Robin’s Rambles: “Frontierland”
“Frontierland”
–Robin’s Rambles by Robin Vogel
(Sepia tinted) – Sunrise, Wyoming, March 5, 1861 – We see a “hangin’ rope,” a woman peering from a window and an empty western street. Two men approach each other as western music plays in the background, face each other, and toss back their coat tails at the same moment. One, whose face we don’t recognize, flexes his hand over his gun. The other, wearing a sheriff’s star, is Dean Winchester! His eyes flit to a clock hanging on the wall. It’s high noon. They both reach for their guns and fire.
We hear the sound of a whip, then see Wyoming on a map, burning, just like on BONANZA. Mournful music plays; SUPERNATURAL appears in the middle, burning, burning, before it segues into the familiar sound of shattered glass.
48 hours earlier (and 150 years later) – “It’s here somewhere, I know it,” insists Sam Winchester’s voice, “help me with this.” He and Bobby push aside a desk in what was once Samuel Campbell’s compound to reveal a hidden room. Dean shines a flashlight down inside. “Well I’ll be damned,” proclaims Bobby. “Welcome to the Campbell family library,” says Sam. “So Samuel collected all this stuff, huh?” asks Dean, shining the light on photos on the wall. “Apparently,” says Sam. “All right, what are we lookin’ for?” Dean asks. “Anything that’ll put a run in the Octomom’s stockings,” says Bobby, “pick a room.”
The men start grabbing volumes of books. “Bingo!” calls Bobby. When they’re sitting, he asks, “Either of you jokers ever heard anything about a phoenix?” Dean: River, Joaquin, or the giant flaming bird?” “It says here,” says Bobby, “that the ashes of a phoenix can burn the Mother.” “All right, where do we get one?” asks Dean. “Ya got me,” says Bobby, I thought it was a myth.” “All right, great,” says Sam, “let’s see if we can find out something about a phoenix.”
More research. Dean finds something that has him grinning, thrilled. He joins the others. “Guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, CHECK this out–March 5th, 1861–‘Sunrise, Wyoming, gun killed a phoenix today, left a pile of smoldering ash’.” “Really,” says Sam, “whose gun?” “Colt’s,” says Dean, “like the Colt. Problem”–he holds up the book, dated 1863, for them to see–“Samuel Colt’s journal.” “WHAT?” exclaims Sam–“that’s his!” “Yup!” says Dean gleefully. “No,” says Sam, reaching for it, “let me see. . .” Dean holds it away, “Get your own.” “What else does he say about the phoenix?” asks Bobby–what does it look like, does it have feathers?” “It just says phoenix,” says Dean. “Did he say where he tracked it?” asks Bobby. “No,” says Dean. “I guess we’ve got to find one of our own,” says Sam, “wherever it is.” “I know where we can find one,” says Dean. The others stare at him, awed. “March 15th, 1861, Sunrise, Wyoming,” says Dean, “we’ll STAR TREK 4 this bitch.” Sam shrugs. “I only watched DEEP SPACE NINE,” confesses Bobby. “It’s like I don’t even know you guys anymore,” whispers Dean, crushed, “STAR TREK 4, save the whales!” (LOL!) The other two indicate they have no clue. “We hop back in time,” says Dean, “we join up with Samuel Colt, we hunt the phoenix, then we haul the ashes home.” Dean is grinning like a loon. “Time travel,” says Bobby, “THAT’S a reasonable plan?” “I’ve got a guy who can swing it,” insists Dean. Dean stands in his seat. “Castiel, the fate of the world is in the balance, so come on down here.” Dean closes one eye and looks around, then tries again. “Come on, Cas, I DREAM OF JEANNIE your ass down here, pronto, please.” Sam and Bobby are looking around for Cas, but a woman appears instead. “Jeannie?” asks Dean. “Rachel,” she corrects, “I understand you need some assistance? How can I help you?” “We kinda need to talk to the Big Kahuna,” says Dean. “I’m here on Castiel’s behalf,” says Rachel. “Where’s he?” asks Sam. “Busy,” she says quickly. “Busy,” says Dean. “Yes,” she says. “Well, we’ve got a line on the Mother of Freaking Everything,” says Dean, so. . .” “I’m sure your issues are very important,” she says, “but Castiel is currently commanding an army, so. . .” “So we get stuck with Miss Moneypenny,” says Dean. “So you need to learn your place,” says Rachel coldly. “Look,” says Dean, “I don’t know who you THINK you are. . .” “I’m his friend,” she says. “And you think we’re not?” asks Sam. “I think you call him when you need something,” she accuses, “we’re fighting a war.” “We get that,” says Sam. “Clearly you don’t, or you wouldn’t call him every time you stub your toe, you petty, entitled little piece of. . .!” she exclaims. Cas appears. “Rachel, that’s enough,” he says. “I told you I’d take care of this,” Rachel reminds him. “All right, you can go,” he says. “You’re staying?” she says. “GO!” he orders. Her mouth sets in a straight, disapproving line. “I’ll come when I can,” he tells her. They stare at each other for a long moment before she flies off. “Wow–friend of yours?” asks Dean. “She’s my lieutenant, committed to the cause,” says Cas, “now, what do you need?”
