Alice’s Recap – “Slash Fiction”
Okay, now for the explosive scene that’s been three episodes in the making. If you didn’t call this you really don’t watch this show. Now, I’m not saying I was eagerly waiting to see this moment, but we all knew it was happening. Too much history. Dean has the two heads of their dopplegangers in a bag in the back of the empty Acadian trunk. Well, mostly empty. The freed My Little Pony toy from earlier is back there now. Sigh, it’s not even a cool trunk like the Impala. I hope baby isn’t gone long. Dean’s feeling pretty jovial, but one look through the rear window of the open hatchback (great shot!) shows Sam is not happy. He’s still stewing.
Dean clearly sees something is wrong and tells Sam to talk. Sam says “nothing” but it’s obvious it’s something. “Well that’s convincing,” Dean sarcastically answers. So he starts guessing what the problem is, like maybe the fact that they were just cloned by two evil monsters. “Did monster us give you the jeebs, because I gotta be honest, I’m not looking in the mirror for a while myself.” Okay, that’s enough, Sam will talk. “You really want to know what’s wrong?”
Dean, obviously not seeing the intense hurt and suppressed anger in his brother’s eyes, gives a light hearted “Yeah, you know my motto, here to help.” Oh Dean, you just set it up. “Here to help,” a seething Sam says. “Kind of like you helped Amy?” And there it is. Dean looks like he’s been busted. “Listen, Sam…” Nope, Sam isn’t gonna hear any of it. “Don’t…don’t lie to me again. You know, don’t even talk to me.”
Dean gives him an unapologetic look and Sam can’t take it anymore. “Yeah, I can’t.” He grabs his things from the back of the Acadian. “You know what Dean, I can’t.” He starts walking away. Now this has a tinge of a married couple having a fight. Okay, perhaps more than a tinge. “You can’t what?” Dean asks. “I can’t talk to you right now,” Sam says still walking. Then he turns around and throws out the patented Sam Winchester wide open arms of frustration (I swear I need to gather a montage of those). “Dean, I can’t even be around you right now!”
Dean doesn’t get where this is going. “I think you should go on without me,” Sam says. Dean nods, but does nothing, so Sam gives him a stern “Go.” Dean calmly agrees, but not without a gentle, “Sorry Sam.” Sam’s scowling face isn’t exactly accepting the apology. Sam slings his bag over his shoulder and starts walking to the other side of the pier. I’m assuming that’s all for drama since he’s not going to walk off it. I think. Roll credits.
Now you get my two cents on this whole Sam and Dean rift thing. I’ve made it pretty clear in my recent reviews (plus in the beginning of this recap), this whole Dean’s secret about killing Amy thing has been an utter bunch of crap. I’m not saying killing her was wrong, but lying to Sam about it, especially after he promised Sam he wouldn’t, there’s where the stinkage lies. It’s forced drama. Since we have it though, let’s take a closer look.
Sam is obviously not stable, no matter what sort of front he’s putting up. Leviathan!Sam confirmed that. So far, we as an audience have been led to believe Sam’s inner strength is solely coming from his full faith in his brother. “Believe me, you’ve got to believe me. You gotta make it stone number one and build on it.” (That scene BTW still gives me chills!)
Theoretically, what happens when stone #1 begins to crumble? Does everything come down? In this case, probably not right away. Sam is stronger than that but it doesn’t help him much. Little lapses in faith, strength, character, the stress of the Leviathan hunting him, all will probably allow “Satan vision” to seep through in damaging ways. Not only can Sam not trust Dean, but by Dean hiding the truth, Sam knows that Dean doesn’t trust him or think he’s capable of making sound decisions. He probably already suspected what Leviathan!Dean said, that Dean still thinks he’s nuts. This incident only reinforces that belief. What do you do in Sam’s case? How can you draw strength when everything is crumbling and the one person that you can rely on doesn’t think you can function as a normal human being?
That’s why Dean lied. He believed Amy had to die (something I’m not saying is wrong) but if he told Sam what he was doing, it would hurt Sam in more ways than one. Dean had to know he’d find out though, right? Maybe he figured by the time Sam did find out, he’d be stable enough to handle it. I don’t know, but I’m sure that’s one reason why Dean let Sam walk away. He has to give Sam some time and space, see if he crumbles or deals with it. I wonder how close the Acadian is parked out of view though, watching Sam’s every move.
