I think most (fandom) viewers first and foremost want to see the emotional story between Sam and Dean play out I think that, too. And I thought the writers knew that as well, they know Sam and Dean are the story and without that emotional core to build on nobody really cares about the apocalypse. That's why I am at a loss why the writers seem to have lost insterest in actually developing the characters. I mean, SPN was never perfect, but if there was one thing I could always count on, it was that the character work was consistent and excellent. And nice analogy! I see what you mean, but it doesn't explain why the writers this season insist on wasting that little surface area with inconsequential, shallow episodes instead of making every episode count.
But, you're right, S1 (and even S2 and some S3) MotW episodes were pretty good at furthering/supporting the mytharc/emotional journey Yes! That's why I always found that MotW (read standalone non-mytharc related) episodes were crucial in SPN's story, because they drove the emotional story forward, which I am most interested in anyway. Mytharc episodes drive the plot and since they are usually low on character development they only come second for me. There are only few episodes that actually manage to further both aspects of the story. Man, to think that once upon a time I thought S3 was low, but I'd take the annoyance that was Bela any day over the shallowness of this season. The only really outstanding episode SPN produced this year was The End.
there are fewer and fewer episodes to remedy all these issues The problem is that I don't think the writers actually realise that there are issues. If they would, they would change their approach to story-telling. That they don't, tells me a story of its own. I don't think S5 is really salvageable to me, all they can do is damage control now. I know it's silly, but I now put my hope into S6. Maybe I'll get the closure I want for my boys there. Of course there's the risk that we'll have a whole season full of crappers like Real Ghostbusters or Curious Case or Swap Meat, but hey hope is better than nothing. /sigh
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I think that, too. And I thought the writers knew that as well, they know Sam and Dean are the story and without that emotional core to build on nobody really cares about the apocalypse. That's why I am at a loss why the writers seem to have lost insterest in actually developing the characters. I mean, SPN was never perfect, but if there was one thing I could always count on, it was that the character work was consistent and excellent. And nice analogy! I see what you mean, but it doesn't explain why the writers this season insist on wasting that little surface area with inconsequential, shallow episodes instead of making every episode count.
But, you're right, S1 (and even S2 and some S3) MotW episodes were pretty good at furthering/supporting the mytharc/emotional journey
Yes! That's why I always found that MotW (read standalone non-mytharc related) episodes were crucial in SPN's story, because they drove the emotional story forward, which I am most interested in anyway. Mytharc episodes drive the plot and since they are usually low on character development they only come second for me. There are only few episodes that actually manage to further both aspects of the story. Man, to think that once upon a time I thought S3 was low, but I'd take the annoyance that was Bela any day over the shallowness of this season. The only really outstanding episode SPN produced this year was The End.
there are fewer and fewer episodes to remedy all these issues
The problem is that I don't think the writers actually realise that there are issues. If they would, they would change their approach to story-telling. That they don't, tells me a story of its own. I don't think S5 is really salvageable to me, all they can do is damage control now. I know it's silly, but I now put my hope into S6. Maybe I'll get the closure I want for my boys there. Of course there's the risk that we'll have a whole season full of crappers like Real Ghostbusters or Curious Case or Swap Meat, but hey hope is better than nothing. /sigh