Supernatural Season Seven: Hits & Misses
Tis the season for reflections and looking back and with that in mind, I sat down to do a look at season seven of Supernatural so far. Over all, I love season seven in spite of a few glaring problems that I’ll touch on below. Mostly though, the great moments outweigh the few bad things by far. I’ve not even come close to naming all the hits of the season, but the ones listed are some of the best for me. Being as this is season seven, I’ll take a look at seven hits and seven misses (in no particular order) that have come so far this season. Let’s take a look:
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Hit: Bobby’s Mind
What can I say about this that will do it justice? The field trip inside Bobby’s memories was incredible: well conceived and well executed the whole way through. There isn’t much to say here other than it was wonderful – despite the uber-depressing circumstances that led to this visually and emotionally stunning journey.
Miss: Bye-Bye, Angel Boy
While I loved watching Cas go on one of the darkest power trips in history, the abrupt and unredeeming death of one of my favourite characters is grossly unsatisfactory. Again, I have hope that this storyline will get the attention it deserves in the coming months, but only time will tell.
Hit: Castiel’s Turn as God
This may be unpopular, given the eventual outcome of this story arc. Nevertheless, the dark descent into power hungry madness by our beloved holy tax accountant was well written, shot beautifully and acted brilliantly. Say what you will about this character, and the untimely end at the start of season seven, but for me Cas as God was a definite hit …while it lasted.
Miss: Castiel Who?
Okay, maybe I’m beating a dead horse here, but this has to be on the list and it goes hand in hand with the previous miss: Cas, a major character of the last few years, dies with little fanfare and is barely mentioned again. One thing I’ve always loved about Supernatural was it’s ability to carry through threads and give most everything it’s due time and effort …but on this one, you’ve kind of dropped the ball show. Please correct in 2012.
Hit: Doppelgangers
Sam and Dean’s turn as, well, Sam and Dean a la evil was genius. By far, all the components in this episode were a hit for me: witty humour, Leviathan Achilleas heel, chilling acting talent, and quick moving, well executed plot.
Miss: Baby’s in the Corner
Supernatural hit new lows by benching another of their lead characters for much of this season. The Impala hasn’t been seen in weeks and I’m sure I speak for most when I say we are just aching to see her beautiful silver rims and sleek black frame barrelling down the back roads of middle America. BRING BACK BABY!
Hit: Maturity
A great many people take issue with Sam and Dean’s relationship this season, so this may be another unpopular one on the list. That said, for me this relationship has matured over the season to a new place: both boys have been able to discuss issues with reasonable calmness and/or respect for the other and made great strides toward an honest, open forum between them (one glaring thing aside – get to that later). Sam and Dean have moved quite a ways from simply exercising the sibling fallback – squabbles and nitpicks (not to say this doesn’t have a time and place too. See: Twizzlers: Are they really a movie food?)
Miss: Trial Time
Boo-Urns. Again, this is contested, but personally the trial episode was the biggest overall let down in a very long time. Most of the episode fell dismally short of the expectations I held for it and in my book, it failed to reach full potential at nearly every turn: Jo’s return, Dean’s guilt, Sam’s turn as a lawyer – even Osiris was weak. Big miss, SPN, big miss.
Hit: Leviathan
Again some will disagree, but I like the leviathan storyline and the evil geniuses themselves. Okay, yes, this is another thread without much attention thus far. But we are definitely getting to the meaty bits in the second half of the season, I know that for sure. What we have seen of the Leviathan tells us they are horribly clever and resourceful, super powerful in every way, near unstoppable and in the midst of executing an evil genius plan. This is a villain I love to hate, particularly with the smarmy mastermind of Dick Roman at the helm of this devious tribe.
Miss: The Fall of the Wall
No need to dwell too long on this point – so far there has been great build up and minimal pay off in this area. Alas, I hold hope that 2012 will allow this storyline to flourish properly.
Hit: Stone One
The moving scene in Hello Cruel World in which Dean is able to pull Sammy back into reality was definitely a hit.
Miss: Bottoms Up, Dean
Seriously, what is up with this storyline? It’s been tugged back and forth, built of recycled elements and full of hills and valleys. Suddenly, Dean’s drinking and it’s an issue. And he’s guilty and weird about something. Oh, it’s the Amy thing because he doesn’t like lying to Sam. But, no that can’t be it, can it? MAKE UP YOUR MIND AND COMMIT! Okay, I believe there is a story to tell here, about a man whose lost a lot recently and struggling with what is either apathy or feigned apathy to mask the too-hard-to-face realities that lay below it. Deal with this properly or not at all.
