Season 3 gets a pass from me for producing "Mystery Spot" and "A Very Supernatural Christmas" -- and I did very much enjoy the season finale (although the Dean-in-chains bit was needless overkill).
I guess Season 4 is primarily a mess for me in retrospect, because yes, Sam was unsympathetic throughout but we never got any satisfaction from that, and instead we got a lot of excuses and whitewashing. His treatment of Dean throughout that season was so excruciating to watch and, as I said at the time, no one (except the viewers) seemed to notice or care. We wrapped up that season with Bobby yelling "Boo hoo, princess!" at Dean as if he had no right to be angry or outraged. It was all handled in a way that made Sam's fall look like Dean's fault -- a theme that was carried through to Season 5 episodes like "Fallen Idols."
Season 5 had way too many episodes that felt like filler. I remember being bored out of my skull more than once. The best thing in S5 was the brilliant "The End" which, as discussed, was not followed up on. "Swan Song" was little more than a sentimental ego-trip for Eric Kripke that paved the way for the long, slow trainwreck of S6, which is proving to be even worse upon a second viewing.
no subject
I guess Season 4 is primarily a mess for me in retrospect, because yes, Sam was unsympathetic throughout but we never got any satisfaction from that, and instead we got a lot of excuses and whitewashing. His treatment of Dean throughout that season was so excruciating to watch and, as I said at the time, no one (except the viewers) seemed to notice or care. We wrapped up that season with Bobby yelling "Boo hoo, princess!" at Dean as if he had no right to be angry or outraged. It was all handled in a way that made Sam's fall look like Dean's fault -- a theme that was carried through to Season 5 episodes like "Fallen Idols."
Season 5 had way too many episodes that felt like filler. I remember being bored out of my skull more than once. The best thing in S5 was the brilliant "The End" which, as discussed, was not followed up on. "Swan Song" was little more than a sentimental ego-trip for Eric Kripke that paved the way for the long, slow trainwreck of S6, which is proving to be even worse upon a second viewing.