Robin’s Rambles: “Mannequin 3: The Reckoning”
Mannequin 3: The Reckoning
Robin’s Rambles by Robin Vogel
Starting where we left off last week, Dean is fruitlessly trying to bring Sam back to consciousness. He calls his name, feels his pulse, touches his head, looks up in despair. “SAMMY!” he yells desperately–“come on, damn it!” Sam’s eyes open, and the hellfire inside recedes. Sam takes in a deep, phlegmy-sounding breath. His hands on his brother’s chest, Dean asks, “You with me?” Sam nods. Dean helps him up. “Gotta get you the hell outta here,” insists Dean.Â
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At Great Falls Junior College in Paterson, New Jersey, a janitor swabs the floor. The eyes in a medical teaching dummy appear to be following him. A cut slithers open on the janitor’s forehead and he finds himself mopping his own blood droplets. The lights go out. He sees his own breath. A box of something sharp has fallen on the floor. “Who’s there?” he calls, blood running down his face. A hook hangs, moving back and forth. He runs, stopping in terror. The medical dummy turns its head, staring at him out of open eyes. He screams. His blood is splattered against a board reading FUNCTION OF THE (?).Â
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He lies dead, a a knife protruding from his throat, the medical dummy swaying slightly on its post.
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Editor’s comments: We very rarely start off from where we ended last week, so coming back to Sam and Dean exactly where they were was fantastic–and upsetting. I felt Dean’s desperation that the wall in Sam’s mind had already been obliterated and he’d lost him. I breathed a sigh of relief seeing Sam back, too!
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As for the opening of the MOTW, I guess I’ve seen too many; I wasn’t scared or even especially icked out. Ho hum, another opening to another SUPERNATURAL show.
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Sam squeezes the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger. When Dean comes over and asks how he feels, Sam answers, “Like I got hit by a planet.” “Lucky for you, I’m a doctor,” says Dean, “I got joe, grub and”–he shakes a bottle of pills. “What are they?” asks Sam. “Effective,” replies Dean. “I’m OK, thanks,” says Sam. “Suit yourself,” says Dean, pocketing the pills. Dean tells his brother he was out two or three minutes–“What did it feel like to you?” “About a week, give or take,” replies Sam ruefully. Dean asks if he wants to talk about it, saying, “It was like you were freakin’ electrocuted.” They stare at each other for a long moment. “Look,” says Sam, “it wasn’t fun, but I’m fine.” “Fine,” repeats Dean–“it was hell, wasn’t it?–you got a big fat faceful of hell. Ever cross your mind that you could have died?” “Aw come on,” demurs Sam. “I’m serious,” says Dean, “and none of this is just a flesh wound of crap, ’cause we did it your way–we let you go explore, and every bad thing that I said would happen, happened. So guess what–past stays past. You’re not kickin’ that wall again.” “So I’m just supposed to ignore it?” asks Sam. “Yes,” insists Dean. “I might have done heaven knows what,” says Sam, “and you want me to just forget about it?” “You shove it down and you let it come out in spurts of violence and alcoholism,” advises Dean. “Sounds healthy,” says Sam. “Works for me,” says Dean, “it’s not a joke–your life is on the line here, Sam. This is not a debate. I mean, first you were a soulless dickbag, and now you’re not. So we good?” “Yeah. . .sure,” Sam answers uncertainly. “Good,” nods Dean. A smile quivers on Sam’s lips for a second. Dean suggests getting Sam’s mind off it–“You up for a job?” Sam is. Dean shows him the newspaper: “Janitor murdered in a college lab last night–doors were locked, nobody in or out of the building.” “Great–where to?” asks Sam. “Paterson, New Jersey,” says Dean, “and maybe we’ll have a Snooki sighting.” “What’s a Snooki?” asks Sam. “That’s a good question,” says Dean, making funny faces.
