Robin’s Rambles: “Frontierland”
Dean enters Elkins’ saloon. “New hat!” notices the barkeep. “I look good,” says Dean proudly, “where’s the posse? I must be early.” “Or you’re the only greenhorn stupid enough to be chasin’ after a ghost,” says Elkins. “What’re you talkin’ about, sheriff’s tough as nails,” says Dean, “he’ll be here.” Outside, someone yells, “Sheriff’s dead!” “Or not,” says Dean. Surveying the pile of ash that used to be sheriff, he asks, “Who’s the sheriff now? Elkins kneels down, retrieves the gold star gleaming in the middle of the black soot and pins it on Dean’s lapel. “Wait, what. . .” says Dean. “Well, congratulations, Sheriff,” says Elkins. Dean rolls his eyes, not sure he wants this job.
“Samuel Colt?” asks one of two demons who burst in on him in his cabin. “You have the wrong drunk, gentlemen,” Colts answers, “have a nice day.” “We’ve been lookin’ for you, Colt,” one says. “And who might WE be?” Colt asks. They reveal their black eyes. “Listen, I’ve long since hung it up,” Colt says, “I’m tired and too damn old for this and I’m sure not lookin’ for any trouble.” “Well, it’s found you anyway,” one demon says, “I know you built that Devil’s Gate, Colt, and you’re gonna open it for us–that is, if you wanna keep your lungs in your chest.” He reaches for his gun in his holster. “Walk away, gentlemen,” advises Colt. “I think we’d rather rip you to ribbons,” says the demon. Colt takes out TGTCKA and shoots both demons to death. Noting a bottle of booze has been broken in the melee, Colt says, “That’s a damn shame.”
Dean finds the last man the hanged phoenix was seeking revenge on and knocks at his door. “Candygram from Mongo,” he says in a falsetto voice. “Howdy, Pilgrim,” he greets the guy, who is packing. “I ain’t no Pilgrim,” the irritated man retorts. Showing the badge, Dean asks, “Is that any way to greet your new boss?” They both holster their guns. “Missed you at the posse this morning,” says Dean, “I was a one-man wolf pack, thanks to you.” Noting that he’s quickly packing, Dean asks, “What’s going on?” “I’m visiting my sister,” says Pilgrim. “She’ll have to wait,” insists Dean, “they said he was coming back for the former sheriff, Judge Mortimer, and you–that’s two down and one to go. “Then just lemmee go!” pleads the other man. “You really think you can outrun him?” demands Dean–“he’s going to kill you! Unless. . .” “Unless what?” asks Pilgrim. “Unless we gank him first,” says Dean. “Gank? What’s Gank?” asks Pilgrim– “Mister, you’re crazy–you’re on your own.” “I’m not askin’ you to throw down with him,” says Dean sternly, “I’m askin’ ya to play your part–bait.”
Sam enters Colt’s cabin, where the latter tosses holy water on him. “Not a demon,” insists Sam quickly, “just a hunter, sheesh.” “You’re a what?” asks Colt. “You Samuel Colt?” asks Sam–“my name is Sam Winchester. I’m a hunter from the year 2011.” Tossing away the holy water, Colt demands, “Prove it.” Sam turns on his cell phone and hands it to Colt. “All right,” says the gun-maker, pouring a drink. Sam finds his easy acceptance startling. “When you’ve done this job as long as I have, a giant from the future with some magic brick doesn’t exactly give you the vapors,” explains Colt, downing his booze. “I need your help killing a phoenix,” says Sam. “A phoenix, they exist?” asks Colt. “You shoot one, in about three hours,” says Sam. “If you say so,” says Colt, drinking. “I don’t,” says Sam, reaching into his pocket, “you do.” He lays Colt’s old journal on top of the journal he’s presently writing in. “I’m either too drunk or not drunk enough,” says Colt, sitting at his desk–“so what is it I’m exactly about to do?” “The phoenix is in Sunrise,” says Sam, so if we leave now. . .” “I appreciate your situation,” says Colt, “but I’m not going to be of any help to you–I’m booked.” “Wait,” says Sam, picking up the journal, “but you say right here. . .” “Don’t believe everything that you read,” cautions Colt. “But you’re a hunter,” says Sam. “RETIRED,” says Colt. “There’s no such thing,” insists Sam. “I’m out,” says Colt. “There’s no getting out,” says Sam, “for what it’s worth, in my time, you’re a hero!” “ME?” asks Colt incredulously. “Yessir,” says Sam—“now look, we need to kill this phoenix; its ashes are the only thing that can kill this monster I’m hunting. So stow your crap for a few hours and let’s go!” Colt picks up the bottle of booze. “We’ve gotta go now,” insists Sam, “so either you’re comin’ with me, or I need the gun.” “What gun?” asks Colt. “THE gun,” says Sam. “Oh, THAT gun,” says Colt–“I lost it in a game of stud.” Sam knows he’s lying–“You shot a couple of demons with it less than an hour ago.” “How do you figure?” Colt asks. “Two pairs of boot prints,” points out Sam, “cabin reeks of sulfur.” “You’re not bad,” says Colt, then adds, “you don’t want it, it’s a curse, believe me.” “Great,” says Sam, then let me take it off your hands.” “You go put on a few more miles, come back and we’ll talk,” says Colt. “Trust me,” says Sam, “I got plenty of mileage.” “I’m doin’ you a favor, believe me,” says Colt, still sluicing down the booze. “So, what, you can really just sit there?” demands Sam. They gaze at each other a few moments. “I’ve given my whole life to this,” the gunmaker says, “I’m DONE.” “So it doesn’t matter what happens,” begins Sam. “No, it doesn’t, interrupts Colt. “So everything you did, it all means nothing?” outlines Sam. He holds out his hand. “Gimmee the gun!”
