Children Shouldn't Play With Dead Things

[feliciakw]

I . . . really don't have much to say about this ep. One little random tidbit that I noticed was that Dean is wearing a chain in addition to his amulet. I've noticed Jensen wearing a similar chain tucked into his shirt. Now I'm all curious.

Again, the strong point of this ep is the brother stuff. The case was good (does anyone else miss Raelle Tucker?), but the brother stuff is where it's at. Dean is spiraling out of control, and Sam is desperate to stop the free fall. But Dean's grief does not get in the way of a hunt; he's nothing if not a professional. But thank goodness for Sam, who will call shenanigans on Dean when he needs it.

We also get foreshadowing of Dean the the lengths he'll go to to bring back the person he cares about most. I hear his line, "There are some people I'd do anything to have back" (or something like that), and I can't help but remember the first time I saw "Crossroad Blues" and the terror I felt that Dean was going to make a deal.

And his terrible survivor's guilt. "I was dead, and I should have stayed dead." (To which I'm inclined to say, "No, Dean, you were only mostly dead. Mostly dead is still partially alive. Where's your chocolate stash?") S2 is really the beginning of the downhill slide for Dean. Things just never get better for any appreciable length of time.

But when he says he should have stayed dead, I also want to remind him of what Roy LeGrange told him, which is that God has an important mission for him, and it's not done yet. (Sadly, this is a story thread that I think got lost over time. And when it was reintroduced, it was . . . shall we say . . . not handled to maximum satisfaction.)

I also love that at this point, though there is conflict between the brothers, their primary loyalties are for each other. Sam tries to help Dean and is frustrated when Dean won't let him. And Dean admits to his bad attitude and poor behavior and apologizes to Sam for it, and for being at fault for John's death.

I just . . . Oh, boys. *hugs them*

But still, there is a bit of humor (Dean catching Sam watching "Casa Erotica 4"). And Jensen's and Jared's facial expressions are always priceless. (I wish I had their versatility of expression.)

Then there's Jensen's amazing eyes, particularly captivating in the scene outside Dr. Mason's house. The camera/Ackles affair continues.

I just wish the S5 zombie ep would have made mention of the zombie killing methods mentioned in this ep. Oh, I can handwave the differences, but after viewing this ep, and the "You've watched too many Romero flicks," I wish there'd been some drive-by explanation of the differences.

In short, lots of good stuff in this one. Character developments and reveals continue apace, and the guys look good.

(Still, just once I'd like to see the guys have to contend with a burial vault when they dig up a grave. It's pretty much the law in Ohio.)

Comments

[luvwinchesters.livejournal.com]

That scene where Sam and Dean are walking down the sidewalk and Sam confronts him is excellent. And I loved that end scene where Dean pulls over to the side of the road at the very end... gets me every single time. Kim had a way of shooting Jensen that just...guh...I don't know how to put it in words. Dean in the cemetery, the crane shot and then seeing the tombstone for loving father...Jensen's face.... and toward the end when he glances over at Mary's tombstone.... It's the subtle things Jensen does that makes Dean become "real" for lack of a better word.

[feliciakw.livejournal.com]

I have a suspicion that there will be a lot of Kim in Jensen's directing style. It seems like Jensen learned a lot from him and worked really well with him and admired him greatly.

Agree with the rest of what you said, too. :-)