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College lab – “Check it out,” says Dean, “these things are freakin’ awesome!” He goes over to the medical dummy and proceeds to pull out an organ. He offers Sam the heart. “Be my valentine?” he asks (he asked last Valentine’s Day, too). “Not now, put it back,” says Sam. “Have a heart,” jokes Dean. “DEAN!” warns Sam. “Buzzkill,” says Dean, tossing the heart in the air and catching it, “do you smell sulfur?” “Yeah, we’re in a science lab,” Sam reminds him. Dean replaces the heart. His phone rings–Lisa. “Who is it?” asks Sam. Dean steps away and hits IGNORE. “So, Lisa,” says Sam. “Maybe you should mind your own business,” suggests Dean. “What’s wrong with just talking to her?” asks Sam. “Thanks, Dr. Laura, that’s very insightful,” says Dean, “look at that, our time’s up.” Sam’s EMF meter starts to sound. “Ghosts going wild,” says Dean, “something’s up in here.” “Question is, what?” says Sam. Dean notes surveillance cameras on the ceilings and says, “Good news, big brother’s watching.” Unfortunately, the tapes prove fruitless; whoever did the deed erased the evidence.
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Dean finds one new message on his cell phone. Sam gets into the car after interviewing the “mop jockey’s” girlfriend. The guy was great–went to church, donated to charity, rubbed her feet during GLEE. “I just threw up in my mouth,” says Dean. “I checked his records–spotless,” says Sam. Dean found nothing weird about the building or land, the weirdest thing that ever happened was “Some genius spilled sulfuric acid on his crotch. They don’t even dissect anything good in there; bigger than Kermit, they use an iPad.” “So we got nothin'”, says Sam. “A big, steaming pile of it,” agrees Dean.Â
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In a factory, a security guard hears a noise and shines his flashlight on nothing. “Who’s there?” he calls–“Johnny? Is that you?” He finds himself face to face with a white mannequin that gives him a scare. “Ha ha, very funny,” he says, but then he’s seeing cold air and a cut zips across his forehead and a second faceless white dummy blocks his way. Clutching a pair of scissors in its hand, it attacks him, sending him to the floor. The other mannequin raises a sharp, pointed pole above its head and thrusts it into the guy’s gut, killing him. Â Â
The dummies are gone, disassembled into their respective arms, legs and torsos.   Â
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Editor’s comments: Dean makes Sam VERY aware of how serious this episode was and essentially ORDERS him not to do anything to mess with that wall again. Sam promises, but we know that events have a way of changing such promises. Dean suggests booze and violence to combat the situation, but Sam even refuses the “very effective” pills Dean offers, since he generally handles things more soberly than his brother. I SO envied Sam not knowing who Sooki is!
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The scene in the lab with Dean playing with the organs, offering Sam the heart, again, was so sweet and funny. Unlike last year, Sam didn’t completely refuse.Â
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Notice how all these guys who played this terrible trick on this innocent girl were all good men with spotless records. Choosing to play a cruel trick on Rose got them into trouble they couldn’t possibly dream of.
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QUOTE: “Rubs her feet during GLEE.” “I just threw up in my mouth” (Dean).Â
The brothers enter the lab just as the janitor is being zipped into a body bag. Sam finds his EMF meter going crazy again, this time over parts of mannequins. “Wait, that anatomy dummy you were molesting at the lab,” says Sam, “maybe that’s what this is about.” “What exactly are you accusing me of?” asks Dean. LOL!) “Not that,” says Sam, “I mean, there was an anatomy dummy there, and here–” He points to the dummy standing nearby. “You’re joking,” says Dean, then sees Sam’s serious face– “you’re not joking. . .OK, so we’ve got a bunch of killer dolls, like. . .Chucky?” He stares into a blank mannequin face and gets nervous. “I mean, that’s freakin’ creepy,” he says. Sam says, “If ghosts can possess humans and move objects, why can’t they possess this?” “I suppose,” says Dean, “riddle me this, Batboy–ghosts aren’t exactly known for hopping county lines.” “True,” agrees Sam. “This one hits up a college,” says Dean, “and now a factory three towns over?” “It doesn’t add up,” agrees Sam. “So we dig–over there,” says Dean, staring the mannequin in the face, waving his hand in front of it. “I don’t like the way Kim Cattral’s lookin’ at me.”Â
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“This dead guy’s as squeaky clean as the last dead guy,” complains Dean. “I can’t find a speck of dirt on him, you?” Sam finds an article: A seamstress named Rose Brown went missing about a year ago, cops gave up on her, she was last seen at the factory, presumed dead, survived by sister Isabel. “Fifty bucks, vengeful spirit,” says Dean. “Pay sis a visit?” says Sam. Dean’s phone rings–Lisa. Sam insists he pick it up. It’s Ben, filled with bad news: “Something’s wrong with Mom, she’s locked in her room, won’t get out of bed or talk to me, or come to the phone. Please come and help me, I don’t know what to do.” Dean hangs up just long enough to talk to Sam, who insists that he go to Lisa and Ben’s aid. “I can handle it,” says Sam, “I get you wanna bury it; I had to handle my past year, you gotta deal with yours.” “That worked so great for you,” says Dean sarcastically. “Come on,” says Sam, urging Dean into the Impala and closing the door.
