Robin’s Rambles: “Mommy Dearest”
In the back seat of the Impala, Joe says, “It’s good to rest.” He pulls his little brother against his shoulder, hugging him close. In the front seat, Sam and Dean are both softly smiling, remembering, I’m sure, similar scenes from their own childhood, with John in the front seat and Sam pressed against Dean’s shoulder as miles spun endlessly by.
Ednote: Here we see the basic differences between warrior angel Cas and human heroes Sam and Dean. For the most part, they have preferred to save the one or two over the many, but when they had to save the many, i.e., the apocalypse, they did what had to be done there, too. Sam stepped up to the plate and gave up his own life to save the rest of the world. Here, Cas is ticked off at them for going out of their way for Joe and Ryan, but they see far too much of themselves in them, and must deliver them to the next responsible adult in their lives, Cas be damned.
Bobby joins Cas. “They won’t take long,” he assures him. “You don’t know that,” says the angel, “they may find more ‘wayward orphans’ along the way,” “Oh, don’t get cute,” says Bobby. “Right,” says Cas, “pardon me for highlighting their crippling and dangerous, empathetic response with sarcasm. It was a bad idea, letting them go.” “C’mon,” says Bobby, “you don’t LET Sam and Dean Winchester do squat, they do what they gotta, you know that. Anyway, we want Eve, we need coordinates, so we can stand here bellyaching or we can poke that pig till he squeals. Thoughts?” Cas walks away, silent.
In a touching scene, the orphaned boys’ uncle tearfully hugs his nephews as Sam and Dean watch with misty eyes, claiming another one for the good guys.
“I know she can see you right now,” Bobby growls at the sheriff he’s torturing, “and you’re just makin’ her mad. Tell the bitch to come get me.” Outside the door, Cas says, “I need five minutes alone with him.” “What for?” Bobby asks, reminding him–“Cas, your batteries are dead.” “Five minutes,” repeats Cas. “All right, fine,” agrees Bobby, going outside the room to have a drink from his flask. We hear the sheriff makes a terrible sound, then Cas, with more crimson than before on his clothing, wiping blood off his hands, says, “She’s at 25 Buckley Street. Call Sam and Dean.” Bobby ponders just HOW the powerless angel did in five minutes what he failed to do in hours.
Ednote: I wonder, too. Cas was only human. We don’t even see the sheriff again, and I wonder what he looks like, or if he’s even alive after Cas was done with him. All we heard was a sound, and it was not a pretty one. Cas, what DID you do?
Sam, Bobby, Castiel and Dean are ready to face Eve. “‘Rigorous interrogation,’ huh?” asks Dean. “Well, we got a location,” says Bobby, “now we just gotta get close enough to take a shot.” “Let’s all take one,” says Dean, handing out a phoenix-ashes-filled bullet to each man, “Load ’em up, make ’em count.” As they head to Ervin’s Diner, Dean says, “You gotta be kiddin’ me, she’s been there this whole time?” “Why’d she ever let us in–or out?” wonders Sam. “There’s one way to find out,” says Dean. “Just stroll in?” says Bobby–“we don’t know who’s human or who’s HER.” “There’s one way to draw her out,” says Dean, “me ‘n’ Sam’ll go in.” “DEAN,” protests Bobby. “If we don’t get a shot off, you two better,” insists Dean. “THAT’S the plan?” grouses Bobby. “Yeah, pretty much,” says Dean. He and Sam take off walking. “Well,” says Bobby, “at least it ain’t complicated.” The brothers enter the diner and sit down on stools. “Now what?” asks Dean. “Crap,” says Sam, scanning with his cell phone to reveal a lot of ‘shifter eye flare. “Starships?” asks Dean. “Yup,” says Sam. “Is there anyone in this diner who is NOT a flesh-eating monster?” asks Dean. “Me and you,” replies Sam. “Okay, well, let’s get the hell out of here,” says Dean. “Shall we,” says Sam, turning to go. “Two specials,right?” says their waitress, Eve. “No,” says Sam, “that’s not for us, we were just headed out.” “That would be rude, Sam,” says Eve. Sam re-seats himself and says, “Yes, Eve.” “Pleasure,” she says. “Why don’t we step outside, chat,” suggests Dean. “Why?” she asks–“this is private.” One of her goons gets up and starts closing all the blinds. Everyone at a table with a window does the same. Outside, Cas and Bobby are uneasy. The same guy who first closed the blinds brings the brothers’ duffel bags to the counter and opens them. Eve sniffs the gun barrel. “Phoenix ash,” she says, “I’m impressed, I bet you had to go a long way for that.” “You have no idea,” says Dean. Sam huffs. “Destroy these,” she tells her minion, “thank you. Relax, I’m not here to fight.” “No,” says Dean, “just rally every FREAK on the planet–bring in Khan worms and half-assed spider men and dragons–really, sister?– dragons?” “So I dusted off some of the old classics,” she says, “I needed help.” “With what?” asks Sam, looking at Dean, “tearing apart the planet?” “You misunderstand me,” she says, leaning in closer, “I never wanted that–not at first. I liked our arrangement.” “What arrangement?” Sam asks. “The natural order,” she says, “my children turned a few of you, you hunted a few of them, I was happy.” “OK, so what changed?” asks Dean through gritted teeth. “My children, no thanks to you,” she retorts, “started getting kidnapped and tortured, even my firstborns. I was pushed into this; after all, a mother defends her children.” “Really?–you’re going to use the Mother of the Year Defense?