Editor’s note: Wow, this chick seemed very nasty to Cas’ human pals, and I wondered if he REALLY sent her in his place. She was very insulting, and I can’t imagine Cas sending someone with her obvious dislike for humans to help them! I mean, BRRRR!
Sam and Bobby sit at the desk in his house. “Where’s Dean?” says Bobby. “Supply run, he said, I dunno,” answers Sam. “About your plan,” says Cas, “you only have 24 hours.” “What? Why?” demands Sam, standing. “The answer to your question can best be expressed in a series of partial differential equations,” begins Cas. “Yeah, aim lower,” suggests Bobby. “The further back I send you,” says Cas, “the harder it becomes to retrieve you. Twenty-four hours is all I can risk, if I don’t pull you home within that time, you’ll be lost to me.” (How mournful does that sound? YOU’LL BE LOST TO ME.) “Then we’d better get you a watch,” says Dean, entering the room. Noting the bags he’s carrying, Bobby asks, “What the hell’s all that?” “We are going native,” says Dean, handing over a bag labeled WALLY’S WESTERN WORLD. Sam insists he’s fine, he’ll wear what he’s got on. “What, and look like a space man?” asks Dean. “Just because you’re obsessed with all that wild west stuff,” says Sam. Dean tries to protest, but Sam insists, “You have a fetish, Dean!” “Shut up, I like old movies!” the elder Winchester says. “You can recite every Clint Eastwood movie ever made,” says Sam, “line for line.” “Even the monkey movies?” asks Bobby. “ESPECIALLY the monkey movies,” says Sam. “It’s CLYDE,” says Dean reverently. Sam points at his brother, a SEE, IT’S ALL TRUE! gesture. “At least wear the damn shirt,” asks Dean, holding out a bag. Sam comes downstairs wearing jeans and a white shirt with yellow flowers on the shoulders. (Editor’s note: I don’t think a real westerner would be caught dead in it.) “Is it customary to wear a blanket?” asks Cas. “It’s a serape,” says Dean proudly, “and yes, it’s. . . (Sam gives him a look) never mind, let’s just go.” Noting that Bobby has given him a bunch of the gold jewelry they amassed from the dinosaur hunt, Dean asks, “What’s this?” “Where you’re goin’, they don’t take plastic,” Bobby says. “I’ll send you back to March 4th,” says Cas, “that should give you time to find the Colt and this phoenix creature.” Smiling with delight, Dean says, “See you at high noon tomorrow . . .pardner.” He winks.
(Sepia tinted) – The brothers stand in front of the Sunrise, Wyoming town sign – “Oh, now we’re talkin’!” exults Dean, gazing around in awe. He and Sam smile at each other.
At Bobby’s, Cas says, “I have to go.” “What about gettin’ the boys back?” asks Bobby. “Pray for me in 24 hours and I’ll return,” promises Cas. “I’ll pray for all of us,” Bobby assures him, setting up an alarm clock.
