Season 8: Blood Brother

[cherry916]

Well to be perfectly honest the episode didn't do it for me.I suppose I was thinking of something more Halloween and it just didn't deliver.

While sad Benny's story was more confusing then anything and seemed to lag on for too long. I really don't even remember his full story or the names or anything. It was really boring to me.

Dean is just...I know I'm walking on egg shells here when I say this but his attitude has been really shitty thus far. I know, PTSD, purgatory it messed him up. He feels betrayed by Sam. I get that BUT I don't quite understand how he is failing to see the obvious parallels here between Benny and Ruby. It's so clear it's smacking me in the face. I don't understand how he can't SEE that he's basically doing what Sam did in Season 4. We all have our excuses and reasons I ain't begrudging Dean that but in hindsight I figured he'd, ya know, LEARN from that little disaster seeing how horrible it turned out.

Guess not.

We don't know enough about Benny to judge but I don't buy the whole friendly vamp act. I honestly don't. Not after everything we've seen on this show.

The flashbacks with Amelia didn't really paint her in any better light then before. She's said some really horrible and insulting things to Sam which he seems to have brushed off rather easily, but I suppose Sam has always been like that. We don't know enough about Amelia either to judge but quite frankly she's coming off as a bitch but I'll refrain from making any other assumptions about her yet.

I feel really bad for Sam because he's getting the really shitty end of things right now. Since we don't know enough about his year with Amelia him not looking for Dean isn't yet explained (even if I can perfectly understand his reasons I just like canon confirmation) and I'm sure Dean's little elephant ala Benny wasn't too reassuring for Sam either. His obvious panic and worry over Dean just killed me. Because Sam cares SO MUCH. And I know Dean does too but these two....argh sorry. I'm just frustrated they don't seem to UNDERSTAND that they BOTH still love each other VERY much.

Some key points for me was that Sam mentioned that motels weren't part of the town they were not part of anything. It's interesting and very sad because that's likely how he felt as a kid. An outcast, not really part of anything, even in his own family. And to see him STILL believing in it is just really disheartening.

Another was the silent communication between the boys at the end. As soon as Sam shook Benny's hand his face changed, he knew something wasn't right. He reached for his knife but Dean gave a head nod telling Sam no and Sam went with it. Just like that.

Of course Sam was pissed! Which really, I'm glad he is. It's been so long that Sam has rightfully been angry at Dean that I'm happy to see him express anger towards Dean. Because while Sam has done some shitty things in Season 8 and previously, I think Dean's attitude right now is spectacularly shitty so I'm happy to see Sam expressing some form of emotion instead of just silently going with everything Dean does.

Wow that was a lot but overall I was more confused then anything. I think this episode wasn't well articulated. It just felt like the scenes weren't meshing. Does that make sense? Anyone the promo looked way better then the product. Here's hoping next week is better.

Comments

[jamie-love13.livejournal.com]

ALL.OF.THIS




But you knew that, aha. I'm really excited for Dean to get punched though. I want Sammy to kick his fricken ass, aha. Maybe it'll knock some sense into the hypocritical dean douche dean we've been seeing.

[cherry916.livejournal.com]

lol HOPEFULLY girl can dream eh?

[jamie-love13.livejournal.com]

OMG, eh, when did you turn Canadian, eh? LOl.

Definitely hoping.

[vanaynay67.livejournal.com]

Yeah I agree with u. The episode was pretty dry and didn't really click. Too many stories:bennys, deans flashbacks, sams flashbacks. Idk it didn't work.
Amelia...idk if its bad acting or just the character but I dnt like her just yet.
I was awwwwing at sam worrying for dean! It was so adorable! And sad :'(
The promo makes me nervous but excited! One of them better b possessed!

[cherry916.livejournal.com]

The timing of the episode just wasn't clicking for me personally. There was too much going on.

[cindyls.livejournal.com]

I sure do miss Dean worrying about Sam though. Sam is always made to be the one being mean to Dean and Dean is the victim. Blah, I'm tired of it. Even when Sam IS right and gets to make his point, the fandom still blames him for betraying Dean, blah, blah. I haven't even seen this episode and I am dreading it even more now. Sigh. I miss the brothers being brothers and I sooo miss the Dean of first season who said, 'you touch my brother, I will kill you all!' When did Dean start to care more about other people (Cas and Benny for two) than Sam? I hate when they are in such conflict and I don't care if it is drama, why can't they be in conflict with something outside of them and they get along??? Argh. This show is breaking my heart. You know, if they don't make Dean finally see the parallel between Benny and Ruby and have his own past hurtful words thrown in his face by Sam, I will seriously have a meltdown. They really need to write this show equally - quit making Sam the douchebag and Dean the poor victim of Sam's wrongdoings. Geesh.

