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Recap - "Swan Song" - Page 6
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- Written by Alice Jester
- Category: Season Five
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One thing is clear about these two together, Jared is the stronger actor and is selling the whole tortured soul of Lucifer here very well. “Part of me wishes we didn’t have to do this,” Samifer says. Adamichael gives a half hearted “Me too.” So that opens the door for Samifer to get right to the point. “Then why are we?” “Oh you know why,” Adamichael answers. He claims he has no choice after what Lucifer did. “What I did? What if it’s not my fault.” Adamichael wants to know what that’s supposed to mean. “Think about it. Dad made everything which means he made me who I am. God wanted The Devil.” Adamichael doesn’t see the point. ”So why and why make us fight? I just can’t figure out the point.” Adamichael still can’t see the point. “We’re going to kill each other and for what, one of Dad’s tests. We don’t even know the answer. We’re brothers. Let’s just walk off the chess board.”
Admichael considers this for a few seconds and claims he can’t do that. So he gets the Samifer puppy dog eyes! Aww, it works even when possessed by an evil overlord. “I’m a good son and I have my orders,” Adamichael says, and wow, what a stupid angel. This is what happens when freewill is taken out of the equation, brothers kill one another. Humans are looking pretty superior, aren't we? Samifer tells him he doesn’t have to follow them and Adamichael is appalled that he suggest he rebel. “I’m not like you.” Samifer says please and man am I really feeling sorry for him now. All he wanted was the love of his big brother, yet also knew he had a path to follow. Okay, I don’t like how that path involves wiping out all of humanity, but I’ll pass on that for now since that’s not the issue here.
Adamichael tears into Samifer. “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.” “Nobody makes Dad do anything,” Samifer angrily replies. ”He is doing this to us.” He has a point there. They stare each other down, and then this next statement goes a bit overboard, because it’s obviously meant to be the tie in to Sam and Dean’s situation from last season. “You’re a monster Lucifer,” Adamichael says. Yep, just like with Sam, that’s the trigger for Lucifer. ”I have to kill you,” Michael says. ”If that’s the way it’s gotta be, then I’d like to see you try.” Yep, angry eyes just like Sam too. The only thing missing here is it’s not Dean on the other side.
Speaking of Dean, as Samifer and Adamichael begin to circle and give each other that cold hard stare of death, the roar of the Impala interrupts them. Dean throws in a tape in the cassette player labeled “Kick It In The Ass” and yet another great shout-out to Kim Manners is born. On comes “Rock of Ages” by Def Leppard and sorry, but I actually hate that song. I look past that though, for Dean has got some brass balls here. He drives the Impala through the graveyard right to them, interrupting the Battle of Armageddon. Dean gets out of the car and Adamichael and Samifer look pissed. ”Howdi boys,” Dean says. “Sorry, am I interrupting something?” Too good. Only Dean Winchester would do this.
Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy, time for the best scene in all of “Supernatural.” Or one of the best scenes. Opinions are subjective. Dean goes to Samifer and says they need to talk. Samifer, in full condescending mode, says “Dean, even for you, this is a whole new mountain of stupid.””I’m not talking to you, I’m talking to Sam.” Samifer is quite amused by that. Adamichael is just angry. “You’re no longer the vessel Dean. You got no right to be here.” Right, because when humans are facing their own extinction, they have to play by the rules. Dean appeals to Adam too, telling him he’s so sorry. “Adam isn’t home right now,” Adamichael says being a real dick. You know, Lucifer is actually more fun. “Well then you’re next on my list buttercup, right now I need five minutes with him.” I'll never tire of Dean and his pet names.
Adamichael goes into the “little maggot” rant that all angels except Lucifer seem to love, telling Dean he’s no longer a part of this story. Then there’s another interruption, and it’s the best ever. Castiel shouts “Hey, assbutt!” OMG, best line ever. I’m sure it’s funnier because of the huge melodrama in this episode but socially awkward angel is funny. He throws a flaming bottle at Adamichael and he goes away screaming in a ball of flames, that angel screeching noise going with him. Everyone watches him go and then Dean says “Assbutt?” Castiel isn’t going to explain, for Michael will be back and he’ll be upset, but Dean has his five minutes.
