Let’s Speculate: Supernatural 10.02 “Reichenbach”
Summary: This excellent episode was penned by Andrew Dabb and MAN, WHAT A RIDE? RIGHT? Sherlock Holmes fans should get the title reference….
We open up from last week with Sam being held by Cole. Cole relates why he is hunting Dean – Dean killed his dad (and btw, that was some strange special effects to deage Dean). Dean is off in a bar and trying to get it on with a stripper, who does not take kindly to his advances. Nor does her bouncer take kindly to it either, but Dean beats the crap out of him, as Demon Dean is wont to do.
The episode follows as Sam continues his search for Dean (after getting away from Cole). Sam calls Castiel, who is with Hannah. Cas is not at full power and can’t even heal himself but he agrees to help Sam with finding Demon Dean. Cas’s episode arc involves showing how tired and sick he is (after falling asleep behind the wheel and causing an accident). His humanity is clear in his interaction with the tow truck driver’s daughter as well. Hannah sees this and goes to Metatron to ask for Castiel’s grace back. Castiel interrupts and he and Metatron have a showdown with Castiel refusing to bargain with Metatron for his grace and Metatron threatening to kill everybody when he eventually escapes Heaven’s prison.
The Dean part of the episode involves Dean and Crowley’s breakup which begins with Crowley finding Dean and asking him to kill an adulterous woman. Her husband paid for her death with his soul. Dean goes to do it but ends up playing counselor/executioner, which pisses Crowley off because he lost the soul. He and Dean have a confrontation which Dean wins, of course. Crowley finds Sam and offers him Dean’s location.
Sam, being followed by Cole, finds Dean in a bar, sitting at a piano. Dean has been thinking about Crowley telling him he has to choose a side and cuts his palm to watch it bleed. The brothers have an emotional showdown. Or at least Sam does. Dean taunts his brother and just as Sam was about to try and handcuff Dean, Cole throws a tear gas can into the bar. Sam gets out coughing while Dean confronts Cole. They fight and Dean admits to being a demon (he chose his side it seems). He leaves Cole alive but just as he is walking away, Sam throws holy water on him and cuffs him with the demon trap cuffs.
The finale of the episode shows Sam giving Crowley the first blade as a finder’s fee. A bloodied Cole is in a library asking for all the books on demons. Next we see Crowley looking at pictures of him and Dean in cowboy hats as a sad song plays. The episode ends with Dean and Sam in a dusty Impala and Dean admitting that he was not merciful with Cole but rather sadistic. And he promises Sam that he has more for him.
Questions to Ponder:
Now that Cole knows about demons what do you expect him to do next?
What will happen to Sam once he gets Dean home?
Does Crowley have a plan? Was this part of it or is it really a break up?
How will Cas get powered back up?
Apology, of sorts: Last week I was pondering if Dar and Cole were connected not asserting it, as it may have seemed. I was wondering if they were all connected. Now we know they’re not.
So what are your thoughts, reactions, feelings? Leave them here!
I thought this was a great episode. The pacing was good, and even the adventures of Hannah and Castiel kept me interested. I am seriously worried for Sam, though. The last scene was heartbreaking….he was trying so hard to hold on to some hope that Dean is still in there somewhere, but geez, Demon Dean is really sadistic!
Ok seriously…that episode kicked ASS!! Where to start! First with the title. I thought I got the gist of it but double checked in the Urban Dictionary “Reichenbach: Feelings of intense dark emotion. Usually dealing with grief, sadness, abandonment, uncertainty and occasionally anger. Similar term: gutted” Yep, that about sums up this episode and Dean and Cole and Sam and…the entire fandom!!
That being said, I get that Cas is sick and I’m a huge Castiel fan but I hope his story gets better because Misha deserves better. However, I really do just want to hug poor Cas and tuck him into bed with some chicken noodle soup and tell everyone to leave him the hell alone!! He’s dying for crying out loud!!! Sympathy people!! Although I’m not yet a fan of Hannah’s I did cheer when she reached through and whacked Meta-douches head against the bars!! Yay!! I do like a girl with spunk!
Highlight— I loved the Princess Bride reference!! Thank you Andrew Dabb! All in all, I effing loved this episode!
Yep, I was gutted and also wanted to give Cas a hug (OK, I always want to do that, and I’m not sorry) but really wanted to include poor Sam this time. Yikes! To have your brother in the backseat saying those things to you? I mean, he’s a demon and all, but it was just cruel. I have a feeling that Cas’s story this season is going to be a bit of a slow burn and I’m fine with that as long as the end was worth it. Not sure what to think of Hannah yet either … I feel like I get whiplash since last week she was all about getting all the angels back to Heaven no matter what and this episode she seemed to be a bit more enamored of humanity (and Cas). Guess we’ll have to wait and find out … although I’m hoping Cas’s storyline can coincide with the brothers a bit more than last season. When are the writers ever gonna learn that Cas can have his own storyline, the brothers can have their bro moments (love Cas, but even I know that Same and Dean are more important) without separating them most of the season? it’s not that difficult.
