SPN 5.18 - "Point of No Return"

[feliciakw]

I'm not sure I have many thinky thoughts to share for this ep. It pretty much speaks for itself, I think, and whether or not you like what it has to say is up to you.



Jensen said at a recent con that it would take hitting rock bottom to get the brothers to be brothers again. If this isn't rock bottom, I'm not sure I want to see what rock bottom is. Because this? This Dean just hurts. And we've been working toward this for . . . three seasons? Since Sam died.

But I'm getting ahead of myself.

Then . . . Zachariah is a jerk, Adam is their dead brother, Dean is losing faith, Sam and Lisa told Dean not to do anything stupid. But Dean believes he has to do what he has to do.

Now . . .

Zach found himself a drinking buddy to commiserate with. Kinda nifty, though Zach's most definitely a jerk. Though it does rather amuse me how he takes the shard of glass out of his beverage before he finishes his drink.

Dean. Oh, Dean. Packing up his most prized possessions: his leather jacket, the keys to the Impala, a farewell letter, his Colt 1911 (and he didn't tap the mag against the grip when he checked the bullets. I even missed that gesture). All packed up ready to ship to Bobby. Oh, Dean.

But Sam knows his brother's mindset and tracked him down at Mike's Travel Inn, room 100.

I just . . . there is so much that I love about the exchanges between the brothers in this ep. I love that Sam realizes the mistakes he made, and that he's so determined to save Dean from himself when Dean is at his lowest. And that he enlisted Castiel's help.

Also? Jensen Ackles is a beautiful, beautiful man.

Cas? Cas is pissed. He's about reached the end of his patience, and he doesn't really look like someone you want angry at you.

But Dean is on a roll. And Dean? I get what you're saying. I do. You feel responsible, and you're at the end of your rope. And you know I love you. Please don't make me slap you.

"You're not my father. And you ain't in my shoes."
See? I'ma have to slap you.

Oh, wait. Bobby's gonna do it for me. Thank you, Bobby.

Oooh! Kick-a Cas. Icing two angels. Was it a trap? Or did Cas just happen to be in the wrong (actually the right) place at the wrong (right) time? Either way . . . there's a body trying to get out of the ground! Now, I was spoiled for this particular plot development. Still, I got rather excited thinking, "They reconstituted him! They reconstituted Adam!"

I love everyone's surprise at Adam being unearthed (literally). And that Cas recognized immediately a need to hide Adam, too. And I also like that Adam does not trust Sam and Dean (or even like them, really). I also notice that Adam is dressed identically to Dean. Dean's clothes, of course, because Adam's were all muddy and musty and icky. Still, they dressed him like Dean rather than like Sam. Theoretically, Adam can fulfill Michael's purpose the way Dean can.

And wow. Cas and Dean are not getting along.

And I love that Sam smells something fishy.

I also kinda love that Dean and Adam share the same brand of snark.

And I love that we get Adam's experience, un-sugar-coated. John wasn't a "dad." Absentee, illegitimate father who tried, but that's not what the teen from a single-parent family is going to see. And by making Adam's childhood sound more idyllic than it was, the ghoul was able to manipulate Dean's emotions.

I like the conversation between Sam and Adam. Adam calling Sam out on his negative attitude toward John (which I thought Sam had come to grips with, but childhood feelings die hard, too. That's what makes these characters so complex: they have simultaneous conflicting attitudes toward situations and people). And Sam, being his earnest self, trying to connect with a brother neither knew they had until it was too late.

They've locked Dean in the panic room. Interesting . . . And although I found Dean's line to Cas kind of out of nowhere and awkward at first, it's Dean's way of trying to diffuse Cas's anger (and boy, is Cas angry), with his typical use of inappropriate humor. But Cas, even if he got the humor, will have none of it. Dean is going to betray him, and Cas has no patience for it.

Dean winks. My tummy goes wubbly. Jensen Ackles is a beautiful, beautiful man.

I find the conversation between Sam and Dean to be fascinating and all kinds of "it's about time" and awesome. Awesome in that they're finally listening to each other. Dean, at his very lowest (at least, I hope this is it), laying it out on the table for Sam, because Sam asked, genuinely asked, and Dean won't lie to him. He can't. And Sam, stepping up to the plate and taking control, not because he knows he's right or stronger or that Dean is weak, but because he knows that Dean needs to be protected from himself. Because it's not about Sam's ego and "I'm the only one who can do this," but because he's the only one who is still clinging to hope. And he's not trying to do it by himself. He wants Dean with him.

