First Impressions: 5.22 Swan Song
Jun. 1st, 2010 12:53 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
raloriaI'm changing the way I do my episode reviews, trying to condense things down into something shorter. I hope it's easier for people to read and easier for me to do.
I won't be covering every scene anymore, just hitting the highlights (or trying to). A few small caps will be included and I'll post a link to a more thorough review if you want more information.
If you want a full review, check out this one at Moogi.com and take in all the other tidbits over Super Wiki's post.
Big thanks to SuperWiki for the quotes used in this post.
Where would we be without that Kansas song? Yeah, I don't wanna know either. ♥'s :)
I LOVE Chuck's Ode To The Impala (as I like to call it). His voice over throughout the episode is part of what made this season finale shine! I'll be posting all of Chuck's voice over bits here, 'cause I love'em so much. ;)
On April 21, 1967, the 100 millionth GM vehicle rolled off the line at the plant in Janesville -- a blue two-door caprice.
There was a big ceremony, speeches. The lieutenant governor even showed up. Three days later, another car rolled off that same line. No one gave two craps about her. But they should have, because this 1967 Chevrolet Impala would turn out to be the most important car -- no, the most important object -- in pretty much the whole universe.
She was first owned by Sal Moriarty, an alcoholic with two ex-wives and three blocked arteries. On weekends, he'd drive around giving bibles to the poor "gettin' folks right for judgment day". That's what he said. Sam and Dean don't know any of this, but if they did, I bet they'd smile.
After Sal died, she ended up at Rainbow Motors, a used-car lot in Lawrence, where a young marine bought her on impulse. That is, after a little advice from a friend. I guess that's where this story begins.
And here's where it ends.
This is a nice little scene between the brothers. Normally, we have this kind of scene at the end of an episode. Dean admits that watching over Sam's been his job...and who he is. But he also agrees that the plan for Sam to say yes to Lucifer and jump in the cage isn't up to him. It's up to Sam and he'll back him if that's his choice. Sam says he let the devil out, he should put him back in. And off we go...
Continuity error there with the blood on Dean's cheek. It isn't there when he walks over to Bobby. Ooops.
I like how the things established in "The End" are now coming true. Dean knows that's where the devil is. Also good to know Sam already knows about the future showdown there.
Sam asking Dean to not come after him. Oh, boys... :(
Dean: You can't ask me to do this.
Sam: I'm sorry, Dean. You have to.
Dean: So then what am I supposed to do?
Sam: You go find Lisa. You pray to god she's dumb enough to take you in, and you -- you have barbecues and go to football games. You go live some normal, apple-pie life, Dean. Promise me.
They've found the devil's hideout in Detroit. It's showtime...and time for goodbyes. Aww...Bobby. "He gets in... You fight him tooth and nail, you understand? Keep swingin'. Don't give an inch." And then the awkward goodbye with Cas. Hee! Sam doesn't want Dean to watch him drink all that blood. :(
More from Chuck...
The impala, of course, has all the things other cars have... And a few things they don't. But none of that stuff's important. This is the stuff that's important. The army man that Sam crammed in the ashtray - it's still stuck there. The legos that Dean shoved into the vents --To this day, heat comes on, they can hear 'em rattle. These are the things that make the car theirs -- really theirs.
Even when Dean rebuilt her from the ground up, he made sure all these little things stayed, 'cause it's the blemishes that make her beautiful. The devil doesn't know or care what kind of car the boys drive.
So the devil burns cold...huh. Kinda fitting though, if you've read Dante's Inferno. ;)
Oooh. Sam shows off his demom blood powers by taking out the two demon goons. Uh oh. Lucifer knows they've got the Horsemen's rings. Luci is an arrogant sucker.
"A wrestling match inside your noggin... I like the idea. Just you and me, one round, no tricks. You win, you jump in the hole. I win... Well, then I win. What do you say, Sam? A fiddle of gold against your soul says I'm better than you." Sam's ready to go through with the plan anyway, despite Dean's pleas. He says...yes.
