Far Away Eyes’ Review: “The Born-Again Identity”
But not all is lost.
Cas suggests that while he cannot rebuild the wall nor can he heal Sam’s psyche, “But I may be able to shift it.” It sounds like at first the angel means to move things around in Sam’s mind, but what he says next implicates what he is about do, “It’s better this way. I’ll be fine.” What Castiel does instead is a reflection of the angel he once was and can be: he takes on Sam’s own hell experience into himself, leaving the younger Winchester sane and functioning yet again.
Judging by Cas’s comment, “It’ll get him back onto his feet,” one is left to wonder if this is the fix for Sam or if this is temporary. Sam most likely still retains his memories of the Cage. He will most likely still have to face that trauma, just not the overbearing and relentless hallucinations. How long can Cas retain the bulk of the psychosis that compromised Sam? Death said, “What do you think the soul is? Some pie you can slice? The soul can be bludgeoned, tortured, but never broken. Not even by me.” Knowing that, it would seem that what Cas managed to do might not last. It might be a band-aid until something more permanent can be done. In the meantime, it might give Sam the time needed to assess and deal with the aftermath of his experience.
It is a high cost for the angel. He is now seeing and hearing only Lucifer. Almost immediately, Sam is replaced with Lucifer, and the Devil takes the change in victim in stride. He greets tauntingly, “Hello… brother.” Cas has become the patient in the ward. Unlike Sam, however, he is an angel, and he has no need of sleep. It is curious to see exactly how this will play out and what will become of Castiel as he lives with this new consequence.
Oddly, he may have to contend with a foe—or perhaps he has an ally to help—in the form of Meg, who takes on a job as a psychiatric nurse. Meg’s motives about “Clarence” as she calls Cas is murky. She seems to care about him, but she also sees him as a way to overthrowing Crowley. It will be fascinating to see which side she ends up on in this—friend or foe of Cas—and by proxy the Winchesters? What of her end game? If she should succeed, will she then turn against him if she is merely playing the role of ally?
This episode captured so much of what makes this show so captivating and addicting. It had the charm and heartbreak that marks this series so well.
Castiel was back as we knew him in season 4 and 5, and yet distinctly different and changed by his actions in season 6. The misunderstandings of Dean’s references, the awkward reactions to human interactions, and the soft spoken nature were all familiar and welcomed. He clearly feels unworthy of Dean’s friendship upon regaining his memories—and he goes the extra mile to earn it back in a heartbreaking and moving manner. The Castiel of season 6 would not have taken this action, but after everything that Sam has sacrificed for the world, and his ability to forgive, plays in Castiel’s decision almost as much if not more than his relationship to Dean.
Dean, while struggling with Sam’s issues, also seemed to be more open about his own demons. He admitted to an amnesiac Cas that he isn’t quite as able to let go of things as he once was. It is a subtle admission that his lead box is either full or no longer working. It is a testament to Dean’s growth this season, as he’s battled with himself. In the past, Dean would have simply buried it and tried to cover it up, here he is facing it head on, even if he’s not giving it full voice. His pleadings with Cas prove the one thing that’s been at Dean’s core all along: his ability to forgive. He has done it time and time again. In his forgiveness of Cas, Dean has done the one thing he has never been able to do: forgive himself.
Throughout the season, Dean has been drowning in sorrow over Cas—not because the angel was “dead.” He was drowning because he hadn’t let go what had happened in the lab. He was given a second chance to make that right—and following Sam’s earlier example in Bobby’s junkyard—he reached out and grasped on tight to his friend. Dean does more through action than through word, and he showed this no more than when he handed the iconic trenchcoat back to Cas. That small gesture placed the punctuation mark on his forgiveness, placing that in the past and behind them, letting it go and moving on. It is moving and touching to see Dean take this step, reaffirming his strength of character.
He also had moments of his old self shine through when confronted with demons—and while outnumbered and only armed with Ruby’s knife, that didn’t put any damper on his determination to save Sam. He fought hard and with single purpose. Dean took charge of the situation, resuming his role as leader with determination. He did so in his commands to Meg and his patience with Cas. It is no more evident than when he gently tells Cas that his angelic powers are “like riding a bike.” The comment could easily be in reference to Dean reassuming the role of leader, too. Dean seems comfortable with being the leader and hangs tight onto it as he races against the clock to save his brother.
