Supernatural Times Two

[annundriel]

I missed last week's SPN due to EB's wedding rehearsal and dinner. Mom, who only had to be there for the wedding, recorded it (ON VHS). We finally watched it before tonight's new ep.

Supernatural - "Two and a Half Men"

Eh. I found it unobjectionable. Something hinky is definitely going on with Sam. And the Campbells.

Occasionally the director does something strange with the camera or with a reaction shot (that last could just be the way it's edited) that catches my attention and makes me wonder, what, was I supposed to be paying attention to that?

For example, there was a strange reaction shot from Sam after he handed Bobby John to Samuel. One of those, okay, we're following the action, action, action, SAM, action...

It just seemed odd.

The part where the baby exploded into new baby was gross and kind of freaked me out a little. I have some issues with weird skin-related things. Which, y'know, made the next episode EXTRA SPECIAL for me.

We'll get to that, though.

As for Lisa and Ben...::shrug:: I don't know. I like Lisa and Ben. I think Lisa's right about the whole either/or mindset. I'm sure it's possible to make it work. To some extent, anyway. It won't be easy, but why not true?

Unless they're just being delusional that a relationship like that can work. In which case better to just cut ties and move on.

Except...except...that implies that people who are away from home working life threatening jobs shouldn't have families. Which is stupid. Risks exist, you have to live your life anyway.

.....

I should listen to myself sometimes.

Corin Nemec, what the hell happened to your hair?

Also, Dear SPN "Previously On" People,

Putting shapeshifters in your segment? Kinda gives away the mystery.

You guys are geniuses. Really.

Love,
Me

*

Supernatural - "The Third Man"

So that was an all right episode, yeah? All things considered?

::shrug::





omfg. I kid. That was...I'm so fucking gleeful right now. And have at least two fic ideas. And will have to go email perfumaniac because she said I would be compelled to and, damn her, I kind of am.

- Sam has to pay for it? Really? Mom and I call bullshit. Even with a shirt on, surely Sam can pick someone up for one night.

- This episode both hated and loved me. First it subjects me to weird skin-related things, which is one of the things that makes me squeamish, AND THEN there was the frogs. Which was not, thank god, as bad as I was anticipating. Actually, the first frog in the hall was worse than the frog coming out of the dude's mouth.

- BUT THEN CASTIEL SHOWED UP AND WAS BRILLIANT SO WHATEVER, SPN, I MOSTLY FORGIVE YOU.

- HE AND DEAN HAVE A SPECIAL BOND THAT HE WASN'T GOING TO BRING UP. OH, CAS. <3333333

- AIR QUOTES. Mom and I spent the rest of the episode occasionally going 'his "people skills" are "rusty."' I imagine we will probably be doing this for a while.

- I loved Castiel all angeled-up, throwing himself around with such ease.

- Speaking of throwing himself around, doing what he likes, how about that proprietary way he used Dean for that spell, huh? Oooooooh yeah. I should go work on those fics I have started where Cas uses all of that delightful angel strength to lift Dean and fuck him against a wall, I really should.

Instead, I might end up with a ficlet about that hand. And then something longer and semi-related with a bit more kink. I blame spacefragments. But, oh, the idea is so delicious I can't help but make grabby hands at it.

- I liked Balthazar, generally. Knew we were getting a new angel, knew he knew Cas, didn't know anything more. Let's put him and Crowley in a room together, yeah?

- I really like the idea that Castiel has become legendary. That he's the one that will have stories told about him. And all he was doing was what he thought was right.

Sometimes I still get caught up in the idea that Castiel was chosen for a reason. He had to raise Dean, he had to be at his side, he had to choose Dean over Heaven.

God brought him back, after all.

Then he had to lose everything. He had to lose his faith and his family, he had to continue to choose Dean. He died again.

And God brought him back.

