Death Takes a Holiday
Just a list of things I've been thinking about since the new episode last night that I need to get out of my head before family obligations take me away from internet access for the weekend. You are now officially warned for spoilers:
1) The first scene with Sam and Dean was a perfect example of the frustrations I've been having with Dean this whole season. Dean also said and did some pretty hurtful things under the influence of the siren (not to mention he was the one who brought the siren back to the hotel room in the first place when he went there to kill Sam), but Sam's the only one making the effort to apologize. On top of that, Dean not only keeps bringing it up, compelling Sam to apologize again, but also he twists the knife by making it clear he still hasn't forgiven him. That goes beyond illustrating the distance between them and straight into being cruel. I hope the writers are going to address this because if not it's just a disservice to who Dean's character is supposed to be.
2) Sam once said to Dean that they're supposed to struggle with the questions of right and wrong while hunting; I think that also translates to Sam's use of his powers. When he had to concentrate to use them - when they were painful - he had to ask himself whether or not he wanted to, or should, use them. Him using his powers on the demon who attacked Pamela even though he knew it was too late to save her wasn't a choice; it was a reflex and you don't have control over something that's reflective. Good for Pamela for pointing out that his good intentions are going awry.
3) R.I.P. Pamela! I'll miss her appearances as much as Grumpy and Chachi :) And bless her for being angry that she was killed; so many people have died in the name of the Winchesters and it's good that the boys are reminded that not everyone is willing to do so.
4) Interesting that Sam's body (the temporary vessel for his soul while he's alive) seems to be the source of his powers rather than his soul/ghost (the part that continues on)...
5) I like how other characters keep symbolically bringing Dean and Sam together: Tessa reinforcing that Dean's just as different as Sam, Castiel saying he recruited both of them. I hope there's an actual reconciliation soon - I'm getting so tired of the distance between them.
6) I know this was more of a Dean-centric episode, but is it so much to ask that someone have an informative, non-confrontational talk with Sam soon? The only time that's happened this season was in I Know What You Did Last Summer and he's overdue. Can't Castiel, or Bobby, or anyone who's not Uriel take him aside and talk to him like Tessa or Castiel talked to Dean?
7) I loved Sam and Dean's brief exchange when Dean put his hand through Sam's chest - the grown-up, ghostly version of "Dad! He's touching me!" :D
8) They actually stopped a seal from being broken! Score one for the good guys...
I can't wait to see the rest of the season.