Last night's Supernatural

[scribblinlenore]

So another great episode! I loved the first season, but I think the show is really hitting its stride now. There's an increased depth and sophistication to the storytelling, bringing in those shades of gray that make it feel all the more authentic. It's so interesting to see the brothers reaching one of the important stages of adulthood, where family codes are broken down, reexamined, some parts discarded, some incorporated into the new, grownup sense of identity.

But before I get to that, let me start on a shallow note. How amazingly gorgeous was Amber Benson? Wow. I mean, I always thought she was lovely on Buffy, but with dark hair, she's even more striking. Also, the kick-ass vampire with the heart of gold was named Lenore!!!!!! Not that I insisted on taking that as a personal shout-out or anything. *lies shamelessly*

On a less shallow note about the character of Lenore (LENORE!!!!!), I thought Amber Benson did a great job bringing emotional depth to her, even though she didn't have that much dialogue or screen time, much as she was able to do with Tara on Buffy. She has a very sympathetic quality on screen, and that made the scene where Lenore is being tortured, and in retrospect the sequence where the other female vampire is being hunted, terrorized and beheaded, all the more repugnant.

I loved the opening of this episode, with the Impala back in business, and Dean smiling, looking as if he can finally breathe again. His eagerness to be back on the road, back behind the wheel, on the trail of another case makes so much sense. After a loss, it's natural to want to reestablish a sense of normality, and this is what passes for it in the lives of the Brothers Winchester.

Of course, things aren't the way they were, the boys themselves aren't the same, and that gradually unspools as the episode goes on.

Dean does look to Gordon to fill that void left by his father. "We're alike, you and me." That must be so seductive for Dean to hear, considering how hard he tried to be like his father. But Gordon isn't John Winchester, who had the memory of Mary's love and his sons to keep him human, and also I'm guessing just a stronger character. Not to mention, the time when Dean can pattern himself on someone else to help him find his way is over. He's his own man now, who has to make his own moral choices.

I thought it was also interesting that for all Sam is calling Dean on his search for a surrogate parent he's casting Ellen in a very motherly role, checking in like a good son, sounding her out about Gordon, taking her advice seriously. They haven't really explored in a very overt way Sam as a boy who's never had a mother, but I think you see it in how eagerly he connects with women, with Jess and Sarah and Ellen, this need for a womanly presence in his life, something he's never really had, growing up in the man's-man world of demon hunters. There was something very little boy about Sam in that scene, and it really made me ache for him.

The whole juxtaposition between Sam and Dean and Gordon is just fascinating. For the first time, the show questions the morality of the hunt. The scene where Dean decapitates the vampire is truly grotesque and chilling, the utter brutality of the act, the look of almost pleasure on Dean's face after he's finished, the way he seems to wear the gore splattered on him as a matter of pride, how deeply unsettled Sam seems by his brother's act and his reaction to it. Sam and Dean go on from there to have one of the most important conversations of their lives. Dean (paraphrasing): "Our job is to hunt down supernatural things and kill them. Sam (also paraphrasing): "No, our job is to hunt down evil things and kill them." By the end of the episode, the point is clear: for this kind of quest to be honorable it must be firmly rooted in a concern for life, with the objective clear at all times, to protect the innocent. Otherwise, it's just killing. Otherwise, the hunter becomes the very evil he started out trying to eradicate.

The most intriguing part of the whole episode for me was Gordon's line, when he's recounting how he hunted down his sister and killed her, that Dean would do the same thing under the same circumstances, gesturing with his knife toward Sam. That can be read in so many ways, and they're all so interesting. First and foremost, it shows why Dean and Gordon aren't really alike in the end. Because we can all be pretty certain that Dean couldn't bring himself to kill Sam no matter how egregious the circumstances and if he did have to destroy Sam to, oh let's say, save the world, he could never be so cold about it. In fact, it would be the end of him. It's a thin line sometimes between being a hero and psychopath, and that line is human connection. There couldn't be a more profound difference between these two men.

It's also possible to read that exchange ("you'd do the same thing") as foreshadowing. We know there's a secret about Sam's abilities, and it's possible that secret involves him being supernatural in some way. So it's possible that Dean may face this very conflict someday, where he has to sort out the difference between supernatural and evil once and for all, and make his peace with the truth about his brother. One of the processes of growing up, or really just of life in general, is reevaluating your beliefs in the face of new evidence. Dean softens his stance on supernatural things a little in this episode and may be called on to thoroughly redefine his terms depending on what happens with Sam. I thought it was also interesting that in the trailer for next week's episode he declares very adamantly, "Dead things shouldn't come back." That could be more foreshadowing about their father. Dean may have a lot of reconsidering to do in his future.

