Robin’s Rambles – “My Heart Will Go On”
B&E Scrapyard/Sam and Dean’s hotel room as they speak on the phone together – “So Balthazar sank a boat and now we got a buttload of people who should never have been born,” outlines Bobby. “Yeah, like 50 thousand,” says Sam. “Makes sense,” says Bobby. “How does any of this make sense?” asks Sam. “Because I got an idea who we’re up against,” says Bobby, gazing at a photo of three women in a book, “Fate, like The Fates. or one of ’em at least.” “You mean like Greek mythology, the Sisters?” asks Sam. “Bingo,” says Bobby. “Nerd,” taunts Dean. Sam gives him a look. “These ladies are responsible for how you go down, literally,” explains Bobby, “so if you get creamed by a garage door or crunched by a copy machine, they’re the ones who hammer out the details of how you die, spin out your fate on a piece of pure gold. “Gold thread,” mutters Sam. “And then one of ’em writes it all down in her Dayrunner of Death,” adds Bobby, “it’s high-level stuff. Anyway, it fits, and now we know what Balthazar did, and it seems to me that Fate is just tryin’ to clean up the mess.” “So how do we stop it?” asks Sam. “How do we stop fate?” asks Bobby–“good question.” “There’s gotta be a way,” insists Dean. “Or there ain’t,” counters Bobby, “I mean, this is Fate we’re talkin’ about here–you know, the easiest way would be to get that angel to re-sink the boat.” “No, no way, forget it,” says Dean. “Big difference between dyin’ awful and never bein’ born,” says Bobby. “We are NOT sinkin’ the boat, don’t even think about it,” insists Dean. “Okaaay, what’s got your panties in a clench?” asks Bobby. The brothers exchange a worried glance. “Nothing,” says Dean, giving it away to their clever father-figure. “Try that again,” suggests Bobby. “It doesn’t even really matter,” hesitates Dean, “but. . .” “But?” coaxes Bobby. “Apparently, a crapload of dominoes get tipped over if TITANIC goes down, and Ellen and Jo die.” There is a long silence on both ends of the phone. Bobby gazes at a framed photo of him with Ellen, their arms around each other, in front of the B&E Salvage Yard sign. “Okay, you two, listen up,” he says harshly, “you make sure. . .keep those angels from sinkin’ that boat, you understand me?” Sam and Dean give a chorus of “Yes, Bobby, of course” over the phone. Bobby hangs up and stares at the photo again. To Sam, Dean says, “Bobby is bad enough with her, think how bad he’d be if she’s gone.” “Yeah,” agrees Sam, “so what do we do?–how do we save 50,000 people?” “I got no freakin’ clue,” says Dean. “We don’t even know who they are,” says Sam. “We know one,” says Dean, pointing to the pamphlet with the abrasive lawyer, Russo, on it.
(Editor’s notes: I love that they make fun of Ashton Kutcher. No judgment, please! OK, in 1912, all those people died and there was so much sorrow and misery for their families. After what Balthazar did, no one died, so life went on and people on the ship lived, married, had kids, etc. Rose and Jack, if they were real, would have gone on their merry way together! Imagine the repercussions of what Balthazar, apparently on Cas’ orders, did! There was never an Impala! Ellen and Bobby married! Was he Jo’s father? Did Mary and John even die the original ways? The mind boggles at the possibilities! Fate was trying to clean up after the non-apocalypse and now she had THIS!)
They’re parked on the street in their Mustang (so weird!) and see Russo walking a man in a neck brace out of a building. “I don’t care, send him a fruitcake!” Russo bellows into his phone as the brothers, on foot, follow him. Mr. Russo!” Dean calls. A sleepy man in a white van drinks coffee. “Send him a nice bottle of champagne, 20 bucks,” Russo squawks into his phone. Dean is calling Russo’s name, trying to catch his attention. “RUSSO, stop!” The guy in the van clips Russo, knocking him down, sending his cell phone right out of his hand. Sam helps him to his feet. “Get offa me!” Russo orders, turning to Dean. “And you! I told you to leave me alone, didn’t I?” “I was just tryin’ to help you out,” says Dean, pissed off at the man’s ingratitude. “You almost killed me, you lunatic!–gimmee that! Unbelievable!” grouses Russo, yanking his phone away from Dean. He stomps across the street, bellowing, “Just be glad I’m not suing your ass!” A bus runs him over. (Good riddance!)
