6.01 Episode reaction post

[ratherastory]

Okay, time for your regularly-scheduled episode reaction post, AKA ratherastory FLAILS INCOHERENTLY AT THE COMPUTER SCREEN.

This is all stream-of-consciousness, as the show plays, or sometimes just afterward depending on how lost in the episode I get.

Obviously, there will be spoilers.

Ooh, black & white recap.

2 seconds in and Dean is breaking my heart.

Awwuh, the small smile. *cries*

Dean's in a truck! Oh, this is going to mess with my head, the b&w flashbacks contrasted with the present. Nice choice of song, even if it doesn't really correspond with my mental image of Dean.

Ack! Teaching Ben car stuff! *weeps*

Oh, track pants. Not your best look, Deano.

Checking on Ben... oh, man. My HEART.

Oh, and the stuff under the bed. Once a hunter, always a hunter.

WOW. Nice opening title!

Who's this guy? Quit being nosy, Random Dude™.

Ha-ha! “Pest control.” Oy vey. “No idea what's in some people's walls.” You tell 'em, Dean.

Dean. Still collecting women's numbers. Ooh, he tore up the number! We all knew he was faithful at the last, right?

Eek! Screaming! Come on, Dean... be a hero! I know that's what you do. (I'm betting it's a hoax.)

DJ Sam on the poster? I SEE WHAT YOU DID THERE, SHOW!

I know this is meant to be all creepy and atmospheric, but I'm too busy admiring the jacket... and possibly Dean's ass in those jeans, but I'm not admitting that out loud

Creepy abandoned hotel is creepy.

PIGEON! Nice nod to the series premiere there, Show. I SEE WHAT YOU DID THERE AGAIN!

Claw marks. Claw marks are never goo —CRAP, BLOOD!

Who're you talking to, Dean?

Still drinking, I see. And lying to Lisa. Not a healthy foundation for the relationship.

Devil's Trap under the rug! Lisa has to know about all that, so why lie about other things?

More claw marks. GAH! *bites fingernails*

BIG claw marks. Holy crap.

And the laundry! Jesus. I love this show. It's the details that make it work. Anyone else remember the bloodied baby carrier in Croatoan?

LOL Dog! Same dog as in Yellow Fever? I wonder if the Yorkie belongs to someone on set.

Possums kill! *dies*

SULPHUR! ACK!

Oh, random neighbour dude whose name I've already forgotten, don't try to understand. It's best if you stay in the dark. Sid. That's his name.

Okay, not exactly lying to Lisa.

“Careful's my middle name.” Oh, Dean. Bunny!

LEATHER JACKET! PUT IT ON! Oh, and he still has Dad's journal.

LIGHTBULB! ACK!

*flails*

OHMYGODOHMYGODOHMYGOD...

*chews on fingers*

That better be Ben... it's a soccer ball, after all.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAH!

WHAT THE FUCK OH MY GOD IT'S THE YELLOW-EYED DEMON! TELL ME IT'S A DREAM OR SOMETHING FUUUUUUUCK!

(I wonder if they've fixed those contact lenses so Fredrick Lehne can see now)

SAM! HOLY FUCK!

What did he just stab him with, anyway? That looked like a syringe...

“I was expecting a hug? Some holy water in the face?” I WANTED A HUG TOO, SAMMY!

Ooh, poisoned. Keen. That's a twist I didn't expect.

OWWWW.... I never get used to seeing them slice themselves open.

Sam's awfully... matter-of-fact.

YAY HUG!

Except Sam doesn't look like he's enjoying it.

The inevitable Sam's-been-back-for-a-year-and-didn't-call conversation...

Sam? Family? What?

Gwen Campbell? Christan? What?

I thought all of Mom's relatives were gone too, Dean.

HOLY FUCK SAMUEL!

Erm... I'm confused. Not confused, exactly. I'm... unconvinced.

Oooh! Djinn! That's cool. Really liked the concept in Season 2

Eep! Lisa and Ben! OH NO!

Aww, Sam's still got the puppy eyes down.

SHIT SHIT SHIT DON'T LET LISA AND BEN DIE I WILL HATE THE WRITERS FOREVER!

