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Recap - "Swan Song" - Page 8
- Details
- Written by Alice Jester
- Category: Season Five
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Dean is pretty pissed at God. ”Well if you do see him, tell him I’m coming for him next.” Oh Dean, will you ever learn. Castiel has figured out Dean is angry. You think? Dean calls that an understatement. Castiel points out God helped and probably more than they realize, but Dean isn’t comforted by that. ”That’s easy for you to say, he brought you back. But what about Sam? What about me, where’s my grand prize? All I’ve got is my brother in a hole.” Castiel’s a bit wiser than that. “You got what you asked for Dean. No paradise, no Hell, just more of the same. I mean it Dean. What would you rather have? Peace or freedom?” The sad score comes on again, Dean ponders that question, looks over and Cas is gone. ”You really suck at goodbyes, you know that?” Hello, angel.
Next scene is Dean in Bobby’s salvage yard hugging him goodbye while Chuck narrates. He mentions this is the last Dean and Bobby will see of each other for a very long time. Dean is shown getting into the Impala and driving away. Alone. Without Sam. Sammy!!!!!!!!! (cries). Chuck makes sure we know what happens with Bobby though. ”And for the record this point next week, Bobby will be hunting a rugaru outside of Dayton.” Shot on Bobby on the verge of tears. Sorry Bobby, I beat you to the punch about twenty scenes ago.
Next scene is Dean in Bobby’s salvage yard hugging him goodbye while Chuck narrates. He mentions this is the last Dean and Bobby will see of each other for a very long time. Dean is shown getting into the Impala and driving away. Alone. Without Sam. Sammy!!!!!!!!! (cries). Chuck makes sure we know what happens with Bobby though. ”And for the record this point next week, Bobby will be hunting a rugaru outside of Dayton.” Shot on Bobby on the verge of tears. Sorry Bobby, I beat you to the punch about twenty scenes ago.
Chuck says but not Dean. ”Dean didn’t want Cas to save him. Every part of him, every fiber he’s got wants to die, or find a way to bring Sam back. But he isn’t gonna do either. Because he made a promise.” So there he is knocking on Lisa’s door. She’s both stunned and relieved to see him and asks if he’s alright. He says yeah. Liar! He asks her if it’s not too late, he’d like to take her up on that beer. She smiles and tells him it’s never too late. He comes in and she grabs a hold of him. He holds on tight and buries his head in her shoulder, breaking down while she comforts him with “it’s okay.” Oh Dean, at least you have a shoulder to cry on. Again, very bittersweet. Um, I’m pretty much spent and can’t cry anymore, but Kripke keeps trying.
Now, for the two GOTCHAS that get to aggravate us all summer and take us into season six. As the camera pulls away from Dean and Lisa, Chuck finishes his narration. ”So what’s it all add up to? It’s hard to say. But me, I’d say this was a test, for Sam and Dean. And I think they did alright.” Then there are more flashback scenes. Sam trying to go after yellow eyes in “Salvation,” Azazel in the graveyard in “AHBLPII,” Meg in “Devil’s Trap,” and Zachariah in “Point of No Return.” Then there’s the brothers sharing moments in other scenes, ending with the reunited hug in “Lazarus Rising” and them staring at the stars on the Impala. "Up against good, evil, angels, devils, destiny, and God himself. They made their own choice. They chose family. And well, isn’t that kind of the whole point?” Just beautiful!
Chuck types “THE END.””No doubt, endings are hard. But then again, nothing ever really ends, does it?” He looks so happy, so serene, and I love the final closeup of him with those heavenly blue eyes and his smile. Then he disappears! NO WAY!! Chuck was God?? Oh Kripke, you magnificent bastard. That means Kripke is God. No arguments from me there. What a perfect little joke.
Chuck types “THE END.””No doubt, endings are hard. But then again, nothing ever really ends, does it?” He looks so happy, so serene, and I love the final closeup of him with those heavenly blue eyes and his smile. Then he disappears! NO WAY!! Chuck was God?? Oh Kripke, you magnificent bastard. That means Kripke is God. No arguments from me there. What a perfect little joke.
Okay, now for the second mindfuck. Dean is at the dinner table with Ben and Lisa, and he’s somberly staring off into space. Judging by their different clothes, this is a different day. She comes up to him and asks if he’s okay. ”Yeah, I’m good,” he answers but he’s also pounding a glass of whiskey. I’m not sure he is okay. We don’t really see Ben, just a fuzzy shot of the back of some kids head, but we get the point. Family dinner.
