Subscribe
Previous Post
As you already know, this past week’s episode of Supernatural was one of my all-time favorites. I thought it was well-written, exciting, well-acted and a real love letter to the fans who have been with the show since day one.
However, there are a number of fans who don’t feel the way I do and it has sparked a great deal of debate not just here but all across the fandom.
So, in the spirit of the great political debates of the past weeks, I give you a Supernatural rebuttal written by Jen M.
* * * *
Supernatural Hits the Easy Button
This episode reminded me of those Staples commercials, with the Easy button. Don’t feel like doing things the way they should be done? Too lazy to actually fix things? Slap the big red button and your problems are solved. I have a sneaking suspicion that a similar line of thinking lead to the finished product of “In the Beginning”.
I hated it. Hands down the worst episode of the series. Worse than “Bugs” with its ‘instadawn’. Worse than “Route 666” with its killer racist truck and the total lack of chemistry between Dean and Cassie. Worse even than “No Exit”, despite the abundance of Jo in that episode, and the mishandling of what could have been an amazing story.
It was aimless, plotless, and then at the end they slapped a big fat “to be continued” on it. To be continued when? Why not just label it “Oops, we didn’t feel like writing an ending for this one so we’re taking the easy way out”? So next week we get tossed an average monster of the week episode, which appears to have nothing to do with this episode we just sat through. When do we get answers? The other half of the episode? Why on earth would they do that and then just skip off to save some random person next week?
TO BE CONTINUED
This is poor planning, poor timelining, and half-hearted storytelling. There is no reason for the episode to just dangle like this. If it needs its second half to be complete, then it should be aired the week before the second half airs. Or better yet, take it back to the writers and tell them that you won’t accept an episode that isn’t strong enough to at least limp along on its own. I’m not sure this episode was capable of sitting up without assistance, much less standing.
If next week is the second half to this episode, why wasn’t it billed that way? It would make sense that the audience would want to know the resolution to the cliffhanger they gave us, so why not make it clear to us that we would get at least some of the answers in the next episode?
LET’S MAKE A DEAL
Another demon deal. Is that the only way to fix problems in the Supernatural universe? I would call it a Deus ex machina, except that the definition of that term states that it is “an improbable contrivance in a story characterized by a sudden unexpected solution to a seemingly intractable problem”. What I have a problem with here is the word “improbable”. At this point, a Winchester (or soon to be Winchester in Mary’s case), making a deal for their loved one’s life is hardly an unlikely event. Neither is it “sudden” or “unexpected”. It’s almost a guarantee. If they had revealed something about the deal at the time that “Home” aired, to explain the apology in that episode, it would have been a shocking and heartbreaking moment. With two Winchester deals already under our belts, however, it smacks of laziness to me.
Mary’s deal left a sour taste in my mouth on more than just a convenience front. Up to this point, she was a tragic figure, the cause for our heroes’ crusade. Now I can’t help but feel like her death was nothing more than what she deserved. If she had been ignorant to the machinations of demons there might be some excuse for her choice. Having been raised a hunter, and given her assumption that Azazel wanted her soul as payment for the deal, which would have been correct had she been dealing with a different demon, it seems that she had a fair idea of how these things work. She had to have known that whatever he wanted from her in ten years time would be big, and something that she likely would not want to give up when the time came. I have a very hard time finding her death a tragedy when she sacrificed her youngest son, unknowingly or not, just because she couldn’t bear to be alone.
It is nice to finally know what Mary was apologizing to Sam for in “Home”. She owed him more than just an “I’m sorry” if you ask me, since every single thing he’s gone through since the day she died has been a direct result of the deal she made. She was young, and scared, and confused, I get that. Those are reasons for what she did, but they’re not excuses. Everyone she loved wound up paying a very high price for the choice she made that night, and I can’t help but wonder how it could possibly be worth it.
WHO’S RUNNING THIS SHOW?
It seems that Kripke didn’t even care enough to write this one himself. If this was the big payoff to his story so far, why didn’t he write this one? Putting myself in his shoes, it would have been hard to let something that was supposed to be pivotal to the whole series out of my hands. Or why not at least give it to Sera Gamble, who can write a solid episode, or Cathryn Humphris, who has delivered some good, deep scripts. Carver was all over the place. It reminds me of a first grader’s art project, with everything but the kitchen sink thrown in just because it’s shiny and fun to play with. There was no coherency, no cohesion, no nothing. I knew I recognized the writer’s name when it first popped up on screen, but I had to look him up to see what episodes he had written before.
