Supernatural 10X3 Soul Survivor
YES. THIS IS WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR WITH THIS WHOLE DEANMON THING!!!
And now it's gone.
That's kind of a bummer.
SPOILERS.
Hello Jensen Ackles directing.
We open on a priest, and Sam kind of loitering around to do crime while dressed as a very adorable doctor. I want to think that Sam has a closet full of costumes for assorted porny role-play purposes, but that seems more like a Dean thing. Don't get me wrong, Sam totally has like, leather handcuffs and a paddle, because he rolls rough, but I can't see him doing the role-play. He just wants to get in there and start biting and fucking. Dean, though...
...Anyway, Sam is there to steal blood, and steal it he does and hauls it to where Dean is sitting in the Bunker Demon Dungeon. So, Sam shoots him up, and Deanmon goes all black eyed, and I think tries to bite at Sam? Either that or he's just trying to freak him out. Either way, it was pretty good. I only wish Sam had put the Cone of Shame on him. Tell me Sam couldn't have used blackmail pictures of black-eyed Dean in a plastic doggie Don't-Lick-Your-Stiches cone. TELL ME.
Onto Cas and Hannah.
The one drawback to adding Mark Sheppard and Misha Collins as season regulars is that now they HAVE to have air time, even if it is not strictly needed in the episode, and I really felt this episode needed to be about the Winchesters. I think we felt this in Black with the Adina/Daniel and Hannah/Castiel scenes. Though those events did pay off in this episode, I still think the little arc could have been stronger since it clearly had to be included,but if you're going to bother with it, make it matter. By contrast, in Black and Reichenbach Crowley was totally intregal, but his scenes here? Less so.
Anyway, we're back with Hannah and Castiel in the car and I want her to stop casting flirty little looks at him because it feels totally out of left feidl for an angel who was reviling human feelings like, three days ago, but for the most part this is a neat scene. Hannah is having a bit of a bitch about Sam pushing Cas, only to realize that Castiel has joined the Winchester Chapter of Not-Telling-Those-I-Love-Exactly-How-Deep-The-Shit-I'm-In-Because-They-Have-Their-Own-Problems Club. Sam doens't know how bad off Castiel is.
At the same time, the line of Cas' "And he didn't have to ask" kind of broke my heart a bit. I saw it in two ways, the first being that we're left to understand that Sam's arm probably got broken when he last worked with Castiel, so in a way this is proving that Cas is still valued and needed by the guys he is arguably closest too, even if he frequently sometimes fails at actually helping. They have faith in him, after everything that's happened. The line also showed that the Winchesters ask for help from very few. They might make deals, but just asking for help can be tough. They trust Cas to answer the call.
And the candor with which Castiel said that if Dean was gone 'the demon must be dealt with' made my insides curdle. For Castiel, having to be the one to take care of killing Deanmon has a terrible cyclical feel. Cas does not shirk from the task, though. And I fully believe that he would have done what needed doing. Technically he could have asked Hannah to handle it, and were she not angel ignorant of the human emotions Castiel has, she might have even offered. But he never would have let her. He would have done it himself. He rose Dean up, he would have put him down.
Oh, Cas.
Digress. Then we have Deanmon and Sam. Deanmon strikes out with the handiest weapon; it seems Lester's soul was on the line because Sam set him up since the demons were not stupid enough to respond when Sam summoned them. Honestly, I think Deanmon made a bigger deal out of Sam's actions here than are warrented. Sure, Sam facilitated the heck out of Lester, and he was drunk, but Lester stepped into the ring and made the deal, and the fact that we already know he turned up to watch his wife get iced does not paint him in the best of lights, and therefore makes it hard to mourn him. His loss is no big one. As for torturing the demon lady? I'm trying and failingto get worked up about it. Torture is never good, don't get me wrong, but I get why he was doing it.
This is Sam's do-over for Purgatory.
Now, I believe that Sam walking away from the whole Leviathan crater was the only healthy choice he could have made and I applaud him for doing it. He had no allies, no clues, nothing. He was recently insane. He did what was best, because, as we have seen, there is nothing more harmful than the Winchester cycle of self sacrifice. He has always understood better than Dean how damaging it is. He broke that cycle and he was able to do it because he doesn't have the self loathing Dean does.