–YOU?” asks Dean. “It happens to be true,” she says, sounding close to tears. “Know what?” she asks–“maybe you’ll believe it if I look a little more like this.” She morphs–with a perfect little breeze of her hair–into Mary Winchester! This rattles her “sons.” “Oh, you BITCH!” rails Dean. “She died to protect you, didn’t she?” asks Eve in Mary’s voice–“see? You understand a mother’s love. We’re no different.” “This conversation’s over,” snarls Dean, “if you’re gonna kill us, KILL us!” “YOU? No,” says Eve-Mary, “it’s CROWLEY I want dead.” “You’re too late there,” says Dean, “that little limey mook we roasted months ago.” “Crowley’s alive,” she informs them, grinning. “That’s impossible,” says Sam. “I see his face through the eyes of every child he strings up and skins,” she says, “any idea why he’s hurting my babies?” “He wants Purgatory, right?” says Dean–“location, location, location.” Smiling hugely at Sam, she says, “Is that what he told you? It’s about the souls.” “What about ’em?” asks Sam. “Their power, you simple little monkey,” she mocks, “fuel–each soul a beautiful little nuclear reactor–and together, you have the sun. Now think what the King of Hell could do with that vast, untapped oil well, how powerful he’d be. Now Crowley wants to siphon off my supply and torture my children to do it? OK, fine. I’ll quit playing nice. I’ll turn you all–every soul–mine. let’s see how hot his hell burns when everyone comes to me. He asked for it.” “You know,” says Dean, “last I checked, there are a few BILLION of us–that plan might take a while.” “What exactly do you think I’m doing here?” she asks–“I’m building the perfect beast.” “Wait a second,” says Sam, “all those. . .all those THINGS we’ve been finding. . .” “Call it Bayer testing,” she suggests. Seeing the look of horror on Sam’s face, Dean says, “I think your formula may be a little off; they’re imploding all over town!” “There were a few unfortunate failures,” she agrees, “but I eventually got it right–quiet, smart, inconspicuous–it can spread through a whole town in under a day–oh, and the best part?–you’ve been with it the whole time.” Sam thinks. “WHAT?” asks Dean. “Yes, you were the final test,” she says brightly, “I had to see if it could slip past hunters undetected, of course–little Ryan!” The terrible news hits Sam and Dean hard.
Ednote: Sam and Dean learn that Crowley is still alive, still kidnapping and torturing Eve’s babies. He wants her soul supply. So she’s going to turn every single soul into one of hers. And she had perfected the final testRyan! That sweet, adorable, waiflike little orphan! Oh myGod!
Joe’s uncle finds him lying lifelessly on the floor in the living room, two puncture wounds in his throat. He turns. Ryan, blood rimming his mouth, stands there, silent, staring at him. Joe and Ryan attack him almost simultaneously, taking him down. On the mantel, family photos from happier times are splattered thickly with his blood.
Diner – “You look upset,” says Eve-Mary, “if it makes you feel any better, Ryan is bound to work on you–little wayward orphan, like yourselves.” To Sam’s disgust, she pinches his cheek. “There’s nothing you can do about it now, so let’s talk!” “I’ve got nothin’ to say,” insists Sam. “That’s where you’re wrong,” she says, “I have an offer to propose–Crowley, as you know, not so easy to find, so, here’s the deal–you find him, bring him to me, I let you live.” “Pass,” says Dean. “Dean,” says Sam reproachfully. “Sam, no,” says Dean, “the answer is no.” “You say that like you have another option,” she says. “Maybe I do, maybe I don’t,” says Dean. “Ya think?” she says. Bobby and Cas are brought in by more minions. “So much for your plan B,” she says, and to Cas, “And you, wondering why you’re so flaccid? I’m older than you, Castiel, I know what makes angels tick. As long as I’m around, consider yourself unplugged.” Ednote: Flaccid, unplugged? Anymore sexual references and we could officially rate tonight’s episode R! She smiles and winks at him, then turns back to the Winchesters. “Work for me!” she urges, “it’s a good deal. Bonus–I won’t kill your friends.” “All right, look,” says Dean, “for the last few months we’ve been working for an evil dick; we’re not about to sign up for an evil bitch. We don’t work with demons. We don’t work with monsters. And if that means you gotta kill us, then kill us! “Or I turn you, and you do what I want anyway,” she says. “Beat me with a wire hanger, the answer’s still no,” says Dean. (Ed. note: Joan Crawford call-out!) Eve-Mary slams her hands down hard on Dean’s shoulders. When Sam tries to go to his brother’s aid,, he’s subdued by two of her minions. “Get offa me,” says Sam. “Don’t. Test. Me.” Eve-Mary warns Dean, speaking into his ear. “Bite me,” invites Dean. She does exactly that. Sam struggles to get to him, Cas cries out, “Dean!”, and Bobby also tries to reach Dean. Eve-Mary coughs violently. She has begun to burn from the inside, much like a demon who has taken a bullet from TGTCKA. Dean rises from the stool, holding his bleeding neck, smiling triumphantly, and says, “Phoenix ash–one shell, one shot of whiskey, down the hatch, a little musty on the after-burn. Call ya later, Mom.” Eve loses Mary’s appearance, returning to her own. Her face and body continue to deteriorate, blood, snot and what appears to be ectoplasm spilling down her face, which has grown mottled with veins. She catches the eye of Sam, Dean, Castiel and Bobby, as more fluids flow from all the orifices we can see. Finally, she falls to the floor, returning Cas’ powers to him. Car alarms blare, lights flash inside the diner too brightly to be borne, then fade to darkness.
