Supernatural Season 8 Binge-Watch: A Flash Review by sweetondean
I just finished my annual (sometimes bi-annual but the longer the show goes the tougher that is) series rewatch. Season 1 – 8. Every episode. Even those that make me wince a little.
When I got to season 8, I realised I hadn’t watched the entire season in one hit since the season finished,which is unusual for me. And getting to it after watching seasons 1 – 7, I felt like I was seeing it with fresh eyes. So I binge-watched it! Bam! Then I thought to myself, “Self, how about doing a flash review!” – a quickie few lines (or so) on what my random thoughts were on each episode as I revisited them.
I often find episodes grow on me with repeat watching and some grow to irritate me (a little, none irritate me too much – except that damn mannequin one. Stupid mannequin episode.) I will say that, though there are a couple of episodes that don’t pop my cork in season 8, this is the first season since 5 where there hasn’t been an episode that I actively want to avoid. I merrily watched each one without thinking, damn it, I have to watch it because it’s a rewatch and I’m committed! So for me, that says a lot about the overall quality of season 8.
Oh, I should also say, I haven’t gone back and looked at my wrap-ups and what I thought at the time of the first screening.
Anyhoo, here we go. A quickie look (well as quick as I ever am) at season 8, complete with an anti-possession ranking out of 5!
8.01 We Need to Talk About Kevin
Strong opener. I loved how this one started with the big sweeping shot of the forest and Dean bursting forth from a bright, white light, looking unbelievably smoking hot all covered in Purgatory gack. Swoon. This premiere episode set up a lot of stories that would be visited throughout the season, Benny, Sam and Amelia, Sam’s controversial decision, the missing Castiel and the one that became the main arc (outside of the brother’s relationship), the tablet. Chock-a-block. I think it’s a ripper! Wait, did I just speak Australian? I think it’s a very good opening episode.
8.02 What’s Up, Tiger Mommy
Look, try as I might, I really don’t care for Mrs Tran. I find her super irritating. Even in this first episode. I think first time around I was like, oh she’s sassy that’s fun and all that jazz, but I guess as I’m now impacted by her in later episodes, she gets up my nose. Other than Mrs Tran, I thought the episode was cool – though I seriously wished Dean stabbed her when she was Crowley. Too harsh? The interogation scene, cutting back and forth between Dean questioning the guy in the present and the monster in Purgatory was so nicely put together and I think the scene where Dean finds Cass by the river is one of the finest scenes the show has done. The direction, the cinematography, the performances, that scene, right there, is why I love this show with the passion of a thousand fiery suns,because it’s just that good.
 
8.03 Heartache
As Hugh Grant said in Notting Hill, oopsy daisy. Because this is a Jensen directing effort I want to love it, but yeah, I don’t. It’s okay; it doesn’t make me gnash my teeth or anything,except one line. I totally dislike when Sam holds up the piece of fruit and goes, “Farmers’ market. Organic.” Wise ass! It feels weird as hell to me that line. It makes me strangely uncomfortable. Also, I get totally distracted by how brown they both are. I literally find it hard to concentrate on anything beyond the tan. They are so brown! There are some good ideas here, like the parallel between Brick Holmes’ life and Sam and Dean’s lives, but as usual with these writers, it misses its target. It may well be my least favourite of the season. (Sorry Jensen… I still love you bb.)
8.04 Bitten
I think this episode is awesome. I know most people don’t, but I like it a hell of a lot. I like the origin story, I like the lovebirds (the other kid I can take or leave), I like seeing how the brothers are seen from the outside, I like that song that plays beginning and end, I like the way its shot and I love that the brothers let Kate walk. I hope we see her again. I totally dig this episode. So there.
8.05 Blood Brother
For me this was the first, totally kick ass episode of the season. I liked getting a bit of a look at Benny’s back-story and seeing his relationship with Dean. I liked getting to see how Sam and Amelia connected, it helped me understand what was going there, because I saw what they must have seen in each other – damage. I love, love, love the scene where Sam figures out Benny is a vampire. Love. Love that little headshake from Dean. That scene’s a cracker! This is an episode I’ve already revisited numerous times.
8.06 Southern Comfort
To be honest, this episode leaves a bad taste in my mouth and to be brutally honest, it has nothing to do with the episode and everything to do with the fallout. It launched a term that by the season’s end, I actively wanted to salt and burn and the aftermath resonated longer than I thought possible. Here’s hoping we’ve all let it go. Consequently, the whole thing makes my teeth ache and it’s not really the episode’s fault. If I can separate myself from the bad juju, I quite like it. I kinda like Garth; he’s grown on me like he has on Sam and Dean. I like what he’s trying to do here. I don’t think he’s trying to replace Bobby; rather he’s trying to emulate him, which I see as an act of love and respect. I also see Dean’s issues with this as his still grieving. Bobby’s death is still an open wound. It’s the first time I noticed how glowy Sam’s flashbacks were, making me feel that the relationship wasn’t realistic and the memories were romanticised and heightened by his desperate need not to go through anymore hunting induced trauma. I do wish Dean hadn’t spat forth all that gunk under the spectre’s control. As soon as he started I went, ugh. Internet bells ringing in my ears. It was one of those moments which made me want to shush him. Oh God, stop talking! I didn’t care for Sam’s little dig at the end about killing Benny either. I thought that was unnecessary. Sure he was pissed and hurt and he had every right to be, but yeah, let’s just keep escalating it shall we? I guess that was the pissed and hurt talking. They both behaved in ways I’d prefer not to see again, thanks so much. I guess it served some purpose…other than to stab us in the heart…to push their relationship towards that breaking point, that left them to face a decision, pick up the pieces and try to heal. And I don’t mind a little painful brother stuff. Now let’s never speak of it again. Please.
8.07 A Little Slice of Kevin
I watched this straight after Southern Comfort and you know what struck me,why are they being so nice to each other? They were so cross in the last episode,or at least at the end there Sam was mighty pissed! I understand why Dean(ial) would be sweeping it under the rug like a crazed cleaning man, but not Sam. None of the angst carried over into this episode. I struggled with that. But as I know these guys can bury their crap like no one else, I rolled with it, over the bumps. On the flipside, I was glad not to have the angst and have them being relatively pleasant to each other. It was a bit of a nice breather! There were a couple of lovely moments between them. Sam was being empathetic and supportive, which I liked. Also he had bare-feet, track-pants and a v-neck t-shirt on at one stage, which I REALLY liked. The Naomi grabbing Cass reveal was great. It was so totally jarring. I loved the way that was done. And the line “You can’t save everyone my friend, though you try”, Gah. Love. He speaks the truth. I remember Dean got a lot of stick after this episode, for thinking he left Cass behind and apparently creating his own guilt, but I totally could see why he thought he was too blame, why he thought it was because he couldn’t hold on to his friend. Why he was angry and disappointed in himself. In that circumstance, with everything that was happening around him, it all must have been a confusing blur. I have no issue with it, or with him (sshh you lot!) Another thing I liked about this episode was how brutal Crowley was. Poor Kevin and all, but yay, King of Hell was being a prime dick and not just a sassy smart mouth. I liked that. About time. I enjoyed this episode more than I remembered, even with the incongruity of the brother’s relationship at the beginning. Oh and this one totally cemented my Mrs Tran is a pain in the ass feelings.