Given the whole mess that was created the last three episodes, I have to say, the way it played out here is pretty good. I liked it because there wasn’t a lot of shouting, messy dialogue, punches being thrown, etc. Sam just chose to walk away for a bit, and Dean let him. It’s honestly one of the more mature conversations these two have had. Sam is extremely angry and hurt but didn’t open up the opportunity to do or say something he’ll regret later. Remember “When The Levee Breaks?” Sure, Sam wasn’t exactly in his right mind in that one, but how much would you bet he wishes he could take that all back? Here, I think he’s handling his outrage properly. He needs time to absorb it all.
I already saw the preview clip for Friday’s episode and I won’t give away too much except to say, there’s a lot these two still need to work out. Hopefully we get more than that sorry little clip.
Overall, I’m giving “Slash Fiction” an A. I think it’s up there with the first two episodes of the season. I hope to see more from Robbie Thompson. In the meantime, I can always think of this one with a smile. And I no longer get sick when hearing Air Supply. Major win!
Thanks!
enjoyed it alice! it was like i relived the ep which i adored!! agree especially with the ending, it was mature of them, sam to walk away & dean to let him. i also think that dean will be hiding behind trees!
Nice recap, Alice.
‘Honeybunny’ is from Pulp Fiction in the diner scene – I seriously LOL’d
Nice job, Alice. I loved this episode and I have to admit that I used to love Air Supply when I was a teenager in the late 70’s, early 80’s. They had great slow dancing songs! So, I found myself lipsyching right along with Dean.
BTW – I liked how Dean and Sam have handled this new rip in their relationship. This is a more mature response than has been present in the past. This time, Sam left to cool off and Dean let him go. No fuss and no fists thrown. And I agree, Dean is probably watching him from the trees and bushes. I, too, saw the clips from this weeks coming episode and all I can say is about time! I hope they don’t leave it so limited. This has been a long time coming and it is something that needs to be addressed finally once and for all. Then, the show needs to move on and drop this issue and not drag it through the mud. 😀
Alice – Re whether Robbie Thompson is part of the writing team, Jim Michaels tweeted the other day “Robbie Thompson has written episode #712 being directed by Phil Sgriccia! We are currently prepping this script!”
So looks like the answer is that he is part of the team. I am pleased about that as I thought the writing on this ep was great (last scene excepted).
Thanks so much for the recap, I miss them, though I know how much work you put into them. Great episode, great writer, great director, great actors. Most definitely an A.
I loved this episode. I was on such a Supernatural high after the first two episodes of the season…and then 3-6 happened. I have since come to appreciate The Girl Next Door a liitle bit more, but do not like eps 4 and 5 at all. So I was jumping for joy after the end of this one that I flat out loved it. Can we keep Sheriff Mills as a regular? She would make a great addition to the team, and Bobby, Sam, and Dean could really benefit from her presence.
Lovely recap, Alice! The only place I have a different feel for is the end reveal. I think your take on the scene shows that the lie had a big pay off and that the three episode build up was worth it.
I think Dean not trusting Sam to be able to handle a difficult kill fits with what was happening at the time. He had just finished grounding Sam from SatanVision an ep earlier. I understood the lie, even though it was going to be hurtful for Sam in the long run.
I think the time we spent with Dean obviously suffering from lying to Sam and Sam trying to dig the secret out made Sam’s hurt really believable when he finally did get the truth. And I knew why Dean looked actually relieved it had finally come out. It wouldn’t have had near the impact if everything had come out immediately.
I’m really enjoying Sam and Dean renegotiating their relationship and I think they are showing growth. Dean will have to let go a bit with the “big brother saving Sam” and Sam will have to learn not to walk away when he’s upset. I’m loving this plot line.
No Alice. I had the best Pontiac Acadian hatchback (silver too). Lasted me for over 20 years and cost me hardly anything to run except for gas. Was still going strong when I traded it in 2 years ago for a new car. In fact, I bought it in 1988 second hand and it took me 5 years to pay it off.
Best car I ever had so far. (My third car)
Must have been my lucky day on the used car lot. 😛
My first car was a chevette (baby blue). I was the car’s third driver (it went through the family as a handed down car). That was twenty years ago and the car only recently had to be finally retired after a crash. My guess is that the cars were just so simple without any bells and whistles that there just wasn’t a whole lot to break.
Hi Alice thanks for your recap, I love them!!
The scariest scene I’ve seen in Supernatural is the leviathans killing the people like that.
