SPN - "Frontierland"
Apr. 27th, 2011 02:47 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
feliciakwBecause ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
kalquessa asked for my long and rambly, she shall have my long and rambly.
Then . . . S2 stuffs! The Devil's Gate! Samuel Colt's gun! Squee! Time travel, Purgatory and Mother, they're all gonna die, yadda yadda.
Now . . .
Is not now. Now is March 5, 1861. The streets are deserted, and it's a shoot out at high noon. Bad guy's wearing black, and the sheriff has a familiar stubble-covered jawline and sharp eyes. Dean's the sheriff! (Of course he is.)
Quick-draw shooting and . . .
Title smash
Bonanza Burning map Wyoming and western music opening! Hee! I love it. What fun!
Hey! That's the Campbell compound!
48 Hours Earlier"
(And 150 Years Later)
Bwah!
Campbell Family Library, in a hidden room under Samuel's office. Oy! And kinda cool.
All those antique pictures . . . are all Campbell hunter ancestors? Interesting . . .
Sam, Dean, and Bobby are looking for something about killing "Mother."
Bobby discovers that the ashes of a phoenix can "burn The Mother." Ooh! Phoenix? This could be interesting.
So now to find something about a phoenix (which is apparently like Nessie, and not a myth).
Dean has found a book he finds very interesting, and that tickles him greatly. Not only that, but he finds the clue! In Samuel Colt's journal! The Samuel Colt. The little geeky exchange between Sam and Dean is priceless, including Dean's big brother "Get your own."
Of course, this begs the question: How did Samuel Campbell end up with Samuel Colt's journal in his collection? Did he inherit it? Hmmmm . . . While I don't know that they'll ever address it, I think it's a possibility that Sam and Dean are actually descendants of Samuel Colt, on the Campbell side. Or perhaps Samuel made the gun for a Campbell, "a man like us, only on horseback." It's interesting to ponder, no?
"We'll Star Trek IV this bitch." This is Dean's second reference to the Star Trek movies, which I think confirms, Dean is a Trek geek. However, Bobby only watched DS9. I'm with you, Dean. It's like I don't even know them anymore. *sigh*
About ST4 . . . What I like best about that movie is that you don't have to be familiar with Star Trek at all to enjoy it. It wasn't exactly my introduction to Trek (I saw the first movie as a child and was bored out of my mind), but as a re-introduction, it was enjoyable, in that I knew pretty much nothing about Trek at the time, and I still enjoyed it. It came out when I was in high school, and a friend (who was a Trekkie) and I went to see it. I think at one point I asked about Spock, and she was like, "Shhhh . . . I'll tell you later." It's a good movie.
And the standard descriptor of it is indeed the "save the whales" one. Heh.
At any rate, that's Dean's plan--time travel.
So he calls Castiel . . . and gets Rachel instead. Now, I'd heard that Cas was getting an ally and lieutenant. I gotta admit, I expected her to stick around a lot longer than she did. I was kind of looking forward to meeting another good angel. Unfortunately, she appears to have that same annoying self-entitled attitude.
But Castiel obviously doesn't want a fight between his lieutenant and the boys, as he shows up before Rachel can really get on a roll.
Dean goes on a supply run. (Should I be suspicious?)
Cas informs Sam and Bobby that this trip to the past can only last 24 hours. This is best explained by a series of partial differential equations. However, since Charlie Eppes is not here with his math-fu and Charlie-visions to explain these differential equations, Bobby asks Cas to stick to the basics. Long story short: The further back in time Cas sends the brothers (Winchesters, not Eppes), the harder it is to retrieve them.
Dean returns from his supply run, inordinately pleased with himself, 'cause they're goin' native.
So, while Sam was all into magic as a kid, Dean is obsessed with old westerns. Particularly Eastwood movies, apparently. Though John Wayne gets his props as well.
"Is it costumery to wear a blanket?"
"It's a serape, and yes."
Aw, Dean.
Dean is so getting his fan!geek on. Like a little kid.
They walk into town in time to see a hanging. Elias Finch ("Finch." Like the bird.)
"Nice blanket."
Um, Dean? I'm speaking from a point of view of pretty much total ignorance on the topic, but I'm gonna take a guess and suggest that serapes are more recognizable closer to the Mexican border than, say, Wyoming. You might be just a little too far north for people to recognize it by its proper term. Just sayin'.
Poor Dean. Like a little kid who's just had a long dreamed-of toy taken away.
And when he takes off the serape, Geo laughs and says, "That's not much better."
Marshal Clint Eastwood and Walker (he's a Texas Ranger). Bwah.