8.08 Hunteri Heroici
Yay! The first fun one of the season. Watching all these episodes back to back, I think I sighed out loud when I got to Hunteri Heroici. Great fun. Great guest star. Lovely ending with Cass and Fred listening to the music in Fred’s mind. I didn’t much care for Amelia’s dad though. He was way mean to Sam and it was totally unnecessary and kind of cliche. Oh, and the cat was EPIC.
8.09 Citizen Fang
Oh, I really dug this one, as hurty as it was. You know me, I kind of like the hurty ones. One thing I didn’t like was Martin. I found myself wondering if he was always like that, you know, before the crazy. We were all assuming he was still a tad on the not-quite-all-there side, but I’m wondering now if he was always a single minded tool, refusing to see anything but what he chose to believe. Maybe that’s who he always was. He was much nicer when we met him in the mental hospital! I hated the way he spoke to Sam. I hated the way he spoke to Dean. I loved the way Sam and Dean ignored him as they spoke to each other. All the exchanges between Sam and Dean were painful, though. Lots of wilful misunderstanding, lots of hurt feelings. I get why, but it still hurt to watch. I wish Sam had taken a moment to put a bit of trust in his brother’s instincts. I found it odd that he wouldn’t even give it a moment’s consideration. He seemed very black and white on the subject. Though he did give Dean that time to go speak with Benny, which I loved. I just see Sam as so angry by this stage and on binge-watch; you can see that frustration mounting episode to episode. I was glad Dean stuck fast to his belief in Benny and, sorry, but I was glad that Benny took Martin down. He makes my blood all boilly, not as bad as Gordon, but in the ballpark! As for the text thing. Yeah, not Dean’s finest hour,regardless of his intention,and I am glad he got Sam and Benny apart from each other,but not his finest hour, as he later admitted. He obviously didn’t think through the emotional ramifications for Sam,he should have. It was way smart though…just sayin’.
8.10 Torn and Frayed.
I liked this one too,see,I like pain! Obviously, because I’m a fan of this show! I find the opening scene super frustrating as the brothers bump heads. I want to bump their heads together! Damn they can be annoying. And I’m talking about both of them. But Lord knows, we’re used to it! The thing is, both had valid points, so I get the impasse, but still! I know there is all the Cass and Alfie stuff in this one, but I only see the brothers and where they’re at with their anger and disappointment, hurt and mistrust. And yet when it’s important, they’re still able to work together and have each other’s backs and in the end, come together and move forward. I will always see this as them choosing each other and committing to repairing their relationship over simply choosing the job. Maybe I have those rose coloured glasses on again, but for good or bad, they are the most important people in each other’s lives, their relationship is the most important relationship they have, I totally get why they’d want to try to make it right again. It must be incredibly painful for them when it’s not. It’s a shame it’s all at the expense of other relationships, but at that point in time, I get it. I also think the Amelia relationship had served its purpose and run it’s course (for us all!) Sam and Amelia were two people suffering deeply through loss, who clung to each other as they struggled to survive the day to day. They both lost the most significant people in their lives. But when those relationships are returned to them, is what they had as meaningful. Had Don not come back, would Sam have chosen Amelia and walked away from the life? My money is on no. I think she filled an empty sadness in him, Mrs Right-Now. He probably did the same for her. But when that emptiness was no longer there? That’s my deep and meaningfuls on it anyway,
Let me pause here for a minute, because this season definitely feels like a season of two halves. That can also be said for season 6 and season 7. All of the last three seasons seem to kick off with a storyline that is resolved at the end of the first half of the season (roughly), which then allows the remainder of the season to solely focus on what was actually the main arc.
You know what’s funny? The whole Amelia thing. I barely noticed it on binge-watch. What that relationship created in the brother’s dynamic came across as the real story behind the Amelia relationship. How it changed Sam, how it changed Sam and Dean and how they interacted with each other and how it changed Dean and what that meant to the season finale. Because had Sam not experienced that relationship and what that reignited in him, had Sam not opened up about still seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, still wanting a life after hunting, maybe things might have turned out differently. Because no matter what Dean says about not seeing that light, Sam’s change of attitude definitely rubbed off on Dean. In the end he came to the conclusion, nothing is worth sacrificing their lives for any more,and that felt like hope. Maybe that was the point…
The first half of season 8 is hard work. I don’t mean that it’s not good; it’s a strong season for me. But it’s painful. There are a lot of hearts breaking in the first half of season 8. There’s a lot of anger and a lot of hurt and a lot of harsh words and a lot of not considering each other’s feelings. I actually like the first half of season 8 though. A lot. When I binge-watched, like I did, for the most part I found it cohesive with a solid thread, but I have to say, when I got through episode 8.10 I felt like I’d run a marathon! Talk about putting us through the ringer! I was ready to sit back, kick my shoes off and relax! I felt like I’d put in the hard yards and now I was about to reap the rewards,because damn it, I deserved them! Maybe that was the point too,
8.11 LARP and the Real Girl
I love Charlie. Love her. I’m so glad we have her. She’s one of my favourite characters. Though the faerie story isn’t that strong, the rest of this episode rocks. Bright, sassy lines, fabulous pop culture references, Dean in a fun get up, a lovely brother moment which opened the way for a bit of emotional equilibrium, for all of us. Really, it has all the elements most of us love about Supernatural. Plus that end scene is to-die-for awesome. Bless, bless, bless! And Dean looks smokin’ in chainmaille and Sam has a ponytail. WIN!
8.12 As Time Goes By
Three words. MEN OF LETTERS. Love.
8.13 Everybody Hates Hitler
Outside of the season finale, I think this is my favourite episode of season 8. There is something about this episode that makes my heart sing. Aaron and his Golem rock. The Men of Letters bunker rocks. Barney Miller rocks. Sam warming his hands over the burning body of the Nazi Necromancer rocks so hard. The fact that I just wrote Nazi Necromancer rocks! The dialogue is fun and snappy. The songs at the beginning and at the end are perfection. The final scene with the brothers in the war room, Sam busy making notes and Dean just sitting with him, feet up, sipping his whiskey, enjoying the moment. KABOOM. Heart explodes. This is Supernatural at its close to perfect best. Oh man, I want to watch it now!
8.14 Trial and Error
Now we get into the nitty gritty. Now it all starts to go pear-shaped again. Oh well, we had 3 episodes that didn’t rip our hearts out,that’s a streak in Supernatural terms! I didn’t mind that Sam got to do the trials. It seemed kind of fitting somehow, being as it was about the gates of Hell and all. I’m not one of the Dean fans who think Dean needed to do the trials because he doesn’t have a story. I think he has a story. It’s called Supernatural. I also think what happens to one brother happens to the other. Dean was doing the trials alongside Sam. They needed each other to succeed, like they always do. So I was totally cool with how this played out. I loved that we got to see the hellhound – nice effect. I loved that we got a sense of what the tablet was all about and now had our mission. I loved the speeches both the boys gave to each other. Dean’s so broken resolve filled desperate, Sam’s so hope filled desperate. Both reaching out to each other as the people they’ve always been. Dean disregarding himself in his hope for happiness for Sam. Sam having enough hope to carry the both of them. GOD DAMN I LOVE THESE TWO. Oh and the glasses were genius and so hot. I want to kiss Andrew Dabb for those glasses. He needs to layoff the sassy dialogue though, it can be a little muchy in parts.