Dean throws the rings on a wall and does the incantation. Btw, SuperWiki says that the words mean "Open the mouth of the cave to the wicked". That's awesome! Great special effects, too.
Sam's about to go into the hole but...it's not him anymore. Lucifer was just toying with Dean. (the bastard) He reminds Dean that this would always happen in Detroit and disappears...with the rings I might add.
That last shot of Dean, eyes brimming with tears...OMG just kill me know Kripke. Everything on his face....he's lost Sam and nothing went according to plan...I just wanted to hold him.
This huge scene with Jared playing Lucifer and Sam is simply brilliant! Wow, Jared. Like Jensen's dual role in "The End", this is Jared's turn to show off his acting chops and he certainly does. He's kept the same, cool, smooth demeanor he brought to Lucifer in that same episode. The use of the cracked mirror was a beautiful device to show us Sam, fighting against the devil's taunts.
Lucifer: I'm inside your grapefruit, Sam. You can't lie to me. I see it all -- How odd you always felt, How...Out of place in that... family of yours. And why shouldn't you have? They were foster care -- at best. I'm your real family.
Sam: No, that's not true.
Lucifer: It is. And I know you know it. All those times you ran away, you weren't running from them. You were running towards me. This doesn't have to be a bad thing, you know. I let Dean live, didn't I? I want him to live. I'll bring your folks back, too. I want you to be happy, Sam.
He then shows off the demons behind him...all people from Sam's life, including his prom date, Rachel. Azazel set them all up from the time Sam was a kid, to watch over him. Lucifer sees this as a chance for Sam to get some revenge.
Dean wants to know how to stop Armageddon, but Cas doesn't have any answers and Bobby has given up. Poor Dean. Meanwhile, Lucifer is sitting amongst the bloody demon corpses...asking Sam if they're having fun yet.
More from Chuck...
In between jobs, Sam and Dean would sometimes get a day -- sometimes a week, if they were lucky. They'd pass the time lining their pockets. Sam used to insist on honest work, but now he hustles pool, like his brother. They could go anywhere and do anything. They drove 1,000 miles for an Ozzy show, two days for a Jayhawks game.
And when it was clear, they'd park her in the middle of nowhere, sit on the hood, and watch the stars... for hours...without saying a word. It never occurred to them that, sure, maybe they never really had a roof and four walls, but they were never, in fact, homeless.
Dean calls Chuck, wanting to know if he's got a lead where the big Michael vs Lucifer showdown takes place. It'll be the next day, noon, at Stull Cemetery...that just happens to be in Lawrence. Chuck says he doesn't know what'll happen next....hmmm....yeah. Bobby & Cas catch up to Dean.
Bobby: You goin' someplace? You're gonna do somethin' stupid. You got that look.
Dean: I'm gonna go talk to Sam.
Bobby: You just don't give up.
Dean: It's Sam!
Bobby: If you couldn't reach him here, you're certainly not gonna be able to on the battlefield.
Dean: Well, if we've already lost, I guess I got nothing to lose, right?
Cas: I just want you to understand -- The only thing that you're going to see out there is Michael killing your brother.
Dean: Well, then I ain't gonna let him die alone.
The way his voice breaks on that last line...
Oh, man. Pass the tissues, please? *wibbles*
Again, kudos to Jared and also to Jake for their performances as Lucifer and Michael. A powerful scene and if you listen to the lines, they have a dual meaning almost. 'Cause the same words and feelings have been and could've been said by Sam and Dean to each other. *loves show*
Lucifer/Sam: We're going to kill each other. And for what? One of dad's tests. And we don't even know the answer. We're brothers. Let's just walk off the chessboard.
Michael/Adam: I'm sorry. I-I can't do that. I'm a good son, and I have my orders.
Lucifer/Sam: But you don't have to follow them.
Michael/Adam: What, you think I'm gonna rebel? Now? I'm not like you.
Lucifer/Sam: Please, Michael --
Michael/Adam: You know, you haven't changed a bit, little brother. Always blaming everybody but yourself. We were together. We were happy. But you betrayed me -- all of us -- and you made our father leave.
