I treated the bull riding montage pretty much as a DVD extra - like they tagged on Eye of the Tiger to Yellow Fever - because like you say, it didn't really fit with the episode, but we would have felt a tiny bit cheated if we hadn't seen it.
Unless you look at it as a way of showing that Dean doesn't have to be stripped of his hard and nasty memories to be able to enjoy himself like a (big) little kid. It was a nice reminder of Dean's ability to take a childlike pleasure in the little things.
I found this episode very nostalgic because for me it was harking back to Mystery Spot and Yellow Fever, and I loved that. Like you say, it was so lovely to give us worried Sam, and see the depth of their caring for each other, without any other characters getting in the way. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
but we would have felt a tiny bit cheated if we hadn't seen it.
Oh I agree! I think the bull-riding footage was great - and in fact that could have been included in the episode as a fond memory for Dean (as it happened before he was whammied). It was all the other footage (that we had just seen) that was weird. They probably felt that the bull riding wasn't enough as a stand alone (though I think it would have been *g*)
Unless you look at it as a way of showing that Dean doesn't have to be stripped of his hard and nasty memories to be able to enjoy himself
I think this is poignant for Dean. We know he can enjoy himself - even with all his memories - we've seen it before. I think the lack of memory made him more child-like rather than just care-free. It was an interesting take on his personality. I loved that about the episode.
I have to say one of the things I'm really loving about this season is the nostalgia. The "then" segments are mini flashbacks to the early seasons and I'm all "oh I had forgotten about that" or "oh I loved that bit".
SAME! Like yourself, I also love the fact that there have been so many references to the events of previous seasons. While things still aren't perfect, it feels like the show is beginning to regain a sense of continuity it hasn't possessed since the beginning of the Carver era. So far it actually feels like the exodus of old writers and the introduction of new ones this season has actually been good for the show.
As it were they actually did a remarkable job fitting what they did in - particularly the fine balance between humour and seriousness.Once again I agree! I feel like a bit of a 'yes' man haha. I have to admit when I first heard the premise of this episode I was less than enthused by the idea. I was given the impression this was going to be a comedy episode and that filled me with dread. One, because I am
( ... )
And I agree with those fave scenes too. I'm glad the writer allowed those moments. The actors did a great job. :))
They really did! I think their performances are also a testament to just how much they both must have approved of this episode and enjoyed filming it.
Also, I just posted some thinky thoughts on Mary's behaviour during season twelve so far over on my LJ. Don't feel obliged to reply if you're too busy, or just don't care haha, but I'd love to hear your thoughts on the matter :).
Yes, I loved and hugely adored all the nostalgia, and the Mystery Spot vibes in terms of humour turning suddenly to heartbreak (and there were many laugh out moments for me including Dean's "Whhhhaaatttt?" and "sucks for that guy!"!!) And you're absolutely right, given the time they had they managed to tackle such a lot in a perfectly balanced way.
I can see what you mean about the final montage, but for me it just hammered home my heartbreak; seeing the carefree happiness that Dean was throwing away because he'd rather remember his family and his life *sniff sniff*
but for me it just hammered home my heartbreak; seeing the carefree happiness that Dean was throwing away because he'd rather remember his family and his life *sniff sniff*
Ah, I didn't think of it like that. But yes, it could have been a reminder of what Dean was "giving away". But also, the bull-riding was before he was whammied so maybe it was to say he can still live a little care-free as the real Dean. I'm not sure it was meant as a comment on Dean (though I love that its open to interpretation) and I know many loved it - so yay! :)
I agree with everything you said here, especially...
"It's a shame they didn't make it a two-parter because dealing with memory loss is such a deep and fascinating subject, they could have really explored it further - especially considering how well Jensen and Jared handled the material."
They did an amazing job in 42 minutes but it really could have - should have - been a two-parter. But I loved it, and even liked the montage at the end, showing Dean being carefree and happy in a way he rarely gets to be.
I'm really liking this season so far - although a couple of episodes have been weak - and can't wait for the new episode!
Agreed. A two-parter would have been quite something.
I didn't think about that montage being about showing Dean carefree (I think because the bull-riding happened before he was whammied), but maybe it was a way of seeing a rare sight (though I'd argue that Dean is very good at enjoying himself even with his full memory - he has some great escapes *g*) xx
Before this episode came out I was a bit unsure. The were a few cases of Alzheimers in my family and this reminded me so strongly of that experience (obviously just extremely fast) that was good for the episode while still making me uneasy.
