Supernatural: Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid
Mar. 27th, 2010 12:40 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
violetrose1922 I was so excited to have new Supernatural episodes back this week. There is something new with me and this season though; I often do not love the episodes when I watch them live. In previous seasons I almost always really enjoyed them live and also upon repeated viewings. With a few exceptions this year ("The End," "Changing Channels," MBV) I have not loved the shows live. This most recent episode actually disappointed me as I watched and immediately afterward. Maybe it was because the wait was just too long between episodes this time. I really think that the long breaks are hurting the show this season.
I thought MBV was really good. I also loved the end of that one and think it was very weak storytelling that this episode just seemed to ignore the one before it. There may have been some slight acknowledgment in the scene where they discuss the horsemen, but what about Sam detoxing in the safe room and Dean's heartfelt plea for help? Sam just got better suddenly? I did read somewhere that this was actually originally to be shown before MBV (no idea if that is true or not) and I could sort of see that... Did they decide that since we were going to have such a long stupid hiatus that they needed a better show to break with? Maybe, but it is still bad storytelling to not acknowledge the huge issues from the last episodes. That may be the best the showrunners could do when the network mandated the longer hiatus, but it still sucked for me as a viewer.
Upon re-watching there were some things that I did like. I do like Bobby, and was glad to see him as the center of a story. I sort of liked the zombies too. I think the recurring themes of wanting loved ones back from the dead--and how that does not usually work out so well--is interesting. But then I am disappointed that it was not dealt with in a more direct way. I think that as always, Jensen and Jared were really good. I also felt that this episode gave Jared slightly more nuance to play with. I have felt (maybe wrongly upon more continuous re-watching with DVDs) that Sam just hasn't been that interesting this season. I love evil Sam, so MBV was great, but often Sam has been sort of a mopey foil. I liked that they both played strong and well off of each other in this one. The clever interchanges and the acting just by looking was also in evidence.
I guess that part of my problem is that I love this show so much I want it to be exceptional every week. That is somewhat unreasonable, but still what I want. The Js never let me down--their acting is always superb, as are most of the supporting players. But I don't think the writers have done that good a job with the apocalypse. The stopping and starting of this year's schedule is probably adding to (or helping to highlight) those weaknesses.
For the first time since I started watching this show, I am worried that they will let me down with the end of this season. I know I need to have more faith, they have come through 4 times before. But still... kick it up a notch-please.
I thought MBV was really good. I also loved the end of that one and think it was very weak storytelling that this episode just seemed to ignore the one before it. There may have been some slight acknowledgment in the scene where they discuss the horsemen, but what about Sam detoxing in the safe room and Dean's heartfelt plea for help? Sam just got better suddenly? I did read somewhere that this was actually originally to be shown before MBV (no idea if that is true or not) and I could sort of see that... Did they decide that since we were going to have such a long stupid hiatus that they needed a better show to break with? Maybe, but it is still bad storytelling to not acknowledge the huge issues from the last episodes. That may be the best the showrunners could do when the network mandated the longer hiatus, but it still sucked for me as a viewer.
Upon re-watching there were some things that I did like. I do like Bobby, and was glad to see him as the center of a story. I sort of liked the zombies too. I think the recurring themes of wanting loved ones back from the dead--and how that does not usually work out so well--is interesting. But then I am disappointed that it was not dealt with in a more direct way. I think that as always, Jensen and Jared were really good. I also felt that this episode gave Jared slightly more nuance to play with. I have felt (maybe wrongly upon more continuous re-watching with DVDs) that Sam just hasn't been that interesting this season. I love evil Sam, so MBV was great, but often Sam has been sort of a mopey foil. I liked that they both played strong and well off of each other in this one. The clever interchanges and the acting just by looking was also in evidence.
I guess that part of my problem is that I love this show so much I want it to be exceptional every week. That is somewhat unreasonable, but still what I want. The Js never let me down--their acting is always superb, as are most of the supporting players. But I don't think the writers have done that good a job with the apocalypse. The stopping and starting of this year's schedule is probably adding to (or helping to highlight) those weaknesses.
For the first time since I started watching this show, I am worried that they will let me down with the end of this season. I know I need to have more faith, they have come through 4 times before. But still... kick it up a notch-please.