And Dean tells it like it is, straight out. He's lost faith in the one thing that's kept him going--Sam. Dean has seen the future, and he's seen the present, and he's out of options. And it hurts him to tell Sam what he does. And it hurts Sam, because Sam needs Dean to believe in him. But Sam doesn't lash out. He simply leaves.

I love the conversation because it lays open the wounds that need healing, which means that, treated properly, they can begin to heal.

Bobby asks how Dean is doing. Sam shakes his head. Not well. Bobby asks how Sam is doing. Sam nods slightly. Surprisingly, he's . . . if not okay, at least he's not giving up. He's going to move forward.

Was Cas going to talk to Dean? Chew him out? Talk him down? Whatever he was going to do or say, he doesn't get the chance. Dean is breaking things, and Cas can't see him from the view slot. And Dean, resourceful dude that he is, beams Cas off the ship and takes off.

Dean picks up a jacket, then drops it and selects another jacket. Was that his leather jacket that he dropped?

Yes, the tables have turned. Dean has taken off, and it's up to Sam to go find him.

Adam's dream sequence, and Zach is just more and more manipulative and scheming. Insulting and demeaning and lying; he'll say anything and everything against Sam and Dean to keep Adam from allying with them. Adam's not sure, but he'd still rather see his mom.

And how cool is it that Jake's iris contracts when he opens his eyes?

I kinda like how Dean goes up to the nearest street preacher and introduces himself. That's just so . . . practical.

And whatever Cas was going to say in the panic room? It's gone now. And Cas gives Dean what for for betraying Cas's trust and faith in him. Cas can apparently harbor a lot of anger, which, I can't really blame him, given his circumstances. Still, Cas, beating Dean to a pulp? Not precisely an ideal way to manage your anger.

And Dean doesn't have the opportunity to fight back. He doesn't even try. And at the end, he even asks for it, knowing that he can't win, not against Cas's anger and sense of betrayal.

And Cas is tired. And regretful? And he returns Dean to Sam.

Now to track down Adam.

And yes, Zach gets more unpleasant with each scene. (I'd like to see Kurt Fuller play a good guy sometime.)

Dean wakes up cuffed to the bunk in the panic room. And Sam is right there, asking how he feels. This is the Sam I've missed. The independent Sam who still needs his brother. And you know? That's what Dean needs. He needs Sam to have faith in him. Oh, he doesn't see it yet. Right now he sees an inequity between his strategic planning and Sam's. But we're coming to the point. The point being that each brother needs the other to believe in him to give him a reason to keep fighting.

Cas, otoh, is a hard nut to crack. It takes a lot to earn his trust, and once it's betrayed, you're gonna have to work to earn it back. He'd rather die than watch Dean surrender. He doesn't have the faith in Dean that Sam does. Ouch. And it kinda knocks the wind out of Dean's sails.

Box cutter? Do I even want to know?

You know? I kinda like the angel daggers. And it amuses me that the random enforcer angels always look like Secret Service agents.

Cas! What???? He used himself as a sigil! That's . . . Ouch! Awesome! Please don't have disintegrated yourself!

An old house within a warehouse. How . . . odd.

Dean goes in to get his little(st) brother. And Adam seems surprised that Dean came.

While Sam attempts to take Zach by surprise, but things do not go as planned.

And how much more can Jensen hurt me? The pain and desperation in his voice and in his eyes. Even his insults and cursing come out in a desperate whispered quality. The bravado is gone, and he'll do anything to save his brothers.

Also X3? Jensen Ackles is a beautiful, beautiful man.

And while Zach has his back turned, there's . . . something . . . that passes between Sam and Dean. Realization, faith restored. And Dean gives a very big brother, "it's gonna be okay, I'll take care of it" wink. Which I love.

And oh, btw, Dean's got a few conditions before he gives Michael charge of his meat suit. Guaranteed safety of certain people, for example.

This is the Dean we know and love. The Dean who improvises and thinks on his feet and sees opportunity and formulates a plan within moments.

