But really all we want are for Sam and Dean to love each other (in a PG-13 fraternal way acceptable for the general viewing public, of course *wink*) and have some kick-ass adventures with guns and dangerous, pokey objects in a noisy black car that goes fast.
Yes to everything you said. I hope we've turned a corner and are heading for better things from here on. I hope they don't backslide and go back to it.
I couldn't agree with you more. The first half of the season felt like the heart of the show was missing. Even in S4, when Sam and Dean were at each other's throats, I felt more love between them than in most of the first 10 episodes of S8, and I find that unsettling. I am fine with conflict, but I always need the feeling that no matter what, Sam and Dean love each other, even if they don't understand one another.
The lack of emotional continuity is particularly grating. I still don't understand how the writers got from the ending of S7 to the versions of the characters we saw in 8x01-8x10. The writers made no efforts whatsoever to paint a compelling emotional journey that lead the characters from point A to point B. The show used to excel in consistent, emotional contiuity for Sam and Dean; it's the one thing we could always count on. I would really like to know what the writers were thinking when they outlined the first half of the season.
But ultimately this is the story of Sam and Dean’s Epic Love. And it should remain as such.
( ... )
The first half of the season felt like the heart of the show was missing.
Ha, I think there used to be a line in this meta that said exactly that (but I deleted it), so I agree obviously. :)
Sam and Dean love each other, even if they don't understand one another
Yes, this is the best sort of conflict because their feelings for each other provide a needed counterpoint to the problematic issues, it's the "pull" part of the "push-pull" that conflict needs. If the characters have no reason why they keep hanging around to just fight, the conflict seem contrived and unbelievable, so it's necessary even though it seems counter to what would make for good tension/fighting. I feel like the writers somehow forgot this and just wanted to manufacture Big Conflict as if that alone would make for good drama. It's almost like they didn't know what else to do after 7 seasons of previous brother conflict so their default was to just make everything BIGGER. :(
I would really like to know what the writers were thinking when they outlined the
( ... )
I'm ambivalent. A part of me wants to believe they will and that all of it was factored into some grand plan that will come full circle by the end of this season. Another part of me thinks that's a lot to hope for. Lately, I feel like I'm giving Show an expression that looks a lot like your icon.
You should definitely cross post at spn heavy meta
I was thinking of it, but wasn't sure if that comm was relevant anymore *remembers its glory in S2 and its many posts*. I suppose it can't hurt, though. :)
I think I have a meta of my own to write ... Dean's experience of purgatory did change something fundamental in his character
That's a meta I'd be interested in reading!
I would argue that SPOILERS are also to blame.For sure. Were you involved in this fandom during the summer before S3 (sorry I can't remember off hand)? If not or if you don't recall, there was a HUGE fandom freak-out as a result of Ruby and Bela sides being leaked with people rallying against potential love interests and the new girls causing Sam and Dean to be apart more than they were together etc. This stemmed from the sides being a scene of Sam and Ruby and then of Dean and Bela, and at least Sam and Ruby's scene (if not both) was hypersexualized. Anyway, I feel like those spoilers caused a portion of fandom to make up their minds about Ruby and Bela
( ... )
Oops, I wrote too much so I had to cut it into two replies! *faceplam*
I hope they don't let Dean just sit back and take this label that he is the "Brawn" of the family.
Dean is smart clearly just as Sam is a brawny hunter (but you know that). I think it's human nature to want to slot things/people into clear-cut categories and to say what it is or they are or what it isn't or they aren't. It's harder to think of things/people in terms of sitting somewhere on a spectrum because it isn't tidy and can't easily be labeled. And I think Sam and Dean get slotted into categories a lot and defined by what they are or aren't in relation to each other regardless if it's accurate or not. For example: Sam is smart, so Dean isn't. Dean is sex on wheels so Sam can't be
( ... )
i think you should go ahead and post at heavy meta. I know there are still people watching because there were a couple of great posts earlier this season.
I feel the urge to fic about how Dean will find his own ways into the Men of Letters schema. I adored that moment, which was very small, when Sam was studying and Dean said "good". HEARTS EVERYWHERE!!! It was a wonderful moment for things between them to kick into place. I remember, back in the day, there was fic where they got old and ran a Hunting School or some such. Wouldn't it be grand if this could be the start of it?
I also think there is Angelic influence at work with the men of Letters. I'm eager to see how that plays out. :)
SPN is a show where love hurts, but ultimately it’s the underlying driving force-no matter how misplaced, twisted, or misguided-for pretty much everything the Winchesters do. And that should be the thread that holds every season together.
Yes, very much this.
