I really enjoyed reading this. I feel somewhat "talked-out" over this episode - so I haven't got anything to add - but I love reading what other people have to say because I think it's such a troublesome (and yet interesting) episode.
I honestly don't think we are in for an examination of Dean taking away Sam's autonomy (again). Dean decisions have never really been put under the spotlight - including that he broke the first seal, killing Amy, wiping Lisa and Ben's memories and that he sold his soul which was basically the catalyst for everything Sam went on to do. In some ways this lack of examination could be deliberate and in fact, the very point, OR is could never be "exposed" leaving only us to ponder on it. I don't know. I am so torn, but my gut feeling is that Carver actually does have 3 year arc here. Your comment about Sam understanding about not breaking that "promise" in S8 (not to bring the other back) is quite telling. If Sam has a fundamental understanding of that then maybe it's something Dean needs to learn. If anything this has put Dean's character under the microscope. I'm not sure this has really been done before (perhaps a bit when he returned from Hell).
Also...is it just me, or does this (finally!) put Sam in a good light? Are people finally feeling for Sam and maybe looking back and seeing that him not looking for Dean was, actually, him growing. I am sincerely hoping that this season might give us a serious look at Dean (and Sam's) characters (and according to Carver it will be).
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Date: 2013-10-15 01:55 pm (UTC)I really enjoyed reading this. I feel somewhat "talked-out" over this episode - so I haven't got anything to add - but I love reading what other people have to say because I think it's such a troublesome (and yet interesting) episode.
I honestly don't think we are in for an examination of Dean taking away Sam's autonomy (again). Dean decisions have never really been put under the spotlight - including that he broke the first seal, killing Amy, wiping Lisa and Ben's memories and that he sold his soul which was basically the catalyst for everything Sam went on to do. In some ways this lack of examination could be deliberate and in fact, the very point, OR is could never be "exposed" leaving only us to ponder on it. I don't know. I am so torn, but my gut feeling is that Carver actually does have 3 year arc here. Your comment about Sam understanding about not breaking that "promise" in S8 (not to bring the other back) is quite telling. If Sam has a fundamental understanding of that then maybe it's something Dean needs to learn. If anything this has put Dean's character under the microscope. I'm not sure this has really been done before (perhaps a bit when he returned from Hell).
Also...is it just me, or does this (finally!) put Sam in a good light? Are people finally feeling for Sam and maybe looking back and seeing that him not looking for Dean was, actually, him growing. I am sincerely hoping that this season might give us a serious look at Dean (and Sam's) characters (and according to Carver it will be).