Lucifer/Sam: No one makes dad do anything. He is doing this to us.
Michael/Adam: You're a monster, Lucifer. And I have to kill you.
Lucifer/Sam: If that's the way it's got to be... Then I'd like to see you try.
I love Dean riding in with the Impala like some great knight on his steed. Awesomeness! :D He insists on speaking to Sam, telling Michael/Adam that he'll get to him next.
Cas: Hey, ass-butt!
LOL! Classsic!!!!
And then Lucifer kills poor Cas like an exploding water balloon! Gah! Noooo!!!! :(
So begins the standout scene of the episode...from when Lucifer throws Dean's body into the Impala's windshield and then snaps Bobby's neck. NoNoNoNoNoNoNo
Possibly gratuitous cap. Hee!
Dean: Sammy? Are you in there?
Lucifer/Sam: Oh, he's in here, all right. And he's gonna feel the snap of your bones. Every single one. We're gonna take our time.
God, those punches are brutal! Dean's poor face! His beautiful face! *weeps* It's still hard to watch weeks later. My brain tells me it's all make up, but they did such an awesome job on Jensen's face. It really looks real. Owie! :(
And then Dean makes his final plea...trying to reassure Sam that he's there, ready to die if he has to, but he won't let Sam do this alone. *sniffles*
Dean: Sam, it's okay. It's okay. I'm here. I'm here. I'm not gonna leave you. I'm not gonna leave you.
Then it happens...the light off the car. That one thing the devil didn't count on. The insignificant object that he didn't care about. His eye moves to that little green army man stuck in the ashtray and we get this amazing montage of scenes of the boys as kids and then from so many moments of past episodes...all the way up to Dean hugging Sam after he came back to life in AHBL. OMG...*more sniffling*
Sam takes control as he drops Dean. Again, great work by Jared here. Sam's face reflects so many emotions. You can feel the pain of having been responsible for Dean's current state (though Dean would be the first to tell his little brother that it wasn't him doing the punching), then there's the resolve as he knows now's the time to carry out the plan. He throws the rings on the ground and says the words to open the cage.
Sam: It's okay, Dean. It's gonna be okay. I've got him.
Oh, and big points to Jensen for conveying so many emotions through that make-up job. He had to do it all with one eye! But you can see the look of trust and pride on his face as Sam got over his momentary fear of jumping in the hole.
Of course, then Michael returns...
Michael/Adam: Sam! It's not gonna end this way! Step back!
Sam: You're gonna have to make me!
Michael/Adam: I have to fight my brother, Sam! Here and now! It's my destiny!
And with that word...destiny...the music kicks in. OMG How many times have Sam and Dean been told this was their destiny? That everything has been leading them to this moment. It's been in the works since before they were born, with John and Mary meeting. And here they are...with Sam ready to make his sacrifice. You can see him and Dean saying their last goodbyes only with looks (how much do we love that?) and then Sam is ready, closes his eyes, spreads his arms out, and Michael takes hold and the two fall into the hole together. The hole closes with a flash, leaving Dean utterly broken and alone. *cries*
The whole little montage of Dean on his knees, crying where the hole was? It's just...almost too painful. But luckily, Cas shows up! Yay!!!!! I literally gasped out loud when he healed Dean's face.
Dean: Cas, you're alive?
Cas: I'm better than that.
Dean: Cas, are you God?
Cas: That's a nice compliment, but no. Although, I do believe He brought me back. New and improved.
He brings Bobby back to life, too. New & improved indeed! I don't think he had that ability before. Nice! :)
Chuck again...
Endings are hard. Any chapped-ass monkey with a keyboard can poop out a beginning, but endings are impossible. You try to tie up every loose end, but you never can. The fans are always gonna bitch. There's always gonna be holes. And since it's the ending, it's all supposed to add up to something. I'm telling you, they're a raging pain in the ass.
LOL! So true! :D
I like that this was also like Kripke ('cause he is Chuck after all) saying this to the fans. Yeah, we'll bitch and there are holes, but it's okay. ;)
Looks like Cas will be returning to heaven now that he's got his powers back and Michael's gone.
