Yay that your review is up! I've been dying to read your full thoughts on Sam since the episode aired <3 And it seems we are pretty in sync :).
In this context, I think it is important to note that Sam states right away that he does not want to die. On the contrary, he stopped the trials because he genuinely wished to live. It soon becomes clear, however, that Sam is unsure if he is even supposed to resist what is happening to him.
I LOVE that you pointed out the fact that Sam wanted to live! I've seen several people trying to justify Dean's actions by trying to argue that Sam was 'suicidal' and thus not of a sound enough mind to make decisions. Whereas I saw Sam's actions like yourself more as acceptance and can not buy the suicidal argument for a second. Just wanted to really state I love that you see it that way too :)
By the way, I love how this internal argument ties back to Sam’s characterisation at the beginning of S8. I think it is save to conclude that Sam’s decision not to try and bring Dean back from the dead was rooted in the same kind of reasoning, so it is only consistent for Sam to apply it to himself as well.
Indeed. That was my thought as well that's Sam acceptance in this episode is similar to the apparent acceptance he showed of Dean's 'death' at the beginning of season eight. It's a real shame that Carver & Co seem incapable of nuanced writing because with a few more layers and better exposition Sam really could have been shown to go through the development and 'maturity' Carver keeps harping on about in interviews.
Ezekiel’s statement that there are still angels who believe in Castiel made me laugh out loud. Really? They believe in Castiel of all people, who betrayed the angels when he sided with the Winchesters? Who allied himself with the king of hell and opened purgatory, raining destruction on earth and heaven alike? Who slaughtered countless angels in the pretentious belief that he is their new God? Who fell for Metatron’s manipulations and thus enabled him to cast the angels out of heaven?
As much as I love Castiel I have to agree that line does not sound right at all for the reasons you list and it's another reason I think Ezekiel may not be what he seems. If you look at the character with the perspective he is someone trying to manipulate Dean into seeing him as an ally and different from the other angels then the claim of believing in Castiel works. After all just moments before Dean was being beaten by an angel who clearly hates Castiel. So a good way to make himself seem different and trustworthy is to claim that unlike the others he actually holds no ill feelings towards Castiel. Whether that's the case or Ezekiel's entire demeanour is an act remains to be seen...
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Date: 2013-10-15 02:35 pm (UTC)In this context, I think it is important to note that Sam states right away that he does not want to die. On the contrary, he stopped the trials because he genuinely wished to live. It soon becomes clear, however, that Sam is unsure if he is even supposed to resist what is happening to him.
I LOVE that you pointed out the fact that Sam wanted to live! I've seen several people trying to justify Dean's actions by trying to argue that Sam was 'suicidal' and thus not of a sound enough mind to make decisions. Whereas I saw Sam's actions like yourself more as acceptance and can not buy the suicidal argument for a second. Just wanted to really state I love that you see it that way too :)
By the way, I love how this internal argument ties back to Sam’s characterisation at the beginning of S8. I think it is save to conclude that Sam’s decision not to try and bring Dean back from the dead was rooted in the same kind of reasoning, so it is only consistent for Sam to apply it to himself as well.
Indeed. That was my thought as well that's Sam acceptance in this episode is similar to the apparent acceptance he showed of Dean's 'death' at the beginning of season eight. It's a real shame that Carver & Co seem incapable of nuanced writing because with a few more layers and better exposition Sam really could have been shown to go through the development and 'maturity' Carver keeps harping on about in interviews.
Ezekiel’s statement that there are still angels who believe in Castiel made me laugh out loud. Really? They believe in Castiel of all people, who betrayed the angels when he sided with the Winchesters? Who allied himself with the king of hell and opened purgatory, raining destruction on earth and heaven alike? Who slaughtered countless angels in the pretentious belief that he is their new God? Who fell for Metatron’s manipulations and thus enabled him to cast the angels out of heaven?
As much as I love Castiel I have to agree that line does not sound right at all for the reasons you list and it's another reason I think Ezekiel may not be what he seems. If you look at the character with the perspective he is someone trying to manipulate Dean into seeing him as an ally and different from the other angels then the claim of believing in Castiel works. After all just moments before Dean was being beaten by an angel who clearly hates Castiel. So a good way to make himself seem different and trustworthy is to claim that unlike the others he actually holds no ill feelings towards Castiel. Whether that's the case or Ezekiel's entire demeanour is an act remains to be seen...