Review for 3x16 'No Rest For The Wicked'

[galathea]

Eric Kripke and Kim Manners killed me dead with the S3 finale, that’s for sure! While I roughly expected the outcome of this episode, the execution left me breathless and glued to my screen. Prepare for some mindless flailing with some thoughts mixed in! LOL



Thank you Eric Kripke for giving me almost everything I wanted from the finale of S3! With the exception of Fresh Blood and A Very Supernatural Christmas, there wasn’t a single episode this season that I was as much invested in as I was in No Rest For The Wicked. The writing was tight, the acting was wonderful and the resolution to the main character arcs concerning Dean’s deal was exactly what I hoped for! Man, I never thought it was possible to be so happy and so devastated at the same time. Last week I was still wary and not ready for the finale, and I didn’t really think they could pull this off in a manner that would satisfy me, given that we missed out so much because of the shortened season, and of course they had to prove me wrong. *g*

I think that this finale made up for a lot of the little annoyances and frustrations I was bitching over during the season, and I figure that with hindsight, I discover more about this season to love, than I did the first time around. Not that I think this season was bad, it had some fantastic episodes and was mostly solid for the rest, which is no small achievement given the restraints it was under. I guess it only fell short of my expectations, which skyrocketed after the S2 finale. S3 will never be my favourite season, but I think by now I reconciled with it and look expectantly towards S4, which looks extremely promising from the few general pointers Kripke gave in interviews so far! So let’s just hope for no more network interferences, looming strikes, actor/writer unavailability or other catastrophes! September looks way too far away at the moment!

Uh, sorry for that ramble! Onto the review, sorry if I am not all coherent and maybe repeat myself at times, it’s just that some of the character stuff made me so giddy, I am probably stuck on it like a broken record! LOL

Dean: "We’re not gonna make the same mistakes all over again!"

It’s a funny thing how often the show makes me want or like the exact same events/plot-twists that, at one point, I thought I would hate if they come to pass! When this season started, I desperately wanted Sam to save Dean. I needed Sam to save his brother in order to make the huge burden of Dean’s deal bearable for both of them. I felt Sam and Dean earned that much. Over the course of the season though, my feelings changed: The way Sam became more and more ruthless, his slow slide down the slippery slope of darkness, which ultimately endangered Sam's moral integrity - the very integrity he fought so hard to maintain in S2 - convinced me that the only salvation for Sam was to accept Dean's deal and let him go in peace. The thought that Dean's sacrifice, made out of love for his brother, would turn Sam into the very person the YED tried (and failed) to create through years of plotting, was always more depressing for me than the thought that Dean would actually die for what he believed in.

I have always been a huge fan of how the show parallels and mirrors its own plotlines and the way S3 mirrors S2 is no exception: Despite his best efforts, Dean has not been able to keep the promises he made to Sam back in Nightmare and Born Under A Bad Sign. He never stood a chance to save Sam, all factors were out of his control. His only chance was to retroactively correct Sam's death by sacrificing his soul for his brother. I love how Dean's 'failure' in S2 is mirrored in Sam's 'failure' in S3, as he isn't able to keep his promises to Dean from All Hell Breaks Loose II and Dream A Little Dream Of Me either. Ultimately, Sam has the same choice Dean had - he can either let his brother go or he can choose to correct Dean's destiny by sacrificing his own humanity for him. In the end though, it is Dean himself who makes the choice for Sam and convinces him to not interfere. Sam's acceptance of Dean's wish to let him go to hell is probably the most important turn of events for me, personally, in this finale, as it concludes Sam's character arc this season beautifully!

Twice now, Sam decided to step back from the path of darkness and that makes me insanely happy. From day one in this show Sam’s main theme has been choice. Sam always needed to be in control of his life and make his own decisions, and ultimately he died for his right to make his own choice rather than to accept the choice someone else (the YED) made for him. Dean’s main theme in the show has always been family. Dean always needed to protect his family and sacrificed his own needs for the sake of those close to him, and ultimately he now also gave his life for the principles he built his life upon. While Dean’s gruesome death is the single most traumatic experience in this show for me, I cannot help feeling content at the beauty of the parallels between S2/S3, and that’s the reason why (despite having both main characters die) those two season finales don’t feel repetitive to me, but complementary.

Dean: "What you’re doing, is not gonna save me. It’s only going to kill you."

