Threads: Supernatural 9.17 “Mother’s Little Helper”
Okay, so that was an excellent episode! Way to go Misha! Fab directing debut!
SOOO many answers are being revealed each week! I love this part of the season. It has edge-of-your-seat excitement every minute. Now we have to sit tight for 3 weeks. This show really knows a lot about torture.
Note from Nightsky: Some of you may remember that I included music in one of my recent articles. A comment asked if I could include music as background to more of my writing. So let’s try this as an experiment. If WFB is back to full power, you can hit play then go on to read the rest of the article. If we are still on impulse power instead of at warp speed, open the link into another window, or click it when you are finished reading. Its relevance will soon become apparent.
New Evidence for Existing Threads
The Mark of Cain / Addiction
So Dean’s hand shakes just thinking about holding the blade…
…and he still isn’t sleeping! That has been mentioned in at least three or four episodes now, so it gets upgraded from a side-comment to a major clue.
I thought a lot about the fact that this whole episode was about people losing their souls. That just seemed, I don’t know, important? So I listened again to Sam’s comments about what it means to lose a soul:
Sam: “A handful of other people have started acting out too…Same as the woman. Aggressive, violent , impulsive…more basic instinct. It’s like the littlest things can set them off…. Kinda like me.”
Dean: “You?”
Sam: “Yeah, Soulless me. Remember that?”
Dean: “Yeah, How could I forgot? But you weren’t out of control like these people.”
Sam: “Yeah, well maybe everyone has a different reaction to losing their soul.”
Now think of Dean as you reread Sam’s observations about soulless people.
I think the “great burden, great cost” of the mark is…losing your soul. I believe the mark is slowly eating away Dean’s soul. We have been speculating about possible effects of the Mark, assuming the great cost was only one thing. In reality, Dean is experiencing all of the negative changes we feared. Dean is becoming a stone cold killer and emotionally isolated from other human beings. He is turning evil in the sense that he is becoming addicted to the power he felt holding the blade, he craves the kill and he is remorseless about his victims. He is becoming more primal, he is agitated all the time, and his reactions are faster and deadlier. Lastly… he isn’t sleeping. All of these symptoms fit the pathology of the victims in this week’s story and/or Soulless!Sam. Sam’s comment about everyone having a different reaction to losing their soul seemed like it was both exposition and prediction. I believe we are seeing the ultimate parallel with Sam’s story: Soulless!Dean.
The personification of having “a devil on your shoulder”!
Crowley’s entire dialogue with Dean also emphasized Dean’s metamorphosis.
Crowley: “I know that Cain gave you his mark for a reason, and I know that rather than embracing it, rather than looking at it as the gift that it is, you’re sulking like you lost you nufflebunny. Why are you fighting what you really are?”
Dean: “When I kill, I kill for a reason. I’m nothing like Cain”
Crowley: “Nothing like… what’s in that bottle, delusion?”
…and outside the bar:
Crowley: “After very little soul searching I decided to embrace my addiction. What about you? Takes a junkie to know a junkie. You just want to touch that precious again, don’t you?”
Dean: “I want to kill Abaddon. That’s what I want. So whatever happens with the blade – I can’t worry about that.”
Crowley: “Whatever you’ve got to tell yourself so you can sleep better at night.”
Dean: “What I want, what I fear, none of that means squat ‘cause this is the one chance we’ve got to kill Abaddon. So I’m all in, no matter what the consequences.”
(all while “You’re No Good” was the music playing on the jukebox in the background!)
The parallel use of the word “embrace” in both conversations connected Crowley’s and Dean’s addictions, and reinforced the idea of giving into to the temptations of power, the temptations of an addiction. Crowley also referred to the Mark as a “gift”. Remember when Cain said the Mark could be transferred to someone who is “worthy”? Crowley later reiterated to Dean that he was indeed worthy. Worthy how, though? Worthy fighting skills? Dean’s fighting prowess was honed in Purgatory. Is that what Cain was observing in that epic battle in his kitchen when Dean was victorious over a gang of demons? It makes sense that the King of Hell would consider it a great gift to remove the conscience from a lethal fighter, freeing him from hesitation and guilt, and sharpening his already deadly fighting instincts. Crowley’s references to “soul searching” and not sleeping were also much more than a trite retorts. It was a clue that Crowley knows exactly what is happening to Dean, and another cue to the viewer that souls and sleeplessness are important. All this supports the theory that Dean is becoming soulless, and Crowley knows it. Dean’s retorts to Crowley’s also confirm that Dean knows something dire is happening to him. He senses the addiction. He is reliving the moment when Cain told him there was a great cost to the Mark. He isn’t scared of the Blade – he is scared of what he is becoming, but he knows there is no way out now.