I wonder if Cole is being embedded in the storyline to maybe be part of the spinoff … making him a part of the SPN world and then spinning him off. I dunno, it would make more sense. Although his character coming into this episode and trying to take on Demon Dean thinking his time in Afghanistan was going to give him a leg up was pretty naive. I was just like, “Yeah, were you fighting demons in Afghanistan? Especially a demon that is Dean Winchester? No? This is not going to end well for you!”.
I do wonder what Crowley’s arc is supposed to be this season … just be the usual thorn in their side? It seems that any trace of humanity he had last season is gone and his place in Hell doesn’t seem the most secure. With Dean by his side, yeah, but even his followers laughed when Dean pushed him over and now that Dean won’t help him and is clearly gonna have it out for him (more than usual, I guess) I’m just curious what his role will be.
I think it was really telling when Crowley told Dean to pick a side. I think Crowley was hoping to use Dean to secure his place (get rid of Abaddon supporters) and maybe make Dean a bit more demony (is that a word?) I do think he he harbors a bit of a man crush on Dean. I still think there is way more to Crowley than we know yet. Mark Sheppard himself has hinted at a few things i.e. have you ever seen the color of Crowley’s demon eyes? Also, notice how he finger snaps in and out like Gabriel. And how come Crowley’s smoke is red not black like all other demons even Abaddon’s? There’s more to Crowley!
As for our sweet Castiel, I’m happy to see him learn from his mistakes. He’s learning that making deals to get what you want is a BAD idea. Dean tried to tell him that several seasons ago, repeatedly. I just hope he remembers it. I think he’ll get saved if albeit only temporarily to draw out the season. Same goes for Dean I think.
I thought that was interesting as well. Does that mean that Dean can choose? If so does that mean he chose to be a demon? I was a little confused about that. Maybe after Dean is cured we will get a little back story there?
It was a good episode.
The only problem with Cas working more closely with the brothers is that I think part of his purpose is to give Jensen and Jared more time off from shooting. If he appears in scenes with both of them, then they aren’t getting time off. If he appears with Dean, then Jensen doesn’t get that break. If he works with Sam, Jared doesn’t get the break. Plus, although it’s easy to put Dean and Cas together minus Sam (Sam gets sent off screen for whatever reason), it’s harder to find in universe reasons for Cas and Sam to work without Dean. Maybe now that Dean has been a demon they can work Cas turning from him to work with Sam.
I do like the idea that Cole could be a potential spinoff character.
It’s late so I’m not gonna elaborate, but 1) that episode was the shit. But mostly, 2) did Cole say his father’s last name was Tran?! Or did I hear that wrong?
I think he said his last name was Trenton. That’s what I heard.
Really enjoyed this–I’m kind of falling in love with Hannah. She reminds me of S4 Cas.
ASS-TIEL priceless
hahahahahahahaha
I know, right? 😀
hey you, long time cher :):D:o:p;)
Hey Girrrrrl. I’ll be around a lot more now that I’m getting to watch the shows live.
That was a great episode! Lots of actions and twists. Loved it.
This was a fabulous episode. Jensen was just chilling as Dean, but he also just broke your heart. And Seeing Dean through Sam’s eyes was also heartbreaking. Both these characters are so interesting right now, and watching these two masterful actors interpret excellent scripts is a pleasure. Sam is back – he is the hunter with ideals who wants to save people and believes in his brother. He is the hero. Dean too. And both brothers will be feeling the aftershocks of what they did the first part of this season for the rest of the season. Both have interesting stories unfolding and ?I cannot wait to watch it happen. I loved the showdown between Crowley and Dean. That was so well done. Last week the only thing that did not score with me was the angel story. This week, even that worked for me. Your questions:
– I expect Cole to learn all about demons and become a hunter with his main target being Dean. He is definitely the Gordon of season 10. It looked like Dean killed his dad with a silver knife. Trying to figure out which creature that would have made him.
– Sam is going to save his brother, with Castiel’s help.
– Crowley always has a plan. The blade is definitely part of it.
– Cas will get his grace back. I wonder if Hannah will make a deal and trade her grace for Cas’ grace. Wonder if the deal will be with Crowley.
Cannot wait for next week’s episode. Thanks for your quick review so we could all discuss this tonight.
