11.03 Initial reaction: Mega Coven!
Oct. 22nd, 2015 10:35 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
caranfindelThe "Then" warns us this is going to be a Rowena episode.
Now!
Oh, look, it's Rowena. What a surprise. She's trying to recruit witches to join her Mega Coven, and the only interesting thing here is that everyone's reaction to "Mega Coven" reminds me of Austin Powers and everyone's reaction to Dr. Evil's demand for one million dollars. And she finds out Crowley is alive. And we also learn that if you want to stop a demon, just toss a bunch of tables in front of him. Demons can't move furniture. Good to know. Next!
On the Crowley side, Amara is listening to Hitler's Nuremburg speeches translated into English, which makes me wonder why The Darkness would speak English and only English. (I guess someone else wondered the same thing, because later Amara is reading Dante's Inferno in the original Italian.) She's not all that interested in "Uncle Crowley's" attempts to win her affection or loyalty (and when he gives her a too-small bloodstained dress and a book intended for a very young child I tend to agree; I wouldn't be impressed either.) And she's hungry so she's eating souls, with or without Uncle Crowley's permission. Demon souls? Or the souls of the people who inhabited those meatsuits? And when she looks in a mirror, she talks to Dean's version of The Darkness, confirming that they are one and the same. If you needed confirmation of that. And then her consumption of souls leads to a growth spurt and she turns into an angry teenager. And I think that's all we need to know about the misadventures of Crowley and Amara. Let's get to the reason we're here, shall we?
Team Free Will discusses what to do about the Darkness. Sam, for some reason, thinks it's possible God is still in the picture. Does this mean he accepted that he got a sign from God last week? Cas is wrapped up in a blanket and chained to the floor because he's still under that spell that makes his eyes red. I wonder if Visine would cure it. No, apparently only Rowena can cure it, so they need to find her. And I guess we get to thank director Jensen Ackles for the beautiful closeups in this scene, particularly of Sam.
Thank you, Mr. Ackles.
We also get this cute exchange:
I hate to point this out, but you both know who we might need to help deal with the Darkness.
Don't even say it.
He was God's scribe. He did hear about everything.
That's JUST LIKE saying it.
So Sam wants to find Metatron, and Dean wants to find Rowena, and Cas sounds more and more like my snoring bassett hound and then has a seizure. When he comes out of it, he tells them he can hear angel radio, and he knows the angels are looking for Metatron.
Things I like about this scene:
- The way Dean steps back a bit when he asks "Are these voices telling you to hurt someone?"
- The lighting - all of the Bunker scenes are really beautifully lit.
I watch it for the lighting.
There's a cute throwaway scene where an angel and a demon commiserate about how much their jobs suck, and maybe start to plot an overthrow.
Power to the people, my friend.
Well, not actually people.
You know what I mean.
Maybe it's not a throwaway. Maybe these two will actually bring start a coup. That would be interesting. (Maybe.)
Sam and Dean suit up \o/ and talk to the witch who survived lunch with Rowena, and there are several things to enjoy in this scene:
- Sam throwing the jargon around when he explains "scrying" for the audience
- The deft grabbing, tossing, and catching of the witch's purse
- Dean's "and I have a fake badge" wink \o/ and grin
But my boobs are real.
The witch locates Rowena for them, and they capture her by pretending to be a taxi driver, which gives us Dean in a Hawaiian shirt and sunglasses, and if that isn't a good time, I don't know what is.
Sand between our toes, Sammy.
And once again, thank you, Mr. Ackles.
They chain her up in the dungeon and go to retrieve Cas, but he's gone, because he hulked out and headed for Metatron's last known location. Did the Busty Asian Beauties ad activate the spell? Really, that little joke can stop anytime. Anyway. Good things about this scene:
- Dean flinging his feet onto the table and kicking off Rowena's bags
- Annoyed Sam/panicky Sam
- Rowena sparring with Dean (confirming that I don't like her on her own, but I love her with the Winchesters)
- "What new Hell has Dean Winchester unleashed upon the world?"
I look damn good in this dungeon.