Dean kills Zachariah! I did not see that coming! I . . . *flail* And Dean watches Zach's glowy demise, it's reflected in his eyes, and Dean's beautiful green eyes do not burn! This . . . this is significant. It must be. But I choose not to contemplate at this time.

Dean has now killed both a demon and an angel. I'm thinking the supernatural world should take note and not mess with him.

Adam can walk. Sam needs help. Dean gets Sam out, but Adam is trapped. Adam is trapped and calling for his big brother, and Dean can't get to him. Oh noez!

Okay, I get that they had to hot wire a truck to drive back to Bobby's (I assume they're returning to Bobby's). But I hope the Impala is safe and sound at Bobby's. Surely it is.

This final conversation of the ep? Freakin' love this. Finally, we've reached a point of mutual maturity and belief in each other. Sam showed Dean some faith, and Dean stepped up to the plate. Because that's what Dean has needed for a very long time, for someone to believe in him. Not just expect him to make things right, but to truly believe in who he is and that he is strong enough to do the right thing, even when he didn't think he could. Much like Bobby not shooting himself because he promised Dean he wouldn't (Bobby needs to have someone who needs him to keep going), Sam is now doing that for Dean. Dean has long felt that he always lets down the people he loves, "I guess that's what I do." But Sam truly believes in him, and Dean knows that now, and he's not going to let Sam down.

But let's start at the beginning of the scene. Dean doesn't think Adam or Cas are okay where they are. "But we'll get 'em." Dean is back in the game and ready to go find and rescue those who are important to him.

Sam saw that Dean was ready to say yes, and asks what changed his mind. And Dean? Dean, in the midst of everything, realized that Sam brought him there, trusted him to do the right thing. And Dean didn't want to let Sam down. Sam's actively demonstrating faith in Dean saved Dean from himself.

And Sam tells Dean that Dean didn't let him down. And Dean has needed to hear that for a very long time. Thank you, Sammy, for telling him so.

And for Dean's part, he's really, truly seen Sam for the adult that he is. Sam will always be Dean's younger brother, but he's no longer the little brother who needs minding. "If you're grown up enough to find faith in me, the least I can do is return the favor." Realization and forgiveness and responsibility and maturity on both their parts. This feels like progress.

"Screw destiny . . . I say we take the fight to them and do it our way." That is the Dean we've been missing. That is a Dean who has, if not hope, at least determination and purpose.

And Sam's on board with that.

'Cause they've got work to do.

\o/

Yes, lots of good stuff in this ep. Lots of pain and hurt and climbing out of the emotional hole and getting a hand up from your brother and just . . . lovely.

Next week: Hotel California. *flail*

Comments

[gatorpez.livejournal.com]

This is a nice review, and I wish I agreed with everything you've said, but, unfortunately, there's a lot of dialogue that was said, and not said, that I think hurt this episode, and, to me, it doesn't quite come off the way I think it was intended. (I hope my comments below aren't too negative or you find them offensive)

I wish the writers allowed Sam to acknowledge what he did last season, how he let Dean down, how he understands why Dean doesn't have faith in him. Dean has some valid reasons to not have faith in Sam, it's not like he's making this up. I just wish Sam would verbally admit that.

I also had problems with the "rot" line - rotting has a negative connotation, so it made it seem like the show was trying to convey that Dean was wrong to try and detox Sam. Detoxing a junkie is what the junkie generally needs to stop taking whatever he's taking that's causing him to harm himself and others, and Sam was harming himself and definitely harming others.

I did have an issue with Bobby, he seems to treat the brothers so differently, his way of "motivating" Dean is to yell and belittle him, meanwhile Bobby has never yelled or said anything about what Sam did last year. In fact, the show even had Bobby apologize to Sam when DemonBobby was mean to Sam. Dean, however, when trying to motivate Bobby in the 'Case of Dean Winchester' ep, was calm and didn't yell or belittle Bobby, even though Bobby did something stupid in that episode.

I guess I have a problem with the idea that violence/yelling/belittling = love.

I dislike the fact that Dean apologized again, as I've seen written elsewhere: 'Dean's apologizing again...it must be Thursday.' As I stated above, we still haven't had a discussion addressing Sam's statements and actions with regard to Dean from last season. So, I wonder if the show thinks that all is now okey dokey and will be swept under the rug?

With all that being said, I didn't hate the episode, there were definitely some things I liked about it.

I agree that it was nice to see Sam admit that his habit of running away was wrong.

