239 replies to this topic

[Tippi Blevins]

I get why Sam broke up with Amelia. (She was married. He has work to do. They were boring as hell.) But why did Dean break up with Benny? Is there some kind of physics formula that says Winchester angst has to equal on both sides?

I hope that, against expectations, Amelia is the one who turns into a bloodthirsty killer as a result.

Edited by Tippi Blevins, Jan 16, 2013 @ 10:07 PM.

[MichaelaBelle]

I get why Sam broke up with Amelia. (She was married. He has work to do. They were boring as hell.) But why did Dean break up with Benny? Is there some kind of physics formula that says Winchester angst has to equal on both sides?

Maybe he realized how needy and dependent Benny was getting. How many times have we seen Benny call on and/or rely on Dean for help? He doesn't need one more person emotionally sucking him dry. It obviously was not going to end unless he just put a stop to it.

[hat]

I really hated that ending and I hated that Sam gave Dean an ultimatum between him and Benny. FU Sam. I wish Dean hadn't given in, again. It's another emotional blackmail from Sam and I noticed that when Dean admitted he was wrong, Sam never admitted that he may have been wrong. What a total douche!

I'm so pissed that the show is once again constricting the hunting world to Dean and Sam. Benny would have been a great addition, and then they also go and kill Samdriel. Carver, you're starting to look like the previos seasons, and that's not a good thing. What happened to the challange of expanding the cast for SPN? FU.

I didn't mind the episode, and it was pretty good, except for the boring Samelia scenes. But the ending just ruined the episode for me. Screw Sam and his ultimatums.

I love you Benny, and I hope you hold fast and someday Dean gets the balls to throw Sam on his ass and stay with people who actually care for him.

[DesiJ]

For whatever reason, it appears Dean felt since Sam had to give up Amelia, he had to give up Benny. WTF? The only person I feel sorry for in this whole situation is the vampire.

Didn't really care for this episode. I don't like watching torture, and this episode had a bit too much of it for my tastes.

[steve91199]

But why did Dean break up with Benny? Is there some kind of physics formula that says Winchester angst has to equal on both sides?

If one brother does something, the other brother must do the same. The latest of this being Sam letting Martin loose somehow being balanced out by Dean sending a fake text.

So basically, Dean doesn't have a friendship with Benny, he doesn't have a friendship with Cas. He's now alone with Sam, who has made it clear he doesn't want to be around for longer than absolutely necessary and will then go live his own life. Dean has absolutely no one.

Brotherly bond in action. Codependency until the last breath.

Didn't really care for this episode. I don't like watching torture, and this episode had a bit too much of it for my tastes.

Someone at the show (or at CW) was certainly proud of it, as the promos were wall to wall torture. I just skipped most of that. With all the controversy over Zero Dark Thirty it's odd timing.

Edited by steve91199, Jan 16, 2013 @ 10:12 PM.

[Tippi Blevins]

Ohh I forgot about the stupid ultimatum.

Well, now I'm all crabby. That must mean I'm ready to write the recaplet.

[Phebe Marie]

Was this the episode we were promised a riveting and truthful conversation between Sam and Dean? If so, I completely missed it.

[DesiJ]

Someone at the show (or at CW) was certainly proud of it, as the promos were wall to wall torture. I just skipped most of that. With all the controversy over Zero Dark Thirty it's odd timing.

Since I have Tivo I always wait until it's about half an hour into the episode before I start watching so I can FF through all the commercials. With this episode I hit the FF every time Sam and Amelia were on the screen, and I also FF'd through the torture, so I almost caught up to live viewing.

[steve91199]

With this episode I hit the FF every time Sam and Amelia were on the screen, and I also FF'd through the torture

How could you tell the difference?

[Lemuria]

Maybe he realized how needy and dependent Benny was getting. How many times have we seen Benny call on and/or rely on Dean for help? He doesn't need one more person emotionally sucking him dry. It obviously was not going to end unless he just put a stop to it.

I think it was because not as much has changed this season from the crap we got with the brotherly relationship in the past as I had thought. Sam gave yet another ultimatum, and again, Dean caves instead of kicking Sam out the door. Allow me a moment to give Carver half a peace sign. Dean turns away from a friend who'd earned his loyalty for a brother who has been treating him like dirt for years now. Sam, OTOH, didn't dump Amelia for Dean, though, did he? He did it because of "everything that's going down."

Not to mention, there still hasn't been a single apology from Sam to Dean or any acknowledgment by Sam that he's done anything wrong so far this season. and if Benny goes off the wagon, no one will remember Sam's ultimatum. Just that Dean let Benny down. Nice work, Carver. Should Dean fans decide there's not much point in watching the show continue to crap on the character, you should be able to figure out why.