Surveying the carnage around them in the diner, Bobby opines to Cas, “We’ve got to take you on more monster hunts.” Cas gazes down at the dead Eve. “Dean’s bleeding pretty good,” Sam tells the angel. “I think she turned me into a Jefferson Starship,” says Dean gruffly, “can you clear that up, too?” Cas touches Dean’s shoulder, making him well again. “All right, we’re good, we gotta go, now,” says Dean. “Where?” asks Cas. “The kid,” says Dean, “the little kid, he’s one of ’em.” “Unbelievable!” Cas says, on the verge of exploding. “I know, Cas, you told me, all right,” says Dean, “let’s just go!” Cas shakes his head.
Random: Someone sets down a shotgun shell and we hear the sound of fluttering wings.
Kids’ uncle’s house, where the uncle lies dead. – “So we kill the wicked witch and she STILL wins!” says Dean angrily, –“they could have turned half the town by now!” Cas turns to speak. “DON’T say it,” warns Dean. Bobby finds the two brothers, dead, on the steps leading down to the basement. “Who ganked them?” asks Dean. Sam finds the answer in the sulfur on the floor–“Demons. What do you think?” Answers Dean: I think demons don’t give a crap about monster tweens unless they’re told to.” “So you think she was tellin’ the truth?” asks Sam. “The truth about what?” asks Cas. “She says that Crowley’s still kickin’,” reveals Dean. “But I burned his bones,” says Cas, “how could. . .is she certain?” “She sounded pretty sure,” says Dean, “according to her, Crowley’s still water-boarding her kids, somewhere.” I don’t understand,” says Cas. “He’s a crafty son-of-a-bitch,” says Dean. “I’m an angel, I’ll look into it immediately,” insists Cas, and flies away. “CAS! Let us know what you find out!” shouts Dean. The other two file past, peculiar expressions on their faces. “What?” asks Dean. “How DID Crowley get away?” asks Bobby–“I mean, it’s not like Cas to make mistakes like that–unless he meant to.” Sam nods reluctantly. “Bobby, this is Cas we’re talkin’ about,” Dean reminds him. He turns to Sam. “Do you believe this?” When Sam doesn’t reply right away, Dean says, “SAM??” Not looking at Dean, Sam says, “Look, it’s probably nothin’, it’s just. . .you know, you’re right, it’s probably nothin’.” Sam and Bobby are gazing at each other, mutually agreeing to agree with each other and not hurt Dean.
Back at the diner where Eve lies dead surrounded by all her Starship children, “If Only You’d Believe in Miracles” plays on the jukebox. Crowley tells Castiel, “Really, Cas, this is getting ridiculous. How many times am I going to have to clean up your messes?” Castiel surveys the demon balefully.
Quiz time!
1. Holy crap, Castiel IS in cohoots with Crowley! Isn’t that punishable by death in heaven, to consort with demons? If not, it should be! What will Dean say and do when he finds this out? Could there possibly be an acceptable reason for this? What do you think, friends?
2. It almost seemed Eve was dispatched too easily, even if the brothers had to go many years into the past to get phoenix ashes. Is she really, most sincerely dead? What do you think of her tale of woe?
3. So Eve wants Crowley found and killed. Gee, Bobby only had to do a little prayer with a candle to summon him whenever he needed him; couldn’t Eve have done the same, being so powerful and all? Why do these powerful beings always have the hadest time doing what’s so easy for lesser beings?
4. So Eve created monsters for hunters to kill? Just a few surplus here and there to be beheaded for fun? I still don’t get the purpose of the hybrids. Anyone else understand why she was cross-breeding?
5. Two songs about miracles played on the jukebox in the ep–“If Only You’d Believe in Miracles” and “You Sexy Thing.” Any idea what those songs had to do with this episode or with each other in conjuction with this episode? Eve was a sexy thing, I guess, in some way, and created her share of miracles, but somehow, I don’t think that’s it, LOL.
6. Joe and Ryan, two boys, probably four years apart in age, just like Sam and Dean. Cas was annoyed that the Winchesters “wasted” time in saving them, especially when it turned out they were anything but saved. This made me so sad. Did this make you feel hopeless for Sam and Dean, too? Even with our intrepid heros on their side, they still died..
7. If it were up to you, would you have done what Cas wanted or Sam and Dean regarding the little brothers? How about Lenore? Were you with Cas for a quick, painless death or with Dean and Sam for Witness Protection and life?
8. How did you feel about this ep, yay, nay or mixed? Was it fun seeing Samantha Smith back? I loved her as Eve, so sharp, funny and savage. Bravo!
9 Personally, I’m having a blast with the four MusketeersSam, Dean, Bobby and Casgoing on cases together. It’s so much fun to see them interacting with each other in different combinations, with humor, pathos and viewpoints. Bobby with Cas can be pretty interesting, huh?
Well it’s interesting that Sam and Dean tried to save the brothers, but were too late. This bothered Cas who of course tried to save Dean from Hell, but was too late. An interesting parallel.
I think Eve was part of the natural order. She made monsters, they sometimes lived, sometimes died, but there was a balance. Ths is sort of like in nature with animals who are preditor or prey. Animal populations are threatened or changed when humans interfere. I guess it’s that way with monsters too! Sam and Dean upset the order.
Well, it was an awesome episode, very funny in parts, and the ‘Jefferson Starships’ was trending on twitter wordlwide! I love this fandom 😆
I knew Ryan was one.
I also thought that Crowley was still out there. and I don’t think Eve is dead ethier!
I nearly burst into tears 😥 when i found out about Cas 🙁 and Dean’s face when Bobby and Sam told him that, was heartbreaking, he’s not gunna want to believe it next week 😥
I really hope Cass, stops using the souls and working with Crowley, and i hope the thought that came to me isn’t true… About Sam’s soul. I hope Cass didn’t go there.