I thought the Zachariah-Dean scenes were great. Fuller and Ackles went toe-to-toe and they both did a great job. It was a great death scene.

I enjoyed the "real" Adam.

And I agree, Jensen killed me.

I have to say that I will miss Kurt Fuller, I think he added a lot to the quality of the show, it's always good to have outstanding guest stars. (Oh, how I miss Henrickson.)

[feliciakw.livejournal.com]

RE: Sam acknowledging what he did last season . . . I've all but given up on Show ever addressing that to my complete satisfaction. I've often said that it wasn't the apocalypse that Dean was upset about; it was choosing Ruby over Dean. I doubt very much that Show will ever come out and actually have Sam apologize for that. What I was so thrilled with with DSotM and this ep was that Sam actually saw and acknowledged what he's been doing his entire life. And not getting all self-defensive about it but finally saying, "I know I screwed up" and showing Dean that he had faith in him. I'll take it.

RE: the "rot" line . . . I think it was more of an insight into Dean's current state of mind than belittling the necessity of detox. And I'm sure that part of Dean felt that leaving Sam in there by himself while he suffered through detox was akin to "letting him rot." I didn't take it quite as literally as it sounded, I guess.

I've never really seen Bobby as treating the boys differently, being more violent with Dean while coddling Sam. And I can't recall Bobby ever belittling Dean. He has never told him he was no good, or useless, or worthless, or anything like that. Getting up in his face and calling him on his crap? Yeah, sure. That's what people who love each other do--call shinanigans on each other when necessary. And Bobby is a very . . . loud . . . person when he needs to be. And Dean can frustrate him like no one else, apparently, 'cause he feels that strongly about him. Yelling does not denote a lack of love. It's not always the best approach, and it often has to do with the culture or environment you're used to. But yelling in anger and frustration at someone you love--not necessarily a good approach, but sometimes necessary, and real.

Also in this instance, Bobby started out trying to be reasonable. "What happened to you?" He didn't blow his stack until Dean accused him of not knowing what Dean is going through, not being in his shoes, when in fact Bobby makes a conscious decision every freakin' day not to kill himself because he promised Dean he wouldn't.

So, no, I don't think the message is that violence/yelling = love. I see it as the yelling reflects anger and frustration with someone he loves. If he didn't love Dean, he wouldn't care what Dean did. He wouldn't be angry that Dean had given up.

[gatorpez.livejournal.com]

I completely agree that Dean has never blamed Sam for the apocalypse, in fact, I'm pretty sure he's verbally stated that a few times. Dean even said something about it in 5.16 when Sam was surprised he got into heaven. I thought that one panic room scene would have the been perfect opportunity for Sam to say something to Dean about his words and actions with regard to Dean from last season, just a line or two, and I think it would have made the scene even more powerful and meaningful.

Re: Bobby - I loved the scene between Bobby and Dean in All Hell Breaks Loose 2, Bobby was angry, but you could see the love there. But, I didn't see the love in the "whiny, boo-hoo princess" speech from last season, nor did I see it in the scene in 5.18. Like I said, part of my issue is that Bobby has never had these kind of scenes with Sam, he's never called Sam out on any of his behavior that Bobby didn't agree with.

In answer to something you say below, yes, of course, we can agree to disagree. I appreciate the fact that we can have this discussion here without any fandom "issues." Thanks. :-)

[feliciakw.livejournal.com]

Just a real quick note (I've got to pack to head back to Va) . . .

Re: the "boo hoo princess" speech . . . I blame Kripke for that one. It was awkward and sort of out of nowhere and Jensen and Jim gave it their best, but I think that was the scene wherein Jensen implied that he wanted to disagree with Kripke, but really couldn't. (Just my instincts as a viewer and actor, so YMMV.)

The outburst in 5.18 I might get back to, but I do have to rush right now. :-)

[gatorpez.livejournal.com]

<< Re: the "boo hoo princess" speech . . . I blame Kripke for that one. It was awkward and sort of out of nowhere and Jensen and Jim gave it their best, but I think that was the scene wherein Jensen implied that he wanted to disagree with Kripke, but really couldn't. (Just my instincts as a viewer and actor, so YMMV.)>>

I think you're right about that scene being the one that Jensen disagreed with Kripke over, and I think Jensen was right.