When Dean returned though, Dean was hurt that his brother not looking for him. So, their columns are uneven. Even though Sam knows their relationship is completely messed up, he can't seem to escape it. So, this time he is doing ANYTHING to get his brother back. Probably also because Dean got the Mark of Cain because Sam was mad at him, and Dean was off on a Must Take All The Burdens On Myself jag. Sam had every right to be angry, and to take time. Unfortunately, his big brother is Dean, and Dean has virtually no concept of time and working through their problems. Additionally, the nature of Winchester dynamics is that they feel responsible for not only each other, but the decisions their own behavior spurns in others. They are very much into group responsibility for consequences of single decisions.
While Deanmon lied and said Lester went to hell, we know Crowley was ticked because since Deanmon didn't fulfill the contract and kill the wife, Crowley didn't get the soul, though it occurs to me that if you try and sell your soul for a murder you should probably go to hell anyway. It's another good callback to Reichenbach and yet amusingly, Deanmon saved Sam the guilt of an innocent getting killed. We found out that Lester wasn't much of a human being if he was going to have his wife slaughtered for what he himself felt entitled to.
We break for a Crowley scene. While I'm all kinds of stoked Crowley has a throne, did they really need to film this scene in someone's wine cellar? I was expecting something a little grander for the king of hell. As I said earlier, this scene was way longer than it needed to be, mostly to give Sheppard screen time. And it's not bad, he's so very clearly enjoying acting bored as hell while a lot of Damned WASPs buzz around him. A consequence of making Sheppard a series regular is that, instead of him just popping up at the end of the episode to do what he does, leaving us with a total mystery as to his motivations, we instead have to see some background for those motivations. I would have preferred him just simply popping up at the end, to all the stuff with demon treason and demon self immolation. My first note was 'Are we seriously flashing back to the fun times 2 episodes ago?' because when that shit started up (particularly after he mooned over his phone in the last episode) it's both weird, and kind of a waste of time. But mostly weird. But also the episode could have used the time in so mant other places.
That, and one of the demons awaiting trial totally looked like George Lucas.
Back to Cas and Hannah, who have become lost on their journey and have found the Star Brite Drive In. I just watched the episode, and I cannot remember what the hell was said, but I was left with the distressing notion that Hannah was going to give her grace to Castiel since she's totally falling for him. I hope that will not be the case. And on a Gracenote (hee) Metatron claimed there was some of Castiel's grace somewhere.
Hee. Does anyone else hope it's inside Dean?
Deanmon and Sam! This scene was complete gold. This is what I wanted from Deanmon. THIS. The fundamental issues that surround Dean and Sam. While I don't think Dean honestly believes that Sam killed their mother, there is something cathartic about saying it. An aspect of it is inescapably true; Sam's birth meant that Dean's life was forfeit. His future, his mental well being, his childhood, his self esteem, everything. That's been something he's lived with his whole life, and he's never actually said something in that vein before because he loves Sam. He would never want to hurt him, because while Sam is the cause, he is also the one bright spot in Dean's life.
It's one of those things lurking in the dark of Dean he's never dealt with. If you don't deal with something, you can't move past it. You can't deal with something you won't acknowledge.
Same with his father. It's not that any of the things Deanmon is saying are wrong, or stuff that Dean would never think. They're simply thoughts Dean's had distorted to their most radical form by the Deanmon in an effort to hurt Sam. And we must always remember that feelings aren't bad. And it is my fervent hope, considering how many YEARS Sam has been trying to get Dean to talk and handle his shit, that Sam accepts these things Deanmon said, and makes peace with Dean over them. Sam has the strength and the understanding to do this, and I want to see Sam's efforts in this arena pay off, not only in Dean venting these things, but for Dean to see that sharing these feeling can be a positive experience. I don't want to see himself eating at guilt because he's said some nasty things to Sam.
All and all, this is half of what I wanted, almost word for word. For Deanmon to tear down the barriers keeping Dean's emotions in check, to reveal those things inside him. The other half remains in Dean and Sam taking those revelations and making some positive growth out of them.