(Editor’s notes: Bobby, of course, orders the brothers not to let the angels allow the TITANIC to sink. It seems like the right thing to do, saving the 1517 people who died in the water that day plus the 50,000 born since–and one very dear to Bobby himself. The brothers don’t know who all those people who need saving are, except one very obnoxious one–lawyer Russo. They aren’t able to save him, however, and let’s face it, he really didn’t deserve it, did he?)
All that’s left of Russo behind the bus that struck him (and features his ad right above his remains) is a shoe and splotches of blood in the road. “You gotta be kiddin’ me!” cries Dean, who shows Sam the giant, horrible ad. “Check it out,” he says, smiling. Noting Sam’s disapproving face, he says, “Too soon?” Replies Sam: “I’m pretty sure six seconds is too soon.” Sam spots the blond with black-rimmed glasses watching them from a building under construction. “She looked like Fate,” he tells Dean, “kinda like a librarian.” “Your kinda librarian or my kinda librarian?” asks Dean. “She was wearing clothes, if that’s what you mean,” says Sam. (LMAO!) “All right,” says Dean, heading that way. “We can’t just walk over there,” insists Sam. “We’re not on the hit list,” says Dean, “we have nothing to do with the boat, let’s go talk to her.” “Talk to her,” repeats Sam, “TALK.” Dean pulls out his gun. “Talk,” he says, “worth a shot, right?” Sirens sound as the brothers enter the dark construction site. “Hello?” calls Dean, turning on his flashlight. The second hand on a clock stops at the number 3. Someone begins turning on all the gas burners on a bunch of stoves, filling the place with gas. (Editor: Why don’t they smell the fumes, does Fate do something to mask the odor? I guess so.) Only then does the second hand on the stopped clock begin to turn. “Hello!” calls Dean again. His flashlight ceases working. “You got a lighter?” asks Sam. Dean does, and as the gas fills the room, he keeps flicking it, but it doesn’t light. “Come on, you outta juice or something?” asks Sam impatiently. “Shouldn’t be,” says Dean, shaking it and flicking it. He opens a door. The lighter lights. The flames from the explosion are about to engulf and kill them when they are removed from certain death to a forest by Castiel to a forest in the middle of nowhere. They exchange breathless hellos. “Thanks, man,” says Sam, “where are we?” “White Russia,” answers the angel. “WHAT?” asks Sam. “Are you aware of what your frat bro did?” demands Dean. “I’m aware,” says Cas, annoyed, “Balthazar can be. . .impetuous.” “Riddle me this,” says Dean, “if Fate’s going after the boat people, why did she try to waste me and Sam?” “I imagine she harbors a certain degree of rage toward you,” answers Cas. “What’d we do?” asks Sam. “Nothing of import,” says Cas, “just the tiny matter of averting the apocalypse and rendering her obsolete–I think maybe she’s a little irritated about that–and then you go and dangle yourselves in front of her.” “So we’ve pissed Fate off personally,” says Dean, looking at Sam in an “of course we did” manner. “If I know her,” says Cas–“and I do–she won’t stop until you’re dead.” “Awesome,” says Dean, he and Sam upset, “what do we do?” “Kill her,” advises Cas. “Kill fate?” repeats Sam, and laughs humorlwaaly. “Do you have another suggestion?” asks the angel. “I just mean, can you even do that?” queries Sam. “Balthazar has a weapon that will work against her,” says Cas. “Of course he does, Sam,” says Dean, “boy, that guy’s got it covered, you need new friends, Cas.” “I’m trying to save the ones I have, Dean,” says Cas sharply, “I’ll have to draw her out.” “All right,” says Sam, “if she’s gunning for us, she’s bound to surface again, eventually.” Nodding, Cas says, “We’ll make it easy for her, I think you have an expression for it–‘tempting Fate’.” The brothers look at each other as if this sounds like a WONDERFUL idea–not!