OH THANK GOD.

(Damn, Ben has grown up.)

BOBBY!!!!!!

“If you're here, something's wrong.” Oh, Bobby.

Reader's Digest and “loaded décor.” Hee!

Ouch. Bobby knew about Sam and didn't say. All year. Really ouch.

YAY SHOW FOR ACKNOWLEDGING HOW FUCKED UP DEAN WAS AND HOW HE ALMOST FUCKED UP BEN AND LISA'S LIFE. AND THE DRINKING TOO MUCH AND THE NIGHTMARES AND OF COURSE HE WOULDN'T LET IT GO!

“Do I look out to you?” Ouch. Ouch ouch ouch!

“I should've known that something would come because something always does.”

Oh God, Dean.

“You're an idiot.” YAY LISA!

LISA IS AWESOME! \o/

Where the hell is the Impala?

Yeah, I don't like Cousin Christian.

“See, it's almost like I'm a professional.” YAY DEAN! See how Dean is awesome and you are not, Cousin Christian?

Oh, hey, the other cousin whose name I forget is the guy from Flashpoint!

GOLF! OH MY GOD DEAN PLAYS GOLF I LOVE IT THERE NEEDS TO BE FIC!

We all know Dean is like his mother, Samuel. :P

Ooh, the supernatural world is running amok! Exciting times! I also like the fact that the Campbells stick together. That's neat.

There were vampires on the Mayflower? Awkward.

Fuck you, Samuel! Dean should be allowed to play golf if he wants to! HE SAVED THE GODDAMNED WORLD!

Djinn in the trees? Really? Weeeeeird.

At least Sam knows Dean knows his stuff.

Aww, Sam! I told you last year: QUIT ASKING PEOPLE IF THEY'RE OKAY WHEN THEY'RE OBVIOUSLY NOT!

Ooh, that was a HELL of a flinch when Dean mentioned the cage. And NO, Sam doesn't want to talk about it. SHOCKER.

And the Djinn went after the neighbours. Shocking. IT'S A TRAP, DEAN!

Oh, now THAT is cool! Self-tattooing whatsits.

Oh, no! Sid... Dead because you're friends with Dean. Crap. :(

Ooh, the original Djinn's kids! Cool. Family is family, it seems.

WOW. SAM IS FREAKIN' BADASS.

Come on, Dean, keep it together! They're not real! Neither is he! DEEEEAAAN!

AAAAAAAAAAAAH!

*flails*

I love that Sam is using the golf clubs. I'm not sure why.

The Campbells are, unsurprisingly, up to something that they're not telling the Winchesters. SHOCKING. Really. This is my surprised face.

Yay, Dean! Going back to Lisa and Ben. Good on you, dude, although I wish you'd try to drag Sam back with you. :)

Sam... WTF? Is Dean still hallucinating? It doesn't seem like it.

“I wouldn't even think to try.” OH, GOD. Sam, what the hell happened to you? I WANT MY SAMMY BACK! THE ONE WHO RESCUES KITTENS OUT OF TREES BECAUSE HE CARES!

SAM DOESN'T WANT THE IMPALA OH GOD.

*cries and cries and cries*

NO GOODBYE HUG? WHAT THE EVERLOVING FUCK?!?

FUCK, SHOW, I AM NOT OKAY WITH THIS! IS IT NEXT FRIDAY YET?

Comments

[katwoman76.livejournal.com]

Ooh, that was a HELL of a flinch when Dean mentioned the cage.
Love the subtle little details Jared put in there. Cause if you look closely, Sam is far far away from being as cold and emotionless as he pretends to be.

And NO, Sam doesn't want to talk about it. SHOCKER.
Some people were actually pissed about that. *eyeroll*
Like it would make sense for him to want to talk about it.
How is he supposed to talk about that and keep up the facade of being all okay and tough and emotionless. Give it time guys, the walls will crack, I'm sure.

Sam, what the hell happened to you?
Hell, the worst part of it. And let's not forget Lucifer himself using him as his vessel, and how about realizing that all his life he was manipulated by everyone - I think he is allowed to have some issues and to put some pretty thick walls up right now. Probably the only way he can cope.
But I sure hope, we will get some more insight over time.