It was no surprise to me to find “Sin City” as one of his credits. Once I saw the connection, I realized that a lot of the issues I had with “In the Beginning”, I had also had with Carver’s first credit in this series. The difference was that “Sin City” didn’t suffer from the same delusions of grandeur that this latest effort did. The strange, aimless wandering of the plot, and the completely disjointed feeling were a lot easier to forgive when it was an episode that, though it did have salient points, wasn’t claiming to be the episode to end all episodes. “In the Beginning” wanted so desperately to be ground breaking, to be amazing, almost, dare I say, cosmic. It had all the wrappings and trappings of an awesome episode, but inside it was hollow.
Carver is capable of more, evidenced by “A Very Supernatural Christmas”, which was an enjoyable, fairly solid episode. There were a few holes in the plot, but it was a satisfying installment. That has been one of the most consistently frustrating things about Supernatural to me. Like the old nursery rhyme, when they’re good, they are very good, but when they are bad, they’re horrid. The audience is spoiled by knowing what awesome heights they are capable of, making us even tougher critics when things go awry.
Fortunately they soar more often than they fall.
WE’RE ONLY ACTING!
One place that the fault does not lie is with the cast. Everyone in this one was excellent. Jensen Ackles was stunning, as is almost always the case. His scene with Mary, particularly the bit where he begged her not to even get out of bed on that fateful night, was heartbreakingly beautiful. Mitch Pileggi was stellar, especially when his character was possessed. The one flat note I had found in the cast earlier in the episode was with the actor playing the possessed doctor. He failed to act anything even remotely like Azazel has been presented to us over the course of the series. Pileggi, on the other hand, nailed it. Nuances of Fred Lehne’s performance were there, but not enough to make it seem like an impersonation, just a solid nod to the actor who had the longest run in the role. I was amazed by the familiar expressions that found their way across Samuel Campbell’s face, an excellent, quiet reminder of his connection to Sam and Dean. Both Amy Gumenick and Matt Cohen handled their roles very well, though I would have to argue that this young version of John Winchester seemed awfully naïve and a bit clueless. That fault most likely lies in the script, and perhaps the direction, not with the actors themselves.
It would be nice to know what lead to the decision to nearly completely exclude Sam, and by obvious extension, Jared Padalecki from this episode. Various explanations have been tossed around between fans, but I don’t think we’ve gotten an actual answer for that from anyone in the know, besides the quote from that interview with Mitch Pileggi, and that particular version of events seems exceedingly odd. Whatever the reason, I don’t think it was a good choice, and I know it was one that hit home with a lot of fans, and hurt them.
BROTHER, BROTHER, BROTHER. . .
This show has always been about two brothers, something that it seems the people in charge might need to be reminded of. I don’t like seeing either brother shoved aside, dumbed down, or made superfluous, and it needs to stop. Less Castiel, more brothers.
Hopefully it’s just an aberration, and all will be well soon.
I just…I’m at a loss. I feel like someone has torn my show to shreds and danced on the remains. This fandom attracts people who are very passionate about their show, and I’m proud to count myself among their numbers. But seeing this travesty splashed across my screen as an episode of Supernatural almost makes me heartsick.
I have one tiny, nearly guttered flame of hope left. One last wish that may still be granted. We all know that Kripke loves to tease the fans, to watch us react as he jerks our chains. Perhaps this is just a rather hard pull on our collective legs? Is he hiding the second half to this episode up his sleeve, and behind a misleading promo just to watch us squeal?
Improbable. But not impossible. And right now that’s enough for me.
Everyone has made their point and then some. Closing comments now. Let’s all look forward to a new episode this week.
Mousita-that article states “apparently” Jared was unavailable and offers no source. It’s likely the author took rumors to be fact and has not yet responded to comments. If she can in fact offer proof, I will be impressed.
Is there a link to this article? And I’m not trying to be sarcastic or anything, I just REALLY would love to see it. It might make me feel a whole lot better to have something a bit more confirmed.
