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Happy 300!
So was John resurrected from hell, brought down from heaven or was he just an entity that Dean’s mind created? Whatever he was, I liked the episode overall but I feel they used John horribly – his time onscreen was much too short and pretty generic. They could have gone into so much more family stuff. They gave S&J a big deep convo, but the one with Dean was pretty meh. Knowing that John was going to be exiting at the end of the episode, I guess I wanted some more heart-to-hearts and gut spilling and tears and hugging and I would be feeling wrung out at the end of the hour. I teared up a few times but it was not as cathartic and I was hoping for.
Curious if anyone else came away with that feeling. Maybe a re-watch will let me absorb more of the nuances and appreciate how the Winchester reunion played out.
yeah, Pat, I think I’m in the same boat as you. I teared up because when Sam gets teary I get teary and that was probably my favourite scene, but you hit the nail on the head with it feeling generic. I’d add boring, too. I thought there were too many hugs! They replaced story with hugs! I’m pretty frustrated that with all the hoopla and special occasion stuff they didn’t actually think to craft a complete STORY. I guess the core of it was supposed to be them grappling with what they’ve done/lost in order to “save the world” but it felt pretty shallow.
Sam’s TED talk made me let out a yelp of laughter. JDM’s screen presence once again hitting home runs for the character of JW.
I’m sure there were a lot of people who were deeply moved by it! there was a lot of emotion on screen. I wish I felt it too.
The TED talk, ultimate douchocity. That was great. All kale, no family.
And Dean on the Most Wanted list: “there were lots of beheadings.”
// I guess the core of it was supposed to be them grappling with what they’ve done/lost in order to “save the world” but it felt pretty shallow. //
Yes, this is my thing – that I said below.
I wish there had been more focus on the cost, and more ambivalence – which then, of course, could be resolved at the end – because John was exiting.
It would have been interesting if Dean had been the ambivalent one – similar to his reaction when Mary returned. You know, if all the damage John had done to him in their relationship had kind of ambushed him. And here’s Sam getting to have a teary huggy reunion and Dean – once again – is left out.
I was definitely moved – especially by JP – who killed me. His pain was searing at points – making him even hard to look at. And of course Dean’s slackened face that I mentioned below – there, there, is the ambivalence I wanted –
but, as always, the actors – who are amazing – are playing the subtext hard – while the language is still “we are heroes” stuff …
All in all, though, I liked it. Some of the issues others are having were things I think were strengths.
But there was that piece missing – and its a big one – Dean and Sam actually being present to the COST of their lives and being heroes – as well as having some ambivalence in this man’s presence – muscle memory of being afraid of him and dominated by him. I get that death and time changes things like that … but … as my acting teacher said all the time in college when we would make “safe” choices: “What does more for you? That you’re okay with him walking out the door or you’re heartbroken? Always go with what does more for you.”
For the past 3 years, I haven’t felt that anyone over there knows the CORRECT answer to “what does more for you?”
Thanks for your thoughts everyone! It’s good to re-hash this stuff!
That said, Happy 300 back to you, Pat, and everyone else. I wasn’t getting particularly revved up about this episode or the 300 celebrations, but all the chatter has made me reflect on many of my favourite episodes, and all the long years, and all the great times. It’s still a pleasure!
(I was thinking this morning about how maybe my two favourite episodes are Playthings and Baby — two exquisitely-crafted and unique and deep episodes, 9 years apart. That’s pretty magnificent. Thanks, show, and congrats to all involved <3)
// two exquisitely-crafted and unique and deep episodes, 9 years apart. That’s pretty magnificent. //
So so true. Baby was a wonder.
You know, FMA with telling John the “we saved the world, a lot” thing. And he and Mary should have boned instead of making another Winchester Surprise (well, maybe a fourth son – pace Adam). Especially with Bobby off getting in touch with his wounded masculinity. And Mary should be played by a better actress if she’s going to appear heartbroken when she sees her husband for only 22 hours. Yikes. I wish I knew how Baby was stolen. And I hate fist fights with angels. Fucking hate. But that’s an old scar.