I don’t want him to die 😮
[b]1. Holy crap, Castiel IS in cohoots with Crowley! Isn’t that punishable by death in heaven, to consort with demons? If not, it should be! What will Dean say and do when he finds this out? Could there possibly be an acceptable reason for this? What do you think, friends?[/b]
I don’t think that this situation is punishable by death, but I don’t think that it is looked upon fondly. Dean is not going to be happy about this situation. Cas is going to have to do a lot of explaining and I don’t think any of us are going to like his reasoning.
[b]2. It almost seemed Eve was dispatched too easily, even if the brothers had to go many years into the past to get phoenix ashes. Is she really, most sincerely dead? What do you think of her tale of woe?[/b]
I don’t think that Eve is dead. I think she has been returned back to Purgatory where she was before she was resurrected by the dragons. I’m sure she could come back again if the rituals was performed again. As for her tale, it makes sense. Those souls belonged to her in Purgatory and so, she would want to protect what she thought rightly belonged to her.
[b]3. So Eve wants Crowley found and killed. Gee, Bobby only had to do a little prayer with a candle to summon him whenever he needed him; couldn’t Eve have done the same, being so powerful and all? Why do these powerful beings always have the hardest time doing what’s so easy for lesser beings?[/b]
I think that the rituals don’t work well for them. They can be ignored. Eve may not have been aware of the summoning ritual for Crowley whereas Bobby, Dean and Sam have used it in the past.
[b]4. So Eve created monsters for hunters to kill? Just a few surplus here and there to be beheaded for fun? I still don’t get the purpose of the hybrids. Anyone else understand why she was cross-breeding?[/b]
The hybrids were Eve’s version of a biology/chemistry experiment. She wanted to see what combinations would survive an examination made by hunters especially experienced ones like Dean, Sam and Bobby and end up being the worst kind of all. By being able to blend in and be stealth, more people could be infected and turned into her following.
[b]5. Two songs about miracles played on the jukebox in the ep–â€If Only You’d Believe in Miracles†and “You Sexy Thing.†Any idea what those songs had to do with this episode or with each other in conjuction with this episode? Eve was a sexy thing, I guess, in some way, and created her share of miracles, but somehow, I don’t think that’s it, LOL.[/b]
Wasn’t the first song, “If Only You’d Believe in Miracles” by Jefferson Airplane that later became known as Jefferson Starship. So, maybe they were trying to soften all the jokes made towards the band in this episode by letting the group get paid for music rights. As for “You Sexy Thing”, I think that just referred to Eve and how she looked at the time. Men were drooling over her prior to the bloody rampage that took place in the bar.
[b]6. Joe and Ryan, two boys, probably four years apart in age, just like Sam and Dean. Cas was annoyed that the Winchesters “wasted†time in saving them, especially when it turned out they were anything but saved. This made me so sad. Did this make you feel hopeless for Sam and Dean, too? Even with our intrepid heros on their side, they still died.. [/b]
Those two boys reminded me of Sam and Dean. The older brother was the take charge, protective one and the younger one was the one who depended on the older one while suffering from an internal evil presence. I do wish things had turned out differently for them.
[b]7. If it were up to you, would you have done what Cas wanted or Sam and Dean regarding the little brothers? How about Lenore? Were you with Cas for a quick, painless death or with Dean and Sam for Witness Protection and life?[/b]
I guess I would have gone with Sam and Dean on the brothers situation especially if I didn’t know anything else about them. They were young and had their whole life in front of them. As for Lenore, death was the only option for her. Since she had already fed on a human, her vampire instincts would have only gotten stronger to the point of being a danger for all. She knew that and so did Sam and Dean. Cas just hurried up the process, but in a cold-hearted way. Totally not like Cas at all.
[b]8. How did you feel about this ep, yay, nay or mixed? Was it fun seeing Samantha Smith back? I loved her as Eve, so sharp, funny and savage. Bravo![/b]
I LOVED this episode. I had mixed feelings about this season, but now, I’m on board. It’s turning out to be one of the best! As for Samantha Smith, it was a pleasure seeing her again. She was terrific.
[b]9 Personally, I’m having a blast with the four Musketeers—Sam, Dean, Bobby and Cas—going on cases together. It’s so much fun to see them interacting with each other in different combinations, with humor, pathos and viewpoints. Bobby with Cas can be pretty interesting, huh?[/b]
Yes, the interactions between the Four Musketeers was great. Cas and Bobby do make a great team. I seemed to recall some friction in the past in their relationship, but none was present this time. Dean definitely had a great time teasing Cas. It was also good to see Dean show how intellectual he actually is…I mean, figuring out that maybe the Phoenix ash needed to be ingested in order to kill Eve was pretty smart. Sam also showed how he could tolerate Dean’s little moments such as naming the new monster. I think in the past he would have given Dean a hard time about naming it “Jefferson Starship” instead of just letting it go. They sure have evolved.