Dean's shirt is very clean. Well that's because he was wearing a serape, right? Get with the program, Judge. Aw, Dean.
They ask about Samuel Colt. Sheriff tells them to ask Elkins, over at the saloon. Elkins! O.O Oh, this is getting good!
And the Old West continues to grow less and less awesome at each turn. Aw, Dean.
Elkins' best girl Darla starts putting the moves on Dean. "It's so much more germier than I pictured." Heh. Yes, Dean, it is. You should know that saloon girls were not the healthiest people.
But Dean is saved by the judge and left to enjoy his gasoline-like whiskey. Heh. However, Sam's sarsaparilla ain't half bad.
Darla screams, and Sam and Dean are up the stairs. Elias Finch burns the judge, and I'm again reminded that this is their favorite effect this year--burning people. It must have cost quite a bit; they're really getting their mileage out of it.
The boys arrive in time to find a pile of ash where the judge once was.
Sheriff wants to form a posse and wants the boys to join in. Dean thinks they need to "pay their respects" to Finch.
That night, the find an open, empty grave. Turns out the phoenix isn't a giant bird, but a human-looking dude. (Kinda disappointed, actually. Also disappointed that they're making the phoenix be the villain. I rather like phoenixes, or basic legend, anyway--renewal and such--so I think I would have liked to have at least had that worked in somehow.)
So Dean sends Sam off to find Samuel Colt while he stays behind to join up with the posse. Poor Sam, having never ridden a horse. Though if his nighttime journey across the land is any indication, he's a quick learner. Heh.
Finch shows up (and is it just me, or does he look like he could be related to Mark Pelligrino?) and toasts the sheriff.
Rachel summons Cas for a one-on-one chat, which turns into a one-on-one fight. Cas is doing something that he believes is necessary, but that his allies believe is corrupting him. This concerns me. I am concerned. Whatever it is, I'm . . . not sure I want to know.
Cas regretfully kills Rachel, but he's wounded in the battle and transports to Bobby's, where he finger paints the fridge.
Bobby asks, "Are we running or fighting?" and I kind of love that. Bobby is prepared to follow Cas's lead. There's a trust in that question that I really like.
However, they're doing neither as Cas collapses.
Dean enters the saloon, looking like a gunslinger. Looks like he got it right this time. Yes, Dean, you do look good.
Dean and Elkins find the sheriff burnt to a pile of Ash. "Who's the sheriff now?" Dean asks. Well, you are, of course. :-) Dean looks quite dubious at this turn of events.
A couple of stunt demons visit Colt at his cabin. Colt dispatches them handily.
Dean finds the deputy packing to skeedaddle. But Dean's taking charge of thismancreature hunt and needs the deputy, as the last target on Finch's to-do list, to play his part--bait.
Sam shows up at Colt's cabin. After being doused with holy water, Sam explains plainly who he is. (Much different than Dean's "go native" approach.) " . . . giant from the future with some . . . magic brick . . . " Bwah!
I love how Sam can tell that Colt killed two demons, and give a specific timeframe.
Discussion back and forth. Colt's retired, Sam says there's no such thing. Just ask Dean.
Less than an hour before Cas has to pick up the kids at Frontierland, but Cas is too drained to pull them back. The only thing that could restore him quickly enough is energy from a human soul. Hm . . . This is important information. I shall add it to the pot and let is steep for a bit. I've a theory forming, but 'tis still nebulous.
Per Show, Souls are pure energy, but they're also conscience. And to a degree, personality. Hm . . .
Meanwhile, back in 1861, Dean has the deputy locked in a jail cell.
Finch shows up, and we learn that he's vulnerable to iron. Dean needs to stall until Sam gets there, so he invites Finch to monologue. Turns out the phoenix isn't straight-up evil. Yay! \o/ I also find that I don't think of a phoenix as a monster as one usually thinks of monsters. Magical creature seems to me to be a more apt description. And this particular phoenix was just living his life with his wife, when his wife was attacked and killed, and the perps tried to kill Finch as well. Such a crime demands justice. The upshot to this, though, is that Finch has turned vigilante. And he's not human. So he's a "monster" killing humans, which is essentially the type of thing Dean has sworn himself to eliminate. Add to that the need for phoenix ashes in order to save the planet, and the stakes are just too high for Dean to let this go. I'd like to think that under different circumstances, Dean and Finch might have come to a mutual understanding of some sort. We know that Dean doesn't necessarily judge based on "monsterness" anymore. Reference his attachment to the baby 'shifter. But the stakes are too high, and time is of the essence.
It's a morally ambiguous dilemma, indeed.