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Sam questions Isabel in her apartment. She explains that she and her sister were always close; their parents died when they were little, and they only had each other. “What was she like?” asks Sam. “Kind, giving–she had the biggest heart,” says Isabel, “but people gave her a hard time–she was shy, a little awkward–I guess that made her an easy target. I’ve been defending her my whole life.” “I’m sure she appreciated it,” says Sam softly. “It went both ways,” says Isabel, “she did more for me than anybody else ever could. I just miss her.” Sam asks to look at a photo album on the table. She shows him a picture from the Salzman and Sons Christmas party, and she explains she works for the factory, too. Everyone does. He spies a familiar face in the picture.
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In the next scene, Sam is on his phone telling Dean that the college janitor worked there, too, until last year–he quit right after Rose’s disappearance. “So, fair bet something happened to that girl around the factory,” says Dean, “let’s call that joint ground zero.” “That doesn’t explain how a ghost ended up at a college in another zip code,” says Sam. “It’s not like she hopped the Blue Line,” says Dean. “I’m going to the factory now,” says Sam, “I’ll call when I get the whole scoop on Rose.”Â
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We see Sam sitting and talking with Rose’s co-workers, one at a time, men and women, until he speaks with Johnny, a skeevy-looking guy who is clearly nervous about the situation. Why? asks Sam. Because he was friends with the guys who died, answers Johnny. Sam leaves his card with this guy, in case he remembers something, but Sam is suspicious.
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At Lisa’s. Dean rings the bell over and over. Lisa, dressed in a sexy black cocktail dress, answers the door. “What are you doing here?” she asks coolly. “You look absolutely fine,” he says. “What’s going on?” she asks. “We’ve been Parent Trapped,” says Dean, “Ben sent out a 9-1-1.” “Why would he do that?” she asks. “You’re going out on a date, huh?” asks Dean. Shaking her head, she says, “Come in.” He enters. She gives him a beer. “You want to sit down?” he asks. “Not so much,” she says. “So who’s the guy?” he asks. “Who’s the guy,” she repeats, “name’s Matt, he’s a doctor.” (Go Lisa!) “Oh, Dr. Matt, how respectable,” says Dean, gazing down at his beer bottle. “Really, that’s how this is gonna be,” she says, “I called you SIX times.” “And I almost called you back about a hundred,” he counters. “Good to know,” she says sarcastically. “Ben called me, I dropped everything and ran,” he says, “so if you wanna know if I care. . .” “It doesn’t help me,” she says. “What do you want from me?” he asks. “I’m not asking for anything,” she says. “Well then ASK for something!” he says angrily. Ben enters. Um,” he says, seeing them together. “GO TO YOUR ROOM!” Lisa and Dean say in unison, but the latter winks reassuringly at him. Ben leaves. “I can’t ask for something,” says Lisa, “I know what I want, but I can’t have it, not how you live–my phone rings, I think tiny chance it’s you, big chance it’s Sam calling to tell me you’re dead. . .no, don’t–don’t apologize for anything, it’s just that I get to this place where I’m OK and then you show up at our door–you keep doing that. Every time I think I’m never going to see you again. I’m TRYING to get over you. What are you trying to do? What do you want from us, Dean?” Dean thinks that one over and stares at here.
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Factory – Johnny, talking to someone on the phone, says, “Why am I flipping out? I dunno, maybe because of the Feds. Maybe because Dave and Steve are freakin’ dead. No. No. Just call me later. Blood begins to fall on the hand holding his cell phone, and he reaches up under his cap and feels blood. Taking off the cap, he looks in the mirror to see the cut spreading across his forehead by itself.
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Editor’s Comments: You would think, after all Dean’s seen, that the concept of killer dolls/mannequins wouldn’t be such a shock to him, yet he is continually surprised when something new comes along.