8.15 Man’s Best Friends With Benefits
Ah the one everybody hates. I didn’t hate it. It wasn’t the worst episode ever (see: Mannequin episode), but I’ll grant you, it was not great. I think they didn’t think the whole making-out-with-his-familiar-who-happens-to-sometimes-be-a-dog thing. Not the best of taste. The dialogue is clunky. Sam and Dean’s interactions are strained and off. The cat allergy thing was left of field. The guys seeing their histories flashing before their eyes was poorly considered and felt disrespectful. But for some reason I still dislike Heartache more. I think it’s that “Farmer’s Market. Organic.” line. Man that sets my teeth on edge. Hey, they’re both written by the same duo. What can I say.
8.16 Remember the Titans
This is kind of pathetic, but I learn all my ancient Gods stuff from Supernatural! It’s probably not the best classroom! I found this episode pretty meh on binge-watch. One of the few scenes I loved was when Sam and Dean were talking about how there was no case and we could see through the window into the morgue as the dude got up and walked away! Gold. I also loved how Dean embraced the MoL and actually got kind of braggy! Adorable. Of course, the best bit of this episode was Dean’s prayer to Cass. It’s such an amazing scene that it kind of feels like it doesn’t belong with the rest of the episode, which is a bit on the average side. But that scene. I remember the first time I saw it I howled! It’s beautiful. And the fact that I got the chance to discuss it with Jensen, has now made it like this perfect moment for me. I watch it with him talking in my head (what’s new.)
8.17 Goodbye Stranger
The only thing I don’t love about this episode is that they killed Meg. A-wah! Why, Robbie. WHY? But other than that, this one rocks big time. It basically has everyone in it, which is always awesome. It revealed a lot about what was going on with Castiel and the tablets. It had a killer opening scene – like – literally! How good was that, with the killing of the hundred Deans! It had one of my favourite lines ever, “Aren’t you a little short for a Stormtrooper” (Why, Robbie,why!) Oh and also, “You know, I can hear you both. I am a celestial being” BAHAHA! I liked Sam and Meg having a moment. She has been up inside him for a whole week, after all. I liked Cass and Meg having a moment. I loved the brother’s little Rudy Hobbit moment in the Impala. Awww. I love it when they don’t let the other one get away with being soppy *sigh*. And I loved the way it ended with “Goodbye Stranger” by Supertramp,and how the song just sort of drifted out as the bus goes into the tunnel. Lovely.
8.18 Freaks and Geeks
The one thing wrong with this episode is Krissy! Too harsh? She’s like Mrs Tran for me, the more I see her, the more she rests on a nerve. A junior Mrs Tran. But my main problem here, other than Krissy, is that this episode halted what felt like the beginning of something epic, it seems like it should’ve been before Goodbye Stranger. In binge-watch, I felt like, “Get out of my way, episode, we have trials to do!” Other than that, it was okay. Not the best story. I guess it was trying to hammer home, with a whacking great big mallet, the concept of a hunter being able to have a normal life,or not, as the case may be! Clunky. Mr Glass is not subtle with his subtleties.
8.19 Taxi Driver
Holy crap. When this one came up in the binge-watch I remembered all the kafuffle about canon. But boy howdy, I really dug this. I was left scratching my head again at why it got such a trouncing. I was gripped. Gripped I tells you. That Dean/Benny scene alone was worth the admission. Not that I paid admission or anything,you know what I’m saying. Heart breaking stuff. And I loved Sam having to go through Purgatory and getting a bit of a peak at it and I thought the section of Hell they created looked really cool and I loved getting Bobby back for a hot minute and I thought the twist on the rebel reaper was neat, because I’ve always loved the reapers. I was super happy that Sam got a glimpse of the real Benny, hey, he doesn’t have to love the guy like Dean does, but at least now he understands what Dean saw in Benny. Tick that off the to do list. And the power of that hug. Man, you could hear their bodies thwack together as Dean grabbed Sam and hauled him in. Love. If I had to pick at it, it wouldn’t be about the canon; it would be that Purgatory felt like it was having a monster free day. I would’ve like to have seen Sam hacking heads as he made his way through, because that would’ve been appropriate and also mind blowingly hot, I would imagine. But all in all, this is one of the best of the season for me.
8.20 Pac-Man Fever
Oh Robbie, please keep dressing Dean up. Thank you. Once again, Charlie is awesome, but I said that. I liked the theme of this one, letting go, which Dean did in the end, but not the way Charlie did. It also had my favourite hug of the season, surprise hug,the best hug of all! I loved the Dean/Charlie hugs too,and the kiss on the head. The closing scene with Charlie reading to her mum nearly did me in, having not long ago lost my dad. The MoW was a tad obvious, but as usual, this wasn’t the real story, the real story was what Charlie could teach Dean about holding on too tight. All in all, very *sigh* worthy.
8.21 The Great Escapist
Oh my God. Sam and his not being clean thing. Devastating. He breaks my heart in two. Beautiful script. Beautiful performances. This kind of episode is why I Iove this show so much and why I think more people should be damn well watching it. And this beautiful writer has gone and left us,which makes me a sad panda… This episode got me thinking so much. About Sam and about John and about how John told the YED he’d known for awhile about Sam and if Sam could feel it, was it because he could feel what was coursing through his veins, or was it because John had figured it out a long time ago and was unintentionally giving off vibes, which is why Sam always felt like a bad fit with the family and why John didn’t want him going to Stanford, not because he was worried for his safety, but because he was worried what he’d become without the elder Winchester’s supervision. Gah. It made me think and think about Sam and about John and about how Dean was oblivious to all of this because he simply loved his brother, full stop, Damn good stuff. No other show makes me think like this one. Plus, the line “When you create stories, you become gods of tiny intricate dimensions unto themselves” is one of the most perfect lines I’ve ever heard. It goes hand in hand with Edlund saying that the Golem’s voice sounded like “church bells rolling down a hill” who says and writes stuff like that? Ben Edlund that’s who. KRIPPPPPKEEEEE! *SHAKES FIST IN FURY*
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8.22 Clip Show
Wow. The scene where Sarah dies was so damn stressful. What a fantastic scene. I think I stop breathing along with Sarah. And Crowley’s speech droning on the whole time as the boys frantically search. Good stuff. I love the idea of being able to cure demons. It could open up so much for the brothers and gives them a great tool. I loved getting to see more of the bunker – having a dungeon is awesome (as we’ll no doubt see in season 9). I wish they’d used their great big Winchester brains and not left Abaddon alone. They’re smarter than that. I would have felt better if she’d fought her way out instead of escaping because the Winchesters were dunces! I also wish Cass wouldn’t have wandered off,again,but that’s not the writing, that’s Cass! Frustrating angel that he can be. Back to back with The Great Escapist, this didn’t feel as strong as it could or possibly, should have been, but it was a solid episode that steered us well towards the finale.
8.23 Sacrifice
My love for this episode grows with each time I watch it. I love it. It’s a toss up between this and Swan Song for my favourite finale and a toss up between this, Swan Song and Faith for my favourite episode,it changes with the mood! I adore every single second of Sacrifice. Sam is so heartbreaking in his devastated state, as he tries so hard to do what they set out to do. So sick and so sad. Crowley and Sam’s scenes are pure gold. Jared and Mark together are stunning. Cass’ epic fail makes me hurt for him. He means well, and look where it’s got him,again. And the brothers finally had the conversation I’d been waiting for since demon blood became a beverage. Finally sharing what they really do mean to each other. Sam finally telling Dean how much he hurts, Dean finally telling Sam, never doubt his love. No one does this stuff better than Jensen and Jared. ARGH! I LOVE IT (and them). And then the, just let it go, we’ll figure it out like we always do, I got you little brother, huddling by the Impala and, the sky falls. The absolute beauty of that scene, with Cass wandering through the forest looking skyward and Dean holding Sam as he looks to the Heaven’s which are raining down upon them. And the angels shooting through the sky like comets. My god. What a scene. What a season finale. What a show!