While the boys driving around tracking Cas, Rowena reveals her deal with Sam. Dean didn't know about it, and he bitches about secrets, but since this one happened before the big "no more secrets" talk, I'm going to give Sam a pass. (Also? I'm pretty sure he didn't tell Dean he was infected by the Darkness. Just a reminder.)
Da fuq?
Aw crap.
Hulked-out Cas attacks a woman who is truly Horror Movie Stupid and I'm not saying she deserves to die, just that sometimes Darwinism works. Oh, but she's not going to die, because here's Dean. Dean convinces Cas to let her go, and then gets beaten for his trouble. Though not as badly as the last time Cas beat him up. Or the last time he beat up Cas. Just enough to, you know. Look good, with the blood and all. (Note to those of you who may be new here: I have a problem.)
Dean is saved when Sam and Rowena show up, with Sam holding a gun to Rowena's head and forcing her to undo the spell.
Sam's legs. You're welcome.
Sam's throat. You're welcome.
Cas goes into convulsions again when Rowena breaks the spell, so there's some head-holding and anxious "Cas!" from Dean for the Destiel fans.
For the Destiel fans. You're welcome.
And then Rowena flings Sam and his witch-killing bullets aside and makes her escape. Well, who could have seen that coming?
Back at the bunker, the Impala is parked outside as always, because they apparently lost the key to the garage. I guess that's why Sam always has to steal a car when he needs one. Dean has an ice pack on his bruised face, but he insists Cas doesn't owe him an apology, that it wasn't his fault, because he was under a spell. "Besides, I had it coming." Which is true. But it's also true that Dean was under a spell too, so, mixed messages here. (Also, Dean's hair is longer. Not Demon!Dean long, but I like it.)
I know it looks like I'm mad at you, Cas, but that's just my special combination of guilt, self-loathing, angst, and manpain. And my pretty pretty bruised and bloody face. Because Caranfindel has a problem.
(You know what's wrong with this review? Needs more Sam.)
Ah. That's better.
So. This one was kind of meh to me. Better on rewatch, maybe because my expectations were lower. I'd still watch it again gladly, because my god, the guys are so freaking pretty in this one. I know I say that a lot, but this episode is really spectacular. I swear, those loving closeups of Sam make me think there might be some truth to all that J/J fanfic. L ooking at this one, and Soul Survivor (which he also directed, right?), I think we need a lot more direction from Mr. Ackles. A lot more.
I'm unspoiled, including the previews, please help me stay that way!
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Date: 2015-10-22 03:52 pm (UTC)i also thought it was meh. it was not bad by any means, i felt it just pushed thing along in a non-spectacular fashion. i liked pouty little amarra okay. i liked rowena (mega coven!!! rotfl) but i am sooooooooooooo tired of castiel.
Winking!Dean - priceless!
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Date: 2015-10-22 06:34 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-10-22 04:26 pm (UTC)I wish they'd dump the asian fetish porn. It wouldn't be an ep written by Ross-Leming and Buckner without some over the top torture or tasteless pointless sexual hijinks though.
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Date: 2015-10-22 06:33 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-10-22 04:31 pm (UTC)Learn more about LiveJournal Ratings in FAQ (https://www.dreamwidth.org/support/faqbrowse?faqid=303).
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Date: 2015-10-22 05:22 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-10-22 06:31 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-10-22 06:09 pm (UTC)It's clear being the king of hell has made Crowley rusty at knowing what people want, if his inability to read Amara is anything to go by. I really want to see Amara try to eat Crowley's soul. Really, really, really. Then again, it's not like he's had any kind of role model in how to be a good parent OR uncle.
But at least in Hell she's far away from Dean. Not that that means we got to avoid that clip of her staring soulfully at Dean, which I am seriously getting tired of. It is nice to have non-Mark of Cain Dean solidly back again. Let Cas heal your face, though. You're too pretty to look all lumpy.
Rowena far away from Crowley still remains entertaining, although she really needs help with her branding and her recruiting. At this rate she might as well just kill all the old witches and start fresh. (Or turn them all into hamsters and start a pet shop. Little Coven of Horrors, perhaps.) A little annoyed that Rowena overpowered Sam there at the end because YOU KNOW BETTER, SAM. But Sam showing up with the gun to her head was awesome, even though he still manages to keep the puppy dog-innocent look going instead of steely-eyed Sam.
