Stop hating on my show, you guys. :(

[tracy_loo_who]

Of course it feels different and off, and everything from the lighting to the characters are unfamiliar. They've only been saying that's what they're trying to go for for how long now? I am not one of those people who automatically hate change, so I'm willing to give it a few more episodes to see whether I like their new direction.

That's not to say the montage at the beginning didn't make me miss all of the things Dean threw away. The salt lines and stabbing of things and beers and car lessons with Sam -- everything we knew and fell in love with -- all in black and white, SO MUCH ACHE. It was beautifully done. And the pan to the gun + holy water below his bed even in this new, domestic life? Perfect reminder that this is still Dean, and he hasn't thrown quite everything away.


Dean: Is softer, yes, but I don't think it's completely OOC. It's almost as if he wants to be softer, if only to better fit in with the whole domesticity he's trying so hard to do. And anyway, the effects of a year of being in a relationship and having a family shouldn't be underestimated. But he can still kill me with a look.


Sam: Is going through his "rough around the edges, I'm better than you with your puny emotions" phase again? Didn't we already do that in season 4? But it gives me hope that one of the reasons he misses having Dean around is that Dean cares. He's still Sammy somewhere in there! Even if he's ice on the surface and looked for all the world like he was just tolerating Dean's hug, like it was something to get over with. :(


Dean and Sam: Will take a long time to get back on the same page again, I guess. Also, it's gotta sting for Sam that he assumed all year that Dean would run off with him the minute he showed up, and Dean didn't. And it was Lisa and Ben getting hurt that was apparently Dean's worst nightmare, not Sam getting hurt.


Cas: WAS MENTIONED! Twice! \O/ And was called "pal" and "sugar" by Dean's mental projection, THIS MAKES ME HAPPY. It also makes me happy that Dean immediately thought maybe Cas brought Sam back. ♥ AND THAT SAM PRAYED TO HIM, AWWW.


Bobby: Should have put Dean out of his misery, like he said. :(


Lisa: Is really lovely to look at and a strong woman and I like her as a character, and obviously Dean cares a lot about her and Ben, but he doesn't belong with her. She served her purpose -- I'm glad Dean got to have his taste of apple pie life, and I'm glad he realized it wasn't for him. He might want to want it, but in his words, "Good for who?" Not him, clearly. And I think he only stayed at the end because she said it was the best year of her life, and realizing that he can actually make someone happy gets Dean right in his weakest spot.


Impala: Retired to the garage and hidden under a tarp, unwanted by Sam? ACHE. D: D: D:


Dean's leather coat: Stuffed in a random box? MORE ACHE.


The Campbells: SHOULD TRY TO BE A LITTLE MORE CONDESCENDING, REALLY. Worst and most random character introductions ever, I am not excited about them at all. Samuel's resurrection is an interesting enough idea that I really wish they'd introduced it better instead of shoving him into a few minutes of the season premiere.

John: Should have been resurrected too. :P I kept waiting for Dean to ask hopefully, but I guess God only likes people named Sam. :P

RANDOM DEAN MOMENTS THAT I LOVED:

DEAN AND THE YORKIE LOL. He will never not be afraid of them, will he? XD


Dean's anticipation over seeing a Bobby/Sam omg-you're-alive reunion. So cute.


Dean getting defensive over his magazines and family pictures and golf. ♥ LOOK AT THIS HARASSED LOOK, AWW.



That's all for now. Is it Cas o'clock yet?

A few people have asked me if I'm gonna do picspams this season, and the answer is, if I have time. :P Which I usually don't, tbh, like next weekend I'll be in Arrábida and won't even get to see the episode until late Sunday night at the earliest. But at least it's not a Cas ep, so it won't kill me to wait a couple of extra days.

Comments

[harper47.livejournal.com]

Does me being meh count as hating? Because I wasn't hating. I was just meh.

And it looks like we liked the same things (Jensen, Cas mention, opening sequence, etc) and disliked alot of the same things (Campbells).

Thanks for the lovely picspam bb. As long as you do one for Cas' first episode I will be a happy, happy person.

Cas o'clock! I love that!

[tracy.livejournal.com]

Nah, I was referring to all the bitter, capslock rage.