Back in Castiel's story, he and Hannah are having a squint off. And a fumble-off wherein I think Castiel suspects Hannah got them lost on purpose, but mostly he's clearing up his intentions. Gently. Apparently he has been noticing those flirty looks Hannah has been giving him, and, unlike her, he knows what they are and he knows she doesn't know. It seems he's well aware he isn't going to be reciprocating, as he tried very awkwardly to inform her. AND HE TOTALLY TELLS HER DEAN IS HIS FIRST PRIORITY.
Must. Not. Squee.
Ahem.
Now, I have to say, I like the following scene with Sam in Dean's room, though I fall just short of loving it. I love the Half Eaten Pie of Sorrow. I love the family pictures. I love Sam pawing through the few relics of Dean with the very keen understanding that his brother might not be coming back to this room. That he might be the instrument that makes sure of that. That his big brother might die. Unfortunately, Mr. Padalecki has never been as good as either Mr. Ackles or Mr. Collins in terms in terms of giving us a complete emotional picture with total silence, and the episode resorts to using the icongraphy to bring Dean into the episode.
Castiel, Hannah, Adina and Crowley's stories intersect. I'm not totally sure how Adina got to the gas station first, but this is all so mechanical I don't care. Hannah got the crap beaten out of her way too easily, and basically this scene was annoying in the treatment of ladies.
We got Crowley once again showing how thoroughly he knows all the players, which is why he is King of Hell. He knows Sam probably won't kill Deanmon. He knows that Castiel will. Do I think Crowley believes it will come to that? Absolutely not. While that's the message Crowley wants to get around (because, as far as I can tell what all the demons, angels, hunters and monsters actually do on this show is gossip, because everyone seems to know everyone else's business.) I tend to think that Crowley knows the best chance Dean has is to put Castiel and Sam on the case. They can do together what they can't do alone, and sentimental Crowley will do the dirty work to see that it gets done because I think Crowley plain old fashioned likes Dean. He's been through so much with that trio and they keep shit interesting. He was just bored in hell.
And Castiel? The grace was still harvested for him. It wasn't his hands, but because of him another angel is dead and he chose Dean over his principles once again. Even if it meant going to kill him.
No squeeing.
Despite the blood ceremony making Deanmon ill, Sam has carried on with injecting...only Deanmon has escaped. We all knew it was going to happen. He was turning human, and that in turn meant he could waltz out of the devil's traps, which is basically another moment that I'm afriad will just be fudging the rules in order to get to the fun stuff, but may turn out to have wider meaning. We move into The Shining part of the episode. I am surprised, but I actually really enjoyed this. We've yet to see the brothers face off against one and other in terms of skills, even in a friendly competition kind of way. It was exciting watching them pace through their home, using their assorted skills against each other. Deanmon with his hammer (the choice of it over a cleaver seems terribly pointed..blunt little instrument indeed), slamming around and beckoning 'Sammy' to him with some of the same appeals Sam has used over the years to open dialogues, and Sam darting around secretly, trying to lay traps that will avoid an actual fight.
And, when push comes to shove, even as Deanmon dares him to, Sam cannot kill his brother.
And Castiel once more grips his righteous man and raises him from perdition, reassuring him that it's over.
*Claps her hand over her mouth to prevent squeeage.*
And then Cas sheds some light on why Deanmon might not want to be Dean. He might want out of feeling so much, because Dean has so much to feel. Too much.
And then we seem to get our righteous man back.
Castiel still knows there is work to be done, but Sam? He's mortal, and the Winchester victories are so far and few. He wants to celebrate. He wants to revel. He wants to get shit-faced.
And yet, it is Cas and Dean who share a final moment in Dean's room. Now it's Dean looking at the pictures and being told there's a woman in the car and inquiring about Sam. Cas telling Sam they needed to work, and Cas telling Dean he needs a break. It's kind of awkward, this scene, really, and not at all a satisfying cap.
Then another evil redhead Celine Demon pops up. Is it weird I hope it's Meg's mom and Azazels main squeeze?
Other thoughts...