As for the petulant foot stomping, I agree it may be a bit petulant and I am begrudgingly staying with this show for as long as it airs (unless they really go the evil!Sam/saint!Dean route, then I may not be able to stomach it), but I do think that’s simplifying things a bit. It’s really hard when the show you love keeps putting off your favorite character. We’ve been waiting for a long time for some payoff with Sam’s character and Kripke keeps putting off (and he’s admitted to it). We didn’t really see much happening with Sam last season at all (and I would argue we didn’t see much with him during S2 either) and now in the first three episodes, his POV is nearly nonexistent. Sam fans aren’t throwing a fit over nothing. Personally, I do feel betrayed to have invested so much time and love into a show only to have it continually put Dean’s storyline first. And that IS what they’re doing. Again. Because Dean’s is “more important” and “needs to be established.”
I understand that need to develop Dean’s storyline especially since this whole thing is so new. But the problem is that by doing this they’re essentially rallying sympathy for Dean-only. So instead of feeling for Sam and trying to understand why he’s doing what he’s doing, viewers are instead led to resent Sam for going back on his promise to Dean and lying to his brother who just came back from hell (for him!). There’s a fundamental flaw in the storytelling because we’re not being brought to understand Sam sympathetically. My fear is that it will end up very much like S2 where by the time we do get to the heart of Sam’s story, we’ll just be angry at him for not being more sensitive to how Dean’s been carrying his weight. This show does not do a good job of conveying Sam’s reasons and it’s harder and harder for us to wank away what he does and that’s frustrating for someone who is a diehard Sam fan.
I want this show to be about brothers. And whether I sound petulant or not, I just wish the show would live up to it. Because it’s not. It’s about Dean being a brother but it’s not about brothers as of now.
That said, I would LOVE to be wrong. Really, I would, but my tolerance for the Dean POV week after week is stretched about as far as my petulant little soul can take it.
**sigh** As sure as the sun will rise, no matter what is said and done, there will always be SamFans who claim the series is “all about Dean” and DeanFans who claim it is “all about Sam”. Both camps have developed valid and convincing arguments to prove their points. But I’m hoping that what will win out in the end is that ultimately Supernatural is “all about the brothers” and ALL fans can stay united behind their Show. The dark feel is back, the classic rock is back, the gratuitous T&A is out, there are no love interests in sight, and beloved characters are no longer acting out of character for the most part. SN is back to its successful roots!
Incidentally, the recent FireFox article reiterates that Jared was absent due to F13 re-shoots, but I’m sure the SamFans will point their finger and say “that’s a coverup lie”.
And to fans like bright73 who threaten a boycott or walkout simply because it has taken more than one episode for the writers to be able to establish the complex foundation and direction of this season, well… my tolerance for such petulant foot-stomping has just run out. As Ellen would say, Don’t let the door hit your @$$ on the way out!! Sheesh!!
You have a very unusual definition of what it means to be shouted down. I have never, ever seen anyone use the term that way before. You seem to be saying that if she talks about what she’s seen throughout the fandom, as far as majority opinion, that means that she’s trying to silence your voice. I don’t understand that view at all.
I also don’t really understand why you’re so upset that she’s enthusiastic about it. Your “OMG SHE LOVED IT!!11″ seems to indicate frustration with her happiness, but… I mean, come on. Some people are gonna be happy when you aren’t. That doesn’t mean they’re trying to tell you not to speak. That means they’re expressing their happiness. I know it stings when someone’s happy and you’re not, but it doesn’t mean their happiness shouldn’t be expressed, even with enthusiasm.
Ali–
I didn’t tell her to shut up. In fact, I told her that “I think” does make it an opinion, not a fact, and she’s welcome to hers just like I am to mine.
What I took issue with was the way she was trying to shout down all the naysayers and say our opinions didn’t matter because OMG SHE LOVED IT!!1
Where do I get that, you ask?
From “Don’t let the few fans bring you down. You have so many more fans who absolutely LOVE the show as it is.” and “I read tons of SPN forums and the vast majority of people loved this episode and LOVE this season so far.”
Now, I’d take issue with “vast majority” and “tons of SPN forums,” but the truth is, I don’t care what she read or where. I care about here, and being told to basically shut up and go with the flow. Because I’m not a go-with-the-flow woman, I never have been. And if someone is going to try and shout me down, I’m gonna shout back.
