SPN - "Lucifer Rising"
May. 19th, 2009 11:48 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
feliciakw. . . or, "Kim Manners, you are missed, Sir."
Okey dokey. I re-watched the ep for the first time this morning. Yes, it plays better in higher def widescreen. No, my opinion of the ep has not changed.
The Road So Far . . . "Carry On, Wayward Son." Still an excellent previouslies song. Didn't find it quite so stirring this time around as I did the first time around, when I about flailed off the couch.
St. Mary's Convent . . . Hey, that's the guy who used to be on First Wave. I never watched the show, but I remember him from the commercials. I think he might have done an appearance on Dark Angel as well, but I wouldn't swear to it (and I'm too lazy to go look it up right now).
YED monologuemonologuemonologue, slaughters nuns in a convent. *yawn* Kripke? Been there, done that. Remember Meg and Pastor Jim? Details were different, but it was much more effective that time around.
Also, I tend to agree with![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
kalquessa that I prefer the yellow contact lenses to this CGI effect they're doing. But *shrug* whatever.
Btw, the whole evil monologue really bothers me, but then, it's supposed to, I'm sure. Because demons are evil.
Title flash. (I wonder what they'll do for a title flash next year.)
Okay, the start out fuzzy then bring into focus transition thing? I'm not overly impressed. It seems like it's trying to be cool. And in doing so, it's just . . . kinda awkward. But, whatever.
Sam. Oh, Sam. You've changed for good. You know Dean was right. Don't listen to Ruby. Let me give you a hug and make you cookies and hide you until after the deadline passes, huh?
This whole conversation between Bobby and Dean is just . . . awkward . . . from a writing standpoint. I'll agree wholeheartedly that Jensen can work miracles with awkward dialogue, can make the proverbial silk purse out of sow's ear, and he delivers here in spades. Because seriously. Awkward.
". . . he's your--"
"Blood? Is that what you're gonna say?" Um, Dean? When has Bobby ever defined family by blood? Or did Kripke forget one of the coolest lines from "No Rest"?
I will say (and I'll attribute this to Jensen's special dialogue-transforming powers) that I can totally understand where Dean's coming from with being tired of chasing after Sam, etc. And now that I think about it, I wonder if this is the scene Jensen was talking about when he made mention of the conceptual differences he and Kripke had about how Dean would play a scene. Hm . . .
Bobby's line about family makes me wonder what kind of a family he's from.
"I told him . . ." Gee, thanks, Kripke, for that anvilacious recap. We were there the first time. I can appreciate you're wanting to get latecomers caught up, but that particular line seems . . . awkward. Yeah?
"You are a better man than your daddy ever was." Okay, that's a line I can get behind. And no, I don't see it bashing John so much as pointing out to Dean (for the umpteen bajillionth time) that he's got worth and brains and for cryin' out loud, he knows better than to just let Sam go off and destroy himself.
Holodeck, and Cas is there . . . looking none too happy with the situation. He knows something's wrong.
"So we need to talk." Oh, Sam. I don't like where you're going, but I like the way Jared is playing it. Mm-hm.
Magically appearing burgers and beer. EL SOL!!! Yay continuity! (I also find it interesting that Dean has a taste for Mexican beer. It's interesting, you know, in a character detail kind of way.)
You know, I had reservations about Zach when he first showed up. But I thought, "Okay, let's see where this goes." But something . . . grated. And it didn't change, and it doesn't change here. The more I see of him, the less I like him. Which once again leaves Cas as the only celestial ally Dean has. And for a while, on the holodeck, Dean doesn't even have that, much to Cas's chagrin.
Riddle me this: Where the frell was the actress playing demon!nurse when they were reading for Ruby 2.0? Because this gal? Would have rocked. She brings the snark in spades and can turn into a confused, helpless, innocent victim via a believable transition. This woman could have played subtle. This woman could have played lovestruck *gag* if that's how they wanted to take it. More like manipulative with a side of petting fondness. This gal could have been scheming and manipulative and convincing. Alas, the opportunity is missed.
I love the message that Dean leaves on Sam's v-mail. *hugs Dean*
Okay, I must admit . . . Dean tipping over the angel figurine? Makes me chuckle every time. Then Cas shows up and Dean gets the "hand caught in the cookie jar" look. Oh, Dean.