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While RoboSam didn’t care about Sam, Lisa or Ben, Sam cares a great deal, especially in relation to Dean, so he insists his brother go to Indiana and square things away while he stays in Jersey and takes care of Snooki, I mean the killer dolls. I was proud of Sam for stepping up, even though I also felt that usual frisson of fear whenever the brothers separate. Usually, nothing good comes of it.Â
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When Isabel was describing Rose, how many of you flashed on Sam and how often Dean might have had to come to HIS aid before Sam learned to fend for himself? Kind, giving, shy, a little awkward? Defending her (him) my whole life?Â
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Sam is starting to add up how Rose is the centerpiece of all this, and how the college and past and former employees of the factory figure in. Johnny makes him instantly suspicious, for good reason. Sam does fine on his own with this case, solves it alone, and I’m very proud of him.
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Meantime, Dean and Lisa find themselves “Parent Trapped” because Lisa has been dating a doctor and it’s Date #3, which Ben knows is the sex date. Dean and Lisa realize their relationship is hopeless because he can’t give her what she wants–a normal relationship. They love each other, but, quoted often everywhere, love just isn’t enough. A hunter cannot be with anyone but another hunter. It’s as simple as that.
I liked the episode too. As for Johnny and the “Jenni” doll. It was one of those realdolls. I think Johnny saw her/it as a real person. And he called Rose pathetic.
Does it mean one month in cage is around 280 years..so if it is true then i think time moves slower as you go inside (inner circles) hell.Good to see Dean’s life with the braedens was addressed and it still looks unresolved i still hope Dean (also Sam)has a family with Lisa or another women ..well atleast with someone he wants to share atleast some very important parts and truths of his life which he did not do with lisa.For me Sam’s hope of having family is jinxed because of the wall…
Here are my responses to your questions:
1. I liked the episode. I didn’t come into it with any expectations except wanting to know that Sam was okay after scratching the wall.
2. The MOTW was creepy to me, but I’ve always disliked mannequins and their eyes. To me they seem to follow you around.
3. I hope this isn’t the end of the Dean/Lisa/Ben story. By that I mean that the brothers are getting older and let’s face it, it’s time to see them involved with others. I think it will add an extra layer to their relationship plus I like to see Dean and Ben together. It really seems to be a real “father and son” relationship.
4. I think I already responded to this above, but I would also like to state that Sam needs someone too. Maybe Sarah from Season 1? I really thought they were good together.
5. Rose and Isabel versus Dean and Sam. Hmmm, the sisters seemed to be similar, but the brothers have a more in depth bond. Not totally the same type of situation.
6. I was impressed by Sam’s ability to act alone. At times, it felt like a part of !roboSam was there, but that Sam was in charge, if that makes any sense.
7. Since my understanding of Hoodoo is that it is more of a spiritual and magical religious experience where Christian beliefs are interwoven, I think I also would have liked to see this followed up in Louisiana. The plot fell flat with this. Maybe it can be explored further in the future. I mean Dean in the Pilot was in New Orleans before he left and went up to Stanford Univ. to get Sam and look for their Dad. So, he should have a great deal of knowledge on this subject.
8. Overall, I felt good about this episode. It wrapped up some of the loose story lines, but not all. I think it would have been better if they had been working on a case that indirectly had something to do with the “mother of all” monster. The “victims” were scum bags who I didn’t feel sorry for in the least and the poor sisters ended up paying such a big price for those guys being such losers.
1: I loved the episode. I always love when Dean and Sam are having some of their brotherly moments, and this episode sure had so right from the beginning. I was heartbroken with Dean in the opening and it gave me flashbacks to when Sam died in AHBL and Dean was holding his dying brother in his arms.
2: The MOTW was okay, but that’s it. I hate scary doll movies ’cause they always manage to freak me up and yeah the dolls in this episode were creepy too, but I too think I’ve seen enough episodes or horror movies to get scared. The case wasn’t that fascinating, but I loved anything else.
3: I liked the idea of Dean living with Lisa and Ben – with Sam out of the picture. But now that he’s back, I can’t imagine Dean living anywhere without Sam. And I felt really bad for both Ben and Dean in their conversation, and I think it was sad Dean got the “You’re walking out on your family”-speach especially since Dean did so to be with Sam, who happens to be his family.
4: Yeah, the brothers are tighter than ever which is pretty understandable. Dean lost his brother, got him back without a soul and then fully back and is now determined on keeping his brother safe and protect him. Sam was possessed by the devil, went to hell and returned, and now needs his big brother more than ever. And if anyone can help Sam through this, it’s Dean. I’m not sure if they’ll ever be able to let anyone else into their lives. At least not for quite a while anyways.
