THE OLD TWO STEP
The Spectacular Visual Effects, Stunning Sets/Locations, and the usual Spellbinding
cast revealed a Stimulating Seasonal arc that almost concealed abysmal dialogue
and murky rationales.
WEDNESDAY'S WATCHING Supernatural 11.09
"O Brother, Where Art Thou?"
Writers: Eugenie Ross-Leming & Brad Buckner
Directors: Robert Singer, Kevin Parks, Debra Herst
Director of Photography C.S.C: Serge Ladouceur
Airdate: 9.12.2015
BY WEDNESDAY
What did I watch?
(Mark Sheppard with Ruth Connell)
THE SCRIPT
Given that many would have sold their soul to write this script; it's difficult to be
enthusiastic about the painfully obtuse dialogue.
Amara (Emily Swallow) seeks her brother, God, by killing his "Chosen" and is unable
to fathom that no one knows his whereabouts. God: everyone's imaginary friend.
She could read Dante's "Inferno" at the age of eight, but has no understanding of
the Bible and the subsequent goings on in the universe. She massacres to garner
God's attention not once, but twice, and achieves no results.
Then, she massacres the Angels? That was thoughtless.
?
The souls she consumes are not dead, "They're a part of me. And in that way, they live forever."
Hauntingly familiar. She offers this option to Dean as well.
Dean experiences "Bliss" every time she is near.
Bliss, as in ecstasy, delight, entranced.
When he avoids looking at her, and her distracting décolletage, he summons the courage, the will, and
the strength to stab her with an ordinary blade. Not even an Angel's blade?
Dean, what were you thinking? But, Ah! That's it, isn't it?
Dean is not thinking. Too much bliss and cataclysmic cleavage.
It's clear that this orgasmic Bliss is uncomfortable for Dean; so much so, that he is unable to confide in
his brother about these climatic rendezvous. Amara goes to suck out Dean's soul
and is unable to do so for WHATEVER reason. (He has no soul, she can't, she reconsiders...)
She settles for a kiss:
The Angels realize they need a unified force to fight the Darkness;
but, then, like idjits, they attack individually.
(Andres Joseph, Antonio Cayonne, Lane Edwards)
The issue of Michael being in the cage is sidestepped by having Lucifer removed
from the cage to a temporary holding cell in Limbo. This was never clearly
explained and many fans missed this distinction between the two.
Lucifer claimed to be the one sending Sam visions. Sam cries fearfully, without ever testing Lucifer's
claim by asking, "Oh, ya? If you sent the visions what were they?" Don't you believe it, Sam.
The coming of Lucifer was greatly anticipated.
Pre show the #Lucifer is Coming trended worldwide with 88.3K tweets...
And some of the first words out of his mouth were, "Sam Winchester, my old roomie. Hug it out?" (?)
(Mark Pellegrino)
Regarding the insensitive and unwitting Rape comment....
The writers did not opt for a line explaining HOW Crowley found Rowena so quickly.
It was more important to slander her. Rowena is reduced to a simpering giggling fangirl, working on the old
misconception that evil witches worshipped Satan.
Her joke about the Handcart fell abysmally flat.
Most viewers would have understood the "gone to hell in a handbasket" expression,
but, a 'handcart'?... Lost in translation.
There was at least one intriguing line:
Also, did the warding on the temporary cell fail accidentally, or did Rowena do it deliberately?
ARCS/PARALLELS
SYMBOLS
MOTIFS
HANDS were highlighted throughout and there were CLAWS:
Did anyone notice the references to chickens?
PERSPECTIVES/ANGLES
There were many high angles to emphasize powerless pawns and low angles to give some
fleeting power. Some are already featured. Here are a few more:
Dean is shot from a low angle giving him power. But, the cathedral towers over him.
His head is framed with an arch and halo and he stands on the line of light and shadow.
Over the head into the fire.
SET/LOCATION/ PROPS
Set: Jerry Wanek
Set Decorator: George Neuman
Location Scout: Richard Greenhalgh
In addition to the Limbo portion of Hell with its temporary holding cell...
...there was an impressive cathedral, stained glass, and statuary. (Already featured in some shots.)
This remote location which looks like an Impressionist's painting with Dean,
a tiny figure in the foreground.
The smouldering zealots were awesome!
