Episode insta reaction - Spoilers!

[amberdreams]

Nothing too deep from me, I'm going to need a rewatch to absorb some of this, but I can say -

I really love that we have Crowley paired with Dean, and Sam with Castiel. It's a new dynamic and feels unpredictable and therefore fresh and exciting.

Crowley with red carnations, the symbol of love while he's talking/wooing Dean? Crowley sounding genuinely concerned about Dean after the mark is transferred? Crowley playing Dean yet somehow 'taking care' of him? Crowley saying nobody hates you more than you do - oh Dean. All really interesting and raises more questions about Crowley's nature, especially after the reveal about Cain. After all, Cain murdered his brother and spent centuries being a demon then turned round and killed his own proteges, and turns out to have a heart...are we now supposed to think it's possible Crowley could be redeemed in some way too?

Oh those parallels between Cain and Dean! Worked so much better than I'd expected when Cain first said they were alike.

Sam gave Castiel a hug! They played the family theme briefly when Cas was apologising to Sam and talking about their greatest hits in the realm of cock up. Cas trying to give Sam something to cling onto, healing his psyche as well as his body.

So on a first watch - this episode has a big thumbs up from me. I really liked Cain. He had a great face, noble and rugged and worn, that made you believe both the danger in him and the potential goodness. I liked the blonde hunter and was gutted she became collateral after all. I liked the fact she had a look of Mary about her to make her and John hooking up very understandable. I liked that the show was back to giving us minor characters who mean something and are memorable. I liked the mix of humour and horror, action and contemplation and the fact that there was a tension building. But best of all I liked that they've now given us two things to focus on for the rest of the season - Sam and Cas hunting Gadreel and Metatron, and Dean and Crowley hunting Abaddon.

I'm hopeful and excited now!

Oh! Edited to say - Sam.  Although I loved this episode I am still really missing Sam. Will the real Sam Winchester please stand up? You know, the one with fire in his belly, who felt passionately about everything? That Sam. I miss him.

And - was it just me or was there a continuity error - I'm sure that demon when he was on the phone in the van had the left side of his face shot away yet later at Cain's it was the right side.

Comments

[zara-zee.livejournal.com]

Yep. Me too. I always enjoy my Show, but this ep has me really excited about the upcoming arcs. I so hope they go somewhere interesting with this latest development and don't just let it fade out. I'm also slightly terrified, because, you know, Cain and Abel…and Dean wearing the mark of Cain. But I have faith in Sam and Dean and the love they have for each other. Dean can't even let Sam die; ain't no way he's gonna kill him. (Everyone needs to say it with me confidently!)

And oh boy...That Fight Scene! Dean.Was.So.Badass. I think I'll be watching that on rewind a few times tonight! :D

Liked the Sam and Cas stuff too. I'm now hoping Sam will fully recover and that his academic, MoL side will flourish in the bunker - he's definitely more Henry than John in that regard - but please writers, don't forget that he can kick ass too...and I'd like to see more of it.

My biggest grrr moment was Tara shooting out the devil's trap, cuz up until then she'd been awesome. I was all really? I mean really? And then she didn't even fix it straight away??? She didn't strike me as stupid!!! That was just lazy writing, and it spoiled a good character for me. :(

The parallels between Cain and Crowley... Hmm... I was so caught up in the Dean/Cain parallels that I didn't really give that more than a cursory thought in passing, but now that you mention it, there's definitely some interesting possibilities there for the development of Crowley's character. I do enjoy Crowley and not just because he gets so many of the best lines!

So yes [joins you in feeling hopeful and excited!]

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

Tara shooting the Devil's trap was daft - though she did have a bad knee so maybe she can't kneel down to scrape it - and yeah I can't believe that was the only demon defence she'd have in her shop!
I definitely want Sam back kicking ass - he's been knocked out so many times this season plus I want Sam back to being a man with some fire in him. Sad Sam is too depressing.

[raloria.livejournal.com]

Loved this ep!

Just wanted to point out the continuity question. I thought that too, at first but it is correct. Remember, the close-up in the van was him looking in the mirror, so it was on the wrong side.

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

Aha! A reflection, that explains it! Thanks!

[freya922.livejournal.com]

I took a peek at your recap because I was half-dead watching -- they put a stupid BASKETBALL GAME on and didn't show the ep until after 11. I therefore could barely process, having been up since 5 am. I thought there was really cool stuff going on, but then a commercial would come on and I'd fall asleep! Can't wait to watch again, fully conscious this time. Even struggling to stay awake, I also really liked Cain and Tara, and LOVE this Crowley & Dean and Cas & Sam dynamic. But I am worried for Dean! What does bearing that mark mean for him now...? Nothing good... I keep wondering if this will al lead to Lucifer making a reappearance at some point. Gadreel and Cain are both Lucifer-involved, you know?

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

Having Lucifer back somehow would actually be brilliant! But yep, the mark of Cain on Dean is a big worry - especially as he is now in that state of mind where he thinks he is going to Hell again whatever he does... Like monicawoe says though, maybe now we are getting set up for Sam to save Dean for a change!

[freya922.livejournal.com]

I would love it if Sam would save Dean... There's no question that Dean is in a very, very dark place. Seeing him in the state he was in during this last episode was scary. He just signed up for God knows what... He's been in some pretty terrible states of mind, but I'm not sure if I've seen him worse off than this.

[thursdaysisters.livejournal.com]

Will the real Sam Winchester please stand up?

Totally, I mean ok let's avoid Productive But Ruthless season 6 Sam, but yeah I wouldn't mind him punching more and moping less now that he's cured.