Bobby and Ellen’s home – Heading quickly downstairs, Ellen, on the phone, says, “Yeah, well, you just be careful,” To Bobby, she reports, “that was Jo. Thirty more dead on the West Coast. She asks him what the boys think they’re going to do. “It’s the boys,” he says, “if anyone can pull it out of their ass, it’s those two.” “Ever hear the saying you can’t stop Fate?” she asks, cleaning a gun, “you know the cleanest fix would be to just sink the boat.” “Why would you say that?” he asks softly. “Because, right now they’re all dyin’ bloody,” she says, “it’s not the same as never bein’ born.” You’re talkin’ about people,” he says, upset, “people who are loved. Who’d be missed.” She sets the gun on the table and goes over to him. “What the hell is up with you?” she asks. “Nothing,” he says, closing a book. “Oh, please,” she chuckles, “if you were a neon sign.” They stare at each other. “So I could beat it out of you or we could just skip that part–dealer’s choice,” she says. Later, over drinks, he has apparently told her everything. There are a lot of sorrowful eye close-ups. “So not just me, but Jo, too?” she asks. “They’re not gonna sink the boat,” Bobby assures her, “I promise. The boat stays, you don’t have to worry.” “If it was meant to be,” she says, “then I guess whatever happens, happens.” “That’s just my point,” says Bobby, “nothing’s meant to be; the will that we’re together ain’t the will of some dick angel.” “Bobby, relax,” she says. “I can’t, we need you,” he says softly, “especially me.” “I know,” she says, smiling at him, clasping his hands in hers, then caressing his face. (Editor’s note, covered in tears: Break my heart, why don’t you? This is sadder than Jack and Rose!)
The brothers are in a park, surrounded by lots of people. “Okay,” says Dean, “we’re just gonna meet our fate at any time, right?” “Just walk, act natural,” advises Sam. Next ensues a hilarious batch of scenes to the tune of Blondie’s “One Way or Another.” A man yells “HEY!”, nearly scaring them to death as he passes by. A skateboarder appears to nearly make Sam piss himself; a bike-rider comes a little too close, scaring them. Two barking German shepherds come too close to comfort to their cojones and probably give them memories of hell-hounds before passing them harmlessly by. Next? Two men juggling knives and hatchets for an appreciative, applauding small audience. Then, the same two guys are juggling flaming weapons! “Can’t avoid fate,” says Sam, and they walk right between the fiery gauntlet, Sam like a little kid running from bullies. A man with a faulty nail gun is their next death trap, but even though he shakes it right at them, nothing happens; they escape unscathed. “I don’t get it,” says Sam. “I don’t either,” says Dean, “who do you have to kill to get killed around here?” “Maybe Cas was wrong,” suggests Sam. “LOOK OUT!” someone shouts. The brothers look up. A very large HVAC machine is falling from the sky, heading right for them. Bang. Bang. Bang. We see it from three different angles, all of them spelling death for Sam and Dean.
(Editor’s note: Hilarious group of scenes set to the tune of Blondie’s “One Way or Another.” “I’m gonna getcha, I’ll getcha!” warns Fate. Death happens when you’re least expecting it, and the faces Sam, especially, made when everything was happening were priceless. I’ve always felt Jared would have a great future in comedy, and his ability with physical slapstick shined here. When it finally does happen, they really aren’t prepared; they are looking at ground level. This comes from the sky. Dean’s asking who you have to kill to get killed around here was a great line.
As I said above, the tender scene between Bobby and Ellen broke my heart. He tells her what’s going on and she’s willing to let whatever needs to happen, happen, even if it means losing each other. What a brave, wonderful woman. No wonder Bobby doesn’t want to lose her. “That’s just my point,” says Bobby, “nothing’s meant to be.” So he believes in free will and Fate should just stick it. Aw, life just sucks on SUPERNATURAL sometimes!)