Grace232, I like your idea of Cole as a potential Gordon character. He may even enlist other hunters to help him get Dean. I also agree with your suggestion that Hannah will get Cas’ grace back, whether by trade or she may release Metatron. I think Hannah has a couple lessons to learn this season: 1) not to become Cas from season 6 & 2) not to go against Cas’ expressed wishes like Dean at the beginning of last season. Oh what tangled webs they weave 🙂
Grace232 I’ve been thinking lately the same thing about the similarities between Crowley & Gabriel – the snapping – teleporting – snarky – sassy Gabriel was a master of disguises, wouldn’t that be a big ol twist!;) I had read an interview that had Carver saying that all the major characters will be going on a personal journey. I actually felt sympathy for Crowley, his & Dean’s breakup was kinda sad. This episode rocked! Sam & Dean’s on the edge of your seat first meeting was fantastic! Fantastic acting all around, even Hannah & Castiel’s story was better. I enjoyed the Metatron confrontation. Such a great episode! Kudos to Andrew Dabb:)
Wow! This episode kicked ass and just flew by! Plus we got the Princess Bride and “Hey There Lonely Girl” as Crowley looks at a picture of him and Dean. I LOVE comedy with my angst and action. Jensen was downright frightening. (Aaawwwwwesome!!!!) Curtis Armstrong was creepy as hell. (Yuuucky)
I loved this episode and can’t wait to see where they take us next!
I thought this a superb episode. I get the feeling the first three eps are like a little trilogy..a three part episode. 😉 when they played heartbreaker last week, even though the song may have been intended for dean breaking the hearts of his family and friends and the fandom, for me it was sam who broke my heart…and he’s still doing it. Jared should have an emmy sitting on his shelf:). hell, they both should have one. 😉
they were both amazing and I am constantly impressed by them both. I can’t recall a single eppy where I felt either one of them was having an off day and just couldn’t give the show their all….they are always at their best, always giving their all, always touching at the heartstrings in one way or another..whether they make you laugh or cry or frustrate you til you want to punch them in the nose…:p:D I believe jared and Jensen to be the epitome of what it means to be an actor. now that I’ve mushed and gushed and sung their praises…i’ll get to the eppy.
the writing was great. the story incredible. not a single dull moment in this one….so hats off to dabb. 😉 he really stepped up to the plate with this eppy.
my opinion is the same as last week, only dean has officially confirmed what I already believe to be so. Dean is gone. His soul is black. I don’t think there is any hint of him buried in there. At no point did I find him being kind to Ann Marie. He was using her for sex, for his own pleasure and that is all. He showed no signs of chivalry by going after her ex, he simply was feeding his need for bloodlust. Writing Sammy in the note meant nothing to him….leaving the note meant nothing to him…I still don’t even think it was his idea…..needless to say, if Crowley wasn’t lying about dean having a choice, he chose to be a full on demon….if there was any semblance of a dean left in him…I’m not so sure he would’ve chosen that path. so, for me, dean is gone and has been since metatron plunged that angel blade through his now dead heart. 🙁
Crowley confirmed my belief when he realized for himself how delusional he actually has been. for a ny min I felt sorry for him…then it was gone:D
the one who really broke my heart last night was sam. sam, always wanting to believe there’s good inside even the darkest of creatures…I felt sam truly represented the fandom. he so wanted to believe that dean was hidden somewhere down deep…that he actually showed mercy, but it’s as I believed…..dean wasn’t showing mercy at all. there is no dean left in there…he’s darkness and hate and evil….everything dean stood against, everything he’s fought against….and now he’s become it himself…..that’s what breaks my heart….therein is the true tragedy of dean Winchester…not only to lose himself, but to lose himself that way…:(
but where there is a Winchester there is hope…..sam will not give up on dean. as dean once said not so long ago, sam has enough faith for the both of them.;) sam is determined to save his brother. he feels he has failed dean so many times, that there is nothing to stand in his way of getting dean back and saving him this time. I have total faith in sam that he will succeed.;)….. i know he’s at a serious disadvantage right now, but i can’t help but feel like sam is still one step ahead…;)
cole is going to be a bit of a problem in the eps to come. where he first believed dean to only be a killer, now he knows the truth. what he doesn’t know is that most likely when they meet again, dean will be dean. hopefully cole will keep dean’s demon status to himself, otherwise it’ll be like it was with sam and dean will become fair game for all hunters. not that it’ll matter to cole one way or the other. dean killed his father and he’s been on the revenge trail since the age of 13…..kind of like a few Winchesters i know. 😀 i don’t know if cole will come around and make for a new spinoff, or if sam or dean might have to kill him.