SAM DOESN'T WANT THE IMPALA OH GOD.
Well, the last time the Impala was his - Dean was in hell. I kind of get why he doesn't want the car without Dean in it.

IS IT NEXT FRIDAY YET?
Would be nice, right? I want more - NOW!!!

[ratherastory.livejournal.com]

People were pissed Sam didn't immediately spill his guts? Sheesh.

And yes, I know that Sam was in hell and all that. The question was more of a rhetorical expression of my anguish for Sammy. ;)

I WANT IT TO BE FRIDAY!

[borgmama1of5.livejournal.com]

Very succinctly reviewed.

Honestly. You hit all the WTF moments about the same way I did :)

[ratherastory.livejournal.com]

Hee! It's very kind of you to use the word "reviewed." It's just instant reactions as things happen. \o/

Is it next Friday yet?

[tifaching.livejournal.com]

"Oh, track pants. Not your best look, Deano." I was much more partial to the barefoot in jeans look. MUCH more partial.

"Anyone else remember the bloodied baby carrier in Croatoan?" Oh, yes. That was awful in a great way.

"I'm... unconvinced." Me too. And ready to slap Sam for his "hunting with family" remark.

*LISA IS AWESOME! \o/* Yes she is.

"Yeah, I don't like Cousin Christian." I don't like ANY of the Campbells. Condescending jackasses.

"I love that Sam is using the golf clubs. I'm not sure why." I loved it because after Sam mocked Dean for having them, they ended up saving his life.

"SAM DOESN'T WANT THE IMPALA OH GOD." I hated that Sam didn't take her after Dean pointed out, rightly, that she should be hunting. But I hated more the WAY he didn't take her. "Nah, my car's already set up the way I want it." REALLY??? REALLY, SAM????? You set the Impala up the way you wanted her during Mystery Spot and that didn't freakin' kill you. *grits teeth and reminds herself that Sam has been through a lot (probably, hopefully) and it's messed him up so that he's a jackass right now*

I'm glad Dean stayed with Lisa, at least for now, and Sam's so distant and Dean's so upset with him that the lack of a hug at the end didn't bother me too much. I need them back together, though and in the Impala. It needs to be next Friday right now.

[ratherastory.livejournal.com]

It totally needs to be next Friday.

The way Sam refused the Impala actually made sense to me. It looked like it physically hurt to even think about taking the Impala, even when Dean offered, and I can only imagine what hunting solo in that car would do to him. I can also imagine he didn't want to argue with Dean about it, so he refused in the way he knew would hurt Dean the most to push him away. The Winchesters are good at that. They KNOW each other, you know?

*heart breaks*

I'm glad Dean stayed with Lisa too, but I'm looking forward to having them back together.

[claudiapriscus.livejournal.com]

The impala thing sent off alarm bells for me in more ways than just "he's being a jackass." It was almost like he forgot/didn't know what it meant (or, I guess, was being deliberately cruel, but still). Just think about when they split up in 5.02. The offer of the car meant many of the same things there, too. And Sam reacted to it completely differently.

[authoressnebula.livejournal.com]

I was much more partial to the barefoot in jeans look.

THIS. ♥ God his bare feet on that rug made me oh so happy. He was so relaxed...*happy sigh* Plus, not gonna lie, I was totally shallow. XD

And yes, Lisa IS awesome.

Condescending jackasses.

I think I love you even more than I did already. That was perfect. ♥

I think that if Sam takes the Impala, he sort of knows that that's the end, and that Dean's not coming back. Plus, the Impala is Dean's, and always will be in Sam's head. Taking it would probably remind him of the various months he had it where Dean wasn't driving it with him. He's either always shared it with Dean or Dean's been dead. Not healthy reminders. *pets him*

I can't wait to find out why Sam's been so distant, so that when Dean finds out it's because that Sam's traumatized over the Cage and Dean will really hug him and this time Sam won't hesitate to reciprocate. He seems like he's trying to hold everyone at arm's length. Poor baby.

Oh my god can it be next Friday now? (And ratherastory, I know, I'm hijacking your journal something awful, I so sowee... *sends you cookies*)

~Nebula

[hsifeng.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, I don't like Cousin Christian." I don't like ANY of the Campbells. Condescending jackasses.

