You know how I posted a disclaimer...
about changing my mind after a reaction post?
Weeeellll...
This isn't exactly a mind change as such, rather a certain amount of acceptance toward Sam after pulling together several things I have been reading.
I know Sam has been discussed and analyised to little pieces recently and I'm not posting this as any sort of revelation (as a lot of this has already been said), but rather a way for me to pull together all the reading I've done and settle with an understanding of Sam that is (believe it or not!!) making me feel somewhat better and more at ease with the idea they seem to be running with so far this season.
I'm slow on the uptake. I've said it before, but it wasn't until a comment sockkpuppett made that it all sorta fell into place. I moaned to her about Sam using Dean as bait in the last episode to be reminded that he has, in fact, been using Dean as bait since the beginning. I then read missyjack's excellent summing up of the facts and it all began to make more sense. And certain things the lovely dotfic mentioned to me has helped put it in to some perspective.
Of course, WHY Sam is the way he is still to be determined but it's clear to me now that Sam has been on a mission since the end of Season 5 and has been on this course all a long.
For some reason this makes me feel better because it means Sam has been written consistently. Even though he's made some comments that might have made us feel like Sam is really Sam (just different because he is still suffering from his time in hell perhaps) when looking at those lines in this context I can see that they could be interpreted differently.
For example: "Things are better with you around". It would be nice to think that was genuine Sam hoping his brother will help him recover from his trauma rather than a scheming Sam who knew that with Dean around his task of locating Alphas would indeed be easier and better accomplished with the (un knowing) help from Dean.
Even Sam's "I'm not sure what's going on with me" seemed genuine enough at the time but could also be interpreted as deflection. Both to us and to Samuel.
And even his observation (and what looked like admiration) that Dean is good with the baby. There were many arguments that Sam shouldn't have been surprised by that. As with many lines that have been uttered by not!Sam so far, I think a lot of it is lip service. Or rather "this is what I should say now". So much of that. Particularly in that last one. "Are you ok Dean?" .. oh please...
Initially I worried that the Campbells might be using an unwitting Sam to help them with their mission, but instead I now believe Sam is using them and in fact my well have been instrumental in their return to the living.
I remember not understanding why Sam would have called Dean when faced with a baby. Especially after confessing to wanting to have him have an "normal life". It makes sense that Sam's been luring Dean back.
Remembering that Sam used Dean as bait both for the Dijn, the Shape Shifter and then the Vampire helps me see a consistency. It's just simply not Sam. I believe it's Sam body, but he's not controlling it. I'm pretty convinced now that not only is he missing his own soul, he may well have someone elses in him.
Something else I read and loved (in destina's post I believe) about the imagery of the Impala being surrounded by barbed wire and the vampire victims being in cages may symbolise Sam's own trapped soul. Beautiful.
It's all been in the looks. We first saw it at the end of Season 5. His "cold" calculating, somewhat smug look had been established. Then there's the look we got during the hug. Not a nod of happiness or pleasure to be with Dean again, but pleasure in knowing he's a step closer to achieving his mission. And of course that almighty smirk at the thought of Dean being turned into a vampire.
It also makes sense to me now why Sam left Dean for a whole year. I see that Sam wanted Dean to not only become a "softer" hunter, but also create a strong bond with people that may later be valuable to his plans and maybe even make him itch more to be back in the hunt. It's part of the mission. I remember YED mentioning his "plans" when killing Jessica to "prepare" Sam for the mission ahead.
Why Bobby didn't say anything to Dean I'm still not sure. It seems somewhat inconsistent with what we know about Bobby, but maybe it makes sense that he really did want Dean to enjoy normality for a while. (?)
Of course this doesn't help the fact that for 5 episodes we've not been watching Sam - we've been missing his story. But, if, somehow Sam is trapped inside and is aware of what he is doing then we certainly know the hell he has been living. We never had the chance to see Dean in hell. Only heard about it. We could well be watching Sam in hell. Sam watching what he's been putting Dean through and in turn Lisa and Ben and maybe even the Campbells would constitute hell for Sam.
My hope is that Sam is returned very soon. That somehow the "big bad" is released from him and we then get a good chunk of Sam's story. And I mean a GOOD CHUNK!