Adamichael goes into the “little maggot” rant that all angels except Lucifer seem to love, telling Dean he’s no longer a part of this story. Then there’s another interruption, and it’s the best ever. Castiel shouts “Hey, assbutt!” OMG, best line ever. I’m sure it’s funnier because of the huge melodrama in this episode but socially awkward angel is funny. He throws a flaming bottle at Adamichael and he goes away screaming in a ball of flames, that angel screeching noise going with him. Everyone watches him go and then Dean says “Assbutt?” Castiel isn’t going to explain, for Michael will be back and he’ll be upset, but Dean has his five minutes.
However - Samifer is still there and he’s REALLY pissed. He gives Cas that cold hard stare and asks “Did you just Molotov my brother with holy fire?” Castiel tries to deny in fear but hey, I think it’s obvious he did. Samifer knows he did. “No one dicks with Michael but me.” You see, he does care! With one snap of his vengeful fingers Cas explodes. Jimmy vessel entrails end up on Bobby. So that’s what it looked like in the season opener. Dean and Bobby are pretty rattled.
Dean, even though he knows Samifer is fuming, decides to poke the bear. “Sammy, can you hear me?” Samifer turns to him with anger. “You know, I tried to be nice for Sammy’s sake, but you are such a pain in my ass.” He grabs Dean by the jacket and throws him into the Impala’s windshield, cracking it. Noooo!!! Not the car!! So Bobby, using even stupider logic than Castiel, pulls out his old colt and fires two rounds into Samifer. Good thing Sam is possessed by an archangel, otherwise he’d be dead when his vessel is left behind. This only makes Samifer madder, and Dean and Bobby with one exchange share an “Are you crazy/That’s all I could think of” glance. It ends up being a last glance (for now) because Samifer with a swipe of his hand breaks Bobby’s neck. Welcome to the dead pool for the first time Bobby. It’s about time you took a dip.
Now that the distractions are out of the way, Samifer can finish off Dean now. This is just brutal and we’ve seen some pretty brutal things on this show. Samifer clocks him hard and blood starts pouring out of Dean’s mouth. Dean isn’t giving up though. ”Sammy, are you in there?” Samifer has a smart answer. ”Oh, he’s in here all right (punch) and he’s gonna feel the snap of your bones (throws Dean on the ground). Every single one.” Samifer then picks Dean up and pushes him against the Impala door. ”We’re gonna take our time,” and then he gives Dean ten brutal punches in a row. Ouch, ouch, ouch.
Despite the vicious beating, Dean still won’t give up trying to get to Sam. “Sam, it’s okay, it’s okay, I’m here, I’m here. I’m not going to leave you.” Samifer pounds on him some more. Dean, who’s bloody and bashed in face right now makes elephant man look attractive, tries again. “I’m not gonna leave you.” Samifer goes back for the final blow and this is so gorgeous!!!
Now that the distractions are out of the way, Samifer can finish off Dean now. This is just brutal and we’ve seen some pretty brutal things on this show. Samifer clocks him hard and blood starts pouring out of Dean’s mouth. Dean isn’t giving up though. ”Sammy, are you in there?” Samifer has a smart answer. ”Oh, he’s in here all right (punch) and he’s gonna feel the snap of your bones (throws Dean on the ground). Every single one.” Samifer then picks Dean up and pushes him against the Impala door. ”We’re gonna take our time,” and then he gives Dean ten brutal punches in a row. Ouch, ouch, ouch.
Despite the vicious beating, Dean still won’t give up trying to get to Sam. “Sam, it’s okay, it’s okay, I’m here, I’m here. I’m not going to leave you.” Samifer pounds on him some more. Dean, who’s bloody and bashed in face right now makes elephant man look attractive, tries again. “I’m not gonna leave you.” Samifer goes back for the final blow and this is so gorgeous!!!
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Comments
Love your recaps. Loved the story of the Impala. Really loved the entrance of the Impala and Dean at the cemetary. Loved Castiel. This was a good way of ending the first five seasons and a good way of starting (maybe) the next five seasons. Poor Dean. Poor us, is it September yet????????