All that aside…
It was so good to see John. And Zacharia, that petty POS. And the “go anywhere not here” sigil when angels are getting overwhelming. And killing John Wayne Gacy’s ghost (“you love serial killers and you hate ghosts”), that was cool. The Sam and John exchange was great, as Pat said.
There’s a phrase that’s used on Tom and Lorenzo’s fashion blog: resting on pretty. I think the show did the equivalent here: resting on the fact that we have actors who can sell just about anything remotely (or even further from) plausible. And they did that.
As a fan, I feel serviced. Maybe not like Oberon, but when I turn off my critical facilities I’m happy.
‘What is your definition of happiness, Mr. Williams?’ And Tennessee answered, ‘Insensitivity, I guess.’ ”
I’m there.
ha, thank you for the reminder that Jensen’s read on the beheadings line was perfect. And the sequence around Sam’s JWG dilemma!
FMA with telling John the “we saved the world, a lot” thing.
This chafes, definitely. My heart sank seeing the reiteration of the line in the previews. And I mean….that was a key theme of WIAWSNB (the other key “I wish” episode, to which this one does not compare favourably)*, so I get it, I get that this question (was it worth it) would come up, but…..it just felt cheap and fanservice-y, to me.
*Does this make seven times now Dean’s had his heart’s desire wish granted/revealed? Mary (WIAWSNB), Lisa (Dream a Little Dream), Nick/Sam (Sex & Violence), Mary (Amara), Amara (Love Hurts), Bar+Pamela (Nihilism), John (Lebanon). Maybe they could have mixed it up a bit, but it has to have happened for Sam too, right? What am I missing?
How much fun to see Kurt Fuller again! ah, man.
//*Does this make seven times now Dean’s had his heart’s desire wish granted/revealed?//
Maybe on wish 8 or 9 Dean will get to kiss the Little Red-Haired Girl!. Does Scoobynatural count as a Dean’s heart’s desire story?
There was remarkably little disappointment on Dean’s part about not getting Michael out of his head.
But hey, another Maggie- and AU-hunter-free episode.
// Maybe they could have mixed it up a bit, but it has to have happened for Sam too, right? //
This is the thing, right?
Nobody over there knows what Sam wants anymore. He’s a tough one, I get it, but they need to do some brainstorming to get that into the mix. He’s too Dean-focused, #1, and … where is he at, in his private world?
I don’t care if he’s still fantasizing about Bela, wishing he ate more kale, or picturing himself in a cabin reading books and walking his dogs – SOMETHING to show us they care about Sam’s inner life.
// And he and Mary should have boned //
I assumed they did when Sam and Dean went into town.
I actually thought Smith did a good job and this was her best episode although why on earth they put her in so much damn makeup is one of life’s eternal mysteries.
Just watched it. I knew JDM was coming back in this episode. Why the show felt the need to completely ruin all the surprises of the episode is beyond me. They spoiled Zachariah coming back as well.
So with all the weeks of knowledge I fully expected the episode to be completely pandering fan service. 200 was as well, but I knew this script was not in the capable hands of Robbie Thompson so I wasn’t sure what to expect.
The plot was definitely on the weak side. You pull out magical pearls that grant wishes and….yeah. The whole “We save the world” phrase needs to be sent into the cage, locked up, never to return!!
But when it was all said and done I thoroughly enjoyed the ride. I embraced the episode for what it was and found much that delighted me.
Baby was in the episode quite a bit again and I LOVED the last scene of John sitting behind the wheel. Beautiful full circle history.
Loved the serial killer clown. Loved internet famous Sam. I loved seeing Zachariah again. He was exactly the same . Misha did a great job as “old style Cas”. More fan service but I still grinned when he said “I don’t understand that reference”
The acting was phenomenal and the raw emotion got me. That scene between Sam and John was so good and again you give Jared stuff to do and he will knock it out of the park EVERY TIME. Mary didn’t do much except cry, but even Sam Smith delivered. I could feel Mary’s pain. That goodbye between them all brought me to tears. If there was that much emotion over this one, I don’t think any of them will survive a final episode.