To the montage, while I enjoyed it visually, I needed to actually listen to the lyrics to make completely sense to me since I didn't know the song. But yeah, the whole episode reminded me strongly of my late grandfather and his struggle.
I'm sorry to hear of your experience. It's must be devastating to watch someone lose themselves. The show did well to navigate such a sensitive issue - and I think the actors performances helped that too.
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Unless you look at it as a way of showing that Dean doesn't have to be stripped of his hard and nasty memories to be able to enjoy himself like a (big) little kid. It was a nice reminder of Dean's ability to take a childlike pleasure in the little things.
I found this episode very nostalgic because for me it was harking back to Mystery Spot and Yellow Fever, and I loved that. Like you say, it was so lovely to give us worried Sam, and see the depth of their caring for each other, without any other characters getting in the way. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
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Oh I agree! I think the bull-riding footage was great - and in fact that could have been included in the episode as a fond memory for Dean (as it happened before he was whammied). It was all the other footage (that we had just seen) that was weird. They probably felt that the bull riding wasn't enough as a stand alone (though I think it would have been *g*)
Unless you look at it as a way of showing that Dean doesn't have to be stripped of his hard and nasty memories to be able to enjoy himself
I think this is poignant for Dean. We know he can enjoy himself - even with all his memories - we've seen it before. I think the lack of memory made him more child-like rather than just care-free. It was an interesting take on his personality. I loved that about the episode.
Reply
SAME! Like yourself, I also love the fact that there have been so many references to the events of previous seasons. While things still aren't perfect, it feels like the show is beginning to regain a sense of continuity it hasn't possessed since the beginning of the Carver era. So far it actually feels like the exodus of old writers and the introduction of new ones this season has actually been good for the show.
As it were they actually did a remarkable job fitting what they did in - particularly the fine balance between humour and seriousness.Once again I agree! I feel like a bit of a 'yes' man haha. I have to admit when I first heard the premise of this episode I was less than enthused by the idea. I was given the impression this was going to be a comedy episode and that filled me with dread. One, because I am ( ... )
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I agree. I'm loving the new writers - I think they have been hitting the core of what makes SPn what it is.
One, because I am generally not a fan of the comedy episodes.
Yeah. I'm a bit like that too. I like some comedy eps, but not ones that lose the heart of the characters.
And I agree with those fave scenes too. I'm glad the writer allowed those moments. The actors did a great job. :))
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They really did! I think their performances are also a testament to just how much they both must have approved of this episode and enjoyed filming it.
Also, I just posted some thinky thoughts on Mary's behaviour during season twelve so far over on my LJ. Don't feel obliged to reply if you're too busy, or just don't care haha, but I'd love to hear your thoughts on the matter :).
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I can see what you mean about the final montage, but for me it just hammered home my heartbreak; seeing the carefree happiness that Dean was throwing away because he'd rather remember his family and his life *sniff sniff*
Take care ♥
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Ah, I didn't think of it like that. But yes, it could have been a reminder of what Dean was "giving away". But also, the bull-riding was before he was whammied so maybe it was to say he can still live a little care-free as the real Dean. I'm not sure it was meant as a comment on Dean (though I love that its open to interpretation) and I know many loved it - so yay! :)
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"It's a shame they didn't make it a two-parter because dealing with memory loss is such a deep and fascinating subject, they could have really explored it further - especially considering how well Jensen and Jared handled the material."
They did an amazing job in 42 minutes but it really could have - should have - been a two-parter. But I loved it, and even liked the montage at the end, showing Dean being carefree and happy in a way he rarely gets to be.
I'm really liking this season so far - although a couple of episodes have been weak - and can't wait for the new episode!
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I didn't think about that montage being about showing Dean carefree (I think because the bull-riding happened before he was whammied), but maybe it was a way of seeing a rare sight (though I'd argue that Dean is very good at enjoying himself even with his full memory - he has some great escapes *g*)
xx
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To the montage, while I enjoyed it visually, I needed to actually listen to the lyrics to make completely sense to me since I didn't know the song. But yeah, the whole episode reminded me strongly of my late grandfather and his struggle.
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xx
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