Initial thoughts on 9.01

[caranfindel]

Spoilers ahoy!

First, I'm having DVR issues and I couldn't get the TV remote to work, so even though it was recording, I couldn't actually tune into the CW until 15 or 20 minutes into the show. There was much cursing. But it ended up being a good thing because I was able to skip all the commercials.

Second, I tried to remain unspoiled, which was obviously futile (because, hello, Internet), but I only knew vague things. Which led to several delightful things I didn't expect...

When we opened on a seemingly-healthy Sam in the car with Dean, I thought they were going to have him collapse later in the episode, which would have completely ignored his fragile state at the end of Sacrifice and I was not happy. So the fake-out completely faked me out and I loved it.

I was also faked out by the Bobby spoilers. I was not happy about Bobby coming back as a character. Not that I don't adore Bobby, but the impact of Bobby's death decreases every time he comes back. So having him come back simply as a figment of Sam's mind was perfect and beautiful and thank you, writers. Because of course Bobby's going to be in Sam's head.

I knew Dean was going to do something inappropriate to save Sam, and like many fans, I assumed it was going to involve demon blood. I absolutely did not see that twist coming.

Other things I loved...

• Crowley is in the trunk. Oh my f-ing god, Crowley is still in the trunk. (But where did the weapons go?)


• Death's respect for Sam. Now, can we assume that this really is Death talking, and not Death as a figment of Sam's imagination? I hope so.


• Dean surreptitiously marking the angel banishing sigil on the floor. I love you, badass Dean.


• Castiel surreptitiously fastening his seatbelt and grabbing the steering wheel. I love you, badass Cas. (I also love you clad only in boxers. Just saying.)


• The fact that Dean (via Ezekiel) was able to hear Sam's wish to die, and stay dead, so that he wouldn't cause any more harm to others. Dean, please see how fucked up your baby brother is. Please see what you do to him when you sacrifice yourself for him.

Things that made me sad...

• I liked Bobby pointing out that Sam saved the world and deserved a break, but it was really Sam speaking to himself. I'd really like someone other than Sam to give him this affirmation.


• No more trench coat.

Things I was confused about...

• When Dean confronted Sam in the cottage, was that really Dean? Or was it Ezekiel posing as Dean? I desperately hope it was Dean, because I want him to see that Sam was completely ready to check out until his brother asked him not to. I want him to really understand what Sam did for him. I want Dean to see how much Sam loves him and what he'll do for him, because he just doesn't always get that.


• Why are angels after Dean? I can see why they'd be after Castiel, but why Dean? Are they aware of his plot to close Heaven?


• Why can Sam eject Ezekiel? Is it because he didn't give true informed consent, or can any vessel eject their angel (because if that was the case, it certainly would have solved some issues for Sam)?

Things I didn't like...

• For God's sake, please, someone cut Sam's hair. How is it that Jared can look so awesome with that hair in real life, but it looks like crap on Sam?


• Seriously, boys, how long are you going to leave Crowley in the trunk? And where *are* the weapons?

In conclusion...

I didn't watch the previews for next week, if there were any, so I'm still relatively unspoiled. So let me make my prediction here... I believe Ezekiel is going to turn out to be a bad thing. Not just that Sam will be angry that Dean tricked him into becoming a vessel (because, oh yeah, that's definitely coming), but that Ezekiel himself is going to be a villain. Let's see what happens.

Bottom line... Show is back, and there was much rejoicing. \o/

Comments

[indiachick.livejournal.com]

I think it was Dean? It has to be Dean, right, because Ezekiel speaks so differently from Dean but the one in Sam's head talking to him was definitely using Dean-speak? And if it were indeed Ezekiel, how would he know about the church? I JUST WANT IT TO BE DEAN, IDEK.

I liked this episode, but Sam's hair, yessssssss :( :( I usually LOVE Sam-hair, what happened here, bb, what? :D I was also pleasantly surprised by the Castiel story.

I have a bit of Ezekiel speculation on my journal but I'm kinda torn about whether he'll be a villain or not. I think Sam can eject Ezekiel because there's no informed consent, and so far Ezekiel seems the kind of angel that'll actually leave if ejected.

Excited for next week! Saw the promo, and it's very ooh-inducing :D

[caranfindel.livejournal.com]

I have a new Ezekiel theory, courtesy of monicawoe. Maybe Ezekiel is not really Ezekiel. Castiel vouched for him without actually seeing/sensing the angel calling himself Ezekiel. And the other angel in the parking garage DID NOT RECOGNIZE HIM. (Commence flailing)

[indiachick.livejournal.com]

EXACTLY. I thought EXACTLY THIS. Yikes!

[kalliel]

I WANT THIS SO BADLY. (Sorry Sam, that probably won't end well for you.) But goddddddd. It would be so brilliant I can't even.

[kalliel]

IT IS TRULY STRANGE how fantastic Jared's hair looks on Jared and how un-fantastic it looks on Sam. XD I didn't particularly notice it this ep (distracted!) but just in general, you are so right. Clearly Jared knows something Sam doesn't...

I loved Castiel's surreptitious seat belt maneuver, omg. And shit, I actually had something I wanted to pick up that occurred to me when I was reading your post besides me just saying "YES!" back to you over and over again--gah, what was it???? OH RIGHT, right. The Dean seeing what his crazy affinity for self-sacrifice does to Sam thing; when I watched it couldn't quite figure out what was pinging me about that, but you've put it wonderfully here. Sam's in there trying to make sure his death will be permanent, not only because, well, let's face it, that's as it should be, but also specifically trying to make sure no one (read: Dean) will make and deals, work and spells, do any of that... And then Ezekiel!Dean comes in and essentially threatens suicide by saying "there ain't no me if there ain't no you." (There are probably other readings of that line, as well, but knowing Dean's track record with this, oh god my heart.) And that's what changes Sam's mind. It's SO horrific and so sad and askfja;slkfja;kfja;k

[tammallamma.livejournal.com]

Dean offers Death junk food. I don't think that Ezekiel would have known about that, so I think it proves that he was the real Dean. At least that's my theory.

Thanks for the great recap!

[caranfindel.livejournal.com]

I like your theory! Thanks for commenting. :-)