The camera pans to outside where this intimate little dinner can be seen through the living room window. Suddenly the street lamp overhead burns out. The shot moves down to the ground to show a large man there watching. It’s Sam!!!!!! Sammy you’re back!!!! It’s so good to, oh, what's that look on your face? It’s ambiguous. Not happy, not sad, but somberly blank. Oh no, what does that mean? We’ve got about 18 maddening weeks to figure it out.
The camera pans to outside where this intimate little dinner can be seen through the living room window. Suddenly the street lamp overhead burns out. The shot moves down to the ground to show a large man there watching. It’s Sam!!!!!! Sammy you’re back!!!! It’s so good to, oh, what's that look on your face? It’s ambiguous. Not happy, not sad, but somberly blank. Oh no, what does that mean? We’ve got about 18 maddening weeks to figure it out.
But if...then that...it could be...but maybe not...GAH!!! Never mind, you know what's is coming. DAMN YOU KRIPKE!!!!!!!!!!!!! Enjoy the freaking painful summer everyone!
Comments
Love your recaps. Loved the story of the Impala. Really loved the entrance of the Impala and Dean at the cemetary. Loved Castiel. This was a good way of ending the first five seasons and a good way of starting (maybe) the next five seasons. Poor Dean. Poor us, is it September yet????????
"Good answer, I'm going to be watching you."
"Nice teacher. Really seems to care. About what, I have no idea."
Instead of Adamichael, how about Madam? Muah.
Only Cas could have pulled off the "assbutt" line for precisely that reason.
I don't even really have any constructive comments to add (yeah yeah, I know, nothing new) but reading your recap only confirms the fact that Swan Song is the motherfucker of all season finales. If you weren't moved after that forty minutes, you're either a dead, deceased corpse or a no-talent douchebag Caruso minion.
The performances in this episode especially rocked - which are so evident in the pictures you included. Jensen and Jared were perfection and they have so embodied these characters that you really do feel like Dean and Sam are real people. The inflections they use, the subtle body language to the way they show us their feelings with a look on their faces. Pure awesomeness. This was definitely a great way to end this particular mytharc and as nancyL put it "a good way of starting the next five seasons". If only in my dreams. Can hardly wait to see what genius the writers have in store for us next. September, here we come!!!!! (Not soon enough though)
It took me a long time to read your recap as I couldn't see clearly through the layer of tears.
I love love your recaps when you love an episode and don't mind a bit if you write a novel about it. This one did rip my heart out and stomp all over it and is still giving me fits.
I was so happy Dean was not a mere meat suit for Michael and he was the big hero I know he is and completely human. Dean and the Impala gave Sam his chance and so the Apocalypse was ended. Yay! But how devastating for Dean watching his brother dive down the pit and I have no doubt if he could have moved at all he would have gone down with him. How much more can the poor man take? Kripke, how you torture my poor beloved boys!
I get so emotionally involved with these two and only have this outlet to express my feelings as one of my friends calls me obsessed and another one, if I even hint that I am in distress over the Winchesters only keeps saying "It's ONLY a TV show already!" So, opening up to either of them is a nono.
And Randal, I used to own a Dodge Dart and there is nothing wrong with them as long as it never rains and you can ignore the humongous rust holes that eventually appear. Just never take your foot off the accelerator if there is even a hint of rain and use your left one on the brakes when stopping at a stop light. Not inconvenient at all!
I loved the documentary style intro with the Impala and her „experience with the apocalypse“.
The boys’ conversation at the Impala’s side however sounded like your standard made-for-TV therapy session. Sam and Dean’s expressions and tone were realistic, the words – a complete cliché.
Sam’s taking responsibility wasn’t anything new, he expressed as much in episode 1 of this season. Besides, I would expect at least as much maturity from a twenty seven year old. On the other hand, the wish to sacrifice yourself to right a mistake you were expertly manipulated into making smacks more of teenage melodrama than of maturity. Doesn’t matter that it was mostly others’ fault – you’ll show them all by taking ALL the blame!! You’ll die in a blaze of glory so nobody would even DARE blame you for ANYTHING, even if your plan fails!!! In my eyes it simplifies Sam’s character horrendously. I’ve been having this problem ever since the “Say Yes to Luciferâ€- plan was introduced.
I was very glad both boys were disturbed by the slaughter of the innocent hosts of those two “stunt demonsâ€. It was an appropriately chilling prelude to their suicidal plan.
Sam and Dean on the way to Detroit – now that was a mature conversation. It hit all the right notes with me.