Time frozen, the Winchesters are staring up into the maw of the massive machine that is about to crush them. All the surrounding humans are frozen, too. Only Cas, examining what is about to happen, is moving. Atropos joins him. “You look well,” he tells her. “I look like stomped-over crap, because of you,” she accuses. “Let’s talk about this,” he says. “Talk?” she repeats, enraged, “about what?–maybe about how you and those two circus clowns destroyed my work? You ruined my life!” “Let’s not get emotional,” urges Cas. “Not get emotional?” she cries–“I had a job–God gave me a job, we all had a script, I worked hard, I was really, really good at what I did–until the day of the big prize fight–and then what happens?–you throw out the book!” “Well I’m sorry,” says Cas, “but freedom is more preferable.” “Freedom” she says–“this is chaos!–how is it better?–you know, I even went to heaven just to ask what to do next, and you know what?–no one would even talk to me!” “There are more pressing matters at hand,” insists Cas. “But I don’t know what happens next,” she says desperately, “I need need to know, it’s what I DO!” “I’m sorry,” he says, walking around her like a fighter, “but your services are no longer required.” Clutching her book, she says, “You know what? I’ve kept my mouth shut. I could have complained, I could have raised a fuss, but I didn’t. But you know what the last straw is?” Cas shakes his head. “Un-sinking the TITANIC,” she says, “you changed the future! You cannot change the past, that is going too far!” “Balthazar, he’s a rebel,” begins Cas. “Bull-crap!” she interrupts–“this isn’t about some stupid movie; he’s under YOUR orders! Now you sent him back to save that ship.” “No I didn’t,” insists Cas, “why would I?” “Oh, maybe because you’re in the middle of a war and because you’re desperate,” she says–“come on, this is about the souls.” “You don’t know what you’re talking about,” he says, but he’s no longer looking at her. “That angel went and created 50,000 new souls for your war machine,” she reminds him. “You’re confused,” says Cas. “No. You can’t just mint money, Castiel,” she says, “it’s wrong, it’s dangerous, and I won’t let you.”
(souls = money, hmm? Interesting!) He closes his eyes, bites his lip and finally faces her again. “You don’t have a choice,” he says. “Maybe I don’t,” she retorts, “so here’s a choice for you–if you don’t go back and sink that boat, I’m gonna kill your two favorite pets.” She glances at the frozen Winchesters. So does Cas, who says, “I won’t let you.” “Oh yeah?” she says, “what are you gonna do?” “Do you really want to test me?” he asks. They gaze at each other a moment. “OK, fine,” she says, “but think about this–I’ve got two sisters out there; they’re bigger, in every sense of the word. Kill me, and Sam and Dean are Target One, for simple vengeance. You’re not. . .fighting a war or anything, right? You can watch them every millisecond of every day, right? Because maybe you’ve heard, Fate strikes when you least expect it.” “Balthazar, stop,” says Cas. She turns to find Balthazar about to kill her with a nasty-looking knife. “Ah! Awkward,” the angel says. “Set things right before I flick your precious boys off a cliff just on principle,” she threatens. “Sweetie,” says Balthazar, “before we go, I could remove that stick from your. . .” “Don’t try me,” she warns. “We’ll leave it inserted, then,” Balthazar says. Cas nods to the other angel. “All right, then,” says Balthazar, “let’s sink the TITANIC.” The street returns to life. The HVAC unit falls to the ground with a horrific crash.
(Editor’s notes: I love how heaven is presented as a really crappy place to work. Atropos complains about how well she does her job, how no one appreciates her, she goes to heaven to ask what she’s supposed to do, but no one will listen to her—then Cas tells her that her services are no longer required! Sound familiar? I remember when Cas and Anna got hauled up to heaven for what sounded like painful discipline, Cas’ boss was fired for not getting Dean to say yes to Michael and was drinking in a bar with fired human beings, etc. Heaven sounds like a rotten place to work, doesn’t it? Can’t really blame Atropos for being angry.)
