Yes, Doctor, You Can Derive A Meta From A Single Picture

[bowtrunckle]

This just proves my brain is starved (look, it's practically anorexic) for something SPN-related to think about.  Spoilers ahoy!

Comments

[jazmin22]

I think that there is a good possibility that these are just protective pentagrams meant to keep bad guys out, like the one Sam drew on the Impala in 1x22-Devil's Trap.

However, addressing this point you make:

If so, then the only way to get the demon out is by breaking the thing the trap is sketched on (i.e. how do you "break" a body)? And ... uh ... does it worry anyone that the TATTOS *eee* are sketched over their hearts? I would personally assume that anyone trying to get a demon out from behind the trap would just stab Sam and/or Dean in the heart. Well, at least not unless it was the absolute last solution and nothing else worked. ;P

[bowtrunckle]

(Hi, I am Jasmine, and I have you friended/and lurk around for your SPN meta.)

*waves* Hi! Sorry, I usually don't keep track of my flist unless someone taps me on the shoulder and says, "hey, pay attention to me!" so thanks for saying something. *friends back happily*

I think that there is a good possibility that these are just protective pentagrams meant to keep bad guys outstab Sam and/or Dean in the heart

I don't know if my heart could survive another stabbing.

So one can assume the a small cut by a knife, deep enough to get as deep as the ink of the tattoo would render the DT useless.

*chuckles* I think you're going to give me a heart attack with all this talk of bodily harm; the torture scene in 3x08 almost did me in. But, yes, that all makes perfect sense. Using protective pentagrams (if that's what they are) is quite clever. I'm surprised we haven't seen them before. However, the boys demon knowledge has been shown to be quite spotty (isn't that Bobby's expository purpose?).

SPN comes back January 31st, and this

[jazmin22]

I don't know if my heart could survive another stabbing.

Oops! What I meant to say was that I think that if someone was trying to get a demon out of Sam or Dean (or both) that they would stab them in the heart unless there was no other way...stabbing would be the absolute option. I should have reread that bit before posting.

Using protective pentagrams (if that's what they are) is quite clever... However, the boys demon knowledge has been shown to be quite spotty (isn't that Bobby's expository purpose?).That's the thing, isn't it? Why would they get protective pentagrams tattooed to their chests, when I definitely remember Bobby giving them anti-possession charms(at the end of BUABS). Unless the tattoos are stronger

[bowtrunckle]

Unless the tattoos are stronger...?

That's an option. It just seems rather ... permanent and almost desperate. It's not like trading in salt-loaded cartridges for real shells or loading the Colt/Taurus with silver bullets on occassion. Marking one's body seems like more of a last ditch effort to do *something*, and I guess that's what's got me so intrigued.

The aorta might also get hit, again depending on the angle. The lung starts a lot higher in the chest and I think would be most likely to be punctured

*meep* Heart, aorta, lungs, they're all rather critical organs. Hopefully the boys' stay intact for a good long while, but it's interesting to examine the deathly possibilities. :)

um kind of a biological science nerd, sorry

Oh, don't apologize for being a science nerd. *puts on science hat* Scientists are fun. :)

[shadow_of_doubt]

First of all, I love your "TATTOOS *eee*!" That's how I've felt all day!

I know nothing about this episode except what is shown in these pictures, and I am so curious to know why they just NOW got tatts, if these are indeed Protective Devil's Traps. I would think Dean would have forced Sam to get one after BUABS.

And why are they showing them off the way the are in the picture?

This episode can't air soon enough for me.

[bowtrunckle]

That's how I've felt all day!

*grins*

I would think Dean would have forced Sam to get one after BUABS.

Yes, curious, isn't it? Unless Sam just got bitchy and refused. ;)

And why are they showing them off the way the are in the picture?

I think maybe they should remove their shirts. Wouldn't want to stretch those T-shirt collars out too much. *snortlaugh*

But seriously, I wonder, too. Neither of them look overjoyed.

[jellicle]

But then what happened to Bobby's anti-possession charms from BUaBS (2x14)? Why construct two different things that serve the exact same purpose?

I was pointed here by my flist.

About this detail, I tend to believe that the charm Bobby gave the boys protect against lower level demons. These new demons are stronger than the ones they were used to.

[geminilove_ca]

To paraphrase what my sister said in her fic where characters had protective symbols tattooed on their bodies:

"A charm can be removed, Dean. And then what?"

We've already seen that Dean's had his amulet Sam gave him taken away (whether it has protective significance or is actually protective is academic) once in Skin in season one.

As for the DT, well.... there are two kinds, there are the "lock box" DT's which keep demons OUT (like on the trunk of the Impala) and the "roach motel" DT's which lock them in (seen everywhere else)....

[bowtrunckle]

there are two kindsYou bring up a really good point about different types of DT that's been the topic of circular discussions before

[geminilove_ca]

or maybe judging from the unhappy looks on their faces, it's the wrong KIND of star and a new plot point?

[emiliglia]

And ... uh ... does it worry anyone that the TATTOS *eee* are sketched over their hearts?

The heart is lower and more central so I don't think that's the point... Unless whoever put them on the boys failed gross anatomy.

[angelita26]

Actually, I looked at the biggest image at Supernatural Media and the tattoos are set to the left, which seems to mean that they're intended to be over the heart. (The heart is set more to the left in the chest, it's not dead center) They're possibly too high, though like you said.

And to the more general discussion, I don't think that they are devil's traps because they lack the sigils that we've always seen on the DT. It don't resemble a DT to me in any way except for the pentagram. The inner circle of the tattoo is even broken, which we know means a DT is not usable.

[bowtrunckle]

Dude, maybe I failed gross anatomy. ;)

Kidding.

The fun with SPN pontification is blowing up the tiniest of details and then running amok with them. It could be just that their upper chests were the best place to conceal them while keeping them accessible for the reveal (i.e. doesn't necessitate the removal of clothes). Who knows what lurks in the recesses of Kripke's brain, anyway.

[aliaseverus]

Don't know much about whether they are actual full-on permanent tattoos or what the significance might be, but as to your question about why two things for the same purpose i.e. the charms plus a tattoo I'd guess it's because a little metal charm is too easy to lose - especially if they get arrested or something. Skin can be lost too, but it's a lot easier to hang onto than a little metal charm.

Good thinky thoughts though! I'm looking forward to this ep.

[bowtrunckle]

because a little metal charm is too easy to lose

*nods* And it looks like the boys are in the slammer once again. Although they appear to keep their regular clothes and belongings at least for the part of the episode these caps cover (note that Dean's still wearing his amulet, ring, and bracelet). It makes me wonder if they purposefully let themselves get caught (like in 2x19) and got the tats, anticipating that everything (protective charms included) would be taken away from them. Hmm. That would be an interesting slant considering it looks like Henricksen is in this episode and the boys kept a wide berth from him.

Skin can be lost too

Heh. I love that the SPNverse has shape shifters and even the most fundamental things (like keeping your own skin) can't be taken for granted. :)

I'm looking forward to this ep.

I am, too! :)