SPN - "Trial and Error"
Feb. 16th, 2013 04:09 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
feliciakwThis ep has caused quite a stir and much discontent in some corners of the fandom, which led me, the other day, to contemplate and wax philosophical regarding my time in fandom and the experiences there, when during a show's run I became involved, whether I was a latecomer to the fandom (but not the show), a latecomer to the show, or an observer who enthused about the show with a limited number of RL friends but not a group of on-line list-sibs/cyber-buds/mysterious handles. How I managed to avoid the character wars and generally how those experiences differ from my current observations. But that's a different post for a different time.
It's been a while since I've been inclined to do a long and rambly, but this ep called forth some things that I feel inclined to comment on.
First, I notice that the calendar reflects the airing date of the show (Kevin marks off January 2013 and ends up in February 2013), regardless of the time jump. I think, perhaps, The Doctor is sekritly involved in the show somehow, because the time jumps always seem to be compressed between the cracks of "real time," so that the year happens, but the date doesn't change.
Or something.
Anyway . . .
The thing that draws me most to Show, if you haven't figured it out by now, is Dean. And I love when we get ordinary, everyday insight into Dean. I love the opening scene of Dean setting up his room.
His own room.
With vinyl records.
And his weaponry on display.
And the photo he keeps in his wallet of himself and his mom. And you know who was behind the camera taking the picture, don't you? Of course you do.
And his mattress. And neatly made bed.
And Sam, mildly impressed, takes a studied look around the room after Dean leaves, and realizes that this is Dean when he's safe, when he doesn't need to worry, when he's got his own space. When he can relax and let go. Sam has never seen Dean in his own space. This is Sam's hope for Dean.
Sam also discovers that Dean is an awesome cook. Remember, Sam, Dean spent a year with Lisa and Ben, not to mention having to feed you when you two were kids. He learned his way around a kitchen early on. The quality of the meal has much to do with the quality of ingredients available, which isn't much the way you guys have lived. Give Dean a decent kitchen and some quality ingredients, and watch him go, right? Even his salads might surprise you.
And speaking of salad, I love the bear hug Dean gives Kevin. :-)
Then we have Sam's speech to Kevin about taking care of himself. "This whole 'saving the world' thing--it's a marathon, not a sprint." Shades of Dean's speech to Sam in "Wendigo" about having patience and not being able to sustain anger over the long haul. Circumstances are different, emotions are different, the principle is the same. Pace yourself. Take care of yourself. It's not a sprint.
Dean, however, is of the mindset that it's time to "play through the pain." Which is very much an attitude of the Dean of the first half of the season, directly out of Purgatory, do what needs to be done to get the job done.
Once they get toSouthfork the Cassity place, things progress apace. I do like Dean's bit of glee regarding "What kind of grill?" I had flashes of a show I saw on The Food Network or something that had gasoline powered turbo grills. Because that would totally be up Dean's alley. Hee!
Also, these new X-ray specs for seeing hellhounds puts the kabosh on my head canon that Dean can still see hellhounds. They've never said it on the show, but it seems to me that Jensen has always played it like Dean can still see them. Otoh, if the hounds can only be seen by "the damned or through and object scorched with holy fire," it obviously means that Dean is no longer damned, that his contract was fulfilled (which I've always said). So even if a hound does recognize his scent and want to claim him, it's got no hold. Can kill, yes. Can claim, no. Just a point of interest.
Dean's speech to Sam. It seems like a bit of a turnabout from the Dean of earlier this season, but is it really? Dean returned from Purgatory with a renewed sense of clarity and purpose, and this falls right in line with that. It also reminds us that Dean, at his core, is one who places family before self. He's always believed that he's expendable. If it's not "the world is going to end bloody," then it's "I'm going to die with a gun in my hand." He has only "seen the light at the end of the tunnel" once, and it was Hellfire. He's never had the opportunity to taste a "happy ending," not even with Lisa and Ben because of the overwhelming grief of knowing where Sam was at the time. It's what we've been shown he wants (WIaWSNB, DaLDoM), and what Dean himself has said he wants ("You Can't Handle the Truth"), but it's not something he believes he can have. This speech, contrary to changing anything, merely reminds us what's at Dean's core, and I don't think it's a desire to commit suicide per se, or a death wish. It's pragmatism as Dean sees it and himself in the grand scheme of things.
He also mentions previous such trials and tests:
Yellow Eyes - Dean dispatched. (In a wonderfully poetic turn of justice and reward.)
Lucifer - Sam took him back into the cage.
Dick Roman - Dean dispatched.
These trials? If keeping to pattern, it would be Sam's turn, and Dean won't have that. (Not that I think Dean is keeping score in that manner, but there ya go.)