The back and forth conversation between Dean and Cas is amusing, but really? It's at this point, I think, where Dean being trapped in the green room is really annoying from a storytelling POV. All dialogue and exposition. (Um, Mr. Kripke? Have you ever heard the maxim "Show, don't tell?" Yeah.)
I do love that Ruby is becoming more and more pushy and Sam becomes more and more vocally disagreeable with her in proportion. He becomes more disillusioned, and this is a good thing.
"I'm starting to think Dean was right . . . About everything." And the moral of this story is, "Listen to your big brother."
And here we are, at the big reveal. Now, I could go along with Zach having his own agenda. But his first reference to "senior management" tells me I'm really not going to like where they go with this. I cannot even express how much I don't like where they're going with this.
Now, the change from pastoral paintings to Dante-esque stuff is pretty cool. In an unpleasant doom and apocalypse kind of way.
Dean as Michael. If it were a fic, I would stop reading, but angel!fic (pre-angels in canon) is totally not my thing. But this is the story they're giving me, so I'll go with it. (I've always kind of liked Michael anyway, so Dean as a metaphorical Michael is pretty cool. I will say, however, that if Dean is actually possessed by Michael next season, I'd argue that they named the wrong episode "Jump the Shark").
And now we come to my least favorite line of the episode. "God has left the building." The way this reads to me is that a) God does not exist (it would take too long here to explain why I disengage when this is blatantly used as a storytelling device); or b) God doesn't care--which is equally repulsive. At this point, my instinct is to shut down, ignore Zach, watch strictly for the brother storyline, and disengage from the series. Indeed, Cas is once again the only angel worth investing in.
Now, if this is what I'm given to work with, and I have to continue the story myself, I would take it in the direction that Cas, through his faith in the goodness of his Father, is actually the one working in accordance to God's will. He's not working out of ego or pride (which Zach has in abundance), but he's actually paying attention and discerning what God wants. Bypassing his superiors and going to the source. But I don't give Kripke that much credit to do that.
In fact, it was Sera Gamble and Raelle Tucker who wrote the ep wherein we are first told that God has work for Dean to do: "Faith." And while that one set me on edge, by the end (and after a talk withizhilzha), I was totally behind the ep, and it's one of my faves.
So, yeah. At this point, they've pretty much lost me on any sort of meta level, because I just can't get excited about what they're doing here.
Though I will say that Dean looks really concerned that God isn't involved in this in any way. As angrily as Dean has expressed his doubts, his worrisome, pensive looks seems to indicate that deep down, where even he didn't want to admit it, he was counting on God carrying them through this. Which indicates faith on some level. *whispers to Dean: hold onto that. Don't listen to Zach.*
Nice creepy establishing shot of the convent.
I really wish they would have cast a child to play Lilith in this ep. It would have been problematic from a story POV to use the same blonde girl that they rescued last season, but still, it would have been so much creepier and less annoying from an acting standpoint to use a little girl, I think.
"You're outside your coverage zone." *snerk!* Oh, Cas. Your attempts at humor (that was a joke, right?) are very amusing. Hee!
Castiel's speech about the pain and suffering and "what's so worth saving?" . . . I . . . like? . . . maybe? . . . that they're giving Cas a crisis of faith. Not that they're giving an angel a crisis of faith. But if we look at Cas as representing believers (which, granted, is an analogy that only goes so far), this . . . is real. "Why? What's worth saving?" And Dean's got the answer: people. People are worth saving. (Because God created people and loves them, but we won't delve into that particular topic in this review, since Show seems kind of intent on ignoring that bit of information.) I like that Cas, through his association with Dean, has developed a sympathy with him, a compassion for him--and having had his eyes opened to the pain and suffering of humanity, he longs for people (read: Dean) to experience peace and forgiveness. This? This I can get behind.
But then we get Dean's response. And it just show how limited the writer's view of Heaven and peace is. There is no Stepford-ness to Heaven. People are not going to be turned into mindless drones. But that's a theological discussion that doesn't fit here. So . . .
If that shortsighted interpretation of Paradise is what we're given, then yes, I can see Dean's point as well. (See also: Star Trek V.) Because keeping your individuality, your freedom of choice, is preferable to being brainwashed by a cult, for example. (Which brings us back to discernment and understanding the source of your information and direction.)