"Good answer, I'm going to be watching you."
"Nice teacher. Really seems to care. About what, I have no idea."
Instead of Adamichael, how about Madam? Muah.
Only Cas could have pulled off the "assbutt" line for precisely that reason.
I don't even really have any constructive comments to add (yeah yeah, I know, nothing new) but reading your recap only confirms the fact that Swan Song is the motherfucker of all season finales. If you weren't moved after that forty minutes, you're either a dead, deceased corpse or a no-talent douchebag Caruso minion.
The performances in this episode especially rocked - which are so evident in the pictures you included. Jensen and Jared were perfection and they have so embodied these characters that you really do feel like Dean and Sam are real people. The inflections they use, the subtle body language to the way they show us their feelings with a look on their faces. Pure awesomeness. This was definitely a great way to end this particular mytharc and as nancyL put it "a good way of starting the next five seasons". If only in my dreams. Can hardly wait to see what genius the writers have in store for us next. September, here we come!!!!! (Not soon enough though)
It took me a long time to read your recap as I couldn't see clearly through the layer of tears.
I love love your recaps when you love an episode and don't mind a bit if you write a novel about it. This one did rip my heart out and stomp all over it and is still giving me fits.
I was so happy Dean was not a mere meat suit for Michael and he was the big hero I know he is and completely human. Dean and the Impala gave Sam his chance and so the Apocalypse was ended. Yay! But how devastating for Dean watching his brother dive down the pit and I have no doubt if he could have moved at all he would have gone down with him. How much more can the poor man take? Kripke, how you torture my poor beloved boys!
I get so emotionally involved with these two and only have this outlet to express my feelings as one of my friends calls me obsessed and another one, if I even hint that I am in distress over the Winchesters only keeps saying "It's ONLY a TV show already!" So, opening up to either of them is a nono.
And Randal, I used to own a Dodge Dart and there is nothing wrong with them as long as it never rains and you can ignore the humongous rust holes that eventually appear. Just never take your foot off the accelerator if there is even a hint of rain and use your left one on the brakes when stopping at a stop light. Not inconvenient at all!
I loved the documentary style intro with the Impala and her „experience with the apocalypse“.
The boys’ conversation at the Impala’s side however sounded like your standard made-for-TV therapy session. Sam and Dean’s expressions and tone were realistic, the words – a complete cliché.
Sam’s taking responsibility wasn’t anything new, he expressed as much in episode 1 of this season. Besides, I would expect at least as much maturity from a twenty seven year old. On the other hand, the wish to sacrifice yourself to right a mistake you were expertly manipulated into making smacks more of teenage melodrama than of maturity. Doesn’t matter that it was mostly others’ fault – you’ll show them all by taking ALL the blame!! You’ll die in a blaze of glory so nobody would even DARE blame you for ANYTHING, even if your plan fails!!! In my eyes it simplifies Sam’s character horrendously. I’ve been having this problem ever since the “Say Yes to Luciferâ€- plan was introduced.
I was very glad both boys were disturbed by the slaughter of the innocent hosts of those two “stunt demonsâ€. It was an appropriately chilling prelude to their suicidal plan.
Sam and Dean on the way to Detroit – now that was a mature conversation. It hit all the right notes with me.
The good-byes were very effective. I liked the contrast between Bobby and Castiel. Bobby’s false bravado and gruffness let Sam keep his game face more or less on, Castiel’s tragic attempts at the same technique elicit a small tortured smile from Sam that lets us realise that he’s barely keeping it together. Great moment.
The whole sequence with Lucifer was a pleasure to watch. The way he played Dean was delightfully evil. However, for me, it all went downhill from there.
Lucifer playing “I’m your friend†to a mirrored Sam had excellent atmosphere and acting and… was a cliché for the most part. Lucifer tries to tempt Sam with revenge on demons who acted on Lucifer’s orders in the first place? A fact that somehow flew over Sam’s head? Not buying Sam’s stupidity here at all.
Men looking at the stars for hours… Through telescopes – sure, just because it’s so peaceful and pretty – not buying it, sorry. I know Dean could spend his time much better watching “Dr. Sexy MDâ€.