SPECIAL EFFECTS VFX
Bloody Cupid
All the fire!
Rowena's Handiwork
Lucifer revealed as monstrous...
And the Angelic Response:
And with a simple wave of her hand, Dean vanished. Awesome VFX!
BROTHERS IN SYNC
Last week we reached the 50% mark with Four out of Eight episodes passing the
Bechdel test. This week could put us over the half way point, signalling a
decided effort to pass the Bechdel test.
Come on Supernatural! You can do it!
44%
We are down to 4 out of 9 episodes that passed this easy gender fairness test.
It's like the OLD TWO steps backward. But, I have hopes for the rest of the Season and this
progressive show....I'll wait here then.
NO BABY = NO "FROM THE REARVIEW"
THANKS TO
Supernatural Wiki
Forever Dreaming Transcript
Screencaps from needtakehave
@
http://fandomforever.proboards.com/
♥Tumblr Gifs♥
Thank you for your talents and artistry
Out-in-the-open. Anangelinatrenchcoat
Themegalosaurus marilynmay.
debatchery. ♥ deanschevyimpala.
devoid dean. Fuuworld.
babwolf. myheartcarrieson ?
green-circles. ta-da
LAOIH: aliona alionaw
IMDB: Cast List
Tweet: Mayhem #Lucifer is coming
Promotional Photos via The TV Addict
Rating three Lucifer sigils out of five:
His head is framed with an arch and halo and he stands on the line of light and shadow.
Over the head into the fire.
SET/LOCATION/ PROPS
Set: Jerry Wanek
Set Decorator: George Neuman
Location Scout: Richard Greenhalgh
In addition to the Limbo portion of Hell with its temporary holding cell...
...there was an impressive cathedral, stained glass, and statuary. (Already featured in some shots.)
This remote location which looks like an Impressionist's painting with Dean,
a tiny figure in the foreground.
The smouldering zealots were awesome!
SPECIAL EFFECTS VFX
Bloody Cupid
All the fire!
Rowena's Handiwork
Lucifer revealed as monstrous...
And the Angelic Response:
And with a simple wave of her hand, Dean vanished. Awesome VFX!
BROTHERS IN SYNC
Last week we reached the 50% mark with Four out of Eight episodes passing the
Bechdel test. This week could put us over the half way point, signalling a
decided effort to pass the Bechdel test.
Come on Supernatural! You can do it!
44%
We are down to 4 out of 9 episodes that passed this easy gender fairness test.
It's like the OLD TWO steps backward. But, I have hopes for the rest of the Season and this
progressive show....I'll wait here then.
NO BABY = NO "FROM THE REARVIEW"
THANKS TO
Supernatural Wiki
Forever Dreaming Transcript
Screencaps from needtakehave
@
http://fandomforever.proboards.com/
♥Tumblr Gifs♥
Thank you for your talents and artistry
Out-in-the-open. Anangelinatrenchcoat
Themegalosaurus marilynmay.
debatchery. ♥ deanschevyimpala.
devoid dean. Fuuworld.
babwolf. myheartcarrieson ?
green-circles. ta-da
LAOIH: aliona alionaw
IMDB: Cast List
Tweet: Mayhem #Lucifer is coming
Promotional Photos via The TV Addict
Rating three Lucifer sigils out of five:
Comments
“Of course you had a father. You were just conceived during a winter solstice orgy, and it's not like I was taking names.”
Poor Crowley. Then he’d have daddy issues, too. Lucifer was so rude to him. O, Father. Who art thou?
Crowley's red eyes covered more than just his iris, the whole thing turned red, if I remember correctly. For Lucifer, only the irises appeared to glow reddish. Same color, so maybe there is a connection, but I'm not sure it's a lineage connection. Maybe when archangels fall, they obtain a redness to them? I dont know. lol. But that's all theory.
Still, I love any suspicions and theories about Crowley. I really do like his character. He's managed to save Cas and the brothers on more than one occasion and always covers it up by saying "well it's good for business" or some crazy excuse. He's done dirty deeds and amazingly evil things, but they *usually* seem to be to our advantage in the end, some how. Kinda like "god works in mysterious ways" hahaha. And he's always a step ahead of everyone. I think when he doesn't know something, he's just playing dumb to allow events to unfold a certain way. Either that, or perhaps god, in this show, just isn't as all-knowing as we all believe.
