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anyway, again, awesome review. i snorted when i read about said possession Rule.

-jenn

that being said, i agree with tess' comment up there about really enjoying/respecting misha in this episode. even though jimmy was only a vessel, i liked how show gave acknowledgement that for every vessel there was a person with loved ones and family. yes, dean and sam are the HUGE frontline players against the apocolypse, and who get books and bibles written about them. agreed, jimmy was grossly white bread, but i liked the shout out to the small but essential players, and i admittedly teared up when he was lying there dying, refusing to give up his sweet place in heaven because he couldn't let his daughter take up such a great responsibility. (and incidentally, while i agree with how lame-o of a christian weepy wife was, silent daughter turned out to be pretty awesome.) jimmy will never return to show, but he was a great example of the devout and sacrificing.

"If after everything Dean has done for Sam over the years isn't indicative of the depth of Dean's love for him, then I just don't know what Dean could possibly do to prove that he loves Sam and cares about him."

Dean's past actions are all well and good, and as you point out, they undeniably prove that Dean did care for Sam, very much. The thing about actions, and people, is that they can change. And since he returned from Hell, the caring side of Dean has been somewhat absent when it comes to Sam. He doesn't appear to have given a whole lot of thought to what Sam went through while he was gone, except the mistakes that Sam made in that time frame. And I know it will be pointed out, and it's true, Dean's got enough on his plate right now without his baby brother going rogue on him. He was in Hell, and he was tortured and he tortured people and he's been hounded by angels since he came back, and that's only touching on his problems.

But it's not like Sam buried Dean and stepped back from his grave with a refreshed sigh and said "Well he's gone now. Guess I can do what I've always wanted to! Have sex with a demon and suck her blood! Woohoo! Roadtrip!" Sam alone is responsible for the choices he made, no one else. But that doesn't mean that we should totally ignore the circumstances he was in, or the suffering that he was going through, that influenced those choices. People do crazy things when they're grieving, or depressed, things that they might never have done if they had been in a normal frame of mind. It doesn't change the fact that they did them, or that they chose to do them, but it is relevant to who they are, what kind of person they are, if they did those things out of pain or desperation. That is what I would like to see Show, and Dean, acknowledge, before they thoroughly condemn Sam for what he has done. Because you're right, they have both acted in less than loving ways toward each other. But while there has been plenty of time spent emphasizing what Dean went through, and how painful it was for him, and how that experience is coloring what he's doing now, there's been little to no effort to provide any reasoning for Sam's actions other than "He's evil! He slept with Ruby! He drinks blood! Evil!!!1!!1" I think that's a disservice to the character, to the fans of that character, and to the fans of the show in general.

"I think Dean showed great restraint in his calm reaction because of all these reasons. I don't believe at all that it shows that Dean doesn't care about Sam."

You can call it restraint, just as I can call it cold. He actually said the words "I don't care" to Sam, though he was referring to the excuses Sam was trying to offer up. At least I think he was. It wasn't really clear to me, or to Sam, judging by the look on his face, if Dean meant he didn't care about the excuses, the blood drinking, or Sam himself. If this was any other season but the one it is, I wouldn't have a doubt in my mind that the only thing Dean didn't care about was the excuses. But this season is what it is, and therefore that conviction is nowhere to be found. As I've said before, hopefully Dean's words and actions tonight will change my mind about him. I guess I'll have to wait and see.

I never said Dean was wrong when he said that, just that it had to have messed with Sam's head when he said it. It's one thing knowing what you're doing is wrong, and knowing that other people would sit in judgment if they found out, or even want to kill you. And it's an entirely different thing to hear your beloved older brother, who's always had your back, tell you that he agrees with them, and that only the fact that he knows you is holding him back. That's harsh. Not unfair necessarily, or untrue. But still harsh.