About the Impala getting stolen. Truth is those cars can be broken into fairly easily by somebody who knows what they are doing. My husband said if he had a coat hanger or a screw driver he could be in one in about 2 to 3 minutes. He said he could get one started with a wire and a screwdriver. So that certainly makes the backstory of the blond teen much more interesting to speculate!! Where did she learn those skills?
// The whole “We save the world” phrase needs to be sent into the cage, locked up, never to return!! //
I literally groaned.
// I LOVED the last scene of John sitting behind the wheel. Beautiful full circle history. //
Yes, this was wonderful. Also, it was nice – and interesting – that he shared with Dean that he had a good dream. I don’t trust anyone over there anymore to have the continuity in their head – so this may have been a lazy choice, actually – but I’m choosing to believe that this was evidence of some of the everyday realities of Dean and Dad on the road. It wasn’t all bad. Which is probably true.
Agreed – loved that the Impala was a character.
Is Garth still in the trunk? I’ve lost track of Garth.
// My husband said if he had a coat hanger or a screw driver he could be in one in about 2 to 3 minutes. He said he could get one started with a wire and a screwdriver. //
I love how your husband is obsessed with the Impala. I appreciate his contribution!
It was interesting that, even though it was Dean’s desire, having John there turned out to be far more cathartic for Sam in that brilliant scene—and perhaps far more painful for Mary and John. I teared up when his face crumpled upon hearing Mary’s voice, and again when he called her “my girl”. For Dean this may have been wish fulfillment but it seemed to solidify things he’s already come to terms with.
Other things I loved that haven’t been mentioned yet: the music with the Seger song on oboe and strings under Mary and John’s scenes. Such a great way to pay attention to how songs can be repositories for emotion. Also the nostalgic lighting that set the tone almost from the beginning. I still love the room this show gives creatively to stretch its format and style in the interest of individual stories.
// even though it was Dean’s desire, having John there turned out to be far more cathartic for Sam in that brilliant scene //
This was a very interesting choice.
I don’t trust them to make interesting choices on purpose anymore … but I’ll take what I can get.
Dean being sort of left out of having a big heart to heart was interesting.
I wish there had been more exploration of this. It owuldn’t have to be some big time-consuming thing – even just a couple of lines, and closeups woudl have gotten the job done. To see that there is still – and always will be – unfinished business in this family. Nobody can heal from what they’ve been through.
I also loved the use of Bob Seger.
Thoughts: I’ll read your comments after:
This is sort of a two-pronged weirdo episode – with rando kids taking up first half – and family reunion taking up second. I didn’t mind it. But then again, I appreciate when the show doesn’t CHAIN ITSELF to linear narrative and plot. Let your freak flag fly, show. I didn’t mind the dumb pearl device. I’m not interested in things making sense or being plausible. I wish they worried LESS about that shit, honestly. Be silly, be dumb, let the acting be the thing onscreen.
So I was fine with teenagers stealing their car, and a killer clown, and John Wayne Gacy and a teddy bear and … what?
I wish for more randomness like that on the show, and it was good to see it. Nothing was at stake. It wasn’t even a MOTW.
Robert Singer is in his sweet spot here – allowing for the small moments of behavior and humor that I for one have missed.
Also, thank heavens the bunker is empty and all those refugees are out chasing monsters into Arkansas, being led by incompetent Maggie/Mollie to their doom.
I thought JDM did a wonderful job re-entering a character he hasn’t played in 15 years. Like, it was the same John – the trembling-tears-that-don’t-fall mostly thing – the too-intense focus sometimes.
Here’s what I DIDN’T like, and it’s a biggie:
The pain/trauma of what John did to them was the subtext in JA and JP’s work. They both were playing it and playing it HARD. Like, the subtext was as loud as the text. JP, in particular, was in rare rare form. He had more interaction with John, and you could see how damaged Sam was by this man. And yet, you know, death changes things and so forgiveness becomes possible.