[cherry916.livejournal.com]

Basically this. I think Dean NEEDS this almost wake up call. Not to be mean to Dean or anything but maybe he can confront his attitude and just SEE what's in front of him. Maybe that is what the episode is about next week? Maybe they do need to come to blows to work this out. I'm just happy to see Sam standing up for himself.

[cindyls.livejournal.com]

I agree with you, but I am a bit pessimistic on how it would turn out. Knowing the fandom, they will pile on Sam for being mean to Dean and for pointing out his hypocritical bent. Also, they will fall back on the big LOOMING awfulness of this season - SAM DIDN'T EVEN LOOK FOR DEAN! Oh heaven forbid. Forgive my sarcasm, but I am a bit bitter ;-) Somehow it's okay for Dean to get all bondy with Cas and Benny to the exclusion and even contempt for Sam, yet it's still Sam's fault. Sigh...I should give up and just wait for Jared's career after the show or something because this show is wrecking me ;-) As much as I hate either brother bonding with anyone other than each other because that is what DREW ME TO THE SHOW in the first place....argh....as long as they have given Dean buddies that he would die for and hug and all that other sickening stuff, at least give SAM SOME once in a while! All they give Sam is bitches that the fandom hates and that make him BETRAY Dean, which of course is the ultimate crime in this fandom. Man, I need therapy, lol. Oh and I'm sorry, but Dean's line in the previews - you left me to die for a GIRL! Could he sound any more childish- would it be the same if Sam had not looked for him for the sake of an angel buddy or a vampire buddy that he decided to make a life with? Dean said the same thing when Ruby was in the picture. I always got the feeling that Dean's hurt feelings and outrage were not because she was turning Sam into a demon blood addict or even that she was a demon, but that she was a GIRL! ;-) Oh and as long as I'm ranting here..., I almost threw up in my mouth a bit when Dean was all protective of Cas in Purgatory and insisting he is coming with them - has everyone forgotten what Cas did to Sam(the brother that is the other half of the show about emotional co-dependent brothers)? Sigh. I want my old Dean back, the one who died to bring his brother back and CARES about the guy no matter what shit they are going thru and who would kill anyone who hurt Sam.

[jamie-love13.livejournal.com]

WHO ARE YOU LET ME LOVE YOU BECAUSE 10000000000000000000000000000000000% THIS.

[cindyls.livejournal.com]

ROFL! Well, I seem to be this person who keeps commenting on a few live journals and expressing my long pent up feelings and voila, people are agreeing with me! I want to start a movement of heretofore silent fans who have kept things bottled up about Sam and what they have done to the character and how uneven and unfair the writing is on the show. Unfortunately, Jared seems to be happy, so we are in this fight alone, lol. But I think he is just besotted with baby right now or he's come to terms with how the show has gone ;-)

[jamie-love13.livejournal.com]

Well, your long pent up feelings are obviously correct with what everyone's feeling, aha xD I would totally join that movement because oh my god yes, that's always on my mind and I'm always saying there has to be a way to let them see. I think you've nailed it with Jared though. I think maybe after he looks away from that precious cute kid of his, he'll realize that his character is going down the drain and hey, hopefully try to stop it. >.<

I can rant about this forever, lol.

[cindyls.livejournal.com]

I so agree! I did this a few weeks ago on a friend's lj and there were people on there saying,'I love you!', lol. I think we all have kept quiet thru the years because the prevailing bias in the fandom is towards Dean and everybody in his life, except Sam ;-) Maybe I need to start a blog and get Carver to read it ;-) But every time I see Jared interviewed I think, 'gee, I guess I can't fight his battles for him, if he's so happy with things....' But darn it, it upsets me more than I care to admit ;-) I've been with this show since the pilot and it hurts me deeply to see the way the fandom is and also how the show has gone in regards to Sam.

[vanaynay67.livejournal.com]

I think ur right. Sam needs ppl tht aren't female bitches. Its just...idek! Just I agree with u!

[lk737.livejournal.com]

God, could I love you any more than I do? I feel like I have finally found the people in this fandom who feel the same way I do about Sam and the lost brotherly love. I agree with everything that you have said, and am basically going to be stalking you and your amazing opinions. Just so ya' know. ;)

Hurt to the core is how so many of us feel, for how the show and fandom treat Dean vs. Sam. Annoyed and frustrated is how I always feel for Jared. I hope those baby snuggles help him. Sam does need a friend that aren't female bitches.