In some ways, season 8 feels like a negative image of season 1 to me: vibrant emotional connections set against a washed out / grainy palette versus the often hyperreal, candy colouring of this season with its worn out and frayed relationships…*ponders*
season 8 feels like a negative image of season 1 to me: vibrant emotional connections set against a washed out / grainy palette versus the often hyperreal, candy colouring of this season with its worn out and frayed relationships
Nice. I like the comparison. That "candy colouring" comment reminded me right away of S3 when suddenly the saturation was like getting poked in the eye with a 64 pack of crayola crayons. As far as this season goes, I understand why the look for Sam's flashbacks were adopted, but I still prefer the desaturated look of S1/S2 and the awesome look of Purgatory (although it is nice to see the boys brightly colored).
Comments 63
Yes to everything you said. I hope we've turned a corner and are heading for better things from here on. I hope they don't backslide and go back to it.
Reply
Reply
The lack of emotional continuity is particularly grating. I still don't understand how the writers got from the ending of S7 to the versions of the characters we saw in 8x01-8x10. The writers made no efforts whatsoever to paint a compelling emotional journey that lead the characters from point A to point B. The show used to excel in consistent, emotional contiuity for Sam and Dean; it's the one thing we could always count on. I would really like to know what the writers were thinking when they outlined the first half of the season.
But ultimately this is the story of Sam and Dean’s Epic Love. And it should remain as such. ( ... )
Reply
Ha, I think there used to be a line in this meta that said exactly that (but I deleted it), so I agree obviously. :)
Sam and Dean love each other, even if they don't understand one another
Yes, this is the best sort of conflict because their feelings for each other provide a needed counterpoint to the problematic issues, it's the "pull" part of the "push-pull" that conflict needs. If the characters have no reason why they keep hanging around to just fight, the conflict seem contrived and unbelievable, so it's necessary even though it seems counter to what would make for good tension/fighting. I feel like the writers somehow forgot this and just wanted to manufacture Big Conflict as if that alone would make for good drama. It's almost like they didn't know what else to do after 7 seasons of previous brother conflict so their default was to just make everything BIGGER. :(
I would really like to know what the writers were thinking when they outlined the ( ... )
Reply
Reply
Reply
Reply
I was thinking of it, but wasn't sure if that comm was relevant anymore *remembers its glory in S2 and its many posts*. I suppose it can't hurt, though. :)
I think I have a meta of my own to write ... Dean's experience of purgatory did change something fundamental in his character
That's a meta I'd be interested in reading!
I would argue that SPOILERS are also to blame.For sure. Were you involved in this fandom during the summer before S3 (sorry I can't remember off hand)? If not or if you don't recall, there was a HUGE fandom freak-out as a result of Ruby and Bela sides being leaked with people rallying against potential love interests and the new girls causing Sam and Dean to be apart more than they were together etc. This stemmed from the sides being a scene of Sam and Ruby and then of Dean and Bela, and at least Sam and Ruby's scene (if not both) was hypersexualized. Anyway, I feel like those spoilers caused a portion of fandom to make up their minds about Ruby and Bela ( ... )
Reply
I hope they don't let Dean just sit back and take this label that he is the "Brawn" of the family.
Dean is smart clearly just as Sam is a brawny hunter (but you know that). I think it's human nature to want to slot things/people into clear-cut categories and to say what it is or they are or what it isn't or they aren't. It's harder to think of things/people in terms of sitting somewhere on a spectrum because it isn't tidy and can't easily be labeled. And I think Sam and Dean get slotted into categories a lot and defined by what they are or aren't in relation to each other regardless if it's accurate or not. For example: Sam is smart, so Dean isn't. Dean is sex on wheels so Sam can't be ( ... )
Reply
i think you should go ahead and post at heavy meta. I know there are still people watching because there were a couple of great posts earlier this season.
I feel the urge to fic about how Dean will find his own ways into the Men of Letters schema. I adored that moment, which was very small, when Sam was studying and Dean said "good". HEARTS EVERYWHERE!!! It was a wonderful moment for things between them to kick into place. I remember, back in the day, there was fic where they got old and ran a Hunting School or some such. Wouldn't it be grand if this could be the start of it?
I also think there is Angelic influence at work with the men of Letters. I'm eager to see how that plays out. :)
Reply
SPN is a show where love hurts, but ultimately it’s the underlying driving force-no matter how misplaced, twisted, or misguided-for pretty much everything the Winchesters do. And that should be the thread that holds every season together.
Yes, very much this.
In some ways, season 8 feels like a negative image of season 1 to me: vibrant emotional connections set against a washed out / grainy palette versus the often hyperreal, candy colouring of this season with its worn out and frayed relationships…*ponders*
Reply
Nice. I like the comparison. That "candy colouring" comment reminded me right away of S3 when suddenly the saturation was like getting poked in the eye with a 64 pack of crayola crayons. As far as this season goes, I understand why the look for Sam's flashbacks were adopted, but I still prefer the desaturated look of S1/S2 and the awesome look of Purgatory (although it is nice to see the boys brightly colored).
Reply
Leave a comment