I can’t believe that Sam and Dean were walking around in the city seeing the brutality the leviathans used to kill the civilians, and Sam and Dean didn’t even change their clothes or used mustache or something!! 🙂
Oh! and I loved the my little pony in the car, I was: hey is Cass !! (even it had the wings and all) 😆
I don’t know how the police didn’t know Sam and Dean were still alive cause they supposedly died in season 3, but they have been arrested again in season 4,5 and 6 and as far as I know when the police take you to jail one of the 1st things the police do is take your fingerprints…..
And about the episode ending,
I honestly don’t know if I’m on Dean’s side or Sam’s side. Sam is angry because Dean lied to him and because Dean killed his friend, Do you imagine if your brother kill your friend after you told him not to???. And on the other part Amy killed people because his son was sick what if later her son would get sick again?? she would kill again?, she said no but what if she would do it again??
And well Sam always deal with those situations like he always does, he just walks away, even soulless Sam walked away from Dean at the end of 6×10. I hope we can see how they reunite again next episode.
Hi Alice,
Thanks for the fun recap of this very entertaing episode. (Except for the massacre in the bank vault and the diner. They bother me, because they’re so real and plausible. So, yes I was chanting “puppies and rainbows” too. In fact, I think was playing with our new kitten, and saying “It’s only TV.. It’s only TV)
I loved the witty, sharp writing that propelled the episode forward. And Dean + My Little Pony + Air Supply + Sam Bitchfaces!!! Brilliant!!
I appreciated the way the show actually had a bit of brightness to it, despite the grisly, brutal killings. (Puppies and unicorns.. Puppies and unicorns). Bob still had hope in a future where love and companionship are possible. If Sam & Dean knew that he believed in that possibility, maybe they could have a little faith too.
Also, any time Robert Browning’s line [i]”Ah, but that a man’s reach should exceed his grasp, or what’s a heaven for?”[/i] gets mentioned, it’s a win for me.
And while we’re on the subject of literature, you can find some examples of literary parallels between Supernatural and SE Hinton’s work, in my article “The Winchesters: The Outsiders Who Are Just Ordinary People”.
I have a slightly different interpretation of Levi!Dean’s speech to Sam. I think he was referring to both brothers when he says “you’re strong, uninhibited, and smart enough, believe it or not”, because he goes on to say they’re too busy taking care of each other.
I liked Crazy Government Conspiracist Frank. I think maybe he’s Ronald Resnick’s uncle? I know Sam & Dean are totally capable of making their own ID’s and using disposable cellphones (they did that in Fresh Blood, to evade Gordon), but I think he was introduced as a possible recurring character, and also as a tech genius, something the brothers are not. They’re capable, but not computer wizards. I could be wrong but I got the sense he could manipulate current technology, maybe even make certain facts about the Winchesters disappear from the internet. Just a thought.
As well, I was surprised by Dick Roman (I laughed out loud at the name)and his haughty, hateful attitude with Crowley. I’m wondering if Leviathans and demons have some bad history between them. It also makes me think of God!Cas and his comment to Crowley in the delightfully decrepit trailer in MTNB, when he talks about not wanting to let Michael out of the cage. Conspiracy theorist that I am, I got to pondering whether Michael did more than slay demons and help Daddy banish little brother Lucifer to the Pit. Maybe he was the Archangel who exiled the Leviathan to the Purgatory in the first place. Maybe he even created it? That theory provides resolution to many of the still-dangling Dean/Michael threads. (Oh, how they beg to be explained.)
Of course, resolution, leads me to the end scene… I do think the brothers were fighting in a more equal, mature way. Although it might have been a fresh take if Sam had slugged Dean, and really aired the problem, right then and there.
I agree that Sam is upset that Amy is dead, but more wounded by the fact that Dean said he trusted him and then went and killed her anyway, and then lied to him. The lie and the lack of trust are crushing for Sam right now, as he tries to rebuild his sanity. He needs to believe that Dean believes in him. Now, he’s going to question that. That can’t be good. He needs that Stone #1, so Dean has some work to do in the “foundation repair business.”
Although in fairness to Dean, I don’t think he was in a completely sane state of mind when he killed Amy. He was grieving Cas, and still dealing with the fact Sam couldn’t tell the difference between RealDean and LuciDean and was fired at by his own brother. I’m not sure Dean even totally understands why he killed Amy and that’s going to make it harder to explain or rationalize it to Sam. The show is full of minor monsters who get ganked, and bigtime baddies who walk. Amy is yet another shade of grey in this monochrome.