Sam sets his own watch. Dean says, “Let’s go find Samuel Colt. We should try the saloon first, see what we get from the locals.” “Sure,” says Sam, “Whatever, Sundance.” “Take a little time to hit on the saloon girls,” says Dean. At Sam’s disapproving look, Dean adds, “Kidding. Come on.” Sam slips on his black hat–and promptly steps into horse manure. “Aw, come on!” protests Sam. “You know what that is?” asks Dean. “Yeah” says Sam, it’s horse. . .” “Authenticity!” interrupts Dean. They head into Sunrise as Sam tries to rub and kick the “authenticity” off his boots. Once in town, they come upon the hanging of one Elias Finch, a man who has been convicted of murdering his own wife. “Talk about authenticity,” mutters Sam. When asked if he has anything to say, Finch promises, “You’re gonna burn for this. Everyone is.” They trip the platform under Elias, but, oddly, we don’t see any death dance. “Good times,” remarks Dean to his brother–“so where do we find Samuel Colt?” “No idea,” says Sam, “I know who to ask, though.” One of the guys who witnessed the hanging passes by and comments to Dean, “Nice blanket.” Dean, pouting, hands over his bag to his brother so he can take off his blankie. They head into the sheriff’s office. “Can I have a word?” asks Dean. “Depends on who’s askin’,” says the sheriff. “Marshall Clint Eastwood,” Dean introduces himself, opening his vest to show off his bling. He introduces Sam as ‘Walker, Texas Ranger.’ “We’re lookin’ for a man,” explains Sam. “I’ll BET,” says the judge, “nice shirt there.” (Editor’s note: Clearly a gay riff! They always seem to throw at least one into every ep, don’t they?) “What’s wrong with my shirt?” asks Dean, insulted. “You’re very clean,” the judge replies. “It’s dirtier than it looks,” Dean says. “We need to find Samuel Colt, do you know him?” asks Sam. “The gun maker?” asks the sheriff. “Yes, he in town?” asks Dean. “Not that I know of,” says the sheriff, “you might try askin’ at Elkins Saloon–been here longer than God.” The brothers tip their hats and leave. The men in the sheriff’s office gaze after them speculatively. (Editor’s note: Must be a relative of Daniel Elkins, famous vampire hunter from our time, huh?)
Dean excitedly enters the saloon. Two ugly hookers await customers, a drunk is asleep on the bar, and it’s quieter than a grave. “This is not awesome,” gripes Dean. Sam smacks him on the back sympathetically. “I’ll have your top shelf whiskey,” orders Dean. “I only have the one shelf,” the bartender says dourly. “That’ll do just fine,” says Dean, who points to Sam, “and he’ll have a sarsaparilla.” Sam gives him a bitch-face for that one, but Dean’s having a great time teasing. “Are you Elkins?” Sam asks the bartender. “One and only,” the man answers. Asked about Colt, he says, “He passed through here about four years ago–rumor is he’s building a railroad stop 20 miles out of town by the postal road–middle of nowhere.” “The Devil’s Gate,” whispers Sam to Dean. “The location fits,” agrees Dean. (Editor’s note: I do love the continuity of this from season 2!) Elkins sets their drinks in front of them. “Howdy, boys,” greets a voice from the stairs. A young woman heads toward them. “Darla, that’s my best girl,” says Elkins proudly. With brown teeth and a nasty sore in the corner of her mouth, she gets in Dean’s face. “Try me,” she offers, “you wanna kiss?” Dean gulps down his gorge, murmuring to Sam, “So much more germ-ridden than I pictured.” She’s about to plant one on Dean when someone calls “DARLA!” “Judge,” she says, not enthused, “nice to see you.” “I thought we had a date,” he says, pointing upstairs. Dean heaves a HUGE sigh of relief as Darla heads upstairs with the judge. “That was a close one,” says Dean. “Guess it’s good to be judge,” says Sam. They sip their drinks. Dean spits his out. “It’s like gasoline,” he gasps. “Sarsaparilla isn’t half bad,” Sam grins, taking another sip.
Upstairs, Darla bounces onto the bed, the judge, down to his underwear, on top of her, kissing her neck. She sees something over his shoulder that starts her screaming. Sam and Dean run upstairs. Finch, the man we saw getting hanged, has his hand on the sheriff and is burning him to death. Darla, terrified, stands by the French doors leading from her bedroom. The judge, dead, crispy and smoldering, lies on her bed. Sam and Dean stare at each other in astonishment.