I loved how this episode showed both boys moving beyond childhood ideas and dynamics. By the last conversation, Dean has a clarified sense of their mission, has reached the understanding that their father was an actual person (one of the big milestones on the way to being a grownup is accepting that your parents are human and fallible), driven by a specific set of circumstances, a good man who did the best he could, but his way of being in the world isn't some kind of Bible for how he and Sam should go forward. They can honor their father without being him.

Sam's growth may show itself more subtly, but it's no less important. When Dean hits him, he doesn't strike back. He doesn't get angry. Doesn't start a power struggle. Doesn't threaten to leave. Doesn't do any of the "rebel without a cause" things he usually does. He just stands his ground, holds on to what he knows is right, and keeps the dialogue open, continuing to reason with Dean. It's remarkably mature and only possible as Sam moves away from the role he's occupied in the family as the combative contrarian. It makes his line "only he gets to call me that" stand out all the more (you know, besides that fact that it made fangirls everywhere squee their hearts out *g*), because it's such a sore point for him all through the first season. "Sammy" was someone he didn't want to be, shorthand for the part of his life he was desperately trying to separate himself from. At last, he seems to understand that he doesn't have disown his history to be his own person, that he can have his family and still be himself. Again, this is one of the major realizations of adulthood.

When John died in the first episode of the season, as sad as it made me, I did feel it gave the show an opportunity to explore how Sam and Dean will become their own men, and this episode was a wonderful start on that journey.

Comments

[storydivagirl.livejournal.com]

Word to pretty much everything you said. Especially the whole thing with what exactly Sam's role for the demon is (whether Dean knows or not). Because 1) I agree that there is no way Dean could kill Sam and if he had to (because Sam was begging him - really, I can't see anything else getting him to do it), it would destroy him. I'm not sure he'd survive having to do that and continue hunting in the end. Also, the whole "not all supernatural is evil" thing is DEFINITELY going to play into the future, I think. Because he loves Sam more than anything and I think he's going to be the one reinforcing that to Sam when the time comes "So what if you have this thing...you're still you, still my brother."

[scribblinlenore.livejournal.com]

*nods* I totally agree that the only way Dean could kill Sam is if Sam begged him to, and even then...it's really hard to imagine, much the same way Sam couldn't kill John, even though John was begging him to.

I think he's going to be the one reinforcing that to Sam when the time comes "So what if you have this thing...you're still you, still my brother."

Oh, yes! That makes so much sense. And when it happens? Oh, my heart!

[azewewish.livejournal.com]

I really am going to have to re-watch this episode without being so pissed off that they brought back the Impala without any sort of 'real' explanation as to how Dean could rebuild a car with a bent frame & a smashed up engine. TV logic, I guess. But it still annoyed me so much that it took me awhile to get into the episode.

The 2nd half of the was much better than the 1st half, once they started delving into the grey areas and back into the psychological repurcussions of John's death and how their roles have changed, how they've both fundamentally changed. I also love that now the hunt isn't as morally black & white as it once was. And yes, I completely agree with you that Sam's maturation beyond rebellious younger brother into someone capable of taking care of Dean has been completely spot-on so far. The deeper Dean delves into his own demons, the more Sam will have to be there for him.

Hopefully they continue down this path.

[scribblinlenore.livejournal.com]

Re: the Impala. You're totally right that the car really couldn't have survived that much damage, much less end up looking just as good as new. I was just so glad to see it back I didn't really stop to consider the "wow, that's so not possible" of it. *g*

Hopefully they continue down this path.

*nods* It's shaping up to be a great season. For a show I started watching mostly for the hot ass, it really has gotten good.

[ceares.livejournal.com]

I haven't seen this yet, but I'm so excited now. I love Amber Benson, and so far that's 2 BTVS/ATS alum...for me SPN couldn't do better than to align itself with those shows in depth, and it sounds like they're making a start.

One of the things I loved was the shades of gray...all supernatural things weren't evil, and all evil things weren't supernatural, good did bad, and bad did good and the path wasn't always simple, easy or clear and unlike SV, the characters actually realized that.

[scribblinlenore.livejournal.com]

Yes! Amber Benson was wonderful. Her character was really interesting, and she just looked fabulous. It was great to see her. And definitely a great thing for the show if they're able to capture some of that complexity that Buffy was always so good at delivering.

It's funny. I started watching Supernatural for the same reason I started watching Smallville, for the hot ass, but Supernatural is really turning into so much more than that. Yay!

[goth-clark.livejournal.com]

I couldn't agree more with everything you've said here. I love a show where characters learn and grow and mature. This show just gets better and better.