Bobby’s house – Time is down to 59 minutes, 59 seconds. Cas awakens. “You look like you did 12 rounds with Truckasaurus,” remarks Bobby, “what happened?” “I was betrayed,” explains Cas, “Rachel, Raphael, they corrupted her, she turned on me. “Sorry,” says Bobby, “girl’s a real PEACH.” “She’s dead,” reveals Cas, “I was wounded, I needed safety, thank you.” He tries to sit up, but is in tremendous pain. What’s with the finger painting? asks Bobby. “A warding symbol against angels,” explains Cas. “How bad’s it hurt?” asks Bobby. “I’ll heal,” Cas assures him. “Well good,” says Bobby, “because we got less than an hour before you got to pickup the kids in Frontierland.” (Ed. comment: Sounds like an innocuous local park, doesn’t it?) “I CAN’T says Cas. “Come again?” demands Bobby. “This fight has drained me,” explains Cas breathlessly. “Well if you’re up on blocks, call in another halo to get the job done,” says Bobby. “I can’t,” says Cas. “There’s gotta be somethin’ that can juice you up,” insists Bobby, “a spell, something.” “There is one thing that might work,” admits Cas, “but it’s extremely dangerous.” “Shocker,” says Bobby, “so, lay it on me.” “It’s your soul,” says Cas. “What do you want me to do?” asks Bobby, “make another deal?–seal it with a kiss?” Cas looks away a moment, then back at Bobby. “I need you to let me touch it,” he says. “Touch it?” repeats Bobby. “The human soul,” says Cas, “it’s pure energy; if I can siphon some of that off, I might be able to bring Sam and Dean back.” “And the catch is?” asks Bobby. “Doing this,” says Cas, “is like putting your hand in a nuclear reactor; I have to do it very gingerly.” “Or?” asks Bobby. “You’ll explode,” says Castiel. “Well,” says Bobby, “keep both hands on the wheel. Let’s do this.”
Editor’s comments: I always tell my best friend that I love her so much, if she needed a kidney and we matched well enough, I would give her one of mine, and she would also be assured of a chunk of my liver, too, if the need arose. When Bobby tells Cas to just go ahead with this, without hesitation, it reminds me of how I feel about my best friend and my husband and son–my love is THAT strong. Bobby would do anything for Sam and Dean, he’s proving it here. Oh, Bobby, you have once again turned me into a blubbering fool, damn you! But Cas, I have this weird sensation that you are not to be trusted, not by Bobby, the brother or us!
Nervously watching the clock approaching 11:50, Dean ruminates, “Damn it, Sam, you’ve never been late a day in your life, and now you’re draggin’ ass.” His prisoner, Pilgrim, mocks, “So this is your big plan, huh? Just let me rot in here till Finch comes.” “Pretty much,” says Dean, “why’s he gunnin’ for you, anyway?” “I guess you missed the part where we hung him,” taunts Pilgrim. “No,” says Dean, tossing an iron nail to the floor, “I’m thinkin’ to a thing like Finch, that’s no big whup, he was just blowin’ town, but he came back, that seems personal.” “Let me outta here and we’ll talk,” Pilgrim promises. “No can do,” says Dean, causing the other man to hyperventilate when Finch enters. “Open up that cell,” he orders Dean. “Open it yourself,” orders the latter, “you’ve been melting peoples’ faces off, I bet you got the juice to tear that apart easy, doncha? Unless you can’t, just like you couldn’t break those cuffs when they strung you up.” He tosses the iron nail to Finch, who catches it with a hiss of pain. it sizzles against his flesh, leaving a burn. “Iron shackles,” observes Dean, “iron bars, iron nail–see a pattern? Don’t worry, most creatures I meet can’t get it up for iron. It’s a common monster problem.” “So you’re a hunter,” says Finch. “Slash sheriff,” adds Dean, showing off his gun and star. “You know what this son-of-a-bitch did?” asks Finch. “Do tell,” says Dean, noting that it was nearing noon. “I was married,” explains Finch, “to a woman, a good woman, a human woman. We lived outside of town, didn’t bother anyone.” “Sure,” says Dean, “freak with a heart of gold.” “You wanna call me a monster, fine,” says Finch, “but all we did was go into town. I go into the bank for five minutes, I come out, she’s gone. Then I heard her scream. This. . .man had her pinned in the alley. I go to stop him, he pulls his gun, shoots me, then her. She died, in my arms. Of course I don’t die,” he adds, grinning bitterly. “The shots brought the sheriff. Next thing I know, I’m in iron. That’s why I want him just where he is–trapped, scared–I saved the best for last. “Is that true?” Dean asks the man