Dean: So, what, you're the new sheriff in town?
Cas: Yeah. I like that. Yeah. I suppose I am.
Dean's angry at God.
Cas: He helped. Maybe even more than we realize.
Dean: That's easy for you to say. He brought you back. But what about Sam? What about me, huh? Where's my grand prize? All I got is my brother in a hole!
Cas: You got what you asked for, Dean. No paradise. No hell. Just more of the same. I mean it, Dean. What would you rather have? Peace or freedom?
And with that Cas disappears. Dean's right, he does suck at goodbyes. lol
Some more from Chuck as we see Dean and Bobby say goodbye and Dean driving at night....
This is the last Dean and Bobby will see of each other for a very long time. And, for the record, at this point next week, Bobby will be hunting a rugaru outside of Dayton. But not Dean.
Dean didn't want cas to save him. Every part of him, every fiber he's got, wants to die, or find a way to bring Sam back. But he isn't gonna do either. Because he made a promise.
He returns to Lisa's house and meekly asks if her offer of a beer still stands. She welcomes him in and he melts into her arms, in tears.
Chuck one last time along with another lovely montage of past scenes...
So, what's it all add up to? It's hard to say. But me, I'd say this was a test... For Sam and Dean. And I think they did all right. Up against good, evil, angels, devils, destiny, and God himself. They made their own choice. They chose family. And, well... isn't that kinda the whole point? No doubt -- endings are hard. But then again... Nothing ever really ends, does it?
We see Dean having dinner with Lisa and supposedly Ben (we only see his back). The camera pulls back to the outside, the streetlight goes out (not shattering as some fans have said, btw) and the camera tilts down to a figure on the street....watching. It's Sam...with a blank expression as he looks at the scene inside the house.
Okay, final debate...Is Chuck God or not?
I say...yes. Sure, he's identified as a prophet because that's what Castiel knew him as, but that could've been false all along. So could that intel about the amulet being used to find God. Joshua told the boys God was on earth and indicated that the amulet wouldn't find Him. IMO, it could have been Zachariah who planted the idea of the amulet glowing in God's presence. In watching the first two episodes of the season over again, Zach is visibly shaken when Cas returns and suspects that God was the one responsible (also for putting Sam & Dean on the plane). Wouldn't it make sense that Zach would want to keep Cas busy? Vainly hunting for God with something he KNEW wouldn't work? It's just a theory, but it fits with Zach's devious nature. He didn't want God around messing up his plans. Anyway, Chuck also was dressed in a clean white shirt at the end, something we'd never seen him in before. He was usually casually dressed in a ragged old robe. I think that wardrobe change is further evidence that he was God, along with him mysteriously disappearing.
As for the episode as a whole? How can one talk about greatness? This eppy had all the feelings of a series finale and with it being Kripke's last episode as showrunner, it was his Swan Song as well. Thankfully, the series will go on and I'm quite thankful for that. Because now the question becomes...what happens now? Sam is back, but will he go straight to Dean or will he hold back and let Dean live the apple-pie life he wanted his brother to have. I can't see Dean being happy with Lisa and Ben. Sure, he'll try, but part of him died with Sam going into that hole and he's not going to be able to function well without him. Dean doesn't do alone. It's not who he is. Oh, and I know a lot of fans bitched about him going back to Lisa, but who else was he gonna go to? Sure it's a tentative connection between the two of them, but she also represents a home life for Dean. One he wished for himself (DALDOM) but believed he could never have. There's also the question about if Ben is really his son (I'm one who believes he is). This is the closest to a normal life as Dean will ever have and since Sam wanted him there, there he is. However, the loss of his brother is going to eat away at Dean, I'm sure. I'm looking forward to their reunion next season (they'd better hug dammit!) and what new adventures they'll have. :)
In closing, I'm so happy it all came down to the car...the home, the constant if you will, in Sam & Dean's life. If there was ever any doubt that the Impala is indeed a character in this show, it's been squashed now. Of course, it was also about the love Sam & Dean have, the bonds of family, of trust and hope and sacrifice. Everything that makes Supernatural the great show that it is.