[b]1. Holy crap, Castiel IS in cohoots with Crowley! Isn’t that punishable by death in heaven, to consort with demons? If not, it should be! What will Dean say and do when he finds this out? Could there possibly be an acceptable reason for this? What do you think, friends?[/b]
We know, from Balthazar, that once Castiel decided to join Team Free Will and thwart the Apocalypse that the Angel Rule Book was largely discarded. Any angel seems to be able to anything they please now—right down to Balthazar’s brief period (unless he hasn’t stopped and would you be surprised?) as a Crossroads Demon/Angel. What Cas is doing with Crowley, I think, is frowned upon and would be still a capital offense to the traditionalists backing Raphael, but to those who have chosen to side with Cas, they see it as ends justifying means so to speak. I just wonder how balanced Cas and Crowley’s “partnership” truly is. I got the sense that Crowley is the one with more power in the relationship. Saying that, I don’t mean Crowley is more powerful, I just think he’s the one in charge of the partnership. I think Dean will blow a gasket once he moves beyond his own denial. Sam and Bobby seemed to put the pieces together but Dean was almost that child with his hands to his ears shouting “I CAN’T HEAR YOU!” Once he actually admits it to himself that Cas’s deceptions have run this deep I don’t know if he’ll accept any reason for what Cas has done—no matter how good the intentions were. To Dean, it will feel much the same way it had when Sam had sided with Ruby in season 4.
[b]2. It almost seemed Eve was dispatched too easily, even if the brothers had to go many years into the past to get phoenix ashes. Is she really, most sincerely dead? What do you think of her tale of woe?[/b]
I don’t believe, as I didn’t when Crowley bought it, that Eve is dead. I think this vessel is toast, but to ice the Mother of All so quickly and easily? Forget it. Not a chance. I think in ways it’s much like exorcising a demon. She simply got sent back to Purgatory—a place we were told by Bobby she had been trapped in for nearly 10,000 years. I also doubt that this is truly the last time we’ve seen her–perhaps for this season it is the last time, but not for good with a season 7. I got the impression that this is not the first time either hunters, demons, or angels have put Eve back into Purgatory, either. I felt we learned more about Eve in this episode and more to her motivations. She’s a mother who loves her children very much and is only here wreaking havoc because Crowley is hurting her children—something she will not stand idly by and allow. It makes her a much more likeable villain. She’s not entirely evil—and I think she’s a much more rational being than the brothers have faced. I do actually hope we get to see them interact with her more in the future.
[b]3. So Eve wants Crowley found and killed. Gee, Bobby only had to do a little prayer with a candle to summon him whenever he needed him; couldn’t Eve have done the same, being so powerful and all? Why do these powerful beings always have the hardest time doing what’s so easy for lesser beings?[/b]
It’s a good question as to why Eve doesn’t simply summon Crowley herself when a human being can. Perhaps because of who and what she is there’s limitations put on to prevent her from doing so? Her power is different than a demonic power or angelic power, after all. I think it’s part of that Natural Order thing to an extent. Crowley wants Purgatory for himself after all—and if you think about it, why hasn’t he sought her or summoned her, either? I think if she could summon him or vice versa they could have exterminated one another and this would throw everything out of balance. I could be wrong, but my guess it comes to this underpinning current of this season. It’s obvious that souls are divided up—perhaps equally until the balance was upset by the thwarted Apocalypse—between Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory. If they could eliminate one another so easily you would also upset this balance—it could be that countermeasure.
[b]4. So Eve created monsters for hunters to kill? Just a few surplus here and there to be beheaded for fun? I still don’t get the purpose of the hybrids. Anyone else understand why she was cross-breeding?[/b]
I don’t think Eve created monsters simply to give Hunters something to do. I think she created her children with love—perhaps a love we won’t understand, but love none the less. Hunters emerged as humans sought ways to protect themselves from monsters. I think her cross breeding attempts are to make more resilient monsters that are much much harder to kill and are capable of spreading through the human population, overtaking them. She did say that she was going to make a soul grab and take them ALL. Monsters can’t go up or down. Heaven and Hell, therefore, would be cut out of the equation and neutralized. I think Eve has decided that if Heaven and Hell choose to ignore the Natural Order and balance she’ll simply settle it for them by eliminating any need for either. It’s a clever plan and it might have worked if not for the fact that now the cat is out of the bag. But that cat is out of the bag and I think it’ll be a race to stop this from spreading just as the Croatoan virus Lucifer wanted to unleash could have made all humans demonic zombies. I’ll be curious to see how they do this.
[b]5. Two songs about miracles played on the jukebox in the ep–â€If Only You’d Believe in Miracles†and “You Sexy Thing.†Any idea what those songs had to do with this episode or with each other in conjunction with this episode? Eve was a sexy thing, I guess, in some way, and created her share of miracles, but somehow, I don’t think that’s it, LOL.[/b]
I actually think it might be due to Eve creating miracles. She was, essentially, giving birth to a new species and we all know people refer to birth as a miracle. If you take it from her point of view, the song “If You’d Believe In Miracles” makes perfect sense. She sees her children as miracles, after all. And hey, I do think she felt she was a sexy thing indeed. Her vessel is very pretty. I think it’s ironic, though, that her vessel is a virgin and yet she’s a mother. Any parallel to Mary, mother of Jesus?
[b]6. Joe and Ryan, two boys, probably four years apart in age, just like Sam and Dean. Cas was annoyed that the Winchesters “wasted†time in saving them, especially when it turned out they were anything but saved. This made me so sad. Did this make you feel hopeless for Sam and Dean, too? Even with our intrepid heros on their side, they still died.. [/b]
I felt we were watching a micro and rapid retelling to an extent of Sam and Dean’s adventure. It was obvious that Joe was Dean and the loving older brother willing to do anything for his little brother. It was also obvious that Ryan was Sam, the little brother affected the most by what had happened to his family—all the while being the ticking time bomb waiting to explode due to some tampering—this time monster tampering as opposed to demonic. They clearly loved and cared for each other, but this was not enough to stop what was to happen. I don’t think it really makes Sam and Dean’s future bleak. Instead, I think it reminds them of just what they’re fighting for: each other. Sure, they failed here and they will suffer this loss, but I hope they will take heart from this correlation and use it to reinforce their newly strengthened bond.