Singer’s yard – Sam and Dean awaken in the Impala, which sports the plate they have had since “What Is and What Should Never Be.” “My Heart Will Go On,” sung by Celine Dion, plays on the radio, and I want to slit my throat, but I also want to finish writing this, so I persevere. Dean shuts it off, and I thank him profusely for that. He opens his creaky door, awakening Sam, who asks what time it is. They talk over the top of the Impala. Sam says, “I just had the weirdest dream.” Dean bets 20 bucks his was weirder–“It had the actual TITANIC in it.” Sam stares at him, astounded, and Dean asks if he has something on his face. “Did it. . .not sink because Balthazar. . .” begins Sam. “. . .had a hate-on for Billy Zane?” finishes Dean–“why are you having my dreams, Sam?” “It wasn’t a dream,” reveals Cas, joining them. “What?” asks Dean–“you’re saying it actually happened, that it was real?” “Yes,” says Cas. “So WHAT happened?” asks Sam. “I insisted he go back in time and undo what he had done,” says Cas. “WHAT??” asks Sam–“Why?” “It was the only way to be sure you were safe,” explains Cas. Dean and Sam stare at each other, stunned. “So you killed 50,000 people for us,” says Sam. “No I didn’t,” insists Cas, “they were never born–that’s far different from being killed, wouldn’t you say?” Sam huffs, unsure. Dean, forehead crinkled, says, “Ellen and Jo?” Cas looks down sadly. “I’m sorry,” he says. “Hold on,” says Dean, “so if you guys went and turned everything back, that whole timeline, it just got erased?” “Yeah, more or less,” says Cas. “Then how come he and I remember it?” asks Dean. “Because I wanted you to remember it,” says Cas. “Why?” asks Sam. “I wanted you to know who Fate really is,” explains Cas, “she’s cruel and capricious.” “I’d go so far as bitch,” says Dean. “Well, yeah,” says Cas–“you’re the ones who taught me you can make your own destiny; you don’t have to be ruled by Fate, you can choose freedom. I still believe that’s something worth fighting for. I just wanted you to understand that.” “So Balthazar really unraveled a sweater over a chick flick?” asks Dean. “Yes, absolutely,” lies Cas, “that’s what he did.” “Wow,” says Dean, “might be time to take away his cable privileges! Besides, TITANIC didn’t suck THAT bad!” Sam looks at him strangely. “Winslet’s rack,” Dean reminds him. Sam has to agree. They look up, Cas is gone. “I’ll tell you one thing about Cas,” says Dean, “he just does NOT appreciate the finer things.” Dean knocks on the hood of the Impala gratefully and they go into the house, where Bobby, snoring, sleeps on the couch, a book open on his lap. “I guess things are back to normal, huh?” says Sam sadly. “Normal. . .awesome,” says Dean sarcastically. Shaking his head, Sam says, “Poor bastard, he doesn’t even know how good he had it.” “Yeah, well, what he doesn’t know won’t hurt him,” says Dean, “I say we keep our mouths shut.” “Yeah,” Sam agrees, “I’m with you. Should we wake him?” “Nah,” says Dean, “this is probably the best he’s felt all week.” While Sam watches with troubled, loving eyes, Dean removes the book from Bobby’s lap and covers him with a blanket. The picture of Bobby and Ellen in front of B&E has been replaced of one of Bobby alone in front of Singer Auto. (But hasn’t Bobby’s place always been called Singer Salvage? Perhaps not everything has gone back to the way it was before the TITANIC was un-sunk, then re-sunk.)
Quiz time:
1. Cas is up to something. I don’t trust him. Is he planning something for the brothers that might not be in their best interests?
2. I had to watch this episode three times before deciding I liked it. It had to grow on me. I must admit, the Bobby-Ellen portion of the storyline broke my heart. I loved that she and Ellen were alive. I wished they had left the ship un-sunk, if only for Bobby’s sake.
3. Do you think it’s better to be unborn or die bloody?
4. If you were unspoiled for this episode, how shocked were you when the boys were driving a Mustang instead of the Impala and Ellen was married to Bobby? Could you wait to find out what happened next?
5. I’m beginning to suspect Cas didn’t want Dean to take back Sam’s soul because he had his own plans for it, and they aren’t something Dean would approve of. What do you think?
6. What did you think of Atropos? She sure is a stick up her ass kinda chick. Was she mostly right, though? She had a job to do, and it appears it was ripped right out from under her. Is Cas wrong in what he’s doing to her?
