Simon Says

[feliciakw]

There's some good stuff in this ep, but I think what stands out most for me in this one is the humor.

And what strikes me most in this ep (and particularly after S5?) is that what makes the humor of the early seasons so great is that it's primarily character driven. Dean's expression when Jo puts REO on the juke box never fails to make me laugh. Their exchange about Dean being afraid of Ellen (and Ellen's look, like she knows they're talking about her) . . . "You're afraid of my mother?" "I think so."

And Ash. Oh, Ash, you crack me up.

Dean's childlike delight over Andy's van.

Just . . . The character notes all over this ep are fantastic. Dean and Jensen's portrayal of Dean--his humor, his just a scooch off-key singing, his perplexity, his concern for Sam--it's just all so satisfying.

Also? I love the brother dynamic going on in this one. This is a case, they discover, wherein Sam needs to take point because Dean, they discover, is vulnerable. And Dean is totally on board with that. I love that.

Also also? Sniper!Dean.

Andy was such a great guest character. Oh, Andy. We hardly knew ye.

"That was mind control! It was like being roofied. It doesn't count. I'm callin' do-over."

One thing that often tickles in my brain is at the end, the morning after the showdown, when Dean's phone rings. I half expect Sam to tell him not to answer it or to insist on answering it himself or something, considering that they just finished a case wherein mind control was managed over the phone. Heh.

Have I mentioned recently that I love Ellen? Ellen is awesome.

And the psykids. Could have been an interesting direction to take the show, though I don't know how it would have fit in with S5 and the angel/demon arc. Instead of? In addition to? We'll never know.

It also makes me wonder if Sam would have been psychic without the demon blood. Was he chosen because he would become psychic? Or did he become psychic (and the other kids get their abilities) because of the demon visit. Hm . . .

Have I mentioned recently how much I love Jensen?

I didn't think so.