5: I too think the sisters’ relationship reminded of Sam and Dean’s and what they’re willing to sacrifice for each other. (And Robin, the talk you had with your son about the heart touched me deeply.)
6: I knew Sam would be able to handle a case on his own, and he did so very well. You could tell he had his heart and soul in it unlike Robo-Sam. And I loved the fact that he called Dean every time he’d figured something out.
I hope Sam will avoid scratching the wall for a while, but I’m sure something will happen that cracks the wall even more. Maybe next time it happens without Sam intentionally scratching the wall. I do hope he’ll listen to Dean this time though, cause last time was scary!
7: I have no idea. But they would probably have figured something out.
8: The ending made me tear up as well. I just love the brotherly moments, and I loved how Sammy this time was totally honest when he said to Dean he got his back. I think it meant the world to Dean to hear his little brother say those words, and also thanking him for bringing his soul back. Dean has probably missed hearing these things from Sam. Even when he claims he doesn’t like the chick-flick moments, I’m sure that he loves it every time Sammy opens up his heart to him. And yeah, the ending scene was definitely the closest thing the brothers come to tell each other “I love you”.
To answer your question about Johnny’s doll: Some people have a fascinating for dolls as a real boy- or girlfriend, and treat them that way. I’ve watched documentaries about it, where they’re trying to make them look as real as possible and some even have sex with their dolls (which really disgusts me, I gotta say.) I think that’s the case with Johnny’s doll-friend.
And great review Robin, I was with you all the way. 😉
1. What did you think of this episode, despite the silly title? I was expecting a funny ep, but this was more tragedy than anything. Yeah, nay or middling for you?
I didn´t expected a funny ep, till it was mentioned here. For me the ep was depressiv and sad.
2. What did you think of the MOTW? Maybe I’m getting jaded, but I wasn’t scared or grossed out. I found the guys who set Rose up worse monsters. Human monsters are the worst!
Well I wasn´t scared of them. It was fun to see Dean talk about them.
3. What do you think of the whole Dean/Lisa/Ben situation? I explained my POV.
I hope the story arc is finally over. Thinking about the talk between Dean and Ben maybe Dean dosen´t see them as family?
4. Sam and Dean seem very tight now, perhaps too tight. Will they ever let anyone else into their world but each other? Is that even possible any longer, or was Lisa right?
I would like to see them together with someone. But not right now they need some time for themself.
6. Were you impressed by Sam’s ability to handle a case alone? Do you think he’s going to be able to avoid scratching that wall in his head for long?
I think Sam did verry good on the case alone. And hopfully after seeing/beeing in hell and remembering it he is able to leave the wall untouched.
7. Do you have any idea what plan the brothers had in mind in LA for Isabel and hoodoo?
No
8. How did the ending of this episode make you feel?
Depessiv!!!
1. What did you think of this episode, despite the silly title? I was expecting a funny ep, but this was more tragedy than anything. Yeah, nay or middling for you?
I was unsure at first, leaning toward disappointment, but on second viewing, I find it to be one of my more favored episodes of the season.
2. What did you think of the MOTW? Maybe I’m getting jaded, but I wasn’t scared or grossed out. I found the guys who set Rose up worse monsters. Human monsters are the worst!
I thought that was the point. I thought that Rose was not really the MOTW, but rather it was the brutality of playing and toying with one’s desires. I think Rose was a victim of the MOTW.
3. What do you think of the whole Dean/Lisa/Ben situation? I explained my POV.
I think LISA/BEN were as fictional as the doll relationships in the episode. They were Dean’s dinner date. I think they were replacements and Lisa recognized it, as did Dean. Ben was a victim of this MOTW.
4. Sam and Dean seem very tight now, perhaps too tight. Will they ever let anyone else into their world but each other? Is that even possible any longer, or was Lisa right? and 5. What did you think of Rose and Isabel vis a vis Sam and Dean?
I’m answering these together. I think that the Rose/Isabel storyline is more poignant on rewatch because of its parallel to Sam/Dean. The theme is symbiosis versus parasitism. The show has fully committed to the dysfunction of the brothers’ relationship. One can’t live without the other. They may not share a literal organ, but let’s just say they share a life.
6. Were you impressed by Sam’s ability to handle a case alone? Do you think he’s going to be able to avoid scratching that wall in his head for long?