This X 1000

Although the girl Campbell amused me with her little crack about Dean's 'delicate features'. *chuckle*

[authoressnebula.livejournal.com]

There were vampires on the Mayflower? Awkward.

Hey man, I've seen the size of that boat, and seriously, killing some of the people would've made everyone else happy, if just to have more breathing room. That thing was tiny.

Ooh, that was a HELL of a flinch when Dean mentioned the cage. And NO, Sam doesn't want to talk about it. SHOCKER.

Oh, I'm waitin' on that one. I SO want my Sammy angst. WANT WANT WANT CRAAAAAAAAAVE.

OH, GOD. Sam, what the hell happened to you?

I actually sat and wrote something about that, and I'm about to go posting it, so if you'd like to read it, you're more than welcome to. I tried to make it more speculative, tried to dig deep into Sam, because dude, the Cage fucked. Him. Up. And I can't wait to see how long this in-control-of-everything!Sam breaks. Because when it does there will be woobie!Sam and hugging-big-brother!Dean and my world, it will be all right. It took a long time for Dean to break in season 4, remember. But then there were tears and you KNOW AFTER THE CREDITS SAM HUGGED HIM.

I want next Friday so baaaaaaaaaad.

~Nebula

[katwoman76.livejournal.com]

dude, the Cage fucked. Him. Up. And I can't wait to see how long this in-control-of-everything!Sam breaks. Because when it does there will be woobie!Sam and hugging-big-brother!Dean and my world, it will be all right. It took a long time for Dean to break in season 4, remember. But then there were tears and you KNOW AFTER THE CREDITS SAM HUGGED HIM.
I sooo totally agree.

[ratherastory.livejournal.com]

*clings*

WHY IS IT NOT FRIDAY?

I will happily read your fic, although I'm still catching up on four days' worth of LJ here...

[tifaching.livejournal.com]

Yay for you writing something about this!

*refreshes friends page impatiently*

[claudiapriscus.livejournal.com]

There's something seriously wrong with dear ol' Sammy. I can't wait to find out what it is.

So far, my theories have ranged from the cracky (he's one of those evil doppelganger-shapeshifters from the alternate universe in fringe!) to the very slightly more possible, which has mostly consisted of, "maybe it's like X", where X is something used in another story. (e.g. the shard of ice in the heart of the kid in the Snow Queen, or the fairy tales about the person who is stolen and becomes cold and uncaring until someone who loves them can hang on to them as they're transformed into horrible thing after horrible thing. Or there was a book series I read where one of the characters came back from the dead- but her soul moved on without her, leaving her slowly unable to really feel or care about anything- even though she intellectually knows to.

Also, I'm ready to say there's something wrong with grandpa, too. More than just being shady. He doesn't quite seem the same as he was, last time we saw him.

[ratherastory.livejournal.com]

There is something SERIOUSLY wrong with Samuel. I don't trust any of the Campbells. They are SHADY, and I think Grandpa came back wrong. Also, not entirely convinced he was dragged "down" the way he claims. We only have his word on that after all. Who's to say he didn't end up in hell when he died?

I like your X theory, although I'm willing to think that Sam is just emotionally shut down after the cage. Completely. Dean was all sorts of fucked up after hell, and Sam's experience had to be just as bad (if different). It would surprise me if he WASN'T trying to close himself off from that.

[lavinialavender.livejournal.com]

Yay! Glad to get your comments.

There were vampires on the Mayflower? Awkward.
Hahahaha, love it.

Yeah, I know, it's pretty painful, huh? I've been utterly miserable, UNTIL today when I read some excellent, excellent essays and analyses - this from de_nugis, and these two really great pieces from maraceles analyzing Sam's body language, which is REALLY encouraging. Her entry at the top there is quite excellent, too.

Wait a sec - has the show permanently switched to Fridays???? D: I SHOULD KNOW THESE THINGS.

[strgazr04.livejournal.com]

"Ooh, that was a HELL of a flinch when Dean mentioned the cage. And NO, Sam doesn't want to talk about it. SHOCKER."