I will always like Jensen and Cas mentions. ♥

And I'll definitely do one for Cas's first episode! :D OMG CANNOT WAIT.

[tracy.livejournal.com]

AND, YOU KNOW, CAS.

[littlehollyleaf.livejournal.com]

and looked for all the world like he was just tolerating Dean's hug, like it was something to get over with. :(

Oh wow, I didn't see it like that AT ALL. I thought Sam's face was all surprised!smile, like he didn't expect to enjoy the hug as much as he did (like he'd forgotten how good connecting with Dean was), or possibly that he was expecting anger and punches instead and Dean's gentle greeting threw him somewhat.

But I AM in the total minority in that I REALLY ENJOYED this episode. Although, that's nothing new for me :p

Also, I didn't even consciously notice Dean's 'softness' you speak of because it seemed such a natural progression for him to me. Living with a partner, in a constant daily routine, for an extended period of time, really DOES have an effect on your emotional state and the way you portray yourself, I know from experience, so I totally related to that and thought it was very true to life that Dean would have toned down as a result, especially since he came into that routine from something really traumatic and would thus be inclined to withdraw as a result anyway.

I disliked the Campbells too, including Samuel. But then I didn't REALLY like Samuel before, and I think we're not SUPPOSED to like them right now. They are supposed to be out of the blue and people we distrust as a result, and so I'm looking forward to see how they will be developed - will they be evil? will we learn to love them? Who knows, but if handled right it should be a fun journey finding out :)

[/end infusion of optimism]

[writingpathways.livejournal.com]

ITA with this. I loved the episode too, so not alone.

I think Sam is in a survival mode of detachment/numbness. He's protecting himself in a way, should be interesting to see how it goes.

I felt like Dean was still Dean. He always is just Dean.

This was one of my fav premiere episodes, after In My Time of Dying and Lazarus Rising.

[fannishliss.livejournal.com]

I liked the ep a lot. I liked sweet Dean trying to live a life. Man, it was so harsh when he realized that Bobby knew that Sam had been alive all year -- but then when Bobby said he prayed for Dean to get, I totally empathized with him.

I love that Yorkie Moment!!

Poor Sammy, he's being used somehow by that Creepy Campbell Clan (CCC). They make me VERY NERVOUS with their secret djinn-napping and brother-manipulating. O_O

You will almost never find me harshing on spn. I just totally love this show. My harsh just goes *boop* like an old-fashioned tv turning off.

I love so much that Sammy prayed to Castiel. BUT WHY DIDN'T CAS ANSWER!!! That was alarming!

*watch out, I will suddenly dance you around in an orgy of positivity!!!*

[littlehollyleaf.livejournal.com]

*bounces into dance!orgy of positivity and waves jazz hands*

Yeah, sorry, I'm just always so happy to find other people still squeeing over this show! :D I try to be negative sometimes, but then Cas will smile or the boys will hug or yorkies will run around being cute and my criticism pops like an overstuffed balloon :p

[silverusagi]

Yay for the Cas mentions! Also, when Dean asks how Sam got out, he's like, "Was it God? Cas?" Cause who else would care enough to pull his brother out of hell besides Cas? :)

Some parts I liked, some I didn't. I'm not crazy about the Campbells. I am interested in what the hell is up with Sam.

[tracy.livejournal.com]

Yes, his pal Cas the super powerful angel. ♥

Guess we'll see, I am looking forward to next week!

[hypertwink.livejournal.com]

I didn't care for the episode but then again, the whole time I was like, Benbenbenbenben!!!!!!!

[tracy.livejournal.com]

Hahha he was only in it for like, 10 seconds!

[amechiro.livejournal.com]

Uh. Shows what I know. I actually liked it! The new hunters are kinda meh (but they're evil so whatever), and there's a Castiel shaped hole in my life but me and my brother enjoyed this episode much more than some others last season (this is quite a novelty for a Castieless ep).

AND THE IMPALA, HOW SAM DARES. ;_;

Is it just me or Dean looked extra handsome?

[tracy.livejournal.com]

Glad you liked it. ♥

I don't think the Campbells are evil, but I do think they're manipulative.