“You OK, sheriff?” asks Sam. “Of course,” answers the lawman. “It was a ghost!” insists Darla. “It wasn’t a ghost,” says the sheriff,” what ghost leaves footprints. He points them out. “I’m tellin’ ya, Finch was here,” she says, “he did THAT, and walked out that door.” “Rope didn’t kill him,” says the sheriff, “I’ve seen it before.” “Any idea where he could be?” asks Sam. “Could be a thousand places,” says the sheriff. “You got any way to flush him out?” asks Dean. “Of course,” says the sheriff, “we’re gonna form a posse, put a bullet in his head for good measure.” “Sounds like a good plan,” smiles Dean. “You two come along,” says the sheriff, “meet downstairs at dawn.” “We’ll be there,” promises Dean. “Get yourselves some real gear,” suggests the sheriff. “I think we oughta pay our respects to Finch,” says Dean, rubbing his face. “I was thinking the same thing,” says Sam.
Later, holding their lanterns above an empty grave, Sam says, “Are you thinkin’ what I’m thinkin’?” “Maybe we’re not lookin’ for a flaming bird, maybe the phoenix is walkin’ around in cowboy boots,” suggests Dean. “It makes sense, right?” says Sam–“could be Finch. So, question is, how do we put this thing out?” “We do know one thing that’ll kill freakin’ anything, right?” Dean reminds him. “The Colt,” says Sam. “So,” says Dean, “you go get the gun.” “Isn’t the gun coming here?” asks Sam–“according to Samuel Colt’s journal?” “But people here barely even know who Colt is,” Dean reminds him, “Maybe you gotta go find him and make history. I’ll stay here, hook up with the posse–’cause you know me, I’m a posse magnet–I mean, I love posse–make that into a t-shirt.”
(Editor’s note: How many riffs on pussy are the writers going to get away with her, I wondered, laughing because I’m 12 and found it very funny.)
“You done?” asks Sam sarcastically, adding, “look, the problem is, the Colt’s 20 miles outside of town, how am I supposed to get there and back before noon?” Hearing a horse neighing nearby, Dean says, “Ride ’em, cowboy,” and shortly thereafter, Sam is sitting astride a horse, proclaiming, “Feels all right.” “Take it easy,” Dean warns, “be back by 11 AM, don’t be late.” “I’m OK!” Sam assures him, riding away. “That poor horse!” mourns Dean.
We see Sam and the horse galloping against a gray sky.
Finch lets a horse go that belongs to another member of his posse, and when the man tries to apologize to him even while firing bullets at him, Finch says, “You had your chance. Tell it to the judge.” He grabs him around the throat and swiftly reduces him to ash, too.
Rachel summons Castiel to a warehouse to talk. “I’ve been hearing things, things I don’t want to believe,” she says, stepping closer, “just tell me if it’s true.” “If WHAT’S true?” he asks. “You know,” she says, “your dirty little secret.” He looks away, then straight at her and replies, “I have to defeat Raphael.” “Not this way, Castiel,” she says, “we’ve put our faith in you and look what you’re turning into.” “I don’t have a choice,” he insists, ashamed. “Then neither do I,” she says, attacking him with a knife. She stabs him in the chest, wounding him, but he knocks her away and an angel-killing knife appears in his right hand. They fight with their knives like swords, but he gets the upper hand and thrusts his sword in a mortal wound through her heart. Lying on the ground on her back, we see her beautiful black wings spread out in a posture of death. Gazing down at her, gasping, Castiel says, “I’m sorry,” He examines his own chest wound, which barely missed his head. Light is glowing from it. He presses his hand over it.
Bobby, studying a book, hears the sound of wings. Cas appears, falling in a heap on his floor. “What the hell? CAS?” cries Bobby. The angel, gasping, draws a sigil on the wall in the blood from his chest wounds. “Cas, are we running or fighting?” asks Bobby. Cas collapses into Bobby’s arms. “BALLS!” yells the old hunter.
I loved this episode. I laughed so hard. I can’t think of anything that I disliked. We finally got our western! Boy, Sam and Dean looked great! 🙂
My heart really went out to Finch. I don’t think he was evil and only acted against the ones involved in his wife’s murder and his sham trial. Dean was a great lawman! Absolutely perfect!
I’m glad we finally got to meet Samuel Colt. He was everything that I expected him to be. He was tough as nails and very seasoned. I would have loved to see more. Maybe someday….
