Episode reaction - musings

[amberdreams]

Spoilers ahoy!

So this episode, combined with the last two, has been giving me thinky thoughts.

I didn't feel there were too many storylines even though there were several being run past us in this episode, and I think this was because the writing and direction were tight enough to convey them all without it getting overwhelming. I really enjoyed the feeling of all these threads being thrown out there and unravelling a bit - I found it was tantalising and tempting rather than muddy and muddled. So yay for Bobo Berens and Mr Showalter (which is a great name!)!

I read indiachick's reaction post which talks about Amara being something like Kali and Hindu religion and that meshes very nicely with how much I like this whole God's sister thing. Opposites, yin and yang, siblings, Cain and Abel, Sam and Dean. All the possibilities for parallels and apostacy, and yes Kali too. Most excellent.

When Amara was speculating on why she didn't want to kill Dean, I took her imprinting idea with a pinch of salt - though maybe there is something in that thought...that a newborn creature imprints on the first creature it sees. I am hoping they will develop this relationship to explore what their bond could be, because it clearly works both ways. Dean could no more kill Amara than vice versa, and his second attempt felt half hearted at best. I don't think he was certain he wasn't going to be able to kill her when he allowed Sam to hold the corridor, but I felt that both Sam and Dean were testing it out (consciously or unconsciously, I don't know) - would Dean do it or not?

Even Crowley wasn't annoying in this one. I liked that we got to hear more about his motivation, were given a feeling that he might actually be starting to care for Amara, and his trying to manage the Darkness like a troubled teenager was quite funny. I loved how dark that got when she turned on him.

I'm also liking how they are playing Amara as human but distinctly cold and unfeeling, even while she's kicking ass. It's giving her a real menace, plus setting her apart from the old fashioned good and evil we are used to. I hope they manage to work on this and keep her unsettling and different.

I'm still not sure about Castiel's storyline but I was happy enough with the way he and Metatron were woven into the fabric of the story this week. Metatron is an annoying little toe-rag, but it's good to have characters we love to hate. And like Cas, I wasn't moved by his new plight (or his beating though I am finding all this face pummelling in SPN a bit brutal).

So really, the last three episodes are cooking on gas for me!

Comments

[jj1564.livejournal.com]

Oh that's interesting about Kali, I'll be looking at indiachick's review too. I agree with everything you've said, especially how menacing Amara is, which is a testament not only to the writing and directing but to the skill of the three young actresses who have played her.

I'm really excited to see where we go from here - it's definitely cooking with gas for me too!

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

Yep, of course this is Kali from our universe, not the one from the SPN universe :D I so agree about the Amara actresses - they've been bostin!

[jj1564.livejournal.com]

I am so impressed by the young actors they get on SPN, they are usually fantastic. I watched "Fan Fiction" tonight - yes, again! - with my sister and she thought all the girls in it, especially Marie, were brilliant.

[madebyme-x.livejournal.com]

Yes! Unifying all the different story lines (with fight scenes and actual words!) just worked for me here.

I loved the actress that played Amara, and that disturbing calmness and sense of control that she brought was eerie and had a sense of the 'uncanny' and other to it. The imprinting thing sounded more of a guess on her part for me, like she wasn't sure either. I love how they're playing on the unknown too.

God and Amara being siblings - perfect twist (Amara is settling the 'oldest score', but how? And are we going to see God?) And we saw THE CAGE - I was so hoping that we were going to see it, and now that we have it didn't disappoint - very reminiscent of Dean in hell in 3.16, and those curled fingers around the metal(but whose?), and Sam's face and how he closed his eyes in the library.

I could have done with less Metatron (he bores me terribly, I can't even hate him, and I love to hate SPN 'baddies' *sigh*)

And I'm with you, so many strong episodes in a row!!! And we haven't really had a stand alone yet.

Thank you for reaction, I love to read these!

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

I agree with you, I don't think Amara understands what's happening yet, and that's making things even better - she's not plotting to take over the world (yet), her driver is different. But of course, that raises the question. If she were to find God and kill him/take her revenge, what would happen to God's creation?

I love reading other people's thinky thoughts because that always sparks more for me - it's a real big part of my enjoyment of the show now, all the discussion afterwards (and of course the lovely fanfics that spring out of it) - thanks for adding your thoughts too!

[reapertownusa.livejournal.com]

I always love Crowley, and Amara has been such an interesting character. She's developing independence so quickly that it will be interesting to see where they take her — especially in regards to her relationship with Dean and perception of the world.

I'm only a fan of pummelling Dean, and I did quite like his mirror impact... Poor boy ;)

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

Yes, I'm enjoying all the hurt this season! I mean, we even had injuries that lasted over a couple of episodes!