All Over but the Shouting

[oselle]

I changed my tagline to read "Sera Gamble never went anywhere with that," because now that it's all over...wow. She really never went anywhere with that.

It's kind of extraordinary that we started out the season with that huge mish-mash of storylines and ended it with one that no one saw coming -- Castiel's ascent (or Castiel's fall, depending on how you look at it).

I'm going to try to make a list of all the stories this season tried to incorporate:

- Lisa and Ben
- The extended Campbell clan
- Whatever Samuel Campbell was trying to do with Mary
- Alpha monsters
- Mother-Of-All
- Crowley and purgatory
- Sam-and-Dean role reversal
- Soulless Sam
- War in heaven

Of all of these, only the war in heaven wound up being important. They managed to tie the Crowley and Purgatory storyline into that, and, to some extent, the alpha monsters and the Mother-Of-All, although IMO the discovery of Purgatory could have been easily pulled off without either the alpha monsters or the M-O-A (both of which, I'm sure, were originally meant to get much more play).

Every single other story was completely irrelevant and that includes Soulless Sam -- that entire part of the season wound up having nothing at all to do with the war in heaven, and the hasty way they cleaned it up in the last episode is the final proof of how little it mattered. I think that Jared did a good job with those scenes but they were anticlimactic compared to the build-up for them, and I couldn't help being amused by how the "horrors" of Sam's whole lost year were embodied by the death of some random brunette, while everything he did to Dean went completely unmentioned. Then again, I shouldn't be surprised because the writers never expect Sam to feel any guilt over anything he does to Dean, with or without a soul.

I so, so don't want to get excited over Season 7 because I know they will screw it up. In fact they will have to screw it up, because they'll soon realize that they've left themselves with a story that revolves almost exclusively on Castiel and Dean. I know they keep trying to bring Sam (and even Bobby) into the circle, but you'd have to be blind not to see that there are really only two characters in this story -- the hunter and his erstwhile guardian angel. Presumably the fate of the world is going to hinge upon this dynamic. And now we have a genuine role reversal, because if anyone's going to save Cas from his own perdition (thereby no doubt saving the world), it'll have to be Dean.

Now, this happens to be totally in my wheelhouse, and you could probably write some incredible fic off this premise...but they're not going to be able to build the whole season on it. Actually they probably could, but they'd have to plan it very thoughtfully and take some real risks...and then be able to manage the consequences of those risks instead of just sweeping them under the rug when they get messy. Thoughtful planning, risk-taking and dealing with consequences have not exactly been the writers' strong suits to date. The best we can hope for is some more great emotional stare-downs between Dean and Cas, and of course, anytime Cas wants to pop in and watch Dean sleep, that's a-ok with me. I really, really dig that.

Comments

[morganslady.livejournal.com]

Maybe Purgatory is really here,Earth.. they keep looking for it and can't find it,maybe they're living it Just a thought

[muffaletta.livejournal.com]

There were also the plot threads of why Dean was monster bait early in the season (including becoming a monster himself), the intrepid detective assignment, Death's reasons for wanting Dean to understand the natural order/rescue Sam's soul. I'm sure I could think of some more but I have a headache as it is.

I was just saying that this entire season was fairly pointless and could have been told in about 5 episodes, tops. What a bloody waste.

"I couldn't help being amused by how the "horrors" of Sam's whole lost year were embodied by the death of some random brunette, while everything he did to Dean went completely unmentioned. Then again, I shouldn't be surprised because the writers never expect Sam to feel any guilt over anything he does to Dean, with or without a soul."

I was laughing over that one myself. Really, Sam? You're actually in the motel where you were with your vamped brother and you remember random chick?

But then again, this was Kripke's episode. He's the dude who thought Bobby screaming at Dean in "LuR" was hilarious because Dean was being a pussy. Or that Sam didn't need to apologize for choking Dean because it wasn't a big deal. Or made the decision to have aplastic soldier no one had ever seen be the thing that jogged Sam's memories of Dean and not Dean's own bloody face. At least I got to hand it to Kripke- he's consistent.