From Mystery Spot on, I firmly wanted the Winchester circle of sacrifices to stop, even if it meant that Dean’s deal would need to come to its logical end, and I am beyond happy that the writers came to the same conclusion. If Sam had sacrificed who he is, in a desperate act to save his brother, Dean’s deal would have been futile in the end, as the Sam he raised, protected and sold his soul for, would have been gone. Dean never wanted his brother to become something he is not, especially not as a result of his own actions. He surely doesn’t want to die or go to hell, but Sam’s life and the intactness of his brother’s soul (or his own for that matter) is the one thing Dean won't risk. If there’s no other way to save him than to corrupt Sam's humanity, Dean rather chooses death, and I love that about Dean! ♥

The main theme that echoed through many episodes in the season was acceptance, that only in letting go of each other both brothers might find some peace. Sam was willing to do anything in order to save Dean, and it always ended in Sam stepping back from his compassionate and gentle nature, in extreme we saw that in Mystery Spot. That he in the end accepted Dean’s decision to die, agreed to carry on the Winchester torch and to stay true to the original values of his family, made me very proud of Sam and gave me hope that he doesn’t end up like the cold, obsessed and revenge-driven Sam we saw in that short glimpse in Mystery Spot. Ultimately, Dean might have saved Sam’s soul with his decision to die in No Rest For The Wicked, after he already saved Sam’s life in All Hell Breaks Loose II. Dean is Sam’s humanity, like Sam has always been Dean’s conscience, well in the first 2 seasons at least. Oh boys! ♥ ♥

Of course my show could prove me completely wrong on this interpretation of the final moment between the brothers. It's entirely possible that, once Dean is gone, Sam has nothing to hold onto anymore and goes astray in a desperate crusade to get Dean back from hell, but for the moment, I am utterly content at how it played out!

Sam: "Dean, what are you afraid’s gonna happen. This is me, I can handle it!"

When Eric Kripke said last summer that he wanted the psychic kids storyline to end, because it became too confusing, I still had hopes that he wouldn't give up the whole plotline of Sam's powers as well. I always assumed that Sam's powers were simply dormant, rather than that they died with the YED, and I am happy it was confirmed here. While the fact that Sam is the only weapon able to stop Lilith and free Dean’s soul comes as no real surprise, the question remains: What's the price? The negative examples of Ava and Jake clearly demonstrate that opening the human mind to the demonic powers Azazel gave his psychic children, completely overrules a person's self-identity, as both characters turned evil in the blink of an eye, once they gave into the temptation. Ava and Jake were desperate, they were forced to fight for their own lives, as well as for the lives of the people they loved. Sam is in a similarly fragile state of mind here, and giving into his powers now, might very well be the exact thing that would allow the whole thing to swing out of control.

On the other hand, there is Andy, who was able to expand his powers slowly, one step at a time, without demonic support, and he never turned evil. So, it's also entirely possible that Sam would be able to control his powers, without endangering his humanity in the process. I think Dean is right though, in his assessment that the risk is simply too high, especially in their current situation, where Sam is under immense pressure and would rely on Ruby’s help of all people. It's obvious that she waited so long to suggest this step to Sam for a reason, she clearly needed him to be desperate enough to not look the gift horse in the mouth. Sam’s conviction that he would be able to handle his powers, although he has no idea how they work or what the consequences for him personally might be, is entirely rooted in the hope that it will save Dean. It’s like Doc Benton all over again, he dismisses the consequences for the immediate relief of a miracle cure.

Azazel counted on the fact that Sam would succumb to his powers under the enormous pressure of the life and death situation of the Cold Oak death match, and to now play along those plans out of desperation seems foolish to me. Dean's words of caution are reasonable and ring true to me. I am pretty sure though that Sam's powers will play a major role in S4, and I am looking forward to it. After he resisted in this finale, it's possible that the writers work towards Sam controlling his powers in order to defeat Lilith, without becoming unhinged. If done well, I can anticipate that plotline as thrilling!

Ruby: "I’m telling you, you can save your brother, and I can show you how!"

I always suspected that Ruby’s ultimate goal is to lure Sam into accepting his powers and push him over to the dark side, ultimately bringing Azazel's plans to a close. While all her efforts to get into Sam's good graces and slowly, but surely, manipulate him into trusting her proved to be fruitless, she knew that in the end she only needed to wait for Sam to be desperate enough to grasp at the straw she is offering him. Not unlike in Jus In Bello, where Ruby presented her radical solution as the only viable option for Sam, hoping that he will follow her lead, she again tries to sell her way as the only way out for Sam, and she might have succeeded this time, if Dean hadn't interfered again. In the end Sam listens to Dean instead of Ruby. ♥

It’s interesting to note though, that Ruby tries to undermine Dean’s position by suggesting to Sam that Dean considers him a freak and resents the fact that he is different. It's interesting, because Dean never looked with rejection at Sam, especially not in Ruby’s presence, so I tend to think that Ruby skimmed that assessment from Sam’s mind. As I already pointed out in my review for Time Is On My Side, I think it's Sam's greatest fear that Dean might reject him if he knew about the demon blood Azazel fed him as a child, although his brother never showed any indication of loving Sam less, just because he had psychic powers. Ultimately, I think Sam projects his own fears on his brother, and I am really curious, if Sam will ever be able to open up to Dean about all the secrets he kept over this season.