I'd also like to pause here and point out that Jensen looks might fine in his cowboy duds. I don't think I've mentioned that yet. There is no ambiguity on that point.
Finch shoots the deputy, Dean hits the window. The chase is on.
Sam arrives just in time with The Colt.
Bobby and Cas are cutting it close.
Shootout at high noon.
Dean wins the shootout, takes down Finch, and there's that burning FX again.
Btw, Jensen looks good.
There are only seconds left, and Dean drops the gun as he's diving to collect some phoenix ashes. That's how Elkins get a hold of it. Squee!
I love how they're tying everything together. (Though I do have a question about this "man like us only on horseback" that Colt made the gun for, and how he fits into the guns chain of custody, but I'll handwave it for now.)
Dean makes a dash for the ashes, hitting the ground and--
--sliding into Bobby's area rug.
Oh, no!!!! They missed it!!!! Oh, boys.
All hope seems lost. Cas is fried and never wants to do that again. Bobby is exhausted, and Dean and Sam failed in their mission. Dean is crushed and guilty and so sorry.
Knock on the door.
Could it be?
Is it?
Can it be?
*bounces on couch*
Yes! It's a courier package from the office in Sunrise!
It's been sitting around since ever, to be delivered to Sam Winchester today. From Samuel Colt.
I love how they filter in the western music at that point. All these elements coming together is very exciting to my little TV-viewing heart.
Sam opens the box, and finds his cell phone and a note from Colt.
And a bottle of ashes.
\o/
This was a mission that required both of the boys. Dean, to hunt and kill the monster; Sam, to connect with someone who can get them the resources they need, even if it's 150 years after the fact.
Honestly, this show hasn't left me with such a sense of hope at the end of an episode in a long, long time.
And I positively love beyond reason Dean's last line. It reminds me of John at the end of "Dead Man's Blood."
"It means we take the fight to her."
\o/ \o/ \o/
kalquessa asked for my long and rambly, she shall have my long and rambly.Then . . . S2 stuffs! The Devil's Gate! Samuel Colt's gun! Squee! Time travel, Purgatory and Mother, they're all gonna die, yadda yadda.
Now . . .
Is not now. Now is March 5, 1861. The streets are deserted, and it's a shoot out at high noon. Bad guy's wearing black, and the sheriff has a familiar stubble-covered jawline and sharp eyes. Dean's the sheriff! (Of course he is.)
Quick-draw shooting and . . .
Hey! That's the Campbell compound!
48 Hours Earlier"
(And 150 Years Later)
Bwah!
Campbell Family Library, in a hidden room under Samuel's office. Oy! And kinda cool.
All those antique pictures . . . are all Campbell hunter ancestors? Interesting . . .
Sam, Dean, and Bobby are looking for something about killing "Mother."
Bobby discovers that the ashes of a phoenix can "burn The Mother." Ooh! Phoenix? This could be interesting.
So now to find something about a phoenix (which is apparently like Nessie, and not a myth).
Dean has found a book he finds very interesting, and that tickles him greatly. Not only that, but he finds the clue! In Samuel Colt's journal! The Samuel Colt. The little geeky exchange between Sam and Dean is priceless, including Dean's big brother "Get your own."
Of course, this begs the question: How did Samuel Campbell end up with Samuel Colt's journal in his collection? Did he inherit it? Hmmmm . . . While I don't know that they'll ever address it, I think it's a possibility that Sam and Dean are actually descendants of Samuel Colt, on the Campbell side. Or perhaps Samuel made the gun for a Campbell, "a man like us, only on horseback." It's interesting to ponder, no?
"We'll Star Trek IV this bitch." This is Dean's second reference to the Star Trek movies, which I think confirms, Dean is a Trek geek. However, Bobby only watched DS9. I'm with you, Dean. It's like I don't even know them anymore. *sigh*
About ST4 . . . What I like best about that movie is that you don't have to be familiar with Star Trek at all to enjoy it. It wasn't exactly my introduction to Trek (I saw the first movie as a child and was bored out of my mind), but as a re-introduction, it was enjoyable, in that I knew pretty much nothing about Trek at the time, and I still enjoyed it. It came out when I was in high school, and a friend (who was a Trekkie) and I went to see it. I think at one point I asked about Spock, and she was like, "Shhhh . . . I'll tell you later." It's a good movie.
And the standard descriptor of it is indeed the "save the whales" one. Heh.
At any rate, that's Dean's plan--time travel.
