aesc: (castiel 2)
aesc ([personal profile] aesc) wrote2009-03-12 10:27 pm
Entry tags:

SPN 4.15; or, why I usually don't write episode reviews

Because they're rambling and slightly ridiculous and I have no brilliant insights to offer. Usually it's just confusion and squee, and a bit of WTF?


What I didn't really like
Okay, I was probably thrown off by the fact that what was advertised as the 4.15 trailer on Rabid was probably a teaser for the next several episodes, so I spent most of my 43 minutes wondering what was going on. That didn't help the plot's coherence very much.

Also, I am seriously pissed off about Pamela dying. I like her, I like her character, and I think it sort of sucks that she's the token second-line starter who gets offed. SPN people, STOP DOING THAT, okay? Seriously! I'm still upset about Hendricksen. God.

What I liked a whole lot
CASTIEL CASTIEL CASTIEL. With the smiting and some frustrated sarcasm ("Whatever I ask you to do, you do the exact opposite") and an admission ("You're different" a;sdlksjds;dlkjse!!!) that of course is not followed up on.

Dean's reaction to not dying when he was supposed to. You know, I started out as a total Sam girl, but as I've been rewatching the series and watching the characters' evolutions in S4, I'm a whole lot more in favor of Dean than I was. When he tells Tessa he knew he should have died, and that he wanted to go with her and knew he should have... Jesus. That's... God, Kripke, rip out my goddamned withered, cynical old heart and stomp on it, why don't you. GRAH.

.eta: Also, he recruited Sam and Dean? On God's orders or on his own initiative, like God or whoever was, "Okay, find me some people to help us the fuck out," and Castiel was all, "Hey, I know a guy"? I need to rewatch to get the scene again, but that might have to wait until I get home, thank you stupid computer.

CHRISTOPHER GODDAMN HEYERDAHL, MY FRIENDS. He was awesome as Halling and Todd in SGA, and he has that slightly-scary sort of gauntness (especially with his short hair) that I think Alastair would really appreciate.

The kid was also pretty awesome. Yoda ♥

Overall... The plot was a bit sticky, and I am angry about Pamela. It felt very transition-y, to get us back into the major storyarc for the season after the regular case episodes, so maybe the next episode will pick up. (To me, it always seems like the last part of a season seems rushed, like the writers are suddenly all, "Shit, we only have six more episodes! Crap!" and start cramming stuff in. Curiously, this is how I write my papers. SPN WRITERS, HIRE ME! I KNOW YOUR METHODOLOGY!) Anyway, dammit, I want me some disobedience!
tigriswolf: (Default)

[personal profile] tigriswolf 2009-03-13 02:44 am (UTC)(link)
That was Todd? Awesome!

[identity profile] aesc.livejournal.com 2009-03-13 02:48 am (UTC)(link)
You better believe it! That made me kind of stupidly happy :D
ext_1718: (Default)

[identity profile] beeej.livejournal.com 2009-03-13 03:07 am (UTC)(link)
Chris! He does creepy sooooo well! Not sure I like the creepy little voice he's doing there, though. I love his own lovely, melodious voice so much.

[identity profile] aesc.livejournal.com 2009-03-13 03:14 am (UTC)(link)
He does! And he pulls it off without the Wraith getup :D
elderwitty: a close-up of the center, swirling petals of a deep pink tea rose (Default)

[personal profile] elderwitty 2009-03-13 04:54 am (UTC)(link)
Little known fact. Marlon Brando? Was a demon.

It's true! Both actors for Alistaire had that Godfather voice. What else could it mean?

[identity profile] aesc.livejournal.com 2009-03-13 01:01 pm (UTC)(link)
So much is explained! :D
elderwitty: a close-up of the center, swirling petals of a deep pink tea rose (Default)

[personal profile] elderwitty 2009-03-13 05:46 pm (UTC)(link)
I wonder if perhaps Gluttony got out before for a short spell before the events of The Magnificent Seven?

My station (for reasons that remain unfathomable) decided to run Supernatural this coming Saturday, so I haven't gotten to see it yet.

Me is woe.

ext_1718: (Default)

[identity profile] beeej.livejournal.com 2009-03-13 04:17 pm (UTC)(link)
So that explains the The Island of Dr. Moreau.
elderwitty: a close-up of the center, swirling petals of a deep pink tea rose (Default)

[personal profile] elderwitty 2009-03-13 05:40 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm not sure that even demon activity could explain The Island of Dr. Moreau, but, okay, let's go with that. At least it's some reason other than mass insanity.

