"Form and Void"
11.02
Writer: Andrew Dabb
Director: Phil Sgriccia
Airdate: October 14, 2015
BY WEDNESDAY
What did I see?
VISUAL MOTIFS AND SYMBOLS
Although the Darkness was reduced to "giant crazy fart" the script held many repeated words, motifs and symbols
carefully woven through a visual tapestry of imagery by Director Phil Sgriccia and Director of photography Serge Ladouceur.
Such a pleasure to see imagery in tandem with the script, enhancing motifs, symbols and meaning:
RED FLOWERS, THE TREE OF LIFE, RELIGIOUS ICONS, SWEETS, HANDS, AND ANGELS were motifs in the script that were
represented visually. At some points, the visuals managed to incorporate more than one motif at a time.
TINY RED FLOWERS
Tiny red flowers (symbolizing Amara/Darkness and Danger) were more prevalent in this episode.
THE TREE OF LIFE
All cultures recognize the "Tree of Life" as a powerful force. Primitive people's saw
the powerful tree pattern on every placenta, of every birth, and replicated it in works of art.
Modern people know that the "tree" is a network of veins that nourish the fetus but it
is no less a source of life giving power. It remains a GLOBAL spiritual symbol.
GARDEN OF EDEN?
(The Low Angle shot draws the viewers' focus up towards the red flowers, AS DOES Dean's gaze.)
The Tree of Life, or network of veins, is reinforced visually when the Rabids become infected by the Darkness.
Their veins bulge and turn black.
Two other "Tree of Life" structures, although more abstract, are in the Chapel's stained
glass red flower branches and the Bunker's book tree.
SWEETS
The Script made references to sweets and tasty treats.
For example, Jenna's grandma asks, "Honey, are you all right?"
Crowley can also TASTE the power of the Darkness,
"Whatever's in that house, I can TASTE the power radiating from it."
Crowley further extends this "TASTE" for decadent things, describing Dean as "SCRUMPTIOUS young altar boy"
and that he owed his presence there to inside information.
"I have sources in the Catholic Church... nuns that owe me a favor, priests with A TASTE FOR..."
RELIGIOUS ICONS/BIBLICAL ALLUSIONS
The script bordered on the SACRILEGIOUS with Crowley's comments.
Yet, some interesting allusions to the Bible were supported with visuals of religious icons.
The religious allusions did not stop there.
Hope and Faith still thrive in Sam and he prayed for a cure, or a sign from God.
He did receive a sign but it looked like it came from Lucifer in the cage.
Previously, Sam was given two messages from the Reaper, Billie ByTheWay. She had "messageS to deliver."
One message was from all the Reapers. Should the Winchesters die again, they will be dropped in the "Empty."
Was Bille's other message about Sam being unclean in the "Biblical sense"? This message helped him find a cure.
Was the message from God? Did Billie intentionally, or unintentionally give this message? What other message was there?
There was beautiful footage of Shadow HANDS as Billie sang, "Ice cold HANDS."
The most prevalent image were the ANGELS.
Castiel learned that Heaven was not running as smoothly as Metatron informed him.
Hannah was outvoted by the Angels who "hated' Castiel.
Hannah betrays Castiel and plays the "Good Angel" to the other "Bad Angels" in an effort to glean information.
Dean was visibly upset to see Soulless Jenna smashing the Angels.
He even put himself at considerable risk to protect one little angel ornament.
When Jenna tosses it, Dean catches it.
It survives the massacre due to Dean's intervention and lands safely on the bed.
(The ANGEL ornament combined the HANDS motif with the ANGEL motif.)
WHITE and SILVER prevailed. SILVER denoted POWER and was used both to cure and harm.
WHITE shattered along with good, the pure and the innocent.
NOTABLE HIGH ANGLES
(The Superior Harvest Festival sign promises a parade and a dance. In a weird way Sam delivers it.)
CUT TO
There was some brilliant editing/cutting between the three story lines of Sam, Dean
and Castiel. There was also some clever juxtaposition between what baby Amara
was doing and what action was taking place in the rest of house. This gave the
impression that baby Amara was very much aware of what was going on.
This shot was clever. Amara, her identity not revealed, tugs on "her colour" dress behind
Crowley's back and slips out while they discuss her demise.
BEST PERFORMANCE
Tough choice as usual. Loved seeing Devious Crowley and Daddy Dean.
Outstanding performances from Baby Amara (Triplet babies and the SFX team)
There was an excruciatingly demanding performance from Misha Collins for tortured and betrayed Castiel.