I mean, if you look at it from strictly within the show itself, I feel like seasons four and five were as much Castiel's journey as they were Dean's. His actions may have lead to chaos - or freedom - in Heaven, but what will that lead to?

Perhaps I'm crazy, but I think it always had to be Castiel. I think he was sent to raise Dean from Hell because God knew he'd question.

Either that or Zachariah gave the order and seriously underestimated Castiel's capacity for...anything. Everything. Underestimated Castiel in general.

Um. Anyway. Tangent.

- Poor Castiel. Kind of adrift.

- Sam, way to go from "I DON'T CARE IF HE'S THE ANTI-CHRIST, HE'S A KID" to "YEAH WHATEVER TORTURE CHILDREN? PFFT. I DO THAT BETWEEN THE HOOKERS AND THE CHIN-UPS."

- I'm unsure about Sam, and so is my mom, which we're supposed to be, but we got into an interesting little talk about Dean and Sam and Hell which will probably have nothing to do with anything, but which I think is an interesting point.

Sam in Hell is not Dean in Hell. Which, yes, Sam pointed out. But they were there for different reasons. Dean was there because he sold his soul. It wasn't quite punishment, but it's close. He was tortured. Sam was in the cage built for Lucifer, though, with Lucifer. Who says he was tortured? Dean's just assuming that's what happened. Maybe it did, but maybe it was something else completely different.

Point is, we don't know what happened to Sam down there. We don't know how long it was for him down there. We don't even know if it's really strictly Sam we're seeing now. There's something very strange and centered and closed off about this Sam.

I have no idea where they're going with this, but I'm looking forward to seeing how everything plays out and comes together.

- Let's end this on a different note, though. Like Dean's face when Castiel appears for the first time. I love that we see him over Castiel's shoulder, that we don't see Castiel's face until Sam turns to look, at which point he's already looking at Sam. I like to pretend, though, that Cas' face was filled with all sorts of wonderful, shining emotion right before that. You kind still kind of see it at the edges, I think.

Because, oh, it's been a year and there he is and there Dean is and they share a deeper connection.

Yeah. It's a good thing. ♥

Comments

[spacefragments.livejournal.com]

i like the idea that cas was the lowly angel everyone underestimated more than the idea that he was chosen for this the entire time, to be honest. the whole theme of these past seasons has been fighting destiny, and i don't think even god cares much for destiny.

this doesn't mean that i don't think he hasn't influenced (rather than predetermined, maybe) things to go one certain way... and castiel can definitely be a part of that, what with all the get out of jail cards he's been handed. :p

if balthazar and crowley are put into the same room, they will merge into one character.

[annundriel.livejournal.com]

I flip-flop on which I like best. On the one hand, I guess I have to admit that, while I don't necessarily believe it irl, I like the idea that there's some greater role to be played and that God, while an asshole apparently, is still paying attention. Giving a nudge here or there to get what he wants. (And who are we to judge how he gets there? What can we know of the mind of an omiscient, omnipotent being?)

On the other hand, I like the "haha fuck you guys" of Castiel being underestimated and kicking all their asses. Which I think is probably what actually happened.

And, yes, the show is all about "noooo, destiny bad."

Perhaps once Castiel was set on this path, got mixed up with Dean, and then really mixed up with Dean, God took notice and decided to reward thinking outside of the box.

if balthazar and crowley are put into the same room, they will merge into one character.

Oh god, they would. Perhaps we should keep them far, far apart instead.

[trobadora]

i like the idea that cas was the lowly angel everyone underestimated more than the idea that he was chosen for this the entire time, to be honest. the whole theme of these past seasons has been fighting destiny, and i don't think even god cares much for destiny.

Yeah, I'm completely with you on that.

[mulder200.livejournal.com]

Like I said in my post, Castiel makes everything better.

And I loved that comment about their bond! *squee*

And yeah, something is seriously wrong with Sam and I hope they address sooner rather than later.

Balthazar is like Gabriel 2.0. Only cooler.