Your bringing up the way Dean has defended Sam in the past highlights something I've found interesting all season. In the past, if something happened, Dean always jumped to the assumption that it wasn't Sam who did it. Not a particularly healthy way to handle things, but that's how Dean operated. But from the moment Dean returned from Hell he's been convinced that Sam was lying. First it was about making a deal, and once he believed Sam about that, he seemed determined that Sam wasn't telling him the truth about using his powers while Dean was gone. Obviously he was right about that last one, but he didn't know that at the time. And since then he seems obsessed with Sam lying to him; which isn't to say that he shouldn't be bothered by it, or that Sam hasn't been lying. Just that Dean has seemed unusually hung up on the concept. It makes me wonder if while he was in Hell he heard whispers of what Sam was doing, or if Alistair used that to taunt him, or something. If I wanted to argue semantics with Dean I would have to point out that when it comes down to the question of how they spent their summers, Dean lied first. ("What, Hell? I don't know, I, I must have blacked it out. I don't remember a damn thing.") Granted, that doesn't excuse Sam's lies, or the fact that Sam was doing things that he most definitely shouldn't be proud of. Then again, Dean wasn't particularly proud of what he was doing in Hell either. Anyway, like I said, semantics, and I hope that there might be more to Dean's intense focus on lying than just a good reason for him to be angry with Sam plot wise.

"As for "the Sam I knew, he's gone" statement. Dean specifically told Sam that it wasn't because of the powers or any of that. He was talking about Sam's lies and deception. Not about the powers."

I'm not sure it matters why Dean said that. He said it. And it still holds that prior to that he said "If I didn't KNOW you, I would want to hunt you" and then down the line said that the Sam he "KNEW" was gone, implying that this Sam who's still here, that Dean doesn't know him at all, thereby removing the one condition put on Dean's previous statement. It's not a stretch of logic to conclude then that since Dean doesn't know this Sam, he wants to hunt him. Whether Dean actually feels that way, only he would know. But it wouldn't shock me at all to find out that Sam thinks he feels that way, especially now that Dean has sprung his trap for Sam and locked him up.

"Manned up and plowed through it." I love that, it fits him perfectly.

I really hope that we get to see him "get some rest" and some happiness and peace. But later….much much later so I can watch more of those marvelous expressions of suffering that Ackles does so well.

(Come to think of it, I'll reckon the Soap Angel fans were as disappointed as I was about the fact that none of the characters changed into their jim jams for bed, eh.)

I sense from your beautiful descriptions of our beautiful boy that you are a Samgirl. Padalecki does manage to take what little he’s given and spin it into something marvelous, rather like Rumpelstiltskin except only not so mean and crabby. And YES, YES, you have to keep your eye on him, even if he’s in the background, I do that ALL the time. I just agree with you 100% about Mr. Padalecki’s ability to shift between the polar opposites that are in Sam’s personality, the good and sweet to the evil and desperate. Hell, just standing there waiting to see which way the chips will fall, he’s stunning and interesting and rather adorable and sweet, even if he does have blood all over his chin.

As to whether Show will realize this in time or not, I do not know. I will watch faithfully and record and hopefully give you the information you need.

Thank you for your lovely descriptions of Sam/Padalecki – those are some great images there.

Best Regards,

Sylvia

And of course, Rob, my saying that the ep was about Sam was supposed to come across as sarcasm. In my mind, what was there that was about Sam was what the ep was about, so thusly, the ep was about him. See? I didn’t care what else there was. Sorry that wasn’t more clear for you.

I wasn’t thrilled about the ep either, but I try to take my pleasure where I can. This time around it was Samhair, and lots of it.

Best Regards,

Sylvia

Sam is about as pretty as it gets. And it's not just the hair. Really.

The ep that I felt that most people liked was In the Beginning, or Afterschool Special, or Sex and Violence. I mean, Head of a Pin was GOOD, don’t get me wrong, but I don’t think it’s the most praised ep for this season. Unless I’m missing a poll or something.

Best Regards,

Sylvia

Just kidding. Plenty do, including my good friend in Alaska. She adores him. Aiiiii. With friends like that…..