I won't be covering every scene anymore, just hitting the highlights (or trying to). A few small caps will be included and I'll post a link to a more thorough review if you want more information.
If you want a full review, check out this one at Moogi.com and take in all the other tidbits over Super Wiki's post.
Big thanks to SuperWiki for the quotes used in this post.
Where would we be without that Kansas song? Yeah, I don't wanna know either. ♥'s :)
I LOVE Chuck's Ode To The Impala (as I like to call it). His voice over throughout the episode is part of what made this season finale shine! I'll be posting all of Chuck's voice over bits here, 'cause I love'em so much. ;)
On April 21, 1967, the 100 millionth GM vehicle rolled off the line at the plant in Janesville -- a blue two-door caprice.
There was a big ceremony, speeches. The lieutenant governor even showed up. Three days later, another car rolled off that same line. No one gave two craps about her. But they should have, because this 1967 Chevrolet Impala would turn out to be the most important car -- no, the most important object -- in pretty much the whole universe.
She was first owned by Sal Moriarty, an alcoholic with two ex-wives and three blocked arteries. On weekends, he'd drive around giving bibles to the poor "gettin' folks right for judgment day". That's what he said. Sam and Dean don't know any of this, but if they did, I bet they'd smile.
After Sal died, she ended up at Rainbow Motors, a used-car lot in Lawrence, where a young marine bought her on impulse. That is, after a little advice from a friend. I guess that's where this story begins.
And here's where it ends.
This is a nice little scene between the brothers. Normally, we have this kind of scene at the end of an episode. Dean admits that watching over Sam's been his job...and who he is. But he also agrees that the plan for Sam to say yes to Lucifer and jump in the cage isn't up to him. It's up to Sam and he'll back him if that's his choice. Sam says he let the devil out, he should put him back in. And off we go...
Continuity error there with the blood on Dean's cheek. It isn't there when he walks over to Bobby. Ooops.
I like how the things established in "The End" are now coming true. Dean knows that's where the devil is. Also good to know Sam already knows about the future showdown there.
Sam asking Dean to not come after him. Oh, boys... :(
Dean: You can't ask me to do this.
Sam: I'm sorry, Dean. You have to.
Dean: So then what am I supposed to do?
Sam: You go find Lisa. You pray to god she's dumb enough to take you in, and you -- you have barbecues and go to football games. You go live some normal, apple-pie life, Dean. Promise me.
They've found the devil's hideout in Detroit. It's showtime...and time for goodbyes. Aww...Bobby. "He gets in... You fight him tooth and nail, you understand? Keep swingin'. Don't give an inch." And then the awkward goodbye with Cas. Hee! Sam doesn't want Dean to watch him drink all that blood. :(
More from Chuck...
The impala, of course, has all the things other cars have... And a few things they don't. But none of that stuff's important. This is the stuff that's important. The army man that Sam crammed in the ashtray - it's still stuck there. The legos that Dean shoved into the vents --To this day, heat comes on, they can hear 'em rattle. These are the things that make the car theirs -- really theirs.
Even when Dean rebuilt her from the ground up, he made sure all these little things stayed, 'cause it's the blemishes that make her beautiful. The devil doesn't know or care what kind of car the boys drive.
So the devil burns cold...huh. Kinda fitting though, if you've read Dante's Inferno. ;)
Oooh. Sam shows off his demom blood powers by taking out the two demon goons. Uh oh. Lucifer knows they've got the Horsemen's rings. Luci is an arrogant sucker.
"A wrestling match inside your noggin... I like the idea. Just you and me, one round, no tricks. You win, you jump in the hole. I win... Well, then I win. What do you say, Sam? A fiddle of gold against your soul says I'm better than you." Sam's ready to go through with the plan anyway, despite Dean's pleas. He says...yes.
Dean throws the rings on a wall and does the incantation. Btw, SuperWiki says that the words mean "Open the mouth of the cave to the wicked". That's awesome! Great special effects, too.