As for Castiel, it appears that he’s heading down that slippery slope, similar to one Sam was on in Season 4, and may not be able to get off due to choices he’s made. I hope that’s not the case, but it looks like it’s going that way.
Finally, Rachel. I’m sorry I didn’t really give her much thought, other than I’m glad she gone. Not enough story was devoted to finding out who she really is and to get me involved with her character.
You know, you pointed out a parallel I had thought of, too–Sam and Castiel. The latter was so self-righteous when he first became involved with the Winchesters (“Stop your brother–or we will”), and now the angel himself is doing God-knows-what, perhaps literally, of questionable virtue. At least Sam THOUGHT he was doing the right thing when drinking demon blood to shore up his strength to kill Lilith!
I’m worried that Castiel is going to use the brothers in a way that will horrify them. I hope I’m wrong, I really do!
Love,
Robin
i love episode cowboy sam dean incrivel
You are preaching to the choir!
Love,
Robin
[b]1. What a fantastic episode! We had a bitch working with Cas who clearly didn’t agree with him when it came to the Winchesters. What did you think of Rachel? Friend, enemy or both?[/b]
Of whom?? Castiel is the boss now, he can’t have friends! He has angels who are either with him or against him and these are always changeable. Castiel doesn’t seem to be one (thus far) who will lead by fear.
Perhaps Rachel is who Castiel was the last 2 seasons, one who dared to question the guy on top. Balthazar did insinuate that angels are no longer following blindly.
Castiel really is the exception to the rule when it comes to his attitude to humans. Rachel treated Sam and Dean like every other angel we had met prior to that, with disdain. Castiels attitude alone would cause him and his actions to be viewed with a degree of scepticism.
[b]2. Samuel Colt? Drunken genius? Why did he allow Sam to take off with his gun? Was Sam Winchester a kindred spirit or fellow nut? [/b]
Bit of both! Nah, I’m going with more of a kindred spirit. Samuel Colt actually reminds me a bit of Rufus. They’re not surprised by what they see or hear any more because they’ve seen and heard so much. They’re both worn down to the nub by hunting but because it’s so ingrained in them they can’t get away from it, no matter how much they want to believe they can. (Again, traces of Sam at Stanford.)
I imagine he allowed Sam to take the gun because (a) he wrote that the gun was used to kill a Phoenix and (b) the gun was [i]built[/i] by a hunter, to be [i]used[/i] by a hunter and as Colt no longer felt he was a hunter, this was like the passing of the guard.
[b]3. There was a lot of funny stuff here, most of it Dean’s. All the posse riffs had me rolling! Am I just immature, or were they really hilarious?[/b]
I think what made them funny was the way they were delivered and the fact that Dean couldn’t stop grinning at his own joke. It seems the more epic the bitchface Sam delivers; the funnier Dean finds things so they were both in their element today.
[b]4. Do you know people like Dean, who are so dedicated to westerns, they can quote every line from all Clint Eastwood Westerns? [/b]
Nope, that I don’t. Actually, I’ve never even seen a Clint Eastwood film.
[b]5. What feelings did you get about Castiel in this ep? His Lieutenant came after him to KILL him! Why? What is he doing that is so bad, his compatriots are turning against him?[/b]
It is a little perplexing. I think I’ve now gone off the idea that he’s gathering souls. It seems a bit too obvious. Also, given the disdain with which (other) angels regard humans, why would they have a problem using them to serve their own end?
It’s something else, has to be, something he’s fearful of revealing to Sam and Dean. We’ll know in less than a month (I hope!)
[b]6. Do you think Sam, Dean and Bobby would stick with him if they knew the whole truth about what he’s doing? [/b]
Depends on what the truth is! I feel Castiel is always on shaky ground around the boys as they, Dean in particular, hold him to a high standard. If his ‘truth’ is something akin to Sam in season 4 (ie doing what he’s doing for what he perceives to be the greater good) then they might stick with him but if it’s something else, or anything to do with Soulless Sam, if Castiel was somehow responsible for it, or had knowledge about it, then he’ll be worse than dead as far as Dean is concerned.
Not sure how Sam would react to this…
[b]7. The reality of the old west disappointed Dean, especially the ladies of the evening. If the judge hadn’t come along and “saved†him, how would Dean have gotten out of a date with Darla?[/b]
With tact and grace, as always….. No clue but he wouldn’t have any help from his brother, that’s for sure. Sam was nearly wetting himself laughing at him.