Crowley’s bubble just bursted in regards to having a friend and cohort rule hell together, but i get the feeling Crowley has bigger plans than that, that most likely, he wouldn’t have told dean about. Maybe Crowley was just testing dean this whole time, just trying to figure out how much he could trust in dean…..seems he got his answer….he can’t. i think for moment, because Crowley has traces of humanity in him, he was truly disappointed..i think he really wanted to have someone to call a friend…as he so confessed in sacrifice. but now that he knows for sure that will never be….and that he truly has a problem with dean now…i can even see him assisting sam in his endeavor to save his brother if need be. Crowley certainly has plans and i’m not so sure i like the idea of him having the blade…i don’t forsee him wanting dean to have it…but in his hands….not a good idea. would’ve preferred cas having the blade.
i think sam is going to save dean when he gets him home. it’s not going to be easy. sam is playing wounded…but still my money is on him….now i’m not sure if i saw it in one of the commercials during the ep or the coming attraction….but did anyone else see sam getting pushed against the wall and white light coming out of him? maybe i didn’t see what i thought i saw…but for a second i thought there was something angelic going on with sam….like i said, i’m not sure what it saw…it happened so damn fast…… what i am positive of is that sam will succeed. 😉
it’s been an exciting ride so far and i have no doubt that the rest of the season will be just as awesome….:D
…..
It was a great episode, but some of it was hard to watch, which I know was the point. Dean was so menacing this time, and I just felt my heart sink when he killed the husband because he took such pleasure in it. Even my husband was like, oh man, he’s killed a human, even if he was a douchy one. And I know he didn’t do what Crowley wanted, but the guy’s soul has to still be going to hell, I mean he called a hit out on his wife and he cheated himself. Not exactly heaven material. But my heart really was just sick about Dean and what he’s become and I have to admit, I’m glad we won’t have too many episodes of him like this. Kudos to Jensen for making me seriously scared of Dean.
Oh Sam. You are just taking hit after hit and you keep coming back. They just need to let him have one good breakdown. My heart bleeds for him and how Jared manages to look simultaneously strong, sad, determined, and heartbroken,(not to mention yummy) is really so great to watch. He’s just really putting his all into it and I can’t wait for next week to see how he manages Dean.
Crowley is pathetic. He’s lost his edge for sure. I wouldn’t be surprised if he has a rebellion on his hands after those two demons saw Dean push him. His human addiction is getting the best of him. And I’ll reiterate what I said last week, I hope Sam gets to kill him. He really needs to be the one to do it.
I actually enjoyed Castiel’s story this week. I liked Hannah and I liked that Cas told Metatron to shove it. I’m finally a little interested in seeing what they have in mind for this and I hope maybe he’s going to be hooking up with Crowley. I love them together. I think they have great chemistry.
REALLY NO MORE DEANMON after next episode……WTactualF
This was a really great episode! Finally Demon Dean has some real menace about him. I’d have like to have seen him a bit more like this last week as well, but better late than never. I am assuming that he’ll be even more intense next week right before he’s cured or partially cured. I am looking forward to the showdown between Sam and Dean. Sam is going to be a such a disadvantage both physically and emotionally, but I am sure that he’s planned ahead and I am looking forward to seeing how he handles things. I’d like to see one episode where Sam doesn’t end up unconscious though. Even that Cas/Hannah stuff had legs this episode and was much more interesting. Although I was a little surprised at tow truck lady letting two relative strangers into her house where he very young daughter was sleeping. I mean, would you do that? I wouldn’t.
Two little quibbles; I am having a bit of a hard time with the time line for Cole. He was 13 when Dean killed his father in 2003, which would have been in the middle of the Stanford years pre-series. That would make Cole 24/25 years old now. That actor looks 30 if he’s a day. Secondly, how does a revenge driven man, whose been preparing himself to take on his father’s killer for the past ten/eleven years have time to do two tours of duty, get married and have a 8 year old son by the time he’s 24? Maybe that kid isn’t his…? But the whole set up strikes me as a bit strange time wise.
I was also struck by the conversation between Hannah and Cas regarding making deals to get Cas’s grace back. Cas doesn’t want her to make the deal, and he wants to be able to make the decision about the course of his own life himself. Huh… that’s odd considering that is the exact opposite take that they gave to Dean last season. What exactly is the shows stance on this? They seemed to be backing Cas’s stance and the nobility of his decision at that moment and yet its’ completely the opposite stance that they took with Dean last season where his overriding of Sam’s decisions, of his free will was seen as the nobelist of choices. The show even went so far as to indirectly lay blame on Sam for not being appreciative of Dean’s actions in season 9. So, Cas gets to choose… Dean gets to choose and Sam doesn’t? WTH? What exactly are TPTB trying to say here?
I think the stance on who gets to self-determine is more character-specific than reflective of an overarching agenda. Cas gets to choose b/c he doesn’t have a family in the human sense of the word. Heaven is apparently a huge nest of political corruption and in-fighting. Frankly, if I were God I’d have left too. Cas gets to choose b/c nobody else (at this point) has anything other than a political investment in him as a heavenly pawn. Whatever Hannah feels at this point her concern is primarily for how Castiel can be used to return order in heaven. Nobody is so invested in Cas that they would not go on with life without him.