Sam's about to go into the hole but...it's not him anymore. Lucifer was just toying with Dean. (the bastard) He reminds Dean that this would always happen in Detroit and disappears...with the rings I might add.
That last shot of Dean, eyes brimming with tears...OMG just kill me know Kripke. Everything on his face....he's lost Sam and nothing went according to plan...I just wanted to hold him.
This huge scene with Jared playing Lucifer and Sam is simply brilliant! Wow, Jared. Like Jensen's dual role in "The End", this is Jared's turn to show off his acting chops and he certainly does. He's kept the same, cool, smooth demeanor he brought to Lucifer in that same episode. The use of the cracked mirror was a beautiful device to show us Sam, fighting against the devil's taunts.
Lucifer: I'm inside your grapefruit, Sam. You can't lie to me. I see it all -- How odd you always felt, How...Out of place in that... family of yours. And why shouldn't you have? They were foster care -- at best. I'm your real family.
Sam: No, that's not true.
Lucifer: It is. And I know you know it. All those times you ran away, you weren't running from them. You were running towards me. This doesn't have to be a bad thing, you know. I let Dean live, didn't I? I want him to live. I'll bring your folks back, too. I want you to be happy, Sam.
He then shows off the demons behind him...all people from Sam's life, including his prom date, Rachel. Azazel set them all up from the time Sam was a kid, to watch over him. Lucifer sees this as a chance for Sam to get some revenge.
Dean wants to know how to stop Armageddon, but Cas doesn't have any answers and Bobby has given up. Poor Dean. Meanwhile, Lucifer is sitting amongst the bloody demon corpses...asking Sam if they're having fun yet.
More from Chuck...
In between jobs, Sam and Dean would sometimes get a day -- sometimes a week, if they were lucky. They'd pass the time lining their pockets. Sam used to insist on honest work, but now he hustles pool, like his brother. They could go anywhere and do anything. They drove 1,000 miles for an Ozzy show, two days for a Jayhawks game.
And when it was clear, they'd park her in the middle of nowhere, sit on the hood, and watch the stars... for hours...without saying a word. It never occurred to them that, sure, maybe they never really had a roof and four walls, but they were never, in fact, homeless.
Dean calls Chuck, wanting to know if he's got a lead where the big Michael vs Lucifer showdown takes place. It'll be the next day, noon, at Stull Cemetery...that just happens to be in Lawrence. Chuck says he doesn't know what'll happen next....hmmm....yeah. Bobby & Cas catch up to Dean.
Bobby: You goin' someplace? You're gonna do somethin' stupid. You got that look.
Dean: I'm gonna go talk to Sam.
Bobby: You just don't give up.
Dean: It's Sam!
Bobby: If you couldn't reach him here, you're certainly not gonna be able to on the battlefield.
Dean: Well, if we've already lost, I guess I got nothing to lose, right?
Cas: I just want you to understand -- The only thing that you're going to see out there is Michael killing your brother.
Dean: Well, then I ain't gonna let him die alone.
The way his voice breaks on that last line...
Oh, man. Pass the tissues, please? *wibbles*
Again, kudos to Jared and also to Jake for their performances as Lucifer and Michael. A powerful scene and if you listen to the lines, they have a dual meaning almost. 'Cause the same words and feelings have been and could've been said by Sam and Dean to each other. *loves show*
Lucifer/Sam: We're going to kill each other. And for what? One of dad's tests. And we don't even know the answer. We're brothers. Let's just walk off the chessboard.
Michael/Adam: I'm sorry. I-I can't do that. I'm a good son, and I have my orders.
Lucifer/Sam: But you don't have to follow them.
Michael/Adam: What, you think I'm gonna rebel? Now? I'm not like you.
Lucifer/Sam: Please, Michael --
Michael/Adam: You know, you haven't changed a bit, little brother. Always blaming everybody but yourself. We were together. We were happy. But you betrayed me -- all of us -- and you made our father leave.
Lucifer/Sam: No one makes dad do anything. He is doing this to us.