Dean’s reaction was more what you would expect – and JA had a couple of moments – in particular a reaction shot during that final scene where his face was TOTALLY slack – all the muscles sagged – I mean, of course he looked gorgeous – but he was completely deflated like a balloon – and honestly it’s one of the best most startling moments he’s had, period. Dean never looks like that. He may look lost – but he doesn’t look BLANK. I thought it was a brilliant choice. Or a brilliant choice on Singer’s part to go with that startling take.
But here’s my issue:
Like I said, the subtext was being played HARD.
But all the “look at what we’ve done, and you helped us become the heroes we are today” thing is just … honestly, cut it the fuck OUT, Supernatural.
The essential issue here is that in the past Sam and Dean were aware of the COST of their lives as hunters. What they have missed out on, how damaged and wrecked they were. It showed up in What Ever Will Be Will Be or whatever – “we’ve lost so much” etc. But it was there as recently as Season 11 – Amara bringing up weirdo stuff – the retirement home episode where they ALL were somehow – strangely – present to the wreckage of their lives.
That has gone by the wayside. Everyone is so insistent on having them declare themselves heroes. But what about what they’ve lost?
i wish that had been in the TEXT a little bit, not just subtext.
an opportunity for some ambivalence squandered.
I thought Samantha Smith was better than she normally is – everyone seemed on the verge of emotional collapse, including her, and she’s normally so detached.
Other things I liked:
the sense of Lebanon as a town. We rarely see them in that town – and of course they would be regulars everywhere. But since they never leave the damn bunker first of all … I just liked this other glimpse, of them as well-known figures in town – at the post office, everywhere. I liked Dean flirting with post office lady – working his charm – and there was a sense of community that was kind of interesting. Because of course they would generate “talk.” Who are those guys? With the car? Do they work? Where do they live? In a tent outside of town? Like, what’s UP with them?
The TED talk was hilariously gross.
I thought Misha did an amazing job entering into the old Castiel. But it just made me miss the old Castiel. And ferocious angels show up in a pizza parlor and what happens? They have a fist fight. Naturally!
“My girl” got to me.
Like, what’s UP with them?
I appreciate your appreciation for the randomness and kind of jenga construction of this one, Sheila! Normally I might agree with you but for this particular one, I’m mystified as to their choices. All of that odd stuff up the front with the kids and the town — and the name of the episode — makes me wish they’d leaned more into that and given us a proper outsider’s look at these two odd tall half-Unabomber characters who sweep through at any hour of the night or morning, sometimes banged up; collecting weird packages; being flirty or twitchy; no one knows where they live; are they really brothers?; the liquor store guy putting in an extra order of whiskey; the butcher who gets asked for a jar of lamb’s blood. etc. Some of this perspective came up but the episode sorta pushed it into, like, a cutesy description of Jack. I want more! lol. I always find myself wishing they’d given us more these days.
I suppose they didn’t go whole hog on because it was this special episode and they only had this guest star for a day or whatever, but, well. They should have focused on developing something strong for either the town story or the John story.
The Sam-John scene was tremendous. Gorgeous work by all. I have a Pavlovian reaction to Jared tearing up now (in that I mirror him, not start drooling lol. Although sometimes that’s close). It’s absolutely heartbreaking that for John the memory of that argument is still so raw, and for Sam his key memory of John is still IMTOD. I’d never thought of that before and it wrecks me!
“My girl” was lovely! Ol wet’ eyes John Winchester strikes again!!
Jessie –
// makes me wish they’d leaned more into that and given us a proper outsider’s look at these two odd tall half-Unabomber characters who sweep through at any hour of the night or morning //
Oh for sure I wanted more of it! It was like Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood over there. And it’s weird, I had never even really considered the actual TOWN of Lebanon and what their relationship to it must be like. What the townspeople must think of them. So it filled in a nice blank. But yes, it would have been nice to have more of it – and maybe front-loading with the kids wasn’t the best idea – especially since ol’ wet eyes John was supposed to come back – the thing with the kids could have been its own episode!