[scribblinlenore.livejournal.com]

I get so excited every week when it's time for Supernatural. I think they're really doing a good job bringing depth to the characters and making the story more layered. Yay for our show!

[lastscorpion.livejournal.com]

What a fine analysis! My whole reaction to the episode was pretty much "Ooh! Neat!"
:-D

[scribblinlenore.livejournal.com]

"Ooh! Neat!" totally sums it up! :)

I love this show more and more each week.

[tenillypo.livejournal.com]

I enjoyed this episode last night but I didn't love it. After processing things a bit and reading all of the speculation and interpretation, though, I'm really starting to dig what they're doing with Dean's character arc this season -- and Sam's too, but I think that just as the emphasis was on Sam last year, this year it's going to be all about Dean. And I'm just fine with that.

I really hope that we get to see more of Gordon -- and perhaps a schism within the hunting community, i.e. the hardliners against those who see the shades of grey. They're foreshadowing Dean having to make a choice regarding supernatural Sam (like anyone really doubts what his choice would be, but still...) pretty heavily, and I really can't wait.

Sam's growth may show itself more subtly, but it's no less important.

So true. He's been a terrific little brother to far this year. Very supportive. Very caring. He doesn't let his own issues sidetrack him trying to understand Dean's -- and it's pretty clear that he able to read Dean's emotional state like a book at this point, a nice contrast to how out of sync they have been even as recently as "Shadows" last season. They ground each other pretty nicely at this point, and I could not love it more.

[scribblinlenore.livejournal.com]

I really hope that we get to see more of Gordon -- and perhaps a schism within the hunting community, i.e. the hardliners against those who see the shades of grey.

That would be fascinating! I would love to see that. I do think we'll see Gordon again. It's clear that Dean made a real enemy of him, and if Sam does turn out to be supernatural in some way, if that knowledge somehow gets out, we may see Gordon coming after Sam and Dean fighting to protect him. *bounces* I can't wait either to see where they're going with all this.

They ground each other pretty nicely at this point, and I could not love it more.

So true about their relationship! And I feel the same way. Totally love it!

[lizzie451.livejournal.com]

Definitely a 'what you said' moment here. I mean, I agree with everything. I was chilled by the way Gordon was acting when he was talking about killing his sister. I almost hate to keep mentioning the Joss-verse, but on Angel even Gunn was torn up by having to kill his sister when she was turned. And I'm glad I'm not the only one who had a shiver of foreshadowing when they were talking about doing what it takes, black and white, no gray--especially the way the show made a point to emphasize it to us viewers repeatedly.

Just the fact that Dean lied to Sammy (*squee*) about his dad saying something means that there is something coming.

And I don't think any of the Winchesters, John included, would be capable of killing the other even if it were necessary. I mean, Sam couldn't shoot John when he was possessed, and they used the Colt to save each other in the end. John could've walked out and still been on the trail of the demon, but instead he made the deal so Dean could live (although, I don't know many parents who love their children that wouldn't try to make that sort of deal). Although, if it were the end of the world, I really think they'd do some sort of--I'm killing you, but I'm going to make damn sure I don't survive it kind of thing. B/C I don't see Dean lasting too long without Sam.

(and PS I too saw the Mommy/Big Sister-vibes, except it kinda ruins the hot Ellen/Sammy sex... lol!)

[scribblinlenore.livejournal.com]

I almost hate to keep mentioning the Joss-verse, but on Angel even Gunn was torn up by having to kill his sister when she was turned.

I absolutely thought of Gunn, too! His sister is a victim too, and even if he felt he had to kill her to keep other people from being hurt, I can't fathom not feeling a deep sense of grief about that.

And I don't think any of the Winchesters, John included, would be capable of killing the other even if it were necessary.

*nods* Totally agree. The Winchesters have a very strong code that family is everything. That's not going to go away no matter what the circumstances.

I too saw the Mommy/Big Sister-vibes, except it kinda ruins the hot Ellen/Sammy sex... lol!

How about if Dean has hot sex with Ellen and Sam has hot sex with Lenore? Um...I don't mean that in any self-serving way. Honest! *g*

[trystan830.livejournal.com]

oh wow very very awesome review. :)

i enjoyed the ep too... the brother interaction, the CAR!!!!

and i'm a sucker for vamps, too!

[scribblinlenore.livejournal.com]

Oh, yes! I loved how adorable the boys were in the car, Dean all happy and Sam noticing. And I'm with you on the vamps. I always find them interesting!

