I've watched these episodes more times than a sane person should, and I only twigged that point this time around. I guess these reviews are making me focus just a little harder :)
I never believed Roy actually knew what his wife was doing. I think he actually did believe he was healing people for real. Not exchanging one life for another. Love your reviews! 🤗
Yes, I agree, Roy came over as a very genuine person from the start. He was just an innocent victim caught in the crossfire. It's very sad. I think this is the episode where SPN started moving from cases that seemed black and white, to examining the murkier grey areas of hunting.
Thanks so much for your feedback and support. It means a lot to me. ♥
“And your brother is wicked, and he deserves to die just as Layla deserves to live. It is God's will.” It seems to me that she has no basis for judging Dean wicked, other than he got in her way.
Exactly. Dean wasn't "wicked" to her when he first got healed, but now that she's been found out by him, she's put him on the "wicked" list.
And, sadly, Dean seems to agree with her. Out in the car park, lights start blinking out around him and then he sees the reaper. He swallows, and we see the fear and alarm in his eyes, but he stands his ground. He doesn’t run, or try to fight, but just stands there and lets the reaper take him.Dean does take a little step back when he sees the reaper, but yes, he does stand his ground. I think it's more about being brave, even though he's clearly frightened. Just like what he told Lucas in Dead in the Water... that he tries every day to be brave. Also, Dean knows that he can't outrun the reaper, so I don't see it as him giving up and wanting to die for Layla. It's interesting that Roy said the
( ... )
Dean is talking about what would've happened if Roy picked Layla instead of him. Of course, it would mean some other innocent person would've died, and Dean wouldn't have been ok with that, either. Sam is reminding Dean about the consequences, both then and now.
Dean didn't have a way to sacrifice himself for Layla. Sue Ann is the one who decided to trade Dean's life for Layla's. He had no choice when the reaper appeared. He stayed there and faced his fate. Running would've been pointless. Now, he could’ve thought “well, I’m going to die now anyway, but at least Layla gets to live”, but he isn’t able to do any active thing that would involve a sacrifice. He can’t offer himself to the reaper, because the reaper will take him no matter what.
In the comment below, you said this...
I believe Dean was chosen, not just to live but to stop Sue Ann.Yes! That was the goal, to stop Sue Ann. To prevent other innocent people from dying. If Dean somehow had a way to sacrifice himself so Layla could live, he would be supporting
( ... )
> There’s a journey here, that started when Sam tried to kill Dean in Asylum, then left him Scarecrow, only to turn around and rush back to save Dean. And now in Faith, he saves Dean’s life again. Faith is where we should’ve had some payoff for this storyline, but we don’t.
Yes, I can see what you mean, and I agree. You've also made me think about something that happens next episode (written by the dreaded Buckleming!) that I've always hated, and in the light of your comments, now I'm even more POd about it, but we'll doubtless talk more about that after the break :)
Thanks again, so much for your feedback. It's really good to know there's someone keen for me to go on to season 2. There are some really excellent, important episodes from that season I'd really like to talk about :)))
I don't want to believe that Dean is disappointed in John. Yes, he is offended that his father did not come and answer, but it still seems to me that Dean still believes in John, he is still an ideal for him. I'm interested in something else. Why did Roy choose Dean in the tent then? After all, Sue Ann chose in advance who should die and who should be healed. Why suddenly Dean?
I'll be continuing to explore the dynamic between John and his sons, so see what you think by the end of the season (and moving into season 2, if I get that far). To me it seems that Sam and Dean oscillate between favouring John, but never at the same time.
Although Sue Ann chooses the victims the reaper will target, I'm not sure we see any evidence that she influences who Roy will choose to be healed, though it's possible. She definitely had no part in picking Dean though and it is, as you say, a very interesting question what prompted Roy to do that. Was it God? Was it the reaper? Personally, I think it was either or both. I believe Dean was chosen, not just to live but to stop Sue Ann. Though Roy didn't know it specifically, I believe that was the important job he sensed Dean needed to finish.
Thanks so much for your thoughtful comment. I really appreciate it.
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I never made the connection until you point it out, but this really is Dean talking about John, even if Dean isn't conscious of it!
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Thanks so much for reading and commenting :)))
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I think he actually did believe he was healing people for real. Not exchanging one life for another.
Love your reviews! 🤗
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Thanks so much for your feedback and support. It means a lot to me. ♥
Reply
Exactly. Dean wasn't "wicked" to her when he first got healed, but now that she's been found out by him, she's put him on the "wicked" list.
And, sadly, Dean seems to agree with her. Out in the car park, lights start blinking out around him and then he sees the reaper. He swallows, and we see the fear and alarm in his eyes, but he stands his ground. He doesn’t run, or try to fight, but just stands there and lets the reaper take him.Dean does take a little step back when he sees the reaper, but yes, he does stand his ground. I think it's more about being brave, even though he's clearly frightened. Just like what he told Lucas in Dead in the Water... that he tries every day to be brave. Also, Dean knows that he can't outrun the reaper, so I don't see it as him giving up and wanting to die for Layla. It's interesting that Roy said the ( ... )
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Dean didn't have a way to sacrifice himself for Layla. Sue Ann is the one who decided to trade Dean's life for Layla's. He had no choice when the reaper appeared. He stayed there and faced his fate. Running would've been pointless.
Now, he could’ve thought “well, I’m going to die now anyway, but at least Layla gets to live”, but he isn’t able to do any active thing that would involve a sacrifice. He can’t offer himself to the reaper, because the reaper will take him no matter what.
In the comment below, you said this...
I believe Dean was chosen, not just to live but to stop Sue Ann.Yes! That was the goal, to stop Sue Ann. To prevent other innocent people from dying. If Dean somehow had a way to sacrifice himself so Layla could live, he would be supporting ( ... )
Reply
Yes, I can see what you mean, and I agree. You've also made me think about something that happens next episode (written by the dreaded Buckleming!) that I've always hated, and in the light of your comments, now I'm even more POd about it, but we'll doubtless talk more about that after the break :)
Thanks again, so much for your feedback. It's really good to know there's someone keen for me to go on to season 2. There are some really excellent, important episodes from that season I'd really like to talk about :)))
Reply
Reply
Although Sue Ann chooses the victims the reaper will target, I'm not sure we see any evidence that she influences who Roy will choose to be healed, though it's possible. She definitely had no part in picking Dean though and it is, as you say, a very interesting question what prompted Roy to do that. Was it God? Was it the reaper? Personally, I think it was either or both. I believe Dean was chosen, not just to live but to stop Sue Ann. Though Roy didn't know it specifically, I believe that was the important job he sensed Dean needed to finish.
Thanks so much for your thoughtful comment. I really appreciate it.
Reply
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