So he calls Castiel . . . and gets Rachel instead. Now, I'd heard that Cas was getting an ally and lieutenant. I gotta admit, I expected her to stick around a lot longer than she did. I was kind of looking forward to meeting another good angel. Unfortunately, she appears to have that same annoying self-entitled attitude.
But Castiel obviously doesn't want a fight between his lieutenant and the boys, as he shows up before Rachel can really get on a roll.
Dean goes on a supply run. (Should I be suspicious?)
Cas informs Sam and Bobby that this trip to the past can only last 24 hours. This is best explained by a series of partial differential equations. However, since Charlie Eppes is not here with his math-fu and Charlie-visions to explain these differential equations, Bobby asks Cas to stick to the basics. Long story short: The further back in time Cas sends the brothers (Winchesters, not Eppes), the harder it is to retrieve them.
Dean returns from his supply run, inordinately pleased with himself, 'cause they're goin' native.
So, while Sam was all into magic as a kid, Dean is obsessed with old westerns. Particularly Eastwood movies, apparently. Though John Wayne gets his props as well.
"Is it costumery to wear a blanket?"
"It's a serape, and yes."
Aw, Dean.
Dean is so getting his fan!geek on. Like a little kid.
They walk into town in time to see a hanging. Elias Finch ("Finch." Like the bird.)
"Nice blanket."
Um, Dean? I'm speaking from a point of view of pretty much total ignorance on the topic, but I'm gonna take a guess and suggest that serapes are more recognizable closer to the Mexican border than, say, Wyoming. You might be just a little too far north for people to recognize it by its proper term. Just sayin'.
Poor Dean. Like a little kid who's just had a long dreamed-of toy taken away.
And when he takes off the serape, Geo laughs and says, "That's not much better."
Marshal Clint Eastwood and Walker (he's a Texas Ranger). Bwah.
Dean's shirt is very clean. Well that's because he was wearing a serape, right? Get with the program, Judge. Aw, Dean.
They ask about Samuel Colt. Sheriff tells them to ask Elkins, over at the saloon. Elkins! O.O Oh, this is getting good!
And the Old West continues to grow less and less awesome at each turn. Aw, Dean.
Elkins' best girl Darla starts putting the moves on Dean. "It's so much more germier than I pictured." Heh. Yes, Dean, it is. You should know that saloon girls were not the healthiest people.
But Dean is saved by the judge and left to enjoy his gasoline-like whiskey. Heh. However, Sam's sarsaparilla ain't half bad.
Darla screams, and Sam and Dean are up the stairs. Elias Finch burns the judge, and I'm again reminded that this is their favorite effect this year--burning people. It must have cost quite a bit; they're really getting their mileage out of it.
The boys arrive in time to find a pile of ash where the judge once was.
Sheriff wants to form a posse and wants the boys to join in. Dean thinks they need to "pay their respects" to Finch.
That night, the find an open, empty grave. Turns out the phoenix isn't a giant bird, but a human-looking dude. (Kinda disappointed, actually. Also disappointed that they're making the phoenix be the villain. I rather like phoenixes, or basic legend, anyway--renewal and such--so I think I would have liked to have at least had that worked in somehow.)
So Dean sends Sam off to find Samuel Colt while he stays behind to join up with the posse. Poor Sam, having never ridden a horse. Though if his nighttime journey across the land is any indication, he's a quick learner. Heh.
Finch shows up (and is it just me, or does he look like he could be related to Mark Pelligrino?) and toasts the sheriff.
Rachel summons Cas for a one-on-one chat, which turns into a one-on-one fight. Cas is doing something that he believes is necessary, but that his allies believe is corrupting him. This concerns me. I am concerned. Whatever it is, I'm . . . not sure I want to know.
Cas regretfully kills Rachel, but he's wounded in the battle and transports to Bobby's, where he finger paints the fridge.
Bobby asks, "Are we running or fighting?" and I kind of love that. Bobby is prepared to follow Cas's lead. There's a trust in that question that I really like.
However, they're doing neither as Cas collapses.
Dean enters the saloon, looking like a gunslinger. Looks like he got it right this time. Yes, Dean, you do look good.
Dean and Elkins find the sheriff burnt to a pile of Ash. "Who's the sheriff now?" Dean asks. Well, you are, of course. :-) Dean looks quite dubious at this turn of events.
A couple of stunt demons visit Colt at his cabin. Colt dispatches them handily.
Dean finds the deputy packing to skeedaddle. But Dean's taking charge of this
Sam shows up at Colt's cabin. After being doused with holy water, Sam explains plainly who he is. (Much different than Dean's "go native" approach.) " . . . giant from the future with some . . . magic brick . . . " Bwah!
