AVSC, MalMal, Dream a Little Dream
Jul. 17th, 2010 08:34 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
feliciakwPlaying catch-up once again.
"A Very Supernatural Christmas" was the first ep I ever saw in first run. And I really like it for the insight we get into the boys.
Also? I loved the "Special" intro. It reminded me of the umpteen bajillion CBS Christmas specials I watched growing up.
I loved that the no snow in Ypsilanti at Christmas was a big clue to the case, because I immediately picked up on that. :-)
This ep is just so poignant and heartwarming and melancholy and filled with emotion. Dean, so chipper and wanting to celebrate Christmas with the only family he has. Sam only able to see Christmas futures without Dean. Then remembering that Dean gave Sam Christmas and doing the same for Dean.
I wrote about this ep when it first aired, long before I had the f-list that I do. I just re-read the entry. My thoughts on the ep haven't changed. (It's not a locked post, if you're interested in the show meta. There's also a lot of personal faith ponderings that might or might not be of interest.)
Basically, there's a lot of brotherhood and family that warms the cockles of my heart in this ep. Dean giving Sam Christmas, with no thought of himself (and trying to pass it off as Dad's doing), Sam recognizing Dean's honesty (even if he has to be called out to get it), and by gifting the amulet, telling Dean that he (Sam) trusts Dean more than he trusts Dad.
And as I said before, Sam swallowing his grief to give Dean a Christmas. Humble tree, tacky gifts, spiked eggnog, and TV time spent with the only family they have.
And the Js just hit every note just right.
I'm babbling, I know. I just . . .
Also also? Mr. Stark from I-Man.
Oh, and the case was pretty good, too. Didn't hit the buttons I thought it would, for which I'm very pleased.
"Malleus Maleficarum," or "Supernatural Does Witches of Eastwick," wasn't one of my favorite episodes, though it does have a lot of good stuff in it. I mean, what's not to like about hex!bagged!Dean?
It was an interesting enough case, and we get some very important information on a lot of levels. We get Sam's change in attitude, and how disconcerting this is to Dean. We get Ruby's backstory. We learn that there's a demon that doesn't want the competition from Sam for the rank of Top Banana.
And we learn that Ruby's been lying to Sam. (Big surprise, I know.)
But this ep really hit me the wrong way when Ruby said that she used to be human, and that humans in Hell turn into demons. This really irked me because demons are fallen angels, and it was already established (and rightly so) that humans cannot become angels. Ergo, humans cannot become demons. However, I learned to assimilate this plot point as just that, a plot point that was part of the ongoing story, so whatever. But just for the record? Humans do not turn into demons.
When we watched it last night, and Ruby told Dean that there was no way to save him from the Pit, that she couldn't help him, Geo's response was something to the effect of, "Wow. The only time she's ever told the truth."
I also found it very interesting, in light of the end of S4, that Ruby claims not to believe in the devil. Interesting, considering that all of this was a plot along with Lilith to get Lucifer out of his cage. So Ruby, in trying to get Sam to agree to use his powers to destroy Lilith, is jumping the gun. It's all very convoluted, particularly when you think of the multiple ways things could have gone down. YED wanted Sam to lead the demon army; would that make Sam top of the food chain? Or would YED be top of the food chain, with Sam has his general? Well, if we look at what happened at the convent, YED was working all along to get Lucifer out of the cage. So does that mean YED was stronger than Lilith?
Lilith escapes through the gate and wants to take out Sam, the competition for Top Banana, while Ruby wants to train Sam to take Lilith down. I'm thinking Ruby was the back-up plan in case YED failed.
And it's funny. I never liked Ruby. Never trusted her. Dreaded the thought that they might make her a "demon with a heart of gold." Was extremely pleased when she was revealed to be the evil conniving thing she was. But . . .
I think Kate Cassidy played the sympathy angle better than Gen Cortese. Because the end of MalMal, I still believed she was evol, but Kate played it sympathetic. Like she actually had empathy for Dean. Like she really regretted what she'd become. I think given the opportunity, she could have played manipulatively sympathetic. I would have liked to have seen how she'd have played Ruby in S4, but considering the progression of events, that would have been very problematic.
Anyway . . .
This ep had Dean-peril, and Sam-and-Dean-peril, and I liked that when she saw what was going on, Elizabeth did what she could to help. And Dean was the first one besides Ruby to use the knife, yes?
Overall, an ep that gets better in hindsight, I think.
"Dream a Little Dream of Me" is one of my very favorite eps from this season. We have so many nuggets planted that enrich the backstory and come into play later on.
But most importantly, we get Dean realizing that he doesn't want to die, and that he isn't worthless. Sam and Dean on the same page, ftw!