// They should have focused on developing something strong for either the town story or the John story. //
Yes. I can see this!
I guess here’s where my reaction was coming from, now that I’m thinking more about it:
One of the reasons why I appreciated the random Lebanon “plot” is that it WASN’T hunter-refugee plot, or Castiel plot, or Nick plot, or Jack plot, taking up half of the episode – or more than half – it was, essentially, only Sam and Dean – even in that front part.
So the coast was clear for the family reunion. It was a relief to not have to freakin LOOK at people in camo, or have Castiel hovering, giving Jack a pep talk … The only “carryover” from the season at large was Michael in Dean’s head. It was reminiscent of Season 3 – where the only thing on the table was Dean’s deal. There was nothing to distract from that main arc. They just don’t operate like that over there anymore. Bah.
They have such a hard time resisting this “ensemble” idea – bah – and the show is just so much stronger when it’s only them, and maybe Castiel coming in occasionally – and okay, Jack too.
Anyway, I think that’s why I appreciated it – if any of that makes sense, although it was two episodes in one.
// It’s absolutely heartbreaking that for John the memory of that argument is still so raw, and for Sam his key memory of John is still IMTOD. I’d never thought of that before and it wrecks me! //
I KNOW. I had never thought of it before either – and that makes perfect sense!! A really good friend of mine just lost her dad – and it was sudden – and traumatic (he wasn’t killed or anything – he just had a catastrophic event) – and there was no time to say goodbye and she is really REALLY struggling with this. In their last conversation she had been irritated with him about something – and now that was the last time she talked to him. I told her that she had a lifetime of loving him and good memories … but still. It’s been rough.
Thanks for bringing that up – because I hadn’t mentioned it and I was just ranting above about nobody “over there” knowing how to write about Sam’s inner life anymore. But that was a very unexpected choice and it makes so much sense.
I really didn’t like this episode, and I didn’t like it right from the start, which is maybe why I wasn’t able to warm up to the rest of it (although Dean’s comments about the serial killer clown ghost were great).
I’m honestly surprised that Dean shooting a human being in the back, at the beginning of the episode, was not more upsetting for people. I have not seen anything said about it, but I found it wildly out of character, and even more so when they gave us a shot of the dead body and then moved right into brothers goofing around with strange occult stuff. It felt so weird, the heart of the show for me has always been those impossible moral dilemmas which used to really trouble Sam and Dean, we saw them struggle with the things they did, but now we’ve reached a place where we just shoot people. We just shoot people and then ignore their dead bodies to play with dragon’s breath.
So I think I had a harder time appreciating the rest of the episode because that opening was very jarring to me.
Additionally, I just didn’t think Sam and Dean said anything that really needed to be said. There were 299 previous episodes of dialogue and choices so I know Sam has moved on from his contentious relationship with John, and I know Dean is happy with the life he has chosen. I know these things are at least as true for Sam and Dean as they are for any living person, so I just didn’t feel like freakishly calm, understanding and loving John being there to hear it was important or needed. Basically, I agree with Sheila’s lament about the show making Sam and Dean out to be these unambiguous heroes all the time.
I thought John and Mary being reunited was actually much more interesting, but I don’t watch the show for them.
Jenna – thanks for your thoughts!
// the heart of the show for me has always been those impossible moral dilemmas which used to really trouble Sam and Dean, //
We have definitely discussed this before here! Suddenly having shootouts with human beings became normal in Season 12 and it was so hurtful. Such a betrayal of what the show is about. and it did occur to me that that moment in the pawn shop was part of that terrible new trend. Disgusting.
Ambiguity and ambivalence, in general, has been lost since Mary returned and the show backed off from actually exploring it.