"There is a right and a wrong here." Yes, Dean, I'm behind you on this, and in a really convoluted way (because this dialogue and storyline have taken a convoluted turn), you're getting there. Saving people is what's important. You know it. Castiel knows it.
Now, bearing in mind that Show is not a theology lesson or a Sunday school class, the above paragraphs fail to address the consequences of free will. Yes, there is free will, but there are also consequences that must be lived with (in some cases, eternally). But again, that particular topic seems to be outside the confines of this review.
Slap my mouth! Ruby changed the v-mail! SAM!!!! NOOO!!!! (This was the one point in the ep that actually got a big reaction from me.)
There are colors on the harp strings. Is that normal? Is that how the player knows which string is what note? Like the way keys are positioned on a keyboard?
Poor Dean. Left with nothing to do by pace and exposit.
Cas stops Dean from eating the burger? Is it like fairy food? Would he be stuck there forever or lose his free will or something if he ate the burger? Zach's a tricky one, he is.
Cas to the rescue! And apparently, Dean and Cas understand each other better than I realized, because with nary more than a look, the slightest nod, Dean lets Cas put a plan into action. Yay!
And Cas sheds blood to rescue Dean. Now that has some theological implications.
It's probably just me, but the fact that Zach uses "hell" as an idiom indicates to me that he is, in fact, not on the right side of this.
"Lilth is the final seal!" \o/ I figured it out! By myself! No spoilers or input from others! FYI, Kripke? If I can figure it out? You're getting lazy. Trust me when I say that I'm not the deepest thinker in the fandom, and my theories tend to be very shallow. So if I figured it out? Yeah. You need to up your game.
Chuck! Of course he knows where Sam is.
May I say that I love Sam's entrance?
Ookay. Not sure why the archangel showed up, since Chuck wasn't in any danger. But, whatever, I guess . . .
"I'll hold them all off!" And Cas zaps Dean to Sam's location. So we leave Cas fighting archangels . . . Huh.
I knew Ruby couldn't be trusted! I knew it. Demon with a heart of gold my left pinky toe!
Okay, the cuts back and forth from medium shot to close up of Sam? Awkward and distracting.
And from a distance, Sam hears Dean! Yes, Sammy! Dean came for you! Listen to him!
Pride: Sam's fatal flaw. I've been . . . taken to task? for getting on Sam about his pride. And I admit that I was surprised that someone jumped on me like they did (not rude or flaming, just very offended that I would have the nerve to call Sam out on it). Because I thought Sam's pride was pretty darn obvious. And here? Here's the scene wherein Sam's pride releases Lucifer from his prison. It's not Ruby's urging that pushes Sam to finish off Lilith. No, it's Lilith's mocking of Sam, appealing to his pride. She laughs at him. She says, "You turned yourself into a freak, a monster, and now you're not gonna bite. I'm sorry, but that is honestly adorable." She implies that he's a coward, that he can't get the job done, and to prove that he can . . . he does. His pride is his downfall.
Sam's eyes turn black. *yawn* Wait, Sam's eyes turn black? Sam's eyes turn black! Okay, so, does this mean he's now a demon? Or that he's so juiced up on the stuff that he reacts as a demon? I reallyreallyREALLY don't want him to be a demon. It's just . . . no. Not from a plotpoint level, not from a character development level, not from a storytelling level. It's just . . . too much. Though better black than yellow. I might have cringe-flailed or something.
Okay, Ruby quoting (or more accurately, paraphrasing) Martin Luther King? Awkward.
And Ruby has a pride issue herself. Indeed. But she lays all her cards on the table, and I was right from the very first time she showed herself to be a demon. Sam, honey, you knew. Never trust a demon. Ever. Everever. *shakes head sadly*
Dean knifes Ruby!!!! \o/ While Sam holds her still!!! \o/ Ding dong, the witch is dead! Cue the munchkins!
Sam's voice. "I'm sorry." So small and regretful and he knows he screwed up in the worst way possible in the history of ever. He lied to Dean, he hid things from Dean, he dismissed Dean, he walked out on Dean. He trusted a demon. Oh, boys. You have so much to work through next season.
Oh, hey. A hellmouth. How quaint.