[cindyls.livejournal.com]

Wow, I really need to start a blog or maybe an lj community or something! We need to organize ;-)) I keep telling myself things like, 'it's just a tv show, Jared is happy, leave it alone', but I just can't. Maybe I feel paternal towards him since I am an old geezer,lol, but damn, he is so good to the fans and it hurts me to know that a major part of fandom would be happy if the show was just Dean and Cas...blech. Don't get me wrong, the one thing that keeps me here is that Jared and Jensen are such good friends. That makes me all warm inside and I love that that hasn't changed. I can get thru the show stuff as long as they remain that way,but darn it, I do want justice for Sam!

[lk737.livejournal.com]

I would completely support your blog. I have been looking for "Sam needs friends" supporters for 3 years. And now I found you *hugs*

I feel the same way that you do. Jared is happy, why rock the boat? I am an old geezer like you then, because I want to protect him. He is such a sweetheart! Not a fan of those that just want Dean/Cas either. Apparently there are even fans on Twitter who want Jared to quit the show? Unreal. Am so glad that Jared and Jensen are so close. All the convention footage of them being so brotherly makes me melt. Did you see the Chicago convention footage where Jensen called himself "Uncle Jensen" when he was talking to a cooing Thomas offstage? So cute :)

Justice for Sam is a wonderful mantra....if only we could get one writer who was on our side ;)

[cindyls.livejournal.com]

I agree with all that you said and you said it beautifully ;-) I am seriously considering starting a Wordpress blog, at least they are free, I think, lol. Anyway, I did watch the Chicago con vids and I kept waiting for one that got the end when Jared held Thomas up - maybe not ON stage, but off to the side? I'm not sure, I just read a tweet before I saw the vids that said something about that. But all of the ones I saw stopped at the end of the panel when they are signing the banners. I loved when Jensen 'talked' to Thomas backstage, so cute! I loved his 'I love you buddy, but Uncle Jensen is trying to work here;. Awww...;-) I wish some of those hateful people who want Sam gone would consider that Jensen is close to Jared and loves working with him and he wouldn't be too happy with them. I hate that there is an actual twitter called Jarpadmustgo- why are they so hateful? As much as I love Sam and Jared, I don't hate Dean or Jensen! I like the guy and love Dean for what he was all those seasons til recently - a loving big brother ;-) And in all my times in the fandom, I have never posted hateful or derogatory things about Jensen or Dean.
Justice for Sam sounds like a good title for the blog - hmm ;-) Although I am wanting to come up with a title that will get Carver's attention if he ever does a google search for himself, lol.

[lk737.livejournal.com]

Oh bless your heart! You are too kind for words. :D

I would so love and follow you if you started a Wordpress blog. Didn't Kim Rhodes start a Wordpress blog? I seem to remember that. Anyway, super amazing idea. I would rec your blog on my LJ and Tumblr. I have found some decent people on Tumblr who are more mature and non shippers. We would stalk your blog like crazy.

I didn't see Jared hold up Thomas, I didn't know he did that. Maybe it was too fast or dark offstage to get good footage? But I did see the conversation from "Uncle Jensen". Awww is right! :D I keep hunting down those adorable pics of Thomas too. He's possibly the cutest baby I know. And those guys plus cute baby makes them even cuter!

I know exactly who you are talking about when you mention "Jarpadmustgo". That is such a hateful person, you are right. I don't hate Dean or Jensen either! But apparently there is also a cousin or sister of the "Jarpadmustgo" who stalks and harasses Danneel on Twitter. Just jealous children, really. I wish all characters could be loved and given equal attention. I loved Dean as big brother for so long. But we seem to be getting so much Dean/Cas/Benny because of purgatory. And I don't hate on Dean or Cas because of that. It just all seems so silly.

Yes, a good title that gets Carver's attention would be good for the blog. I think we can dream big when it comes to loving these boys ;) <3

[cindyls.livejournal.com]

You are kind too! I am trying to come up with a good title for a blog. Yes, Kim Rhodes did start one, as did Clif I believe. They are pretty easy to start and free, so I like that idea more than another lj or even using my own lj for it.
I don't get the hateful people towards Jared - I have never encountered a 'Sam girl' or Jared fan who hated Jensen or Danneel and none that spread such hate on the internet. It's a sorry statement on some of Jensen's fans though ;-(. I just hope Jared isn't aware of too many things, but I have a feeling he does. But he's such a positive guy that he doesn't let it affect his interaction with fans ;-)

[jamie-love13.livejournal.com]

STOP IT. STOP PUTTING MY THOUGHTS INTO WORDS, OMG. I know how you feel. I've grown up with the show, having the pilot come out when I was 12 and watching it since then, growing up with it. I just.