Edited by Lemuria, Jan 16, 2013 @ 10:19 PM.

[Vaya]

Poor Alfie, he was adorable.

I got nothing else really. Cas is possessed, Dean is worried about him, Sam is being wishy washy, etc, etc, etc.

Deja Vu is the feeling that you've seen this plot before...

[MadCaps]

I get why Sam broke up with Amelia. (She was married. He has work to do. They were boring as hell.) But why did Dean break up with Benny? Is there some kind of physics formula that says Winchester angst has to equal on both sides?

Because Sam gave a completely uncalled for ultimatum and Dean caved as per usual.

I hope the wincesters are happy because Sam and Dean sure looked miserable at the end.

I also note that Dean apologizes for the text but Sam remains disgustingly sanctimonious right until the end. God this relationship is utterly revolting to me now.

[Aeryn13]

Oh jesus effing Christ, back to doormat!Dean? Again?

Sam acts like a huge entitled prick, handing out ultimatums and of course never once apologizing himself for anything. And Dean caves to that? Once again apologizing. And gives up on Benny for it even? Made me feel bad for Benny.

I absolutely hate this "dynamic". Sam skates by, able to be as douchey as possible without ever taking the slightest responsibility for it and Dean has to always crawl back to his fucking entitled ass? Sam even made it clear that he pretty much can`t wait to ditch him again. Urgh.

[hat]

Not to mention that Sam screws Amelia, then he decides maybe it's not a good idea to stay together. Really, the guy is a total user. He uses Dean, he uses Amelia. This episode made Sam look worse than ever.

I wish Dean had gone to Benny. I'm bummed. Screw you Carver.

[Parcae3]

So basically, Dean doesn't have a friendship with Benny, he doesn't have a friendship with Cas. He's now alone with Sam, who has made it clear he doesn't want to be around for longer than absolutely necessary and will then go live his own life. Dean has absolutely no one.

He has no one and he looks fucking MISERABLE stuck with Sam. I don't get it. Dean obviously loves misery, because he picked the one person this season who has NOT had his back and who will abandon him at the drop of the hat, over a friend who was there for him.

And what is this, a junior high love triangle?? "It's either Benny or me, Dean, choose!" I mean, really? Sam has been acting like an immature ass, but there's no reason that Dean has to give in to him. I can understand having to choose between the life with Amelia and the hunting life, but there was NO reason for Dean to have to give up Benny, who fit INTO the supernatural/hunting life.

Just sick. I am sick and tired of Dean having to give up things and people to make SAM happy. And I'm sick of Dean doing it too. This co-dependent mess is still misery and dysfunction.

I just can't believe Carver has actually made this relationship WORSE and doesn't seem to be caring about fixing it. He's just sticking them together again because they have to be. There's no love, no friendship, no bond anymore, than they are together because they have to be. And they DON'T have to be.

Ugh. So damn stupid.

Anyway, I felt for Castiel, and I love that Dean knows there is something wrong. And has known since Cass returned from Purgatory. I felt so bad for Samandrial!

I totally laughed over this big shocking news that there was an angel tablet. Really, Show and Crowley? Most of us figured that out the second you said there were more tablets. Stupid. I really get tired of Show acting like we can't figure this crap out. It's not in Enochian, guys, we can all see it coming.

Over all, it was an OK episode. Glad to see that Dean didn't back down to Sam until the very end, of course. Sam's immaturity and assholeness continues on with him not even admitting in anyway he was wrong. I hope this is the last of Amelia but my luck, they will bring her back. And if they bring back Benny, it will to have him turned evil and pile MORE guilt on to Dean's shoulders. Because the guy doesn't have enough.

Amelia and Sam totally deserved each other though. Love the two cheaters cheating together. Oh, but Don's such a good guy, Amelia! That's totally why you are screwing another man.

Whatever.

[steve91199]

Not to mention, there still hasn't been a single apology from Sam to Dean or any acknowledgment by Sam that he's done anything wrong so far this season. and if Benny goes off the wagon, no one will remember Sam's ultimatum. Just that Dean let Benny down.

It just makes more fodder for fan wars. Sam's done a lot of stuff this season that has been written as acceptable and just alienates some fans. Other fans who support Sam will be angry at this reaction. More fighting. It certainly brings in page views for entertainment blogs, but not sure if it helps ratings. A lot of people were going around tumblr trying to get people to watch this episode, to help make sure the ratings were good - I wonder how many would have enjoyed this particular episode.