The point of the Sam & Dean dynamic is that they are so thoroughly interreliant that life w/o the other would be more miserable than death. Personal happiness (to whatever extent they are able to have it considering their line of work) is interlocked with their brother’s happiness/well-being. So it’s not just their life. It’s like marriage is the same as being single except you add one extra step to decision-making: Does this choice build or damage my partner? Then act accordingly.
Dean has always said he is unwilling to live w/o Sam, so no surprise there. Taking it all the way back Dean was crystal clear that he would not allow Sam to sacrifice himself to close the gates of hell & he pulled Sam back (tooth and nail) when it suddenly became clear that that was what it would take. Sam undertook the trials knowing what to expect from Dean. It’s a pretty classic you understand love like you give love thing. For Dean, living without Sam is unacceptable:”[Sam’s] happiness is [his] happy ending”. He’d give anything for that and he understands that he is loved when he sees in Sam that kind of concern for himself. For Sam unconditional acceptance & support is love and to understand that he’s loved he needs to feel accepted and supported. They both just acted out of love in a way that the other one would not perceive/understand as love. Sulkishness ensued. If their positions had been reversed in the barn, as Dean wanted right from the start he would have died willingly for Sam’s shot at the “Apple Pie (demon-free) Life” and Sam would have accepted it and the show would be over. So it’s a good thing they haven’t figured each other out yet because I really love this show.
I don’t believe that the show has an agenda when it comes to the concept of free will or self-determination, but it IS taking a stance on it by having the characters desire it and fight for it. Free will has been an issue on this show for MANY years; pretty much all of season 4 and 5 were based off that concept and weather or not an individual had the right to assert their free will regardless of whom ever else out there wants to manipulate them or who might be affected by any decisions that were made. Dean in particular was a champion for his free will and the final battle in season 5 was the assertion of his free will over the combined forces of angels and demons alike who were trying to force the Winchesters to conform to their destiny. Basically Sam and Dean’s belief in free will saved the world and forever changed the thinking of one angel, namely Castiel. Now the show seems to be doing an about face on free will. It’s fine for Cas to assert it now, and it was fine for Dean to assert his variously over the course of the show, but when Sam tries to assert his, he is criticized, shown to be wrong and accused of being ungrateful. Free will is not a concept to be applied to various characters given their lack of family or their political affiliations, it is a human right to be given to all people equally who understand it and want it. Sam understands the concept more than most beacuse his free will has been taken from him the most, by enemies and unfortunately by family. When this show decides to give self determination to some characters (Cas and Dean) and deny it to others (Sam) it comes off as carelessness and a lack of concern for crucial details in the writing; it’s inconstant and thus irritating.
I know that Dean can’t live without Sam; he’s said so many, many times. But this is Dean’s problem and he has taken his problem and fixed it by taking away Sam’s free will, Sam’s right to self determination. He had NO RIGHT to assert his will over Sam’s period regardless of the out come. And the fact that the show has sided with Dean on this irks me to no end. So basically you can assert your sense of self determination if you are anyone but Sam Winchester. A concept as universal as free will must be applied equally to all characters without regard to their family or political status because it is their right as a human being to be able to decide what to do with their life, and even their death. Currently it is not being applied equally to all characters, it is being applied to some of the characters some of the time and not to other characters some of the time and for no other reason than it suits the plot to do so.
I definitely believe Sam has a right to self-determine and I’m trying to remember where Dean has overtly negated that-aside from the aftermath of pulling him out of the trials. Do you think Dean…the show… values family first maybe? Even at the expense of free will? (pausing here to point out that I’m spitballing the question-it’s not something I’ve given much thought to & most of what I say reflects thinking out loud more than an established belief). It’s a given that Dean is the “bossier” of the two so ruling out routine decisions so as not to nit-pick…early on Dean may not agree but he accepts Sam’s decision to allow Lucifer to possess him. He accepts the consequences of the decision and retires until Sam pulls him back in. So Cas then negates Sam’s free will by pulling him out of the cage? I can see that… Maybe that accounts for the less intimate relationship between the two? Dean also accepts Sam’s decision to carry on with the trials contingent on it not costing Sam his life. They both agree to pull back in that moment when they realize that the trial WILL kill Sam. So where it goes south in the free will dept is where Dean refuses to allow Sam to die AND tricks him into allowing himself to be possessed… Do you think maybe they’re going for a point (aside from driving the plot) in playing out the consequences of usurping Sam’s decisions? Insofar as what it cost the brothers in the back of S09? I don’t wander far into fandom-but guessing there was some Sam hate associated with that? I’m thinkin’ maybe they let the resentment that Sam (justifiably) felt play out too long? They really did beat that into the ground with Kevin’s ineffective post-mortem “get over it” and that entire “Ghostfacers” ep was just too painful. I guess that part I didn’t really care for was that at the end of S09 there was no forgiveness (just acceptance) from Sam. And you REALLY want him to forgive Dean. But maybe the point is that Sam can never forgive Dean for using the trust he had in “family” to take that decision to die away from him. Maybe they were trying too hard to make that point but took it too long?