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So that’s it. There’s my binge-watch random thoughts on the episodes of season 8. I love where this season took us and where it got us to. I love how the brother’s relationship progressed through the season and where they landed. I only wish that’d be where they’d stay! But I know thinking that’s gonna happen is setting myself up for a painful fall! But what’s new. This is Supernatural after all!
Thanks for reading, next stop DALLASCON! I’ll see some of you there!
-sweetondean
Great job Amy as always. I loved this season. I have a friend who quit watching in season 6 and all my ranting and raving about how epic S8 was has got him catching up. I agree with your evaluations to the max. And your favorites. I can hardly wait for S9. I bet it will be divine!!!!
Oh and since I don’t get CW on my DirecTV I have to wait to binge watch S8. Can’t wait for my DVD’s to arrive!!!
I just adore the heartfelt words that seem to stream from you. I watch episode after episode and understand the dynamics of the characters, but reading even your short reviews/coverage, I feel like I am seeing it all anew and can’t wait to rewatch & rewatch seasons.
I thank you for sharing & can’t wait to hopefully meet and discuss so much more here in my hometown at DallasCon!
Hey Sweetondean
I love how you love this show! You make me enthusiastic to binge watch season 8 (when I finally get the season box set in the US Nov). But I think if you had to be pushed, I think you would choose Faith. I have read your heart wrenching, beautiful take on Faith and although Sacrifice and Swan Song are up there with the best (and I agree wholeheartedly), Faith, for me (and you I suspect), is set apart. It has so many beautiful poignant layers that no other episode has managed to capture quite as well. It is the brothers at their best, it is story telling at its best. And who can forget Jensen in a hospital bed looking so utterly vulnerable, yet trying to be brave for Sam.
Well kaz1, I guess I don’t have Sacrifice or Swan Song tattooed on me in the Supernatural titles font, but I do have Faith… 🙂
#3 Thank you Carrie 🙂 I hope we can catc up at the con!
#1/2 Thanks winmomwannabe!
Really enjoyed reading your re-cap…am still waiting for my copy of season 8 DVD. Anyway I just want to add that, for me, part of going through this season is anticipation of the unresolved ideas put forth (ie. the watcher in the shadows of Sam’s house in the 1st episode). And to see if there is not more to the dog, Amelia, the father and this ‘returned husband’…I am especially suspicious about the dog 😉
Yeah mer, that dog’s hiding something for sure… 😀
Amy, I have been so frustrated that I can’t do a rewatch of S8 yet! Our VCR broke early in the season and we missed a bunch of episodes before we bought our DVR. Then our local affiliate plays Baseball right over the SPN slot so we miss a lot of replays on episodes (can you hear me scream all the way from Australia every time they do that??). Some of the shows I haven’t seen since they first aired, and then only once! I can’t wait for the DVDs. I get to watch them all in High Def, which I hear will be a totally new, fresh experience. I totally agree with the WFB poll results that S8 is right up there with S4 and 5 for the best of the series. I am envious you got your rewatch already!
You sure are going to enjoy it when you get to it then, nightsky! And Bluray is the only way to watch Supernatural DVDs. Hot Deanfinition, as I like to call it 😀 Ohhhhh the freckles! 😉
And I’m onboard with the poll too. 8 is up there with S4 & 5 for sure.
Thank you for this. I just did my binge-watch of S8 as well. I agreed with you on everything – except I could not bring myself to watch Bitten or Man’s Best Friend. I skipped those. Now with your thoughts to bolster me, I just might try them!
But the season was really good when viewed in a binge!
I loved this article. Your articles always inspire me and give me hope. Just in general!
PS. I hated Ms. Tran too. I wanted Dean to kill Crowley right there when he was possessing her. That would have been great. Of course, we would have missed a lot of really wonderful Crowley stuff from later. But it would have been great and savage and totally Purgatory. 🙂
Ok, now I have to consider blu-ray. I just did my binge watch to delete the year from the dvr as I should get the DVD s within the week. What a great season, except for “Bitten” which I’ve tried watching again but just can’t get through. “Man’s best friend…” Was silly but I still enjoyed it. “Freaks and Geeks” was the stupid one but just for eye-candy I’ll still watch it. Otherwise the whole season was a big WIN for me and I can’t wait for the DVD extras to arrive!
Thank you for this Amy, what a beautiful show we share. I’ll never understand why there aren’t more people watching it. Their loss I guess. I agree with Kaz1 on “Faith”, I definitely think that you would choose it over all others if you were forced into it. 🙂 It’s one of my favourites too, that and “Home”, I always watch those two together. Can’t wait to get my DVD copy of season 8 so I can binge watch. How long until season 9?
Thanks so much for a great recap of season 8. I’ve recently started again from the 1st episode but don’t expect to reach season 8 by early October!
Thanks also for kind words about Season 5. I can’t hear enough praise for season 5. I’m surprised whenever I hear any Supernatural fans didn’t prefer it.
For right now, Sacrifice is my favorite episode. The after glow may fade but for right now I’m riding high. Confessions, falling angels, brotherly love. Life is good,
I agree Amy, Bitten was a really good episode. Well written, loved the way it was shot (I was a film major in college) and I was in it to the end. My only complaint was that I don’t mind if they do an episode that doesn’t feature Sam and Dean if it features Cas or Bobby (well, that isn’t in the cards in season 8 I guess) but it was about others that we most likely won’t ever see again. Still really enjoyed it so I’ll give it a pass and Robbie Thompson wrote it and now that Edlund’s gone (so sad) he’s my favorite writer but that was my only complaint.
I am really glad that you did this. I have been very resistant to re-watching almost any episodes of this season except the finale, LATRG, P-MF, and TD. It was a rough few months here. It seemed like I made comment after comment trying to reassure people that Dean really did love his brother above all else, yada yada. The infamous “term” has faded away, thank God. Your article reminded me of the many good things about this season and some of the great moments I had forgotten (or just blocked).
I agree with you about Mrs. Tran. I kinda like Krissy though, maybe because she reminds me of Dean. Hiding all that painful crap under a smart-ass facade
Love this show, love those brothers. The show and brothers, not perfect, but how I will miss them when it is over. Thanks sweetondean!
Thanks, Amy!
Love your writing and your enthusiasm!
Nice season review, sweetondean. I love your enthusiasm!
This is the first season that I haven’t binge-watched a gazillion times by now. Just can’t do it. I get upset just thinking about a re-watch of this one.
I’m glad that it’s been so well received by others, because I really don’t want Supernatural to EVER end ( 😛 )… And I’m hoping hoping hoping that season 9 is one that everyone can love.
See you in Dallas.
I’m sorry too should never post when I tired
I haven’t been able to rewatch…just too angry. Eventually I might. Oddly the thing that angered me most was Sam having to concede that Benny wasn’t what he thought…..While Benny had no such revelation about Sam. Benny to the end thought Sam was simply another blooodthirsty/kill happy hunter.