And oh, Sam. Keep on doing what you do... suffering in silence, not telling anyone that you are worried about visions and voices. Your wide-open eyes, silences, and that look of near-panic when you held the gun on Rowena looks worryingly close to back when you had Lucifer rattling around in your brain. I wish we fans didn't love it so much when you suffer stoically, but you do it SO well. I wonder, though, are you keeping quiet because you're embarrassed about the whole nearly dying thing, or are you embarrassed because you gave in and prayed? (Or, hmm, last time you turned to something for help it was Hallucifer and asking his help gave him free reign to fuck with your brain. Hmmmmmm...)
All that said, the angel/demon middlemen getting a drink together were probably my favorite part of the episode. Such a weird, welcome little break in the middle of all the chaos.
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Date: 2015-10-22 06:30 pm (UTC)LOVE IT. Though perhaps it should be the Mega Coven of Little Horrors.
And oh, Sam. Keep on doing what you do... suffering in silence, not telling anyone that you are worried about visions and voices. Your wide-open eyes, silences, and that look of near-panic when you held the gun on Rowena looks worryingly close to back when you had Lucifer rattling around in your brain. I wish we fans didn't love it so much when you suffer stoically, but you do it SO well. I wonder, though, are you keeping quiet because you're embarrassed about the whole nearly dying thing, or are you embarrassed because you gave in and prayed? (Or, hmm, last time you turned to something for help it was Hallucifer and asking his help gave him free reign to fuck with your brain. Hmmmmmm...)
Hmmm indeed. So many exciting possibilities!
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Date: 2015-10-22 06:13 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-10-22 06:30 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-10-22 06:38 pm (UTC)How much torture is in this ep compared to last week's? How would you rank it among the episodes of this season? What makes it better or worse than the other two? How much angel drama do we see? How gory is it? How does it rank as a Ross-Lemming/Buckner ep (one of their best or one of their worst)? How is Amara shaping up as a character? Do they play with her interesting neutrality/not necessarily EVIL evil, as they did in the first episode? Can Dean "feel" her or is he connected to her? How interested did this ep make you in the rest of the season?
Thanks for being my sounding board. :-D (And if anyone else happens to read this comment and wants to jump in, please do).
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Date: 2015-10-22 06:54 pm (UTC)Nothing like last week. Dean does get beaten, and Cas has a hazy flashback that might be of his torture, I don't remember.
How would you rank it among the episodes of this season? What makes it better or worse than the other two?
Of the three, it's my least favorite. It's not bad, it's just not all that gripping. It felt like they needed to move things along, and that's what they were doing. It did have many really nice moments.
How much angel drama do we see?
Very little. There's a short scene with a demon and an angel complaining about the chaos and lack of leadership in both their realms. It's actually kind of cute. And short.
How gory is it?
Not very. Dean's beating isn't nearly as bloody as you'd expect, considering how often and how hard Cas hits him. There's at least one slit throat but I don't remember it being all that bloody.
How does it rank as a Ross-Lemming/Buckner ep (one of their best or one of their worst)?
Someone else will have to answer that one; I don't notice who the writers are.
How is Amara shaping up as a character? Do they play with her interesting neutrality/not necessarily EVIL evil, as they did in the first episode?
Interestingly, she actually questions Crowley's belief that the world would be a better place if everyone were evil. She doesn't seem to be evil herself, at least not in child form - just hurt/angry because God locked her up, and confused about everything he's done since then. Her adult form is more into revenge.
Can Dean "feel" her or is he connected to her?
They keep reminding us that she said they were bound, and that he helped her so she would help him. But their connection hasn't really manifested so far, other than his determination to save her when she was a baby, before he knew what she was.
How interested did this ep make you in the rest of the season?
I felt like this ep closed a storyline (Cas's spell) rather than starting anything else I'd be interested in. It continued the stories of Amara and of Rowena's revenge, but neither of those is completely compelling to me at this time.