Hit: Old Friends
Death, Lucifer, Rufus, Jo, Karen Singer and Jody Mills. These guys keep coming back one way or another and I love them each and every time they visit.
Miss: Amy
Do I hate this because I think what Dean did was wrong? No. Do I think it is a miss because I think Sam overreacted and wasn’t getting the big picture? No. I hate this because it was drawn out, created unneeded tension and, in retrospect, was way too contrived for season seven of Supernatural. This plot device was flung around for weeks, never really being dealt with full and, in my opinion, muddling past issues to drag them into the present (for example: did Sam connect with Amy because they were both ‘freaks’? If so then WHY ARE WE DEALING WITH THIS NOW? Hasn’t this ‘freak’ thing been playing to death?). So yes, Amy storyline was THE huge, glaring miss of the season so far.
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So, those are my thoughts on the season so far. What are your top hits and misses? As I said, I have mostly great, positive emotions towards season seven. And I cannot wait to see what the second half of the season will bring us. Happy New Year, everyone! Here’s to a brilliant and clever final chapter for the season.
I HAVE MORE MISSES THAN HITS BUT THE HITS ARE GREAT!! CAN A HIT BE SAD? I WILL GET BACK TO YAL=D
OK READY. I WILL STICK TO MY HITS.
CAS AS GOD ROCKED. TO BAD HE HAD TO BLOW UP PLUS THE REAL GOD IN THIS WORLD HAD SOMETHING TO SAY.
DEATH. I LOVE HIM. AS I SAID IN MY SMILES SO FAR DEATH SAYING “THIS ISNT GOING TO END WELL” CRACKED ME UP. IF BOBBY IS GONE WE HAVE TO SEE MORE OF DEATH. I DONT KNOW HOW, WE JUST DO.
CROWLEY BEING HUMBLED. DONT LIKE WHO’S DOING IT BUT HEY YA CANT HAVE EVERYTHING.
DEVEROAUX IS GREAT. HE MUST MUST BE BACK. GABE IS GONE SO HE IS WONDERFUL COMIC RELEIF. AND DEAN BETTER HAVE HIS NEW RIMS AFTER ALL THIS.
THE LEVI DEAN & SAM. YES THEY ARE HOMICIDAL MONSTERS BUT NOTHING BEATS THE DINER SCENE.WHEN THEY LAMENT TOGETHER!
JODY MILLS IS A STRONG WOMAN AND CAN DO NO WRONG.
I LOVE BECKY. SHES ALL FANDOM IN ONE BODY. HER LOOKS , THOSE CRAZY LADY EYES =D she knows shes nuts
THE NEW CROSSROADS DEMON. I KNOW CROWLEY WILL NAIL HIM TO SOMETHING FOR ALL THEIR WORLD TO SEE BUT WHEN HE TALKED ABOUT HIS ASS AS ONE OF HIS BEST FEATURES I THOUGHT WHO IS THIS???
OF COURSE YAL KNOW ALREADY HOW I FEEL ABOUT THE TURDUCKEN & JENSEN IS JUST SO GOOD HE DOES NOT EVEN KNOW. yes I know he directs. CHILLED OUT DEAN WE COULD SEE AGAIN.
BOBBY LAST HURRAH. SAD BUT BEAUTIFUL. I STILL CRY.
DEAN GETTING INTO DICKS FACE.YOU ARE LAUGHING BECAUSE YOU ARE SCARED OR STUPID. ALL HE NEEDED WAS SOME SCOTCH TO WASH IT DOWN WITH & THROW THE GLASS IN DICKS FACE. THANX
Hi Nolanola,
Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts. I agree with most of your hits as well – particularly Dean getting in Dick’s face. I love when all the chips are down and the heroes come up swinging to victory. I’m looking forward to watching this play out in the second half of the season.
I loved this article! I agree with all your choices and feel that the Amy episode and the fall out from that episode was one of the big misses for this year. Becky and the wedding was the second. Although, I really did like Garth. I thought Dean worked well with him.
Oh…here’s a hit!!! Dean in a sweater! Definitely a hit in my book along with both guy’s hair. Dean’s style is looking a bit longer this season and Sam’s is more controlled, but I still haven’t decided on his sideburns. I think it might be time to trim them a bit….
rmoats8621:
Just about any scene looking at those beautiful boys is a hit, lol. I agree though – time for those sideburns to be trimmed up a bit.
