Long somewhat rambling thoughts on “Two Minutes till Midnight”

[violetrose1922]

Initially I really liked this episode but needed a second viewing to decide how much and why. I liked the set-up here for the finale, and liked the continuation of last week’s episode. I had problems with the last episode, and was glad that this one addressed several of my issues. It also made me wish that they occasionally did 2 hour episodes…I actually know that the reason is money, but this seemed very much to me like a continuous story and it would have worked much better as one show with a single writer or writing team tying it together.

What I liked most was the overall feeling of this one. I love the faith that the characters showed in each other. I liked the team working together, and the willingness to actually discuss things with each other. I also loved the final scene. The perfect set-up: Dean choosing the world or Sam. I believe that he will do both: he will let Sam make his own decision-showing faith in him, and maybe more importantly, allow Sam the opportunity to redeem himself and maybe this lets Sam save (or help) save the world.

I am so worried about where they will leave us hanging for the hellatus. I admire each of the previous season finales, so am hopeful that this one will live up to the standards they have set.

I thought that as usual, Jared and Jensen were wonderful. My total fangirlness means that I always like their performances, because I so love the show and their characters. But this season I have felt that, with the exception of isolated scenes, they have not seemed as “on” as in the past. I actually blame the inconsistencies of the writing and storytelling this year. I think it must be difficult to do your best work as an actor when it is not totally clear what is going on with your character. I don’t mean that they would need the whole season’s story to get each episode right, but I have felt that this season there was just no real coherency and can see how that would make acting your character really difficult.

I think that is especially true of Sam. The changes the character has gone through would explain some of his seemingly out-of-characterness, but I don’t think they have written him this way. He has just seemed aimless and reactionary and has seemed to spend a lot of time standing around with nothing really to do but look upset. It seemed like they didn’t know what to do with Sam and I think it really showed in some episodes. The last few shows have given him more of a real consistent story and a plan and I think that has shown in Jared’s performances.

I think that Dean has remained a more consistent character and, therefore, Jensen could get to the heart of him more consistently. But there are still instances this season when I thought he was (I don’t know how to say this exactly) noticeably “playing” Dean rather than his usual portrayal that to me is him “being” Dean. But again, I think it was because of the meandering storyline.

As an aside I have been watching Jensen in Dark Angel on DVD and that has made me appreciate his acting even more. He was not on my radar before Supernatural and I think he is so good at “becoming” Dean that people need to see him in some other role to appreciate what he does week in-week out on Supernatural. (I already liked Jared because I loved Rory/Dean on Gilmore Girls)

I am very excited about next week, but also am dreading the long hellatus. How great would it be if they released DVDs at the end of the season? I really want to watch this one without the long breaks and see if I like it better.

Comments

[fabilimah.livejournal.com]

I thought that as usual, Jared and Jensen were wonderful. My total fangirlness means that I always like their performances, because I so love the show and their characters. But this season I have felt that, with the exception of isolated scenes, they have not seemed as “on” as in the past. I actually blame the inconsistencies of the writing and storytelling this year. I think it must be difficult to do your best work as an actor when it is not totally clear what is going on with your character. I don’t mean that they would need the whole season’s story to get each episode right, but I have felt that this season there was just no real coherency and can see how that would make acting your character really difficult.

You said everything!