[identity profile] ras-elased.livejournal.com 2009-03-13 03:12 am (UTC)(link)
This episode had me up until the ending, when it implied that there are no happy endings because nobody goes to a "better place," on the episode dedicated to Kim Manners. That, right there, has made me so pissed off I've decided I'm not going to continue to watch the show. :(

[identity profile] aesc.livejournal.com 2009-03-13 03:25 am (UTC)(link)
For what it's worth, I didn't mind the implication because I'm one of those who doesn't really buy the idea that there's "a better place" in the sense that most people see it. But there's the implication, they don't come right out and say it, because you can't know that, you can't know what's coming after the big lights-out. And it may be that "the better place" isn't sunshine and harps, is just simply peace, and oblivion, and not being stuck here in the insanity anymore. Dean's said it several times, he just wants out, it doesn't matter if what's waiting, or if nothing's waiting. It's a balance you do your part to keep by living and dying, and there's a terrible, necessary beauty in that.

And I don't know what Kim Manners thought, or believed, or if it's even relevant to the storyline he's helped work out. (Also, I have a feeling the dedication came up because they wanted to be timely, rather than topical; and I have the feeling that nothing in the rest of the season is going to be the kind of sentiment you would put on a condolence card.)

[identity profile] madeline871.livejournal.com 2009-03-13 03:16 am (UTC)(link)
I think it sort of sucks that she's the token second-line starter who gets offed.

It totally sucks! I felt the same way about Hendricksen too. I guess I'm going to have to find some solace in the fact that if they're going to kill off the people I like, that also means a healthy dose of the ones I don't like. I'm going to keep my fingers crossed on that one.

"Okay, find me some people to help us the fuck out," and Castiel was all, "Hey, I know a guy"?

I need your LOWL macro - immediately!

[identity profile] aesc.livejournal.com 2009-03-13 03:28 am (UTC)(link)
I guess I'm going to have to find some solace in the fact that if they're going to kill off the people I like, that also means a healthy dose of the ones I don't like.

I've never really liked zero-sum games XD It's just... grah! Leave a few of the good, cool people, okay, writers? Grah! I mean, I like Pamela. She puts Dean just a bit off his game, and that's always something I enjoy :D

I need your LOWL macro - immediately!

Image


Here you go! :D

[identity profile] mystisblom.livejournal.com 2009-03-13 08:02 am (UTC)(link)
I always was a Deangirl, and I'm pretty sure that nothing can change that *G*

I totaly agree about Christopher Heyerdahl. He rocked those scenes. On the other hand the whole Pamela thing felt quite disapointing. She was like you said quite the cool character. But know I just hope that we see Tessa again because I really liked her. She's and interesting character and I would love to see her at least when it comes to the whole showdown.

[identity profile] aesc.livejournal.com 2009-03-13 01:03 pm (UTC)(link)
Hee, I had to grow into my Deanness, I suppose :D
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[identity profile] smilla02.livejournal.com 2009-03-13 11:18 am (UTC)(link)
H!!!! I don't have time now. But I'll come back later. All I wanted to say is. SHOW IS BACK!
Oh, boys!
♥ ♥ ♥

[identity profile] aesc.livejournal.com 2009-03-13 01:03 pm (UTC)(link)
a;lskjds;dlksdjs;dsdlkjsdslkjd *FLAILS AT YOU, A!!!*
ext_13391: (Default)

[identity profile] smilla02.livejournal.com 2009-03-13 02:50 pm (UTC)(link)
Show brought back the FLAIL! *l*

When he tells Tessa he knew he should have died, and that he wanted to go with her and knew he should have... Jesus.

You know I'm totally convinced that Dean was ready to go with Tessa in IMToD and it makes sense that if there's a moemnt he would change, now that he knows what happened that day, it would be this one. I love that it plays in this general theme of messing up with the natural order of things. I love that it shows a complete awareness of Dean and what went wrong, or were things went wrong. *sighs*

I'm angry about Pamela as well. But yes, this was a great episode. And Castiel, you know, he almost smiled. He tricked Dean. Isn't Castiel starting to exhibit humans trait? It's just me? Oh, well...
:P

[identity profile] aesc.livejournal.com 2009-03-13 03:17 pm (UTC)(link)
Show brought back the FLAIL! *l*

Heee, I almost exploded from having to hold it in, because my mom was watching it with me (she likes SPN now, it's the strangest thing, because SPN is so not her type of show at all, but we've finished S1 and are up to "Simon Says" today).