We saw a season 1 Sam hidden deep underneath the one tortured by Lucifer, a Sam that’s been there all along: one full of hope and promise that there is good to be done and found in the world. We saw it in how he helped Marin. We saw it in how he sacrificed himself for her after putting her brother to rest. He may have been resigned to his fate, that he would soon die without help, but he never gave up on those that needed him. Sam has always put others before himself, be it Dean or another ally, or a nameless victim he just met. This is the Sam that would willingly jump back into the Cage with Lucifer trapped inside if he had to do so a second time. This is the Sam that would fling himself into a pool to save a drowning child or thrust children out of a haunted home in order to save them.
Sam knows that the world is in dire straights with the Leviathan loose—regardless of George’s offer to help cure cancer at Roman’s new lab—but he will not give up. Determination marks his character, and has from day one. He will not give up when things turn ugly, nor will he lie down and simply die. He proves this time and time again, and this is no different in “The Born Again Identity.”
Sam, taunted by Lucifer about being normal, also showed how much of a “freak” he can be. While helping Marin, it couldn’t help but be noticed that only he would end up in a psych ward and somehow manage to take on a hunt in the process. He was comfortable in the role of hunter, no longer fighting against it. He has embraced his “freak” nature finally, but the fact that Lucifer’s taunt stung at all reveals the small kernel that he retains for a wish for normalcy.
It’s a testament to this show that these characters retain such fundamental qualities, and it certainly shined through both brothers tonight.
Sam broke my heart this episode. He was being so strong, despite the utter weariness in his every movement. I loved that he seemed so worried about Cas at the end. Despite what Cas did to him he seemed to hold no grudges and moved directly to concern about a friend.
Misha and Jensen performances were fantastic as well. I thought Miner was a little off this episode, but normally like her.
Can’t wait for the aftermath this week. To see what Sam is like now that it is not Satan-vision 24/7. And how Dean is now that Sam is off the crazy-train and Cas has redeem himself for breaking Sam.
Sam really showed his character here in more ways than one and that’s probably why it was so powerful for me, too. He gave and gave even when he had nothing left in the tank. I agree that he seemed to also put what Cas did behind him and felt concern for him instead. That’s powerful.
I think it’ll be very interesting to see what Dean does now, too. He’s been watching, waiting for the other shoe to drop. It did. Now Sam’s been “fixed.” Something tells me that he’ll still be waiting for something bad for Sam.
Thanks for the comments!
After having a few days to digest this episode, a few things stick out to me.
I don’t think Crowley cancelled the “do not harm” on the Winchesters. I got the impression that this batch of demons found out about Emmanuel and decided on their own that his capture was more important than keeping Winchesters alive. I don’t think Crowley knew about Emmanuel. I think Dean was the one that said – all the demons that knew were dead. I think like the demon in “Time for a Wedding” they were trying to get ahead in the hierarchy. If they had succeeded in killing the Winchesters, it would have been an “Oops, we’re sorry but look who we found.” Crowley has implied more than once that his control of the demons is not the best.
Makes me wonder also how many days Sam was awake. In the alley, Lucifer said it had been 5 days. Now when Dean went to find help, there was at least a night and day when he was calling people. Then when he was driving home with Cas, they started out in daylight – nighttime with Meg in car – daylight to get to the hospital. Assuming that the trip out was the same distance 😀 Sam had to have been close to the 11 day mark referred to by Lucifer or then some. And if Dean and Sam left immediately after the “shift”, how did they explain Cas being there and not Sam? I am surprised that Sam did not immediately pass out for days once Luci-vision got disconnected.
Overall LOVED this episode!!! Can’t wait for the rest of the season.
I agree with you that Crowley may not have canceled his protection of Sam and Dean. Meg may not even be “an army of one”. The demons could have been her allies used to convince Dean that she is on their side. Or, as you stated, they may have their own agenda. Demons lie.
I think, in hindsight, you’re absolutely right. I wouldn’t be surprised if some of those demons (ie the ones that attacked at Cas’s house or the gas station) weren’t in Meg’s group. Those at the hospital were simply looking to get a leg up in Crowley’s eyes by eliminating the Winchesters and capturing Cas. I think you’re onto something most certainly.
I think Sam was reaching that 11 day limit, yes. It is a specific number to throw out and until Cas showed up to smite the demon torturing him and then “heal” his physical condition, I think he was reaching that limit.
Thanks for the comments! I love seeing what others pull out from an episode.