But, I’m sure that part of the reason Dean lied to Sam was because he was worried about what would happen when Sam found out. I agree that it’s manufactured drama, but I hope the outcome is that they actually get past it, and realize you can be right and wrong at the same time. And if it turns out that Kitsune can kill Leviathan, that will be really weak storytelling!
Tied to that, I think LeviDean only told part of the truth when he said RealDean thinks Sam is off his game. Dean is concerned about how/if Sam can really cope with his Hellucinations. He’s worried about that in terms of how it affects the safety of both brothers. I don’t think it’s as negative a sentiment as LeviDean painted it. He manipulated the truth, much like a demon. I do think JA did a great job with him. I think we need a few more EvilDean characters. They’re spicy and sassy and fun!
My one complaint, and big concern is the description of Sam and Satanvision all the time. My fear is that they’re making him so damaged it strains credulity on how he’s functioning. And if he is still functioning relatively normally, given that much psychic destruction, he’s probably superhuman. And that takes away the need for a brother and friends he can lean on, and get the much-needed support from. It takes away that Ordinary People aspect which I find so appealing.
Thanks Alice,
The very long-winded Pragmatic Dreamer
I enjoyed this very detailed preview – and Pragmatic Dreamer’s (slightly less lengthy :P) post 🙂
Oops. As Dean would say, “Awkward!”. I think I got on a roll, and forgot to stop. Either that, or I just didn’t want to make dinner!
Smiling, with some chagrin,
Pragmatic Dreamer
Thanks for the write up!
No doubt, this was a good one. So many references to the past – you caught so many more than I did – and genuine comedy. I laughed like crazy at Dean and Sam in that horrid little car, with that terrible song, and the innocent and intimidating my little pony. Poor Baby, she’s been mistreated enough already without being replaced by an Acadian.
I loved seeing Sheriff Jodie back, and while her civilian manner was different, much more relaxed and friendly, it rounds out her character, and does not to detract from her ability to kick ass in later episodes. She’s the best female character to debut on the show since Ellen. I have liked her interactions with Bobby in the past, and this was no disappointment. They just go well together.
I wonder when Sam and Dean last used a household cleaner? If ever. Go Jodie.
Jim Beaver impressed me this episode. He had a much more layered plot this time, having to deal with a bit of romance and a gruesome science project who literally got in his head. And when that happened, Bobby visibly calmed and locked down, then started talking about Browning. His excited kissing of Jodie was perfect, and the quiet, reserved but still warm parting was too.
This episode had the most Leviathans so far, and it was good to see that each had different characteristics. Leviathan!Sam and Leviathan!Dean’s restaurant conversation was a highlight. The nods to Pulp Fiction’s Pumpkin and Honey Bunny were fun and chilling.
Crowley’s appearance in the limo was well played. Crowley conducted himself with so much more diffidence than he does with Sam and Dean and Bobby. He dropped the snark, brought a gift, and tried to be serious and cordial. I was reminded that he’s “in sales”. He’s also a shameless opportunist, and he doesn’t close doors if he can avoid it. I can easily see another partnership; their last one was only six episodes ago.
I loved that Leviathan!Dean revealed the grand Amy secret, much as I disliked the way the secret has been obsessed over. I expected it, but it sold very well.
I have to admit to an eye roll when Sam walked off at the end. He’s been walking off since Scarecrow. No, since Stanford, if I’m thinking about it. But I agree, given his fragile mental state, this could lead to more pronounced recurrence of hallucinations, and I would not turn down the opportunity to see Lucifer again.
At the same time, I don’t want him to have to crawl back. Neither brother is 100% in the right on this, and I’d like them to both see that, and on some level they do. I was waiting for Sam to ask if Dean killed her son. Letting the kid go may be a level of mitigation for Sam.
Hoping for more like this!
Thanks Alice!
Love your recaps. 😀
And this was a great ep, up along with ep 1 &2. Didn’t like tGND and DYL. Liked SUdP a little more.
And I have been re-watching 6.22-7.02 about once a week. Those three ep’s are “one” if you know what I mean?
Love this show! 😛
Masja,
Sweden
Thanks, Alice!! Great recap. I could see the Pontiac emblem but couldn’t remember the Pontiac equivalent of the chevette.
This episode will definitely go in my favorites list. I loved all that we learned about the guys, including Bobby, through the perceptions of the Leviathans impersonating them. Knowing that Bobby still has hope gave me hope for the guys’ future.
I thought that Jody figured out where Bobby was, because she knew about the connections Bobby and Rufus had. Cas never met Rufus so the leviatans don´t know about them.
Great recap. Almost as good as watching.