I have a slightly different perspective on the "Shadow" conversation, at least in the beginning. Finding Mary's killer was the stated goal, pretty much for their whole lives. This is the first time (that we know of) they were ever close to achieving it. It seems, initially at least, that Sam figured the family hunt would be over as soon as this mission was accomplished, so they could all just go back to being regular people again (sleeping in, school, non-hunting lives).
When he tells Dean he doesn't want things to be the way they were though, I totally agree that he was talking about his childhood and adolescenece and John's iron control and need-to-know.
It's telling point that Sam corrects Dean (in Pilot?) about what kind of life he really wants: "Not normal. Safe."
I don't disagree with the notion that Sam believed the mission would be over. I think he was just suddenly had to think about the future for the first time since Jess died and Stanford seemed like the best solution all around.
It's telling point that Sam corrects Dean (in Pilot?) about what kind of life he really wants: "Not normal. Safe."
Thanks for posting this! It actually filled me with glee, seeing so many of the things I've been thinking, written MUCH more eloquently and with a lot more research that this lazy fangirl would have even contemplated. I'm bookmarking this to reference, esp. since I have a feeling there are some dicey times for Sam ahead. :(
This was fascinating and thought provoking. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts on Sam.
After reading your perspective, I couldn't help but think how much more disempowered Sam must have felt after finding out about his mom's deal and his demon blood.
After reading your perspective, I couldn't help but think how much more disempowered Sam must have felt after finding out about his mom's deal and his demon blood.
Oh, definitely! I hope we get to see Sam have a proper reaction to it (and not like when John died and we barely got to see the emotional fallout for Sam)
What an interesting meta. I like your point about hunting for wee!Sam being a form of dis-empowerment. As you've said, for all the other adult hunters we've seen, even Jo, hunting is a way to feel empowered about some sort of loss, but wee!Sam would have had no concept it. On the other hand, as the seasons progressed, we've seen adult Sam come to view hunting the way that other hunters do, namely as a way to bring order to their lives and get a little back at the supernatural world.
Yes. Sam's in part such a control freak because of how little control he had as a child (I also think he's so into education and research because as a child questions were probably deflected or shut-down; in education and research questions are encouraged and answered). Sam's introduction to hunting was a little backwards...
Sam finding out about hunting by reading his father’s journal and having Dean confirm the truth was traumatic in a different way. It wasn’t a monster that destroyed Sam’s world - it was hunting
What a nice point you make! There seem to be a double traumatic level for those who have been introduced to hunting. The dramatic loss of a dear one and the change of perspective on the entire world with the discovery of the supernatural. Sam's introduction to hunting, through his own inquisitiveness, and Dean's revelations, is gentler, as it lacks the trauma of the loss (like in John's case and in Bobby's case. Dean is a case apart because of his young age, he got the trauma of loss but we don't know how John dealt with telling Dean about the monsters out there). I think that you are right in stating that it was hunting that stole Sam's sense of security, while for John and maybe for Dean hunting gave them a sense of safety. I always found interesting that Sam wanted to go to Stanford because he wanted to be safe
( ... )
I think that all that Dean could do was his better (and we know that Dean tried and tried, succeeding and failing depending on who you talk with) but giving him responsibility of Sam's emotional well being seems too much. He didn't have the instruments for the job, not even considering the trauma(s) Dean was (not) dealing with.
Oh, I totally agree - Dean shouldn't have been saddled with the responsibility of having to be an understanding parental figure at that age, especially not when he needed one so badly himself. I was only trying to point out that, from Sam's point of view, no one seemed to get what he was going through.
I definitely enjoyed reading your meta. It's well written, well organized, and addresses very significant points about Sam's history and motivations that don't get much recognition or analysis.
I agree that Sam grew up very disempowered, yet he managed to turn out to be self reliant and independent, two qualities that are wonderful, even though for some reason people find ways of viewing them in a negative light.
I hope that you continue on and pursue later stages of Sam's development, I for one would be very interested to see what you think!
A big reason I wrote this in the first place is because of the people who choose to believe the worst of Sam. It blows my mind that some people think that (1) it's selfish for a young man to want to be treated like an adult; and (2) that independence means he doesn't care about his family.
I understand, believe me. I sometimes hesitate to read metas and posts because I'm tired of hearing all about how selfish Sam is, how he's turning darkside, etc etc yadda yadda. That's not what I see. On the one hand I want to ask if we're watching the same show, and on the other, I find it depressing that being independent and one's own person is considered a bad thing.
I'm a very independent person, so if Sam's all selfish, I guess I am too. -_-;;
Anywa, fantastic job, thoughtful and well stated. <3
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I have a slightly different perspective on the "Shadow" conversation, at least in the beginning. Finding Mary's killer was the stated goal, pretty much for their whole lives. This is the first time (that we know of) they were ever close to achieving it. It seems, initially at least, that Sam figured the family hunt would be over as soon as this mission was accomplished, so they could all just go back to being regular people again (sleeping in, school, non-hunting lives).
When he tells Dean he doesn't want things to be the way they were though, I totally agree that he was talking about his childhood and adolescenece and John's iron control and need-to-know.
It's telling point that Sam corrects Dean (in Pilot?) about what kind of life he really wants: "Not normal. Safe."
Reply
It's telling point that Sam corrects Dean (in Pilot?) about what kind of life he really wants: "Not normal. Safe."
Right on.
Thanks for commenting!
Reply
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After reading your perspective, I couldn't help but think how much more disempowered Sam must have felt after finding out about his mom's deal and his demon blood.
Reply
Oh, definitely! I hope we get to see Sam have a proper reaction to it (and not like when John died and we barely got to see the emotional fallout for Sam)
Thanks for commenting!
Reply
Reply
Thanks for commenting!
Reply
What a nice point you make! There seem to be a double traumatic level for those who have been introduced to hunting. The dramatic loss of a dear one and the change of perspective on the entire world with the discovery of the supernatural.
Sam's introduction to hunting, through his own inquisitiveness, and Dean's revelations, is gentler, as it lacks the trauma of the loss (like in John's case and in Bobby's case. Dean is a case apart because of his young age, he got the trauma of loss but we don't know how John dealt with telling Dean about the monsters out there).
I think that you are right in stating that it was hunting that stole Sam's sense of security, while for John and maybe for Dean hunting gave them a sense of safety. I always found interesting that Sam wanted to go to Stanford because he wanted to be safe ( ... )
Reply
I think that all that Dean could do was his better (and we know that Dean tried and tried, succeeding and failing depending on who you talk with) but giving him responsibility of Sam's emotional well being seems too much. He didn't have the instruments for the job, not even considering the trauma(s) Dean was (not) dealing with.
Oh, I totally agree - Dean shouldn't have been saddled with the responsibility of having to be an understanding parental figure at that age, especially not when he needed one so badly himself. I was only trying to point out that, from Sam's point of view, no one seemed to get what he was going through.
Reply
I agree that Sam grew up very disempowered, yet he managed to turn out to be self reliant and independent, two qualities that are wonderful, even though for some reason people find ways of viewing them in a negative light.
I hope that you continue on and pursue later stages of Sam's development, I for one would be very interested to see what you think!
Reply
A big reason I wrote this in the first place is because of the people who choose to believe the worst of Sam. It blows my mind that some people think that (1) it's selfish for a young man to want to be treated like an adult; and (2) that independence means he doesn't care about his family.
Thanks for commenting!
Reply
I'm a very independent person, so if Sam's all selfish, I guess I am too. -_-;;
Anywa, fantastic job, thoughtful and well stated. <3
My icon is credited to misty_creates ;)
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