And . . . that's it. I can live with that ending for a summer. Why? Probably partially because I'm starting to disengage from the show. There's only so much I can handwave before things start to get to me on a fundamental, feels-like-propaganda level. And this ep just about reached critical mass in that regard. Oh, I'll tune in next season, simply because I love the brothers. And depending on what they do with Cas, things might still be salvageable.
But overall? I'm not overly impressed. Way too much info-dumping in this episode. No surprises worthy of a season finale. I think you can only get away with semi-meets-Impala once, but still. Something unexpected would have been nice.
Speculation for next season: demon hunters will come after Sam. That's really the only prognostication I'm willing to make right now. Because anything else I come up with doesn't sit well with me from a storytelling point of view.
Have a grand summer! I'ma start watching my DVDs from the beginning tomorrow.
Okey dokey. I re-watched the ep for the first time this morning. Yes, it plays better in higher def widescreen. No, my opinion of the ep has not changed.
The Road So Far . . . "Carry On, Wayward Son." Still an excellent previouslies song. Didn't find it quite so stirring this time around as I did the first time around, when I about flailed off the couch.
St. Mary's Convent . . . Hey, that's the guy who used to be on First Wave. I never watched the show, but I remember him from the commercials. I think he might have done an appearance on Dark Angel as well, but I wouldn't swear to it (and I'm too lazy to go look it up right now).
YED monologuemonologuemonologue, slaughters nuns in a convent. *yawn* Kripke? Been there, done that. Remember Meg and Pastor Jim? Details were different, but it was much more effective that time around.
Also, I tend to agree with
kalquessa that I prefer the yellow contact lenses to this CGI effect they're doing. But *shrug* whatever.Btw, the whole evil monologue really bothers me, but then, it's supposed to, I'm sure. Because demons are evil.
Title flash. (I wonder what they'll do for a title flash next year.)
Okay, the start out fuzzy then bring into focus transition thing? I'm not overly impressed. It seems like it's trying to be cool. And in doing so, it's just . . . kinda awkward. But, whatever.
Sam. Oh, Sam. You've changed for good. You know Dean was right. Don't listen to Ruby. Let me give you a hug and make you cookies and hide you until after the deadline passes, huh?
This whole conversation between Bobby and Dean is just . . . awkward . . . from a writing standpoint. I'll agree wholeheartedly that Jensen can work miracles with awkward dialogue, can make the proverbial silk purse out of sow's ear, and he delivers here in spades. Because seriously. Awkward.
". . . he's your--"
"Blood? Is that what you're gonna say?" Um, Dean? When has Bobby ever defined family by blood? Or did Kripke forget one of the coolest lines from "No Rest"?
I will say (and I'll attribute this to Jensen's special dialogue-transforming powers) that I can totally understand where Dean's coming from with being tired of chasing after Sam, etc. And now that I think about it, I wonder if this is the scene Jensen was talking about when he made mention of the conceptual differences he and Kripke had about how Dean would play a scene. Hm . . .
Bobby's line about family makes me wonder what kind of a family he's from.
"I told him . . ." Gee, thanks, Kripke, for that anvilacious recap. We were there the first time. I can appreciate you're wanting to get latecomers caught up, but that particular line seems . . . awkward. Yeah?
"You are a better man than your daddy ever was." Okay, that's a line I can get behind. And no, I don't see it bashing John so much as pointing out to Dean (for the umpteen bajillionth time) that he's got worth and brains and for cryin' out loud, he knows better than to just let Sam go off and destroy himself.
Holodeck, and Cas is there . . . looking none too happy with the situation. He knows something's wrong.
"So we need to talk." Oh, Sam. I don't like where you're going, but I like the way Jared is playing it. Mm-hm.
Magically appearing burgers and beer. EL SOL!!! Yay continuity! (I also find it interesting that Dean has a taste for Mexican beer. It's interesting, you know, in a character detail kind of way.)
You know, I had reservations about Zach when he first showed up. But I thought, "Okay, let's see where this goes." But something . . . grated. And it didn't change, and it doesn't change here. The more I see of him, the less I like him. Which once again leaves Cas as the only celestial ally Dean has. And for a while, on the holodeck, Dean doesn't even have that, much to Cas's chagrin.
