising" (4x01) and the BED!waitress... and remember that the last time we've heard that sort of whispering, it was merely a misguided spirit... This is turning interesting.
Yay! Mytharc!
Wait... they can't throw a two-parter this early in the season, can they?
ETA: *headdesk*
I don't like meds. *bristles*
But that's a very pretty rose window Anna's doodling. And looks quite a lot like this one.
And don't think I didn't see what you did there, Show. Again with the roses and all they stand for, the secrets unrevealed...;)
Oh, bummer.
Oh, Anna, what the bloody fudge? *flails* Psychic Powers for the mentally institutionalized!
"I Know What You Did Last Summer"
Last ep, it was Down Under. This ep... I didn't care for the movie the title's referrencing, but considering the context... I have to take a couple of deep breaths.
Shut up, brain. Don't you dare spoil me. I wanna see how it's going to turn out myself!
Sam playing pool! Without Dean?!
Psychic Powers are for Winning Pool?
Ruby, love? You do not go and fudge up the boys' chances of earning a living! I'm willing to kick your ass just for that. Secondly for the look on Dean's face.
"I'm hearing a few whispers."
That seals the theme for this ep: whispers. Hidden. Secrecy. Gee, couldn't see that one coming. ;)
The girl's Anna Milton? Hee. Paradise Lost Milton; given how S4's been so far... I'm not really surprised at how fitting that seems.
I don't think that nightly shot of the Impala is reused: it seems to feature the CNK plates.
I think I like Dean finally, really getting on Sam's deal with Ruby.
"Sure, Dean, let's trade stories. You first: how is Hell? Don't spare the details."
Touché. *loves the boys, even though her heart aches for them, too*
The lights in shots with the boys are sort of a comfort, though. Sure, there's the occasional flash of red light from the back, but... greens, blues, mostly, methinks.
Inside Sammy's HeAD EP!!! \o/
Six months earlier? Will it always be (something+) half a year with Sam? Mary on his 6-month birthday night; Jessica after they'd been together a year and a half ("Route 666", 1x13); Sam left Dean to chase John after half a year ("How old were you when Mom died? - Jess died six months ago-"; "Scarecrow", 1x11); now this.
Not like I expected it to be happy and stuff, but... *heart aches for Sam*
Inside, though, I'm dancing.
Male RED! \o/ They exist! (Why were Dean's always girls?)
They also don't like people shooting their pals ("Bedtime Stories", 3x05).
But methinks I like this one. Even if he does have a tie to match that lovely shade of crimson in his eyes.
"-Around and 'round the Winchesters go...Sorry, Sam, it's not gonna happen."
I think I like demons. I like their way with words.
I do like action!Sammy even better, though. \o/ And Ruby's demon-killing knife's got funny stuff on the blade! \o/
"-We've got everything exactly where we want it-"
That sentence? Meta, please, unless the Show delivers. YED's endgame? Why would demons be 'suddenly' all happy to follow that one through? Did Lilith pick it up after Azazel's apparent demise, and thus became the "new power rising in the West" ("Malleus Maleficarum", 3x09)?
Oh... oh, boys... *hugses them* Lies My Brother Told Me has become Things My Brother Won't Tell Me? How long will it take for one of you to crack and fall?
Ward 42. Hee. Of course it's 42. :D It's also present in religions.
*approves of both boys wearing blue; Sam's tie with green dots, Dean's with black/dark grey stripes*
Anna Milton: Two months prior, she was a Journalism Major with a good social network and life. Diagnosed with schizophrenia "within weeks". Father was a church deacon.
Points to the writer (Sera!) for making the disorder plausible, btw.
Note to self: you're not schizophrenic. Just antisocial. And a very unique, pretty butterfly. With a brain set on shuffle.
Let me guess... that house the boys are going into? Is Anna's or her father's And it's yellow and red. *headdesk*
No, not even the green and white on the nameplate is going to save you, Show.
"Maybe they're not home?"
You're in a Red and Yellow house. With two cars on the driveway. After a girl wanted alive by the demons. Boys! *shakes some sense into their heads* Those people are, if they're bloody lucky, long dead!
I told you!
Oh, and hello, throat-slashy goodness! Been a while since we've seen you, hasn't it?
But at least Mom and Dad are wearing blue and green. Though boys? Please be wiping your fingerprints off, mmmkay?
Of course it's sulphur! You thought someone's just spilled some vanilla creme flour or something?
"Reverend Richard Milton, 23670 W. (can't make out) Blvd, South M(ammory?) US2 35469736"
"-possibly using super powers, by the way.-"
Nice call-out there, Dean. Seems like Sam's just tuning you out, though.