Michael/Adam: You're a monster, Lucifer. And I have to kill you.
Lucifer/Sam: If that's the way it's got to be... Then I'd like to see you try.
I love Dean riding in with the Impala like some great knight on his steed. Awesomeness! :D He insists on speaking to Sam, telling Michael/Adam that he'll get to him next.
Cas: Hey, ass-butt!
LOL! Classsic!!!!
And then Lucifer kills poor Cas like an exploding water balloon! Gah! Noooo!!!! :(
So begins the standout scene of the episode...from when Lucifer throws Dean's body into the Impala's windshield and then snaps Bobby's neck. NoNoNoNoNoNoNo
Possibly gratuitous cap. Hee!
Dean: Sammy? Are you in there?
Lucifer/Sam: Oh, he's in here, all right. And he's gonna feel the snap of your bones. Every single one. We're gonna take our time.
God, those punches are brutal! Dean's poor face! His beautiful face! *weeps* It's still hard to watch weeks later. My brain tells me it's all make up, but they did such an awesome job on Jensen's face. It really looks real. Owie! :(
And then Dean makes his final plea...trying to reassure Sam that he's there, ready to die if he has to, but he won't let Sam do this alone. *sniffles*
Dean: Sam, it's okay. It's okay. I'm here. I'm here. I'm not gonna leave you. I'm not gonna leave you.
Then it happens...the light off the car. That one thing the devil didn't count on. The insignificant object that he didn't care about. His eye moves to that little green army man stuck in the ashtray and we get this amazing montage of scenes of the boys as kids and then from so many moments of past episodes...all the way up to Dean hugging Sam after he came back to life in AHBL. OMG...*more sniffling*
Sam takes control as he drops Dean. Again, great work by Jared here. Sam's face reflects so many emotions. You can feel the pain of having been responsible for Dean's current state (though Dean would be the first to tell his little brother that it wasn't him doing the punching), then there's the resolve as he knows now's the time to carry out the plan. He throws the rings on the ground and says the words to open the cage.
Sam: It's okay, Dean. It's gonna be okay. I've got him.
Oh, and big points to Jensen for conveying so many emotions through that make-up job. He had to do it all with one eye! But you can see the look of trust and pride on his face as Sam got over his momentary fear of jumping in the hole.
Of course, then Michael returns...
Michael/Adam: Sam! It's not gonna end this way! Step back!
Sam: You're gonna have to make me!
Michael/Adam: I have to fight my brother, Sam! Here and now! It's my destiny!
And with that word...destiny...the music kicks in. OMG How many times have Sam and Dean been told this was their destiny? That everything has been leading them to this moment. It's been in the works since before they were born, with John and Mary meeting. And here they are...with Sam ready to make his sacrifice. You can see him and Dean saying their last goodbyes only with looks (how much do we love that?) and then Sam is ready, closes his eyes, spreads his arms out, and Michael takes hold and the two fall into the hole together. The hole closes with a flash, leaving Dean utterly broken and alone. *cries*
The whole little montage of Dean on his knees, crying where the hole was? It's just...almost too painful. But luckily, Cas shows up! Yay!!!!! I literally gasped out loud when he healed Dean's face.
Dean: Cas, you're alive?
Cas: I'm better than that.
Dean: Cas, are you God?
Cas: That's a nice compliment, but no. Although, I do believe He brought me back. New and improved.
He brings Bobby back to life, too. New & improved indeed! I don't think he had that ability before. Nice! :)
Chuck again...
Endings are hard. Any chapped-ass monkey with a keyboard can poop out a beginning, but endings are impossible. You try to tie up every loose end, but you never can. The fans are always gonna bitch. There's always gonna be holes. And since it's the ending, it's all supposed to add up to something. I'm telling you, they're a raging pain in the ass.
LOL! So true! :D
I like that this was also like Kripke ('cause he is Chuck after all) saying this to the fans. Yeah, we'll bitch and there are holes, but it's okay. ;)
Looks like Cas will be returning to heaven now that he's got his powers back and Michael's gone.
Dean: So, what, you're the new sheriff in town?