But that's not how it works out. As luck would have it, as Dean is facing down the hellhound, he's distracted momentarily by a scream from the direction of Ellie's room. Hound gets a chunk of Dean's side, and Sam is the one who shoots it, guts it, and is covered in ick. (And ick, indeed. Of course, it makes me wonder what it really was. Dean's grave dirt was actually Oreo crumbs. I'm wondering if that was actually chocolate syrup.)
I mentioned earlier that in some ways, this feels like a do-over going back to S3. Because Sam was unable to save Dean from the hellhound in that go-around. This time, he is able to.
So Sam completes the first trial.
Sam's speech to Dean. Something of a 180˚ from the first half of the season. From "All your friends are dead" and "I was alone" to "You have friends up here." I hope they address the disconnect eventually. But be that as it may, this is a speech Dean needs to hear, and needs to be shown on a more regular basis, told in a way that he understands. Dean has friends. Dean is smart--a genius, even. I even mentioned last week somewhere his knowledge of lore and how lore shows up in pop culture (reference "Crossroad Blues"). Go back to "Skin." Dean was the one catching Sam up and refreshing his memory on shapeshifter lore. Dean has actually been to the fairy realm. Dean was the one who knew--from experience--about the Vetala. And Sam doesn't even mention Dean's knowledge of and proficiency with strategy, tactics, and weaponry. And improvisation. And electrics/electronics. "You're not a grunt, Dean. You're a genius." Indeed.
That light at the end of the tunnel. I almost believe that if given a chance, Sam can show Dean that Dean can have the ending Dean believes will never be his.
Dean is the best hunter Sam has ever seen, better than Sam, better than John--better than Bobby or Rufus or any of the Campbells. We've known this for a long time. Even when Dean is being labeled "rusty," those around Dean defer to his leadership. His assessment of a situation is almost always right, and those around him ignore Dean to their peril. Though he's certainly made mistakes thanks to the nearsightedness of his self-perception, Dean is the best there is.
This is what makes me think that Sam doing all three tests is a little too cut and dried. I've seen some interesting theories posed as to how the rest of the tests could shake out, but what we do know is that Kevin has not translated all of the tests--so we don't know what they involve--and that he's only working with half a tablet, so information is missing. I'm looking forward to seeing what comes next.
It's been a while since I've been inclined to do a long and rambly, but this ep called forth some things that I feel inclined to comment on.
First, I notice that the calendar reflects the airing date of the show (Kevin marks off January 2013 and ends up in February 2013), regardless of the time jump. I think, perhaps, The Doctor is sekritly involved in the show somehow, because the time jumps always seem to be compressed between the cracks of "real time," so that the year happens, but the date doesn't change.
Or something.
Anyway . . .
The thing that draws me most to Show, if you haven't figured it out by now, is Dean. And I love when we get ordinary, everyday insight into Dean. I love the opening scene of Dean setting up his room.
His own room.
With vinyl records.
And his weaponry on display.
And the photo he keeps in his wallet of himself and his mom. And you know who was behind the camera taking the picture, don't you? Of course you do.
And his mattress. And neatly made bed.
And Sam, mildly impressed, takes a studied look around the room after Dean leaves, and realizes that this is Dean when he's safe, when he doesn't need to worry, when he's got his own space. When he can relax and let go. Sam has never seen Dean in his own space. This is Sam's hope for Dean.
Sam also discovers that Dean is an awesome cook. Remember, Sam, Dean spent a year with Lisa and Ben, not to mention having to feed you when you two were kids. He learned his way around a kitchen early on. The quality of the meal has much to do with the quality of ingredients available, which isn't much the way you guys have lived. Give Dean a decent kitchen and some quality ingredients, and watch him go, right? Even his salads might surprise you.
And speaking of salad, I love the bear hug Dean gives Kevin. :-)
Then we have Sam's speech to Kevin about taking care of himself. "This whole 'saving the world' thing--it's a marathon, not a sprint." Shades of Dean's speech to Sam in "Wendigo" about having patience and not being able to sustain anger over the long haul. Circumstances are different, emotions are different, the principle is the same. Pace yourself. Take care of yourself. It's not a sprint.
Dean, however, is of the mindset that it's time to "play through the pain." Which is very much an attitude of the Dean of the first half of the season, directly out of Purgatory, do what needs to be done to get the job done.
Once they get to
Also, these new X-ray specs for seeing hellhounds puts the kabosh on my head canon that Dean can still see hellhounds. They've never said it on the show, but it seems to me that Jensen has always played it like Dean can still see them. Otoh, if the hounds can only be seen by "the damned or through and object scorched with holy fire," it obviously means that Dean is no longer damned, that his contract was fulfilled (which I've always said). So even if a hound does recognize his scent and want to claim him, it's got no hold. Can kill, yes. Can claim, no. Just a point of interest.