God, let's be friends?

[cindyls.livejournal.com]

Twelve!? Oh my lord, I have videotapes twice as old as you, lol. I am so glad to hear others think like I do- I've kept it in for so long(at least on ljs and boards and such) that I just decided to let it fly these days ;-) I would love to be friends ;-)

[etoile444.livejournal.com]

I feel like Amelia or Liane has no affect. It's a bit like watching Kristin Stewart's Bella.

[vanaynay67.livejournal.com]

That's really weird because i was thinking the sameo_O

[etoile444.livejournal.com]

Sam's anger at the end was refreshing given that he has been "Spock" thus far. Nice to see some emotion, and also him rushing to save Dean, too little too late Sam/.

Sam's flashbacks were bizarre, okay, just let's look at an ice machine and fondly remember. I so don't want a normal human storyline for him. He's a freak, I love him as a freak. As he even said, motels don't belong to anywhere...nor did he! Freak!

I liked Dean, like Benny, never know what to think in terms of trust. That Benny is quite the thinker. Love how he and Dean silently communicate also.

I don't get why Sam thought he should kill Benny when he met him??? I'm confused, but again, loved the silent conversation between Sam and Dean.

[cherry916.livejournal.com]

Well, Sam's face belied that he knew something was wrong with Benny. Whether because of his powers previously or what he could probably tell Benny wasn't human, otherwise he likely wouldn't have felt the need to kill him without learning more.

[percysowner.livejournal.com]

Someone mentioned that Benny probably didn't have a pulse, or his body temperature was wrong. That was how Sam knew Benny was a vampire. I'm going with that until I hear differently.

[cherry916.livejournal.com]

Probably, whatever it was Sam knew automatically.

[percysowner.livejournal.com]

MY PEOPLE!! I thought I would be the only one meh on this. I've been feeling disconnected from Supernatural and thought that was it, but maybe it just was the episode. They certainly are trying to say that Benny had a crisis of conscience even before he died and met Dean, so currently they are showing us from the start without saying anything to impress Dean that Benny is a good guy, unless he was acting in case Dean could over hear him.

I do hope some nice directer takes Ty Olsson aside and gently tells him that yes, it is hard to do an accent, but mumbling doesn't help the situation. I honestly couldn't follow half of what Benny said. So I will try and rewatch with closed captioning on so that I can figure out what the heck Benny was saying.

[cherry916.livejournal.com]

He talks so slow too, omg that kind of irritates me a little because I'm like and YES what did you say get to the point.

I've been feeling rather disconnected too. Even during Season 6 and 7 I was still following along like to storyline made sense to me and even if some episodes were meh overall Sam's character and the storyline I enjoyed. This? I'm not to sure tbh. I feel like everything is really jumbled and just not making any kind of sense.

[etoile444.livejournal.com]

My mom was like, he sounded like Marlon Brando, hard to understand.

[vanaynay67.livejournal.com]

At first I liked the accent but I seriously had trouble understanding him too!
If sam/dean learned anything from their past it should b to not trust monsters. Ruby said the same thing. How she remembered being human and blah blah blah. They have ulterior motives

[queer-serenity.livejournal.com]

I agree with this so much!
I LOVE Sam, and really liked him being jumpy and paranoid at everything (and his near panic attack for Dean), but Dean has annoyed me so much? I'm sick of the writers pulling the same ''oh let's make them keep secrets from each other lol'' and then throwing it out to have that brother conflict. It's like the last 7 years of this show never happened.
But like you mentioned, in my headcanon, I get the reasons, especially after seeing some Jared interviews, but I'd really like it to be IN THE DAMN SHOW.
Oh god, the ending + next week's promo.. looks like it's gonna be ultra explosive, cos I can't ever remember Sam throwing the first punch apart from s4, usually Dean's the one happy to take his fist to Sam's face. :/

[cherry916.livejournal.com]

It's going to be super explosive but I'm happy Sam is throwing the first punch.

[glimmerella.livejournal.com]

Well, at least we've established that it's not only Sam's ex-girlfriends that Dean is willing to kill. :/

I am looking forward to the Sam/Benny dynamic, if nothing else.

[cherry916.livejournal.com]

Yeah, at least we have some form of a dynamic with Benny.

[glimmerella.livejournal.com]

I'm also enjoying the disparity between Sam and Dean's flashbacks. Dean's are all stark and black and white and horrible, while Sam's are all golden and magical. You almost expect a unicorn to come running through.