[trystan830.livejournal.com]

oh Dean and his car were just awesome!! :D

[winterlive.livejournal.com]

Dead things shouldn't come back.

he's talking about himself there, baby, oh yes he is. the reaper said, boy's living on borrowed time as it is - and now it's twice borrowed. i want so much for dean to meet someone else who's been through resurrection by a reaper, who knows it, who maybe gets destroyed by it so dean can see the way not to go with that, y'know? augh, dean, the rippy heartness.

wrt the rest of your post, yes yes and yes.

[scribblinlenore.livejournal.com]

*clutches Dean* Oh, my God. He probably is talking about himself. Poor, poor tormented boy. I may need a moment. You know, to cry my heart out!

Isn't the story getting good, though? Every week on Thursday, I'm practically bouncing with anticipation the entire day. Yay for our show!

[winterlive.livejournal.com]

YES. yes. because yes.

i watched the first five eps with some friends today - i tell ya, there's nothing like watching people respond to dean for the first time. <333

the story is killing me. i think we could for sure do with some lightheartedness sometime soon, less with the screaming at each other for a little while, but it's not like i won't watch if we don't, because hello: addict.

[no-detective.livejournal.com]

LENORE!!!! was pretty much my reaction too. Every time they mentioned her name. Heeeeeee!

Thank you for a phenomenal analysis, especially the insight into Sam's relationships with women and Dean's identity crisis of sorts. When Gordon was describing the way he killed his vamped sister, I had a flashback to Dean telling Sam that he killed the two possessed people - Meg and the guy in the finale - and didn't hesitate, didn't even flinch. What a powerful moment that was! And what a great follow-up to his worry that he's becoming something inhuman himself. Also, I forget the title of the episode - "Benders" or something - in which they end up fighting monstrous humans instead of anything supernatural. That must have left some impact on the way the brothers think of the hunt, but Sam seems to have absorbed it better than Dean; even though he's younger and did such a fine job being the contrarian in the family as you said, Sam definitely strikes me as the brother with more emotional maturity in this season.

Awww, I need a Sammy icon.

[scribblinlenore.livejournal.com]

Hee! I watched episode again this morning over breakfast, and I still have that reaction. I really want to write that missing scene where Lenore needs a little help from Sammy to recover her strength. Mmmm. *gets lost in daydream*

I really love this show so much. And, you know, I think I need a new Sammy icon, too!

[fan-spagle.livejournal.com]

Hello, you have been nominated for a TSA at sv_awardz

(http://pics.livejournal.com/fan_spagle/pic/00056ww9/)

Click here (http://community.livejournal.com/sv_awardz/7555.html#cutid2) to see what you were nominated for.

Good Luck, Sweetie!!

[audrarose.livejournal.com]

wow, so late, but I finally got a chance to watch it...

Amber was AMAZING. The dark hair was gorgeous, and I wanted way more screen time for her! Do you think she'll be back? (speculating -- I have no spoiler knowledge at ALL.) I'm wondering if she'll be back to return the favor and save the guys.

I loved all the details you mentioned -- the Sammy comment!

And I'm in the foreshadowing camp with the parallel Gordon tried to draw between his killing his sister and Dean having to take out Sam at some point. Sam took a rain check on his payback punch, too. I think it's coming. *weeps* However? I think you're right about it destroying Dean -- I can see him pulling a Buffy and sacrificing himself instead. (hopefully this will be years down the line when the ratings are dying and we've all lost interest. hee!)

great recap! :D

[scribblinlenore.livejournal.com]

Re: Amber. I can't believe she won't be back! Okay, maybe that's just wishful thinking on my part. But Lenore (LENORE!!! I'm probably not going to stop being excited about that anytime soon *g*) was such an interesting character, and your idea would be so cool, if she reappeared to pay them back by saving their asses. I'd adore that!

I cry at the thought of Dean having to sacrifice Sam. But maybe it will be more like someone else suggested in the comments, that Dean will have this epiphany about the difference between supernatural and evil, and when Sam finds out the truth about himself, he'll actually be the one helping Sam through it, reminding him that he's still himself, still his brother. I hope it goes more like that! I didn't love Dawn the way I love Sam, and yet that Buffy episode...well, I still get choked up thinking about it.

[obiness.livejournal.com]

I love reading your reviews since you do give me some interesting thoughts to think about (other than the prettiness of dean). I totally agree with your point, it appears that (for this season so far) that the Sam and Dean are really seem to be growing into the man they will be. The relationship between the two brothers is amazing to watch (even without my slash colour glasses).
And though I am a Dean girl, I was really proud of Sam in this epiosode. Especially when Dean hit Sam (totally expected), I was really surprise that Sam did not start yelling and/or hit Dean back which I imagine he would if it was his father who hit him.
Anyways, good stuff, can't wait to see your reviews next week. Cheers.