Great one, really!!!
I’m totally disappointed with Castiel’s death, I still hope that he will show up one day, we haven’t seen his body, damnit!!! And even if it is suggested that Dean lives his death through and through, it isn’t convincing. Same with his drinking…
Sam’s wall. Yeah, one great episode and we are done with it. Maybe now, after Bobby’s death, writers will come back to that issue, since in the hospital Sam looked as if he was hoping that this is one of his hellucinations.
Crowley. It’s great to see that he’s been playing in the background but I definitely need more of him! Working with the boys, once more.
Impala… Bring back the baby, hell yeah!
Bobby… I refuse to talk about this. It still hurts.
I’m hoping that each of the neglected storylines will get some due attention in the next set of episodes.
Bobby will live – keep the faith! (That’s not a spoiler – just what I think/hope).
I like your choices Elle. I would also put the whole Amy fiasco as a miss, not because it wasn’t interesting, simply because it got drawn out for waaaay too long. The trial episode wasn’t exactly great either. But all in all, I’m enjoying season seven, and I can’t wait for the rest of it.
As for the winning moments, I did love Dean in that sweater from “Time for a Wedding”, simply yummy. And maybe when Cass comes back, we’ll be able to move his departure in the win column.
Happy New Year, health and happiness to all.
The sweater is a popular one, that’s for sure. There are so many winning moments this season – maybe at the end of the year I will recap the ones I didn’t cover in this piece – some smaller hits.
Episode 3 needed to follow up directly from Episode 2, and just put everyone in position for the rest of the season. Cramming all this into the Amy episode turned a Sam episode into a Dean episode, and was hypocritical on so many levels (they let plenty of monsters walk away, frankly, so I think Dean only killed her for being Sam’s friend, sorry). The boys still don’t talk to each other in a real way, maybe they are getting along, but to me, they aren’t actually talking about their lives. Dean has yet to ask Sam if he’s even okay suffering from his hell trauma. Seriously, will it take Dean half a year or the whole year to actually notice Sam has feelings, too? It’s like Dean is waiting for Sam to be a burden to him, and I hate it and I don’t like that Dean. It also puts a burden on Sam – if he does have problems in the future, it’ll be in the context of how much it impacts and hurts Dean and ruins Dean’s life rather than how much suffering and trauma Sam is living with on a day to day basis. Sam should have had the emotional A story this season, and that it’s been blown off so completely and so quickly really ruined this season for me. It’s not that I haven’t liked this season, I have, but my disappointment right now is crushing me. I had such high hopes all summer long, and to have Sam’s personal life written off like this is appallingly bad writing and shows a really sad lack of imagination on the part of ALL the writers working for the show. Are they told to ignore Sam’s feelings and reactions because he’s not the “heart” of the show, hmmm? The problem is, if your “heart” character is used as a tool for negativity and hatred, the way Dean is, then what are you basing your show on emotionally?
I pretty much agree with most of your choices. I don’t care about Castiel at all, though. So if they bring him back, I hope it’s to give him a proper burial, and nothing more. I’ll probably be disappointed about that, too, this season.
I am sad to see Bobby go, but he did get a beautiful send off.
Aside from Sam’s Wall story being buried for no reason other than maybe appeasing Sam Haters who hate that Sam sacrificed himself to hell in Swan Song, I think I am a bit disappointed at not getting more of the Brothers Sam and Dean, with the kind natural and consistent interaction we got in season 1. They talked about real things then. I want them to talk about real things now. And some nice brotherly banter and interaction would be good, too. I think I was expecting more of a bromance what with the whole Butch and Sundance Theme this season. Just making them outlaws isn’t enough. Where is the emotional substance to their relationship? That’s what I want.
I like your list, but I have some quibbles with it. I think the Dean alcoholism thread comes from the show’s history so it doesn’t bother me. I do want Dean to face his issues and overcome them, including the alcoholism.
I have mixed feelings on Castiel. Personally, I didn’t care for Cas and I wanted him gone at the end of season five. I do think that his “death” was anticlimactic for a pivotal character and I also appreciate that his fans want a better resolution. I don’t want Castiel to be redeemed. I want Dean to become aware of all his actions against the brothers including those from season four. Then I want Dean to realize that although they may have been “brothers in arms” they really were never like brothers.