Samifer and Adamichael – just NO. For me it was one of the worst scenes on TV ever, period. No chemistry, poor acting, at least on one side, and nonsensical dialogue. Haven’t we heard the “God made evil, so it’s His fault it exists.â€- argument a thousand times already? On top of that, those two are archangels who’ve been exercising free will since the beginning and failed to realise it was so for thousands of years? And instead spend their time squabbling like kindergarteners ? Compare this scene with Death’s scene from last episode – how are they even in the same show?
The first time I watched this scene threw me clean out of the story so I couldn’t enjoy the rest. On the second viewing I ff-ed past it so the final confrontation hit me but good. The wind whistling over the montage was inspired. I’m not much into “the power of love†– concepts but that one worked well. Maybe it’s the way the boys can communicate the world without words.
Dean’s devastation was the best scene for me hands down. He and the always faithful Impala mourning their colossal loss amidst a bright sunny day was a truly haunting image. Interestingly enough, the death and resurrection of Cas and Bobby didn’t change that feeling of finality and loss at all. It stayed with me to the bittersweet end and I loved it.
What I didn’t care for were the endless flashbacks and Chuck’s narration – it was too melodramatic for me to take seriously and manipulative enough to irritate me. So the overall feeling is of a very uneven episode that had some strong and some weak ideas, some excellent and some poor execution, and superb acting that honoured the script much more than the script honoured the actors.
Thank you for your detail-obsessed recap and for reading, if you’ve gotten this far!
One note, am I the only one who heard this? In the goodbye scene with Cas, didn't Sam say "Just, stop. He's looking." Meaning Dean. Thought it was sadly hilarious and I hope I heard right.
In such an emotion-filled episode is hard to pick a favorite scene. But the dialogue in the car in their way to Detroit, with Sam's calm acceptance of his fate and Dean having to make such a promise kills me everytime. :cry:: :cry:: :cry::
Can anyone clarify for me?? Thanks in advance : }
Fantastic recap! I’m going to miss them for the next few months.
Everything you commented on is basically what I loved about this episode.
The history of the Impala and the flash backing of the boys.
The moments between Sam and Dean.
Sam’s goodbye to Bobby and Castiels.
The use of mirror for the conversation between Sam and Lucifer.
And the whole confrontation between Samifer and Dean.
I know some fans were very disappointed that there was no big battle between Lucifer/Sam and Michael/Dean. But for me I was happy they didn’t do that.
After all wasn’t the whole basis of Team Free Will, NOT to fight?
To NOT give in and become Luci and Mikey’s vessels for that very reason?
Galina I don’t think you need glasses or a hearing aid. If this episode didn’t work for you then that’s your opinion. After all it would be a pretty boring world if we didn’t have different views or opinions.
Mind you, Lucifer's Devil went down to Georgia moment was absolutely perfect! That song is one of my all time top guilty pleasures ...
PS. Alice ... Detroit, Michigan? Us cheese eating surrender monkey Euro-types completely feel your pain, kiddo. London, England ... Paris, France, as opposed to some home-grown version that doesn't have red buses and Eiffel Towers all over the place ...
Bevie and Evelyn, would you be the two Dodge fans?
Thanks for all the Detroit detail, loved it!
I didn’t even pay attention to the label on the tape!!! Thanks! Re: Rock of Ages—Despite immersion in our new local classic rock station, 95.3—which pretty much has the Supernatural soundtrack as its playlist--that was actually the first time I heard the song (what? I grew up listening to the Goo Goo Dolls). Don’t know about the opening words (huh?), but the thought the few lyrics we heard fit: “I got something to say/it’s better to burn out/than fade away…â€
Really loved the editing in this episode, whoever put together those flashback montages, amazing…
Remember that scene from 4x18 where Chuck says “Obviously I’m a god� Pretty funny to begin with, but it’s so much more hilarious now!
Otherwise,
:cry:: :cry:: :cry::
Awesome recap.
Thanks so much for the recap , I have loved them all but this one was special.
You should not offer us apologies for writing `a lovefest` this episode deserved, and demanded it .