Show spent far too much time on a minor/soon to die character. Why bother? The story was good, but not that important. I know, I’m preaching to the choir here. I want more of SamnDean. Like, now. Yesterday. But I think we will, did you see the previews? It looks promising, but then, they all do. This season has been very good thus far, VERY good, so my hopes are up.

Pollyannaishly Yours,

Sylvia

I'm always up for learning something new, or new ways to think about characters. Besides, the question of who is more pretty depends on your taste and the time of day, so really, any debate about that better involve LOTS of evidence and pictures, more pictures! (So I can stare at them.)

I’m glad you liked the review, thank you for saying so. Mr. Collins was just outstanding as the Soap Angel, it’s just too bad I have very little use for a character he’s so good at playing!

As for Dean, he makes the BEST big brother ever, and yeah, him in Big Brother mode is my favorite flavor of Dean. Interesting point you make about him only being appreciated then, I know lots of fangirls who like angry Dean, or weepy Dean. Maybe he does it so well because it’s the Dean he’s been doing the longest?

I tend to think that when he gets introspective and shares himself with Sam emotionally, two things happen. First, that Dean’s not used to it, it’s not his strong suit, and he tends to withdraw himself as soon as he’s offered a bit of his soul up. Second, that SAM’s not used to it, and doesn’t really know how to be receptive to that. So both brothers are unable to meet in the middle and thus Dean’s self-discovery goes unnoticed a bit. Anyway, that’s my O.

Best Regards,

Sylvia

I have to say that I think that's just you?

Sam is a hunter, so he's already on other hunter's radars. He's exorcising demons with his powers. Demons who talk to other demons and probably to other hunters when they are caught. Sam is hanging out a demon in his off time. Sam also killed another hunter. I think in Dean's mind, any hunter would be very suspicious of Sam for any of these actions. And they're actions, not the essence of who Sam is.

So I do think that Dean was being very factual when he told Sam, essentially, that his actions would be viewed as suspicious by other hunters (and with good reason). Dean does know Sam. He gave him every benefit of the doubt in Born Under a Bad Sign. He defended him to Gordon in Hunted. So I do think it's significant that Dean prefaced his statement to Sam in Meta in this way.

As for "the Sam I knew, he's gone" statement. Dean specifically told Sam that it wasn't because of the powers or any of that. He was talking about Sam's lies and deception. Not about the powers.

"I honestly haven't seen anything to make me think that Dean cares one way or another what happens to Sam. If he survives the DTs and makes it through the addiction, or if he dies trying, either way it doesn't seem Dean cares."

If after everything Dean has done for Sam over the years isn't indicative of the depth of Dean's love for him, then I just don't know what Dean could possibly do to prove that he loves Sam and cares about him. Dean cares about Sam's life more than his own. And sure, the boys are going through some tough times. Dean has acted in ways I'm sure he feels bad about. Sam has acted in ways I'm sure he feels bad about. BOTH boys have been emotionally distant from each other this season. And BOTH have had periods when they've been angry and cold toward one another.

I think Dean still feels hurt and betrayed because Sam continued to lie to him about using his powers and about Ruby (and I think Dean feels that Sam chose Ruby over him). And remember that Sam used Dean's emotions (being afraid and weak) against him in S&V. So I think that Dean is trying to NOT show emotion here because he's already seen that Sam thinks he's weak. And he's talked to Sam before, he's gotten angry before … and apparently none of that has worked. Dean knows that Sam already has his excuses thought out, and that's why he really wanted Dean to argue with him in the car. So that he could make more excuses for the powers and now the demon blood. I think Dean showed great restraint in his calm reaction because of all these reasons. I don't believe at all that it shows that Dean doesn't care about Sam.

I just have to say that I am really glad that I'm not watching the same show as you. Dean loves and cares about Sam in the show that I'M watching.

"Granted, there’s something to be said for an angsty Dean, somewhat battered, perhaps weepy and disillusioned. But we’ve gotten plenty of that this season in all sorts of ways; it was nice to see Dean assume the role of big brother, looking out for Sam."