Finally, I worry when “maturity” is defined as Sam never argues with Dean. The Amy storyline was divisive and didn’t work. What really didn’t work for me was Sam telling Dean he was probably right to kill Amy. It also annoyed me that Dean said the hardest part was lying to Sam, while we were never allowed to hear how Sam felt about being lied too. The whole issue of trusting Sam AGAIN became about how Dean feels, with Sam’s feelings nowhere in sight.
I have enjoyed much of this season, but the biggest miss is the complete and total dropping of the storyline surrounding Sam’s wall breaking. You have expressed the hope that this will be dealt with in 2012. I am afraid the only way it will be dealt with is with us finding out that Dean had to commit Sam due to his hallucinations and then watching Dean try to not go back to drinking because this is all so hard on poor, put upon Dean with the horrible burden of having Sam for his brother.
Hi Percysowner,
Thanks for your comments – I agree with much of what you said. I do feel I need to clarify my position on a couple things though:
Re: Dean and the drinking – it’s not that I have a problem with the idea of this storyline, and yes drinking has been an issue in the past. My major concern is the approach that has been taken this time around – it’s been handled very on and off and some of the blatant ways it’s been flung into the storyline feel unorganic to me. That’s all. I actually like the idea of exploring Dean’s psyche, etc. Just not the way it’s been done now – weirdly and up and down.
Maturity: I don’t define this as Sam not arguing to Dean, I simply think the two have approached each other in a better way, for the most part, over the course of the season: they are honest, direct and recognize giving each other space and agreeing to disagree.
Thanks, percysowner!
Hi Elle,
I’d agree with almost all your hits & misses. They’re excellent choices. Honestly though, I really didn’t mind Defending Your Life, but I think it could have been a better episode. Maybe it needed more of the courtroom drama to really raise the stakes a bit. And like others have said they could have tied up the Amy storyline quite neatly in that episode by having Osiris threaten to bring her to the stand.
It’s interesting how divisive Amy and her plotline have become. It’s possibly because it was dragged on for so long. (Once more with the start-of-episode teasers!) Or, maybe it’s because we weren’t sure why Sam trusted her so easily (one childhood kiss? Is that really enough), or why it was so important to Dean that he kill her.
I think I understand why Dean killed her. He perceived her as an ongoing threat, and felt Sam was too close to her to take her out. I don’t think he ever intended to kill her in front of her son. I think another little piece of him died when he realized Jacob was watching. I also think he was trying to be compassionate while killing her. It was a slow, gentle kill (quite the oxymoron there!) compared to most other monsters gankings. I think Dean was in kind of a mixed-up frame of mind at the time. (painkillers from the broken leg, the death of Cas, once more fearing the world may be in peril, concern over Sam’s long-term mental health prospects) But I’m confused as to why the lying and lack of communication went on so long.
Also, Mr. Dean’s drinking and his emotional state… I thought he had a secret and that maybe it had something to do with him and the myth arc and that all the booze imbibing was more than just a way to cope with the exhaustion and frustration of all he & Sam have had to deal with over the past 7 years (his trip to Hell, the fight not to say yes to Michael, trying to live without Sam after his jump into the Pit, trying to hunt with Soulless Sam, trying to get Sam’s soul back, concern over Sam’s broken wall, guilt over Bobby’s house burning down…). But now I’m not so sure. We’re almost halfway through the season and there hasn’t been a big reveal, and I’m kind of doubting there will be one now. Perhaps his drinking is just to show again how purely human Dean is. After all, many people when faced with an avalanche of problems find peace only at the bottom of the bottle.
A miss for me will be if Bobby is dead. I really think the boys need someone like him in their lives. He doesn’t need to be there all the time, but he does need to be there. I’m getting tired of all the deaths, even though many of them have been exceedingly well-written and executed (pun mostly intended).
Another miss will also be if we don’t get a few more answers to some outstanding questions (I’ve got a list. I might make it into an article… ), including what the Leviathans are really planning and why they’re so particularly smitten with the Winchesters (other than their fiendish good looks and perky nipples!).
I hope in the second half we see more of the consequences of Sam’s wall falling down, a real discussion between the brothers about what their respective trips to Hell meant for both of them, a reinvigoration of Dean that includes a greater sense of self-worth and more BadAss!Dean moments, and of course some of those wonderful Bitch/Jerk moments that we all live for.