This show has one of the unhealthiest views of family I've ever seen.

I just can't believe Carver has actually made this relationship WORSE and doesn't seem to be caring about fixing it. He's just sticking them together again because they have to be. There's no love, no friendship, no bond anymore, than they are together because they have to be. And they DON'T have to be.

I think Carver believes he is fixing it, which is...really something.

I imagine we'll get some fun bonding episodes, so that might help, but to be honest I just don't think Jared and Jensen have that chemistry together anymore.

Edited by steve91199, Jan 16, 2013 @ 10:27 PM.

[hat]

He doesn't need one more person emotionally sucking him dry.

You're right about that. Sam emotionally sucks him dry enough as it is.

[MichaelaBelle]

Sam gave yet another ultimatum, and again, Dean caves instead of kicking Sam out the door.

Dean also told Sam he either had to be in with both feet or out. Either brother could have made a different choice. If Dean wanted Benny as a partner instead of Sam, nothing was stopping him. Getting rid of Benny is the best thing Dean could do. Benny would have expected Dean to drop everything and come to his assistance over and over. That relationship was completely one sided. Hopefully Dean finally saw it.

[exit only]

I'm not sure what I'm watching anymore, it's certainly not the Supernatural I used to love. This is worse than a soap opera. How old is Sam? I could see him stomping his feet and pouting when he asked Dean if he was done with Benny. Jesus, Sam, what are you, 12? (maybe that's an insult to 12 year olds, if so, I apologize).

I was so glad to see Dean stand up to Sam in the beginning, but then the ending sucked. I don't see why Dean had to end his friendship with Benny.

Unfortunately, I was watching it live, so I couldn't fast forward through the Sam/Amelia scene, but god, that was awful. That was worse than a soap opera, with Amelia's explanation of the possible meeting and then Jared's big sigh to end the scene.

Not to mention, there still hasn't been a single apology from Sam to Dean or any acknowledgment by Sam that he's done anything wrong so far this season.

That is one thing that bothered me about that opening scene between the brothers, Sam never apologized for what he did, putting the unstable hunter after Benny and even leaving Dean unconscious and handcuffed to the radiator. None of that was brought up. Sam tried playing the innocent woobie victim, which he was not.

I hope that, against expectations, Amelia is the one who turns into a bloodthirsty killer as a result.

Wouldn't that be nice? But, no, of course, that's not going to happen. Dean's going to have to kill Benny. I bet it ends up being like Madison, Benny is going to ask Dean to do it. 'Cause you know this show loves to repeat its stories.

Edited by exit only, Jan 16, 2013 @ 10:31 PM.

[MadCaps]

And what is this, a junior high love triangle?? "It's either Benny or me, Dean, choose!" I mean, really? Sam has been acting like an immature ass, but there's no reason that Dean has to give in to him. I can understand having to choose between the life with Amelia and the hunting life, but there was NO reason for Dean to have to give up Benny, who fit INTO the supernatural/hunting life.

The most hilarious bit of dialogue for the night was Dean saying he was jealous when it's Sam has been pea-green the entire season.

Well I hope Ty Olsson's pilot gets picked up and he's unavailable when SPN goes crawling back to him at the end of the season.

Also I really have no idea why Cas was so intent on having Sam on the hunt. They would have been better off getting Benny instead. At least he has super-strength to take out the demons.

[Vaya]

This show has one of the unhealthiest views of family I've ever seen.

If the show was at least honest about how unhealthy this is, that would be one thing, but it continually paints Dean's crippling codependency and Sam's inability to shit or get off the pot as noble or something.

Dean also told Sam he either had to be in with both feet or out.

This is what I mean about Sam being wishy washy.

I cut family out of my life, it was a complete cut. Sam keeps threatening to, and then not. Either he shits or gets off the pot.

And really, considering Dean's codependency, its down right manipulative of him to do.

Edited by Vaya, Jan 16, 2013 @ 10:36 PM.

[awab]

The episode wasn't bad till that last scene. What the f+ck was Carver thinking? Why Dean has to give up on Benny? Why? Cause it pisses Sam off? Well, it's Sam's problem. I rather him go with Amelia anyway. The boring couple is boring.
So basically they sacrificed Benny and all good Dean had with him and for what? To make Dean miserable again cause he has no one but Sam now? What's the point?
Carver, you need to rearrange your priorities!

[MadCaps]

If the show was at least honest about how unhealthy this is, that would be one thing, but it continually paints Dean's crippling codependency and Sam's inability to shit or get off the pot as noble or something.