Like I said – JP was playing ambivalence as hard as he could (although it didn’t look hard – he’s so good it was just there for him). His pain was searing – and it was old pain – the pain of the 18 year old kid who thought his dad hated him – but here he was, with limited time with his dad, and of course he would say all is forgiven and thank you.
But I do wish there had been more of that in the text.
They really really REALLY fear ambivalence over there right now.
And slo-mo. WHY. WHYYYY.
Ha ha haaaaaa, that was my first reaction, my first tweet to Jessie! Uuuuuugh
It’s so lazy. It shows a huge lack of trust.
//the sense of Lebanon as a town. We rarely see them in that town – and of course they would be regulars everywhere. //
I think about this often, in my private fanfic.
I recognize that the actors did a great job, but it just didn’t work for. It all felt superficial, simplified. I know they didn’t have time, but their stories deserve better.
I got very excited to see Zachariah, and I’m glad he’s not staying, so they won’t spoil my memories of him. I love that son of a bitch.
Zachariah has literally not aged.
Like, you can tell JDM has aged. I mean, of course. It’s been years. But Zachariah looks exactly the same!!
True! I love Kurt Fuller, I’m always happy to see him. I hope he looks that way for ever and keeps acting for ever and ever!
Hi everyone. Long time no see. I’ve sort of fallen out of the fandom ever since Dabb took over. He keeps hitting the same beats and only the scenery seems to change for him.
But then I stayed away so long that it started to seem like a good idea to try to catch up before the final eps of the final season. Or at least to make it to ep 300 and the return of JDM.
This ep was so meh to me that I had to stop by over here to see if I missed anything. Maybe I was too distanced for it to mean anything. If there was anything worthwhile, the folks who post here would be the ones to point them out. (Thanks, Sheila, for the lovely, smart, welcoming environment.)
So my reactions to this ep:
1. Wait, is this the right episode? Maybe I forgot the title? Magical skull in a pawn shop?
2. Bye pawn shop guy. Oh, yeah, I forgot murdering humans is OK now. (This reminded me about that f**king bargain-basement spy-show ripoff British MoL storyline. Yes, that infiltration/massacre from S12. How many people did the hunters kill in a single episode? Including Jody. A SHERRIFF. I’m still bitter.)
3. Guys, please don’t leave a box of dangerous cursed magical artifacts IN PLAIN SIGHT on the back seat of your car. Your very recognizable car. And exposure to sunlight is probably bad for the objects, too.
4. Who are all these townsfolk? Isn’t it dangerous for Sam & Dean to be so memorable? (Aren’t they still on the hook for Presidential murder? Attempted murder? I forget & hate that storyline except for Jack & his mom. Dude didn’t have to be president for that storyline to have happened.)
5. OK, Dean + mail lady was kind of cute. (But shouldn’t Dean be more upset? I remember when Dean got the vapors when Bela stole his car. Good times.)
6. At this point I was sure the episode was not the one I thought it was and that it would concentrate on the kids and the magical objects.
7. Nope. S&D: “Ghosts are real; we fight them; because we’re heroes; don’t tell anyone; just because; OK bye.”
8. Magic pearl. Is this fanfic? Because I’ve read better fanfic. How is this the same episode? Is there any thematic throughline that I’m missing?
9. Hi JDM! You’re looking good! (And more age-appropriate!) I missed you! Bring on the daddy-issues!
10. Why is John f’n Winchester being respectful and proud and truly listening to his sons? Did they do the mutual holy water / shapeshifter tests offscreen? Because why would they believe the dead pawn broker’s notes on the magic pearl? (Remember WIAWSNB’s jogging suit Sam? The wishing well suicidal teddy bear? Wishes bad!)
11. Why isn’t Mary holding back for a second. John is 20 years older than he was the last time she saw him. He’s kind of cradle-robbing. And don’t they have issues? Wouldn’t she rip him a new one for bringing her sons into The Life? Wouldn’t he be ripping her a new one for not telling him about being a hunter?