Riddle me this: Where the frell was the actress playing demon!nurse when they were reading for Ruby 2.0? Because this gal? Would have rocked. She brings the snark in spades and can turn into a confused, helpless, innocent victim via a believable transition. This woman could have played subtle. This woman could have played lovestruck *gag* if that's how they wanted to take it. More like manipulative with a side of petting fondness. This gal could have been scheming and manipulative and convincing. Alas, the opportunity is missed.
I love the message that Dean leaves on Sam's v-mail. *hugs Dean*
Okay, I must admit . . . Dean tipping over the angel figurine? Makes me chuckle every time. Then Cas shows up and Dean gets the "hand caught in the cookie jar" look. Oh, Dean.
The back and forth conversation between Dean and Cas is amusing, but really? It's at this point, I think, where Dean being trapped in the green room is really annoying from a storytelling POV. All dialogue and exposition. (Um, Mr. Kripke? Have you ever heard the maxim "Show, don't tell?" Yeah.)
I do love that Ruby is becoming more and more pushy and Sam becomes more and more vocally disagreeable with her in proportion. He becomes more disillusioned, and this is a good thing.
"I'm starting to think Dean was right . . . About everything." And the moral of this story is, "Listen to your big brother."
And here we are, at the big reveal. Now, I could go along with Zach having his own agenda. But his first reference to "senior management" tells me I'm really not going to like where they go with this. I cannot even express how much I don't like where they're going with this.
Now, the change from pastoral paintings to Dante-esque stuff is pretty cool. In an unpleasant doom and apocalypse kind of way.
Dean as Michael. If it were a fic, I would stop reading, but angel!fic (pre-angels in canon) is totally not my thing. But this is the story they're giving me, so I'll go with it. (I've always kind of liked Michael anyway, so Dean as a metaphorical Michael is pretty cool. I will say, however, that if Dean is actually possessed by Michael next season, I'd argue that they named the wrong episode "Jump the Shark").
And now we come to my least favorite line of the episode. "God has left the building." The way this reads to me is that a) God does not exist (it would take too long here to explain why I disengage when this is blatantly used as a storytelling device); or b) God doesn't care--which is equally repulsive. At this point, my instinct is to shut down, ignore Zach, watch strictly for the brother storyline, and disengage from the series. Indeed, Cas is once again the only angel worth investing in.
Now, if this is what I'm given to work with, and I have to continue the story myself, I would take it in the direction that Cas, through his faith in the goodness of his Father, is actually the one working in accordance to God's will. He's not working out of ego or pride (which Zach has in abundance), but he's actually paying attention and discerning what God wants. Bypassing his superiors and going to the source. But I don't give Kripke that much credit to do that.
In fact, it was Sera Gamble and Raelle Tucker who wrote the ep wherein we are first told that God has work for Dean to do: "Faith." And while that one set me on edge, by the end (and after a talk with
izhilzha), I was totally behind the ep, and it's one of my faves. So, yeah. At this point, they've pretty much lost me on any sort of meta level, because I just can't get excited about what they're doing here.
Though I will say that Dean looks really concerned that God isn't involved in this in any way. As angrily as Dean has expressed his doubts, his worrisome, pensive looks seems to indicate that deep down, where even he didn't want to admit it, he was counting on God carrying them through this. Which indicates faith on some level. *whispers to Dean: hold onto that. Don't listen to Zach.*
Nice creepy establishing shot of the convent.
I really wish they would have cast a child to play Lilith in this ep. It would have been problematic from a story POV to use the same blonde girl that they rescued last season, but still, it would have been so much creepier and less annoying from an acting standpoint to use a little girl, I think.
"You're outside your coverage zone." *snerk!* Oh, Cas. Your attempts at humor (that was a joke, right?) are very amusing. Hee!
Castiel's speech about the pain and suffering and "what's so worth saving?" . . . I . . . like? . . . maybe? . . . that they're giving Cas a crisis of faith. Not that they're giving an angel a crisis of faith. But if we look at Cas as representing believers (which, granted, is an analogy that only goes so far), this . . . is real. "Why? What's worth saving?" And Dean's got the answer: people. People are worth saving. (Because God created people and loves them, but we won't delve into that particular topic in this review, since Show seems kind of intent on ignoring that bit of information.) I like that Cas, through his association with Dean, has developed a sympathy with him, a compassion for him--and having had his eyes opened to the pain and suffering of humanity, he longs for people (read: Dean) to experience peace and forgiveness. This? This I can get behind.