Hits thus far include the times I’ve laughed and cried at what’s going on, and asked myself “What is going to happen next?”. Unlike most procedural shows, I can’t predict who the bad guy is, or what will happen at the end of the hour, and I really like that.
So far this season, the biggest hit for me is really that the show is still here for me to enjoy and ponder over and write about.
Happy 2012!
Pragmatic Dreamer
Hi Pragmatic Dreamer:
Glad you liked the list.
I didn’t think that Defending Your Life was atrocious – more mediocre and a great big let down.
The Amy storyline – a large portion of my issue with it comes from how it was dragged out for so long and, you make some good points to that the motivations in that storyline are a bit murky which is another cause for concern. Let’s be glad it’s been put to bed for the time being.
Your points on Dean’s drinking vocalize exactly my issues with this storyline. I feel like it was half concieved and it’s been strung through the show for 10 episodes now, but they don’t have a direction they’ve committed to in any real way. Time will tell, I suppose.
Agreed – Bobby’s death would be awful – let’s not think about it just yet, shall we?
Thanks, Pragmatic Dreamer!
I THINK YOU ARE WRONG ON THE TRIAL. IT WAS ONE OF MY FAV EPI’S SO FAR THIS SEASON. LOVED THE FLASHBACKS. YES, BRING BACK THE IMPALA!!! LOSING TO MUCH THIS SEASON ALREADY
I’m glad you enjoyed the trial episode, Penny Jaime. I know that many people did. It just wasn’t my cup of tea I suppose.
For me the biggest miss has been the dropping of Sam’s wall storyline. Coming into S7 after the build up throughout S6 I was really excited for some awesome focus on Sam’s shattered psyche and what we’ve gotten, or rather not gotten, has been a huge disappointment.
Another miss for me has been Dean’s, seemingly now annual, angst-fest. I really miss the snarky, confident, badass Dean of earlier seasons. I’d love to see him back. I want to enjoy Dean’s character again.
The Amy story/fiasco – another big miss.
I don’t care about Castiel so him being gone hasn’t bothered me. In fact I’m very happy to see the end of the angels on this show. The absence of angels has been a hit for me.
Jodie Mills has also been a hit for me as have the Leviathans.
Bobby’s send off (if he is truly gone) was also a hit-albeit a very sad one. That was a fabulous episode. Loved seeing Rufus, I just wish he’d never been killed off.
My biggest hit so far has been all of Hello Cruel World. I loved that episode SO much, the brotherly moments were wonderful. But then, sadly,for me, everything kind of went pear-shaped…. 🙁
The season isn’t riddled with misses, but the ones that are there are pretty significant – like Sam’s wall. As I said, I hope this will addressed in future episodes, and I believe that it will.
Amy fiasco – well, what can you say about that except it’s over.
Now that that is dealt with though – bring on the rest of season seven!
Yes, agreement here. Especially love how the guys have matured, a bit of a set back in the Amy episode, but besides that they are back to being brothers.
Important: We need to get Baby out of the corner!
I am enjoying season seven, but I agree with the ‘miss’ of the wall.
Everybody said that getting Sam’s soul back was bad, then they said that if the wall came down, poor Sam. Well, Sam has his soul and (RIP) Cas tore down the wall, but Sam seems to be fine, aside from a few grabs of his hand in stressful times.
Elle, I agree, Dean needs to stop drinking, he hasn’t been this much into the booze since season four.
But, a big HIT with the guest stars, Dick as the new baddie, the evil twins and of course Dean and Sammy as one strong unit.
This Friday, I hope we get good news about Bobby, but from what little spoilers are out there, it is not looking good. But Misha returns. Woohoo.
Hi nancyL,
The drinking isn’t what bothers me, so much as how the entire story has been handled. It lacks subtly and SPN usually deals with that sort of thing better. Dean has issues, no question. And I’m always happy to explore the damages minds of the boys – but if you’re going to do it, do it right.
Dick is awesome – love to hate that guy. He’s going to get it before the season is done, I just know it.
Vive Bobby!
The Amy fiasco has to be the biggest miss of the season, IMO. Well, that and Cas’s death.
I think Sam’s entire Hell storyline has been a major miss for about two seasons now. Soulless Sam was a complete jerk. And I personally was tired of him, and that story arc about 3 episodes in. So I was extremely happy when Sam got his soul back. But then, we had to deal with Sam’s wall, and that wasn’t very entertaining.