Anyway, the initial confrontation between Ruby, Sam and Dean was absolutely delightful! I hoped that after Dean revealed the extent of Ruby’s lies to his brother, Sam’s demeanour towards her would change, and I was happy to see that that was the case. While he is surely intrigued by her offer, his tone towards her changed completely. I loved that Ruby plays the alluring siren, when she is alone with Sam, but as soon as Dean enters the scene, her behaviour turns spiteful, revealing her true nature. Dean has always been the main obstacle on her way to Sam, and this situation proves to be no different. I also enjoyed that Dean easily outsmarts Ruby here and not only sweeps the knife from her, while they are fighting, but also traps her with a devil's trap at the same time. Well done!

Ruby's ability to escape the devil’s trap was interesting though, only Meg was able to do that so far. She seems to be much higher in the demonic hierarchy, than I expected, even if she wasn’t able to defeat Tammi in Malleus Maleficarum. It’s still unclear why she wants Lilith dead so badly and what she hopes to achieve, once she manages to push Sam into using his powers. I agree with Dean's assessment though, I don’t trust her and her 'I was human once' speech doesn't convince me at all. I expect some meaty background for her character in the next season.

Bobby: "Family don’t end with blood, boy!" ♥

Every time I think I can’t possibly love Bobby more, he does something that proves me wrong! I loved that he anticipated that Sam and Dean would leave him behind, concerned for his safety, and messed with the Impala to stop them! ♥ Heh, and Dean didn’t even bother to growl at Bobby for touching his baby! Bobby’s gruff indignation over Sam and Dean ditching him was funny to watch, and his sincere insistence that they are family, if not by blood but by affection and choice, filled me with joy!

I also loved that Bobby doesn’t interfere with Sam and Dean's decisions about their course of action, he doesn’t try to convince them the one or other way, he gives his opinion, sure, but ultimately he supports Dean in whatever he plans to do. And the holy water sprinklers? Awesome! I had to giggle at that because it was Jensen Ackles who suggested in an interview that Sam and Dean should install holy water sprinklers on top of the Impala! *g* I was a bit sad that Bobby wasn’t in the final scenes and didn’t get a chance to say his goodbyes to Dean. It’s just absolutely devastating to think about how awful it must be for Bobby to come back to the scene of the fight and find the one brother cradling his dead sibling in his arms, again. I hope Sam is a bit more open to Bobby’s comfort than Dean was. :(

Sam: "So what am I supposed to do?”
Dean: “Keep fighting! Take care of my wheels. Sam, remember what Dad taught you, okay? Remember what I taught you!" ♥

Dean’s final plea for Sam to let him go, instead of giving into the temptation of his powers, absolutely wrecked me! Both Jensen and Jared knocked these brother scenes out of the park, even more so than usual. Sam’s silent desperation and Dean’s calm directions for his brother were heartbreaking. What Dean leaves behind, his car and the family business, he hands it over to Sam, and his brother accepts with a simple nod. Everything is said between them. Their final farewell before the hellhounds attack is so very different from Sam’s quick death in All Hell Breaks Loose I, where they both had no chance to say their goodbyes, and I can’t decide at the moment, which scenario is more devastating.

The scene where Dean is ripped apart by the hellhounds, while Sam has to watch his agonies, helpless and out of his mind with despair, was incredibly hard to watch, and I just wanted it to stop. Sam's overwhelming grief at seeing Dean's mangled body, and his silent tears, when he cradles his dead brother in his arms, it all feels so much more real than in Mystery Spot, despite the fact that we know that Dean won’t stay dead for long here either. Man, I am really curious how the writers will weasel their way out of that one, but at the moment I trust that the resolution will be awesome. Although, I am not quite sure how they will explain the recuperation of Dean's body for S4, but well, I worry about that when the time comes.