[b]7. If it were up to you, would you have done what Cas wanted or Sam and Dean regarding the little brothers? How about Lenore? Were you with Cas for a quick, painless death or with Dean and Sam for Witness Protection and life?[/b]
I think I would have sided with Sam and Dean. Sam was much like the Sam we knew before Ruby twisted his good intentions. He was willing to see the good and the hope for both Lenore and the little boys. Sure, it would have been harder to do what Sam and Dean wanted to do with both cases, but nothing that is worth something is ever easy. And besides, if there is no hope left what is there left to fight for anyways? If the quick and painless death was truly the right answer, why not simply kill off the planet? Why did they even bother thwarting the Apocalypse then? Having hope is always the answer. Being willing to try should always be the first choice.
[b]8. How did you feel about this ep, yay, nay or mixed? Was it fun seeing Samantha Smith back? I loved her as Eve, so sharp, funny and savage. Bravo![/b]
I absolutely loved this episode. It was well done in all facets from the humor we were granted in such a dark episode (Sam’s jibe at Dean for hurting Cas’s feelings. The digs at the slash aspect in fandom pairing Cas and Dean together. The naming of the new monster as “Jefferson Starships.”) to the answers and questions provided. We also go to see the return of Samantha Smith who was a fantastic Eve, owning those scenes. And most of all, we got to see Dean not as just the excellent fighter and big brother we know and love, we got to see him as the wickedly clever hunter we KNOW he is. Hell, Dean’s the one who invented the rock salt rounds in the first place. He’s not stupid. It was nice to see him, all on his own, thwart Eve more or less. Sam and Bobby seemed both stunned by his play at drinking the ashes and tricking Eve into biting him. Brilliant!
[b]9 Personally, I’m having a blast with the four Musketeers—Sam, Dean, Bobby and Cas—going on cases together. It’s so much fun to see them interacting with each other in different combinations, with humor, pathos and viewpoints. Bobby with Cas can be pretty interesting, huh?[/b]
I think it’s fascinating to see this become a foursome hunting group. Each person in the group brings their own skill set and abilities to the table and while it would be very easy for Cas to simply destroy whatever it is they are hunting, the boys still have had to do a lot of leg work and old school detective work to figure out things—and not just because Cas was rendered powerless this episode. I think it also gives us a chance to see more interaction between the characters and reveal things we might not have seen otherwise. So for me, it’s a win. That doesn’t mean I wouldn’t mind seeing just Sam and Dean in the Impala hunting things, saving people, though.
I hope this response was up to your expectations. And now I KNOW I’m way too long winded to have to split this in TWO.
I must say, your lengthy response flattered me tremendously, and I especially agree with your responses to questions 8 and 9.
I put hours of work (often as much as 10) into my rambles, and when I see someone put as much work into my quiz questions as you do, I feel like every single one of them is worth it. Of course, I’m grateful for every single response I receive, no matter how long, but yours, Far Away Eyes, make me feel very humble.
Love,
Robin
Robin,
You humble me.
I’m just kicking myself because it took me this long to actually dip my feet into the fandom. I’ve been reading the site since about the time I got caught up on the series, but just didn’t know if I should dive on in. Now I’m very glad that I did, considering all the warmth from people like you!
I’ve been kicking around the idea of doing a season 6 essay—but I need for the season to be complete to really do it right, so I understand the time put into something like your rambles.
It’s mostly just neat to see how intellectual this fandom truly is, and I’m so glad you’ve welcomed me to be a part of it.
Far Away Eyes
Thanks, Robin, for another enjoyable article.
I was fascinated by Eve’s dialogue with Sam and Dean – I thought that was very well written and protrayed.
I do have some reservations with Cas / Crowley alliance – I hope Supernatural does not get too complicated and tie itself in knots. For example, I am not sure how the Cas / Crowley alliance (now revealed) sits with what happened in Caged Heat.
Thanks, as always, for reading and commending!
I was totally chilled by Mary-Eve and her discussion with Sam and Dean! I wanted to hug them to get the filth of their mother’s visage and voice speaking those hateful words, and to have his own mother bite his throat. . .!
Terrible! But so effective.
Love,
Robin
Hi Robin, since I won’t have time to write an Open Couch this week, I am free to join in your quiz game (usually when writing an article of my own, I shy away from reading other to not spoil my own emotions towards the episode).
Okay, let’s go
1) I was not very shocked by finding out that Castiel is working with Crowley. If Heaven is , indeed, without a regent then God isn’t there to keep an eye on his winged subjects.
I think Dean will be very, very hurt when he finds out. Angry, yes, disappointed, too, but most of all deeply hurt. He considers Cas to be a member of the family, a dear, intimate friend and brother – not only in arms, but in spirit and heart, too.
I think Dean will be devastated, and it might take Sam to get him out of the state of shock I’m expecting. That state will probably show itself in wild aggression, cursing, yelling or simply in not-talking. I am very curious about it.
I wouldn’t say at this point that it’s punishable by death. I’m sure there is a reason for it. Cas would never consort with demons unless he had a good reason. Perhaps he’s at a similar watershed mark as Sam was a while ago – determined to do the right thing, even if that means to work with demons.
It might also be that Crowley is blackmailing him somehow (he doesn’t have God in one of his cages, does he? I think in Supernatural’s realm anything might be possible, but perhaps the show would not go there).
2) You know, from a monster’s point of view, I understand her. From that point of view I almost feel sympathy for her. But, I’m human. And I can’t condone the killing of innocent people for whatever reason. But is she really dead?