“Now he’s ready.”
“It’s all about the souls.” Death made that declaration in Season 7. In “Mother’s Little Helper”, Sr. Agnes said “stealing souls is winning.” They are saying the same thing. I think we are in a battle for Dean’s soul.
I am so excited about this theory! Talk to me! What do you think?
Crowley’s Need for Blood
Dean accused Crowley of “shooting up” in the men’s room of the bar. Are we to believe that Crowley can now control his addiction? He’s decided to “embrace” it? Since when can an addict embrace an addiction and still function normally? Where is the burned-out shell of a demon we saw last week? I don’t believe the bathroom trip had anything to do with bodily functions or syringes of blood. I think it was just a set-up to allow the possessed hunter to test Dean. Crowley appeared to be completely free of the effects of his blood addiction during the entire episode, suggesting that storyline is concluded. If so, maybe the whole point of Crowley’s blood addiction arc was to reinforce the addiction theme as it related to Dean.
Brother’s Relationship / Letting Go
Sam reached out to Dean several times during this episode. “What’s up with you”, “Just checking in”, “I could really use your help down here”, and “Be safe” were all indications of Sam’s concern. Is his anger cooling? He is clearly worried about Dean, with good cause. Hooray. Brotherly love peeking through the veil of pain perhaps?
The first reference to Soulless!Sam also may have had a dual purpose. We learned in “Southern Comfort” that Dean faults Sam for being soulless. Dean even got in another jab in this episode:
Sam: “Yeah, Soulless me. Remember that?”
Dean: “Yeah, How could I forgot?”
Dean forced Sam to reunite with his soul against his will, though. Of course it had to be done, but Sam probably views it as another example of Dean ignoring Sam’s express wishes. Now the situation will be reversed.
Dean: “If the situation were reversed and I was dying, you’d do the same thing.”
Sam: “No, Dean I wouldn’t. Same circumstances…I wouldn’t.”
If Dean is losing his soul now, he is dying in the sense that he is losing all sense of himself. His morals, attachments, loves – everything that makes Dean who he is besides being a predatory hunter. Maybe Sam might find out that sometimes you have to do something against a person’s express wishes in order to save them. Sam will have to help Dean reawaken or reclaim his soul by forcing him to let go of the blade, let go of the power, and let go of the hate, anger and pain of the past. That would go a long way to creating mutual understanding…and forgiveness.
Then there was also Crowley’s snide comment: “You’re lying to Sam like he’s your wife, which kind of makes me your mistress”. Besides being witty and funny (and a subtle shout out to Wincest), it also reminded us that Sam is threatened by anyone who comes between him and Dean. In the church, Sam confessed his fear that Benny and Castiel replaced him as Dean’s most trusted allies. Crowley’s position as the unwelcome mistress reinforces the concept that Crowley seems to be closer to Dean right now than Sam.
Redemption
The last conversation between Sam and Julia seemed to me to be about redemption:
Julia: “Because I was ashamed. It was and is still my greatest shame.”
Sam: “Well what you shared with me saved lives, and I couldn’t have done that without you.”
Sam was suggesting to Julia that her present day courage redeemed her from her past cowardice. Sam’s compassion is still there. He just needs to extend it to Dean.
Reversals
Last week I listed the ironic reversals and parallels that seem to be defining Season 9. Without repeating them all again, I would like to restate the one that is getting more obvious:
Ruby : Sam as Crowley : Dean
Dean wanted Sam to kill Ruby. Sam wants Dean to kill Crowley.
And let’s add another possibility:
Soulless!Sam => Soulless!Dean
Threads on Hold (no new clues this time)
It looks like we will get back to Metatron and Gadreel very soon!
· “You’ve [Sam] seen everything that he’s [Gadreel] seen!”
· Is the Angel Banishing Spell Reversible? Is Crowley knowledge or Castiel’s grace the key to Heaven?
· “Here is the FIRST name on your to-do list.”
