While I believe Sam would have let Dean go if the tables were turned, I don't think Dean understands why and I think this is just going to push him deeper into his spiral of depression and self-loathing Yeah, definitely. I don't think Dean can grok that on an emotional level. Maybe not ever. It's an interesting examination of this facet of Dean's character.
What's weird to me is that they have both already been through this. We have long ago established that Sam can and will let Dean go, but the reverse isn't true. They practically traded off: s2 Dean can't let Sam go. s3 Sam lets Dean go to hell. s4 they work separated and let Lucifer out. s5 is the only season where Dean's codependence is actually the saving grace.
I forget what happens in s6 and 7 finales, but we know at some point Dean accepts that Sam is gone and lives a life. And then there is the trickster thing, where Sam had to accept that Dean was dead and became a coldly focused hunter. And Sam didn't try to get Dean out of purgatory, right?
My point is that this isn't new territory, but it's like they're exploring it in slow motion now? I guess? And I am really really REALLY glad that Sam voices his concerns about the dark, stark-terror fear that is at the heart of Dean's selflessness. It's also been said before, that Sam thinks Dean is selfish for wanting to die first. But in this season the explicit consent issues involved with actively refusing to let Sam die are being examined. It's like that old saying: there's no such thing as altruism.
And it's a great relief to me to know that this is, in fact, going to be addressed by the writers. It's weird that I spent 11.5 episodes wondering if the nature of Dean's transgressions, and their impetus were even being understood by Carver et al. Irrespective of whether or not Dean did it for 'the right' reasons or whatever else, the issue of there even being an issue of consent for Sam was concerning to me. SO that's awesome, now that it's out in the open.
ION: Dean is highly feminized in this episode, again. Take note of the fact that their conversation in the beginning, and the whole recurring 'just stating a fact' bit would have gone precisely the same way if Dean had been Sam's wife. That is how old married couples (not)fight.
Also, he's ready with the clever quip about weight and age, and then is immediately called on doing the same thing.
When Alfonso called him the 'new guy' and accused him of flirting with Sam (another instance of feminization? Or just tired old queer baiting {from the viewer's pov}/homophobia {in universe}?) for a second I thought Dean's undercover name was 'Novak.' And had to rewind and turn up the volume.
All in all, this episode soothed a lot of my ruffled feathers. I'm still not sure why they're doing this--already been done, and it's not wise to alienate viewers from the beloved POV character for so long--I'm glad that it seems to be getting done in a fairly competent manner.
Also, yeah, Jared did a really good job in the last scene. He outshone Jensen, even, which is an interesting switch.
And while the thing about grayish shades between monsters and humans has also been done in past seasons (and obviously they are gearing up to let Crowley live. This lady and Garth as a werewolf. Where else can it be going?) I enjoyed the MotW plot. They're like a cross between the adipose and the Wraith?
Re: 9x13 - The Purge
What's weird to me is that they have both already been through this. We have long ago established that Sam can and will let Dean go, but the reverse isn't true. They practically traded off: s2 Dean can't let Sam go. s3 Sam lets Dean go to hell. s4 they work separated and let Lucifer out. s5 is the only season where Dean's codependence is actually the saving grace.
I forget what happens in s6 and 7 finales, but we know at some point Dean accepts that Sam is gone and lives a life. And then there is the trickster thing, where Sam had to accept that Dean was dead and became a coldly focused hunter. And Sam didn't try to get Dean out of purgatory, right?
My point is that this isn't new territory, but it's like they're exploring it in slow motion now? I guess? And I am really really REALLY glad that Sam voices his concerns about the dark, stark-terror fear that is at the heart of Dean's selflessness. It's also been said before, that Sam thinks Dean is selfish for wanting to die first. But in this season the explicit consent issues involved with actively refusing to let Sam die are being examined. It's like that old saying: there's no such thing as altruism.
And it's a great relief to me to know that this is, in fact, going to be addressed by the writers. It's weird that I spent 11.5 episodes wondering if the nature of Dean's transgressions, and their impetus were even being understood by Carver et al. Irrespective of whether or not Dean did it for 'the right' reasons or whatever else, the issue of there even being an issue of consent for Sam was concerning to me. SO that's awesome, now that it's out in the open.
ION: Dean is highly feminized in this episode, again. Take note of the fact that their conversation in the beginning, and the whole recurring 'just stating a fact' bit would have gone precisely the same way if Dean had been Sam's wife. That is how old married couples (not)fight.
Also, he's ready with the clever quip about weight and age, and then is immediately called on doing the same thing.
When Alfonso called him the 'new guy' and accused him of flirting with Sam (another instance of feminization? Or just tired old queer baiting {from the viewer's pov}/homophobia {in universe}?) for a second I thought Dean's undercover name was 'Novak.' And had to rewind and turn up the volume.
All in all, this episode soothed a lot of my ruffled feathers. I'm still not sure why they're doing this--already been done, and it's not wise to alienate viewers from the beloved POV character for so long--I'm glad that it seems to be getting done in a fairly competent manner.
Also, yeah, Jared did a really good job in the last scene. He outshone Jensen, even, which is an interesting switch.
And while the thing about grayish shades between monsters and humans has also been done in past seasons (and obviously they are gearing up to let Crowley live. This lady and Garth as a werewolf. Where else can it be going?) I enjoyed the MotW plot. They're like a cross between the adipose and the Wraith?