I think she was something like a [i]MacGuffin[/i] actually, a means to drive the plot along to the important matters: the war in heaven and the roles angels and demons play in it. So, I don’t expect her to come back at this point. Her job within the storyline is done.
3) Good question. Perhaps the powers exclude one another. But – was Crowley already the king of hell earlier? Hasn’t he stepped up to that after Lucifer was re-caged? I’d like to know exactly since when Crowley wields this kind of power.
4) it’s too early in the morning for me to get out my genetic knowledge. Richard Dawkins, where are you when I need you?!
You know, if hybrids combine the best of both worlds, then she was cross-breeding for genetic dominance. Take the best and most useful (for survival and breeding) from two beings and unite them to create a superior creature. The monster version of Aryan preference, I’d say. She was being a female Frankenstein. We only missed her crying out [i]‘It’s alive![/i]’ 😉
5) That choice of songs was great, I thought. The Sexy Thing that turned on the poor guys that got infected. Same goes for the scene the Miracles-song was used. I think it’s the irony typical for Supernatural – it’s a black humour thing. Plus: I loved the contrast between the uptempo, somewhat happy songs and the terror in the scenes.
6) oh, yes, Robin, it did. The Winchesters saw so much in them, in particular to be seen in that scene where the little boys are sitting in the back seat, the older offering the younger one his shoulder to get rest. Immediately Sam and Dean exchanged glances. They both saw a scene like they had surely experienced on a drive with dad.
They needed to save these boys, for their lives were going to be affected just like the Winchester lives were when they had their first brush with the supernatural. They needed to try to set it right. And even if there hadn’t been this parallel to their own lives – to my mind, even in a crisis, when you have the chance to save two kids, you need to do it.
Even if the bigger picture is hanging over you. There is at least one or two lives I can definitely save. But that’s just me.
7) I think already answered that – I would have tried to save the boys.
And with Lenore – I think after all she’d been through, she was weary of this life, even more because fear was driving her insane. It’s similar with illness: if a person severely ill and only suffering would ask me to give her meds to end her life, I would do it. I’ve seen people suffer shortly before death, my parents and patients in hospitals I worked during my studies dying from Aids and cancer, and I would do what was necessary to ease their suffering.
So, I think I would have respected Lenore’s wishes and killed her quickly. Simply because I think there is no such thing as witness protection in the paranormal world. Living in constant fear all the time? No, thank you.
8)
I loved to see Samantha Smith again. She’s such a beautiful woman, really. I think this episode was what I call a builder episode – one building up to the climax of the story, delivering information we’re going to need and bringing the protagonists closer to the needed state of mind. I liked the episode, I did, but I think the really important ones are still to come.
9)yes! But will it truly be one for all and all for one? I have thought of them as the four Musketeers for a long time. I love the idea (and the book is one of my all-time faves, too), but I fear this beautiful image will suffer with the storyline of this season. I hope not irreparably.
Thanks Robin, answering those was fun!
Love, Jas
Wow, Jasminka, I feel like I should be bowing before you, chanting, “I am not worthy!” That you chose to use my quiz in lieu of your Open Couch makes me feel very special.
I do think Dean is going to be very hurt by what he will see as Cas’ betrayal, even if Cas can show what he, as Sam did before him, as the end justifying the means. It’s going to be a devastating disappointment for Dean.
I also agree that this was a “builder” episode, and the next three will be a lot meatier and more horrifying, both for the characters and us. I see horrific cliffhangers in our future; thank God we got our 7th season in the bag! Whew!
I don’t know if there is a blackmail situation going on between Cas and Crowley (all it would take is for the latter to hold death over Dean’s head for the former to cave), but it’s probably a shades of gray explanation, not a black and white one.
Once again, Jas, I am not worthy!
Love,
Robin
Oh, Robin, dear, not at all, really! You make me blush and wanting to say – ‘I don’t know what to say’ 😳 , and I don’t really… (and this coming from the gal who makes he living by talking to other people).
So, just Thank you.
And – you are special. Just the way you are. I’m certain of that!
Love, Jas
We actually do see the sheriff again. When Dean comes back, there is a brief second where it shows the sheriff’s body without a head, and then the scene pans to Dean who says: “Rigorous interrogation huh?”.
I’m not to sure if Eve is actually dead or not; it just seemed too sudden of a death.
I really don’t like what’s going on with Cas. I hope he will stop working with Crowley soon, and stop whatever he’s doing with the souls. I would like to have the old Cas back from the 5th season.
I don’t think any of us want to believe Cas is doing something evil and wrong behind the Winchesters’ backs, and I sure hope our handsome angel has a good explanation!
But deep in my heart, I have a bad feeling about all this.
Love,
Robin
I will be interested in Deans reaction to Castiel too? ? there is something I am curious about . Sam was oddly passive in this episode and I have no idea why? ? .the ideas of the Four muskateers is a romantic idea as long has Sam is not the passive partner in the group . .
I suspect as long as he doesn’t remember what’s behind the wall in his head, Sam will be like the seasons 1-2 Sam.
However, that wall is going to blow in the final episode of S6, and I have NOT read or seen any spoilers. This is just something I’m sure has to happen.
Love,
Robin
[b]1. Holy crap, Castiel IS in cohoots with Crowley! Isn’t that punishable by death in heaven, to consort with demons? If not, it should be! What will Dean say and do when he finds this out? Could there possibly be an acceptable reason for this? What do you think, friends? [/b]
Given that heaven appears to be running amok, I doubt it. Castiel consorted with humans last year and that (at the time at least) seemed to be considered worse. Plus, nothing happened to Castiel after he delivered pizza to a demon so….