Exactly! There is absolutely no emotional honesty left on this show and that used to be one of the things I loved best about it in the first four seasons.

[amazinglybored]

Poor Benny, Castiel, Dean, Don and Samandriel. I think that covers everyone I feel sorry for, sometimes Kevin and his mother, it's pretty much everyone but Samelia and villains.

Cut out Sam, Samelia and the ending, and you've got a pretty good episode. Smuggy needs to get punched in his gigantic smug face every episode. This brother bond is seriously disturbing at this point, it's an abusive person manipulating their favourite toy into staying with them. No apologies necessary because Sam is always right and no one is as important, ultimatums and tantrums are the order of the day. He was horrible this episode from beginning to end, but I think Amelia might really be his other half, congrats to the horrible people.

Dean and Benny was genuinely sad at the end, I just hope this doesn't lead to Benny falling off the wagon or any resentments between him and Dean. Castiel could be interesting and Naomi was deranged in a way I tend to like so that was good. Sucks to be Samandriel.

Also, why would you bring the colossal liability on a hunt? Can Demons sense his ego and get distracted by it?

Edited by amazinglybored, Jan 16, 2013 @ 10:40 PM.

[shamangrrl]

As soon as Dean apologized to BitchFace, I turned off the television. I'll follow the boards in case Carver surprises with a good episode, but I won't be watching anymore. Oh, well. I lasted longer with Carver than I did with Gamble.

[Aeryn13]

Benny would have expected Dean to drop everything and come to his assistance over and over. That relationship was completely one sided. Hopefully Dean finally saw it.

I would say that way more about the "relationship" he has with Sam. At least Benny doesn`t stand around with that smug look on his face, knowing Dean the doormat will kowtow to every one of his demands. I saw respect and equality between Dean and Benny.

Sam gave up squat. Amelia walked away to her husband and he clearly isn`t in with "both feet". Their compromises always turn out this way, Dean caves and Sam "graciously" accepts it. Couldn`t be more one way if they tried.

And here I thought after this Season so far, Sam couldn`t come across as more hateful and douchey than he already was but this ep proved me wrong. This was nothing compared to the end of episode 6 where I already yelled at Dean to get in his car. There is nothing sympathetic about this prick at all in my eyes. Absolutely nothing.

[Austinthecat]

Glad to see that Dean didn't back down to Sam until the very end, of course. Sam's immaturity and assholeness continues on with him not even admitting in anyway he was wrong. I hope this is the last of Amelia but my luck, they will bring her back. And if they bring back Benny, it will to have him turned evil and pile MORE guilt on to Dean's shoulders. Because the guy doesn't have enough.

Of course, because Sam has to be proven right somehow. Assuming Benny doesn't disappear forever from the storyline, he probably will either turn evil or fall off the wagon and that'll be at least partially Dean's fault - he's knowingly left him with no support system. Honestly, I am starting to think that Benny was only introduced to make Dean look bad. Other than that, he served no real purpose. At this point, I am wishing he'd never been on the show. Dean looks rather like a douche for just abandoning him that way. I'm actually at the point of thinking that Dean deserves to be mistreated and used horribly by Sam if he is that willing to leave a friend - he obviously loves it. So much for his famous loyalty. Sam says jump, he says how high. There has been no improvement from the Gamble days. Dean would be well advised to cease making friends or having relationships of any kind outside of Sam, we know now that he'll just turn his back as soon as he's told to.

Dean also told Sam he either had to be in with both feet or out. Either brother could have made a different choice. If Dean wanted Benny as a partner instead of Sam, nothing was stopping him. Getting rid of Benny is the best thing Dean could do. Benny would have expected Dean to drop everything and come to his assistance over and over. That relationship was completely one sided. Hopefully Dean finally saw it.

The difference here is that Dean wasn't resentful towards Sam in any way because he couldn't hang out with Benny. Sam was very resentful about the Amelia/normal life thing. Dean was simply asking him to choose normal or hunting but stop with the attitude. How is it so wrong that Dean has a friend who asks him for help once in a while?

Dean only went and helped Benny twice - when Benny took on the gang of vampires and when Sam initiated the pointless and jealousy fueled hunt with Martin. However now Sam has Dean all to himself to use and abuse as he wishes. Hello doormat Dean....I really didn't miss you. Perhaps you should start calling your brother "master", since he truly is your master.

I imagine we'll get some fun bonding episodes, so that might help, but to be honest I just don't think Jared and Jensen have that chemistry together anymore.

