whitereflection | (no subject) (Reply)

Warning: blah blah blah words. No really. I just start talking, a lot, with not much organization.

Okay, let me say first off. I like Lisa. I seriously, really do. She's understanding, but she puts her foot down and says enough. She cares enough to keep poking at Dean to accept himself for who he really is, even if who that is will mean he isn't around all the time. She tells him who he is, a hunter, isn't a bad thing. And what I like most, is she provides the outsider (as opposed to hunter) that maybe it is possible to compromise between white picket fence and hunting. That 'come back when you can', hey isn't that the home base sort of thing from so many fanfics? I still think she and Dean aren't the big love story--but they are *truly* good friends. And I truly do like the idea of someone like her having the Winchesters' back, or at least being the port in a storm (for Dean, at least, though I hope eventually for Sam as well.)

Anyway. I must admit, I found the ep a lot more exciting and suspenseful than the premiere, though 6.01 did have its moments. This was just a *lot* more so. I really enjoyed like 95% of it.

I have to admit, I like them addressing how Dean would become like John when that protective and under stress. I know fandom does a lot of Sam=John and Dean=Mary at times, but honestly, I've often seen Sam as much more like his mother, and Dean taking after his father in a lot of ways. And it's realistic--I'm sorry, but we *do* take after our parents, in all their worst ways. I know I do. It's nature, but it's a hell of a lot nuture. It's what presses your buttons and makes you resort to what you saw done when you grew up. It's not a bad thing that Dean does it--it shows he's human, like any adult that finds themselves emulating those that raised them even when they really wish to be otherwise. It's *hard* not to do that.

Man, Sam. I find it interesting the way that Sam gets ragged on by Samuel about certain aspects of his hunting. In a way, I feel like he's still being poked at that he's not the right sort of hunter yet, even when Dean (and fandom) feels he's already become hard and someone not to be trusted. And I wonder if fandom will pick up on the "Sometimes I wonder about me, too" line. Another nod to how he knows he's changed, and not in ways he likes, I think. The confrontation between Dean and the Campbells was telling--it's like Sam was trying to be Dean's brother (protective and all), but at the same time wanting to be the perfect hunter, and taking the Cambells' side. While also with him wanting Dean to trust the Cambells, I think part because I think he wants this larger family group (and connection to his mother?), part because I think he wants to feel their approval (like still chasing his Dad's approval, in a way?), part I think because he wants both them and Dean in his life, and part because I think he's trying to convince *himself* to trust them. Also--Sam's comment to Dean that Samuel's "a lot like you"? Interesting. Another reason why he's trying to be part of their group?

And criminy, they are SO not trustworthy. I hate that sort of thing when a viewer knows more than the characters, because it leaves a person wanting to yell at say, the Winchesters, to get the hell away from the Cambells. But of course that would be silly to do. >_>; But yeah "box him up", before the shifter got away? Uh huh. What do you suppose--torture, experimentation, study, zoo? All of the above? It's obvious they're collecting, and now we have a mysterious figure that's perhaps the root of it all.

Anyway, the shifter stuff, lots and lots of ew, eh? Gotta love that. Some of the jokes seemed pretty meh, but I don't tend to like "baby" humor. I will say, the thing that just jumped out at me as freaking off--Dean acting like the stereotypical helpless man when faced with an infant? Um, sorry, but I just don't think so. He had too much of a role in raising Sam from freaking 6 months old to be so halpless. Sure, I doubt even he would be instant super-baby-daddy, since it has been awhile, but even if details might escape him, I think he wouldn't be totally wtfomg like that. It just had the feel of 'typical man with baby' humor, because obviously all men are helpless about infants. Geez, writers, just think back to a character's history before you go for the lame gag, hm?

The thing I was restless about in this ep...still being really unsettled about Sam. I know Jared made reference to Sam being more 'do whatever it takes' in how he was being played in s6, and I think this is part of that. But he's definitely a bad liar--he no doubt heard the 'father' comment, knew about the alpha thing, may very well have been doing the baby bait thing. I just...really feel this is tied in with the Campbells and especially Samuel. I know Sam is different and changed, but I can't help but feel Samuel is behind this sort of behavior. But more importantly, the thing that left me especially restless, is this really makes me think "oh look, more brother distrust"...which just is another thing for fandom to hate Sam for, yeah? I just. I guess I don't know what to think of it all yet.

But the one thing is...Christian Campbell raising the kid? I...can't help but feel that would have been a front for 'boxing up' the baby as well. Or maybe they really would have raised it as a hunter. But at least the way I see it...in other shows, games whatnot, a monster is a monster, and evil is evil even if a cute little baby. But that's the way society seems to be. It's okay to kill stuff if they're adults, but man *lay off* if it's young. I even see that in WoW when another player will say they can't kill a mob that's like a young version of a creature--when I'm just like...it's pixels. I guess if I were a hunter, I'd be the sort that people would hate--that if it's a monster, it's a monster, even if its a baby.

But it's just kind of interesting, that conflict between Dean and Samuel about the baby shifter. In a way it was kind of hard to tell who was on what side, and which side was good and which side was bad. It was like...do they kill it, raise it as a hunter, raise it as a human (sorry, I just don't think that would work at all, most likely not even the hunter option either). It was like a no way is a good way situation. I dunno, maybe I'd rewatch that scene to try and figure out who was saying what exactly. Mostly I felt like it was...Dean vs Campbells, with Sam in this real gray area in between shifting between who he supported.

I personally think Sam right now is conflicted and torn about who to be and how to be. And I'm pretty sure it's that post-Hell trying to be controlled and trying to find a way to fight. And probably trying *still* to atone and fix things. But at the same time finding all the ways that he's lost who he used to be, and is too distant and hardened because of PTHD. Though that reminds me how I still boggle that some fans act confused about why Sam is different, why's he acting weird/off. *Because he freaking went to hell and he's fucked up.* It's like...Dean got back from hell and was a lot changed and went through a lot, but some seem to think like Sam should just be the same as the end of s5. Though I will say I still want Sam to open up and deal with what happened, not just lock down, but I imagine that's going to take awhile.

I wonder if people will freak about Dean sticking his finger in the booze and then obviously letting the kid taste it. Because this used to be an old remedy for things like teething pain, I think. :p I've often heard it joked about even now.

Okay, so shutting up now. But first--Bobby John? That's so not coincidental naming. :p

P.S. I wish I had a nice title card gif icon. I remember seeing a bunch around beginning of last season, but haven't seen any for this one. Need to find one, yes.

OH CRAP. How could I almost *forget*?? One, Dean humming Smoke On The Water to the kid? Fucking awesome. Now *THAT* is Dean parenting behavior. And the wonderful Dean/Impala reunion at the end? Bad. Ass. Hell yeah. Even got that hint of a smile from him. Nice.