What’ll Dean say? An awful lot! I get the feeling he’ll forgive Castiel if his actions don’t involve Sam. If they do we’ll probably see the Apocalypse ala Dean.
What will he do? Not much he can do really. Might attempt to gank Castiel? It’s hard to say what he’ll do until we know what Castiel is up to. An acceptable reason? All reasons are acceptable to the person who’s giving them! Sam felt he had an acceptable reason for drinking demon blood; it just wasn’t acceptable to anyone else. Dean felt he had an acceptable reason for selling his soul and ditto.
[b]2. It almost seemed Eve was dispatched too easily, even if the brothers had to go many years into the past to get phoenix ashes. Is she really, most sincerely dead? What do you think of her tale of woe?[/b]
If this were not a TV show (?) I’d be saying no, she’s not dead but I don’t think she was well developed enough to warrant being bought back. I sympathised with her. Crowley was torturing and killing her children, what was she supposed to do, just sit back?
Actually, I think Sam and Dean might have lost out on a good opportunity. I imagine Eve would have made a powerful (and useful) ally….
[b]3. So Eve wants Crowley found and killed. Gee, Bobby only had to do a little prayer with a candle to summon him whenever he needed him; couldn’t Eve have done the same, being so powerful and all? Why do these powerful beings always have the hadest time doing what’s so easy for lesser beings?[/b]
Because Bobby is a genius, obviously!
Ah, I think Crowley was still a crossroads demon when Bobby summoned him and they were quite easy to summon. Now that he’s the King of Hell (apparently) I imagine the means by which to reach him are a lot more difficult.
[b]4. So Eve created monsters for hunters to kill? Just a few surplus here and there to be beheaded for fun? I still don’t get the purpose of the hybrids. Anyone else understand why she was cross-breeding?[/b]
I imagine she was cross-breeding to make them more difficult to kill. If, for example, you need to behead a vampire but use silver on a werewolf, if you had a vampire/werewolf hybrid it would give them a better chance of survival. Don’t some viruses evolve as soon as they’re close to being cured? Maybe the same applies here.
[b]5. Two songs about miracles played on the jukebox in the ep–â€If Only You’d Believe in Miracles†and “You Sexy Thing.†Any idea what those songs had to do with this episode or with each other in conjuction with this episode? Eve was a sexy thing, I guess, in some way, and created her share of miracles, but somehow, I don’t think that’s it, LOL. [/b]
No clue, sorry. My knowledge of music and its connotations is fairly limited.
[b]6. Joe and Ryan, two boys, probably four years apart in age, just like Sam and Dean. Cas was annoyed that the Winchesters “wasted†time in saving them, especially when it turned out they were anything but saved. This made me so sad. Did this make you feel hopeless for Sam and Dean, too? Even with our intrepid heros on their side, they still died.[/b]
This is where I’m disappointed. For the past few seasons it’s been Team Free Will, make your own destiny etc etc and it was great because it gave people a bit of hope. This season seems to have turned that on its head and free will seems to be redundant.
Lenore was intent on not doing the whole blood drinking thing, she did it anyway. Dean died so Sam could live, Sam died anyway. Sam went in the Cage to stop the Apocalypse, the Apocalypse could happen anyway. Joe and Ryan were destined to die and despite Sam and Dean’s best efforts, they died anyway.
It seems that the things the boys have been fighting so hard for, doesn’t exist. Kinda sucks.
[b]7. If it were up to you, would you have done what Cas wanted or Sam and Dean regarding the little brothers? How about Lenore? Were you with Cas for a quick, painless death or with Dean and Sam for Witness Protection and life?
[/b]
This is almost the crux of the series, trying to change the natural order. Should John/Dean have killed Sam early on or leave him to his fate? Should you kill one innocent to save hundreds? Should you potentially kill 3bn in order to save another 3bn?
For Lenore, I’d go for the quick and (hopefully) painless death. As Jasminka said, she seemed exhausted by the strain of living and with the realisation that she is in fact a blood drinker, her struggle was only going to get more painful so I was with Castiel on this one.
In relation to the two boys; given that even I can drive 30 miles in less than an hour (and I drive a crock of crap) I’d have done what Sam and Dean did. If it took longer, or the danger was more imminent I’d probably have been with Castiel, or rang the uncle to collect the kids etc. Course if I knew then what I know now…..
[b]8. How did you feel about this ep, yay, nay or mixed? Was it fun seeing Samantha Smith back? I loved her as Eve, so sharp, funny and savage. Bravo!
[/b]
The episode itself? Definitely yay. Plenty of storyline development, great acting, witty one-liners etc. However, various realisations in the episodes aftermath have left me feeling very, very mixed.
Fun seeing Samantha Smith back? Not for me. I think she’s carted out too often for the same purpose ie crank up the angst for the boys. It feels as if the producers etc don’t have enough confidence in the characters they created (Eve) so they wheeled out Kripkes old reliables (Mary and Crowley). It’s happened so often it’s kind of lost its impact for me.
[b]9. Personally, I’m having a blast with the four Musketeers—Sam, Dean, Bobby and Cas—going on cases together. It’s so much fun to see them interacting with each other in different combinations, with humor, pathos and viewpoints. Bobby with Cas can be pretty interesting, huh?[/b]
Bobby is interesting with everyone! I liked his scenes with both Sam and Castiel in this because we rarely get to see those two couples interacting on their own. That Bobby is a fountain of rationality and wisdom. Bless him!
Thanks once again for these, Robin.