“I did what I had to do”
Will someone else turn out to be who they aren’t supposed to be? We saw again in this episode that even the powerful Knights of Hell are nothing more than demons who turn into black smoke. What, in the name of all that is evil, is Crowley then, with his red smoke? This is uber-important.
Cain => Dean; Abel => Sam
Ezekiel => Gadreel
Castiel => Human => Theo!Cas
Crowley =>Human-ish=> what type of creature has red smoke??
Who is Kevin’s real father?
Curiosities
– Henry Winchester found out that exorcisms don’t affect Knights of Hell. Are they just too powerful? It reminded me of how the Yellow Eyed Demon was immune to some demon killing tactics.
– The entire scene where Josie pleas to Abaddon “Take me, not him” was almost an exact duplication of the climatic scene in the movie Twilight: New Moon, when Bella begs Aro to spare Edward. If I recall correctly, Bella even says “not him” twice, and with a little delay, so does Josie. Nice shout out. Drove me crazy until I figured out why it sounded so familiar!
– Last week I proposed the analogy of the addiction of the One Ring (from Lord of the Rings) to the addictive pull of the Blade. This week, Crowley actually referred to the Blade as “the Precious” (a nickname for the ring in LOTR)! So called that one! Let’s extend the analogy:
o The blade is “The One Ring”. Once a person possesses it, they can’t live without it. The “addiction” disappeared when the ring was destroyed. Maybe the Mark of Cain will disappear when the blade is destroyed?
o Sam Winchester is Samwise Gamgee, who had to save the ring bearer (Dean/ Frodo) before he is /was forever lost. Quite a coincidence that the blade/ ring bearer’s constant companion in both stories is named Sam. Was it Bobby who said “I believe in a lot of things. Coincidence isn’t one of them”? Extending this further, how many times in LOTR did Sam’s voice pull Frodo out of the ring’s trance? Last week, Sam’s voice got through to Dean when Dean was hypnotized by the Blade. Sam got Dean to “let go” of the blade (i.e. take off the ring). Only Sam was able to pull Dean back from cliff.
o Both the Blade and the Ring are/were extremely hard to destroy. The ring had to be destroyed in the fires of Mt. Doom where it was created. What does that say about how the blade can be destroyed (in the fires of Hell?).
o Crowley is Gollum, the guide who knows more about the blade/ring than anyone else and thus is a necessary companion to the blade/ring bearer. He also is both friend and foe.
Can you think of other parallels to LOTR?
– Sam got to drive the Impala!
I purposely don’t read other reviews before I have written “Threads” so I ensure that the theories I offer to you are purely my own, so if all of you already knew or read elsewhere that Dean was going soulless, be kind and don’t tell me. It was a big revelation to me! Other than that, speculate away!
Screen Caps courtesy of www.homeofthenutty.com.
- I’m the Co-Editor-in-Chief, Social Media Manager (Twitter, Facebook and Instagram), Live Tweet Moderator, reviewer and feature writer for The Winchester Family Business. Before joining the Supernatural Family, I worked for 22 years at a global consulting firm, but after years of long hours, high pressure and rigorous demands, I quit corporate life to raise my children. After my first Supernatural convention, I was driven to share my shock and awe in a two-part essay that The WFB was brave enough to post, and my second life calling, that of being a writer, began. My first published book, Fan Phenomena: The Twilight Saga was released in late 2016. Please share in my cross-fandom excitement by following its Facebook page @FanPhenomenaTwilight and my personal Twitter account @LSAngel2. You can read about this whole miraculous transition in my chapter in Family Don’t End With Blood, published in May 2017.
welcome back and thanks to alice and everyone else who worked so hard to get us here. 🙂 after reading your article a thought had occurred to me which I believe ties into not only this season, but every season. I think it’s another thread that has been running throughout the entire series and one that I believe we are getting closer to resolving. It has been a subtle theme throughout, but since Carver took over, I feel this theme has become more forefront. It’s my personal theory on why dean goes to the extremes regarding sam and not to go all psych 101, but what I believe to be dean’s true issue. It’s all conjecture of course on my part, but as I stated, I feel like it’s been a theme running through the entire series and I feel as though Carver is finally dealing with it. I have one regarding Sam as well, but this is about dean as it ties into the current story.
In s1 Dean told Sam that the things he was willing to do for him and John scared him.
