Reap what you sow. SPN 6.13 Unforgiven overview: Part 1
What I've felt
What I've known
Never shined through in what I've shown
Never free
Never me
So I dub thee unforgiven...
(Metallica, The Unforgiven)
Before we proceed with the overview, I have to confess, that upon first viewing the episode left me more within the realm of disgruntled wrt to both our intrepid protagonists characterizatoin itinerary of ( Read more... )
To be honest, in 6.5 seasons of SPN so far, I can count with one hand on how many episodes I couldn't muster up enough enthusiasm to watch again. They are "I Know What You Did Last Summer", "Swap Meat", "Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid", and now "Unforgiven".
I agree with you that the narrative flow of this episode in which the story is laid out is actually pretty good. Therefore my gripe is with the character development, or in this case, the lack thereof.
Since 99% of this episode is about Sam, his character development was what I focused on primarily. But before I go on any further, I feel I ought to make myself clear once again: yes, I'm a Dean!girl. I go as far as labeling myself because I got pulled into the adventures of the Winchester Bros by the choices and sacrifices Dean made (and continuously making) for those he loves and/or within his protection. I love the character because he is a proponent of choice (as opposed to Sam being a proponent of destiny per Kripe's own words). But I also love and root for Sam. How could I not since I'm firmly ensconced on the ship that is "Sam and Dean", either as in gen or went as far as slash. With that being said, as it was in all of my TV viewings, I could never treat a "ship" as an entity itself. Even though I ship Sam and Dean, I could never see them each as a half of the whole, character-wise. Therefore I think Sam and Dean's character should be looked upon separately.
(gotta run for now, but I'll be back later...)
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I truly and utterly love how you put this. And can I just say - WORD?
And I completely agree with the point you make that while Dean's and Sam's relationship/interaction is, pretty much the very subject matter of the narrative as a whole, the primary sourse of conflicts and character development, the two of them are to be viewed as separate protagonists in their own right. Precisely since while the journey they undergo is intertwined, the iteneraries they take are different, in keeping with their individual characterization framworks. And I won't deny that I do consistently find the characterization pathways paved (or not so much!) out for Dean through his fundamental, overwhelming humanity, willpower, understated brand of UNsupernatural heroism, unfathomable capacity for love, care, selflessness and sacrifice exponentially more compelling than the ones, outlined for Sam. That's just my individual standing as a viewer. However, I'm used to approaching any narrative critically, so I fully recognize the inherent indispensability of Sam-related aspects of the story, as much as the elaborate framework of Sam's characterization, to its conceptual and functional integrity (plot, messages, character interaction, the works). But I rather tend to perceive and interpret those aspects with a kind of 'rational detachment'.
Might be, that what prevented me to indulge into full-tilt squee through the span of the past two episodes, celebrating Sam's resoulment and alleged return of the 'brotherly bond'. For, yet again, as you pointed out, the actual interactive pattern that 'renewed' bond showcases is more on the side of character stagnation. This episode (Unforgiven) highlighting the matter in particular: Dean and Sam are practically *trapped* within the protector/protected, big brother/little brother ratio. Again. I do hope the show narrative addresses this (for the situation is too blatant not to be intentional) and derives a way to move on and/or away from it.
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