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8x01 | Short Reaction
I just watched the S8 premiere, and usually I don’t do episode reactions, but after the summer I had, I really felt the need to get one thing off my chest right away. The in-depth review will follow later, as usual.
I guess most people will know that the spoilers about Sam's arc in S8 had me in tied up in knots all summer long, so I have to say that I am very, very relieved to find that the S8 premiere gave me enough reason to believe that not all is as it seems with Sam's storyline to at least alleviate some of my worries. After paying close attention to Sam's reactions and actions in the episode, I am under the distinct impression that there is something going on with Sam we don't know yet. The first thing that seems conspicuous is the shadowed figure watching Sam drive away from Amelia. It suggests to me that someone is keeping an eye on Sam’s activities, and that brings me back to my theory that Sam made a deal (possibly with the alpha vampire) to give up hunting for Dean's rescue - and then came to actually appreciate the life he was forced into. Moreover, Sam's subdued reaction to Dean's questions is very telling. I mean, Sam evades Dean’s questions, twice. First, when Dean asks him if he looked for him, and then again when he inquires what made Sam drop out of hunting. Sam simply doesn't answer and just allows Dean to draw his own conclusions instead - and that tells me that Sam is hiding something.
I still think that the secrecy between the brothers feels forced; it feels like a means to create conflict, and I am thoroughly tired of that. Not to mention that I am tired of the writers casting Sam in the role of the 'bad brother' just for the sake of mystery, but at the moment I am just profoundly relieved that there is at least a chance that Sam’s characterisation is a deliberate misdirection and that once we know the full story, it will all make sense. Also, the fact that, despite their secrecy, the brothers at least sit down and have series of actual conversations during the episode makes me hope that this will become a trend. Of course, I could be wrong and we have to take Sam's explanations at face value, but at the moment, I take what I can get.
I guess most people will know that the spoilers about Sam's arc in S8 had me in tied up in knots all summer long, so I have to say that I am very, very relieved to find that the S8 premiere gave me enough reason to believe that not all is as it seems with Sam's storyline to at least alleviate some of my worries. After paying close attention to Sam's reactions and actions in the episode, I am under the distinct impression that there is something going on with Sam we don't know yet. The first thing that seems conspicuous is the shadowed figure watching Sam drive away from Amelia. It suggests to me that someone is keeping an eye on Sam’s activities, and that brings me back to my theory that Sam made a deal (possibly with the alpha vampire) to give up hunting for Dean's rescue - and then came to actually appreciate the life he was forced into. Moreover, Sam's subdued reaction to Dean's questions is very telling. I mean, Sam evades Dean’s questions, twice. First, when Dean asks him if he looked for him, and then again when he inquires what made Sam drop out of hunting. Sam simply doesn't answer and just allows Dean to draw his own conclusions instead - and that tells me that Sam is hiding something.
I still think that the secrecy between the brothers feels forced; it feels like a means to create conflict, and I am thoroughly tired of that. Not to mention that I am tired of the writers casting Sam in the role of the 'bad brother' just for the sake of mystery, but at the moment I am just profoundly relieved that there is at least a chance that Sam’s characterisation is a deliberate misdirection and that once we know the full story, it will all make sense. Also, the fact that, despite their secrecy, the brothers at least sit down and have series of actual conversations during the episode makes me hope that this will become a trend. Of course, I could be wrong and we have to take Sam's explanations at face value, but at the moment, I take what I can get.
no subject
Me, I found a lot of things to enjoy in the episode, but overall and taken as a whole, I found the writing...stale. So many of the ideas feeding into it felt repetitive and I am beyond tired of Sam's motivations being kept opaque for long stretches, making it impossible for us to understand where he's coming from and what he's thinking. Hints at some slow-to-unfold mystery to come just don't satisfy me any more and this show has done that trope to death already. And the flashbacks of how Sam met vet Amelia really bugged me - seriously, no veterinarian would insist on handing over an injured dog fresh out of surgery to the complete stranger who accidentally ran it over, especially after said stranger has clearly stated that they don't want a dog and are in no position to care for it!
I really like Dean's hair, though.
no subject
AMEN! It's just treading the same narrative patterns over and over again, and as usual at the expense of Sam's characterisation. So much for a new showrunner bringing in some new ideas. However, I'll take that any day over the utter and complete assassination of Sam's character I initially feared. :)
And the flashbacks of how Sam met vet Amelia really bugged me - seriously, no veterinarian would insist on handing over an injured dog fresh out of surgery to the complete stranger who accidentally ran it over, especially after said stranger has clearly stated that they don't want a dog and are in no position to care for it!
Uh-huh. Yeah, I wasn't buying it either. Amelia's condescending attitude was out of place as well. It's not like Sam ran the dog over on purpose and he immediately took care of the dog. Plus, Amelia and Sam had no chemistry whatsoever in the episode.
Dean was very pretty - even fresh out of purgatory. LOL Dean's storyline (and characterisation) was interesting, too and I am looking forward to seeing more of the flashbacks.