And now, we have the fallout of Sam’s wall breaking, which has been very bland so far. But then again, I was never keen on the whole Sam goes to hell and returns story arc in the first place. Been there, done that. First time around with Dean was enough.
U KNOW I DONT THINK DEANS AN ALCOHOLIC BUT MOST DEFINATELY RELIES ON DRINK. I HAVE A PROBLEM THINKING HE HAS A PILL PROBLEM OR WORSE. PEOPLE WHO HAVE LIQUOR IN THEIR BODIES 24/7 AND ARE FUNCTIONING FEEL AS NORMAL AS WATER DOES TO US. IT IS WHEN THEY STOP THEY GET THE D.T.s(I cant spell that)
SOME MAY HAVE RED CHEEKS OR RED HANDS BUT OTHER THAN THAT NO ONE WOULD KNOW. AND THEY DONT GET HANGOVERS AND THROW UP EITHER. I HAVE TO SLEEP ALL THE NEXT DAY, BUT THEY CAN GET UP AND GO TO WORK AND DRIVE AND EVERYTHING. I AM TALKING HARDCORE ALCOHOLICS.
SO MAYBE THATS WHY WE HAVE ONLY SEEN HIM DRUNK ONCE. BUT I TRULY DO NOT BELIEVE HE IS. HE DOES LEAN ON IT THOUGH.
Sam went to the pit/hell and came back regardless of wether Dean got tabs first. We have been dragging over his issues and problems for 7 seasons and that hasnt stopped them doing it again.
The fact the show has backtracked on Sam is not surprising they arent interested in the character it just would of solved the problem by never doing any of it in the first place.
Deans drinking and depression although a part and parcel of a hunters life except Sam who is never touched by anything was not the priorty sl at the begining of the season . They dropped Sams sl to fit Deans sl which they were eager to deal with.As I said before Sam is a empty space walking around on that show.
IMO it’s unforturnate that we’re revisiting another brother’s journey to Hell/the pit. Like I said, been there done that.
What Dean storyline? Neither brother has been given much of anything. Dean drinks heavily a couple of episodes, says he feels guilty in another, and that’s pretty much it. Sam rubs his hand, stares off into space, goes camping, and that’s pretty much it. Both brothers’ story arcs have been poorly executed, IMO. Frankly, at the moment, I’m more interested in how the brothers deal with the Leviathans. That’s something they can both be involved in figuring out together.
A good list that I’m sure most fans agree with. It’s not the list I would have put together, but I’m usually in a minority on what I like in the show.
I agree that Bobby’s mind was a sweet, feelings jerking episode, but I feel no peril for Bobby’s possible death. I don’t think he is dead, and I think Sheriff Mills will be put in charge of protecting him (out of action) for a while, thus allowing for their ‘thing’ for each other to develop.
I consider the conceived Sam’s head trip story a major miss; first, because it is implausible to think Sam could be nuts and hunt, too; and, secondly, because it could never be a story connected to the overall mytharc. There was also no mystery involved with it…Sam is hallucinating Lucifer and the audience knew it. It weakens Sam’s character and adds nothing to the season, IMO, so I hope that it just wraps up quickly and goes away.
Amy was a major miss. Enough said, with the exception that I believe it did point out that Sam has always questioned the monsters they kill and has always been willing to give them a benefit of a doubt (much like he did Ruby, and we all know how that went). Dean, on the other hand, goes by his own code strongly driven by saving people and killing monsters that harm humans. I was happy that both brothers were kept in character, and I enjoyed Dean’s very cold killing of her…but the whole thing went on way too long.
I’m really ticked off about the Impala. I want it back. I’m also very sorry the show no longer gives us rock music. Any rewatch of episodes from S1 or S2 clearly shows how much the music added to the show. And, I like a hard-drinking Dean, but agree that the show only toys with it, first one way and then the other.
The highlight of S7 for me is the acting talent we’ve been getting from all quarters.
The biggest miss for me was giving a whole episode to Becky and the big swipe taken at the fans with that one. I sure lost a whole lot of respect for TPTB over that.
Overall, I’ve been okay with S7 and look forward to seeing what comes out of the rest of it.
Yes. This, all of the above. Elle, you hit (ha, ha!) everything that I’ve had issues with this season in the “Misses” and touched on pretty much my favorite parts of the season in the “Hits.”
This is a great idea Elle, and I like your list.