From the monemt I heard the first bars of Kansas I found myself with tears in my eyes ,and I continued to be moved by every following scene , like you my heart broke when Sam asked Dean to not watch him as he drank the blood.
The scene in the cemetary was both beautiful and brutal, I know many people were disappointed that they did not get `the big fight ` they wanted but I was so pleased that Dean never said `Yes` and that in the end everything came down to what the core of this show has always been about , family and love .
I find it hard to believe that some people did not like this wonderful episode and cannot believe anyone was unmoved by it .
I just hope that Kripke and his magnificent team know how much we all appriciate their work
Good stuff. Big things.
I loved this eppie to death and I love your recap as much
So many fave moments; Dean at Lisas doorstep (*chinwibble*), "the Impala moment" and the way Lucifer loses control during that montage of love and brotherhood (Ah, be still my heart!), their talk in the car on the way to Detroit, "I ain't gonna let him die alone", to Marks Lucifer freaking me out to Jareds little mirror conversation keeping me glued to the screen and taking it all in with fear and fascination. And Chucks narration moving the story along, with the little tidbits of their childhood. *happysigh*
Wow. What a fantastic Rollercoaster Ride -finale. Awesome. Amazing. Tear Your Heart Out. Love, just love.
Thank you Alice for all the wonderfull recaps, and come on season 6!
I agree wholeheartedly with your assessment of Jared's acting here - we have rarely seen so many facets of Sam, I was in awe from moment one till the very end... What a marvellous young actor he has become.
My psyche still has trouble dealing with the episode, as you well know. I still trust the creative team to come back with a wonderful, fantastic, haunting and emotionally draining sixth season. What else to expect from a show that plays my soul like a fiddle?
thank you so much for this. I absolutely loved it, Jas
Thanks again Alice for the recap. This episode kicked-a***. Loved it from beginning to end.
Regarding the episode, I loved it. I don't think it was perfect. I hate slow-motion (it is never an actor's friend) and Michael was not very imposing. But none of that really matters. From a character standpoint it was beautiful, tragic, and in many ways pitch perfect.
I'm glad you got the screen cap of the boys under the stars. I totally agree! We need to see much more of the happy stress-free boys between jobs, and I'd LOVE to see them on a day off! I hope more of this is done in season 6.
It's sad that Kripke left us with such sadness again for the summer, Sam back but not happy about it at all, and Dean grieving for Sam, and not being able to help him.
Hope they don't have too much time pass before the boys reunite.
Did I like the episode, yes. Did I think it was the best they’ve ever done, no. Doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy it though. Like some other commenters I thought it was a bit clunky the first time I watched it and that Chuck’s narration broke up the tension and the fluidity of some scenes but on re-watching I thought it worked better than I originally thought. I loved the flash back moment where Lucifer sees the army man in the ashtray and gets a glimpse of all of Sam’s memories, like the firework scene in DSOTM it was just beautifully done and captured something that wouldn’t have been conveyed half so poignantly in words, so much work must have gone into that moment but it was worth it, just lovely … I rewound and played it over and over again. I also loved the moments from their lives just that little glimpse of bored wee Sam and Dean in the car growing up, them sat on the hood just enjoying the moment. It was just lovely that for all the show is, the finale seemed to be about the little moments that make up the boy’s relationship, how sometimes the most important moments in a relationship, that define that relationship, aren’t the grand gestures or the big speeches but in the every day moments that make up a relationship. I just loved that about this episode.
Bizarrely enough the one part of the episode I didn’t like was when Sam was about thrown himself into the hole and Michael came back. I didn’t know why he needed to be there, I think the shot would have been mush better with Sam stretching out his arms and falling backwards. I also liked the idea of Michael foiled and having to face the fact that destiny fate and everything he’s been spouting had been proved incorrect by two rather stubborn brothers. It just spoilt the moment for me as I felt it took something away from Sam in that moment when everything should have been focused on him. But that’s a personal niggle.
Wow this was long, longer than I thought it was going to be but all in all I loved it and I loved the fact that Kripke told his story his way and ended it how he wanted and Bobby and the Impala (I always knew she was special) made it out ok so I’m happy.