So Dean MUST have told Benny that because no where did Benny say “Hey this isn’t anything like the brother you told me about.”
Which means Dean was guilt tripping Sam when he told him he killed Benny for Sam in Sacrifice. Another skilled manipulation.
#21 Wow. That is literally the only response I can think of. Just, wow.
.
Sweetondean…I loved this article and couldn’t agree more. Your reviews are the ones I look forward to the most after each episode. You so get the show and these characters. Thank you!
Amyh, there is no indication in the least that Dean told Benny that Sam was a “bloodthirsty/kill happy hunter” None. In fact he warned Benny not to under estimate his brother which I saw as a testament to Sam’s skill as a hunter. Nothing more.
And Dean asking his friend to let him behead him to SAVE Sam was a skillful manipulation? Sorry, but you choose to see everything Dean does in a negative light no matter how many times he has shown he loves his brother. I am glad that I see Sam as a wonderful person in spite of some of his flaws! I
amyh, I don’t think there is any reason to suppose that Dean badmouthed Sam to Benny. Dean misinterprets Sam and occasionally passes on his opinions to other people but he wouldn’t ascribe character traits to Sam that are totally not Sam. Both brothers are loyal to family first.
Dean knows that Sam is always willing to give monsters the benefit of the doubt, and it isn’t like he was angry with Sam while he was in Purgatory.
I do think that Dean has the major role in how Sam and Benny interpret each other but I am not going to post why I think that here. I would like to post it on the ‘this is what I think the character was thinking’ page but since there isn’t one I will put it on the bitterness thread (if I can find it) even though my opinion on this isn’t actually ‘bitter’ at any of the characters, just trying to interpret what happened.
#26 eilf…I agree your post doesn’t belong on the bitterness thread. Maybe we can suggest a “speculating about what we think the writers meant” thread. Otherwise the conversation seems to get’s a little off target.
Thanks for the flash review, Sweetondean. I’m with you – also enjoyed the first half of the season; it was a little uncomfortable to watch at times but, IMO, necessary to get things back on track after a rather messy S7.
Can’t wait for my BluRay copy of S8 to arrive on Tuesday so I can binge watch the season before S9 starts.
#21 I agree with sweetondean. Wow. Just wow.
hey everyone. just thought i’d put my overall take on what i saw on my rewatch. i admit to being pretty pissed off and even disliking dean the first time around and while i’ve had my moments of where i wanted to put dean thru a wall, i’ve never disliked him. i hated the feeling. but on rewatch i’ve seen things so much clearer. at least in my view. i’ve wanted for so long to talk among all of you about this, so i hope it’s ok to post. i apologize in advance for the length and by no means is it my intention to put dean down. as a matter of fact, upon rewatch, while i still wanted to put dean thru a wall a few times, i found myself understanding him more. at least from what i saw and interpreted the second time around. 😆
this is all based on paying very close attention this time and catching things and realizing things i didn’t notice the first time.
i get the human story for sam. it has been insinutated throughout the season that sam didn’t just not look for dean, but he in fact broke. just a quick recap of everything sam had been through starting with season 5…extreme guilt for killing lilith. jumping in the pit & spending over a century as michael & lucifer’s batting post; coming out souless & then upon his soul’s return, having to deal with the guilt of all souless sam had done, in addition of course to sam’s hell memories; sam’s broken psyche when cas broke his wall & his strength coming back from that being dean & him not wanting to leave him alone; sam’s hellucinations driving him to the brink of death, cas being the only reason he’s alive; shock therapy as an added bonus; loss of bobby included in there. the only thing that kept sam going was dean. dean was his touchstone. so when sam witnesses dean exploding in a sea of dick along with cas, then crowley takes kevin & insinutates that dean is dead & sam is truly alone..is it so far a stretch to see where sam reached his emotional limit? there was noone to pull him back from that. low & behold, sam is human after all. he’s not the superhuman he’s often been portrayed as being. there is something that can phase him, it’s the loss of dean. i’m not just going off what i know in my heart to be so, i’m going off show itself. i have seen examples throughout s8 hinting at us the audience, that sam did indeed break. here we go:
blood brother-sam tells amelia that he lost his brother. his whole world imploded & he ran.
southern comfort-during dean’s rant, he tells garth that he(sam) left him in purgatory in which garth replies “i don’t know dean, i wasn’t there, but something terrible must’ve happened”.
alsok-sam talks to dean about survivor’s guilt
hunter heroici-sam’s talk of running from reality.
citizen fang-sam tell ameila “you saved me”
goodbye stranger-meg questions sam’s state of mind after the whole story about his year. “you hit a dog & stopped, why?”
taxi driver- bobby flat out tells sam that both he & dean have been off the rails since he’s been gone.
sacrifice- sam’s speeching about failing dean. that he couldn’t do it again, indicating that sam just didn’t , but couldn’t look for dean yet failing his brother again.
so there it is. sam’s human story. i must say, i thought it was an awesome one. i’m so glad to finally see after all these years that sam does have a breaking point, and it’s his brother and the love he has for him.
now to dean. dean stressed me out for much of the first half but on rewatch, i think i understand him better, or at least it’s the way i view things in which i give dean the benefit of the doubt, cuz like i said, i love both my boys. i was very upset with dean in the first eppy. after everything these boys have been through together, after all sam has done for dean. standing by dean and believing in him when dean didn’t believe in himself(see ponr) & dean thinks so little of sam that he would honestly conclude that sam left him in purgatory for a girl. i was hurt for sam, but i only imagine that sam was hurt as well by that which would explain his shortness with dean in the hotel & sam saying…any more questions? soon after dean jumped to that conclusion during their sitdown. i was upset and angry. but on rewatch, i began to wonder. did dean really think so little of sam, or does he think that little of himself? i went with the latter.
now in regards to benny. first off, benny was always meant to be dean’s dirty little secret, of that i’m quite sure. there was no reason for dean not to tell sam about benny except for one, dean didn’t trust him. not sam. dean didn’t trust benny & he didn’t trust in himself that he did the right thing by letting benny out. but a deal was a deal and a friendship was formed. but earth & purgatory are two very different places. let’s face it. dean knew from the start that benny needed him to get out. he knew he can trust him in purgatory, because benny needed dean. outside of purgatory is a whole new ballgame & dean didn’t trust benny. i know this because every single call dean got from benny started with a question as to what was wrong. upon rewatch, like it or not, dean was always tense when it came to benny. he was so much more relaxed in the second half of the season, when he didn’t worry about benny all the time, when his focus was on his brother.
regarding sc and his rant. i was upset with dean but then on rewatch, i really took notice of this. first off, as seen as early as blood brother, dean had no intention of letting sam know of benny. benny was truly dean’s “amy”. by the sound of dean’s little turn around speech at the beginning of sc when sam brought amy up & dean tried to turn it around on sam then just tells sam, well people change,i know dean is fully aware of his own hypocrisy. i’m also sure that now that sam knew about benny, dean was building this fascade. he built benny up to being someone trustworthy, but in all honesty, dean didn’t trust in benny. dean knew from the get go benny’s intentions & he knew he was alive because benny wanted out. but dean made benny out to be the exception to the monster rule, but he wasn’t. but he needed sam to believe it, so he painted a picture of benny that was all sunshine & rainbows so to speak. but who was he trying to convince more? sam or himself? he only started to build benny up after sam found out about him. to try to justify that he let benny out of purgatory & it wasn’t a mistake. but it was a mistake. also in the rant, dean again blamed sam for leaving him in purgatory to die. but in the very next eppy we learn that dean believed this entire time, since he got out, that it was he who left cas in purgatory to die. so it’s my understanding that all that stuff dean said to sam in the rant, was more about him and his “sins” & not so much sam’s. jmo of course.