It's extraordinarily sad of course. Both boys are being maliciously played and toyed with (story of their lives!) in order for some higher perceived purpose. The new apocalypse probably. Last week really bought home how devastating this "thing" is that is manipulating them. Dean is truly by himself. No Sam, no Lisa and Ben and even Bobby pretty much told him "it's not all about you". Go away. Dean is the toughest character I know.
We are yet to find out the effects this will have had on Sam. Especially if he is witness to all this. I sincerely hope they do justice to his side of the story. They seem to enjoy making Sam the one we hate. Something else missyjack said that for me is spot on It’s an ongoing frustration for me that Dean’s character flaws are viewed almost as noble (as loveable) by fandom, but Sam’s are seen very differently, as failings. Amen!
Will Sam be ever forgiven for this? I've heard even die hard sam!girls say they are loosing patience with him. I'm not. Sam is a victim here as is Dean. I think they should be supported in their efforts. As much as it has been extremely hard to watch it certainly makes for an interesting story (and I will only stick with this if they do justice to all this in upcoming episodes).
One thing I will say, Jared has probably had the most difficult task this season in that he has being playing Sam for five seasons and now he's had to re-invent Sam, play a new character and I think he's done a mighty fine job.
I am not spoiled at all for next week. Only the title. If it turns out that no part of this is Sam I will be disappointed. If it turns out that this is indeed Sam but some sort of psychopathic version, I will be disappointed. If Dean doesn't play some part in bringing Sam back or even realising it's not Sam I will be sad and disappointed. If they drag this on past the mini hiatus I am likely to kill something.
I love my show. Or I will until the next time it smashes my heart into the dirt. Which will probably be next episode. *G*
ETA: Something I also meant to say: Sam doesn't pay for sex. He doesn't. He was most indignant when Dean suggested such a thing when sprung with Ruby in the opening of Season 4. He is also not vain. Building up his body as we saw in 5.03 is not his style. (He wore that "not!Sam" expression during most of that scene also). Which is incredibly disturbing if we consider that Sam might not have control of this. Reminds me of the Show's decision to make sure Ruby occupied a dead person.
More evidence of Sam's "hell" maybe?
Weeeellll...
This isn't exactly a mind change as such, rather a certain amount of acceptance toward Sam after pulling together several things I have been reading.
I know Sam has been discussed and analyised to little pieces recently and I'm not posting this as any sort of revelation (as a lot of this has already been said), but rather a way for me to pull together all the reading I've done and settle with an understanding of Sam that is (believe it or not!!) making me feel somewhat better and more at ease with the idea they seem to be running with so far this season.
I'm slow on the uptake. I've said it before, but it wasn't until a comment sockkpuppett made that it all sorta fell into place. I moaned to her about Sam using Dean as bait in the last episode to be reminded that he has, in fact, been using Dean as bait since the beginning. I then read missyjack's excellent summing up of the facts and it all began to make more sense. And certain things the lovely dotfic mentioned to me has helped put it in to some perspective.
Of course, WHY Sam is the way he is still to be determined but it's clear to me now that Sam has been on a mission since the end of Season 5 and has been on this course all a long.
For some reason this makes me feel better because it means Sam has been written consistently. Even though he's made some comments that might have made us feel like Sam is really Sam (just different because he is still suffering from his time in hell perhaps) when looking at those lines in this context I can see that they could be interpreted differently.
For example: "Things are better with you around". It would be nice to think that was genuine Sam hoping his brother will help him recover from his trauma rather than a scheming Sam who knew that with Dean around his task of locating Alphas would indeed be easier and better accomplished with the (un knowing) help from Dean.
Even Sam's "I'm not sure what's going on with me" seemed genuine enough at the time but could also be interpreted as deflection. Both to us and to Samuel.
And even his observation (and what looked like admiration) that Dean is good with the baby. There were many arguments that Sam shouldn't have been surprised by that. As with many lines that have been uttered by not!Sam so far, I think a lot of it is lip service. Or rather "this is what I should say now". So much of that. Particularly in that last one. "Are you ok Dean?" .. oh please...
Initially I worried that the Campbells might be using an unwitting Sam to help them with their mission, but instead I now believe Sam is using them and in fact my well have been instrumental in their return to the living.
