META: Supernatural - Character flaws through 9.09

[lizwallace_0095]

Thanks to a couple of really good meta posts this month, I started to contemplate exactly what it is the writers are doing with the characters of my favorite show. I was one of those who defaulted to the position that maybe the writers didn't know and love Sam and Dean the way I did, and, you know, HOW can they make them do things that are so BAD

Comments

[pocochina]

Yeah, this season is anything but a problem with THE WRITERS. I think a clear enough perspective on the characters to make viewers uncomfortable is a hallmark of really good writing. I'm more engaged with the relationship between them than I have been for a very long time, precisely because the ugly emotional dynamics here are pretty much undeniable.

And yeah, agreed that some time apart would be very good for both of them.

Part of that is because some voices in fandom refuse to hear that Dean has any flaws, or because his flaws are masked as good qualitiesIt's the impulse to try to turn bad behavior into evidence of ~sterling character that galls, I think. I'm not so much with Pugliosi. I think traits are just traits, neither good nor bad, and the most interesting character traits can and do go in either direction. A lot of Dean's bad behavior now comes from the same parts of him that made me like him so much when I started the show, and I see very easily how it's gone wrong. That is interesting writing and strong characterization

[lizwallace_0095]

I think this season shows a lot more confidence in the audience's sympathy for and understanding of Dean, because it's willing to be so honest and test us like this.

I agree that the show is testing the audience's sympathy for Dean far more than it ever has before, and I like it. I do think there are instances where the show gives Dean a break. Or maybe I should say it creates a circumstance where the audience can give Dean a break if it so chooses. Dean attempted to confess what he had done to Sam, but Gadreel stopped him. Then he actually did confess, but Gadreel (probably) prevented Sam from hearing the confession, and definitely prevented him from reacting to it. So, already, Dean has tried to come clean. In the eyes of some, this could absolve Dean of some of the blame for what happened to Kevin.

But that remains to be seen. All the reactions aren't in yet. I can't wait. :)