Yed taunted Dean, telling him that he needed them more than they needed him (sam/john)
Gordon viewed dean as a killer, just like him. In the same eppy, dean told Gordon that he “embraced the life”.
dean tortured in hell and enjoyed it.
dean felt free in purgatory, free to kill without feeling guilty for it and finding contentment in it.
crowely telling dean he was worthy of the moc.
we are all born with a darkness in side of us. we are all capable of both good and evil as humans. I think the trick is our ability to ensure our goodness triumphs over our darkness, that is what gives us our humanity. I always felt that dean lacked the faith in himself to retain his humanity. there’s a fine line to being a hunter, a life in which dean had easily come to embrace at the age of 16. hunting monsters saves lives, so in essence it’s quite a heroic endeavor. on the other hand, hunting involves killing, also the taking of lives, many of which have been innocents possessed by demons. distinguishing between the two is not always an easy thing to do.
I have always felt that dean has always been aware of his darkness. I also believe that dean fears that his darkness is stronger than his goodness, which is why I believe that he goes to such extreme measures to keep sam alive. Not only that, but why he’s always given sam a hard time about daring to dream of having normal. I have no doubt that dean loves sam. he’s his protector. his brother. his parent of sorts. his motivations for wanting sam alive and with him are not only about dean, but I do believe that sam was right when he said dean saved sam for him. that dean is afraid of being alone. I agree with sam and think he’s right, in part…..it’s part of the reason, but not the only reason. dean does love sam. he believes the world will be better with him in it. he most likely has dreams for sam as much as for himself….but part of the reason that I believe dean needs sam so much is because sam keeps dean human. I think dean feels that without sam, dean would fall prey to his darks side. dean always got angry at sam for wanting normal not so much that he didn’t want it for him..but because sam wouldn’t by dean’s side. Sam’s issue with dean has been about trust and his belief that dean doesn’t trust sam. I actually believe that dean doesn’t trust dean.
I think this may actually play out in the coming eps. I think that one of the ways in which sam will save dean is by enabling dean to see himself as good. sam’s belief in dean through both action and words will finally allow dean to see himself as worthy.. worthy of liking himself.
anyway, just thought i’d share….:)
Nappi, I really like this part of your post :
“I have always felt that dean has always been aware of his darkness. I also believe that dean fears that his darkness is stronger than his goodness, which is why I believe that he goes to such extreme measures to keep sam alive. Not only that, but why he’s always given sam a hard time about daring to dream of having normal. I have no doubt that dean loves sam. he’s his protector. his brother. his parent of sorts. his motivations for wanting sam alive and with him are not only about dean, but I do believe that sam was right when he said dean saved sam for him. that dean is afraid of being alone. I agree with sam and think he’s right, in part…..it’s part of the reason, but not the only reason. dean does love sam. he believes the world will be better with him in it. he most likely has dreams for sam as much as for himself….but part of the reason that I believe dean needs sam so much is because sam keeps dean human. I think dean feels that without sam, dean would fall prey to his darks side. dean always got angry at sam for wanting normal not so much that he didn’t want it for him..but because sam wouldn’t by dean’s side. Sam’s issue with dean has been about trust and his belief that dean doesn’t trust sam. I actually believe that dean doesn’t trust dean.
I think this may actually play out in the coming eps. I think that one of the ways in which sam will save dean is by enabling dean to see himself as good. sam’s belief in dean through both action and words will finally allow dean to see himself as worthy.. worthy of liking himself.”
I believe much of this might be the case. I do hope Dean will see that Sam values him and cares about him so that maybe he can feel some self-worth. When you take away his reasons for living- protecting Sam and hunting- I don’t think he feels he has much to offer the world. I also hope Sam’s anger and concerns will be addressed and that Dean will recognize and understand what Sam has been trying to say.
As it so often happens nappi I agree! Dean has always feared what lurks under the surface of himself–I’ve always thought that was the basis of his refusal to attach to anyone (especially Ben) outside of Sam, Bobby, and Cas.
oh and just a note regarding Crowley…..watched the real ghostbusters the other day and had my memory refreshed. becky told sam that bella didn’t give the colt to Lilith. she gave it to Crowley, who was Lilith’s right hand man and possibly her lover. Lilith is Lucifer’s first…his very first demon…yet she smoked out black. Crowley goes as far back as Lilith…but he smokes out blood red….. really baffled on what Crowley truly is…..in abandon all hope, Crowley told the boys….in regards to the colt….so this is it..this is what’s it’s all about…then he made a comment about how long it took for them to find it….how he had it and made it known that he was the one who started the rumors about the colt in the first place…..then he was deteremined that sam and dean kill Lucifer with it….
can’t help but wonder if demon Crowley isn’t really a demon at all….