…..
[quote]I guess that part I didn’t really care for was that at the end of S09 there was no forgiveness (just acceptance) from Sam. And you REALLY want him to forgive Dean. But maybe the point is that Sam can never forgive Dean for using the trust he had in “family” to take that decision to die away from him. Maybe they were trying too hard to make that point but took it too long?[/quote]
In order for Sam to even BEGIN to forgive Dean for what he did to Sam with the possession Dean must ask for forgiveness first. He must understand and recognize that taking away Sam’s right to choose (even if the choice was not what Dean would have wanted) and forcing on him Dean’s choice instead of letting him decide for himself was WRONG with a capital W and had far reaching and horrible repercussions. Not only was Dean not sorry about what he did, he was not sorry for the pain he caused Sam, and even actually said that he’d do what he did all over again and that Sam should be grateful because Dean “saved his ass back there.” In the face of that kind of thinking how could Sam even possibly begin to forgive? Forgiveness must be asked for, the pain caused to the victim must be regretted by the perpetrator before forgiveness can be given, and Dean has not asked, has not acknowledged that he even should ask and thinks what he did was right. Sam is a very forgiving person and has forgiven Dean many, many times usually without Dean apologizing or asking for forgiveness (The Mentalists, that much hated episode comes to mind with Sam actually apologizing to Dean for Dean lying to him and going behind his back to kill his friend after he begged him not to. UGH).
[quote]And you REALLY want him to forgive Dean.[/quote]
Actually I really DON’T want Sam to forgive Dean at least not until Dean realizes that what he did was wrong and then ASKS for forgiveness; then I think Sam would be more than willing, he always is where Dean is concerned. I want Dean to understand that he needs to ask for forgiveness if for nothing else then for the pain that he caused Sam by having him possessed, for turning him into an unwitting assassin, and for taking away his right of self-determination for no other reason than it suited Dean to do so because Dean decided that he was right regardless of the fact that he KNEW Sam would not want what he wanted. Dean has done this any number of times; in the church in season 8, during The Mentalists, when he forced Sam’s soul back into him in season 6. This season, with Demon Dean it is in fact the first time in the history of the series that Sam will be the one to force Dean to do what Sam thinks is best and against Dean’s expressed wishes to the contrary. We’ll see how Dean handles that when he realizes.
[quote]But maybe the point is that Sam can never forgive Dean for using the trust he had in “family” to take that decision to die away from him. Maybe they were trying too hard to make that point but took it too long?[quote]
It’s ironic that you say that it took too long for them to make their point. I agree, they absolutely failed to make any point whatsoever about the possession and that’s because the only person we, the audience, got to see affected by the possession was Dean. There was chapter and verse about Dean’s guilt, Dean’s tension, sorrow, worry etc.. and not one thing about what Sam was going through. It’s pretty hard to show the affects of a controversial problem when only one side of that problem is being explored and in this case the problem was explored only from the perpetrators side and not the victims. Sam had exactly 3 lines of dialog about being possessed; 1) It was like shared housing 2) Lies ruin relationships 3) I have nightmares about killing Kevin. That’s it in 23 episodes. All spoken and none shown. (Show, don’t’ tell is the number one rule of effective drama, so in that respect TPTB utterly failed here). How are we supposed to connect to the victim of a controversial event if what the victim is going through is never explored or addressed in any meaningful way? Maybe it only felt like Sam’s side of things took too long because they never actually got anywhere or said anything meaningful with the story they set up.
OMG, Travis Aaron Wade was born in 1975 and Jensen in 1978 so he is OLDER than DEAN and trying to play 24.
wake up CASTING. 🙁
…..
Just did a second viewing, did anyone else choke up when Sam said “I don’t care because you are my brother and I’m here to take you home.” HOME! He used the word HOME!! He’s taking Dean back to MoL. Sam now thinks of it as HOME! Awwwwww!
LOVED this episode. Thinkin’ Dean did NOT kill Cole’s father, but walked in after ganking the monster that did. The kill was too messy for a blade. Clearly there’s more to be told there. Another thing I’m liking abt last night’s ep: no more trading against their better judgement. Sam trades the blade which he wouldnt want Dean to have anyway and Cas blocks Hannah from freeing Metatron to barter his Grace back. (Also: Writers need to STAHP introducing females as “love interests”. Can we just call Hannah a co-worker and leave it there for a season or so? Please watch “Castle” or “The Mentalist”).