I think that Sam’s ability to do a case alone has been a theme since season 3, after Mystery Spot. He’s capable of doing it on his own, successfully, just not happily.
7. Do you have any idea what plan the brothers had in mind in LA for Isabel and hoodoo?
Seance? Contact Marie Laveau?
8. How did the ending of this episode make you feel?
Like it’s setting up for “The French Mistake” and how fictional relationships are often the most dangerous kind….
Hi Yume,
I have to preface my response with a disclaimer: I tend to go back and forth on the brothers’ relationship. It changes for me from week to week. Some weeks I agree with you, that they can be without each other, but then I will see another episode and that hope is dashed.
I was quite harsh with the doll analogy – I do think that time has established the relationship. However, I do think that the dolls are not so much about the replacement value but about how someone (Johnny?, Dean, Rose, Lisa, Sam, etc.) ends up having a relationship not so much with the other person but with his/her expectations of the other person. I think Lisa is incredibly prescient about this when she asks Dean, “What do you want from us?” That’s the question…not what do I want, but what do you want? I think that’s why Dean finally had to let go; I think he realized, and this is my reading, that what he wanted was a relationship that was stable, secure, and always there, even in his absence, but that would be unfair to Lisa and Ben. I don’t think he’s afraid of Ben becoming like him, i.e. a hunter, but like him in that he has allowed his life as a hunter to dictate his intimacy with others. I hope that makes sense…I feel like I digressed. So yes, the doll metaphor, for me at least, provided a metonymy for that problem for these characters?
I liked your comments and agree with what you said. In particular I enjoyed your comments on Dean/Lisa/Ben situation. I hope this isn’t goodbye for them. Dean needs Lisa and Ben to keep him sane and because of them realize that in spite of his life & the horrors he knows, he is a good family man and he deserves to have a life. I really hope Ben’s words and all his memories of his time with them cause him some guilt so that he rethinks this stupid idea of his. Why can’t he have them and Sam too. Maybe even Sam can find a life
[b]1. What did you think of this episode, despite the silly title? I was expecting a funny ep, but this was more tragedy than anything. Yeah, nay or middling for you?[/b]
Yay for me. A good mix of closure, fun and angst. Anything involving moving mannequins is going to raise an eyebrow or six but as with last week, for me, the MOTW was secondary.
[b]2. What did you think of the MOTW? Maybe I’m getting jaded, but I wasn’t scared or grossed out. I found the guys who set Rose up worse monsters. Human monsters are the worst! [/b]
Mannequins don’t scare me. They can’t move their elbows or knees for feck sake. How can they walk or stab? Just push them over. They’d be like beetles, they won’t be able to get back up!
I found the model is the science lab creepier, mainly because when I saw the hooks and chain protruding from his back I immediately thought of the hooks and chains tethering Dean in Hell.
Similarly, as he didn’t have skin, I was reminded of Casitels words about the state of Sams soul and my mind started wandering….
[b]3. What do you think of the whole Dean/Lisa/Ben situation? I explained my POV.[/b]
I really enjoyed it. I hope Dean now realises that family is what you make it so Dean has one hell of an extended family. It’s not solely the blood that has bonded Sam and Dean, their actions and choices also make them family.
I also hope that Dean realise that’s he’s worth more to people than what he does. He’s wanted because of who he is.
[b]4. Sam and Dean seem very tight now, perhaps too tight. Will they ever let anyone else into their world but each other? Is that even possible any longer, or was Lisa right?[/b]
Cripes, I dunno. A part of me is saying they won’t let anyone else in. Too much has happened to them, things they couldn’t possibly share with others so they’ll always have that dependency on each other. I mean, Dean loved Lisa but I don’t believe he told her the full truth about himself or his life.
Though at the same time, the part of me that wants Sam and Dean to have some semblance of ‘normal’ (I’ve come to loathe that word) when/if they leave hunting hopes that they do (let others in).
[b]5. What did you think of Rose and Isabel vis a vis Sam and Dean?[/b]
Sam and Dean aren’t girls. Neither are they seamstresses (though they do stitch skin…)! Um, they were siblings, one was protective, the other shy. Apart from that I’m not seeing much of a similarity (though I admit I’m not trying too hard.)