Mostly to MoC and it’s influence on Dean you got everything or should I say the symptoms that were subtle at first but now growing.
Dean is not talking to Cass nor even wanting to see him in a way. He is drinking and lying to Sam. Although he seemed to follow Sam to a bar that is close by. He is not sleeping of course and he did kill a human being just like that. And also the alcohol doesn’t seem to affect him that much.
I think also when Sam was talking about his soulless self I think on that moment he realized in the back of his head how Dean is at the moment. Or it should. Dean is acting or heading to act just the same as he was. Can’t wait what comes after the break.
Also little rambling about souls. I think many have been “What gives” concerning the soul stealing and such on this episode. I had a lot of time to think as the comments were down. (I smell a conspiracy!) But here goes. Trying to write everything down.
As the souls seem to be taken from normal good people I think as a knight of hell Abaddon knows how or maybe it has been always possible. Crowley does it with deals and Abaddon takes them. Simple. But if you think the situation at the moment. The people that are dead, good or bad goes to the veil what I have understood. Souls are not going to heaven or hell as aren’t the bad ones turned down before heaven? You have been judged! manner. So killing good/bad people doesn’t help because the soul would swoosh to veil.
So, they are stolen from people that are alive because at the moment there is no other way and Abaddon doesn’t need deals. Maybe the soulless bodies help to corrupt the souls because what they do without them? Anyway, Abaddon knows the means and the how. In hell or on earth.
And I am clearly thinking too much of “Why, how and by whom?”
– Lilah
nappi815: It IS great to be back!
You present a great case for your theory! I agree that Dean doesn’t trust Dean. I hope he admits that when faced with the effects of the Moc.
I also agree that Crowley isn’t a demon. ALL other demons have smoked out black. He is something else.
I like all your theories and “thinky thoughts” 🙂 Nightsky
Oops, when I replied to Nappi, it just repeated her comment. I noticed that on Far Away Eyes thread too. ……..Second try:) Doing it as a comment instead of a ‘reply’
Nappi, I really like this part of your post :
“I have always felt that dean has always been aware of his darkness. I also believe that dean fears that his darkness is stronger than his goodness, which is why I believe that he goes to such extreme measures to keep sam alive. Not only that, but why he’s always given sam a hard time about daring to dream of having normal. I have no doubt that dean loves sam. he’s his protector. his brother. his parent of sorts. his motivations for wanting sam alive and with him are not only about dean, but I do believe that sam was right when he said dean saved sam for him. that dean is afraid of being alone. I agree with sam and think he’s right, in part…..it’s part of the reason, but not the only reason. dean does love sam. he believes the world will be better with him in it. he most likely has dreams for sam as much as for himself….but part of the reason that I believe dean needs sam so much is because sam keeps dean human. I think dean feels that without sam, dean would fall prey to his darks side. dean always got angry at sam for wanting normal not so much that he didn’t want it for him..but because sam wouldn’t by dean’s side. Sam’s issue with dean has been about trust and his belief that dean doesn’t trust sam. I actually believe that dean doesn’t trust dean.
I think this may actually play out in the coming eps. I think that one of the ways in which sam will save dean is by enabling dean to see himself as good. sam’s belief in dean through both action and words will finally allow dean to see himself as worthy.. worthy of liking himself.”
I believe much of this might be the case. I do hope Dean will see that Sam values him and cares about him so that maybe he can find some self-worth. When you take away his reasons for living- protecting Sam and hunting- I don’t think he feels he has much to offer the world. I also hope Sam’s anger and concerns will be addressed and that Dean will recognize and understand what Sam has been trying to say and not take it as an indictment on his whole existence.
Nightsky, I always enjoy your “Threads” thread! I believe you are on to something with Dean and his soul. The not sleeping and the dulling of his emotions seem to suggest that. Crowley is definitely up to his normal self-serving shenanigan. Feeling some human emotions hasn’t changed that one iota. Love him though!!
The music was great. I like that touch.
Who is Kevin’s father? Good question. I hope that is not left a dangling thread.