Misha was exceptional last night. Cas plays so stoic and the cracks are slight, betrayed by the briefest show of emotion-just a lovely nuanced performance. Also appreciate that Cas finally has something he can believe in. He has spent much of the past tryna figure out “God’s will” resulting in a whole lot of insecurity, indecision, and poor choices :)). Even last week he was torn on forcing rebel angels back to heaven. Here he was warm and gentle with the little girl and then scary angry with Metatron (it became clear suddenly why Misha has usually played villains). It’s ironic that mortality is that clarifying moment for him. Really think the angel story line is gonna light up this season. I’d like to see the solution to Cas’ problem NOT be a bigger problem. It’d be Sah-WEET if it involved some tiny affirmation from his father as well…just a token “hang-in-there kiddo”.
Think both Jensen and Jared were excellent as well. The demon part of Dean became much more obvious and that glare at the end was 100% pure hate. Sam was just heartwrenching. After the “unbrothering” of last season, it’s especially moving to watch him fight to get it back-especially since it involves fighting Demon Dean to get Dean as his brother back. Dean has always been such an honest character (his actions are routinely in agreement with his beliefs/values (even if those actions involve evading the truth) ) and I think that in part is what draws the other characters to him. Sam has been, conversely, more stuck on things being truthful even if it leads him to go against what he really values. Jared communicated Sam’s desperation beautifully. I like how this story has re-focused the relationship between the brothers. I wonder if, provided they work things out, Cole might provide a worthy successor to the Mark?
[quote]LOVED this episode. Thinkin’ Dean did NOT kill Cole’s father, but walked in after ganking the monster that did. The kill was too messy for a blade. Clearly there’s more to be told there.[/quote]
Actually that’s a good notion and probably likely. If Cole is going to be in any way redeemable (not just fodder for a satisfying kill the way Gordon was) then the back story regarding his father is going to have to change. Either Dean will have had no choice or he walked into the aftermath of the thing he was hunting and the kid understandably drew the wrong conclusions. I think Dean will be able to tell us more when he’s in a more human state and willing to remember. Right now he couldn’t care less about Cole or his dad. Cole’s pissed though, that’s for sure. Now that he’s convinced that Dean’s a demon it will be pretty hard to unconvinced him when Dean’s cured. Still having trouble with the time line… now way can I buy that cole is only 24/25 years old; doesn’t work for me. If they really wanted someone to come after Dean for the sake of the plot this year, someone who wanted revenge why didn’t they just bring back Jacob.? The kid who mother Dean killed in season 6? Maybe he wouldn’t be old enough yet, but I’ll bet he’s just as pissed at Dean as Cole is.
Jacob? I was thinking because Cole told Sam about his brother that he was going to be the family member. So is there a brother out there somewhere? I hadn’t thought about Dean walking into a monster kill just as 13 year old Cole came onto the scene. So that would be an interesting twist. Either way Cole is going to get an education. I agree Travis is a little to old to be playing such a young character but he is doing a good job of it so far.
Jacob was the monster son of Amy Pond, the girl Sam knew as a kid and the girl who killed her own mother to save Sam (what kind of monster were they?) She only started killing live people because her son was sick and needed ‘fresh meat.’ Sam was inclined to let her go but Dean snuck away and killer her anyway. Then her son walked in on the kill. He looked to be about 14 at the time, which would make him 17 or 18 now. Probably not old enough really, but who knows maybe monsters grow like dogs and he would be all grown up now, still a monster and pissed as hell. He’s at least someone from Dean’s past that we know of. I am guessing that Cole will eventually come around to be a new member of the hunter network. If they were only going to introduce him to kill him off then they could have used Jacob instead and made a connection to the shows own past.
I had forgotten that kids name, but you are right that would have been the monster I would guessed coming after Dean.
I think my favorite part of the ep last night was Sam beaten all to hell, arm in a sling taking out DD (left handed no less). Way to go Sam!
Mine too. Though I gotta admit I did giggle at deans princess bride reference…..also liked that I’m going to rip you in half look that dean gave Crowley while sitting in baby. Also caught notice of crowleys acceptance when his demon henchman told him it was time to move on. Knew cole couldn’t really hammer SAMs knees…think he planned that call;) really glad cole showed when he did, cuz dean was going to kill Sam or at least come close. Poor Sam, his head totally hit the pavement which is what knocked him out. I totally believe SAMs head is partly made up of rock:D. What made me sad was dean mocking SAMs puppy dog eyes, knowing that dean is usually a victim of them…..and sams face when dean told him he’d show him no mercy….the man needs a serious hug and I totally am willing to offer up my services;):D
I have all the faith in the world that Sam has a plan.:D
Regarding Sam getting knocked out every episode, I am considering starting a petition to the writers – sending them helmets with ‘for Sam’ written on them. Whaddaya think?