[b]6. Were you impressed by Sam’s ability to handle a case alone?[/b]
I didn’t really give it that much thought because I’ve always worked under the assumption they could work alone. Plus, it was only a typical salt and burn (I say that like it’s soooo easy!) Both boys have handled cases on their own before, and handled them well. They choose to work together, I don’t think it’s because they’re incompetent etc.
[b]7. Do you think he’s going to be able to avoid scratching that wall in his head for long?[/b]
Ah no. The more he thinks about not thinking about it, the more he’s thinking about it. (I don’t know if actively searching for memories will work though, don’t they generally come on their own?) I think the wall will come down some day and I’ve too many scary thoughts in my head about what that could be like when it does happen.
[b]8. Do you have any idea what plan the brothers had in mind in LA for Isabel and hoodoo?[/b]
Not a clue. Less than not a clue actually. I’m not privy to hoodoo happenings. I’m going to go with Fr. Ted here and say that a good Mass will fix everything, from possessed kidneys to speeding buses….
[b]9. How did the ending of this episode make you feel?[/b]
Delighted that the boys are back on track, despite the poignancy of the realisation of [i]another[/i] downside to hunting. The poor boys are finding it harder and harder to find valid reasons to stay hunting but they’re too invested at this stage to pull out. It’s good though because it’s been a long time since they were that close and on the same page.
I’m a little disappointed that Deans venture into the ‘white picket fence’ life is at an end. Dean’s determination that he is not worthy of it is as heart wrenching as Sam’s ‘I’m the least of all of you’ back in Season 5.
I’m thrilledl that Sam thanked Dean for returning his soul. In the midst of despair it’s possibly the only thing that would make Dean feel better and it’s so typical Sam that he’d do it!
Thanks Robin for allowing the ramble (again).
1. What did you think of this episode, despite the silly title?
In a lackluster season, this episode was middling for me.
2. What did you think of the MOTW?
I liked the MoTW story. Not scarey, but creative. The kidney seeking flying glass shard was a writer’s cheat, but in visiting Horror 101, I’m okay with cheats sometimes.
3. What do you think of the whole Dean/Lisa/Ben situation?
The writers never committed to an epic love story between Dean and Lisa, and now they haven’t committed to ending it. I thought the episode made it very clear that Dean is supposed to be madly in love with Lisa (i.e., the reason for the ‘most favored character montage). I’ve always hated this direction, because Lisa/Ben story has no place in the SPNverse, and they never will. Yet, I see that Sera is never going to turn loose of these two characters she loves. It’s just a matter of time before they are abruptly plopped back into the story like they were in 99 Problems. Besides absolutely turning Dean into a really boring wuss and leaving him as depressed as he was in S5, I see no reason why they were ever included. It just seems to me that S6 started with the potential of unlimited creative storytelling, and this is what we got.
4. Sam and Dean seem very tight now, perhaps too tight. Will they ever let anyone else into their world but each other? Is that even possible any longer, or was Lisa right?
Oh, I expect to see Lisa again at the end of S6 if the show isn’t renewed, or at the end of S7 after Sam is killed off and Dean can return to the family of his choice.
5. What did you think of Rose and Isabel vis a vis Sam and Dean?
I’m sure there was supposed to be some connection here; but, honestly, I couldn’t get past the horrible music in the episode enough to think about it…and I don’t think I care much to give it any thought. I really liked the two actresses that played the sisters, though.
6. Were you impressed by Sam’s ability to handle a case alone? Do you think he’s going to be able to avoid scratching that wall in his head for long?
I think the question would be, can Dean handle a case by himself. Sam is the best hunter on the planet and has been hunting alone for a year. No reason to think that he couldn’t do a case.
The wall? Either he’ll scratch or this is will be a dropped plot until they hear about a S7. There’s the meta episode, a western episode and then on to Heaven’s civil war, so I don’t know that they have much time for wall scratching this season.
7. Do you have any idea what plan the brothers had in mind in LA for Isabel and hoodoo?
Not a clue, and I don’t think the writers had one either.
8. How did the ending of this episode make you feel?
Not good. The episode was depressing, but more than that, I didn’t think Dean really bought Sam’s, “I’ve got your back.” Perhaps he did, but I thought Dean look was pretty much the same as in Twi Hard when Sam said it. I could be very wrong about that, though. I just don’t think they are back 100% yet and, honestly, at this point, I don’t know why they both don’t just call it quits. I’m not seeing any driving plot that gives them a reason to continue hunting now that Sam’s soul is back and Dean really doesn’t want to give Lisa up.