12. If any of the above happened, WHY WAS IT OFF SCREEN? Where is the conflict? What is the point?
13. Very nice Sam and Dad moment. Would have landed even harder with some build up. (Why the hell was all this shoved into HALF AN EPISODE?)
14. Oh, that’s why we met the townfolk. They’re It’s-a-Wonderful-Lifing this bitch. Meh. Points for Kale!Sam, the Jessica-less version of jogging suit Sam, though.
15. Zachariah! You wonderful smarm! Hi old-school Cas! Why are you physically fighting instead of biblically smiting? (Lame.)
16. Why isn’t anybody arguing about what to do? Why are they all on the same page? This conflict-free dinner doesn’t rate Bob Seger. Boo! Waste of Bob Seger!
17. The only reason I’m buying Dean’s [relative] complacence is that I think he is in denial and he doesn’t have time to deal with it because he has Michael-head.
18. OK, I loved the good-bye acting from everyone, including SS. Would have landed harder if this had happened over more than HALF AN EPISODE.
19. Sigh.
I have no complaints about the acting. JA and JP keep the brothers’ internal lives alive. And JDM & SS were touching – but there was no scene with only the two of them, so the relationship that fueled & warped the whole course of all their lives is STILL something of a cipher to me.
This should have been a fireworks factory event with a wide blast-radius. Instead the show went for d’awwww… pffft.
Everything was presented in shorthand, as if the writers were thinking: blah, blah, setup, blah, blah, mcguffin, blah, blah, DAD!, blah, blah, Winchester theme, blah, blah, tears, and scene.
The one conclusion I came to with this viewing: this showrunner (who was also the co-writer of this episode) wouldn’t have had the guts to send Dean or Sam to hell OR the attention span to deal with their ongoing hell-issues — such as Dean’s torturer guilt, Sam’s addiction (S4) & mental illness (S7!).
Their pasts are less than prologue now. They’re just plot points to the writers. Thank goodness that’s not the case for the actors.
This is such a lesser show now, IMO.
(Also: HALF AN EPISODE? Are you kidding me?)
/rant
Agree with everyone about Sam and John’s one scene.
Agree with everyone about that “we’re heroes” nonsense.
I liked the town’s outsider view of the brothers. But you know what would have been better? If it had been built up over more than HALF AN EPISODE. They were markers instead of stakes for the changed timeline. (Although I admit I would be sad about Dean and postal lady’s flirtation never existing. He knew about her grandkid.)
Agree with Sheila about how the show doesn’t look enough (at all?) into Sam’s inner life. And the lack of text for the past pain/trauma of their lives. (And thank you for pointing out JA’s blank expression reaction shot. I have to go back to see it again. I didn’t clock it at the time.)
Agree with Jenna about not liking the cold open shooting.
Thanks to everyone who brought up things they enjoyed. It helped me to appreciate the episode a little more.
Maybe I’ll catch up with everyone before the end. Your posts and comments are one of the few things about this show that I still enjoy entirely. Thank you again.
Lindah – hello again!!
Oh my gosh, this blow by blow is fascinating! I haven’t seen the episode since it aired and I’m having all kinds of weird feelings remembering it.
// Oh, yeah, I forgot murdering humans is OK now. //
SO UPSETTING.
// Magic pearl. Is this fanfic? Because I’ve read better fanfic. How is this the same episode? Is there any thematic throughline that I’m missing? //
I completely blocked out the magic pearl. But now I’m remembering a funny outtake where Jared pressed down on the magic pearl and it careened off the table and hit JDM in the nuts, if I’m not mistaken.
// And don’t they have issues? Wouldn’t she rip him a new one for bringing her sons into The Life? //
I KNOW. So many missed opportunities for ambiguity – unresolved feelings – old history – baggage – this is just NOT what interests Dabb and the team. They love things being resolved, and not so “codependent” (eye roll) – meanwhile they drain the situation of all the inherent drama – set up since the PILOT.
// Why the hell was all this shoved into HALF AN EPISODE? //
God forbid any episode NOT feature random adorable teenagers.