SAM NOT WANTING THE IMPALA BROKE MY HEART SO MUCH. D:

Dean always looks extra handsome. Like, we all know he's pretty but we forget just how pretty when we're not actively watching him on screen, so when he does show up on our screens it's like, *_* *_* *_*.

[(Anonymous)]

This episode was made better without that stupid Angel always interrupting!

So yay go Dean and Sam its their show and I'll have more of 601.

[strangeandcharm.livejournal.com]

This comment has just made me laugh so much! I think the troll who left it looks like this:



Who's with me?

[tabby333.livejournal.com]

I thought at first that Sam didn't want the Dean hug, but that little smile he gave felt like a bit of warming up in Sam's coldness, as though he'd forgotten how much he'd loved the closeness of Dean. I'm still of the mind that Sam is keeping Dean and the Impala distant so that he can continue to cope with whatever happened to him in Hell and his return.

I liked this one okay. I found the weird pacing of it in keeping with the weirdness between Dean and Sam, like a meta expression of the actual text. I agree the Campbells didn't work (would have loved a return of John or even of Mary instead). I enjoyed Lisa and I'm glad she reminded Dean that she has feelings too. I'm curious to see how Dean deals with that aspect of his life.

It goes without saying that I am looking forward to the return of Cas. I need some sugar.

[tracy.livejournal.com]

IDK, the smile seemed forced to me, and kind of like he was pursing his lips. But I hope you're right about Sam, it'll be really interesting to see him deal with what happened in the cage.

I kind of doubt they'll ever get JDM back, alas. :( But Mary would have been awesome.

LESS THAN TWO MORE WEEKS. :D

[kalikahuntress.livejournal.com]

Not hating but I was hoping the show would feel like my show again. For me it hasn't felt that way since the opener of season five. I don't know what it is but season 1 -4 felt like my show and I have had this disconnect since ep 5x01. And that isn't to say there weren't eps I enjoyed but this episode really doesn't make me feel better about Sera at the helm.

[tracy.livejournal.com]

Really? I thought the first four episodes of season five were amazing. But what I'm hoping for is a slow return to feeling like "our show".

[tracy.livejournal.com]

It's not even the misogyny that makes me :(, it's that people are ripping on the show so much! I hope you don't hate the ep, anyway.

[tracy.livejournal.com]

In some ways, it was sweet to see him so normal, but in other ways, it really made me miss the old Dean.

CAS IS SO SWEET. ♥

[missjigsaw23.livejournal.com]

The only thing I got CAPSLOCK RAGE over was pretty much everyone and their mom knowing that Sam was back, and keeping it from Dean.

Everything else, I was from "meh" to "omg YAY!" on.

[inia-dinia.livejournal.com]

And the fact that Sam wanted it that way. It was so hurtful in a way I wasn't expecting from him, so yeah, Sammy is pretty much in the dog house for me.

Other than that. New season, will eagerly await the next few episodes to form a definite opinion. Maybe Sera will surprise us, who knows...

[stardustlegacy.livejournal.com]

You say it all hun!!!! I think the same! Fandom is so terrible at the moment! -.-

[tracy.livejournal.com]

Lots of people have commented here to say they loved it, so yay!

[xarixian.livejournal.com]

XD I loved the bit where they were making fun of him for being all homely. Poor Dean <3

I love the way you put the thing about wanting to want a normal, apple pie life about him wanting to want a normal, apple pie life. It's more like he wishes he were brought up in that world instead of the one he's in, rather than him actually wanting to play happy families. I think Dean just wants to be loved, without all the heartache and pain that his own family has always given him. Not that he'd really trade his own family, because he loves them. I guess he just needs a break from everything. Hunting has brought him too many problems and too much stress. I think he'd rather just go back to the way his life was in season 1. That kind of 'this isn't going to impact on the rest of the world' kind of hunting. Just saving a few people at a time.

I do find it a little uncomfortable when people around me are saying it sucks completely, because I like it. I expected it to be different, and if it was the same as the last season then that really would suck because we've been there, done that.

The intoduction of the Campbells was a little offhand, but I'm intrigued to see what they're up to.