I agree with all of your hits. If Season 7 scores over Season 6, I think it is because it has higher high points, and more of them. There have been some genuinely thrilling, comic, and heartwrenching moments rolled in to the first ten episodes. I love the returning guest stars! Familiar faces are a joy on a show with so many great characters to choose from. The leviathans are genuinely scary, and the leader is well cast. And Bobby…*sniff*.
Maturity is one of the things I appreciate most about this season (the bizarre Amy related lapses aside). The brothers are experienced enough – and have been through enough hell – to start taking things in stride. Once the Amy business was finally exposed, I liked the resolution. It wasn’t immediate, but it wasn’t an extended period of gnashing teeth. Sam was angry and needed some space, but he didn’t let it interfere with their work. They both made their positions clear, and got over it.
I agree with six of your lows. Castiel’s sudden and inglorious disappearance was not fitting for such an important character. It was abrupt as his transformation into a bad guy before opening the portal to Purgatory in the last episode of Season 6. There was a lot to appreciate in his gradual desperation, and his attempts to be a leader, and his brief, bloody stint as the undisputed ruler of Heaven, but there were stumbles too. I hope that if and when Castiel comes back, he will be Cas, imperfect like the Winchesters, but fighting for the best.
Amy was interesting at the beginning, but the drama was as you said drawn out over too many episodes, especially the dreadful trial. (Aside: if the trial had been less formal, if it had been a conversation with Osiris in the bar, without Dean initially realizing he was on trial, and gradually coming to understand, I think it would have been much more tense) I understood what Dean did, and I understood Sam’s anger. I loved how the truth was eventually revealed.
The only low I would debate is the idea of alcoholism. I won’t defend its execution this season, because I think it has been all over the place. However, alcohol has been a constant thread in this series. There were hints starting with the pilot that John was a drinker, and the brothers and Bobby have always indulged. Dean’s increasing alcohol use has been documented since Season 4, and if it were done well, it could be a worthwhile exploration.
If you do a list like this for the second half of the season, I’ll be very interested to read it.
I LOVE HOW & WHAT U SAID. THE TRIAL AT THE BAR IS GOLDEN. R U A WRITER AS WELL? BONNE ANNEE !!
Thanks MisterGlass!
I will definately do a list for the second half of the season as well.
The drinking/Dean Thing: I agee isn’t new or out of character – my issue is largely the execution. The worthwhile exploration you mention is what I’d have liked to see with this storyline.
Love the idea of the trial at the bar!
HUGE MISS:
Castiel never apologizing to SAM. I never want to see Castiel on the show ever again…but if/when he comes back….all i want is for him to show a smidge of regret/remorse for torturing Sam and then gloating over his suffering.
Amy was pointless. As was the trial.
Sam and Dean are now basically two strangers riding in the same car because they are heading in the same direction.
I REALLY HOPE THE CW HATERS ARE NOT HERE. THIS IS A POSITIVE SITE. POSITIVE !!!!
CASS WAS CIRCILING THE DRAIN & COULD NOT FIX/REPAIR SAM AS IT WERE. HE NEVER EVER MEANT TO BRING HIM BACK SOULESS & REGRETED IT FROM THE JUMP. IF U HAVE READ ANY OF MY POSTS. DEAN IS A HARD DRINKING MAN WHOM WE HAVE ONLY SEEN DRUNK ONCE IN 7 YEARS. MAYBE BECAUSE HE IS A HARDCORE ALCOHOLIC OR HE LEANS ON IT LIKE ALL HUNTERS DO.including his father, his adopted father & yes sam as well. I THOUGHT ABOUT MISSES BUT INSTEAD CHOSE HITS !!!! BONNE ANNEE EVERYONE.
Thank’s for this Elle, you’ve covered pretty much all of the Hits and Misses for the season so far. There are one or two that I’d like to add to it if I may.
[b]Dean’s storyline.[/b] I don’t know if this is a hit or a miss because, um, I don’t actually know what it is (there, I’ve said it!) I genuinely do not know what Dean’s 13 episode storyarc is. If the drinking, depression is part of an escalating downward cycle for Dean and this is his storyline then I’ll be very disappointed because it seems that the show is simply acknowledging what most viewers have been seeing for the past five seasons and calling it a ‘storyline’.
[b]Castiel.[/b] His untimely watery demise at the end of 7.01 is *spoilers [hide]somewhat tempered by the fact that he will be back for a few episodes later on in the season [/hide]but one thing is certain, there are still a huge number of questions that need to be answered that only he can answer. To the forefront of those are (a) Did he [i]actually[/i] bring Sam back and (b) if he did, did he intentionally bring him back without a soul? I’m used to the show leaving some questions unanswered but these are huge questions and paramount to the assessment of Castiel’s character.