This one is a mixture of fun (Sam's dream and subsequent embarrassment) and drama (Dean's revelations and realizations). And Jensen just rocked the dream sequence.
We learn that Dean dreams about a normal life, with a loving family. He might not be "in love" with Lisa, but he is definitely in love with and loves the idea she represents. And there's a history, a connection there. She definitely made an impression on him.
And of course dream!Dean vs. real!Dean. That scene is just all kinds of awesome.
We get bright, garish colors juxtaposed with dull, dingy colors. We get a Escher motel room in Pittsburg.
And an interesting case.
Sadly, my disc seems to have some audio issues on this ep. Nothing dramatic, but definitely annoying in the moment that it occurs.
We watched the Kripke interview that accompanies this ep, and hearing what was originally planned for the ep, I told Geo that's why Kripke should not be left to his own devices. Because it was only by circumstance and coincidence that the ep turned out as awesome and insightful as it did. (Dean was originally supposed to be chased through the woods by Jason of F13 fame, not have a dream about the life he longs for. They wanted JDM back for the subconscious battle royal, where Dean vs. Dean is so much more interesting, because it's Dean realizing and admitting this stuff to himself, which makes for stronger character development.)
Truly, there's a lot to love about this ep.
And DANG but Jensen looked good. His eyes looked especially green in this ep.
"A Very Supernatural Christmas" was the first ep I ever saw in first run. And I really like it for the insight we get into the boys.
Also? I loved the "Special" intro. It reminded me of the umpteen bajillion CBS Christmas specials I watched growing up.
I loved that the no snow in Ypsilanti at Christmas was a big clue to the case, because I immediately picked up on that. :-)
This ep is just so poignant and heartwarming and melancholy and filled with emotion. Dean, so chipper and wanting to celebrate Christmas with the only family he has. Sam only able to see Christmas futures without Dean. Then remembering that Dean gave Sam Christmas and doing the same for Dean.
I wrote about this ep when it first aired, long before I had the f-list that I do. I just re-read the entry. My thoughts on the ep haven't changed. (It's not a locked post, if you're interested in the show meta. There's also a lot of personal faith ponderings that might or might not be of interest.)
Basically, there's a lot of brotherhood and family that warms the cockles of my heart in this ep. Dean giving Sam Christmas, with no thought of himself (and trying to pass it off as Dad's doing), Sam recognizing Dean's honesty (even if he has to be called out to get it), and by gifting the amulet, telling Dean that he (Sam) trusts Dean more than he trusts Dad.
And as I said before, Sam swallowing his grief to give Dean a Christmas. Humble tree, tacky gifts, spiked eggnog, and TV time spent with the only family they have.
And the Js just hit every note just right.
I'm babbling, I know. I just . . .
Also also? Mr. Stark from I-Man.
Oh, and the case was pretty good, too. Didn't hit the buttons I thought it would, for which I'm very pleased.
"Malleus Maleficarum," or "Supernatural Does Witches of Eastwick," wasn't one of my favorite episodes, though it does have a lot of good stuff in it. I mean, what's not to like about hex!bagged!Dean?
It was an interesting enough case, and we get some very important information on a lot of levels. We get Sam's change in attitude, and how disconcerting this is to Dean. We get Ruby's backstory. We learn that there's a demon that doesn't want the competition from Sam for the rank of Top Banana.
And we learn that Ruby's been lying to Sam. (Big surprise, I know.)
But this ep really hit me the wrong way when Ruby said that she used to be human, and that humans in Hell turn into demons. This really irked me because demons are fallen angels, and it was already established (and rightly so) that humans cannot become angels. Ergo, humans cannot become demons. However, I learned to assimilate this plot point as just that, a plot point that was part of the ongoing story, so whatever. But just for the record? Humans do not turn into demons.
When we watched it last night, and Ruby told Dean that there was no way to save him from the Pit, that she couldn't help him, Geo's response was something to the effect of, "Wow. The only time she's ever told the truth."
I also found it very interesting, in light of the end of S4, that Ruby claims not to believe in the devil. Interesting, considering that all of this was a plot along with Lilith to get Lucifer out of his cage. So Ruby, in trying to get Sam to agree to use his powers to destroy Lilith, is jumping the gun. It's all very convoluted, particularly when you think of the multiple ways things could have gone down. YED wanted Sam to lead the demon army; would that make Sam top of the food chain? Or would YED be top of the food chain, with Sam has his general? Well, if we look at what happened at the convent, YED was working all along to get Lucifer out of the cage. So does that mean YED was stronger than Lilith?
Lilith escapes through the gate and wants to take out Sam, the competition for Top Banana, while Ruby wants to train Sam to take Lilith down. I'm thinking Ruby was the back-up plan in case YED failed.