Clearly if she said “I think”, she ISN’T acting like it’s the only opinion in the world. Why on Earth should she not post her opinion? Because she’s enthusiastic about it? Because she loves where the show is going right now and you don’t? That’s not a good reason to tell her to shut up. She’s not shouting you down. She’s expressing her opinion, exactly the same way that you are.
He’s the heart and the anchor of the show, I think.
Aha and egads, I say, there are the key words. “I think.” I’m glad you think that Jensen Ackles and Dean Winchester are the best things since sliced bread.
Not everyone thinks that. Obviously, since this thread is full of people screaming that at the top of their lungs.
since according to today’s Buddy TV article, Supernatural is experiencing a huge surge in it’s ratings.
Then go read the rest of the article; not to down the show by any means, but let’s face it; we haven’t been up against much. Now, if we still hold onto these numbers when say, Grey’s Anatomy is up and running again? THEN I’ll say celebrate. Until then, I’m just gonna sit back and say don’t count your demons until they’ve all been exorcised.
I think Kripke would be an absolute fool to mess with things now.
And there are those two words again. I think he’d be a fool to leave things as they are. But what I think and what you think are two different things, and neither one of us is right or wrong. So please stop acting like you’ve got the only opinion in the world and trying to shout the rest of us down from being heard. We’ve got just as much right to be DISsatisfied with the show we’ve endorsed and enjoyed for this long as you do loving it.
And that’s why Sam fans are speaking up. Because Dean fans so dominate the fandom that we feel that Sam will continue to be pushed aside for Dean’s angst and now for Castiel as well. It shouldn’t be too hard to make both brothers deep characters so it seems more likely that the writers just don’t want to. I’m with bright–I wish they’d just come out and say the show’s about Dean, make Jensen the lead so I can stop hoping that Sam might get good attention at some point and I can leave the Dean fans to their show. Until then, I feel slightly obligated to say no all of fandom is happy–because they’re not.
“ITA- someone needs to ask Kripke why he’s totally lost interest in Sam because by now I’ve totally lost interest in Dean and his angst. ”
Maybe you have, but I sure haven’t. I love Dean and his angst (I mean, What Is and What Should Never Be is the best episode ever!). So, bring the Dean angst, I say. Jensen Ackles ROCKS! Seriously. He is awesome. He’s the only actor that can make me cry right along with him. He’s the heart and the anchor of the show, I think.
All of my friends who watch the show, watch primarily for DEAN (and that includes his tears and his angst!) and also for the brother’s relationship. But it’s kind of rocky right now, and that’s okay, it makes for good drama along the way.
The show works so much better for me when it’s through Dean’s POV and then things happen TO Sam that Dean also needs to deal with (because he is the BEST big brother EVER). That’s why this current story line of Dean and Sam works so well. And that’s why the first two seasons were so good (and S3 wasn’t), and now why S4 is even better — Sam still has his story, but NOW Dean now his own story that isn’t ALL about Sam, but does involve Sam. It’s a win-win for me.
Kripke is obviously doing something right this season, since according to today’s Buddy TV article, Supernatural is experiencing a huge surge in it’s ratings. Way to go, Kripke! Don’t let the few fans bring you down. You have so many more fans who absolutely LOVE the show as it is.
I think Kripke would be an absolute fool to mess with things now. I read tons of SPN forums and the vast majority of people loved this episode and LOVE this season so far.
“They need to grip Misha Collins tight and hold on to him.”
YES!! Misha is awesome. There can’t be enough Dean and Castiel goodness as far as I’m concerned. I love Dean and his angel … more of them together please! :)
Tina: “as I stated its equality , just treat the boys the same, focusing on their stories without the need to negate the other, it isnt necessary .”
Tina, this is the very first time in 3 years where Dean might, just MIGHT have some importance that’s about Dean himself, not Sam. So for us Dean fans, it’s a big deal. We’ve had the SuperSpecialSam SuperHero SuperPowered show for the past three years.
Every year Sam was made more special than the year before, up to the point where I was wondering if Sam was God, he was such a special person. And Dean? Well, he was Sam’s brother, that should be enough for us Dean girls. After all, what better honor than to be the brother of the most special person in the whole wide world, heaven and hell and all in between? We Dean girls should be happy that Dean was included to walk around such a special person.