I am very intrigued by the civil war in Heaven storyline and look forward to seeing more of this.

- Speaking of throwing himself around, doing what he likes, how about that proprietary way he used Dean for that spell, huh? Oooooooh yeah. I should go work on those fics I have started where Cas uses all of that delightful angel strength to lift Dean and fuck him against a wall, I really should.

LOL! And Dean is just like, "Just wait for me yes, first!" I mean he just goes with the flow.

And Oh! I look forward to seeing what you come up with. Yummy!

[annundriel.livejournal.com]

Castiel does make everything better!

I think Sam being somehow wrong is going to end up playing a big part in the overall season story arc. That and whatever Samuel is doing. Along with the civil war in Heaven, I really look forward to seeing where the season goes.

I mean he just goes with the flow.

I loved that so much. Besides a barely token protest, Dean just went with it. Was fine with Cas manhandling him. No matter how much he complains about Cas in his personal space, I'm going to say he doesn't mind one bit. ;)

[mithrel.livejournal.com]

I agree with most of what you said. I was squeeing over the Dean/Cas in this latest ep and I've already written one fic (angsty, since that's how it first struck me). Will probably write more after I rewatch. I swear, no inspiration for the first two eps, then Cas shows up and bam!

[annundriel.livejournal.com]

You're on the ball with the writing!

I swear, no inspiration for the first two eps, then Cas shows up and bam!

I feel the same way. Cas is very inspirational.

[everstar3.livejournal.com]

HEY

HEY

DID YOU NOTICE THAT CAS SAID AN ANGEL WHO HAS MADE A CLAIM ON A LIVING SOUL LEAVES A MARK? A BRAND? AND SAM SAYS "LIKE A NAME TAG?" AND THERE'S THIS TOTALLY INCRIMINATING PAUSE BEFORE CAS SAYS, "I DON'T KNOW."

I WAS LIKE

OMG

ARE THEY ADDRESSING THE HANDPRINT

ARE THEY

...okay probably not, but I will secretly never stop freaking out about it.

Also, Balthazar is Gabriel and Crowley's love child, and I have never missed Richard Speight Jr. more. :( BALTHAZAR NEEDS TO BE SHOWN THE ROPES. IN ALL SENSES.

(Also, did you pipe, "Douze!" when Balthazar asked Castiel what the French word for twelve was? Because I totally did.)

[nanoochka.livejournal.com]

I think they forgot about the handprint, actually. It was conspicuously absent during that scene with Dean and Lisa that I don't want to think about overmuch. *shrugs*

[everstar3.livejournal.com]

Bugger. Oh well, I don't care. I'm still flailing anyway. XD

[rock-chick-333.livejournal.com]

I thought that was a handprint reference, too. I squeed loudly.

Agree with you about Balthazar and Gabriel!

[annundriel.livejournal.com]

I SO WISH it was the handprint, but I think it was because Castiel didn't understand Sam's "nametag at camp" thing.

HOWEVER, I will happily pretend that Castiel was hiding something about the handprint behind some general confusion. And then was internally relieved when Sam and Dean bought it. ;)

[wolfrider89.livejournal.com]

I agree with pretty much everything you said except the frogs! (I like frogs, I'm weird)

They share a profound bond! *bounces* There is so much awesome in this episode that I'm thinking about re-watching it right now!

Cas! Weee!

Sam is so disturbingly strange and cold. I liked the parallel you drew to Jesse, I hadn't thought of that.

[annundriel.livejournal.com]

Haha, see, I think I'm the one that's weird for having a problem with frogs. :) I mean, I think they're cute and I have a nice little collection of frog figurines, but keep the real thing away.

I'm really looking forward to finding out more about what's up with Sam. And seeing how Dean continues to react to his strangeness.

I should go find the episode somewhere. I want to watch it again!