While I am happy with many aspects of this, on the whole the episode is rather anti-climatic. And too fast .I wish we'd had more Deanmon, because I'm not sure what we've gotten. It's possible the unresolved elements, like Cole and the Hellopinion of the whole Dean and Crowley thing might have big ripples, but I was hoping Dean was going to go evil for way longer, and that the show would spend more time exploring that and the impact it had on his family. And, that it might change the came. I mean, if you're going to do this DO this. Unless there are some unseen consequences, I'd say that I felt this was hardly worth the price of admission.
It might just be me, but I felt constraints on this episode. Crowley's unimpressive throne room felt like short budget. We had a great Dean/Cole fight in Reichenbach, but the lack of a fight, or even a really peak moment in this episode, feels like the episode had time constraints. The writing itself felt like they needed to put Deanmon to bed and so they squashed the conclusion in there. There was too much going on, and while, yes, I got hints of the conversations I really want to see, it was only that. Hints. This needed to be another episode long.
Deanmon. While there is some doubt that Deanmon is gone, I tend to think he is. Granted, it seems to me that if it was successful, something maybe should have happened with the whole Sam completing the trials for Closing Hell thing, not to mention it seemed a little damn easy. HOWEVER. It's amazing how Jensen can go from Lean Mean Dean to having fuck-tons of pain behind his eyes, but he does it. So I think there will be major repercussions, plus the Mark of Cain and another visit from Cain and of course Cole, but I think the Deanmon is gone.
Deanmon was provoking Sam a lot, though it's unclear whether it was to prompt Sam to kill him, or to keep Sam shooting him up despite Sam's obvious hesitations on the matter. I will be incredibly surprised if the fact that Deanmon was getting sick from the blood doesn't come back later.
Speaking of, really Dean? You got as far away from Sam as possible? You are aware you can actually leave the United States, are you not? I tend to think Demon trumps Passport. Pre-sent to hell Dean wanted to go to Mexico to party. I find it curious that all they could muster was Dean in some Midwest bar. The midwest is where these boys live, and Dean did not actually leave what I would call the Winchester's hunting territory. Hell, FLORIDA would have been farther.
Wasn't Dean's body dead? How is that working? And how come he got the crazy deep voice?
Both Dean and Cas, accepting their fates while someone else forces them to defy them.
WE GOT ROBBED OF DEANMON SASSING CASTIEL. Boo. Tell me you did not want Deanmon flaunting his demoness to Cas. He had real capacity to hurt the angel, there, and as we saw, Deanmon was all about causing pain.
Could Castiel see Dean's true self? Did Castiel see Dean's twisted soul, as Emmanuel could see Meg's?
I'm okay with no scene between Dean and Sam. Some raw shit went down. They both need to recoup before they face each other, so I like that both have their own scene with Cas to close this out. Sam is just happy to have his brother back. Dean is worried his brother is holding a grudge. I can't see either of them being ready to hug it out.
I appreciate how much was done with silence in this episode. It shows a real respect for all those actors involed that Jensen knows their skills at non-verbal communication. I really liked how often he just let actor's expressions tell the story....although there was really too much story, overall.
Btw. How did Crowley know how to extract grace from an angel? Is it that insaneo gossip mill?
Sasquatch Sam hiding in the bushes in the dark, correcting Lester's Latin. It is all win.
Adina/Daniel- I still maintain that their Black scenes were hollow and empty, and they existed there merely so that two episodes later there would be an angel who we wouldn't feel guilty ripping the grace from to power up withering Castiel. Which is sad because there is a great idea in there they simply didn't address because angels are as bad at dialoging as Winchesters.
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AND I WOULD WATCH FIVE WHOLE HOURS OF SUCH BORING ASS SCENES IF IT BUYS US MORE SHOTS LIKE THIS ONE WITH ANGEL EYED CASTIEL GRABBING BLACK EYED DEANMON WHILE DEANMON SURGES BUT CLEARLY SURRENDERS. IT'S LIKE ONCE CAS GETS A HOLD ON HIM THERE IS NO POSSIBLE WAY FOR HIM TO FIGHT DESPITE THE MOUNDS OF BADASSERY AT HIS DISPOSAL. OMFG HOLD ME.
...Why did Cas' eyes glow blue, tho'?