I love how Sam can tell that Colt killed two demons, and give a specific timeframe.
Discussion back and forth. Colt's retired, Sam says there's no such thing. Just ask Dean.
Less than an hour before Cas has to pick up the kids at Frontierland, but Cas is too drained to pull them back. The only thing that could restore him quickly enough is energy from a human soul. Hm . . . This is important information. I shall add it to the pot and let is steep for a bit. I've a theory forming, but 'tis still nebulous.
Per Show, Souls are pure energy, but they're also conscience. And to a degree, personality. Hm . . .
Meanwhile, back in 1861, Dean has the deputy locked in a jail cell.
Finch shows up, and we learn that he's vulnerable to iron. Dean needs to stall until Sam gets there, so he invites Finch to monologue. Turns out the phoenix isn't straight-up evil. Yay! \o/ I also find that I don't think of a phoenix as a monster as one usually thinks of monsters. Magical creature seems to me to be a more apt description. And this particular phoenix was just living his life with his wife, when his wife was attacked and killed, and the perps tried to kill Finch as well. Such a crime demands justice. The upshot to this, though, is that Finch has turned vigilante. And he's not human. So he's a "monster" killing humans, which is essentially the type of thing Dean has sworn himself to eliminate. Add to that the need for phoenix ashes in order to save the planet, and the stakes are just too high for Dean to let this go. I'd like to think that under different circumstances, Dean and Finch might have come to a mutual understanding of some sort. We know that Dean doesn't necessarily judge based on "monsterness" anymore. Reference his attachment to the baby 'shifter. But the stakes are too high, and time is of the essence.
It's a morally ambiguous dilemma, indeed.
I'd also like to pause here and point out that Jensen looks might fine in his cowboy duds. I don't think I've mentioned that yet. There is no ambiguity on that point.
Finch shoots the deputy, Dean hits the window. The chase is on.
Sam arrives just in time with The Colt.
Bobby and Cas are cutting it close.
Shootout at high noon.
Dean wins the shootout, takes down Finch, and there's that burning FX again.
Btw, Jensen looks good.
There are only seconds left, and Dean drops the gun as he's diving to collect some phoenix ashes. That's how Elkins get a hold of it. Squee!
I love how they're tying everything together. (Though I do have a question about this "man like us only on horseback" that Colt made the gun for, and how he fits into the guns chain of custody, but I'll handwave it for now.)
Dean makes a dash for the ashes, hitting the ground and--
--sliding into Bobby's area rug.
Oh, no!!!! They missed it!!!! Oh, boys.
All hope seems lost. Cas is fried and never wants to do that again. Bobby is exhausted, and Dean and Sam failed in their mission. Dean is crushed and guilty and so sorry.
Knock on the door.
Could it be?
Is it?
Can it be?
*bounces on couch*
Yes! It's a courier package from the office in Sunrise!
It's been sitting around since ever, to be delivered to Sam Winchester today. From Samuel Colt.
I love how they filter in the western music at that point. All these elements coming together is very exciting to my little TV-viewing heart.
Sam opens the box, and finds his cell phone and a note from Colt.
And a bottle of ashes.
\o/
This was a mission that required both of the boys. Dean, to hunt and kill the monster; Sam, to connect with someone who can get them the resources they need, even if it's 150 years after the fact.
Honestly, this show hasn't left me with such a sense of hope at the end of an episode in a long, long time.
And I positively love beyond reason Dean's last line. It reminds me of John at the end of "Dead Man's Blood."
"It means we take the fight to her."
\o/ \o/ \o/
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2011-05-05 05:28 am (UTC)*pets Dean and his serape*
I kept waiting for a Back to the Future III reference, and yet! Nothing! C'mon writers, throw me a bone.
I think my favorite bit was the partial differential equations. Unless it was "A giant from the future with a magic brick." Samuel Colt was awesome for the brief time he was onscreen.
And yeah, I think the boys had a leeeetle too much fun making this one.
no subject
Date: 2011-05-05 02:21 pm (UTC)Serape!Dean needs lots of hugs and petting. *nods*
I don't remember a whole lot about BttF2 & 3. They weren't really my faves, though I really like #1. Apparently the package delivery scene at the end was a nod to the trilogy?
Re: partial differential equations . . . Honestly, I expected Charlie to show up with the whiteboard and Charlie!vision. And yes, Samuel Colt was indeed quite awesome. I still have a very strong suspicion that he is how the name Samuel came to be in the Campbell family line.
Read a tweet from Jim Beaver to Guy Bee (the director of the ep), requesting another Western ep so he (Jim) could show those two lunkheads how it's done. Bwah!