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SPN: 5.17
What was that random title? 99 Problems, or something like that?
Oh, my. They deliberately titled it "99 problems" because they knew that's how many problems the average viewer would pick out, or what? I mean, I realize "Whore of Babylon" is canonical in Revelation, but did they *really* have to have Dean say things always feel better when he can kill a whore? RLY? Show, your misogyny is not attractive.
And of course there's the ending. As someone on my flist said, it sort of came out of left field. I mean, yes, we knew he had domestic dreams of Lisa Braeden from that dream root episode, whatever it was, but it was definitely odd, unless they're trying to show precisely how estranged from Sam he is. Or maybe it's going to turn out Ben really is his son, and the twist next week will be Michael prefers him as a vessel? Otherwise I can't figure out what that detour down memory lane was all about.
Still, there were a few things about the episode I liked:
1. Blue Earth Minnesota! A call-back to Pastor Jim, maybe? Was that originally his church? I loved the beginning where Sam and Dean got to hunt with backup--it's sad that this community ended up going to hell (rather literally), because they were badass and that's kind of my favorite AU for the apocalypse: bringing communities together and them finding skills they didn't know they had before.
2. I really liked the actress playing the prophet, and I thought she did the sincere prophet thing very well. I think it would have been much *more* interesting if her visions had been true angelic visions, though, because we know the angels have their own agendas. They might not have ordered "kill the sinners," but I bet it still would have resulted in a lot of dissension and violence amongst the townsfolk.
3. I also really liked her dad. This is what, the third or fourth time this season where a parent is asked to kill a monstrous child, and can't? I'm starting to think this is foreshadowing, and that we haven't heard the last from God; I suspect in the finale we'll encounter him and find out that God knows he should be ending Lucifer once and for all, since he's become an irredeemable monster, but he can't bring himself to do it, which is why Dean and/or Sam have to do it.
4. I thought Sam was terrific in the whole episode: trying to stay on task (we're going to stop the apocalypse), questioning the emerging cult, and playing counselor to Castiel. I found drunken Castiel moderately amusing, but a little to close to the Castiel of "The End" for comfort.
5. I kind of want Lisa to hit Dean over the head, drag him into her house and call Sam. DEAN, you can't give in so easily, dammit! You're being manipulated! I can't decide if it's Michael or God or fate or what, but YOU SHOULD KNOW BETTER.
Oh, my. They deliberately titled it "99 problems" because they knew that's how many problems the average viewer would pick out, or what? I mean, I realize "Whore of Babylon" is canonical in Revelation, but did they *really* have to have Dean say things always feel better when he can kill a whore? RLY? Show, your misogyny is not attractive.
And of course there's the ending. As someone on my flist said, it sort of came out of left field. I mean, yes, we knew he had domestic dreams of Lisa Braeden from that dream root episode, whatever it was, but it was definitely odd, unless they're trying to show precisely how estranged from Sam he is. Or maybe it's going to turn out Ben really is his son, and the twist next week will be Michael prefers him as a vessel? Otherwise I can't figure out what that detour down memory lane was all about.
Still, there were a few things about the episode I liked:
1. Blue Earth Minnesota! A call-back to Pastor Jim, maybe? Was that originally his church? I loved the beginning where Sam and Dean got to hunt with backup--it's sad that this community ended up going to hell (rather literally), because they were badass and that's kind of my favorite AU for the apocalypse: bringing communities together and them finding skills they didn't know they had before.
2. I really liked the actress playing the prophet, and I thought she did the sincere prophet thing very well. I think it would have been much *more* interesting if her visions had been true angelic visions, though, because we know the angels have their own agendas. They might not have ordered "kill the sinners," but I bet it still would have resulted in a lot of dissension and violence amongst the townsfolk.
3. I also really liked her dad. This is what, the third or fourth time this season where a parent is asked to kill a monstrous child, and can't? I'm starting to think this is foreshadowing, and that we haven't heard the last from God; I suspect in the finale we'll encounter him and find out that God knows he should be ending Lucifer once and for all, since he's become an irredeemable monster, but he can't bring himself to do it, which is why Dean and/or Sam have to do it.
4. I thought Sam was terrific in the whole episode: trying to stay on task (we're going to stop the apocalypse), questioning the emerging cult, and playing counselor to Castiel. I found drunken Castiel moderately amusing, but a little to close to the Castiel of "The End" for comfort.
5. I kind of want Lisa to hit Dean over the head, drag him into her house and call Sam. DEAN, you can't give in so easily, dammit! You're being manipulated! I can't decide if it's Michael or God or fate or what, but YOU SHOULD KNOW BETTER.
no subject
I agree with you that if they don't do something with the Lisa/Ben storyline, then the ending of this episode is completely wasted. And I really wish they had at least foreshadowed it earlier this season--showing another one of Dean's dreams or something. I can see how they represent a type of domestic family-centered happy ending, but it was way too abrupt.
And yeah, I hate that they're making Dean give up, too--and for me it feels a lot more like "stuff the writers are making him do" than Dean really giving up, but that's probably just because the idealized Dean in my head wouldn't give up.
no subject
He played Daniel Jackon in Stargate, and he was a pretty big hit in fandom when it came to slashing, hurt/comfort fan fic etc. I remember an interview where the actor was told the character got beat up a lot in fic online and he was asking what do they not like the character, and he was told no they LOVE the character, and he was like what is that about hee /random
no subject
no subject
Yes, they should totally have mentioned it earlier or something. That part just felt tacked on, unfortunately.
The idealized Dean in my head wouldn't give up, either. I do feel like this is all for the sake of ~drama, but what the hell. We know they'll get through this eventually, what with the renewal and all.