[tracy.livejournal.com]

Hahha and touching his things and generally messing everything up. They totally fit the metaphor "bulls in a china shop". XD

Aww, yes, of course Dean just wants to be loved. :( COME ON, CASTIEL.

Exactly. I like change and think it will be interesting!

SO. FORCED. They should've gotten their own episode.

[writingpathways.livejournal.com]

I loved it. My roommate loved it.

I don't think Sam is like Season four Sam. that Sam was angry and full of good intentions that were being played by Ruby. This Sam has been through Hell (literally in the worse possible way) I think he's numb and detached as a survival mechanism, and looking forward to how they play it out.

Really the only thing that has me mad is the Impala is UNDER A TARP

[tracy.livejournal.com]

Well, his motives and mental state may be different, but the end result in how he treats Dean might be similar? I guess we'll see.

SERIOUSLY WHY. DOES HE NOT EVEN TAKE HER OUT FOR SPINS ANYMORE? D:

[lady-jane.livejournal.com]

The show hasn't disappointed me in 5 seasons, so. Plus, Jensen was really amazing in dealing with the shift in Dean; I believed that and felt for his character. The rest of the episode was too disjointed and forced to feel anything but offputting, unfortunately.

Sam and the Campbells were just repellant. I'm hoping that reaction is calculated and figures into the storyline. I like hating the monsters and the bad guys. Not the people who are supposed to be fighting them. The djinn in this episode, however, could have been any monster - they weren't really relevant to the story except in a tangential way.

I would have liked more from Lisa than Nurturing Madonna/Mother Figure. But I really don't expect that from this show, since women generally fall into the Madonna/Whore split of the male gaze. I at least expect it, given the what the SPN story basically is. I just didn't expect Sam to be such a douchenozzle.

[tracy.livejournal.com]

Yes, as usual, Jensen took the material and made it work.

I don't think they had enough time to devote to Lisa, but actually I liked her in this episode. She called Dean out for being an idiot, made him realize not everything was about him and that she had feelings too, and was very mature about the prospect of Dean walking out on her.

As for Sam, I'm sure Hell did a number on him and the past year hanging out with those creepy Campbells can't have helped.

[baad51.livejournal.com]

It wasn't a great premiere, but i still enjoyed it. Like someone mentioned above, i can never hate Show, no matter what. I might get less excited with non-Cas episodes, but i can't ever hate em.

I feel the same way with Dean-Sam hug. It looks a little bit off. And i agree with you about the Campbells. Why do we need more characters (that didn't even introduced well) when the characters we do want in the episode (Cas, Crowley, the freaking IMPALA) wasn't there?

Still two weeks away from Cas. Sigh...

[tracy.livejournal.com]

I feel the same. I don't think there's a single episode I hate.

I'm sure the Campbells will serve their special purpose, but I'm not too eager to find out what that purpose is yet.

[prongsy.livejournal.com]

Oh, bb, I didn't capslock hatred. Or even dislike. I just capslocked my feelings of confusion. Hopefully I didn't add to your sad. :(

I knew they were going in a new direction, but I thought that direction was back to season 1 and the hunting stuff thing. I didn't know it'd include better lighting and stuff, lol, so it just feels different and I was very unprepared for that. And then the whole episode felt like a dream, which confused me further. I don't even know how to react to the episode itself. And I won't for a while, I think. I'll always give it a chance, I've been a fan for 5 years now going into my 6th. Only show I have so many boxes for. <3

I actually liked the idea of the Campbells, as I always thought it cray~cray that all their family just POOFed with the death of their parents. I mean, hell, Harry even had the Dursleys. I don't know, I think it's an interesting concept and makes some sense. And the "delicate features" comment made me lol.

I thought Sam's smile wasn't simply tollerating things, but more that he was smug 'cause he told Dean that he was expecting a hug or some holy water or something. And then he got his hug. I just felt like it was a little, "Lol, called it!" You know what, I know, I feel like DEAN must have when Sam first came back. I can't even muster up any way to react, lol. So confused.

Anyways, sorry, bb. I just feel really badly if I in any way contributed to your upset. *hugs* Hopefully it'll get I don't even know what I hope for and YAYAAYAYAY to Cas mentions.

