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SPN - LARP and the Real Girl (and other random stuff)
First for the random. Geo and I were listening to Styx in the car the other day. Can someone please tell me why Blue Collar Man has not yet been used as a season-opening or mid-season "The Road So Far"? Long nights, impossible odds, indeed. Also, Boat on the Water, which would just break my brain with the implications for Dean and Sam if the river in question is the River Styx.
And considering that "Renegade" is still, in my book, one of the--if not THE--best uses of a music cue in the show . . . Seriously. More Styx, please.
Also, it's about time they used "China Grove" on the show. Every time I hear it on the radio, I wonder when they're going to use it on Show. So, we have that out of the way now.
Now, about that promotion:
After my first blush impression of the episode, I re-watched the pieces that I liked. And you know? There's quite a lot to be entertained by in this ep. Re-watching, re-thinking, or simply handwaving some things, there's quite a lot that amuses me here.
Mostly (well, completely) centering around Dean. I know. You're all keeling over from the shock, right?
In this ep, we get:
Smart!Dean
Strategizing!Dean (a more nuanced flavor of Smart!Dean)
BigBrother!Dean
Amused!Dean
Gleeful!Dean
Leader!Dean
So much Dean to enjoy in this ep.
Some of the awkward stuff that bothered me the first time (and still does, to an extent), is made palatable by Jensen's portrayal. (This is not news, as he's been doing this for pretty much the entire time I've been familiar with his work.)
For example, as Dean is suiting up in his period costume (and having fun with it, I do believe), and he's given Charlie what I assume is a heavily edited version of what went down between him and Sam, she calls him out on the fake text. Agreed, not Dean's finest hour--even he admits it. Charlie, however, makes the causal leap that it's because of Dean's text that Sam lost his chance at "normal" with Amelia. Totally not the case, but Dean doesn't correct her or press the issue. He doesn't get defensive, he's not feeling guilty about Sam's decision. Rather he points out what he's been saying since S1--that The Life doesn't allow for attachments. He knows this first hand. The Life cost him Cassie (her decision--twice), cost him Lisa (lack of communication, but ultimately his choice), and now has cost him his camaraderie with Benny (mutually agreed upon prior to their return, but Dean being the one to finally make the break). So when Charlie (to her credit) senses that Dean isn't just talking about Sam, and asked if Dean broke up with someone, too, I'm thinking, "Don't ask." And Dean gives the quintessential Dean response, a very matter-of-fact no.
Then we have Charlie designating Dean has her new handmaiden. "He was suspicious. I panicked," she says. And I'm thinking, "Like referring to Dean as a handmaiden isn't going to raise his suspicions even more?" But whatever. Dean is completely unfazed.
I kind of like the dynamic that Dean and Charlie develop in this one. "She's like the little sister I never wanted," Dean said the last time. This time, they're talking battle strategy on the map together, which I kind of loved (Strategist!Dean, bringing his real-world knowledge to the game). And she lets him lead the charge into battle. Hee!
I also loved that Dean found some fun in the pretend. Apparently, as long as the LARPing isn't based on, you know, his own life, he's up for some war games tournament fun.
But we can't really leave things without addressing where things stand with Dean and Sam. This felt kind of like a repeat of what was going on when he lost Jess, only . . . less so, somehow. Possibly because this was Sam's choice, rather than watching Jess burn on the ceiling. There's not revenge to be had.
Dean understands, of course. Dean was there when Sam lost Jess. Dean knows what it's like to walk away from someone you care about, and who cares about you. And Sam made a nod to Dean's need for a little recreation between gigs. (As far as we know, Sam does not know that Dean cut Benny loose, so here's hoping that in some future ep Sam recognizes and acknowledges Dean's own decision as well.)
Sam with the research (and the choking, even) and Dean with the canvasing and firearms. A reprise of sorts from days of old, yet muted--by age, by experience.
So, yeah. The ep still bothers me on some levels. But there really is some amusing stuff going on.
Also, it's good to have f-listies who see things from a bit wider of a lens than one might otherwise when reading fandom forums (fora?). It gives me the chance to take a step back.
I celebrated my 44th b-day this weekend. The Moms came to visit. Shopping in Winchester, a party on Saturday, went out for Indian food on my real b-day. It was fun. Geo gave me a tapestry made from a picture of Bunqui. It's fairly amazing.