I remember not understanding why Sam would have called Dean when faced with a baby. Especially after confessing to wanting to have him have an "normal life". It makes sense that Sam's been luring Dean back.
Remembering that Sam used Dean as bait both for the Dijn, the Shape Shifter and then the Vampire helps me see a consistency. It's just simply not Sam. I believe it's Sam body, but he's not controlling it. I'm pretty convinced now that not only is he missing his own soul, he may well have someone elses in him.
Something else I read and loved (in destina's post I believe) about the imagery of the Impala being surrounded by barbed wire and the vampire victims being in cages may symbolise Sam's own trapped soul. Beautiful.
It's all been in the looks. We first saw it at the end of Season 5. His "cold" calculating, somewhat smug look had been established. Then there's the look we got during the hug. Not a nod of happiness or pleasure to be with Dean again, but pleasure in knowing he's a step closer to achieving his mission. And of course that almighty smirk at the thought of Dean being turned into a vampire.
It also makes sense to me now why Sam left Dean for a whole year. I see that Sam wanted Dean to not only become a "softer" hunter, but also create a strong bond with people that may later be valuable to his plans and maybe even make him itch more to be back in the hunt. It's part of the mission. I remember YED mentioning his "plans" when killing Jessica to "prepare" Sam for the mission ahead.
Why Bobby didn't say anything to Dean I'm still not sure. It seems somewhat inconsistent with what we know about Bobby, but maybe it makes sense that he really did want Dean to enjoy normality for a while. (?)
Of course this doesn't help the fact that for 5 episodes we've not been watching Sam - we've been missing his story. But, if, somehow Sam is trapped inside and is aware of what he is doing then we certainly know the hell he has been living. We never had the chance to see Dean in hell. Only heard about it. We could well be watching Sam in hell. Sam watching what he's been putting Dean through and in turn Lisa and Ben and maybe even the Campbells would constitute hell for Sam.
My hope is that Sam is returned very soon. That somehow the "big bad" is released from him and we then get a good chunk of Sam's story. And I mean a GOOD CHUNK!
It's extraordinarily sad of course. Both boys are being maliciously played and toyed with (story of their lives!) in order for some higher perceived purpose. The new apocalypse probably. Last week really bought home how devastating this "thing" is that is manipulating them. Dean is truly by himself. No Sam, no Lisa and Ben and even Bobby pretty much told him "it's not all about you". Go away. Dean is the toughest character I know.
We are yet to find out the effects this will have had on Sam. Especially if he is witness to all this. I sincerely hope they do justice to his side of the story. They seem to enjoy making Sam the one we hate. Something else missyjack said that for me is spot on It’s an ongoing frustration for me that Dean’s character flaws are viewed almost as noble (as loveable) by fandom, but Sam’s are seen very differently, as failings. Amen!
Will Sam be ever forgiven for this? I've heard even die hard sam!girls say they are loosing patience with him. I'm not. Sam is a victim here as is Dean. I think they should be supported in their efforts. As much as it has been extremely hard to watch it certainly makes for an interesting story (and I will only stick with this if they do justice to all this in upcoming episodes).
One thing I will say, Jared has probably had the most difficult task this season in that he has being playing Sam for five seasons and now he's had to re-invent Sam, play a new character and I think he's done a mighty fine job.
I am not spoiled at all for next week. Only the title. If it turns out that no part of this is Sam I will be disappointed. If it turns out that this is indeed Sam but some sort of psychopathic version, I will be disappointed. If Dean doesn't play some part in bringing Sam back or even realising it's not Sam I will be sad and disappointed. If they drag this on past the mini hiatus I am likely to kill something.
I love my show. Or I will until the next time it smashes my heart into the dirt. Which will probably be next episode. *G*
ETA: Something I also meant to say: Sam doesn't pay for sex. He doesn't. He was most indignant when Dean suggested such a thing when sprung with Ruby in the opening of Season 4. He is also not vain. Building up his body as we saw in 5.03 is not his style. (He wore that "not!Sam" expression during most of that scene also). Which is incredibly disturbing if we consider that Sam might not have control of this. Reminds me of the Show's decision to make sure Ruby occupied a dead person.
More evidence of Sam's "hell" maybe?