You know I'm totally convinced that Dean was ready to go with Tessa in IMToD

One of the things I'm constantly struck by is how tired Dean is, how he knows he's been running way past the distance he was meant to run, and he's given more than anyone can possibly give to keep his family together. And I can't fathom that sort of pain, that he's watching Sam slip away from him after everything he's done, and had done to him. God, I hope there'll still be a happy ending for him anyway, even though Tessa says there isn't.

He tricked Dean. Isn't Castiel starting to exhibit humans trait? It's just me?

Heee, and with the almost-jokes! Dean was all, "What the hell?!" and Castiel was all, "Guess again" XD And Castiel having that insight about Dean, that pretty much the only person in the world who could tell Dean what to do and have Dean listen was John, and figuring out a way around that :D

It's sort of interesting that angels can lie through their teeth if they have to :D

(And, of course, the smiting!)

[identity profile] not-sally.livejournal.com 2009-03-13 03:18 pm (UTC)(link)
I swear, I saw his name and squee-ed so much, you'd think I actually expected him in Todd-gear and making eyes at Dean or something.
But srly, as the new-Stan kind of role, they couldn't have picked anyone better.

[identity profile] aesc.livejournal.com 2009-03-13 04:44 pm (UTC)(link)
and making eyes at Dean or something.

That might have made it even better :D In a completely sick, twisted way of course :D

[identity profile] the-reverand.livejournal.com 2009-03-13 05:43 pm (UTC)(link)
I haven't been closely following this season. I wait for DVDs! Because I suck at being home on a Thursday night at 9pm and actually remembering to tune in with anything like consistency.

Uh, but anyway.

There is some crazy junk going on this season. That was my first thought. The only other ep with Pamela that I have seen was the season premiere, so I wasn't so broken up about her. Craziness aside, I loved the Dean scenes with Tessa. (I've been a Dean girl all the way. Sam has had to grow on me! Like freakishly tall mold!) And even though I have no idea why they were "ghosts" (I was sort of doing dishes at the same time), I dug the kid ("who's Mr. Miagi") and the boys learning ghost moves. :)

Castiel is growing on me, too. I look forward to really watching this season to get to know him.

[identity profile] the-reverand.livejournal.com 2009-03-13 05:44 pm (UTC)(link)
Also! Hi! *realizes she just randomly appeared in your journal after a good long while of not appearing at all*

[identity profile] aesc.livejournal.com 2009-03-13 05:56 pm (UTC)(link)
Hey, stranger!! I recognize you!

Because I suck at being home on a Thursday night at 9pm and actually remembering to tune in with anything like consistency.

I usually go the Internets route myself (and then buy the DVDs), because I require the absence of my roommate in order to watch the shows I like. (She is one of those people who criticizes everything, and has no internal censor that suggests maybe people would just like to watch their questionable TV in peace.)

dug the kid ("who's Mr. Miagi") and the boys learning ghost moves. :)

I loved that Dean was sort of horrified that the kid obviously had no clue about Karate Kid. Mostly because I have similar moments when I reference something from 80s/early 90s culture and my students regard me with similar expressions of incomprehension. I FEEL YOUR PAIN, DEAN.

Castiel is growing on me, too. I look forward to really watching this season to get to know him.

He's so awesome ♥
seleneheart: (Default)

[personal profile] seleneheart 2009-03-14 01:32 am (UTC)(link)
oooh, you're one of the people on my flist that would know . . . does CH really talk like that?? As Todd, his voice was distorted and I don't remember how he sounded as Halling (and can't be bothered to dig through my Atlantis DVDs).

[identity profile] aesc.livejournal.com 2009-03-14 12:44 pm (UTC)(link)
He doesn't! He actually has a very pleasant, rich voice... definitely not Brando-like at all ;)

[identity profile] winter-rogue.livejournal.com 2009-03-18 03:51 pm (UTC)(link)
Christopher Heyerdahl = the shit. i squeed out loud when i saw his name in the open credits.

[identity profile] aesc.livejournal.com 2009-03-19 01:19 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeah, that pleased me to a ridiculous extent :D :D :D

And more of him this week, too!!