7. There were so many great one-liners and funny discussions in this ep. I love the brothers discussion about their different views on librarians and not mentioning Ashton Kutcher. What about you?
8. How did you like movie TITANIC? Do you love “My Heart Will Go On,” do you agree with Balthazar and me?
9. How did you feel about Bobby and Ellen together? Did seeing Bobby sleeping all alone on the sofa in his messy house depress you as much as it did me? Did you ever hope they might get together someday on the show?
10. Yeah, nay or middling on this episode? It sure brings up a lot of questions about fate and what would happen if a huge tragedy were undone, doesn’t it?.
I liked this episode a lot more than I thought I was going to. I expected something fairly light (as far as Show goes, anyway) so was [i]really[/i] startled by the Cas plot twist. I feel like Cas left Sam and Dean’s memories in tact so they would remember down the line how much he was willing to do to protect them because he knows that whatever he’s up to and lying about is going to come to light.
I’m also starting to think Cas had something to do with Sam’s soul/soullessness because that is really the only thing I can think of that would cause Dean to feel betrayed by him. He stuck with Sam through everything (road to Hell being paved with good intentions and all) so Cas doing some morally ambiguous things in his war would worry Dean and Sam but not turn them on him. But Cas somehow being involved in the Robo!Sam fiasco? That [i]would[/i] do it. I’m getting nervous just thinking about it.
One of my favorite moments in this episode was the affectionate look on Sam’s face when he watched Dean covering Bobby with the blanket. Such a sweet moment and it really underscored all the other moments in the episode showing how in sync the boys are right now. Their relationship has a very season 2 vibe for me and I love it.
Oh, and Dean winning rock-paper-scissors!
I totally agree. I really like this episode even with the heart breaking part concerning Ellen and Bobby. Gosh, they were so good together. I loved the way Ellen was shown cooking. It was so real. I have to admit that I’ve done that trick before with chili. (adding beer) Now, I firmly believe that Bobby needs a good woman in his life.
As for Cas, I think you’ve hit the nail on the head. It makes perfect sense that Cas brought him back from hell. He would definitely have the mojo to do it. He did it before with Dean. Oh, if this turns out to be true and Cas left Sam’s soul down in Hell on purpose, Dean is going to be furious. I don’t think Cas will be able to explain himself out of it.
The whole ending of this episode was wonderful. We got to see the guys with the Impala and Dean gave it a loving knock. Then, seeing the boys with a sleeping Bobby was truly touching. You could really feel the love that both of them have for him. Dean taking the book and covering him up as Sam gazed on. I could watch that scene over and over again.
I really liked Atropos. She did her job for millenia gets it pulled out from under her and until Cas and Balty unsink the Titanic she doesn’t go looking for revenge. This whole season she left the boys alone until Cas took things a step too far. Frankly, I’d have a stick up my *** if I lost everything and saw the world devolving into chaos as well.
I do think that we are getting the strong hint that Cas’s regrettable things may well include leaving Sam Soulless, one of the few actions that could alienate Dean from him. Although breeding humans solely for the purpose of using their souls in his war should be unacceptable to Sam and Dean as well. Sam sacrificed everything to stop the Apocalypse and save the world, Castiel burning up millions of souls to save the world makes Sam’s sacrifice a joke.
I really liked this episode, although I hope that somehow the show will find a way to bring back Ellen and Jo and let Ellen and Bobby get together. That was just so cute.
I’ve left my comments in a number of the discussions on this episode already, so I’ll just stick to the questions:
1)I’m beginning to not trust Cas, either. This is the second time he’s had Balthazar cover for what HE’s doing to the boys. He’s the one who ultimately had Balthy send Sam and Dean to TV Supernatural land, after all. I haven’t figured out the game he’s playing, but the boys are weapons in his arsenal and he’s holding onto them for some purpose. Dean will be furious with him when he finds out, I’m certain. I also think a lot of his actions are suspect now in hindsight of this episode. DID he really kill Crowley? If he did, WHY did he really? I think he still cares for the boys, but he’s also desperate and might use them for a means to an end.