[b]8. Yeah, nay or middling on this ep? What was your favorite/least favorite part of it?[/b]
Yeah, a yay. It has grown on me. I found the whole cowboy thing a bit off-putting because cowboys don’t do it for me, sorry! Parts of it felt, as was said (by either Sam or Bobby), like it was a fetish. I found there were a lot of clichés in it but still, thats my personal bias so it doesn’t really count!
I enjoyed the brotherly relationship; it was reminiscent of days of old. I liked the Sam / Samuel Colt scene because I found Sam’s earnestness a great contrast with Colts weary pragmatism. For some strange reason, I loved the research scene at the beginning but that’s just the nerd in me coming to play. Dean’s childish glee at all things western was good and his pout at having to take off his blanket was great, plus his ardent defence of his ‘dirtier than it looks’ shirt. He’s such an idealist! I liked Bobby’s de facto fatherhood, especially his quip about collecting the kids from Frontierland.
In relation to what I disliked, I’m with Yume, I wasn’t too keen on some of the lapses of logic in it. The thought that any delivery company would keep a package for over 160 years! Plus, the idea that Sam was able to remember the location of the library. Is that a possible breach of the wall or not??
Also, I’m getting a little weary of the whole alternate timeline / realities etc. It’s been done quite often in this season so I’m hoping for a few set in 2011 episodes from here on in!
[b]9. I felt sorry for the phoenix and his human wife. Seems to me they got caught up in something violent and ugly. His wife was raped and murdered by a human. Finch (the name of another bird, ironically), was a creature who intended no harm to anyone—until his wife was taken from him. Then he sought revenge. Who could blame him?[/b]
I don’t. I think perhaps, if Dean hadn’t [i]needed[/i] to kill Finch, he might not have. I feel he’s a bit more open minded now than to automatically think, monster = bad. Also, I don’t think Dean would look too kindly on a rapist who then let an innocent man hang.
However, welcome to Wild West justice where one or two people have the power of life and death over you, regardless of the facts (kind of like hunters….)
Thanks for these once again, Robin. Some really thought provoking questions here. (Can’t believe you made me think on a Sunday. It really impacted on my ‘doing nothing’ time!!)
Some really thought provoking questions here. (Can’t believe you made me think on a Sunday. It really impacted on my ‘doing nothing’ time!!)
I apologize deeply for making you think. I try not to do that, but since I work at a low cost animal clinic every Sunday, I expect at least a tiny bit of thinking from everyone here on Sundays!
It’s my pleasure to write the Rambles for all of you. I love this show and its fans, and this is my labor of love and adoration!
Love,
Robin
I liked this episode. 🙂 I also enjoyed your article immensely.
Just a short thought about Castiel. I think we have to remember that Castiel has waivered in the past – he did turn Anna in, among other things.
One would have thought that after Castiel formed a “more profound” bond with Dean, he would be a little less suspectible to “dirty little secrets”. But then again, I guess the war in heaven is taking a toll on him.
Can’t wait to see how all of this pans out ! 🙂
Thank you so much for your kind words! I appreciate that you enjoyed my article. I love this show. Hearing it was renewed for a 7th season made my day, week, month, year!
Love,
Robin
[b]1. What a fantastic episode! We had a bitch working with Cas who clearly didn’t agree with him when it came to the Winchesters. What did you think of Rachel? Friend, enemy or both?[/b]
I’m not sure what to make of Rachael just yet. I almost got the sense that we were once again being mislead. We see her berate Sam and Dean for being too “needy” and then go after Cas for some mysterious thing he’s doing—something we’ve suspected but never really had answered yet. I also got a sneaking suspicion that what happened between Rachel and Cas was a ruse. They had to look like they were on opposite sides and she had to fake her death—I could be totally wrong, but that’s how it came off to me at this stage.