[wolfrider89.livejournal.com]

Hahaha! Yes, they're really cute! Frogs! (I get bouncy when I talk about frogs, so really, I'm the one that's weird;))

Yeah, me too! Can it be Friday again, now? (or, well, in my case, Saturday) They're really creating a lot of suspense, there.

Do that! I actually re-watched it as soon as I'd written my squee post. :P

[ember-firedrake.livejournal.com]

I love their *profound bond* and Castiel admitting to liking Dean better. I mean, we know that's the case, but it's nice to get some acknowledgment once in a while...

I love, "I think we can rule Moses out as a suspect."

Also, when Dean referred to Moses' staff as a disco stick, am I the only one who thought of Lady Gaga?

"Speaking of throwing himself around, doing what he likes, how about that proprietary way he used Dean for that spell, huh? Oooooooh yeah. I should go work on those fics I have started where Cas uses all of that delightful angel strength to lift Dean and fuck him against a wall, I really should."

I LIKE THIS IDEA. A LOT.

"I like to pretend, though, that Cas' face was filled with all sorts of wonderful, shining emotion right before that. You kind still kind of see it at the edges, I think."

Personal canon. There was some serious eye-fucking going on, and they aren't going to fool anyone otherwise.

I am, however, very distressed by the lack of handprint in Dean's dream bit with Lisa. I'm hoping it's just dream thing, because otherwise, major continuity problem. And, oh, I'd love to have seen Dean explaining that handprint to Lisa... xD

Have to go to work now, will try to say more later. :D

[ember-firedrake.livejournal.com]

Aaaand now I'm not really sure what I want to add, just that I agree with most of what you said.

Is it me, or is SPN pushing the grossness boundaries way beyond normal limits? When locust guy keeled over I was practically yelling at the screen, "For the love of God, just leave the hat on!!!" *sigh*

Overall, I'm actually enjoying the season, which is a nice change from how I felt during the latter half of last season. I think it's good practice for me to just not get expectations up.

[annundriel.livejournal.com]

Also, when Dean referred to Moses' staff as a disco stick, am I the only one who thought of Lady Gaga?

No! I TOTALLY thought that. Oh, Dean. Pick up some more current music?

There was some serious eye-fucking going on, and they aren't going to fool anyone otherwise.

I swear to all that is good, Dean's face actually glowed.

And, oh, I'd love to have seen Dean explaining that handprint to Lisa...

I actually have notes from right after the season finale about Lisa, Dean, and that handprint. As for the dream, yeah, I didn't even think about it. Shame on me!

I feel like they are kind of pushing their boundaries so far this season. There have been some disgusting things. And, yeah, I kept telling them, "DO NOT TAKE THE HAT OFF! DON'T DO IT!"

I think it's good practice for me to just not get expectations up.

I hate to say, "yes, bad expectations!" but in my experience television is more enjoyable if you just try to let it do its thing. There was this guy I used to talk Battlestar Galactica with and he always hated the episodes I loved because he'd read spoilers and built up expectations. This is part of the reason why I try to stay out of things before I've seen an ep. I'm such much happier when I'm not dreading it.

[rock-chick-333.livejournal.com]

where Cas uses all of that delightful angel strength to lift Dean and fuck him against a wall

YES PLEASE NOW THANKS.

God, I loved this episode so much, it had everything in it that I like about Show. Humour and snark and coolness and MOMENTS. ♥Ben Edlund♥

I laughed out loud loads of times, and squeed loads more.

I really like Balthazar, looks like he's gonna be the angelic equivalent of Captain Jack Sparrow - and he and Crowley NEED to be on screen together at some point this season, SERA ARE YOU LISTENING TO ME?

[annundriel.livejournal.com]

You're right, the episode did have all of those moments that make SPN one of my favorite things to watch. I really felt that, for the most part, everyone was really on.

[love-jackianto.livejournal.com]

'- I liked Balthazar, generally.'
I liked him too. I kind of saw him as a cross between an angel version of Crowley (I bet that hate sex would be biblical) and future!Cas; they both have orgies and do drugs. I guess when angles leave Heaven they turn into Angels Gone Wild.