The good-byes were very effective. I liked the contrast between Bobby and Castiel. Bobby’s false bravado and gruffness let Sam keep his game face more or less on, Castiel’s tragic attempts at the same technique elicit a small tortured smile from Sam that lets us realise that he’s barely keeping it together. Great moment.
The whole sequence with Lucifer was a pleasure to watch. The way he played Dean was delightfully evil. However, for me, it all went downhill from there.
Lucifer playing “I’m your friend†to a mirrored Sam had excellent atmosphere and acting and… was a cliché for the most part. Lucifer tries to tempt Sam with revenge on demons who acted on Lucifer’s orders in the first place? A fact that somehow flew over Sam’s head? Not buying Sam’s stupidity here at all.
Men looking at the stars for hours… Through telescopes – sure, just because it’s so peaceful and pretty – not buying it, sorry. I know Dean could spend his time much better watching “Dr. Sexy MDâ€.
Samifer and Adamichael – just NO. For me it was one of the worst scenes on TV ever, period. No chemistry, poor acting, at least on one side, and nonsensical dialogue. Haven’t we heard the “God made evil, so it’s His fault it exists.â€- argument a thousand times already? On top of that, those two are archangels who’ve been exercising free will since the beginning and failed to realise it was so for thousands of years? And instead spend their time squabbling like kindergarteners ? Compare this scene with Death’s scene from last episode – how are they even in the same show?
The first time I watched this scene threw me clean out of the story so I couldn’t enjoy the rest. On the second viewing I ff-ed past it so the final confrontation hit me but good. The wind whistling over the montage was inspired. I’m not much into “the power of love†– concepts but that one worked well. Maybe it’s the way the boys can communicate the world without words.
Dean’s devastation was the best scene for me hands down. He and the always faithful Impala mourning their colossal loss amidst a bright sunny day was a truly haunting image. Interestingly enough, the death and resurrection of Cas and Bobby didn’t change that feeling of finality and loss at all. It stayed with me to the bittersweet end and I loved it.
What I didn’t care for were the endless flashbacks and Chuck’s narration – it was too melodramatic for me to take seriously and manipulative enough to irritate me. So the overall feeling is of a very uneven episode that had some strong and some weak ideas, some excellent and some poor execution, and superb acting that honoured the script much more than the script honoured the actors.
Thank you for your detail-obsessed recap and for reading, if you’ve gotten this far!
One note, am I the only one who heard this? In the goodbye scene with Cas, didn't Sam say "Just, stop. He's looking." Meaning Dean. Thought it was sadly hilarious and I hope I heard right.
In such an emotion-filled episode is hard to pick a favorite scene. But the dialogue in the car in their way to Detroit, with Sam's calm acceptance of his fate and Dean having to make such a promise kills me everytime. :cry:: :cry:: :cry::
Can anyone clarify for me?? Thanks in advance : }
Fantastic recap! I’m going to miss them for the next few months.
Everything you commented on is basically what I loved about this episode.
The history of the Impala and the flash backing of the boys.
The moments between Sam and Dean.
Sam’s goodbye to Bobby and Castiels.
The use of mirror for the conversation between Sam and Lucifer.
And the whole confrontation between Samifer and Dean.
I know some fans were very disappointed that there was no big battle between Lucifer/Sam and Michael/Dean. But for me I was happy they didn’t do that.
After all wasn’t the whole basis of Team Free Will, NOT to fight?
To NOT give in and become Luci and Mikey’s vessels for that very reason?
Galina I don’t think you need glasses or a hearing aid. If this episode didn’t work for you then that’s your opinion. After all it would be a pretty boring world if we didn’t have different views or opinions.
Mind you, Lucifer's Devil went down to Georgia moment was absolutely perfect! That song is one of my all time top guilty pleasures ...
PS. Alice ... Detroit, Michigan? Us cheese eating surrender monkey Euro-types completely feel your pain, kiddo. London, England ... Paris, France, as opposed to some home-grown version that doesn't have red buses and Eiffel Towers all over the place ...
Bevie and Evelyn, would you be the two Dodge fans?
Thanks for all the Detroit detail, loved it!
I didn’t even pay attention to the label on the tape!!! Thanks! Re: Rock of Ages—Despite immersion in our new local classic rock station, 95.3—which pretty much has the Supernatural soundtrack as its playlist--that was actually the first time I heard the song (what? I grew up listening to the Goo Goo Dolls). Don’t know about the opening words (huh?), but the thought the few lyrics we heard fit: “I got something to say/it’s better to burn out/than fade away…â€
Really loved the editing in this episode, whoever put together those flashback montages, amazing…
Remember that scene from 4x18 where Chuck says “Obviously I’m a god� Pretty funny to begin with, but it’s so much more hilarious now!