Thanks again Nightsky
Lilah_Kane: ” But if you think the situation at the moment. The people that are dead, good or bad goes to the veil what I have understood. Souls are not going to heaven or hell as aren’t the bad ones turned down before heaven? You have been judged! manner. So killing good/bad people doesn’t help because the soul would swoosh to veil. “
I am not sure that is true. I will have to listen to Kevin’s exact words, but I did not get the impression that the Gates to Hell were closed. I still thought condemned souls would go straight into Hell. Also, Abaddon was stealing souls out of people long before the veil problem, so my belief is that she is impatient and doesn’t want to wait for people to die to gain their souls. She also isn’t just attacking “bad” people so she is loading the dice in her favor by stealing from whomever she pleases..
Leah, I had the same problem with the “reply” function. We’ll have to give Alice a little more time to get everything debugged. I am just happy to have the comment function back!
One vote FOR music. Any other votes?
I think the “Kevin’s father” thread is just a teaser. I think it will go into Season 10.
Is hitting the “heart” just as good as saying “thank you!” for the compliments? Experimenting with that option. I really appreciate the feedback , though!!
Nightsky – great threads article, as always. And, it’s great to see the commenting system back online, too. Been thinking about this and I have a slightly different, but, in many ways, similar take on this. Ultimately, I don’t think they’d do a soulless Dean storyline – they already did that with Sam. I don’t think Dean is losing his soul, but his humanity is being stripped away and his soul is being twisted in to a demon, just like the souls in the jars. That’s why he’s so scared; this is his probably his greatest regret, turning in to a torturer during his last 10 years in hell. However, the conclusion drawn is still the same as in your article – they’re in a battle for Dean’s soul.
A lot of the storylines are referencing all of the souls stuck in the veil, the demon army that Abaddon is trying to build with the
souls in the jars, references back to soulless Sam. Taken a step further, if an angel’s grace is the equivalent of a human’s soul, Castiel is walking around with someone else’s soul. As Death said in Season 6, and it still holds true, it’s all about the souls.
Taking you “Will someone else turn out to be who they aren’t supposed to be?” thread a step further, we have souls being changed in to things they aren’t supposed to be, as well. The souls in the jars being changed in to demons, if a soul stays behind and doesn’t go with their reaper, they eventually have their “humanity” stripped away and they turn in to vengeful spirits. All of these souls are stuck in the veil; will they start turning in to vengeful spirits? In the past, souls have been referred to as small nuclear reactors; wondering if someone will be able to harness the power of all of the souls in the veil to do something, like blow the doors open to heaven, or maybe Abaddon starts turning them in to demons?
njspnfan Dean actually tortured for 30 years in hell but I agree that Dean is slowly losing his humanity. Cain was turned into a demon. The question is how that came about. Was he turned into a demon when he killed Abel or when he agreed to pick up the Blade. Dean started to change the instant he got the mark and more so when he held the Blade. So if he kills Abbadon does he take her place? or can he put the Blade down like Cain did for love (Sam)? The bad guys always underestimate the Winchesters.
I like your theory about the souls.
d
Interesting ideas. I am not so sure the conclusions are as obvious as the hints they are leaving for us. I smell a few red herrings. My thoughts at this point… I do not think Dean is falling under Crowley’s spell. To me it is more reminiscent of season 6 and Cas and Crowley (the fight for heaven) than Ruby/Sam. By that token Dean will turn on Crowley; Dean isn’t even pretending to like Crowley.
Season 6 was about the power of souls and the flip side to Sam losing his was Cas gaining power from the souls of others. I think that the blade may channel soul power into the wielded which is why cain had those almost angelic smiting powers and could dampen Crowley’s mojo. Despite Crowley saying that cain was a demon, Cain sure didn’t act like one. Falling in love and raising bees and promising not to kill anymore. He even apparently sat out the apocalypse. The soul power issue was also touched on in 8 when Henry time traveled using his and an angel feather.
I think the power infusion feels good, almost orgasmic judging by Dean’s face after he killed Magnus. Now Cain made a deal to save Abel’s soul from Lucifer. Dean made no such deal. I see no reason why he would become demonic or soulless. I think Purgatory Dean is our hint as to what Dean can become and what he will do when motivated by love. Dean’s love is his strength and his weakness. He will do anything for those he loves. He took the blade and used it because Sam was in danger. Jensen said Dean was on testosterone and steroids and like Purgatory and then some. I think the blade enhances everything about him, the killer, the hunter, the executioner and judge. It makes him see his surroundings in the same black and white manner that he saw purgatory. It gives him the purity that he misses and the mojo he felt there where killing his way to Castiel felt so right.