I don’t know why I didn’t pick it up before but just now reading your reply. When you put “heal” in quotes, it jumped out at me. I have a feeling that is part of what Cas did when he shifted Lucifer. He healed Sam’s exhaustion that was caused by sleep deprivation, which in turn explains why he did not immediately pass out. At least [i]that[/i] question is answered well enough for me . . . as for the rest of the questions running through my mind – the answers are hopefully coming.
It would make sense. If Cas healed Sam from the electroshock, why not restore his body to fully rested, too? He healed THAT first, then admitted he couldn’t fix the broken wall.
I think there’s a few more things that will have to be answered as we go along. I’d think, judging by the last scene with Meg, that it might have been a day or so after the healing that Sam and Dean left and she went in for the interview, but that’s my best guess.
I agree with you, Beverly, I think Cas healed most of the internal damage already caused by his condition or he would have still been very weak. He still had the contusions on his face and bruises under his eyes, so my guess – he chowed down and then slept for a week!
Nice review on a great episode. I think the performances were outstanding in this one. It always impresses me how these actors have so embraced all the aspects of their characters, and how consistent the mannerisms of each of them are (which you alluded to above, I believe). Jensen and Jared always impress, but I was particularly struck at the level of poignancy Misha brought onscreen as Cas remembered, and was then filled with regret, over his past actions.
The one disapointment I had in this episode was the lack of a brotherly moment. While Dean of course showed deep concern over what was happening to Sam, there wasn’t a real moment between the boys, which really would have delivered an emotional punch, especially when Sam’s hallucinations finally stopped. For me, it would have made the whole episode that much more memorable.
Actually, in my opinion, this season has been short on the brotherly moments (with the exception of 7.02). Not that the stories haven’t been good, but I miss those scenes that really showed in a blatant way how bonded Sam and Dean are.
I still loved this episode, though!
Glad you liked my take on this episode.
I really loved the moment between Sam and Dean as they talked about Dean getting Sam a healer. I felt that was a strong moment, but I agree with you that it would have been nice to see something post Lucifer scrambling Sam’s brain. I am hoping we’ll see that in future episodes.
What I love about the relationship this season is—once the Amy thing had been put to rest—is how comfortable they seem around each other. They’re not hiding too much from one another–even if I think they’re trying to a degree at different points—and they seem much more on a level playing field as partners. Dean doesn’t simply lead and Sam follow. They seem to make decisions together and that’s a great dynamic shift I’ve noticed throughout this season.
This episode really hit home the beauty of Sam and Dean as people and how despite all their difficulties they don’t give up on hope. That’s impressive.
As for the acting, it blew me away. The littlest gesture or facial expression meant something. I wish I knew more about the craft of acting than I do to really give it justice. It’s a shame that episodes such as this don’t get recognized for Emmys and such when they rightfully should.
I want to state for the record that I find your review to be the best out of all of the ones I have read (and I have read a lot of them). You catch all of the nuances and focus on the details of the episode and do a fantastic job connecting the dots. Kudos! I noticed some reviews talked about Sam out seeking drugs – I do not think he was, I think he was just desperately trying to run from Lucifer (fight or flight response) and happened to run into the dealer, who offered him a sliver of hope. Referencing the acting craft – I spent years in drama and started out a college theater student, so I have a high appreciation of the work these actors are doing. Memory skills must be very strong, not only for lines but body memory. How they move and hold their bodies in regards to the technical end (i.e. lighting and camera positions) must be in the back of their minds even while digging into the emotions of their character and letting their bodies respond to that emotion. A true actor doesn’t decide how their face will look in accordance with a certain emotion, they connect with that emotion as the character and allow their bodies to react to that feeling. It is a real juggling act and a testament as to how good these actors are at what they do. The complexity of the focus needed just leaves me in awe of their abilities. They will go far in this business.
Thank you. I am so glad you liked my review. The bulk of what you read here is first impression, spit out upon the end of watching the episode and then refined after a rewatch. I just try to let the story speak to me. So I’m glad you got something out of my take.
I agree. Sam isn’t a druggie. He ended up in the bad part of town and ran into that dealer who just happened to offer something that MIGHT shush Lucifer. It also foreshadowed that the medications the psych ward provided would fail, too.
I loved reading you snippet on what an actor goes through to perform in a scene. Jared told me a little when I asked him in NJ. I just know I’m a writer and really wouldn’t know where to begin in acting. I was in one play and didn’t even get to say my ONE line (long story). I’d have to think it’s a lot more work than anyone imagines—and those who do it well make it look damn easy!
Thanks again!