Now, for the first time, BOTH BROTHERS are equally important, and the Sam fans bitch, once again because 3 episodes, it’s been about Dean and not about Super Special Super Duper All Important SAM.
Tough. For those of you who claim to be about both brothers, does it matter which one gets screentime? Knowing that eventually the other will also get screentime does it matter? Or does it matter only if Sam is the one that’s not on. Because if Dean was missing, all these fans claiming to be about both brothers wouldn’t be bitching, they’d be happily cheering about their Very Special Sam story.
Dean’s important too now and I hope Kripke keeps Dean important for WHO HE IS, NOT WHO HE IS RELATED TO.
I’m tired of SuperSpecial Sam. I’ve had him shoved down my throat for three years. I’m ready for some Special Dean now, and I’m also ready for BOTH BROTHERS TO BE EQUALLY IMPORTANT!
Josie-I agree completely with every point of your comment. Very well said…thank you!
With all the buzz about our show in the last few weeks, we have hopefully garnered some new viewers. Those new viewers probably don’t even realize that the show is supposedly about Sam and Dean. I am sure they think it is from Dean’s perspective given the first three episodes. The brother’s bond which in my opinion has always been the heart of this show is thus far non-existent.
As a matter of fact, if I was new to this show I probably wouldn’t even like Sam very much. As a fan of both brothers but as one who is admittedly much more emotionally connected to Sam, that really breaks my heart. The show has done nothing to convey how much Sam loves his brother or how devestated he was when he died. Whatever choices Sam’s character has made this season behind the scenes, those two FACTS have not or should not have changed. Waiting until mid-season to reveal Sam’s pain and love for his brother is ridiculous and Sam fans have every right to be upset.
Dude! Granted, you do have some valid points, but might you be overreacting just a slight bit? NOTHING can be worse than Route 666, Bugs, and No Exit. This ep rocked.
And I’m so sick and tired of you people who whine and moan, threaten to stop watching the show if *something* happens. WELL, shut up and stop watching already! Either way, why do you think we care!
[i]In the promos for 4, Sam appears once. Padalecki has been downgraded even more than the character Sam. Discussion of Sam dominated episode 3, but no Padalecki. Some of you reporters or bloggers need to find out why. Either there is a good reason or Padalecki is being treated terribly.[/i]
ITA- someone needs to ask Kripke why he’s totally lost interest in Sam because by now I’ve totally lost interest in Dean and his angst.
I need to know if there’s a reason for this shift and if it’s permanent. because if I see another single ‘perfect’ tear and self-esteem issues, I am so gone. Over-exposing one of the characters making his too ‘lovable’ and victimized is not doing it for me. because the one that is victimized is Dean.
And with the rate of Dean-centric eps in the spoilers, looks like there won’t be any SPN watching for me in a long while.
I agree with you on many points. The lack of Sam was particularly disturbing. After waiting 3 years to find out about his unresolved mytharc, we have to establish a new mytharc all about Dean. In fact, Supernatural is fast becoming the Dean Show. I love Dean; love Jensen Ackles, but more than that, I love the brother dynamic. And it would be nice to see Sam’s pov for a change.
The deus ex machina devices (demon deals, angels, Ruby, etc.) are getting really old. Supernatural is still the best show on TV, but I remember when it could surprise its viewers. I’m hoping this season will feature more, not less, of Sam.
Wow.. just .. wow
I stayed away from message boards after SGA went all wierd on me after season 3. Found I enjoyed the show much more since.
Then, American Idol produced two good singers and to hear the David’s talk, they’re nice guys who admire and respect one another and are appreciative of their fans. But the camps remained entrenched and the haters surfaced and animosity is the order of the day.
Guess I remained blissfully unaware of this argument – the shows all about Dean, no the shows all about Sam, blah blah blah…
You all know what? Jared and Jensen have a heck of a lot of respect and love for one another and their fans than apparently their fans do for one another.
Lets start a new semantic, shall we? Lets stop calling ourselves Deangirls and Samgirls and start calling ourselves WINCHESTERGIRLS! Or, hows about SUPERNATURAL GIRLS!
See, what attracted me from the pilot and going forward was not Sam and not Dean, though I grew partial to one, I’m ass-over-tee-kettle in love with them both, and the story surrounding their journey.
Lets ban together and be fans of the show!