Does that window of the church look familiar, btw? Does that church look familiar?
It should. Because it's the very same, right down to the window, that they used in "Sin City" (3x05). In front of that rose window (though inside), (non-PsyKid!)Andy blew his brains out. And if Anna's there, hiding from demons... Oh, poor, poor girl: those angels of yours don't apparently know that yes, churches don't really offer sanctuary against demons...
I wonder if that's a recent development, btw, or something that's happened over centuries or something. Because Pastor Jim ("Salvation", 1x21) was surprised at BED!Meg managing to walk in without a problem. Though he was a hunter, so I guess his church was laden with devil's traps and stuff like that and Meg? Was/Is too bloody fudging cool to care about things like that. ;)
Sam's a little too gun-happy for my tastes at the moment. Because if they'll run across demons (likely), that's not gonna help much, imo.
I wonder which angel the one on the stained glass is supposed to be...I think it's an angel. With dark wings.
"I can tell you exactly. September 18th."
Which just so happens to be the date for "Lazarus Rising" (4x01)... So, what? Dean's been running loose in the world the last two months? Are they still trying to match the Show chronology to air dates?
"First words I heard: There is a battle, clear as a bell. Dean Winchester is saved."
\o/
ETA: cynsav corrected my hope-addled hearing. But this changes things. Because it suggests Anna heard mumbling even before September 18th, imo.
Oh, Ruby! *glares at her*
That visual, a completely white statue of the Mary, with blood tears ("Bloody Mary", 1x05)? Hello, Stigmata! 'Sides, imo, it looks cool (red on white always does) and really drives the point home...and doesn't really happen that often. ;)
"He's here."
Wait, who? Lilith's a she, and... nah. They're not gonna have Castiel be a demon in disguise. Can't. Because that would rob us off the delight of Misha Collins' voice.
ETA: They didn't. But... there are demons resistant to the Demon-Killing Knife? Just like Castiel? *thinky*
Points for Sam at least heading for the Holy Water.
But Ruby? I don't believe you when you say Sam exorcises the demons. Because why the heck wouldn't the whole damn Hell know about his funny little trick already? Seriously, Show! Explain!
Another WED! That's a third one within a short while!
Wait... what?
"That tickles."
Why do male demons fudging rule? (Save for that Samhain-thingie a couple of weeks back...)
Hurt!Sam! \o/
"Hello again, Dean."
Explain, Show!
But the demons seem to favour hitting Dean repeatedly in the head/face when he has his back against a beam ("Born Under A Bad Sign", 2x14)... Wait, no, the guy can't be possessed by 'Meg'. She was a BED. Or can they get a promotion?
Alistair?
Not that far from Aleister... the most famous carrier of that name being certain Mr Crowley, methinks. And considering his penchance for the sins of the flesh... Oh, the associations. Not to mention anything about how they were "so close"... I see lots of non-con tease and torture Alistair/Dean fics in the future.
\o/ Action!Sammy!
Holy sweet fudge. (That was the Boys jumping through the window, btw. Not stunts.)
And Ruby's got the girl. And Alistair's got the Knife. *hyperventilates*
Boys patching up? \o/
Disinfecting with wine?
You know, I like this scene. *raises hat to the boys* They manage to sell it well, imo. And the boys, with all their jagged edges... "No one good."
"Because... she saved my life."
I'm not saying that sounds perfect, but... hey, at least it's better than "she's the only girl I've laid who survived the experience".
Six months earlier, Sam was staying in unnamed Red and Yellow motel, room 9.
Question: Why are oneshot females awesome? The blonde here playing Ruby? I love her. Her delivery, her attitude...even her looks are okay. By far the best depiction of Ruby, far as I'm concerned.
"Some secretary."
...From Peoria?
Doe, Jane, 45-098-R3.
Ruby's current ride is practically dead, "lights are on but no one's home"? And that's why it's okay?
Ruby's desire for french fries is a delight, though.
Sam in a shack, on the edge and doing weapons maintenance? *APPROVES* Even if I do have to admit that my heart's breaking into itty-bitty tiny pieces...
Okay, I'm liking this Ruby. I like her proof. I like Sam not liking her. :)
I don't like Sam drinking, but, hey... it's in character, far as I'm concerned.
"So? What'd she teach you?"
Again, the quote's just the best way to point out the scene/time. That sign behind Dean, outside in the motel's yard? Blue Rose, baby. There's also a plaque on the table, but it's too small and unclear for me to read...