now we get to citizen fang. ouch. not dean’s finest eppy at all. but on rewatch i saw it with clearer eyes. first off, dean sending that text didn’t have much to do with his fear of sam & benny killing ea. other. the way i see it, it was about dean keeping sam from questioning benny. why do i believe this? well for one, sam never had to tell dean he was tracking benny. he could’ve gotten the intel & wasted benny & never told dean. dean knows that. second, sam gave dean the time he asked for. third, sam told martin to follow his lead. as hurt as sam was feeling, he’s one, a hunter first and he’ll want to make sure benny is guilty. two, dean has been keeping benny a secret & sam wants to know why. sam wouldn’t kill benny, he’d grill benny. another reason i know this. taxi driver. dean told benny that he could ride out with sam. without question. he never doubted it for a second, even though benny did. no, dean never feared sam would kill benny. he feared he would grill benny. think about the position dean would be in then. if sam knew the truth. that benny used dean to get out of purgatory. then all that crap about benny not letting dean down goes out the window. of course benny didn’t let you down dean, you were his ticket out, he used you. which is in essence true. all very complicated stuff i know. the text. dick move no matter how you slice it. again, this was not about dean’s fear of a violent confrontation between sam & benny, this was dean trying to save his ass. keeping sam from confronting benny & finding out the truth. but i will say that dean had no idea of how damaging that text really was. not until torn & frayed.
torn & frayed, another stress induced eppy. oh if only i drank 😆 but here goes my take on this after rewatch. sam was hurt & afraid. this is where we are dean? that dean would choose to hurt him like that for a vampire. what else was sam to do but give dean an ultimatum. he was fighting for his brother. how heart broken sam felt when dean walked out on him, believing dean chose benny. i cried. a lot. i wish i drank. but then i paid closer attention the second time. when sam pointed out how much that text hurt him, you can see on dean’s face the shame. at least i did. and the surprise. i could tell he had no inkling that the text would hit sam that way. he totally did not connect amelia with jess. dean knew sam would run if anyone was in trouble. he just used amelia because he knew sam would drop everything then and there. what i’ve noticed every time sam hits dean with a truth he doesnt like, he hits him(bloodlust) or he walks out the door (cspwdt). sam’s ultimatum pissed dean off of course, but dean knew he pushed sam into it. he knew he crossed the line, as indicated in latrg when he confessed to charlie. a sin he seemingly needed to talk about to someone because it was still bothering him. so dean walking out on sam, wasn’t dean choosing benny, it was dean being angry at sam and more at himself, and it was shame. i honestly don’t think dean was able to face sam. that’s why he told cas they didn’t need sam. it’s my firm belief that dean just didn’t/couldn’t face him. but i’ll tell you something i am sure of. even if cas didn’t show up. even if kevin didn’t talk about his mom being a distraction, the way benny was for dean, dean still would’ve said goodbye to benny. of that i have no doubt.
i did notice in the second half of the season, that dean did quite a turnaround concerning him wanting normal for sam. given that he spent the first half condemning sam for it. i think the text bothered dean alot & i think he spent much of the beginning of the second half trying to make up for it. i think that’s why dean wanted to do the trials. to give sam his normal.
now back to sam. it’s always been pretty clear to me that amelia was never about love. it was about loss. his loss. i always thought of her as an island. and sam, well he was so broken that he ran from his real life and pain and sought refuge on this island. but it wasn’t his reality. he knew that before dean came back, even before don. but sam needed a vacation. a much needed vacation from the devastation that was his life and he took one. he found this island of escape(amelia) & healed. on rewatch, all the comments about normal that dean took as sam wanting to leave him, wasn’t the case at all.
sam had to live with the shame of not being able do anything more than run. he had to live with the mistake of believing his brother died. he had to bear dean’s disappointment and his belief that dean saw sam as nothing but a failure. hences sam’s comment to dean in heartache about dean being better off on his own. it had nothing to do with wanting normal. sacrifice proves that.
sam’s need to do the trials was the only way he can atone for failing his brother. dean’s rant in sc only leads sam to believe that i’m sorry isn’t enough. he had apologized for all those crimes dean accused him of, but still dean holds them against him, or so it seemed at the time. like i said, upon rewatch, i think it was more about dean’s own crimes not sam’s.
so in the second half of the season, we have both boys trying to atone to ea. other. what a pair. oh how i do love them.
the second time around, i totally got carver and what he meant by this season being about “perception”. it wasn’t just about our perception. it was about how the boys perceived, or in this case misperceived ea. other. sam felt that he came in third in dean’s eyes. he felt that dean saw him as nothing but a disappointment & a failure. dean, who has a tendency to lack any self worth, didn’t trust that his brother wouldn’t judge him harshly for purgatory or what he did there to survive & he wouldn’t begrudge him his friendship with benny had dean just trusted sam enough to confide in him. dean did trust sam, he didn’t trust benny or himself in making the right decision. his lack of worth in himself had him conclude that sam didn’t look for him because of a girl instead of seeing the truth..that sam’s inability to look had nothing to do with normal or girls or organic fruit and had everything to do with losing the one person who meant more to him than anyone’s ever had. the one person, he couldn’t deal with losing. that’s dean.
oh but carver you gave us all the greatest gift ever that we’ve gotten from this show. finally the boys see ea. other with clear eyes. for the first time ever, they understand how ea. feels about the other.
thank you carver.
guys, thanks for letting me get this all out. i’ve been wanting to say this for so long. i’m the only one who watches and i never have anyone to talk about this stuff. when i saw this article, i was so excited that someone brought this topic up.
i do so apologize for the length. i also apologize if any of what i believe ruffles any feathers. it’s not my intention to anger anyone. it’s just my take on things. when i first watched i was so angry and upset. but now, i understand, now i, along with sam and dean have clarity. even though i still prefer the second half, i can sit through the first half with a lot less tissues. 😆 i just hope it’s the same for some of you as well.
Nappi815: what a wonderful and well thought out wrap up. I saw the same thing in Dean & Sam you did on first watch, and re-evaluated on my binge-watch the same as you. Dean was not sure he did the right thing with Benny and so hid that from Sam. Sam perceived that he was a Burden to his brother and tried to give Dean a way to let go. Understanding the end makes the beginning story so much clearer.
Thank you for the enjoyable read.
Nappi815 Thank you for a very great read with my morning coffee. You articulated exactly what I think is the intent of the writers, directors, producers and actors really meant for the audience to see.
#31-33
Hey nappi,
Thanks for your posts. I enjoyed reading your interpretation, too.
I have my own reasons for not liking the whole Sam didn’t look plot, but I do think your viewing has merit. And with all these reviews now, maybe it’ll make it easier for me to accept season 8.