2) It made me want to go back to Abandon All Hope and somehow save Ellen and Jo so Bobby and Ellen could be married. It was sad and they should have found a way to keep her around! Please?
3) I think the question is a tough one. On one hand, living isn’t something I wouldn’t trade, even if I did die bloody somehow, but on the other? Well, if you weren’t born how could you ever know?
4) I had a bit of a spoiler on the car, but it still was a shock to see it nonetheless. I longed for the Impala the whole episode, but then I just have a soft spot for Baby and think it somehow suits the boys that much better.
5) Oh yeah. Considering souls are either currency or some form of ammunition or weapon, I think he had plans for Sam’s soul. Which brings up how both Crowley and Cas were adamant against Dean’s retrieving it. WHAT were those plans and how powerful is Sam’s soul really? WHY Sam’s soul?
6) I loved Fate. The actress fit the role the way they wrote her. I wonder if we’ll see those sisters of hers. I think on one hand she makes valid points that chaos isn’t always the better choice but on the other we know that if the prize fight had gone down right it could have and would have been worse. It’s one of those double edged swords. I just wonder how the Mother of All fits into this whole debate, since it seems that her whole element in this is all due to the Post-Apocalypse effect.
7) All the one liners were great. My personal favorite was when Dean asked Russo if his grandma had pissed off a gypsy. It’s a personal thing. My grandma WAS a gypsy so that one had me laughing in stitches. I’d have to rewatch it again to pick out a few others—but I did enjoy the return of the Sam Winchester Bitch Face.
8) The movie was alright. Who jumps back on a sinking ship not once but twice? NO ONE. As for Celine Scream On, I’m with Balthy. I wanted to stab my ear drums out. I can’t take her, never could.
9)I think Bobby and Ellen would have made a fantastic couple—the parents Sam and Dean never had but should. Besides, Karen wouldn’t have wanted Bobby to be alone and depressed, anyways.
10) I adored the episode. It was a great way to bring back the show—enough balance with comedy and drama, enough silly asides but deep in depth questions. All in all I think it was a success.
[b]1. Cas is up to something. I don’t trust him. Is he planning something for the brothers that might not be in their best interests? [/b]
Castiel has always been up to something! Whether it’s rebelling against heaven, trying to stop a civil war/Apocalypse or fulfilling his ‘role’, he’s always been a bit of a quadruple agent!
I don’t know what he’s planning but I’m sure it’s for what he perceives is in the greater good, as Sam and Dean have done in the past. Endorsing Sam saying ‘yes’ to Lucifer was also not in the brothers best interest, but he did it anyway.
[b]2. I had to watch this episode three times before deciding I liked it. It had to grow on me. I must admit, the Bobby-Ellen portion of the storyline broke my heart. I loved that she and Ellen were alive. I wished they had left the ship un-sunk, if only for Bobby’s sake.[/b]
I still need to rewatch it. It didn’t strike me as a ‘need to rewatch asap’ episode but I’m open to changing my mind! Sure the brotherly moments were sweet but I was after something a little meatier (I’m selfish that way).
Ooooh, I’m glad the ship stayed sunk. If it didn’t my first years would have nothing to do their summer project on….
[b]3. Do you think it’s better to be unborn or die bloody?[/b]
Be unborn. I’ve issues with the whole concept of being born with the sole purpose of being killed.
[b]4.If you were unspoiled for this episode, how shocked were you when the boys were driving a Mustang instead of the Impala and Ellen was married to Bobby? Could you wait to find out what happened next? [/b]
I was unspoiled (go me!) and I didn’t pick up on the alternate reality even when I saw the Mustang. I was there trying to remember if the Impala had met with an accident in the previous episode. I didn’t even twig when the ‘Rock, Paper, Scissors’ happened. I feel like a bit of an edjit now….
[b]5. I’m beginning to suspect Cas didn’t want Dean to take back Sam’s soul because he had his own plans for it, and they aren’t something Dean would approve of. What do you think?[/b]
For a number of reasons I’m hoping that’s not the case but yes, it’s possible. Might not be something nefarious but I imagine Sam’s soul would hold considerable bargaining power. I don’t know what’s going on but I can’t wait to find out, though!