standing in the cell. He doesn’t answer. “So tell me,” asks Finch, “are you really willing to die to protect this piece of filth?” “Honestly,” says Dean, “I could care less about him; he’s a dick and a coward.” “HEY!” protests Pilgrim. “But this isn’t about him,” insists Dean, “I know what you are.” “Really,” says Finch. “Yeah,” says Dean, “so I gotta kill you.” “If you know what I am, then you know you can’t,” states Finch, reaching quickly into Dean’s holster hanging by the cell and shooting Pilgrim to death. “Wow, I shoulda seen that comin’,” says Dean. Finch shoots at him next, but Dean leaps through the window, Finch following inexorably on his tail, still shooting. Dean leans against a wall, out of Finch’s sight, his own gun ready. Sam joins him. “Where’s Colt?” Dean whispers urgently. He’s not comin'” says Sam. “What?” says Dean, dismayed. “But he sent this,” says Sam, handing the Colt to his brother. “Hello, Beautiful,” Dean tells the gun, pushing Sam, “come on, go, go.”
“You sure?” Cas asks Bobby as the countdown reaches 1:59. “We can’t just strand those idjits in Deadwood, can we?” asks Bobby gruffly. “The risks. . .” Cas reminds him. “Just don’t explode me,” says Bobby softly.
(Editor’s note: Jim Beaver once had a role in a series called DEADWOOD, surely a shout-out to his show here.)
We see the noose again. Dean walks to the center of town. “GET OUT HERE, FINCH!” he orders the phoenix creature. Sam, standing off to the side, calls, “What are you doing?” “Come on, let’s do this!” shouts Dean. Finch joins him, striding with confidence. “So this is how you wanna die,” he says–“fine.”
Bobby has a belt in his mouth, Cas’ or his own. As Cas reaches inside his body, Bobby screams and light floods around the angel’s buried fist. Fifty-nine seconds remain. Bobby screams.
Dean and Finch face each other and toss back their coat tails at the same moment. They both reach for their guns and fire. Only Dean’s hits the mark; sparks fly from the wound in Finch’s chest, he bursts into flames, turns to ashes and falls to the ground. Dean coolly blows on the end of the Colt. “Yippee ki yay, Motherf-” he begins to say.
Back in the present, Cas is touching Bobby’s soul, his eyes are shooting light, the clock is striking noon.
The Past – “Dean, the ashes!” Sam reminds his brother. Dean drops the Colt, grabs a bottle from his pocket, and kneels to gather the ashes of the phoenix–Elias Finch. Instead, he’s back in Bobby’s house, an empty bottle in his hand–they have failed.
“You’ve gotta send us back,” insists Dean. “Look at him,” says Sam, indicating Cas, “he’s fried.” “I never want to do that again,” says Cas. “Bobby,” says Dean, “are you. . .” “I’m still kickin’, Annie Oakley,” says Bobby, drained, “I’ll be back good as new in a decade or two.” “Then we screwed the pooch,” says Dean, dejected, “Bobby, I’m sorry.” There’s a knock at the door, “Is there a Sam Winchester here?” “Who’s asking?” wonders Sam. “This is nuts,” says the delivery man, “me and a couple of guys made a bet–so, this thing’s been laying around the office since ever with a note on it saying to bring it here, today, it’s from a Samuel Colt.” Stunned, Sam steps forward. “Yeah, yeah, that’s mine,” he says, “thanks, thanks.” He forgets to sign for it. Sam opens the brown paper wrapped, wooden box. Inside is his worse-for-the-wear cell phone and a note: Dear Sam: I got this address and date from your thingamajig and thought the enclosed might come in handy. Regards, Samuel Colt
“Is that what I think it is?” asks Bobby when Sam pulls out the bottle. “Ashes of the phoenix,” says Dean, “you know what this means.” “That I didn’t get a soulenoscopy for nothin’,” says Bobby. “Yes,” agrees Dean, “it means we take the fight to her.” He puts his cowboy hat back on and rubs the rim like he’s more than ready to go.
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?
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?
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?
4. Do you know people like Dean, who are so dedicated to westerns, they can quote every line from all Clint Eastwood Westerns?
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?
6. Do you think Sam, Dean and Bobby would stick with him if they knew the whole truth about what he’s doing?
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?
8. Yeah, nay or middling on this ep? What was your favorite/least favorite part of it?
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?
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