[oselle.livejournal.com]

There were also the plot threads of why Dean was monster bait early in the season (including becoming a monster himself), the intrepid detective assignment, Death's reasons for wanting Dean to understand the natural order/rescue Sam's soul.

I see these as elements of the major storylines. Monster bait/vamped up Dean was part of the alpha monster story; I think Death was supposed to be dropping hints about what Castiel was up to with all the soul business; I don't remember the intrepid detective assignment at all.

You're actually in the motel where you were with your vamped brother and you remember random chick?

OMG, seriously? The Nite Owl was that motel? God, I'm just remembering what a foul little plot twist that was. Actually that whole episode was hopeless.

At least I got to hand it to Kripke- he's consistent.

Again I have to say that the audience wouldn't have latched onto Castiel the way they have if he hadn't emerged as the only character who seems to give a shit about Dean. In fact, Castiel has found himself in the position where Dean usually is -- desperately needing someone to have his back, and not getting it.

[oselle.livejournal.com]

Well, I think they DID find it. That was where Castiel got all those souls that he consumed.

[siouxsmn-3745.livejournal.com]

Frankly, I'm disappointed that since mid-season when Kripke had to step back in and take control to straighten out the mess of the season Sera made it, we were promised we would have the Sam and Dean brothers dynamic back in full force. And once again, Kripke did nothing more than give a huge FU** to the fans and fall flat on that promise. Oh sure, their relationship got better. But the whole entire season has been nothing but Dean and Cas with a little bit of Sam thrown in just so they could keep Jared emmployed.

I'm so no looking forward to Season 7 mainly because the finale still suggests that we have to deal with Castiel. Which means another season of Dean and Cas and trying to find something for Sam to do to fit in.

I've heard fans say that by putting Nikita on before SPN, it will kill the show for sure. Why worry about that? The writing staff has done a much better job on their own of making sure that will happen.

[sistermagpie.livejournal.com]

I wrote a whole big meta on the season saying pretty much this, but I don't know if I'll post it. You never know what SPN meta will bring to your lj. It just amazes me all those false start stories that happened early on and went nowhere, especially Sam's soul story. I've been reading people saying how if Castiel gets redeemed he really needs to apologize to Sam for doing that to him.

If you want to write your own version of this story this summer, I would appreciate it. I can pre-emptively substitute it for whatever they do in Season 7. I can even imagine how ridiculous it will wind up doing. Do they even have any other living friends at this point besides bobby?

[oselle.livejournal.com]

...the whole entire season has been nothing but Dean and Cas...which means another season of Dean and Cas and trying to find something for Sam to do to fit in.

Really? This "whole entire season" was nothing but Dean and Cas? I'm sorry but no, it wasn't. Castiel was hardly in the show at all until these last few episodes -- in fact, Castiel, and sometimes Dean, were the characters for whom they had to "find something" to do. There was so little Castiel in this season that Misha Collins was practically ready to move back to L.A. because he had such a minor part to play.

The reality is that they spent three-quarters of the season trying to bring Sam to the fore, and none of it stuck. Almost all of Sera's storylines (with the exception of Lisa and Ben) revolved around Sam. When they dropped those plots, they had to do something to bring a little urgency to the proceedings so they made Castiel's war in heaven the major story. But all that happened very recently. The "whole entire season" was most definitely not about Dean and Cas...and even up to the finale, half the episode was all about Sam. Mileage varies, and you're perfectly free to say that you don't care for Castiel and aren't interested in his story, but I'm afraid the facts simply don't support your claim that this entire season was nothing but Dean and Cas.

[oselle.livejournal.com]

I would very much like to read your meta. You can always filter it!

Do they even have any other living friends at this point besides bobby?

No, but I don't really have a problem with that. I've never supported the idea that Sam and Dean needed to widen their circle. I liked the off-the-grid feeling of isolation they had in the first season.

[ghyste.livejournal.com]

I agree with the first part, but I’m personally hoping that Castiel’s story won’t be front and centre next year unless they do something to change him PDQ. Even if you set aside the rumours of Misha’s demotion from Regular, I have difficulty seeing how any kind of interesting story can be crafted around someone with the kind of power he’s currently wielding. Maybe it’s my background in comic fandom that’s talking but I find omnipotent and all-powerful characters incredibly dull.