Have fun in Va.! Safe travels! :-)

[feliciakw.livejournal.com]

Oh, I definitely think Jensen was right. I'd be inclined to make the argument that since Jensen has been the embodiment of Dean for four years (at that point in time), and he's been giving the character life, that Jensen, at this point, actually understands the character better than Kripke does.

However, Jensen is a professional, and though he expresses his views on what works and what doesn't, I wouldn't expect him to contradict his director.

[feliciakw.livejournal.com]

RE: Dean apologizing . . . We heard a similar apology in "Fallen Idols," but this time around, it wasn't a result of thinking about what Sam had said, it was the result of observing Sam in action. Sam actively demonstrated that he believed in Dean, and Dean is ready to reciprocate. The thing about forgiveness is that it does not depend on an apology from the party who wronged you. It is a choice you make for yourself. And regardless of whether or not Sam apologizes specifically for throttling Dean and leaving with Ruby (which, believe me, I really wish they would deal with that . . . and maybe they will at some future date), it sounds like Dean has forgiven Sam and is willing to trust him again. Forgiveness and trust are not the same thing, but at this point in time, I think Dean has done both, and I think that was the point of the "apology." Dean saying, "Hey. I know you're an adult now, and thank you for believing in me." Basically, what I got from that speech was not that Dean was apologizing again, but rather that Dean was expressing in his Dean-like fashion that his faith was being restored and that he was ready to get back in the game.

Does that make sense?

At this point, as much as I'd like for Sam to have apologized for last season (which he kind of did in a really obtuse way in this episode), I don't think I'd want the topic brought up by either of the brothers. Not unless they could somehow work it into another aspect of the story/exposition . . . oh! Maybe they can work it into the final showdown. Like Lucifer pointing out how Sam had betrayed Dean with Ruby, etc., and Sam can actually say that he screwed up and he was wrong to do it, etc. (Okay, yeah, I'm probably dreaming.)

I'm glad that we can agree on some things about the ep . . . Like Sam admitting that always running away was wrong (finally).

Fuller and Ackles really are great together.

I hope we see Adam again, at least once more. And I'm wondering if he actually is going to show up as Michael when next we see him.

Jensen Ackles is a beautiful, beautiful man. And yes, he about kills me.

I might miss Kurt Fuller, but I don't think I'm going to miss Zachariah. Like he said, he was petty, and I actually don't find that to be a particularly appealing trait in a villain, not really. I'd also like to see some other good angels. We've got plenty of demons and Lucifer still running around out there. But I totally agree with your point about guest stars.

I hope you see where I'm coming from, even if you don't agree. And I appreciate your balance of what you did like with what you didn't.

I don't know if you ever read dodger_winslow's LJ, but in her entry titled "Bloodline," she goes into great detail about what she liked about the ep and I think she touches on one or two of these items.

Thanks for the comment. :-)

[gatorpez.livejournal.com]

I see what you're saying, but I guess it just seems like such an imbalance, and I don't understand why the show doesn't want Sam to acknowledge and apologize for his words and actions from last season. But, I've just had to learn that, for whatever reason, that's how show wants to treat it.

One thing I will say, that I have always admired that Dean is the character that will step up and apologize, even if it's not necessary, and even when others don't. Also, his apologies are not ever just vague "I'm sorry," he says what he's sorry for. He really is the peacemaker in the family.

<< I hope you see where I'm coming from, even if you don't agree. And I appreciate your balance of what you did like with what you didn't. >>

Oh yes, I see where you're coming from, I guess I'm just tired that it always seems to be Dean and most times it's not reciprocated.

Re: Dodger Winslow - no, I've never read that, but I sometimes have a hard time reading her stuff because of some of her beliefs about John. I don't hate John at all, but I think DW has a way higher opinion of him and some of the stuff he's pulled on his kids, which is fine, I just don't agree.

I appreciate you allowing me to air my negativity about this episode. As I said, I didn't hate it per se (it certainly could have been worse), but I didn't think it was anything special for a 100th episode. For me, some of the issues I had with this episode, are just par for the course with the show and some of the writing.

Thanks. :-)

[feliciakw.livejournal.com]

I sometimes have a hard time reading her stuff because of some of her beliefs about John.