Thanks.
i’m greatful to be able to share my thoughts, my very lengthy thoughts with all of you. i appreciate that you even take the time to read them and it’s most gratifying in knowing that some see things the same as i do, or at the very least, enjoy what i say even if you don’t’ agree. of course i’m sure some out there want to throw me thru a wall, even that’s appreciated because it means you took the time to read what i had to say, and for that i am thankful. 😉
Ah Nappi, always happy to see you visit with your thinky thoughts! 🙂
Sweetondean you are my hero. 😆 I love your reviews and I find it amazing that your take on each and every episode is the exact way I felt about them or the way I took them to be. This has got to be my favorite season although I don’t have any that I would never watch again. In fact, I have had more binge watching weeks then I should probably admit to but I just cannot seem to get enough of them. I love going back and seeing how it all started and how green and gorgeous the boys were back then. We have watched them mature and grow into the awesome men they are today and make us love them even more, if that is even possible. 😳 I can hardly wait until my meeting in the morning is over so I can rush out and get my BluRay of Season 8. I’ve seen some spoilers of the gag reel and that is the first part I plan to watch. 🙄
nappi815 30-33
Just adding my two cents. I agree with nappi815. Everything you said about Dean and Benny is spot on. I don’t have to repeat it because I’ve said that over and over after Citizen Fang was aired. Because we love those boys, we hurt when they hurt. So, all we felt during season 8 was aired was a lot of hurt. When we get hurt we tend to hurt back, just like the boys do, we lash out in forum, blaming Sam, blaming Dean when actually no one deserve to blame. (I still miffed with the “Sam not looking for Dean” plot but well,…)
Everything that they did is out of love and care for each other but they did it without proper communication. It’s like watching Romeo and Juliet. You know, if only Juliet tell Romeo about her plan, Romeo didn’t have to drink the poison and Juliet didn’t have to kill herself.
I think the biggest thing to come out of “Bitten” was it gave us a look into Dean’s new mindset regarding monsters. It’s not all black and white for him anymore.
sam had to live with the shame of not being able do anything more than run. he had to live with the mistake of believing his brother died. he had to bear dean’s disappointment and his belief that dean saw sam as nothing but a failure. hences sam’s comment to dean in heartache about dean being better off on his own. it had nothing to do with wanting normal. sacrifice proves that.
sam’s need to do the trials was the only way he can atone for failing his brother. dean’s rant in sc only leads sam to believe that i’m sorry isn’t enough. he had apologized for all those crimes dean accused him of, but still dean holds them against him, or so it seemed at the time. like i said, upon rewatch, i think it was more about dean’s own crimes not sam’s.
so in the second half of the season, we have both boys trying to atone to ea. other. what a pair. oh how i do love them.
the second time around, i totally got carver and what he meant by this season being about “perception”. it wasn’t just about our perception. it was about how the boys perceived, or in this case misperceived ea. other. sam felt that he came in third in dean’s eyes. he felt that dean saw him as nothing but a disappointment & a failure. dean, who has a tendency to lack any self worth, didn’t trust that his brother wouldn’t judge him harshly for purgatory or what he did there to survive & he wouldn’t begrudge him his friendship with benny had dean just trusted sam enough to confide in him. dean did trust sam, he didn’t trust benny or himself in making the right decision. his lack of worth in himself had him conclude that sam didn’t look for him because of a girl instead of seeing the truth..that sam’s inability to look had nothing to do with normal or girls or organic fruit and had everything to do with losing the one person who meant more to him than anyone’s ever had. the one person, he couldn’t deal with losing. that’s dean.
Nappi I couldn’t find the post of yours that I wanted to respond to but this fits.
First of all II want to apologize to SweetonDean. I brought some bitterness that didn’t belong. And I’m sorry becasue I DO love her reviews and thoughts. And I love her sheer joy for the show.
Second….Nappi I wanted to respond to your post. Maybe it doesn’t belong but Honestly, i feel i just need and talk OUT stuff.
I dont get what you said about Deans lack of self worth making himn think Sam would see less of him. Sam NEVER thought less of Dean after Hell. Why would Sam think less of Dean for doing what he needed to survive? Sam …on the other hand had every reason too beleive his perceptions were real because Deah spent 10 – 12 episodes tellling Sam he was a failure and a disappointment. Dean even told Sam – AnD THE AUDIENCE – that Sam has been knowingly and purposely setting out to betray him “ever since you got into my ride.”
Maybe you can explain why the writers felt the need to only show one side …Deans side. Yes, Sam ‘imploded’ and ran.Sam was GREIVING his brother. But the writers CHOSE to tell the audience that Sam grieiving and breaking was wrong. They chose to tell the audience that Sam’s very normal HUMAN reaction was wrong. And they had Dean punish Sam for being human. he was being punished for loving his brother so much his ‘death’ broke him
The whole benny situation doesn’t help. Even if what you sadi is true…that DEAN didn’t trust benny…was Sam threfor picking up on Deans mistrust and not trusting him? If Dean didn’t trust Benny and Sam picked up on that but in reality Dean was wrong about benny who turned out mr. special vampire. And yet Sam still gets clobbered for not trusting Benny.
The writers clobbered Sam twice. For not trusting benny and not trusting Dean. And then he is shown as having to say he was wrong…even though…supposedly DEAN didn’t trust benny. And it could have all been cleared up with one simple conversation.
Sam gets clobbered by the writers because the writers refused to even write a sceen between Cas and Sam with Sam asking Cas’ opinion…giv ing us Sam POV….his fears that..benny possibly being Deans “Ruby”
The writers claim Cas and Sam are friends…so why dont they talk? They are supposed to be allies…TEAM FREE WILL. A Team talks too each other. why arn’t Cas and Sam discussing things?
hell they could have the same result even if Sam and Cas talked…all they had to do is have Naomi have Cas tell Sam he didn’t trust Benny; didn;t like Bennys influence on Dean.
Instead they clobbered Sam to make Benny the innocent victim of evil, mean, jealous Sam. The writers had to eradicate Sam’s own hunter insticts which seems to have been disappeared completely since he is wrong about EVERYTHING these days.
Hi amyh your thoughts about the season prove to me that percepiton truly was the main arc of season 8 because your (and others on this thread) perception of the story, the writer’s purpose and the characters are in stark contradiction to mine.
Where as many feel so much anger about Sam in season 8, this was probably the season I grew the closest to Sam. I said it throughout the season, he hit my heart more than ever in season 8, including during the first half. I felt I grew to have a deeper understanding of his character. I spent a good deal of the season defending him and his choices. I was overjoyed with his connection to the MoL and how that helped him understand his place in the family business. His very human story was one of the highlights for me. So there’s that.
As for Dean, I am the first to admit he is deeply flawed and carries a lot of hurt with him that makes him an angry man, most of which he needs to let go, but it still baffles me why he is demonised so often and so completely. I will simply never get it.
Both of the brothers make catastrophic errors of judgement, errors of judgement that affect the other at the deepest level of their own self worth and feelings of being needed and loved by the person they love the most. Both, throughout season 8, had feelings of not being enough or important enough to their brother. Neither of them could see the other’s real truth, which for both, was coming from a place of heartbreak and fear.
In Supernatural, as far as I’m concerned, it really does take two to tango. Neither brother is soley at fault for the sorrows that befall them or their sibling and neither is soley guiltfree. They are both written as perfectly imperfect. I believe that is a big reason why we all love them so completely.
And that’s my perception.
I think this thread could be better served and explored on a Let’s Discuss thread – probaby the Bitterness thread is the most relevant (it was the closest I could find for the subject matter). It’s territory that’s been well travelled over the past – gosh, nearly a year now (season 9 is so close I can taste it) and I know there has been a tonne of dialogue about this particular subject in the Let’s Discuss topics.