[prongsy.livejournal.com]

Someone pointed out that Sam here felt VERY MUCH like Sam in "Mystery Spot" and I can't help but agree. He's not as obviously anger-issues-y as Sam who spent time with Ruby after Dean went to hell, he's more focused Sam. After a while in "Mystery Spot" Sam resigned himself to the deja vu and hyper focused on how to get passed it all. Dean's death didn't destroy him as easily, he just locked on target. And that's how I saw Sam here. Sort of off, distant, but locked on getting shit done. He's spent a year without Dean (more when you factor in hell-time), and he's learned to deal with it. I'm sure the Campbell's wonderful, calming influence helped (sarcasm).

I like that sort of consistancy with his character (that we've seen Sam behave similarly) and am curious to see how it's further explored, how the hell and Lucifer angle will warp it.

[tracy.livejournal.com]

I have a feeling he won't be nearly as open and gentle with Cas, alas. Then again, Cas isn't a human woman who knows nothing about hunting. But, yes, I have a lot of respect for Dean's decision to stay if only because it's so Dean, always thinking of others first, needing to be needed, and so grateful that he can make Lisa happy that that's all it takes for him to want to stay. Aww. Dean will go to anyone who loves and needs him. WHICH IS KIND OF TRAGIC.

Yeah, I'm more than willing to give Sam a chance. Guy's been to Hell, after all.

Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, Dean and his sweet pal Cas. ♥

[qthelights.livejournal.com]

Dean getting defensive over his magazines and family pictures and golf. ♥ LOOK AT THIS HARASSED LOOK, AWW.

That bit was adorable.. I love that even though he just said he's giving Ben and Lisa and that life up, he still doesn't want *their* life touched by grubby little hands.


Sam: Is going through his "rough around the edges, I'm better than you with your puny emotions" phase again?

I know right? BORED NOW. Also is it just me or are the campbells the new Ruby pretty much?? Ergh.

I am with you, I don't get the raging. I liked the ep. It wasn't amazing, but it wasn't terrible. We *knew* the boys would be different and the situation OOC - that's the whole point of the reset. What will be interesting is how that gets resolved. (though I absolutely reserve the right to change that opinion to raeg if they don't and it turns out to just be bad writing/acting.. i just don't think it's a given yet).

In any case, as far as i'm concerned the real premiere hasn't happened yet. BRING ON THE CAS!

[tracy.livejournal.com]

Yes, and hunters in a normal house are a bit like bulls in a china shop!

Well, the Campbells may be sneaky and manipulative, but I really don't think they're evil.

My hope is that they slowly but surely return to a season 1-3 sort of feel, as far as the relationship between Sam and Dean goes.

[(Anonymous)]

Yay, at least someone liked this episode too!

I think it was very promising, just imagine: Dean reluctantly agreeing to work with Sam and the Creepy Campbells (btw, Gwen was totally hitting on Dean), finding more and more about their ways (they obviously experiment on the monsters they catch: creepy!science fics, where are you?), Dean regaining Sam as a friend via their conflict with Campbells (I'm sure the writers planned it for Sam, to chose between his brother and his 'new, shiny and kick-ass' relatives), Castiel and Dean meeting again after the whole year spent doing what they were obligated to do (it better be a touching reunion, none of Sam's newfound sociopathic tendencies, please, and with hugs, too!), Castiel meeting the Campbells, Bobby being conflicted about things, them hunting Crowley, learning to function as a team again...

I ship Dean/Castiel hard, but wtf, after this episode I hope to see Lisa and Ben again. She was so kind and understanding to Dean, like no-one in the whole series (except Mary, but she was his mother, and dead for most of his life). She knows he's a hero, which is very important to him, but she likes him as a person, too (it's a thing Sam managed to forget: you stay with your family not out of obligation, but 'cause you love them).

*returns to lurking*

[tracy.livejournal.com]

Seems a lot of people liked it after all. :D

I'm sure the writers planned it for Sam, to chose between his brother and his 'new, shiny and kick-ass' relatives

YES, I have been having this thought too, like maybe they'll push Sam toward Dean.

You paint such a lovely image of the rest of the season, but I don't really hope for "touching reunion with hugs" between Dean and Castiel, more like they'll be snippy about the fact that he never answered Sam's prayers and Cas will be all business, etc.