[b]GodCastiel or LeviathanCastiel. [/b] I don’t know if it was a contract thing or something that prevented it from happening but not having Misha Collins as the big bad in some way, shape or form is, for me, a big miss. The Leviathans are fine and all but I feel to have Castiel as an adversary would be a lot more relevant to the boys than the Leviathans. And I think to see Sam and Dean square off against Castiel would be amazing. Jeez, the scenarios in my head in relation to that….
You’ve already covered the dropping of the Sam Hell storyline and while yes, the decision to go in that direction was bizarre we can only hope that the writers plan to deal with it. Giving the fact that they seem to be leaving it until the second half of the season perhaps there is something in Sam’s memories will be key to destroying the Leviathans and that’s why it’s been put on the back burner for now?
Either way, here’s hoping for more hits than misses in the New Year!
[quote] Giving the fact that they seem to be leaving it until the second half of the season perhaps there is something in Sam’s memories will be key to destroying the Leviathans and that’s why it’s been put on the back burner for now?[/quote]
I was so certain last year that the reason for the wall is that soulless Sam or Hell Sam had some important information about Crowley/Cas, but that wasn’t true. The wall was just a device to push Sam’s storyline off to the side. I think this delay is similar.
I’d add to the list of questions Cas (or Sam) needs to address is how Sam’s body ended up separated from his soul without being dead. Someone walking around soulless was pretty much unheard of before Sam. I’d love it to be linked to his powers. I had a theory once that Sam’s psychic powers resulted in his body splitting with his mind under the torture of Lucifer, but I’m now not expecting to see any kind of story development like that for Sam in the future.
I agree about Dean’s (cough, cough) storyline. I’m ambivalent about it. I like character development, but I would never call what we’ve seen so far a story, unless his downward spiral ends with consequences of the same scale as Sam releasing Lucifer or Cas releasing the Leviathan.
I like your list Elle, and agree with most of it.
Jensen in a sweater was nice, but I wish that you had included Becky as a miss. SPN mishandled meta there, which is too bad since SPN has a wonderful meta track record. A lot of fans felt insulted.
Also, I don’t like Leviathans as a hit, imo. They’re one dimensional & no bip whoop to me. I know some like a break from “world in danger” type villains, like Lilith/Lucifer (but the season is still young). But the cheese loving corporate raiders, well they’re not resonant or metaphorical. SPN has had more interesting big bads in the past. But, I will say the name “Dick Roman” is fun, although perhaps better suited to a porn flick. 🙂
Hi yim,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
I’m one of the fans who didn’t mind Becky, though I know a lot of people had issues with that episode/character this time around. For me, however, it wasn’t a miss. Maybe not a hit, but not a miss over all – we’ll have to agree to disagree on that one 🙂
Same with the Leviathan I suppose. SPN has had interesting bad guys in the days gone by, but I can’t help enjoying the leviathan in their own right. For me they are a refreshing villian and somehow the show feels lighter this season over last, where I felt we were weighed down with the plots and purgatory issue. I will say that if there isn’t a payoff on this storyline, it may evolve into a miss.
There have been a few hits: The first 2 episodes were stellar. Slash Fiction was a lot of fun and Death’s Door was really good. All in all though this season has been a huge disappointment:
Misses:
– Sam’s story. The character’s been gutted. No unresolved issues, no story, no emotions. He’s ok with Cas destroying his mind, (except he’s fine). He’s ok with Dean killing Amy behind his back and betraying his trust, even though said trust was supposed to be so important to his recovery. (stone number one). He’s ok with Bobby dying. He just goes on. He’s lost his personality. He used to be inquisitive , smart and really into research. Why isn’t he researching the numbers that Bobby wrote on his own skin, the ones that Dean was upset about? As for the hallucinations, what hallucinations? I need more than hand rubbing and “I’m not fine” to convince me that Sam is having problems.
The Amy story was a total fiasco and the resolution made Dean look like a jerk. He should have apologized, not yelled at Sam for being angry too long. This was probably my least favorite episode of the season.
Cas’ “Death”. What a waste of a potentially great bad guy. Misha should have been “Dick”.
The writing in general has been pretty weak. the Becky episode and the trial ep. were particularly bad.
I don’t have much hope for 2012.