SPN Ep: The Monster at the End of This Book

[the_other_sandy]

When I first saw the plot synopsis for this episode, my first reaction was, "I loved that episode of Nowhere Man!"

Comments

[altyronsmaker]

I have a much harsher view of Sam's actions than you do. I say that to say this: I'd never considered he's doing the demon blood thing as a safety net. That being in control is a coping mechanism for him. but it does make a lot of sense. Definitely puts him in a more favorable light for me. I'm just...I'm really irritated by him lately, and his refusal to believe or have any faith in Dean. He doesn't trust him to be strong enough, and - except for the whole dying thing in S3, which Dean had NO CONTROL over - Dean's always been the strong one. I just don't get Sam's reticence of faith in that. But seeing this argument definitely gives me something to think about, and maybe a better ability to understand Sam's motivations.

And wow. that got wordy. Sorry.

[the_other_sandy]

See, I never saw Sam's actions as lacking faith in Dean. Dean has always been the strong one, but his 40 years in hell have understandably broken him. He's not the same person he was. I'm not saying Dean can never have the kind of strength he used to have again, but he doesn't have it right now, so Sam has stepped up to take the lead so Dean doesn't have to. The position will still be there when Dean is ready to take it again. And I think after last week's ep, Dean is on an upward curve where he will be ready to be that strong again.

And wow. that got wordy. Sorry.

No worries. I don't know anybody in real life who likes Supernatural (despite my best efforts at pimping), so I love having the opportunity to talk with people about it online.

[andromakhe001]

I disagree. Dean has shown an enormous amount of STRENGTH this season in my opinion

[e313]

i agree. i can't even come up with any other character (or person) that could have endured 40 yeas of Hell, and then even be coherent or remotely sane. Sam doubts Dean's strength in the 4th season and i don't get it: it's the season that showed me how solidly strong Dean is.

[moliphino]

Sam is obviously deeply in denial about his demon blood addiction. I agree with Sam that he just wants to put an end to the war so that Dean can stop fighting, but I also agree with Chuck that Sam likes the feeling of power and control the demon blood gives him. I think Sam has been scared ever since he found out that monsters were real when he was 8 years old. He went to Stanford to try to live a new, safe life. We saw Sam's full blown OCD tendencies in "Mystery Spot" during Sam's 6 months without Dean. And now that Sam's lifelong protector has been broken by his experiences in hell, I think the sense of control the demon blood gives Sam makes him feel safe. He can't just get tossed around like a rag doll anymore, and he can actually defeat demons because he's stronger than many of them. He can also protect Dean. For a control freak like Sam, it's easy to see how that sense of safety and control would be hard to let go of.That's a good point. I just wonder how many people/beings have to tell him it's a really bad idea before he

[the_other_sandy]

That's the thing about the feeling of control that drugs (or demon blood) give you--it's only a feeling and not necessarily reality.

Sam's not going to listen to anyone because everyone has had the same knee-jerk "you can't use them because they're bad" reaction to his powers without explaining specifically how they're bad. Yeah, everybody keeps saying that he's on a slippery slope and he's heading for the dark side, but no one has ever said what it is about his powers and using them that will cause that, and whether or not it's the use of the powers themselves that's bad or being corrupted by those powers that's bad. Sam's an analytical guy. He needs specifics, and until somebody gives him some concrete info and not some nebulous warning, he's going to keep on doing what he's doing because he thinks he's right.

[the_other_sandy]

I wouldn't be at all surprised.

[un_conscience]

Man, I was laughing so hard at the beginning of the episode I thought "I'm going to have to rewatch this episode immediately after if finishes tonight." Then, holy cow, it got soooo dark.

Marvelous performances. Jared's scene with Chuck in the motel room was so moving. And telling.

I accept the apology.

Bwaaaaa! Except I sort of liked RSaM, if only for Gert (Sammy's missed opportunity).

I believe it was one of the new writers who wrote After School Special who apologized to Jensen. But Jensen seems to have not trouble doing the silly stuff, as noticed with "This tofu is really great!" (or words to that effect)

My new moniker: theProphetChuck

[the_other_sandy]

I liked the idea of Gert, but I hated that she was made into comic relief like there was something inherently funny about an older woman still being sexually active.

[the_other_sandy]

That depends on whether YED's demon blood created Sam's powers or just strengthened existing ones. I don't think the show has ever definitively said.