But then we get Dean's response. And it just show how limited the writer's view of Heaven and peace is. There is no Stepford-ness to Heaven. People are not going to be turned into mindless drones. But that's a theological discussion that doesn't fit here. So . . .
If that shortsighted interpretation of Paradise is what we're given, then yes, I can see Dean's point as well. (See also: Star Trek V.) Because keeping your individuality, your freedom of choice, is preferable to being brainwashed by a cult, for example. (Which brings us back to discernment and understanding the source of your information and direction.)
"There is a right and a wrong here." Yes, Dean, I'm behind you on this, and in a really convoluted way (because this dialogue and storyline have taken a convoluted turn), you're getting there. Saving people is what's important. You know it. Castiel knows it.
Now, bearing in mind that Show is not a theology lesson or a Sunday school class, the above paragraphs fail to address the consequences of free will. Yes, there is free will, but there are also consequences that must be lived with (in some cases, eternally). But again, that particular topic seems to be outside the confines of this review.
Slap my mouth! Ruby changed the v-mail! SAM!!!! NOOO!!!! (This was the one point in the ep that actually got a big reaction from me.)
There are colors on the harp strings. Is that normal? Is that how the player knows which string is what note? Like the way keys are positioned on a keyboard?
Poor Dean. Left with nothing to do by pace and exposit.
Cas stops Dean from eating the burger? Is it like fairy food? Would he be stuck there forever or lose his free will or something if he ate the burger? Zach's a tricky one, he is.
Cas to the rescue! And apparently, Dean and Cas understand each other better than I realized, because with nary more than a look, the slightest nod, Dean lets Cas put a plan into action. Yay!
And Cas sheds blood to rescue Dean. Now that has some theological implications.
It's probably just me, but the fact that Zach uses "hell" as an idiom indicates to me that he is, in fact, not on the right side of this.
"Lilth is the final seal!" \o/ I figured it out! By myself! No spoilers or input from others! FYI, Kripke? If I can figure it out? You're getting lazy. Trust me when I say that I'm not the deepest thinker in the fandom, and my theories tend to be very shallow. So if I figured it out? Yeah. You need to up your game.
Chuck! Of course he knows where Sam is.
May I say that I love Sam's entrance?
Ookay. Not sure why the archangel showed up, since Chuck wasn't in any danger. But, whatever, I guess . . .
"I'll hold them all off!" And Cas zaps Dean to Sam's location. So we leave Cas fighting archangels . . . Huh.
I knew Ruby couldn't be trusted! I knew it. Demon with a heart of gold my left pinky toe!
Okay, the cuts back and forth from medium shot to close up of Sam? Awkward and distracting.
And from a distance, Sam hears Dean! Yes, Sammy! Dean came for you! Listen to him!
Pride: Sam's fatal flaw. I've been . . . taken to task? for getting on Sam about his pride. And I admit that I was surprised that someone jumped on me like they did (not rude or flaming, just very offended that I would have the nerve to call Sam out on it). Because I thought Sam's pride was pretty darn obvious. And here? Here's the scene wherein Sam's pride releases Lucifer from his prison. It's not Ruby's urging that pushes Sam to finish off Lilith. No, it's Lilith's mocking of Sam, appealing to his pride. She laughs at him. She says, "You turned yourself into a freak, a monster, and now you're not gonna bite. I'm sorry, but that is honestly adorable." She implies that he's a coward, that he can't get the job done, and to prove that he can . . . he does. His pride is his downfall.
Sam's eyes turn black. *yawn* Wait, Sam's eyes turn black? Sam's eyes turn black! Okay, so, does this mean he's now a demon? Or that he's so juiced up on the stuff that he reacts as a demon? I reallyreallyREALLY don't want him to be a demon. It's just . . . no. Not from a plotpoint level, not from a character development level, not from a storytelling level. It's just . . . too much. Though better black than yellow. I might have cringe-flailed or something.
Okay, Ruby quoting (or more accurately, paraphrasing) Martin Luther King? Awkward.