All and all I really liked this episode. Edlund always manages to really get all the characters and I love that.

[annundriel.livejournal.com]

Angels Gone Wild

Hahaha, yes! They certainly seem to seek out pleasure. I wonder how much of that is drowning out some sort of pain, though. I think future!Cas turned to it as something of a distraction, an escape from how far he'd fallen.

[love-jackianto.livejournal.com]

'I wonder how much of that is drowning out some sort of pain, though. I think future!Cas turned to it as something of a distraction, an escape from how far he'd fallen.'
That could be. It could always be that once angels realize they do have free well they go from one extreme to the other. Angels do seem to be all about extremes; they did want to wipe us off the face of the Earth.

[rui-31.livejournal.com]

Was I the only one who thought that it was going to be Gabriel? I mean the whole disco lights and...well everything? I miss Gabriel...though Balthazar promises to be a cool replacement.
And yeah Cas? I am so happy he's back and he's not returned to being who he was before the Apocalypse like we were worried about. I especially liked when he said he had been ashamed, seemed like a big step.
Lol, and then covering up the whole "we have a bond"-thing by saying he only answered because of the staff.

And Sam paying for it? Yeah, that didn't fly by me, he could totally pick girls up without money, especially with that body.

Also the plastic piece of crap being trashed by angels FTW!
As for Lisa, I'm just glad they're giving her some personality, I'm actually starting to like her and as for a canon pairing, I don't particularly mind where they're going with this. Especially since we know this is not a TV show that's going to have one of their main characters be gay. But Cas/Dean will always be my fanon pairing <3

And yeah, skin thing creeped the hell out of me too, and the locusts thing? Like wth! Don't take the hat off! You see bleeding, you know he's dead, don't see where the sound is coming from! And don't take the damn things with you!

Favourite part of the whole episode? Air-quotes Cas and "Hello..." "HELLO!?" "Yes, that is still the form of greeting isn't it?" (I might have messed that up XD)

[annundriel.livejournal.com]

The only thing I didn't like about Lisa, really, was how they reintroduced her into the series. And that wasn't her fault, but the writers being lazy. I was a little concerned about some of what she said in 6.01, but eh. What're you gonna do, y'know?

But! The lovely thing about canon/fanon is that you can just...make things work for you. Don't like something? Change it in fic. Thank goodness.

omg that HAT. I kept telling them, "DON'T TAKE IT OFF!" Gross.

Cas' air quotes KILLED ME. Also the bit about ruling Moses out as a suspect. Oh, Cas. :D

[thegrrrl2002.livejournal.com]

Perhaps I'm crazy, but I think it always had to be Castiel. I think he was sent to raise Dean from Hell because God knew he'd question.

Oh, I love that idea. I don't think it's crazy at all.

I should go work on those fics I have started where Cas uses all of that delightful angel strength to lift Dean and fuck him against a wall, I really should.

Yes, you should. You really, truly, absolutely should. ::waits patiently::

[annundriel.livejournal.com]

Part of the reason why I like the idea that it had to be Castiel is because it sort of feels like....he's rewarded for rebelling, for questioning. For standing up to what everyone else says is how things should be or go. Castiel rebels, is killed for it, and is brought back. Twice.

I have basically 5 bazillion things to write (only a very slight exaggeration), but I think the angel strength wall!sex is going to have to be moved up the list. Mmmmhmm.

[trobadora]

Oooooooh yeah. I should go work on those fics I have started where Cas uses all of that delightful angel strength to lift Dean and fuck him against a wall, I really should.

I haven't watched the ep yet ... but oh yes, you really should. :D

[annundriel.livejournal.com]

I think I'm going to have to move it up on my list of things to write. Because now I really want to write it.

[trobadora]

OHYESOHYESOHYESPLEEEASE *hyperventilates*