That being said, if Castiel [i]was[/i] responsible for Sam being halved, I wouldn’t like to be in that angels wings, that’s for sure.
[b]6. What did you think of Atropos? She sure is a stick up her ass kinda chick. Was she mostly right, though? She had a job to do, and it appears it was ripped right out from under her. Is Cas wrong in what he’s doing to her?[/b]
Yearrah, she was grand. I liked her jacket…. From her point of view, yes she was right but when has there ever been such a thing as straight as ‘this is right and this is wrong’ on SPN? We’ve seen, especially this season, if one person is saved, another dies in their place. I think this is more like ‘You can change the natural order of things but maybe it’s better that you don’t’.
Once roles have been assigned to you and then they’re whipped out from under your feet, it’s going to cause a lot of consternation. I guess not everyone likes change hence what’s happening in heaven, a lot of angels with a purpose find themselves suddenly redundant.
[b]7. There were so many great one-liners and funny discussions in this ep. I love the brothers discussion about their different views on librarians and not mentioning Ashton Kutcher. What about you?[/b]
Dean: ‘Too soon?’ Sam (with a big ‘Oh ffs look on his face’) Yeah Dean, I’m pretty sure six seconds is too soon’. That line is making the list!
They comment on a lot of people in this episode; Zane, Winslet, Dion, Kutcher. They’re not going to get sued, aren’t they??
[b]8. How did you like movie TITANIC? Do you love “My Heart Will Go On,†or do you agree with Balthazar and me?[/b]
First time I saw it I was like ‘Omigod, this is the greatest thing ever’ and I went and got the extended special edition directors cut DVD (about 27 hours long) and I never watched it, not once. The thought of sitting down for 3½ hours and watching….
Re: My Heart Will Go On, I’m with you and Balthazar. However, when I see the music video of the song, I’m suddenly with those who wanted to start the Apocalypse!
[b]9. How did you feel about Bobby and Ellen together? Did seeing Bobby sleeping all alone on the sofa in his messy house depress you as much as it did me? Did you ever hope they might get together someday on the show?[/b]
Did Bobby sleeping on the couch depress me? Not really. It’s something I imagine he, Sam and Dean have done quite often. Plus, I don’t think you’d fit two people sleeping on that couch (unless they were pygmys!)
Did I hope Bobby and Ellen would get together? Nope. I think it’d be a tremendous cliché that just because they are/were the only two eligible characters for each other. I think I’d have hated actually seeing the whole Bobby/Ellen thing come to fruition because for me, it undervalues pure friendship. This isn’t ‘Friends’.
Wow, I’m one hard-hearted bitch!
[b]10. Yeah, nay or middling on this episode? It sure brings up a lot of questions about fate and what would happen if a huge tragedy were undone, doesn’t it?[/b]
Kinda middling for me. I know it was the first episode back so it needed to be a lighter episode but I’m after something chewy and indepth now, especially at this late stage.
It does bring up a lot of intriguing questions but you could drive yourself mad thinking about the whole butterfly effect element of this show so….
Thanks for these, Robin.
Overall, I liked this episode – especially Bobby and Ellen. I also liked the fact that Atropos was not killed off.
As others have pointed out, I would love to see Atropos share the same screen with Death at some stage.
Thanks for this article – I enjoyed reading it. 🙂
I’ve watched this episode at least a dozen times now and have LOL every time; at the one-liners, the death scenes, the tempting fate, just wonderful! plus the FX were great, the brothers were beautiful, it was great seeing Sam Ferris and there was a look at what’s to come for the remaining 5 episodes.
I do wish the description in the guide had not mentioned Titanic at all, as it seemed to lead up to that but was really no surprise. but TV guides do that with all shows.
Still a great episode!
“Balthazar, stop,” says Cas. She turns to find Balthazar about to kill her with a nasty-looking knife. “Ah! Awkward,” the angel says.
–> i just love this 😀
I love all the comments so far! Witty, brilliant and thought-provoking, just like the show itself, reading what others have to say when I post my articles here is so gratifying. Thank you so much!
Love, Robin
Proud columnist right here!