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Date: 2015-10-22 06:59 pm (UTC)Plus, as you pointed out, SAM, hubba hubba. ;-)
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Date: 2015-10-22 07:43 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-10-22 06:31 pm (UTC)Also: Jared needs to start naming things in episodes after his family too. So far we've had Levi's Diner and now Cafe Elta (that's part of Danneel's name).
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Date: 2015-10-22 06:36 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-10-22 06:39 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-10-22 09:47 pm (UTC)And yes, Sam is definitely pretty in Jensen's episodes. Thank you kindly for all the gorgeous examples. ;)
we need a lot more direction from Mr. Ackles. A lot more.
YESSSSS.
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Date: 2015-10-23 12:23 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-10-22 11:30 pm (UTC)Studying Castiel's symptoms and reactions carefully, he seemed to have a combo of conjunctivitis, flu and a urinary tract infection. That would have sent me on a murderous rampage, too, but a course of antibiotics should have cleared up the worst of it.
Sam and Dean need a witch to scry for them? Bobby didn't. Bobby never taught them to scry? (Wonder what happened to Bobby's scryometre) Wait. The bunker doesn't have a scryometre? It has the collected resources of centuries of Men of Letters and it doesn't have a scyometre? (And instructions for use?)
On a related note . . . remember when the MoL wanted to nuke the bunker out of fear that Abaddon would be unstoppable if the secrets and power it contained should fall into her hands. Now that its secrets and power are in Sam and Dean's hands, wouldn't you think they'd be able to do something more impressive with it than chain up the odd demon? I mean, they're supposed to have all these resources and Sam's supposed to have catalogued them. You'd think, at least once in a while, you'd hear him say: oo, I think we might have something for that in the store!
Dean doesn't like secrets cos he sure as hell isn't keeping any about what happened between him and the Darkness. Nope. None at all.
Jensen (before filming this episode): my hair looks good longer but if I don't get it cut the director will only tell me it's too long for Dean . . . oh, wait! :P
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Date: 2015-10-23 12:27 am (UTC)I'm completely in favor of such blatant deception.
Studying Castiel's symptoms and reactions carefully, he seemed to have a combo of conjunctivitis, flu and a urinary tract infection. That would have sent me on a murderous rampage, too, but a course of antibiotics should have cleared up the worst of it.
LOL!
Sam and Dean need a witch to scry for them? Bobby didn't. Bobby never taught them to scry? (Wonder what happened to Bobby's scryometre) Wait. The bunker doesn't have a scryometre? It has the collected resources of centuries of Men of Letters and it doesn't have a scyometre? (And instructions for use?)
My headcanon is that since Dean hates witches so much, he would have refused to dabble in the witchy art of scrying. And Sam won't admit if he can scry because it will piss Dean off because SECRETS.
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Date: 2015-10-23 02:22 am (UTC)Oo, forgot to mention: brownie points to Jensen for blonde woman's "get a life" to Dean. (Yes, I'm convinced that was a directorial touch rather than scripted). Nice corrective to rampant misogyny in the rest of the episode.
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Date: 2015-10-23 01:04 am (UTC)no subject
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Date: 2015-10-23 02:42 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-10-23 12:27 pm (UTC)I hope the angel and demon in the bar goes somewhere. It sure seems like heaven and hell will have to come together to fight the Darkness, and this could be an interesting way to do that.
Also someone mentioned that we might have a canon h/c blanket now!?! I mean I can't remember exactly, but didn't we see Sam with the same blanket during the (yummy) Trials?
Wonderful reaction as always :)
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Date: 2015-10-23 04:00 pm (UTC)And I'm going to be forced to watch Trials!Sam episodes to look for that blanket. Oh darn. ;-)
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Date: 2015-10-23 04:38 pm (UTC)\o/ Any excuse for a Trials!Sam binge!!!! But I'm sure I can remember an episode of them in the map room and Sam had a blanket - was it when Dean was trying to feed Sam up? Something like that?
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Date: 2015-10-23 04:41 pm (UTC)no subject
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Date: 2015-10-23 05:01 pm (UTC)Filmmaking
Date: 2016-04-06 06:22 am (UTC)