And Ruby has a pride issue herself. Indeed. But she lays all her cards on the table, and I was right from the very first time she showed herself to be a demon. Sam, honey, you knew. Never trust a demon. Ever. Everever. *shakes head sadly*
Dean knifes Ruby!!!! \o/ While Sam holds her still!!! \o/ Ding dong, the witch is dead! Cue the munchkins!
Sam's voice. "I'm sorry." So small and regretful and he knows he screwed up in the worst way possible in the history of ever. He lied to Dean, he hid things from Dean, he dismissed Dean, he walked out on Dean. He trusted a demon. Oh, boys. You have so much to work through next season.
Oh, hey. A hellmouth. How quaint.
And . . . that's it. I can live with that ending for a summer. Why? Probably partially because I'm starting to disengage from the show. There's only so much I can handwave before things start to get to me on a fundamental, feels-like-propaganda level. And this ep just about reached critical mass in that regard. Oh, I'll tune in next season, simply because I love the brothers. And depending on what they do with Cas, things might still be salvageable.
But overall? I'm not overly impressed. Way too much info-dumping in this episode. No surprises worthy of a season finale. I think you can only get away with semi-meets-Impala once, but still. Something unexpected would have been nice.
Speculation for next season: demon hunters will come after Sam. That's really the only prognostication I'm willing to make right now. Because anything else I come up with doesn't sit well with me from a storytelling point of view.
Have a grand summer! I'ma start watching my DVDs from the beginning tomorrow.
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Date: 2009-05-20 07:39 am (UTC)Zach is driven by his own pride and it can't be good thing (even if he thinks he's doing it for eternal paradise on earth). His mentioning of God as non-caring is a sign for me of how blind he is.
Re: Dean's comment of Stepford in heaven. Plus to all who said it's in Dean's character to talk like this i'd say that he was getting ready to fight against big evil through this season (even if he didn't know it'll be Luci) so for me his words are also an indication that he's ready to fight, he can't give up the world for peace and happiness in heaven even if he'd like that. That's why he sounds so harsh, he was mad on himself too. Also i think Dean didn't forgive himself for what he's done in hell and thinks he doesn't deserve heaven so he claims on pain because that's what he think he has to feel after all he's done.
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Date: 2009-05-21 12:32 am (UTC)To me, the "God has left the building" means that God is not present in this situation. When someone says, "Elvis has left the building"--which is typically where this originated--it means that the person in question (Elvis) is no longer in the building literally, or that he's removed himself from the public by retreating to the green room or other private quarters, making himself inaccessible to his public. Thus "God has left the building" to me means that Zach is telling Dean that God is not there, is not accessible, and Dean can forget about seeking any sort of comfort or reassurance or aid or strength or whatever from God--in this, the Final Battle, Armageddon, during which Dean is expected to kill Lucifer.
I have a problem with Zach handing Dean that kind of hopelessness.
Or, if God is still around, still there, Zach speaks with such blatant disregard and lack of respect that it makes God look weak. Also not an agreeable option.
Re: the "Heaven as Stepford" comment . . . if it were just Dean saying it, I could go along with it as a misconception Dean has. We've talked about that over the course of the season, how Dean's questions and doubts are very real and expressed in a real and Dean-like manner. But it's not just Dean who's saying this. Anna said essentially the same thing. Both times a character has said this, it's been in episodes written by the same writer. The way it's presented here, it doesn't feel as much like a character trait as something the writer is saying. One of my f-list called it propaganda, and I understand where she's coming from.
Now, when Dean starts in on a "there's a right and there's a wrong here," and "people matter," I'm totally behind him on that score. And being willing to fight to stop the destruction of the world. Because Dean has always been about the saving people (except for the one time when he was drunk on grief and whiskey when Sam was dead, but those were extenuating circumstances). So in that regard, I'm right there with Dean.
So I'm willing to give Show a chance to explain itself next season, to show us that Cas is really the one doing God's will, or that God is testing the good guys, or whatever. But I'm not very confident that Kripke will go that route.
I've been burned by favorite shows in the past; I'm really not expecting anything different here. On the contrary, I'm kind of impressed that it's taken them four seasons to get to this point with me.
Thanks, though, for sharing your point of view. Having people to talk me down is a good thing, I think. :-)