[b]2..Samuel Colt? Drunken genius? Why did he allow Sam to take off with his gun? Was Sam Winchester a kindred spirit or fellow nut?[/b]
I loved Samuel Colt. I loved the fact that he wasn’t this gun ho hero willing to join the boys. I liked that he was a tired old hunter out of the game but not so out of it and unable to defend himself. I think at first he found Sam to be a nuisance but as Sam proved himself by both knowledge and determination he accepted Sam. I thought it was funny when he told Sam to put some more miles on. I don’t think Sam could put any more miles on than he already has. In the end, when Sam’s allowed to take the Colt with him, I think Samuel Colt saw a kindred hunter. I just wonder what would have happened if Dean had had the chance to meet Colt, too. Would he have been disappointed?
[b]3. There was a lot of funny stuff here, most of it Dean’s. All the posse riffs had me rolling! Am I just immature, or were they really hilarious?[/b]
Well, we obviously can tell that Sam DIDN’T think that the posse lines were funny—evident by the sheer amount of bitch facing followed by the exasperated “Are you done?” Me? I couldn’t stop laughing they were so damn funny. I though they really knocked the humor out of the park on this one. It could have easily become corny or stupid, but they stuck to the Supernatural flavor we ll know and love and that’s why it worked. Much like the other daring episodes (Clap Your Hands If You Believe), they went out on a limb and managed to walk that fine tight rope without falling off.
[b]4. Do you know people like Dean, who are so dedicated to westerns, they can quote every line from all Clint Eastwood Westerns?[/b]
I can’t say I know anyone now that can do that, but my grandfather certainly could have. I just wonder, between the hunting, the keeping an eye on Sammy, the Apocalypse (well now failed and in the past) and now this Mother of All business just when does Dean have ALL this time to watch these movies? I loved it, though, when they mentioned the other Eastwood movies with the monkey and Dean got all defensive, saying “His name is Clyde!” And besides, who didn’t love Dean’s shout out to Star Trek, the Whale movie!
[b]5. What feelings did you get about Castiel in this ep? His Lieutenant came after him to KILL him! Why? What is he doing that is so bad, his compatriots are turning against him?
[/b]
I’ve been reeling since My Heart Will Go On about Cas. They’ve given us viewers so many puzzle pieces to play with, but we still seem to be missing those KEY pieces that would allow us to figure it out. On one hand it’s frustrating because I want to know already and it is getting fairly late into the season, on the other the intrigue is keeping me so glued to my seat that I’m pleased with how they’ve handled it. I keep going back to when Cas killed Crowley and now I have to question: did Cas really kill Crowley? Is he somehow in cahoots with Crowley or is there some other larger thing happening here? And what of Cas’s adamant demand that Dean NOT return Sam’s soul to sender? I think he’s obviously using a lot of souls to fight his war and he most certainly is hiding something to do with that from both Winchesters. I just hope he hasn’t turned completely darkside on us. It’d be such a shame for him to turn on the brothers and humanity—considering all he’s done for them up until now.
[b]6. Do you think Sam, Dean and Bobby would stick with him if they knew the whole truth about what he’s doing?[/b]
It’s really hard to say without having the whole picture on what Cas is doing. If he’s somehow involved in the end with Sam’s earlier Soullessness, Dean will turn on him in an instant. Sam might follow since him and Dean are a united front but he might be willing to at least listen. Bobby will be very angry but demand to know answers. It all depends on what Cas has really been doing.
[b]7. The reality of the old west disappointed Dean, especially the ladies of the evening. If the judge hadn’t come along and “saved†him, how would Dean have gotten out of a date with Darla?[/b]
Oh dear. That’s a good question. She seemed VERY determined to spend some quality time with him. And Sam just found the whole thing hilarious and entertaining. I think we call it just desserts or poetic justice perhaps? And all without our dear Gabe to put it in motion. I don’t know what Dean would have done to get out of it, but as desperate as he was to get away from her I’d think he’d try anything. Especially if it happened to be at Sam’s expense in some way.
[b]8. Yeah, nay or middling on this ep? What was your favorite/least favorite part of it?[/b]
I loved it. I’ve only been able to see it once thus far, but I loved it. It isn’t quite on the same level for me as Clap Your Hands, but it could get there with a few more viewings. So much was thrown at us in this 40 minute episode that it takes awhile to process it. I guess my favorite part was the interactions between Samuel Colt and Sam. All the excellent humor aside, this was where the meat of the episode seemed to be for me. They cast Colt perfectly and I think the scene just showcased both actors well. As for my least favorite, hmm…it’s not so much a least favorite as it is a question that didn’t really get raised nor answered: How is it that Sam KNEW of the secret area at Samuel’s compound and why is it Dean didn’t raise seven kinds of Hell about Sam remembering? It’s just one quibble I had with it. Other than that, I thought it was fantastic and everything it could have been and more.