I see Dean becoming powerful enough and righteous enough to toe becoming big bad.
Given the things that have happened between the brothers, the difficulty sam had talking Dean down after one kill, and the restaging of Swan Song with CAS in the crypt last season; I think cas maybe Dean’s Colette.
Given Misha’s comments that he’s worried about Cas’ fate, Carver’s comments that cas’ stolen soul will come into play and Misha’s slip that Metatron gets a new face; I think Metatron will usurp cas’ body as a vessel to hide himself, protect himself from Killer Dean.
I have always thought Crowley wasn’t what he seemed. He shows up so conveniently in 5 when they need the colt and the rings. In 6, he gives cas what he needs. Etc. Did anyone else notice black eyes for him when he borrowed the are guy’s body? Way back when I thought that he might be Gabriel. Then maybe a hidden archangel. Not sure now except the Mayan god in Heartache and Cain both had red effects. We know gods need souls for power and I think cain has soul power too…?
Sam and the nun made me think of the Sleepy Hollow episode For the Triumph of Evil. Evil triumphs when good men do nothing. We have seen people far less able like Garth and Charlie take up the good fight even as Dean doesn’t think their lives are worth the risk. Given what they know I think dean is right that they have to fight and they both need to fight smart, meaning no suicide missions when there are other options. Sam is right in that the choice to fight is a personal one. Dean isn’t the only one responsible or with responsibility. Dean sees love as saving his family However he can and sam sees love as letting family be. They’re fighting not because they disagree but because they show their love so differently that they don’t recognize their individual actions come out of love.
Dean isn’t falling under Crowley’s spell as much as he is the Blade. Crowley is his dealer. Crowley has the drug that Dean craves right now. Which is why the episode was called Mothers Little Helper. It was all about addiction. I thought that Jensen showed perfectly his struggle to maintain his sense of self throughout this episode. But Crowley IMO has orchestrated this whole scenario. He tested Dean to see if Dean would protect him. Which is what Crowley will need if Abbadon or Sam threatens him. I don’t see Cas being the one to reach Dean. It has always been about the brothers. That was why Crowley was so interested when Sam was able to get through to Dean. As most of the bad guys know if you want to mess with Dean all you have to do is threaten Sam. Crowley knows this as well. The script made a point of Sam’s distrust of Crowley and wanting to kill him. I think Crowley assumes that Dean will crave the Blade so much that he won’t let even Sam harm him. The bad guys always underestimate the brothers love for each other. This time I wonder how much of Dean’s humanity is going to be affected. He is already not sleeping (ala Souless Sam). We have already seen him kill people, not monsters, that could have been turned over to the authorities. When he held the blade the look of rage on Dean’s face was terrifying. He looked like he could have killed everyone in the room if he had held the Blade long enough. No it has to be Sam that saves Dean. The one person, like Collette was for Cain, that Dean loves above all others. I think Cas is going to have his hands full with the angels. Collette is the reason that Cain put the Blade down and the reason he picked it back up again. Sam is going to have his beliefs tested. How far will Sam go when he is faced with losing Dean? He said things to Dean that hurt Dean. As Jared said at VegasCon Sam wanted to hurt Dean as much as he had been hurt. But does he really believe what he said? We will see I am sure. Dean’s little speech to Crowley is the most concerning. When he said that he didn’t care about the consequences of what the Blade might do to him as long as the job got done. This is how Dean gets into trouble every time. “He may not think things all the way through” but what he does he does because he thinks it is the right thing to do. Maybe he should have thought this one through before he agreed to have an alliance with Crowley.
And I have said this before….if this is a fight between the brothers it is the friendliest fight I have ever seen. They have shown nothing but concern for each other especially Sam for Dean. Dean is starting to pull away because of the affects of the Blade but up until now they have been there at each others side every step of the way.
….and now that Sam knows that souls are being ripped out of innocent people, because of his own experience, there is an urgency to find and stop Abbadon before more people get hurt. SweetonDean’s podcast was really a wonderful listen for the last two episodes by the way.
