Sex and Violence: The Kids Aren't All Right

They’re so not all right, and Bobby knew this as he left them by that bridge that they can not cross over. Don’t be hard on Bobby. He’s neither their father nor a couples therapist. He’s their friend, and though more a mentor than a peer within the hunting community, he knows you won’t get far trying to boss around a Winchester. And Bobby wasn’t there to hear what Sam said. He doesn’t know the half of it, because Bobby also doesn’t know Sam Winchester has demon blood and wields the Hand of Ipecac.

Sam has been so silent this season everyone figured Kripke had it out for him, but I held fast to the belief his silence spoke volumes. And now we know. Now we know more than we wanted to know about just what Sam is thinking.

I don’t care if Sam tries to use the excuse he was under a spell when he told Dean those hurtful things, because that’s BS. Those words were spoken from his subconscious and they were real.

The siren planted a hyacinth at the scene. In the language of flowers, the hyacinth is the symbol of sincerity.

Sam was the most honest in this episode since early season two. Still, it seems honesty is not the best policy and all those times Sam has had no response to Dean it is understandable. Better to say nothing than to say the wrong thing. But when Sam lets it all out: watch out. I think of what he said in two parts. First off there is the whole, I’m better-stronger-smarter than you comment. To me, that was a testosterone filled sibling rivalry comment. Sam has always been competitive and strives to be his best at whatever he does. It would be natural for him to think he was superior to Dean. In HS I’m sure he felt his academics gave him an edge, later once he considered himself a hunter he naturally wanted to be top of the game there too.

It’s the second comment that was more barbed: “You’re holding me back.” It’s like saying he doesn’t need Dean at all. And that’s one of Dean’s deepest fears, the fear that causes him to project an entirely different Sammy onto the man Sam is now. In “Metamorphosis” Dean spoke his fear: “You don’t need me. You and Ruby go fight demons.”

Sadly, that’s exactly what they were doing and doing well until Dean showed up. Again, in Sex and Violence, Sam reminds Dean he doesn’t need him. He and Ruby will find Lillith. Dean isn’t strong enough for the fight. Part of this could be Sam’s new found protective instinct over Dean. It’s an instinct of a big brother who considers the other lesser or weaker and in need of protection. Sam has demonstrated this all season and Dean has fed that need from nearly being eaten by the Rugaru in Meta, to his capture in MM, to his nightmares, the drinking, his paranoid collapse in YF, his beating at Alastair’s hand. Sam has been there to save his ass.

But the whole: “So you tortured souls, boo-hoo!” Holy crap Sam, what a bastard!

Which makes me think of the Foreigner song: “Cold as Ice”

That would be Sam. Cold as Ice. And much of it is protective instinct. He wants to not be hurt, not be rejected.

So even if the siren’s venom made Sam think the thoughts he did, what planted them? Do his “power-up” sessions with Ruby stir the demon blood and make him more mean, more cruel or spiteful? More like a demon? Beware when you fight the monsters, lest you become one of them.

Is that why Dean was so eager to point out to Sam that he slept with monsters…meaning you are one: I’d hunt you. Remember that was sincerity without the venom.

Why Season 3 is just kinda not great

Don't get me wrong. Season 3 had some really good episodes, but I think where it falls flat for me is that I don't see it full steam ahead with the character development we came to expect in the first 44 shows. [Do the math: that's like 29 hours of character development]

OK, so what do we have: We've Dean at first on some half-manic suicide mission level.

Understandable, what else can he do? Sure he'll kill the evil sons o'bitches on his way out, but he'll go down with a smile on his face. This is typical Dean and he's probably the truest to form in this season especially as he grows nearer his death and admits to himself and Sam tht he is scared and he doesn't deserve to go to Hell.

Then there's Bobby, we all love Bobby cause he's a hell of alot more father than we ever saw John be...ok, that's harsh. But other than John giving his soul for his son (which made us realize he really was an outstanding man after all) we thought he was piss poor. Come on! When Sam called him in Faith he never answered, Dean might have died and his father wouldn't have known for months. But Bobby! Call him and he's just an hour out. He'll fix your car, your gun, he'll exorcise your demons...good ol' reliable Bobby.

But Sam! Sammy!!!!!! WTF! Your the Anti-Christ Superstar...the Chosen one...the last man standing....your brother's going to hell and you what? Use all those cool powers to save him? What? They disappeared! You're all normal again and back to being choked like in season one.

Oh that's just great. Just when Dean needs you...you bail! It's like Luke went to Dagobah, learned all about the Force, but when he got spooked in the cave he wouldn't touch the Force again. So when Han was about to die...he could do nothing. (Oh, wait! That kinda did happen).

Yesterday, I started an article on Sam's grief and I wrote about Seaon 3 being "Denial". Yes, Sam is denying the abilities he has because the demon is dead. Ugh! It's like that whole arc died. I know Kripke has a plan, but still, this was a disappointment for me. I know Sam slowly stepped up to the plate and there were a few moments (notibly Gordon's decapitation) which made it seem like Sam was changing, but all in all he was the same puppy who couldn't do a damn thing for big bro. Ruby finally tells Sam (and us) that he let his powers grow dormant. Then he beats Lillith at her powers and leaves us hanging for season 4.

The biggest plot drop and likely victim of the writers' strike had to be Mary's secret. In episode 2 Sam investigates the deaths of family memebers and friends. We never learn why the YED would want to systematically wipe them all out. Were they protecting Sam? Would there existance let Sam know he had no demonic destiny? Hopefully seaon 4 will answer these things, but I think that more would have been said if there were the 6 more episodes that were suppose to be there.

And box set with it's 5 discs was sad. Just 5 discs! Yet, with Dean in Hell [Han Solo in carbonite] and Lillith on the loose one can't but parallel that we are at the end of the Empire Strikes Back part of the Journey. And we must be patient.....and stand firm as we roll into some dark times before the dawn (or something like that).

May Season 4 blow us out of the water!