He flinched? Really? I've rewatched it a few times now, looking for a flinch in that kitchen scene but still don't see it. Explain plz? All I notice is Sam sorta pausing before answering Dean about what he remembers. *confused*

[ratherastory.livejournal.com]

It's more of a head-jerk, a small one, that and when Dean asks if he wants to talk about it. But it's definitely there. If I knew how to make .gifs I would totally demonstrate. :)

[sela117.livejournal.com]

Yep, that's pretty much what I thought too.... is it Friday?
:)

I think the writers left us exactly where they wanted, slightly confused and unsettled, and I love them for it. I can't wait to see where we're going on this trip.

I don't really want to compare Dean's Hell to Sam's time in the Cage, they're completely different experiences, but I do think that Sam hasn't helped himself by cutting himself off from Dean for an entire year. (I understand his reasons, don't necessarily like them, but I get it.)

When Dean came back from Hell he still had Sam, as strained as their relationship was back then, and that was huge. Someone to wake him up from nightmares, share a drink, just being there. Sam didn't allow himself to have this when he came back; sure he had Grandpa Sam and the Campbell Cousins, but really, how much could they even understand? I'm getting the feeling that we're starting this season with a Sam teetering on the edge, and hopefully, when the boys get back on the road together, Dean will be able to start pulling him back.

[lexhibition.livejournal.com]

Djinn in the trees? Really? Weeeeeird.

AHAHAHAHA, THIS WAS MY THOUGHT.

IT WAS LIKE, THEY DON'T SHOW YOU WHAT DEAN SEES THROUGH THE LITTLE TELESCOPE THINGY BECAUSE WHAT, IT'S JUST THREE GROWN PEOPLE SITTING IN A TREE BEING CREEPY? WHAT DO PEOPLE WALKING THROUGH THE NEIGHBORHOOD THINK? LOLOLOL.

[claudiapriscus.livejournal.com]

I nearly spit water all over my keyboard at that!

Someone needs to write it. Some poor neighbor wondering if everyone has gone stark raving mad.

[primrose-1.livejournal.com]

Something is definitely wrong with Sam. BIG time. I love how things went down with Lisa and Ben, and that Dean chose to be with them. I love the idea of family legacy going back for generations. I'm mad that they made fun of Dean for his "normal" life when they made sure he STAYED in his normal life by not telling him the truth. It was uncalled for.

I'm kind of mellow about the show right now. I'm okay with a buildup and a slow reveal of everything going on. It's a weird place to be, because usually I'm frantic to find out what happens next.

[hsifeng.livejournal.com]

“I wouldn't even think to try.” OH, GOD. Sam, what the hell happened to you? I WANT MY SAMMY BACK! THE ONE WHO RESCUES KITTENS OUT OF TREES BECAUSE HE CARES!

SAM DOESN'T WANT THE IMPALA OH GOD.

Erm... I'm confused. Not confused, exactly. I'm... unconvinced.

Honestly, this last part is my reaction to the entire episode.

I am down with the writers taking the characters in a new direction. Sam was in the Cage and apparently it sucked even bigger balls than Dean’s tour of the downstairs of Judeo-Christianity. Understood. I am also alright with Dean’s heart growing three sizes when it comes to the dumb ass civilians who get themselves in the way of the Big Bad (after all, he’s sorta become one of them…apparently).

But.

If you SPN writer fucks mess with the whole “Two Bro’s, One Family” dynamic much more…

I.
Will.
Cut.
A.
Bitch.

Sera. I am looking at you.

[hsifeng.livejournal.com]

And yes, I get it. There is only an hour and you are setting up the pacing and tension for a whole season.

So you get a couple more episodes before I start going postal.

Because I am nothing if not a Caring And Compassionate God. Much like Chuck.

[crayola-fics.livejournal.com]

I saw someone pose the idea that the Campbells are a total cult, lead by Samuel. And that they came upon Sammy fresh out of the cage and whacked out of his head and indoctrinated him into this "family" and messed with his head even more.

And now Dean has to rescue him from the cult, once he realizes how toxic the "family" is. Yeah, not gonna happen, but that's what we have fic for! I waaaaaaant this fic with the power of a million exploding suns.