Dean's speech to Sam. It seems like a bit of a turnabout from the Dean of earlier this season, but is it really? Dean returned from Purgatory with a renewed sense of clarity and purpose, and this falls right in line with that. It also reminds us that Dean, at his core, is one who places family before self. He's always believed that he's expendable. If it's not "the world is going to end bloody," then it's "I'm going to die with a gun in my hand." He has only "seen the light at the end of the tunnel" once, and it was Hellfire. He's never had the opportunity to taste a "happy ending," not even with Lisa and Ben because of the overwhelming grief of knowing where Sam was at the time. It's what we've been shown he wants (WIaWSNB, DaLDoM), and what Dean himself has said he wants ("You Can't Handle the Truth"), but it's not something he believes he can have. This speech, contrary to changing anything, merely reminds us what's at Dean's core, and I don't think it's a desire to commit suicide per se, or a death wish. It's pragmatism as Dean sees it and himself in the grand scheme of things.
He also mentions previous such trials and tests:
Yellow Eyes - Dean dispatched. (In a wonderfully poetic turn of justice and reward.)
Lucifer - Sam took him back into the cage.
Dick Roman - Dean dispatched.
These trials? If keeping to pattern, it would be Sam's turn, and Dean won't have that. (Not that I think Dean is keeping score in that manner, but there ya go.)
But that's not how it works out. As luck would have it, as Dean is facing down the hellhound, he's distracted momentarily by a scream from the direction of Ellie's room. Hound gets a chunk of Dean's side, and Sam is the one who shoots it, guts it, and is covered in ick. (And ick, indeed. Of course, it makes me wonder what it really was. Dean's grave dirt was actually Oreo crumbs. I'm wondering if that was actually chocolate syrup.)
I mentioned earlier that in some ways, this feels like a do-over going back to S3. Because Sam was unable to save Dean from the hellhound in that go-around. This time, he is able to.
So Sam completes the first trial.
Sam's speech to Dean. Something of a 180˚ from the first half of the season. From "All your friends are dead" and "I was alone" to "You have friends up here." I hope they address the disconnect eventually. But be that as it may, this is a speech Dean needs to hear, and needs to be shown on a more regular basis, told in a way that he understands. Dean has friends. Dean is smart--a genius, even. I even mentioned last week somewhere his knowledge of lore and how lore shows up in pop culture (reference "Crossroad Blues"). Go back to "Skin." Dean was the one catching Sam up and refreshing his memory on shapeshifter lore. Dean has actually been to the fairy realm. Dean was the one who knew--from experience--about the Vetala. And Sam doesn't even mention Dean's knowledge of and proficiency with strategy, tactics, and weaponry. And improvisation. And electrics/electronics. "You're not a grunt, Dean. You're a genius." Indeed.
That light at the end of the tunnel. I almost believe that if given a chance, Sam can show Dean that Dean can have the ending Dean believes will never be his.
Dean is the best hunter Sam has ever seen, better than Sam, better than John--better than Bobby or Rufus or any of the Campbells. We've known this for a long time. Even when Dean is being labeled "rusty," those around Dean defer to his leadership. His assessment of a situation is almost always right, and those around him ignore Dean to their peril. Though he's certainly made mistakes thanks to the nearsightedness of his self-perception, Dean is the best there is.
This is what makes me think that Sam doing all three tests is a little too cut and dried. I've seen some interesting theories posed as to how the rest of the tests could shake out, but what we do know is that Kevin has not translated all of the tests--so we don't know what they involve--and that he's only working with half a tablet, so information is missing. I'm looking forward to seeing what comes next.
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no subject
Date: 2013-02-20 10:56 am (UTC)Interesting tidbit for you, the photo of Dean and his Mum was an actual photo of a young Jensen with Mary Winchester photoshopped into the image. This was confirmed by Kevin Parks on the Winchester Bros radio thing last weekend.
no subject
Date: 2013-02-20 01:43 pm (UTC)That is a very cool tidbit of information, and not really surprising. Using real pictures of the actors seems to be pretty S.O.P. nowadays. The family pictures in WIaWSNB were all "real," as in real pics of the actors photoshopped together. I admit, though, that I was wondering about that one. Very cool.
I kind of wish there were a way to bring back Samantha Smith for an episode. She and Jensen seem to work so well together.
no subject
Date: 2013-02-26 10:07 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-02-26 10:13 pm (UTC)Welcome!
no subject
Date: 2013-06-01 06:21 am (UTC)I agree entirely about Dean needing to hear that speech from Sam. I just about cheered. :) Now, if we can only get Dean to believe it...
I also just liked this episode in general, the boys interacting with Kevin, with the family at the farm and Ellie. A good, solid case story with great insight into Dean.