REARVIEW REVIEW
(Beautiful shot of reflected danger Red behind Baby)
This episode incorporated elements of past episodes.
(Could have been more... Did you notice any references to past episodes?)
THANKS TO:
Supernatural Wiki
Home of the Nutty Screencaps
KissThemGoodbye Screencaps
IMDB: CAST
TUMBLR GIFS:
alionaw
laoih
mooseleys
devoiddean
myheartofmusic
deansheadcanon
Google Images: "Tree of Life" "Cherub" "Cherry"
Outstanding performances from Baby Amara (Triplet babies and the SFX team)
There was an excruciatingly demanding performance from Misha Collins for tortured and betrayed Castiel.
REARVIEW REVIEW
(Beautiful shot of reflected danger Red behind Baby)
This episode incorporated elements of past episodes.
(Could have been more... Did you notice any references to past episodes?)
THANKS TO:
Supernatural Wiki
Home of the Nutty Screencaps
KissThemGoodbye Screencaps
IMDB: CAST
TUMBLR GIFS:
alionaw
laoih
mooseleys
devoiddean
myheartofmusic
deansheadcanon
Google Images: "Tree of Life" "Cherub" "Cherry"
Comments
Wow. Very in depth. I identified the shrine as “Our Lady of Guadalupe” for a reason and was actually referencing her as she was known prior to Christianity.
My allusion predates the 1500’s. Sometimes the less said…
While I bow to your extraordinary knowledge of Catholicism and the remarkable interpretation of the roses,
at this point the roses seem only tied to Amara and the Darkness and hint at danger.
Perhaps, in later episode, your interpretation will come to light.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge and insight. Most intriguing.
When it comes to Supernatural it never seems to be a "good" thing.
Thanks for reading, NolanOla.
She was worshipped as a Mother Nature/Earth mother often depicted inside a Vesica Piscis,
representing the womb, or the gateway.
My allusion does predate. That is the way I intended it. I did not make an error.
Very aware that others, like yourself, might not agree.
with more to do with the Aztec goddess Tonantzin than with the Virgin Mary.
- Google "Our Lady of Guadalupe Aztec goddess Tonantzin" and see what you find.
To many they are interchangeable.
You see the Virgin Mary but I am of the opinion that is not how they are using this shrine in this episode.
I am saying what I see. I don't expect everyone to see or understand what I see in every little detail.
Nor do I think I must explain my religious beliefs for a review of a television show.
You have selected a small detail in a very long article giving my perspective and you have found fault with it.
I am telling you it was an intended comment and not an error, or misstatement; but, it would take a thesis for me to explain it all.
And when I was done.....You would not agree with it.
And like I said "...Sometimes the less said."
We all come at this show from different experiences and spiritual understandings.
The show writers explore religion from many angles and sometimes in a completely sacrilegious manner.
If you want to leave the page thinking you are right to believe what you believe and see what you see, I have no problem with that.
Amara was surrounded by Christian imagery. Dean was associated with the Virgin Mary. The pillow was a halo. The rainbow us, associated with God in the heavems and hope. Amara is a diety born as an infant. Yada Yada yada. There is a lot of imagery equating her wit the rebirth of a creator. I am thinking that she’s not really the bad guy.
God's and angels use souls for power.
I thought the angel breaking referenced Amara's anger at being locked up. Similar to Dean breaking the angel.
In contrast the rabids are not associated with "God" but with Lucifer. Those that say on God's left side were condemned to Hell. The left hand is associated with Lucifer.
Amara is surrounded by God imagery and the rabids by Lucifer imagery. The rabids are not from her.
I think the creation imagery from premiere suggests her ability to create was usurped by male god and her voice was silenced by locking her away.
The absent God the Father is looking like the bad guy in this scenario.
My Form and Void review is badly written, I was rushing, but it goes into more depth. The symbol I mention also means create. I will discuss this more in my Bad Seed review. Unfortunately in the Form and Void I was hung up biblical imagery and hadn't really thought enough about everything.
Amara is a female creation God and the Supernatural God stole creation from her and locked
her up. Hat's the way things are shaking up. I agree that the symbolism of Dean stitching up that wound is potent.
Anyhow I will focus on this for Bad Seed.
So the Rabids are a reaction to Amara being released. (like histamines)
God, the father was enough of a challenge now Luci has to share the Earth with AMARA, OH HELL NO. :D:D:D:D:D