Gods, but this scene, this frame needs to get metaed the hell out of it. Sub rosa. Secrets shared, confidential. Under the cover of darkness; truths too tender for the harsh light of day. Supper time. Wine and roses. Blue roses. Thorns. The crown: this is my blood you drink. Blood on the cuff, like a lipstick stain. Sex. Connection; communication. Understanding. Revelations.
This look at how Sam got from where he was to "Lazarus Rising"? *APPROVES*
Especially since it's complete with headaches! \o/
Sam's taking aspirin. But I couldn't find a bottle with an identical label on a cursory look... This one's the closest and still, it's wrong: no red and yellow. Or maybe Kripke & co. choose to use the colours to signal that Aspirin Is Evil? ;)
ETA: For reference, here's a brightened, rotated close-up of the pill bottle; here's the original screencap (30:10 into the episode).
Oh, Ruby... please don't pull that "I was a Human once I remember"-thing...*sigh*
Random note: Ruby lost someone she thinks mattered as much to her as Dean did does to Sam.
*headdesk* So there's at least a little bit of "she's the only girl I've laid who survived the experience"?
But \o/ for Sam's reactions! Not sure about the size difference because damn... but... "Where do I start?"
Surprisingly, Ruby's gaining points in my eyes for being a manipulative bitch. Even if she was (is?) trying to replace Dean.
Oh, Sera... Sweet bloody fudge, I'd get a hard on listening to Ruby... Besides, nude Padalecki back? *GRABBY HANDS*
But I'm pretty certain I don't wanna be around the fandom for a while, thanks to this.
Random note: Ruby didn't wear a bra. But the music's better, imo, than back in "Heart" (2x17). Even if it's sort of making me laugh. Which is just plain wrong.
"Too much information."
"Hey, I told you I was coming clean."
"Yeah, but now I feel dirty."
\o/ And I sure hope Sam was spn_comingclean...
Ruby and Sam were together for about a month until they ran across heard about Lilith.
\o/ Action!Sam! Even though there are shades of "BUABS" (2x14) in having Sam threatening a petite (in comparison) girl with a blade... I'm fudging happy they let Sam/JPad do that. So very, very happy. Because it rings bloody true, to me.
You know, based on what we've seen in S4 so far... this rendezvous with Lilith? Must've scared her. Why else would she be going underground, fleeing Sam's attention? Or is it because Dean was pulled out of hell by angels? Is she afraid of the Heavenly Hosts?
The girl looks like she's cosplaying Alice. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but... it's brushing me the wrong way.
"-She said what you would have said."
Um.
*tries not to go there*
*hums Depeche Mode's World In My Eyes under her breath* "Let my body do the talking..."
I liked Ruby in the maid's body. I like that the boys really are in it, now. I don't like cabins. *still spooked by "Devil's Trap" (1x22)*
"I guess I owe you for... Sam."
*SMISHES DEAN*
Damn, but JPad's hand looks huge on Anna's shoulder/back/area...
"They're coming!"
But if you're tuned in for the Angel Radio, why'd you be sensing demons? "Incoming, Hawk-1 and 2"?
"Thanks a lot!"
And Dean's quick smile... *heart melts* Oh, boys, how I've missed you... *smishes them*
CASTIEL!!! \o/
And Uriel, too!
Huh. That's curious; not really surprising, but curious, that Ruby's eyes turn black in the presence of the angels. They suit her, imo. *grabby hands for a screencap without the green crap*
"Stain"? But at least Uriel's consistently 'holier than thou'-righteous...
"No. She has to die."
Don't tell me this is going to turn into another "Jus In Bello" (3x12) in that regard...
To Be Continued?!
Kripke! No Two Parters in the middle of the Season!
*goes to climb the walls*
Further thinky:
Anna... I wonder if the disorder's in her blood, that given a push, she'd have developed it. Perhaps she was sensitive. And with everything that went down, angels returning to walk among men, Dean snatched from Hell... I suspect it might be called an extramundane earthquake. Once in a lifetime disaster that rocked the world of the sensitives; perhaps it stole the 'Sight' from some and granted it to others?
"Certain people, special people, can perceive my true visage." -Castiel in "Lazarus Rising" (4x01). It's not really a far-fetched idea that those regarded as mentally unstable are closer to God or somesuch. Epileptics especially, if I remember correctly, seem to have noted religious leanings. Makes one wonder about those saints.
And once again, the episode doesn't end in a spoken word, but a thunderous rumble... *glees over that far more than she probably should*
This one's going to make me thinky for a long time, I guess.
It's really late Saturday night here, now, so... methinks I'll start catching up tomorrow. Take care, everyone.