Otherwise,
:cry:: :cry:: :cry::
Awesome recap.
Thanks so much for the recap , I have loved them all but this one was special.
You should not offer us apologies for writing `a lovefest` this episode deserved, and demanded it .
From the monemt I heard the first bars of Kansas I found myself with tears in my eyes ,and I continued to be moved by every following scene , like you my heart broke when Sam asked Dean to not watch him as he drank the blood.
The scene in the cemetary was both beautiful and brutal, I know many people were disappointed that they did not get `the big fight ` they wanted but I was so pleased that Dean never said `Yes` and that in the end everything came down to what the core of this show has always been about , family and love .
I find it hard to believe that some people did not like this wonderful episode and cannot believe anyone was unmoved by it .
I just hope that Kripke and his magnificent team know how much we all appriciate their work
Good stuff. Big things.
I loved this eppie to death and I love your recap as much
So many fave moments; Dean at Lisas doorstep (*chinwibble*), "the Impala moment" and the way Lucifer loses control during that montage of love and brotherhood (Ah, be still my heart!), their talk in the car on the way to Detroit, "I ain't gonna let him die alone", to Marks Lucifer freaking me out to Jareds little mirror conversation keeping me glued to the screen and taking it all in with fear and fascination. And Chucks narration moving the story along, with the little tidbits of their childhood. *happysigh*
Wow. What a fantastic Rollercoaster Ride -finale. Awesome. Amazing. Tear Your Heart Out. Love, just love.
Thank you Alice for all the wonderfull recaps, and come on season 6!
I agree wholeheartedly with your assessment of Jared's acting here - we have rarely seen so many facets of Sam, I was in awe from moment one till the very end... What a marvellous young actor he has become.
My psyche still has trouble dealing with the episode, as you well know. I still trust the creative team to come back with a wonderful, fantastic, haunting and emotionally draining sixth season. What else to expect from a show that plays my soul like a fiddle?
thank you so much for this. I absolutely loved it, Jas
Thanks again Alice for the recap. This episode kicked-a***. Loved it from beginning to end.
Regarding the episode, I loved it. I don't think it was perfect. I hate slow-motion (it is never an actor's friend) and Michael was not very imposing. But none of that really matters. From a character standpoint it was beautiful, tragic, and in many ways pitch perfect.
I'm glad you got the screen cap of the boys under the stars. I totally agree! We need to see much more of the happy stress-free boys between jobs, and I'd LOVE to see them on a day off! I hope more of this is done in season 6.
It's sad that Kripke left us with such sadness again for the summer, Sam back but not happy about it at all, and Dean grieving for Sam, and not being able to help him.
Hope they don't have too much time pass before the boys reunite.
Did I like the episode, yes. Did I think it was the best they’ve ever done, no. Doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy it though. Like some other commenters I thought it was a bit clunky the first time I watched it and that Chuck’s narration broke up the tension and the fluidity of some scenes but on re-watching I thought it worked better than I originally thought. I loved the flash back moment where Lucifer sees the army man in the ashtray and gets a glimpse of all of Sam’s memories, like the firework scene in DSOTM it was just beautifully done and captured something that wouldn’t have been conveyed half so poignantly in words, so much work must have gone into that moment but it was worth it, just lovely … I rewound and played it over and over again. I also loved the moments from their lives just that little glimpse of bored wee Sam and Dean in the car growing up, them sat on the hood just enjoying the moment. It was just lovely that for all the show is, the finale seemed to be about the little moments that make up the boy’s relationship, how sometimes the most important moments in a relationship, that define that relationship, aren’t the grand gestures or the big speeches but in the every day moments that make up a relationship. I just loved that about this episode.
Bizarrely enough the one part of the episode I didn’t like was when Sam was about thrown himself into the hole and Michael came back. I didn’t know why he needed to be there, I think the shot would have been mush better with Sam stretching out his arms and falling backwards. I also liked the idea of Michael foiled and having to face the fact that destiny fate and everything he’s been spouting had been proved incorrect by two rather stubborn brothers. It just spoilt the moment for me as I felt it took something away from Sam in that moment when everything should have been focused on him. But that’s a personal niggle.
Wow this was long, longer than I thought it was going to be but all in all I loved it and I loved the fact that Kripke told his story his way and ended it how he wanted and Bobby and the Impala (I always knew she was special) made it out ok so I’m happy.