Review | 9x02 | Devil May Care

[galathea_snb]

While the season opener took a look at the immediate aftermath of the S8 finale for the Winchesters and the fallen angels, Devil May Care by Andrew Dabb follows up with an exploration of the demonic side of things. The episode not only gives Crowley, Abaddon and Kevin a spot in the limelight, but it also confronts Dean with the consequences of his

Comments

[llywela13]

Hey, I didn't think you were still doing these this season! Couldn't quite kick the habit, eh. :)

[galathea_snb]

ROFL yeah, I was quite determined to stop, but after I watched the season premiere, I realised that theory and practice are two very different things. It's really not easy to break an 8 year long habit-

[llywela13]

Oh, I know - giving up was a fairly gradual process for me, after a much shorter commitment than you've had. I didn't stop cold turkey! Sometimes when the thoughts are in your head, they just have to be written out...

[galathea_snb]

Yeah, to stop thinking (and writing) about the show, I would probably need to stop watching it. Although even then, I might just think about the earlier seasons again. But well, last season my motivation to write fizzled out at some point. The same might happen again this season.

[robinv123]

Loved your wonderful, incisive and complete review. Mine is over at Winchester Family Business under Robin's Rambles.

Love,
Robin

[galathea_snb]

Thank you, Robin. :) It's really not a complete review. I mean, I didn't really touch upon Abaddon, Crowley or Kevin in any meaningful capacity. But I am glad you enjoyed reading it.

[bittersweettwit]

Ezekiel unexpectedly taking control of Sam’s body, if only to save his life, clearly unsettles Dean, and he is tangibly uncomfortable in the angel’s presence. I mean, he is tense and barely able to look Ezekiel in the eyes.

Indeed. I actually enjoyed that about the scene because for the first time Dean is being physically confronted with the negative consequences of his agreement with Ezekiel i.e. how easily Ezekiel can take over Sam's body. It gives me more hope than I had last week that they intend to properly deal with the repercussions of the possession. I also imagine there was a extra chill to that moment for Dean considering the fact it happened but moments after Abbadon threatened to use his body to do the most atrocious of things and here's evidence if he wanted to Ezekiel already has the power to do that to Sam.

Anyway, I think it is interesting that Ezekiel does everything in his power to assure Dean of his good intentions and convince him that he did the right thing by allowing the possession.I actually found this scene

[galathea_snb]

It gives me more hope than I had last week that they intend to properly deal with the repercussions of the possession.
I agree. So far, I am actually pleased with the way the writers handle the consequences of Dean's decision. I assume it will only get weirder/more intense as time goes on. I mean, this time Ezekiel took control to save Sam, but what will happen if he starts taking over whenever he feels like it? Dean will be living with someone who is Sam and yet isn't at the same time, and I don't think he will be able to endure that for long. I am actually looking forward to the exploration of this storyline, especially if it is dealt with in a similarly thoughtful fashion as in this episode.

I actually found this scene rather interesting too because if Ezekiel is not being genuine well then he certainly knows how to play on Dean. Uh-huh. The scene between Dean and Ezekiel was the most interesting scene in the episode for me, actually. The thing is, though, why would Ezekiel need to continue manipulating Dean? Once he got Dean to

[bittersweettwit]

So, if he has a shady agenda of his own, what does he gain by keeping Dean on his good side through manipulation?

Who knows maybe a bit like Crowley after seeing the opponents the brothers have beaten over the years he's a bit wary of having Dean fully against him until he's fully ready?

Hm, I think that is debatable. If Dean hadn't sold his soul for Sam's life, the apocalypse would never have happened.

Well that is true, but has Dean ever expressed regret or guilt for selling his soul for Sam's life? I know he has definitely expressed guilt for his actions under Alastair's tutelage but I can't recall him feeling guilt for that. And even if objectively it is a mistake on the same level if Dean himself does not see it that way then it doesn't mean much in terms of his ability to relate to Sam and his mistakes prior to his recent decisions.

[galathea_snb]

And even if objectively it is a mistake on the same level if Dean himself does not see it that way then it doesn't mean much in terms of his ability to relate to Sam and his mistakes prior to his recent decisions.
Well, but if Dean does not see almost causing the apocalypse because he could not let his brother go as a mistake, then he will never see whatever damage Ezekiel may inflict on the world because he could not let Sam go as a mistake either. ;) In both scenarions the fact that Sam lives to see another day will always win out over Dean's guilty conscience then.

[spnmonster]

I would like to see that Dean’s responsibility for breaking the first seal is taken into account as well

Right? Instead of telling Sam that he's helped more people than he's hurt, maybe Dean could say, "Hey, you weren't alone in that, Sam. Me, Cas, the angels, everybody played a part in letting Lucifer out of the cage." I mean, why the hell can't he take responsibility for his role in how things played out? Until he does, his reassurances will sound hollow. He's still allowing Sam to take the fall for it.

[galathea_snb]

I mean, why the hell can't he take responsibility for his role in how things played out?
Well, Dean did take responsibility once, namely back in Fallen Idols. But afterwards it was never mentioned again, not by Dean, nor by anyone else, whenever the topic came up. It bugs me to no end that nowadays Dean not only does not disabuse Sam (or others) of the notion that Sam is solely responsible for Lucifer's release, but also accuses him of the deed himself (Sacrifice). S8 has systematically undermined Dean's understanding of Sam as a victim, both in the matter of Lucifer's release as well as in the matter of his soullessness. It drives me nuts. :(

[tawnyfish]

Really good

[galathea_snb]

Thank you. :)