Cas: Yeah. I like that. Yeah. I suppose I am.
Dean's angry at God.
Cas: He helped. Maybe even more than we realize.
Dean: That's easy for you to say. He brought you back. But what about Sam? What about me, huh? Where's my grand prize? All I got is my brother in a hole!
Cas: You got what you asked for, Dean. No paradise. No hell. Just more of the same. I mean it, Dean. What would you rather have? Peace or freedom?
And with that Cas disappears. Dean's right, he does suck at goodbyes. lol
Some more from Chuck as we see Dean and Bobby say goodbye and Dean driving at night....
This is the last Dean and Bobby will see of each other for a very long time. And, for the record, at this point next week, Bobby will be hunting a rugaru outside of Dayton. But not Dean.
Dean didn't want cas to save him. Every part of him, every fiber he's got, wants to die, or find a way to bring Sam back. But he isn't gonna do either. Because he made a promise.
He returns to Lisa's house and meekly asks if her offer of a beer still stands. She welcomes him in and he melts into her arms, in tears.
Chuck one last time along with another lovely montage of past scenes...
So, what's it all add up to? It's hard to say. But me, I'd say this was a test... For Sam and Dean. And I think they did all right. Up against good, evil, angels, devils, destiny, and God himself. They made their own choice. They chose family. And, well... isn't that kinda the whole point? No doubt -- endings are hard. But then again... Nothing ever really ends, does it?
We see Dean having dinner with Lisa and supposedly Ben (we only see his back). The camera pulls back to the outside, the streetlight goes out (not shattering as some fans have said, btw) and the camera tilts down to a figure on the street....watching. It's Sam...with a blank expression as he looks at the scene inside the house.
Okay, final debate...Is Chuck God or not?
I say...yes. Sure, he's identified as a prophet because that's what Castiel knew him as, but that could've been false all along. So could that intel about the amulet being used to find God. Joshua told the boys God was on earth and indicated that the amulet wouldn't find Him. IMO, it could have been Zachariah who planted the idea of the amulet glowing in God's presence. In watching the first two episodes of the season over again, Zach is visibly shaken when Cas returns and suspects that God was the one responsible (also for putting Sam & Dean on the plane). Wouldn't it make sense that Zach would want to keep Cas busy? Vainly hunting for God with something he KNEW wouldn't work? It's just a theory, but it fits with Zach's devious nature. He didn't want God around messing up his plans. Anyway, Chuck also was dressed in a clean white shirt at the end, something we'd never seen him in before. He was usually casually dressed in a ragged old robe. I think that wardrobe change is further evidence that he was God, along with him mysteriously disappearing.
As for the episode as a whole? How can one talk about greatness? This eppy had all the feelings of a series finale and with it being Kripke's last episode as showrunner, it was his Swan Song as well. Thankfully, the series will go on and I'm quite thankful for that. Because now the question becomes...what happens now? Sam is back, but will he go straight to Dean or will he hold back and let Dean live the apple-pie life he wanted his brother to have. I can't see Dean being happy with Lisa and Ben. Sure, he'll try, but part of him died with Sam going into that hole and he's not going to be able to function well without him. Dean doesn't do alone. It's not who he is. Oh, and I know a lot of fans bitched about him going back to Lisa, but who else was he gonna go to? Sure it's a tentative connection between the two of them, but she also represents a home life for Dean. One he wished for himself (DALDOM) but believed he could never have. There's also the question about if Ben is really his son (I'm one who believes he is). This is the closest to a normal life as Dean will ever have and since Sam wanted him there, there he is. However, the loss of his brother is going to eat away at Dean, I'm sure. I'm looking forward to their reunion next season (they'd better hug dammit!) and what new adventures they'll have. :)
In closing, I'm so happy it all came down to the car...the home, the constant if you will, in Sam & Dean's life. If there was ever any doubt that the Impala is indeed a character in this show, it's been squashed now. Of course, it was also about the love Sam & Dean have, the bonds of family, of trust and hope and sacrifice. Everything that makes Supernatural the great show that it is.