Oh, I totally get where you're coming from. I'm inclined to agree. I think he was a good guy who got stuck in a bad situation and did his best, but made some major mistakes. I do not think Show is his or about him, nor do I think everything on show revolves around him. Major influence? Yes. Key component? Absolutely. Impetus for the Show's original premise (two brother's finding their missing dad)? Duh. But I don't think Show is about him.

Of course, as a Jensen/Dean fan, I see pretty much everything on show in relation to how it affects Dean and how Dean affects it. So I kind of work under the understanding that DW is a big JDM fan, so that's where her interests lie.

I appreciate you allowing me to air my negativity about this episode. As I said, I didn't hate it per se (it certainly could have been worse), but I didn't think it was anything special for a 100th episode. For me, some of the issues I had with this episode, are just par for the course with the show and some of the writing.

You're welcome. :-) I know I'm not in agreement with a lot of the fandom with a lot of things. It's always been that way. As far as this being THE 100TH EPISODE BREAK OUT THE CONFETTI! I overall didn't feel anything SPECIAL about the episode. Yes, there were breakthroughs. Yes, they brought back Adam. Yes, they killed Zach, but up until the very end, it kind of felt like marking time plot-wise. Character stuff was going on, but as far as forwarding the overall action? Not so much.

Which, I kinda can appreciate, in that though it was a milestone episode, I'm kind of glad that it didn't stick out by itself, being something completely off-the-wall and out there. Ya know?

[leelust.livejournal.com]

Hah, it's great when someone already said everything i wanted to say. ITA with your problems with the ep.

[izhilzha.livejournal.com]

Yes to all of what you said. Although I think I am even more optimistic than you are about the resolution that the brothers have arrived at--that was their lowest point, imho, and they resolved it through "the power of love" (shut up, they so did), and have finally, truly understood each other and reached the point where they can not only talk about and try to give mature trust to each other, but they can give it in extreme circumstances. I'm not sure I could ever be as loving/trusting as Sam was to Dean in this episode--and that was what Dean needed.

I cried. It was amazing.

I can't wait to see how this plays into the final resolution of the whole arc.

[feliciakw.livejournal.com]

have finally, truly understood each other and reached the point where they can not only talk about and try to give mature trust to each other, but they can give it in extreme circumstances.

loving/trusting as Sam was to Dean in this episode--and that was what Dean needed.

Yep. My point exactly.

The reason it probably feels like I'm cautiously optimistic or have placed a caveat on this is because of something Jensen talked about at the LA con. He didn't talk about the circumstances under which the scene takes place, but . . . something else is going to happen before the end of the season. Team Free Will is not in the clear just yet, I don't think.

But I do hope that this was their lowest point. They made such great progress in this ep, and I don't want to see that unravel. It feels like a milestone, more significant than anything else they've done toward resolution this season. So here's hoping . . .

:-)

[izhilzha.livejournal.com]

If the scene you mention is what I think it is, there are several reasons I can think of for such a scene, only one of which would in any way contravene the great "turn" the boys reached here. *g* I have a feeling it's not going to be what you think it might be.

They may not entirely be in the clear (especially re: Castiel, but also re: the boys as vessels), but this is real.

[just-ruth.livejournal.com]

After so much of a season that brought a reaction of "meh" or "bleh" to far too many of the episodes; this one was better than most - actually I wanted to see it after seeing the one preview on the CW website where Cas turned on Dean and let loose a lot of resentment that has been building in him.

Mind you, that scene won the "cheesiest dialog" award - "I gave up everything for you and this is the thanks I get!" I blame the writers not being the "a-team" or bringing their "a-game" to it.

The CW cut the budget and they got what they paid for.

But I agree, this had a lot of good things in it.

[izhilzha.livejournal.com]

Harsh to the writers, there, lady.

I disagree with you even about that scene--what else would overly-literal Castiel say in that moment? If you can give me a rewrite of the scene that is actually *better,* I'll let your objection stand; otherwise, no. I thought this was a very well-written episode, all around, managing to allow the characters to air very difficult things while still remaining in character.

[just-ruth.livejournal.com]

I accept your respectful disagreement on the writers - maybe I need to see reruns to be impressed because I really haven't been.

re: that scene - did there even need to be any dialog between "You pray too loudly" and "just do it?' *shrug* I favor the impression that sometimes the best thing to say is nothing.

I think we can agree on one thing - Jensen Ackles is spectacular in whatever he does.