This episode made me love Lisa a bit, for the exact reasons that you mentioned. She has her own feelings and desires and the self-respect to make Dean listen to them, but she's also very supportive and understanding and loving. Lisa is awesome.

[wicked-g.livejournal.com]

Maybe it's because the show is BACK that made me enjoy the ep so much. Maybe if I watch it again I'll be a bit more 'eh' about it?

Actually, no-I really liked it. I liked that Dean was a suburbanite, and I really liked that he had told Lisa pretty much everything about him, and that yeah, he didn't just slip into the cookie cutter, he had actual problems, and oh my god, the character development! Eee, I loved it.

I'm not convinced about Sam just coming back, though. I need something to tell me that this is legit, not just something evil.

Also, is it just me, or did Dean's friend Sid sound justlike Sam? He totally did!

[tracy.livejournal.com]

Actually I enjoyed it more the second time I watched it!

YES. The character development, even though it was only hinted at, was very profound and well portrayed.

Somehow I don't think it'll end up being God, if only because then it'll be a case of "been there, done that". I hope it's something sinister!

Haha I'm not sure, my speakers on this laptop are very crappy, but it wouldn't surprise me if Dean was automatically drawn to people who reminded him of Sam.

[euphonious-glow.livejournal.com]

(hello I seem to have randomly stumbled on your journal due to my Dean/Cas love don't mind me)

I agree with basically all the same things you mentioned. I loved Dean in this episode and thought Jensen's acting was great. I liked how he reacted rather subtly to seeing Sam back. Like he was so overwhelmed that he didn't know how to react and he couldn't trust himself to really believe his brother was alive.

Sam was >:( Something is definitely up with him, and I'm kind of worried. I expected him to show up at the end of the episode in a much more dramatic way.

Yay, mention of Cas! I like the idea of a fic where S6 never happens, Dean goes on to live a normal life, trying to leave everything behind, and then Cas shows back up and epic love commences. :)

I could stare at Jensen's face all day. He's beautiful.

[tracy.livejournal.com]

Hello! :D

Well, given that Sam went to Hell and then spent a year with those creepy Campbells, I'm sure there's a good reason for his weirdness. I just hope to get the old Sammy back by the end of the season.

I like the idea of a fic where S6 never happens, Dean goes on to live a normal life, trying to leave everything behind, and then Cas shows back up and epic love commences. :)

I'm pretty sure there's already plenty of fic like that!

[ladydreamer.livejournal.com]

I felt that the episode was subdued, and not a flashy, kick you in the face opener that some shows try to do, but just as often as NOT, SPN doesn't do those openers. In My Time of Dying and Sympathy for the Devil weren't over the top excite-fests. Lazarus Rising was exciting and The Magnificent Seven tried to be (I liked it, but I remember a lot of people didn't). There were a lot of SPN staples in this episode: the montage to music as Dean Does Stuff, the 'hunt' that goes off and ends with an awkward moment (Dean explaining why he's got a gun on a Yorkie), Bobby mansplaining things to Dean to justify stuff that Dean is mad about, a brotherly hug… It's not like some random person came in and took over. Sera knows the show. Is it that jarring for there to be brighter lighting?

I guess people were afraid that Dean was going to be in TRUE LOVE FOREVER with Lisa, but I didn't really get that vibe even in the previous season. I think this past year for Dean was really the year in therapy that he's been needing since, like, HELL. So I'm not surprised that he feels a bit beholdened to Lisa and Ben (and to me they're a pair), or that he's softer, because he finally got to spend time with someone willing to understand and help him work on his half-out-of-his-headness.

I wonder how long the Campbells are going to last. They seem like… expendable characters.

[tracy.livejournal.com]

I dunno, it felt different to me but it wasn't jarring. And now that you've laid out a list of SPN staples, it even seems less different. Either way, I enjoyed the ep, so. :)

Your comparison of the past year to therapy is awesome and so very true. Finally Dean's got the time and a simple life and unconditional support to help him heal, and I hope that even if it didn't fix him, it did him a lot of good.

I doubt I'll be torn up if/when they die. :P

Also, I LOVE YOUR ICON.