Of course, I’ve also reached the stage where I’m doubting that the creative team are capable of crafting a compelling and cohesive story around any of the characters these days.

[salty-catfish.livejournal.com]

I'd love to read you meta!

[oselle.livejournal.com]

I find omnipotent and all-powerful characters incredibly dull.

Oh, so do I, and I hope the writers will realize that an omnipotent enemy doesn't leave much room for story. Personally I don't think Castiel is omnipotent, but he only thinks that he is. What I can't figure out is why that would pose any danger to earth, because Castiel was the one who did NOT want to reboot the apocalypse. So with him in charge and Raphael and his followers out of the picture, mankind should be sitting pretty. Praise be to Cas!

They're going to have to find a way to make it matter that Cas has taken on this much power...so maybe now that he's all hopped up on souls, he'll suddenly think the apocalypse is a great idea after all. Of course the conflict could just be his desire to kidnap Dean and make him into his love slave, but I somehow suspect they won't go that route.

[ava-jamison.livejournal.com]

there are really only two characters in this story -- the hunter and his erstwhile guardian angel. Presumably the fate of the world is going to hinge upon this dynamic. And now we have a genuine role reversal, because if anyone's going to save Cas from his own perdition (thereby no doubt saving the world), it'll have to be Dean.

Yes! The incredible fic that could come out of this makes me dizzy! However, I am trying not to get my next season hopes up too high either so yeah. Always fine with the magnificent, highly-charged staredowns and I do not mind me some Cas watching Dean sleep. At all!

But oh. my. GOD. If Dean could save him through the power of their connection, Dean's own humanity and Castiel's (possibly dormant at the moment because of all those loud souls currently inside him*) love of Dean's humanity? Dizzy.

*Purgatory souls! Purgatory!!! Who knows how that's going to affect Castiel!?!

[oselle.livejournal.com]

But oh. my. GOD. If Dean could save him through the power of their connection, Dean's own humanity and Castiel's (possibly dormant at the moment because of all those loud souls currently inside him*) love of Dean's humanity? Dizzy.

This is the sort of thing that could only be pulled off in fanfic.

*Purgatory souls! Purgatory!!! Who knows how that's going to affect Castiel!?!

I've accepted all of this show's wacky pop-culture theology, but for some reason, the idea that Purgatory is the repose of monster souls is really a lot to swallow.

[ava-jamison.livejournal.com]

Interesting! Apparently without really realizing it I've decided that SPN!Purgatory is traditional purgatory except that a few monsters got in. Somehow. (Although those monsters aren't necessarily the worst things ever, if Dr. Visyak is to be bought as empathetic. And Mother of All was just doing it for her kids! Looking like Mary. Although they could both turn out to be horrible demons who got in and I'd love it. I bet the door code is easy to break there.)

I mean we'd still get monsters-around-the-corner in purgatory, plus some cool sins that somehow involve punishment through purification! Or any of those other ways you purify.

Ben Edlund

[greenamberblue.livejournal.com]

I came across you guys through my fellow Dean fan friends and love and agree with everything you say. Usually I just lurk, but today I have decided to be proactive...there is a petition in support of Ben Edlund, and it would be great if you could all sign.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/ben-edlund-for-supernatural-showrunner/

It's only just started but I am pimping it everywhere so hopefully numbers will go up soon.

It also encourages you to comment so please sign so we can at least show TPTB just now how much we appreciate Mr Ben Edlund.

Re: Ben Edlund

[oselle.livejournal.com]

I appreciate you asking me to be involved, but I honestly do not see the point in such a petition. The decision of who will run the show will be between the producers and the network brass -- this petition will be dismissed as malcontent fandom silliness and if anything, it will make all of the writers, especially Gamble, even more prone to write their already-visible contempt for us into the show.

[mulder200.livejournal.com]

Like I said, the most interesting storyline they had all season was Castiel and his Civil War and that was OFFSCREEN!

If that's the best the writers can do, I have no hope for next season at all.

[oselle.livejournal.com]

LOL it happened offscreen because no one thought it was important until they needed it!