I tend to agree that the whole "deadbeat dad" thing is misleading. Frankly, it's misleading for John too, because that's not really what I'd use to describe him at all.
Though I will say I think Dean has every right to be looking for a magical fix. I think it just gets into all the contradictions that always come up when talking about God. If you create this all powerful being that cares and then say okay, he set up the Apocolypse and for some reason it's up to these two guys to stop it and it's really about their choices...well, it's understandable that Dean would react to God just as he would to a human being who was taking that attitude and find him kind of a tool. Maybe that's just me personally, as I don't really find the Christian view of God creating good and evil and throwing in the concept of free will as very satisfying an explanation.
But in this universe, if God's a given, I mean, that he exists, I very much like that this ep said it wasn't going to be about Dean and Sam having faith in God to fix things because how boring would that be? They need faith in their own chances to possibly succeed without giving in to all these other supernatural beings fighting over them. I think it's pretty healthy of Dean to not feel like he has to be particularly grateful that God's taken the interest in him that he has taken--basically, Dean's probably expecting God to act like Dean himself would act and how Dean himself has been told to act throughout his life and God's coming up short. Probably there will eventually be a reason revealed for this and in the long run it will probably be the best way, but I like that Dean's pov makes so much sense while also having that other more meta perspective.
I just lost everything I wrote in reply to this post. weeps.su_darklilyApril 16 2010, 12:39:28 UTC
So starting again, Hi Sisstermagpie, thank you and welcome to my journal.
Sorry but this time, I'm going for brief and to the point. (sniff)
I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed your comments, especially the bit about God 'coming up short' against Dean's measure. Totally agreed, especially about the perception of John as a 'deadbead dad' not being sufficiently accurate.
I liked what you said about Dean looking for a 'magic fix' because that's exactly what I do think is wrong about looking to God to solve their problems. And how absolutely scrumptious was it that 5.18 also made this point, in spades? (In case u or others haven't seen it, I'm going to leave any other comments on that episode on the meta response to the episode).
As for Dean, I do agree that it's healthy for Dean to not be 'grateful' for God's interest. Lol. Sorry but I was just imagining how totally lame it would have been, to have had Dean going around petting himself on the back for being the centre of God's focus..
So lovely to have 'met' you, please excuse any mistakes I might make while I get used to being around - so far I've worked more than I remember doing for my thesis in one night!
Re: I just lost everything I wrote in reply to this post. weeps.sistermagpieApril 16 2010, 14:31:29 UTC
Arrgh--I hate it when that happens. I'm glad you took the time to work on this--it's awesome! Especially after last night's ep. I liked the way that when it came down to it, I just couldn't imagine Dean saying yes--especially to Zachariah. It's like his being such a jerk was just going to bring out all of Dean's stubborness--hurray! And I can't help but think that God is again possibly counting on that.
Though I will say I think Dean has every right to be looking for a magical fix. I think it just gets into all the contradictions that always come up when talking about God. If you create this all powerful being that cares and then say okay, he set up the Apocolypse and for some reason it's up to these two guys to stop it and it's really about their choices...well, it's understandable that Dean would react to God just as he would to a human being who was taking that attitude and find him kind of a tool. Maybe that's just me personally, as I don't really find the Christian view of God creating good and evil and throwing in the concept of free will as very satisfying an explanation.
But in this universe, if God's a given, I mean, that he exists, I very much like that this ep said it wasn't going to be about Dean and Sam having faith in God to fix things because how boring would that be? They need faith in their own chances to possibly succeed without giving in to all these other supernatural beings fighting over them. I think it's pretty healthy of Dean to not feel like he has to be particularly grateful that God's taken the interest in him that he has taken--basically, Dean's probably expecting God to act like Dean himself would act and how Dean himself has been told to act throughout his life and God's coming up short. Probably there will eventually be a reason revealed for this and in the long run it will probably be the best way, but I like that Dean's pov makes so much sense while also having that other more meta perspective.
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Sorry but this time, I'm going for brief and to the point. (sniff)
I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed your comments, especially the bit about God 'coming up short' against Dean's measure. Totally agreed, especially about the perception of John as a 'deadbead dad' not being sufficiently accurate.
I liked what you said about Dean looking for a 'magic fix' because that's exactly what I do think is wrong about looking to God to solve their problems. And how absolutely scrumptious was it that 5.18 also made this point, in spades? (In case u or others haven't seen it, I'm going to leave any other comments on that episode on the meta response to the episode).
As for Dean, I do agree that it's healthy for Dean to not be 'grateful' for God's interest. Lol. Sorry but I was just imagining how totally lame it would have been, to have had Dean going around petting himself on the back for being the centre of God's focus..
So lovely to have 'met' you, please excuse any mistakes I might make while I get used to being around - so far I've worked more than I remember doing for my thesis in one night!
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