It is true, I have an overwhelming love of the show and the characters in it, especially the brothers. Both the brothers. But don’t think that this doesn’t mean I don’t see all of the issues you have raised, I do, even if I see them through a different lens (which may sometimes have vaseline on it!) Bottom line is, I choose not to let any of this carry with me and impact my enjoyment of the show and I choose not to allow it to take centre stage in my writing…it’s simply not in my makeup.
This show and this fandom has given me so much, that I do at times *handwave* at its sins out of love. That’s the show and the fandom! 😀
Thank you for your thinky thoughts, and nappi who always has great insight and I’m looking forward to seeing your take on the coming season as it rolls out. I do appreciate everyone’s comments, even if I don’t agree, they still make me think – sometimes way too much! I hope you find some joy in season 9, I hope we all do! 🙂
Well said sweetondean!
I am working on trying not to give a damn about what anyone says about a character I love. Which happens to be both brothers. Why should I care really? It is upsetting seeing one brother put on a pedestal while the other is talked about in a derisive manner. Which one is more “right”? Who is the biggest victim of the others actions? It happens on both sides of the fan-brother conflict. Each side so sure they are right about the merits of their favorites and the flaws of the other. It is draining to read and respond to. So from now on I am taking the view that I will continue to love the show, Sam and Dean, and will not let else’s opinion bother me. That’s the plan anyway. 😀
Yay, Leah! I totally agree! You have my complete support. Remember, we are strong enough to support our own opinions!
[quote]Hi amyh your thoughts about the season prove to me that percepiton truly was the main arc of season 8 because your (and others on this thread) perception of the story, the writer’s purpose and the characters are in stark contradiction to mine.
hank you for your thinky thoughts, and nappi who hope you find some joy in season 9, I hope we all do! :-)[/quote]
SweetonDean I want t thank you and nappi for all your insights…adnn your love of the show. Its my love for the show that I have so many concerns and questions…and yes deep confusion as to what the writers…speficially Carver was trying to do. Is there a Lets discuss thread?
Because I do have some concerns that I wish I could get your insght …or Nappi’s…. There is one thing I really need someone’s thoughts on. You said this was the first season you really felt for Sam and understood him. Carvers plan was to give Sam a human story…which was to have Sam break from all his losses, all the hits he has taken. So..obviously this is MY perception but why was Carver’s choice to give Sam a human story and then practically villify Sam for being human? CARVER had Dean (the main POV…who is basically the writers voices) be angry at Sam for beign flawed, for breaking. Carver had Bobby and Meg (supernatural creatures) tell Sam he was wrong to be human; wrong for reaching a breaking point.
Sam was being told he was wrong, that he betrayed Dean for not being strong enough to get up and keep going. And yet Carver had Sam not look because he thought Sam came across as too strong in earlier seasons or whatever (nevermind that Dean is practically made of teflen and rarely gets phased by anything he goes through …or he becomes a better hunter for the experience) So Carver ‘humanized’ Sam only to tell hiim (and us the viewers) our humanity is a betrayal to the main charector (Dean) . and to really lay it on he throws in benny the super vampire who is a much better brother …you know the guy who ISN’T HUMAN.
For me Sam is my hero. While Dean hunts because its his calling and he loves it…Sam hunts out of love for his brother. Sam doesn’t even like hunting….”the Life” But he does it because he loves his brother. And then year after year he takes hit after hit…..the apocolypse, Luciifer, soulessness, the wall, hell, insanity, addiction, loss after loss of loved ones… The life is slowly destroying him….any sane person with an ounce of self preservation would have ran screaming from the life long ago but after every hit he find the stregnth to continue. Usually its only because of sheer will power because he loves his brother. And ‘hope’
I identify with Sam…though i would have run screaming years ago…and his humanity. he feels like a real person to me. he never set out ot be a hero, just kind of stunbled into it while trying to do the right thing even when he was making some pretty bad descions. His heart has always been in the right place, So Sam finding the strength to go on; to keep going. He’s continues to find the stregnth to go on despite odds,and as canan tells us in The man who knew top much…find the strgnth out of sheer love for his brother. Sam would rather face the memories of a hundred years of Lucifer torturing him then leave his brother alone. Thats canon.
Then one day he looses Dean again. And Sam looks insidie for the stregnth to do what is needed, to do what he soo desperatly wants to do. but then Carver comes along and says “lets have Sam have some human story where he doesn’t look.” lets have him ‘implode’ though we wont show any of it on screen..just say it a few times. And then we’ll have Dean adn Bobby and Meg (because she knows him so well even though she possessed him eons ago but has no idea what Sam ha experience int he 7 years since and how it changed him) tell him how wrong he was to be flawed and human. and then lets give Dean an epic brotherhood with another charector. who has never let Dean down. And lets make him a vampire…you know…not human.
So as a Samfan…..I do feel as if Carver took something fundamental from Sam. Sam and Dean were the bigger then life heroes that we all want to be…that we watch for and read about. And now its only Dean who is the bigger then life hero who powers through adversity after adversity. who is Sam now? The sidekick who screws up and must be saved from his own foibles by the hero; whom the hero has to sacrifice his epic relationships to save. All because Carver couldn’t see Sam’s humanity in his actions…in his perseverence and determination to be there for his brother?
Maybe I’m wrong. I certainly perfer your interpretation better. All i know is my soul hurts.
Happy Birthday Amy!! 🙂 (if it still is, I get so confused about what day and time it is in different countries)
Haha! It sure is, Leah! Thank you! 😆
Hello,
It’s late and I need to go to bed, but first things first –
Happy Birthday, Amy! I hope this year is a great one for you – full of health and happiness (and Jensen smiles and hugs!)
In response to amyh and others on this thread and many other threads – It was interesting to me how much amyh’s last post sounded like Sam talking to Dean at the end of Sacrifice. He isn’t good enough; he has let Dean down over and over again. Yet Dean has echoed similar feelings. Dean sees that he has failed many times over – at keeping his brother safe, making terrible choices, reacting poorly, not trusting, etc. Both brothers have very strong feelings of inadequacy (Sam’s were revealed just this season; Dean’s have been seen all along) yet everyone who loves this show knows that each brother is doing his very best to take care of the other. They do it differently, of course, and sometimes they are misguided, but they are never not looking out for each other. The thing is that what our boys are fighting is sooo huge – they’ve involved in epic battles of good vs evil, for Chuck’s sake! – that nobody human is going to succeed. All they can do is the best they can and often times this constant struggle doesn’t bring out the best in them. They are human, after all, but that doesn’t make them any less heroic. The writers will keep showing us Sam and Dean’s faults to keep reminding us that we are not watching superheroes, but Human heroes. And, what I see happening is fans who identify with one brother or the other see this showing of faults as a personal slight against whichever brother they like best. Yes, both Sam and Dean have faults, but that only makes them greater heroes. They keep keeping on, no matter how hurt they are physically, mentally or spiritually and they keep on loving each other no matter how flawed the other is or how flawed they see that they are. They forgive and support each other, not matter what. I think they set a great example for all of us. So, let’s love the show, love the brothers, love the writers and look forward to Season 9! Good night!
Thank you BookLady for the birthday wishes and thank you for that post! Gosh I love those brothers!
Booklady,
What a lovely, lovely post. Your post reminded me that whowever much i disliked aspects of S8….i’m downright GIDDY whenever i think of Season 9; let alone the giddiness when i watch the promo.