But but bonding will be fake to me, insincere. It will be built not on mutual respect, affection or trust, it will be built on an unhealthy co-dependency that has reached sickening levels and really only goes one way. Sam can take or leave Dean, but apparently Dean would rather live with his jerk of a brother than have a true friendship. If Dean is truly that lacking in character, Sam can have him. They deserve each other. Yes, I'm at the point of thinking I don't like either brother very much anymore.

Cas had better watch out, I'm sure Dean will drop him like a hot potato too if told to.

[sallymonelly]

Maybe he realized how needy and dependent Benny was getting. How many times have we seen Benny call on and/or rely on Dean for help?

How does this make him different from Sam or Cas? Sam only goes to Dean when he has nobody else or when he needs help and Cas, it seems as of lately, only goes to Dean when he needs help. Should Dean tell Cas, too bad, so sad, adios?

Sam had no right to treat Dean the way he did, and he certainly had no right to put the blame for what happened on Dean, and try to make Dean feel guilty. That was totally Sam being his usual self-centered immature man who's been using emotional blackmail for years on Dean.

I wish Carver had the guts to let Dean call Sam on his crappy ultimatums and tell him to go fuck himself, because that's exactly what I would have told Sam if he had talked to me like that.

This episode was a mix of good, redundant and bad. The Sam and Amelia parts were, as usual, bad. The torture was fine at the beginning but I have to agree with those that said it went on too long.

Cas was fine and his situation is beginning to show, so I can forgive his temper tantrum with Dean and I love that Dean realizes that there is something wrong with Cas.

I will miss Alfie and that's a character that should not have been killed.

Benny is still up in the air and I really hope that Carver doesn't cave in and keeps Benny the good guy and brings him back.

Sam can take a flying leap off the nearest cliff for all I care.

Dean honey, you deserve better than Sam. Maybe someday the show will hire a writer that will actually do something good for you and get rid of that Sambatross around your neck.

The most hilarious bit of dialogue for the night was Dean saying he was jealous when it's Sam has been pea-green the entire season.

That really was laughable. Sam has shown his jealousy over Benny, has given Dean no excuse as to why Dean has to give up Benny and yet Dean is the one that is jealous? Who is this crappy writer anyway? How stupid does she think the fans are? It's insulting if the PTBs don't think that we as fans can't see the unfairness of it all, how Sam is still being treated with kid gloves and how Dean is always made to apologize while Sam stands there smug and entitled. What a joke this show has turned out. Brotherly bond my ass.

[sallysweeet]

That had some decent moments, but the ending just left a sour taste. I don't even want to address the Sam and Amelia scene because I prefer to block that out of mind. I need to undue the visual and audio.

I was afraid the confrontation scene between the brothers was going to be worse than it was, I loved that Dean wasn't yelling, that he just walked away. But, Sam's ultimatum and childish jealousy were worse than I thought it was going to be. The fact that Sam didn't seem to recognize his part in what happened, just that it depended on Dean? Un-fucking-believable.

I'll end with my shallow comment - Dean needs to wear that blue shirt and jacket more often! Jensen/Dean looked great in it!

Edited by sallysweeet, Jan 16, 2013 @ 11:12 PM.

[Vaya]

Of course, part of the problem is that the "brotherly bond" was one of the building blocks of the show in the first place, and also the since the show is about both of them, they can't really be parted. Unfortunately, Sam was never really invested beyond finding Jess' killer, which they did, and then he had a whole lot of destiny cakes and so couldn't leave, but now, what's keeping him around? He's not really interested in redeeming himself for his sins as soul less sammy (oh how I miss him, all the douchyness with none of the pretense of being a nice guy). The only reason he's around is because of Dean, seeing how he quit as soon as Dean was missing. But instead of it being an unbreakable bond, its become a sick caretaker fantasy of his. He clearly doesn't enjoy it, and he bitches about it constantly. Its like some twisted form of Munchaussan by Proxy, "look at my poor brother who is SUCH A BURDEN TO TAKE CARE OF!"

And since Shut Up Daddy drilled into Dean the importance of family, and Sam is the only family left, and that it was Dean's job to watch him, Dean defines his own existence around the moose. He's only got Cas still cause Sam allows it. And its too bad because away from plot convenience, Dean could have easily outgrown Sam. (I think another complication to the core of the shows brotherly bond crap is that Jensen Ackles and Misha Collins have way better chemistry)

So, we're stuck with this deeply abusive relationship unless the writers once again find a compelling reason for Sam to stick around.

Or go with my suggestion, demote him to guest star and turn it into the show of Dean and Cas running a bed and breakfast in Vermont haunted by a dead Jewish Grandmother who makes the best pies in existence.