[b]9. I felt sorry for the phoenix and his human wife. Seems to me they got caught up in something violent and ugly. His wife was raped and murdered by a human. Finch (the name of another bird, ironically), was a creature who intended no harm to anyone—until his wife was taken from him. Then he sought revenge. Who could blame him? [/b]
I don’t blame Finch. I also know a lot of people feel that Dean didn’t come off as understanding enough—I think he was headed in that direction until Finch shot the remaining man responsible. Finch, to me, is a mirror of Dean himself. He is a Phoenix, a monster/creature, but he loved a human and assimilated into society. He couldn’t outrun his past nor himself and while what happened to his wife largely had nothing to do with what he is, he still couldn’t protect her. Dean is much the same way with having left hunting for a year to live with Lisa and Ben. He couldn’t protect them from the life once it caught up with him again, either. I think that’s why I found their scenes together to be powerful and well done. Finch really was a victim in all of this, and while they needed his ashes to get the job done, you feel terribly sorry for him in the end. I think Dean had to struggle to keep his game face on a bit, but he had no choice if he wanted to get what they had been sent back in time for in the first place.
And with that I realize I talk too much.
How is it that Sam KNEW of the secret area at Samuel’s compound and why is it Dean didn’t raise seven kinds of Hell about Sam remembering?
Perhaps Dean shut up because he didn’t want to take a chance of jarring the wall? I think if he suspects anything might to that, he won’t say a word.
I love when you reply to my Rambles, no matter how long or short your responses are. You’re very intelligent and eloquent and right on the money!
As for how Dean has time to watch all the movies, they said in the S5 finale that, between hunts, they had time to drive to concerts and lie on top of the Impala and look at stars, so I’m sure there was plenty of time for TV watching, too. We know they saw all the RAIDERS movies, so we can be pretty sure they rented flicks here and there.
Never stop responding to my Rambles–as lengthily as you want!
Love,
Robin
Love, Robin
I’m glad you like my responses. I just tend to run around in circles in my head and it’s nice to finally have an outlet that I can share those thoughts that rotate endlessly in my head.
I’m sorry I didn’t respond to your reply sooner. I was in between computers—my XP system gave up on me and I had to downgrade to 98 before I got my new 7 system today. So that’s the reason behind the delay.
I suppose that’s how Dean would watch those movies. They do have to have downtime, I guess. It’s too bad we never really get to see it. It makes sense in story and plot progression, but sometimes it’d almost be nice to see a day off—even if it is interrupted by something at some point.
As a writer, I find this show endlessly fascinating. The writers have put together a wonderful meta that I haven’t entirely untangled but the puzzle is part of the fun! Sure, not everything they’ve done has been perfect or whatever, but the truth is this show is so daring that it’s amazing the things they’ll try. They have guts and that’s probably the thing that keeps me watching–besides they knocked the most important meta element for me out of the park: the wanting of the their main characters.
Hands down my favorite episode this season.
One of mine this season, too! 🙂
Love,
Robin
I for one LOVE westerns! I have always thought that SPN was a modern western…gunslinging brothers travel everywhere saving the day on their trusty “Impala”….
Gordon Walker saw vampires as black and white villains, and until he met Lenore, so did Dean. She kidnapped Sam to prove to him that there are vamps capable to living their lives WITHOUT harming humans. There are also Rugaru who can stop themselves from taking that final step–eating longpig–and never become monsters. It’s a matter of choice. Finch was a phoenix who lived a quiet life with a human woman and never bothered anyone –until a human raped and murdered his wife. Unfortunately, Finch had extraordinary powers to avoid death and burn his enemies that he used when he had nothing left to lose–and he chose to do so. Humans provoked it and got what was coming to them.
Human monsters–aka the Benders–are the ones Dean finds most puzzling.
Love,
Robin
Kripke has often described SPN as a modern day western, so this episode came as no surprise to anyone. They did it with humor, class and pathos. Loved it so much!
Love,
Robin