The real world, is bluer, and somewhere in between.

[cherry916.livejournal.com]

I have also enjoyed that, I feel like that's something that might come into play later on possibly.

[cheebles.livejournal.com]

Yes, yes, yes, I am in agreement whole heartedly with you on this ep. I'm not convinced that Benny is trustworthy either, and I wasn't engaged in his backstory. I mean I guess we needed to know it, but despite everything else that was going on, I felt like it dragged. And, omg, his maker made me laugh -- how Twilight was he? Awful acting, I thought.

You are giving Amelia more leeway than I am though. I'm having a difficult time imagining how her rudeness and judgmental attitude can be justified even if it is all a defensive mechanism. I think Sam has way more right to that kind of shit but he doesn't treat other people like dirt. Oh, did you notice the two beer bottles and glasses on her coffee table? She was drinking from a mug though. It was as though she'd had visitors. I thought it was kind of weird too, given her freak out when she found Sam in her apartment (obviously working on the plumbing) that she'd left her door wide open. She's kind of a mystery I'm not particularly interested in solving.

I agree with you about the scenes not feeling like they meshed. It just felt disjointed to me. I'm going to watch again though. Sometimes on second viewing, I get a different feel for an ep.

[cherry916.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I honestly don't know what to make of her. Her rudeness, even if it was is a defense mechanism isn't seeming to be justified in anyway.

[jamie-love13.livejournal.com]

Oh, did you notice the two beer bottles and glasses on her coffee table? She was drinking from a mug though. It was as though she'd had visitors. I thought it was kind of weird too, given her freak out when she found Sam in her apartment (obviously working on the plumbing) that she'd left her door wide open

YOU NOTICED THAT TOO? THAT MADE ME SO FISHY OF HER.

[lk737.livejournal.com]

I would have to agree with everything that you stated. The episode seemed disjointed and kind of all over the place. I was incredibly greatful for the backstory on Benny. I thought that was intriguing and look forward to more depth from him. Hey, it's depth period so I'll take it. But the dual flashbacks were messy, I thought. I never think major or continued flashbacks are a good idea for any show. Watching this season unfold, I realize now I would have preferred one ep about Dean's purgatory experience so I could get carried away on the adventure with him. And one ep about Sam's normal life experiences, so I could get emotionally involved in it all. Presented as they are, I can't get drawn in or attached to anything. Bits and pieces don't open my heart.

I agree also in how Sam has been treated as opposed to Dean. And I stated as such on my Tumblr right after this aired. Dean has Cas, Benny, and was Bobby's favorite. Sam has had no real friends who know the truth about him. His perception of happy, I think, is so skewed by how horrible Lucifer made it for so long. Therefore, less than polite and pleasant Amelia. And the writers lack of effort to give Sam friends I think is reflected in the fandom.

I don't trust Benny yet (burned by Ruby). I think Dean is being a douche too. And agree he could be a better big brother. I do think Cas made amends by taking on Sam's pain. Or at least has begun to make amends. But I think more friendship towards Sam this season by, hell anyone, will be necessary for me to trust where the writers are taking me. If they do not give Sam basic human rights (like his own music, friends, and an opinion that isn't silenced), I will be forced to take Sam's side and think he should leave Dean. I'm sick of Sam getting crumbs in life and in the fandom.

[cherry916.livejournal.com]

I agree also in how Sam has been treated as opposed to Dean. And I stated as such on my Tumblr right after this aired. Dean has Cas, Benny, and was Bobby's favorite. Sam has had no real friends who know the truth about him. His perception of happy, I think, is so skewed by how horrible Lucifer made it for so long. Therefore, less than polite and pleasant Amelia. And the writers lack of effort to give Sam friends I think is reflected in the fandom.

I agree. I don't know what it is but Sam has always been treated unfairly, sometimes by the writers, especially in recent seasons and in fandom since probably season 1.

[ellie-234.livejournal.com]

Alot of the problem is the show has been skewered to Dean's pov even within Sam's mytharc. So in away we are forced to see events from that view point and the balance gets lost. Even with Benny he already has been given a backstory and sympathetic pov so the audience can relate to him and Sam is the brother that didnt look for his brother and it all plays into some of the fandoms perceptions that are already there.

There has also been resentment that Sam was given the mytharc ahead of Dean from some quaters and that added to the anti Sam feeling and of course the approach to Sam hasnt helped. I have never really thought one brother was any better than the other they are just different personality's thats all . But the damage done Sam is deep rooted IMO and Jeremy Carver wether intended or not as added to it.