I have to say that although Dean's death leaves me devastated and emotionally drained, I can't help but feel that this is the only way to end this season. It feels true and inevitable and real to end the storyline of Dean's deal with its most severe consequence. If the writers had found a last minute way out of the deal, I might have felt happy and relieved, but it would also have felt like a cop-out. The Winchesters meddled with the supernatural time and again to fight off mortality, and it feels right that they pay the price in the end. There's no do-over this time. It hurts madly, but it's also very satisfying, and I am glad that Kripke had the guts to go through with it.

One word at the end about the final scenes: I loved that they left the events deliberately ambivalent and open to speculation over the summer hiatus. Somehow Sam stopped Lilith, either he unknowingly unleashed his powers, like he did in Nightmare when he saw Dean dying, or he is simply protected from her death spell for reasons unknown at the moment. Either way, that’s an exciting prospect for S4. Lilith terrified reaction to Sam’s immunity was interesting, because I always assumed that she was afraid of Sam's powers, but she obviously didn’t expect the outcome of this confrontation and was awfully self-confident before, when she had Sam and Dean in her grip. If she didn’t expect this, what was she afraid of exactly?

There was a lot of speculation in fandom that Ruby is dead and Dean went to hell, but I don’t think it is that clear cut: It’s not sure if Lilith really forced the demon Ruby out of her body, at least not in the conventional manner, 'cause even if we couldn’t see the possession, the expelling of a demon from the host is usually very noisy and I would have expected for Sam to hear that. That leads me to the assumption that she might have locked/trapped Ruby in the body or otherwise incapacitated her, while still within the host. There’s at least no indication that Ruby is dead. Lilith’s 'I sent her far, far away' is very unspecific and could apply to a number of things.

As for Dean, I don’t necessarily think that what we saw is Dean in hell. There are other interpretations possible. Firstly, the way the camera zooms through Dean’s eye and right into his head, might just as well suggest that Dean is trapped within himself, rather than in hell. Secondly, it's also possible that what we saw wasn’t hell itself, but some kind of Limbo, after all, it wasn't exactly all hellfire and brimstone. Of course that’s wild speculation, and it’s just as probable that Dean is indeed in hell, still, I think the options are there! Anyway, however we want to interpret that last shot of Dean, suspended on meat-hooks, at least one aspect of it hits right home: Dean is alone! And if that isn’t his worst nightmare ever, I don’t know what is! :(

What else was noteworthy:

(1) Oh man, Sam and Dean in the Impala, singing along to Bon Jovi, made me cry and laugh at the same time. ♥ I loved how they referred back to Salvation, where Sam also wanted to give his goodbye speech to Dean before they confronted the YED, and Dean didn’t let him there either! Dean starting to bellow out the song, dragging Sam along, who only hesitantly joins in to humour his brother, but then clearly gets into the moment and enjoys it, was one of the most beautiful brother moments in the show. But then the lyrics visibly hit home for Dean and he falls silent, his expression changes from happy to terrified, and man, that killed me. On a lighter note though, I always find it amusing when Jensen gets to sing in the show since we know that he deliberately tries to not hit the right notes. I find it funny that he chose to depict Dean as a terrible singer instead of going the easier route and use his natural singing voice. I couldn’t help wondering though if Jared tried the same or if he really is that bad! LOL *hugs the boys*

(2) I always adore it, if they manage to smuggle some typical brotherly banter into all the angst and doom, and this episode is no exception: From Dean’s 'let’s make a TJ run' (Let’s never do that!) to Sam’s 'you should be jamming Eye Of the Tiger' (I totally rehearsed that speech too!) I loved how they diffused the tension with some humour here, and it completely worked for me. ♥

(3) One last thing that is bugging me ever since In My Time Of Dying: If John knew how to summon the YED why did he search for leads all over the country instead of just summoning it to him when he had the Colt? The same applies here: They can summon Ruby, why don’t they summon Lilith as well?! She would be without her guards and unprepared. I have no idea if there’s any logic behind that, which I just don’t see at the moment or if that’s a plothole.

In conclusion: I think No Rest For The Wicked was my favourite S3 episode or at least in the Top Three. ♥ The tightly written script combined with the enormous emotional impact made for an outstanding 40 mins of television. Season 4 can’t come soon enough! There’s probably a million more things to say, but at the moment I am beat.

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Did You Know? Originally it was planned for Sam to develop his powers in the 2nd half of the season, save Dean by using them and then work himself up for an attack against Lilith, despite Dean's fierce opposition. Alas, since the season was cut short because of the writer's strike, they didn't have the time to develop Sam's arc, so they decided to let Dean die and move that development to S4.