Hey, apparently I am a blueberry with zogabongs … ok then 😉
🙂 Count me in.
Zogabongs? Well you are a happy blueberry. With those string legs that seem unstable.
🙂 Me too! That was supposed to be a reply to elif. Hmm….rolling eyes soybean needs both eyes open.
Great 😀
Yeah, zogabongs, cause it is easier to spell (marginally) than “deeley bobber”. It isn’t really… What do the kids call ’em nowadays?
Jared really is knocking it out of the park. His dogged determination in spite of the physical and mental pain he’s going through is just pulling at my heart strings. It’s giving me such a season 1-3 vibe too. I’m absolutely loving it!
Yeah that was pretty sweet… and after he’d been knocked out AGAIN!! That’s our Sammy, rebounding like a pro. I also liked when the talked to the bouncer that DD beat all to hell. Did you notice that the bouncer and Sam had the exact sam injuries? Right arm in sling black eye? Heh… I think they were having little fun at Jared’s expense.
…..
Maybe Kitusne age in dog years and that young boy is now a strapping young monster of 30?! It could happen. I was thinking that they went this way with a new character, Cole, because they are going to do more with him then just have him be the next Gordon, or at least I hope so. We need a few more hunters in the Universe and he’d be a good addition once he calms down a bit.
After watching the episode again when 13 year old Cole was coming out of his room there is a picture on the wall of Mom Dad and Cole no brother. Any significance to this or the dreaded continuity error. They made a real point of showing the photo. Just mentioning because no reason. 😉
I had initially thought of that boy as well, but decided (as you said) that he was still too young. Given his training, etc. I could see Cole as being “worthy” of the mark, but I can’t imagine Sam & Dean would hand him that power if there was any danger he would use it to kill them or even other innocent people. Even without the blade, if they “cure” Dean he will die w/o “feeding” the Mark so there’s that. Can’t wait to see where this goes!
Double post
j/s Cain should come back and asked to be killed and OOPS no Blade
WHATEVER IS DEAN TO DO…….
Good point! Although, Sam knows that Crowley knows so all he’d have to do is tell Cain that Crowley has it. Crowley seemed pretty terrified by Cain, I’ll bet he’d give that blade up in a heartbeat, little rodent that he is!
This was a really good episode. I don’t know why but I never love the episodes nor hate them as much as everybody else (except Bloodlines). This was well paced and the switches from one scene to another were not as irritating as they have been in some episodes.. Everything flowed well. I do think it was a little jarring to go from karaoke, womanizing Dean to cold, killer Dean in the next episode. Not complaining mind you, I wanted dark demon Dean to appear. Crowley definitely has some cards up his sleeve. I do think he was disappointed Dean wouldn’t play along with his “buddy movie” fantasy but he always has an agenda and he will get over it. I have always liked Hannah and am glad they fleshed her out a little. I also like the chemistry with Cas. He needs a friend at this point. The Winchesters are a little busy at the moment. Sam is just so drained and still driven to save his brother. I don’t care what he has done I love that. Stoked for next week!
ETA: Because I don’t want to get to a point that I take it for granted, the acting was phenomenal, particularly Jared and Jensen. The top of their game!! Misha and Mark as well.
LEAH.. All the time 🙂
Jensen and Mark NEVER give bad performances.
Regarding Castiel’s grace, I’m thinking Claire Novak will play a part in that. Remember, she was at one time a vessel to Castiel. and as we learned in season 9 when an angel leaves a vessel it leaves residual grace in the body. The question is will she allow it to be extracted, and will it be enough to bring Cas back to his full power.
Well if Cas needs the residual grace in Claire I hope she tells him to go shove it. However fans feel about Cas, he kidnapped her father and either kept him away from him or got him killed. He asked “consent” from an eleven year old Claire to get inside her body. He went back into Jimmy by promising that if Jimmy took him back the angels would protect Claire and Amelia (Claire’s mother). then he rebelled against the angels taking away the reason for them to provide that protection. In all of his incarnations, weakened Cas, Cas fighting Raphael, Godstiel Cas, returned from Purgatory Cas, Cas who lost his grace, not one of these has shown the slightest interest in fulfilling his promise about taking care of Claire. He has shown ZERO interest in the family that was abandoned because of him. Abner made it his mission to take care of the family of his vessel, working to provide for them and make them happy. So I will be royally ticked off if Claire decides to “help” Cas regain his grace, his power and his life after he destroyed hers.