Also, one of the people at work, when she asked how old I am, and I told her, she huffed in amazement and said I look about 32. \o/ Which is always nice to hear. :-)
And considering that "Renegade" is still, in my book, one of the--if not THE--best uses of a music cue in the show . . . Seriously. More Styx, please.
Also, it's about time they used "China Grove" on the show. Every time I hear it on the radio, I wonder when they're going to use it on Show. So, we have that out of the way now.
Now, about that promotion:
After my first blush impression of the episode, I re-watched the pieces that I liked. And you know? There's quite a lot to be entertained by in this ep. Re-watching, re-thinking, or simply handwaving some things, there's quite a lot that amuses me here.
Mostly (well, completely) centering around Dean. I know. You're all keeling over from the shock, right?
In this ep, we get:
Smart!Dean
Strategizing!Dean (a more nuanced flavor of Smart!Dean)
BigBrother!Dean
Amused!Dean
Gleeful!Dean
Leader!Dean
So much Dean to enjoy in this ep.
Some of the awkward stuff that bothered me the first time (and still does, to an extent), is made palatable by Jensen's portrayal. (This is not news, as he's been doing this for pretty much the entire time I've been familiar with his work.)
For example, as Dean is suiting up in his period costume (and having fun with it, I do believe), and he's given Charlie what I assume is a heavily edited version of what went down between him and Sam, she calls him out on the fake text. Agreed, not Dean's finest hour--even he admits it. Charlie, however, makes the causal leap that it's because of Dean's text that Sam lost his chance at "normal" with Amelia. Totally not the case, but Dean doesn't correct her or press the issue. He doesn't get defensive, he's not feeling guilty about Sam's decision. Rather he points out what he's been saying since S1--that The Life doesn't allow for attachments. He knows this first hand. The Life cost him Cassie (her decision--twice), cost him Lisa (lack of communication, but ultimately his choice), and now has cost him his camaraderie with Benny (mutually agreed upon prior to their return, but Dean being the one to finally make the break). So when Charlie (to her credit) senses that Dean isn't just talking about Sam, and asked if Dean broke up with someone, too, I'm thinking, "Don't ask." And Dean gives the quintessential Dean response, a very matter-of-fact no.
Then we have Charlie designating Dean has her new handmaiden. "He was suspicious. I panicked," she says. And I'm thinking, "Like referring to Dean as a handmaiden isn't going to raise his suspicions even more?" But whatever. Dean is completely unfazed.
I kind of like the dynamic that Dean and Charlie develop in this one. "She's like the little sister I never wanted," Dean said the last time. This time, they're talking battle strategy on the map together, which I kind of loved (Strategist!Dean, bringing his real-world knowledge to the game). And she lets him lead the charge into battle. Hee!
I also loved that Dean found some fun in the pretend. Apparently, as long as the LARPing isn't based on, you know, his own life, he's up for some war games tournament fun.
But we can't really leave things without addressing where things stand with Dean and Sam. This felt kind of like a repeat of what was going on when he lost Jess, only . . . less so, somehow. Possibly because this was Sam's choice, rather than watching Jess burn on the ceiling. There's not revenge to be had.
Dean understands, of course. Dean was there when Sam lost Jess. Dean knows what it's like to walk away from someone you care about, and who cares about you. And Sam made a nod to Dean's need for a little recreation between gigs. (As far as we know, Sam does not know that Dean cut Benny loose, so here's hoping that in some future ep Sam recognizes and acknowledges Dean's own decision as well.)
Sam with the research (and the choking, even) and Dean with the canvasing and firearms. A reprise of sorts from days of old, yet muted--by age, by experience.
So, yeah. The ep still bothers me on some levels. But there really is some amusing stuff going on.
Also, it's good to have f-listies who see things from a bit wider of a lens than one might otherwise when reading fandom forums (fora?). It gives me the chance to take a step back.
I celebrated my 44th b-day this weekend. The Moms came to visit. Shopping in Winchester, a party on Saturday, went out for Indian food on my real b-day. It was fun. Geo gave me a tapestry made from a picture of Bunqui. It's fairly amazing.
Also, one of the people at work, when she asked how old I am, and I told her, she huffed in amazement and said I look about 32. \o/ Which is always nice to hear. :-)
no subject
Thanks for the great review and discussion points.
no subject
And thanks for reading. :-)
Looking forward to tonight. It looks like it could wreck havoc with continuity and backstory, or it could be intriguingly cool.
no subject