Hey Cheryl42. I think The title was a reference to Dean’s drinking which is his go to coping mechanism. Obviously Dean is thinking about what he felt and trying to forget it. I am not sure the blade is addictive. I think it’s more about the feelings and power surge Dean felt. This is a direct parallel to Crowley who appears to enjoy the feels the blood gives him, and who may have been playing up the addiction aspect anyway.
We don’t even know if Abaddon was involved in anything in First Blade. It could all have been Crowley.
Mothers Little Helper is a Rolling Stone song about the addiction to valium. Crowley was showing addiction to human blood and Dean was showing an addiction to the Blade. I agree he is trying to drown out the feeling with drinking. He is trying to drown out the overwhelming desire (or addiction) to hold the Blade again.
Crowley’s demon whore told Abbadon’s demon guy that the Winchesters were looking for the First Blade.
Hi Cheryl42; sorry for the late reply. Yes, the Rolling Stones was about the nearly epidemic addiction to valium and alchohol that plagued women in the late 50’s and 60’s. It was a time, particularly in America, where otherwise affluent housewives were turing to drugs to help dull the pain of their existence. It’s right before the women’s movement really took off.
I was thinking that “MOther’s Little Helper” in this epsiode was actually a metaphore for Crowley in relation to Dean. Dean may be growing a dependence on the blade and feeling it’s pull, but its Crowley that’s facilitating that addiction, leading Dean where he wants him to go. Now that Dean has used the blade and has an understanding of it’s power, what better way to gain control of him then to deny him access to it? Crowley really is a clever, evil little devil isn’t he?
Yes I totally agree about Crowley, he is definitely feeding Dean’s need for the Blade.
Other LotR? Last season:
Sam: “You know you just quoted LotR?”
Dean: “It’s the Rudy hobbit. The Rudy hobbit always gets a pass!” … Krissy was right after all *smirk* Dean DOES have an inner dork if the Blade hasn’t squashed it out of him yet
What I meant to say instead of repeating nappi’s post was:
[b]Nappi I agree with you again! I’ve always thought (maybe as far back as “Home”) that Dean is afraid of what’s lurking just under the surface of himself, and that it’s the basis of his refusal to attach himself to anyone (especially Ben) beyond Sam, Bobby, and Cas.[/b]
Like so many others, I have been having log-in problems during the last week, so sorry for the delay in replying! Everything is slowly getting better!
Cheryl42: Fabulous observation – “Crowley is his dealer. Crowley has the drug that Dean craves right now.” I hadn’t looked at it that way! Even more than ever, Crowley is paralleling Ruby. She had the blood that Sam craved, and she slowly hooked him on it, psychologically and physically, just as Crowley has been doing to Dean. Love this!
Castiel’sCat: “The blade may channel soul power into the wielded” This is a great way to look at what is happening! His soul is being “drained”. That could explain a lot of what is happening to Dean. You go on to say, “I see no reason why he would become demonic or soulless. I think Purgatory Dean is our hint as to what Dean can become and what he will do when motivated by love.” I’m see your point and agree that Dean can be brutally powerful and scary on his own, but I like your first idea combined with my theory the best, i.e. Dean’s soul is being affected somehow. NJspnfan thinks Dean’s soul is being twisted rather than being killed. All our theories are slight variations that lead to the same thing – Dean’s humanityl is in trouble.
Like so many others, I have been having log-in problems during the last week, so sorry for the delay in replying! Everything is slowly getting better!
Cheryl42: Fabulous observation – “Crowley is his dealer. Crowley has the drug that Dean craves right now.” I hadn’t looked at it that way! Even more than ever, Crowley is paralleling Ruby. She had the blood that Sam craved, and she slowly hooked him on it, psychologically and physically, just as Crowley has been doing to Dean. Love this!
Castiel’sCat: “The blade may channel soul power into the wielded” This is a great way to look at what is happening! His soul is being “drained”. That could explain a lot of what is happening to Dean. You go on to say, “I see no reason why he would become demonic or soulless. I think Purgatory Dean is our hint as to what Dean can become and what he will do when motivated by love.” I’m see your point and agree that Dean can be brutally powerful and scary on his own, but I like your first idea combined with my theory the best, i.e. Dean’s soul is being affected somehow. NJspnfan thinks Dean’s soul is being twisted rather than being killed. All our theories are slight variations that lead to the same thing – Dean’s humanity is in trouble.