You know, I just … hmm. I do agree that Dean is a great big brother (n'aw!) and he does look out for Sam and I always love to see that. But … it makes me really sad for Dean too, because it seems that sometimes Dean is really *only* appreciated when he "assumes the role of big brother, looking out for Sam." It also seems that Dean is sometimes unfairly criticized when he exerts a bit of independence, when he has to deal with his own issues (sometimes in a weepy, angsty way), and when he isn't all about Sam. I know this is probably an unpopular opinion but I greatly appreciate the angst, introspection, and self-discovery by Dean this season. I want Dean to be seen as more than just that big brother/protector of Sam. He's been through a lot this season and he's tired … of the lies and the betrayal by the person he loves and trusts most on this planet … and he's just in this horrible situation with Sam so deep in denial, continuing to lie to Dean and to himself. *sigh*

Sorry for the pro-Dean stuff. I know this is mostly a Sam blog and it seems that most here don't really like Dean. You do a great job with all of your reviews, Sylvia. Thanks!

I think that is part of it, for me, coupled with the fact that we've never seen Dean display this kind of anger at his family before. But still, it's a cumulative thing. He's been increasingly detached from Sam for a while now, before the blood drinking was revealed. But he's under a LOT of strain, I get that, and God knows I would have buckled a long, long time ago, if I were Dean. It just doesn't feel like his actions were primarily motivated by love. Maybe the desire to get Sam clean is, but not the cold way that Dean chose to lock Sam up.

"Dean TRICKED him, which he has never done ever. And I'm not talking the bit with the Nair either. Dean set a trap for him and sprung it, and that's an awful kind of betrayal. Not inadvertent, but on purpose."

That's my point exactly. In fact, you could almost say that the way Dean went about setting up and springing this trap on Sam is the same way that he might set, bait and spring a trap for something that they hunt. After his words to Sam in Metamorphosis, and then in Sex and Violence, I have to imagine that was pretty high on Sam's list of fears, if not the top, that Dean would change his mind about knowing Sam, and decide to hunt him. And in a way, Dean did. The good news for Sam is that saving him, or at least trying to, is still first on Dean's list. And that makes me hurt for Sam, even though he's the one in the wrong with his actions, because that inherent, instinctive trust that he's always had in Dean has been broken, and he might not be able to get it back. I hope he can.

I'm hoping that in the coming episode we might get to hear Dean voice some of his concern, and even love, for Sam. For me personally, that would go a long way to erasing those impressions of Dean as cold and uncaring. It's been a long time since he's said anything to or about Sam that wasn't either flippant, cutting, or just matter of fact. I would love to hear him say something to prove me wrong.

I sincerely hope that they don't push Sam's detox story aside for a secondary character. I will be beyond pissed if that happens. I'm comforting myself with the wee shred of trust I have left in the Supernatural writing staff, and especially in the person who wrote next week's episode. I still cry foul that we've had to wait until literally the end of the season to get any major payoff on Sam's storyline, and the fact that the season will be over in two weeks, and the balance has not been restored. I love this show, I really do, but season 4 is not going to be one I revisit very often once it's over and done. I feel like I've been watching an entire season of another show masquerading as Supernatural.

I couldn't believe it when Castiel!Claire said "As you wish". I just cracked up. I love that movie, and the two lines together just made me giggle so hard. Not necessarily appropriate points for laughter, but hey, it happens when it happens.

Eh, the majority of the complaints I've seen are about the pacing. But most people (except Sam or Dean elitist) like the episode just fine, but found it a little boring. But if episodes largely based around Castiel were never excepted, then On the Head of a Pin wouldn't be excepted at all either. And as far as I could tell, that was one of the most praised episodes this season.

Personally, I didn't mind this episode, it was expected since I new they'd have to do something with the vessel in order to keep Castiel around, but I certainly didn't think it was the worst episode ever, or even the worse one this season. Just a little out of place.