Ok, so if it’s no longer your show, clock out, hung up, walk away. Dear GOD, don’t waste so much time doing this kind of garbage.
Out of respect for both Jared and Jensen, take a step back, take a breath and relax. If it’s no longer a great show by your estimation, why are you even still here?
Obviously something is keeping your here, but let that be the Winchesters and the story surrounding them.
Yes, season 1 and 2 felt more like the story was about Sam but I was cool with that coz Sam IS A WINCHESTER! Season 3, more about Dean but OK! DEAN IS A WINCHESTER.
If you’ve ever met these two guys, they are two of the most unassuming, kind, generous, giving, adorable and just all-round great guys!
Lets show them we can be great fans of one another because we are WINCHESTER & SUPERNATURAL FANS!
And this is probably my last post here. I stayed away for a long while and have found my happy place. No room for clutter in my happy place, coz my happy place is full of Winchester hottness and Supernatural greatness.
Ali–
“I know you’re actually whining about it, Kelly, but I’m hoping and praying that you’re right.”
I’m hoping I’m right, too. I know that’s a terrible thing for me to say, but I want Dean to have something that’s all his own, because I like Dean!! But I don’t want Dean’s story to come at the expense of Sam’s. (Or Sam’s to come at the expense of Dean’s, but that hasn’t been a problem so far, at least that I can see.)
First of all, is there any source that confirms the F13 reshoot rumor? I have seen nothing, and honestly, even if he did do reshoots, I honestly believe given the way they conceived this ep that Sam was never supposed to have a major role. Kripke seems to be making a purposeful choice here to give us DEANDEANDEAN at the beginning of this season and Sam’s diminished role in this first three eps is pretty clear on that.
Second of all, there’s disagreeing with an opinion and there’s being rude. I’m pretty sure we’re all allowed to have our opinions and expressing them doesn’t make us bad people. I’m allowed to say that I didn’t like WIAWSN or that I like Sam better than Dean. I realize that will invalidate anything else I say for most people, but it doesn’t make me WRONG.
Third, what I don’t understand is why people are so afraid for Dean’s character. I get that the show, in a sense, is “all about Sam.” Because, okay, the plot points do revolve around Sam and this destiny of his. But there’s a difference between a plot and a story. Sam may be part of the plot, but Dean is the heart of this story.
And honestly, I wish I was a Dean fan, because this role of a big brother just trying to do the best he can with a really messed up family is REALLY meaty stuff. It’s far more compelling and human than Sam’s whole powers and evil thing he has going on. We’ve seen so much for Dean and the show has fully dealt with his daddy issues, his mommy issues, his desire for family and stability, his fears of failure, his inner frustrations and anger–everything. Now even his faith is being challenged. In essence, this show exists to explore Dean’s issues. Sam’s side plot is truly just a vehicle for that to happen.
I just really would like them to humanize Sam’s story sometime soon. His storylines keep getting pushed to the side and it’s getting almost too late to make him a redeemable and truly real character, which is a crime.
I tuned into a show about two brothers learning how to relate to each other. What I have no is one brother figuring out his life and saving the other on the side. Right now, Sam has no entry point for the audience to engage in. Purposefully so perhaps, but as a Sam fan, I do feel rather betrayed.
This WAS a show about brothers. I’m not sure I see it anymore. We did get answers in this ep and this ep was again “all about Sam” in a sense, which only goes to prove it can be about Sam in a plot kind of way, but the story being told is and always will be Dean’s.
Jim, as others have already stated, Jared was written out of this episode to accommodate his commitment to do reshoots for “Friday the 13th” – so he was not being treated badly.
Can’t we all just relax and enjoy this wonderful series? Supernatural is the story of the Winchester Brothers. Don’t ever make me choose which brother I love more. Neither character would be the same without the other.
I have a feeling this week’s episode is going to be a great payoff to ITB – I just hope that Dean tells Sam all about what happened — soon.
There are two issues here: the character Sam and the actor Padalecki.
The Sam character has not disappeared from the show; indeed, he is stlll there, but in a diminished role in which he is more talked about than seen. It seems the writers want Sam but not Padalecki.
As a result, Padalecki has had his screen time severely cut back. It just doesn’t seem very loyal to one of the two actors who made this show work to shunt him aside like that–it has nothing to do with liking or disliking either actor.
There could be a good reason for this, but it has not been forthcoming.