And it's funny. I never liked Ruby. Never trusted her. Dreaded the thought that they might make her a "demon with a heart of gold." Was extremely pleased when she was revealed to be the evil conniving thing she was. But . . .
I think Kate Cassidy played the sympathy angle better than Gen Cortese. Because the end of MalMal, I still believed she was evol, but Kate played it sympathetic. Like she actually had empathy for Dean. Like she really regretted what she'd become. I think given the opportunity, she could have played manipulatively sympathetic. I would have liked to have seen how she'd have played Ruby in S4, but considering the progression of events, that would have been very problematic.
Anyway . . .
This ep had Dean-peril, and Sam-and-Dean-peril, and I liked that when she saw what was going on, Elizabeth did what she could to help. And Dean was the first one besides Ruby to use the knife, yes?
Overall, an ep that gets better in hindsight, I think.
"Dream a Little Dream of Me" is one of my very favorite eps from this season. We have so many nuggets planted that enrich the backstory and come into play later on.
But most importantly, we get Dean realizing that he doesn't want to die, and that he isn't worthless. Sam and Dean on the same page, ftw!
This one is a mixture of fun (Sam's dream and subsequent embarrassment) and drama (Dean's revelations and realizations). And Jensen just rocked the dream sequence.
We learn that Dean dreams about a normal life, with a loving family. He might not be "in love" with Lisa, but he is definitely in love with and loves the idea she represents. And there's a history, a connection there. She definitely made an impression on him.
And of course dream!Dean vs. real!Dean. That scene is just all kinds of awesome.
We get bright, garish colors juxtaposed with dull, dingy colors. We get a Escher motel room in Pittsburg.
And an interesting case.
Sadly, my disc seems to have some audio issues on this ep. Nothing dramatic, but definitely annoying in the moment that it occurs.
We watched the Kripke interview that accompanies this ep, and hearing what was originally planned for the ep, I told Geo that's why Kripke should not be left to his own devices. Because it was only by circumstance and coincidence that the ep turned out as awesome and insightful as it did. (Dean was originally supposed to be chased through the woods by Jason of F13 fame, not have a dream about the life he longs for. They wanted JDM back for the subconscious battle royal, where Dean vs. Dean is so much more interesting, because it's Dean realizing and admitting this stuff to himself, which makes for stronger character development.)
Truly, there's a lot to love about this ep.
And DANG but Jensen looked good. His eyes looked especially green in this ep.
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Date: 2010-07-18 01:41 am (UTC)Plus everything Felicia mentioned above. So much goodness. And you know I love me a Red!Herring in a case. In this, the porn lovin' bong hittin' Santa who led to the BEST! Cover up ever of the boys having to sing Christmas Carols. Leading to a Heavenly Choir's version of the same tune when the real Baddie struck... and took a cookie... Brilliant!
Love MalMal too. Clueless!Witches "We were just trying to get Rene a lower mortgage rate!" Heh! I also liked that there were different demons with different agendas. Demon!Casey would have followed Boy!King Sam. Demon!Tammi- not so much. It made it more believable that Ruby could be on their side- though I never trusted her and figured she had an agenda of her own up her sleeve. The only troublesome thing, Demon!Tammi stopping the Colt!Bullet mid-air. The Spechul-ness of that weapon died then and there *sniff*.
Dream a Little Dream- Oh this is visually gorgeous. And FINALLY when Dean gets with the program to save himself (Doesn't work, but hey...) Bobby's Non-Zombie Pie baking wife. Double Deans. The boys save Bobby instead of the other way around. Sam's Bela dream... ermmmm... I know they needed a quick rewrite, but ewwww. It's only a dream... but it's BELA! His reactions to her coming in the door in reality are priceless though and worth it. Still... eww. AND SHE STEALS THE COLT! Not as Spe-chul of not SHE STEALS IT! Hateful Bela Thing! GRRR! But the colors, so pretty! The boys? So SOOO pretty!
Two of these episodes have a major squick for me, and I am not someone easily squicked... but I got a thing about teeth and the losing of. I handled Sam's fingernail pulling without a blink, but nearly lost it when they took the pliers to Dean's mouth. Then Poor Janet in MalMal... I... I... must watch through fingers or fast forward. However, once while peeking though fingers I noticed something which, I can actually handle better in a weird way. I'm not sure she's losing HER teeth... I think she might be coughing up the rabbit's teeth. I know that's actually technically nastier... But I personally can deal with that better than her own teeth falling out. Just, teeth falling out that's so.... UGH! to me. (See also Skin/ Shapeshifter scene.... GAK!!)