Either way, Crowley fascinates me. :)
I've actually tried to start a conversation about this in the Discussion Page here: Crowley Finger-Snapping Powers Discussion ("http://www.th ewinchesterfami lybusiness.com/ lets-discuss/fi nger-snapping-a -comparison-of- crowley-s-power s-with-an-archa ngel"), but no one replied. :( But that's ok. I'm happy in my own little world thinking what I think. You're probably right when you say it will never happen, but in my brain, it totally could, so I'm ever hopeful. Until they finally, if ever, reveal who God is or have Chuck say (in an episode, not an interview with Kripke or anything) that he is indeed God, I will hold true to the theory that Crowley the Demon is actually God. :)
So if Rowena is Crowley's mother ... (yes I see the hole in my logic :D) ...
Actually it could be that Crowley is a lot older than Rowena, if he possessed a child or a baby that was Rowena's would she know? He could fake the possession later on. There does seem to be some confusion about what Crowley really is. He could be the child of Amara and Lucifer?
Sort of depends when the Darkness was locked away - was after the creation of the angels at least.
If you remember Anna, one of the very first angels we met, we learned that she had fallen, but she 'felled' herself. She said that she ripped her own grace out and fell from heaven. And I remember that where her grace landed, an old tree had grown in its place. But as for Anna, she didn't come to earth and take a vessel, she was born. She was an infant and was raised by her parents until whatever age she was when she started to "go crazy" and hear the angel's voices after Dean was saved, and that's when we met her.
So, I GUESS, if an angel pulls themselves out of heaven and removes their own grace, they fall to earth and are thus "born". But, if someone like Metatron just tosses them out of heaven, they just fall (with their grace) and take vessels. Kinda makes sense if you think about the specifics.
I feel like, if I'm going to believe that Crowley is more than just a demon who is ahead of his game, that the same thing or something similar happened to Crowley. I think he is A LOT older than Rowena, but when he fell, (or whatever may have happened), he ended up being born on earth as her son, just like Anna was born.
I've actually thought that for a while. The way Crowley and Naomi seemed to have history, especially regarding the whole Mesopotamia thing. I don't think the writers lost continuity at any point by saying he knew Mesopotamia and yet was only born a few hundred years ago or whatnot. I just think we don't know his full story yet. If Crowley is just a demon, then he's older than he's letting on and somehow hiding it. If, however, he's actually a fallen angel or fallen archangel of some sort, then I think that actually fits with all of his character development so far.
As far as when the Darkness was locked away, I'm pretty sure that was before the angels were created/conceiv ed. Long before.... Because the Darkness was supposed to be an old, scary "bedtime story"/ "myth" for them that they didn't even think was real. At least, that's how they were setting it up in the beginning of the season, from what I remember.
Lore frequently refers to witches conjuring 'him' in order to have sex with him.
Many evocations and invocations are part of the Witch Mythology of our world that totally could be incorporated
in the Supernatural world. The Writers seem to be relying on the more cliché interpretations of witches: covens, hex bags, etc.
Why not a "winter solstice orgy" where Lucifer is the invited, conjured guest?
seriously? only one picture per comment? Bah
I was doing my own recap on the episode Wednesday. It isn't nearly as thorough as yours - I love the way you do these BTW, it is interesting to see your perspective (and decide if I agree with it
Preacher
Visitor to church
Hotdog vendor:
I hate to admit that I can't tell if these are three different guys or two or all the same guy (I can't tell the blonde undergrads at the university apart either, before anyone jumps on me for admitting this). They do bear a distinct similarity to each other don't you think? Does anyone have any ideas about this?
I thought Amara looked faintly surprised at the lightning in the opening scene, like maybe that wasn't her? And there was literally no reason for the church guy. And a few people have noticed stuff centering on the hot-dog guy at the end:
-he offers to make Dean a hot-dog but doesn't seem bothered when Dean disappears and reappears 20 minutes later not having paid for said hotdog.
-so when Dean get back either no time has passed or Dean vanished unexpectedly and, since the vendor was making him a hotdog why didn't he notice?
-if no time has passed then we have a huge continuity issue* so it is possible that the hotdog guy is involved in the story - possibly as several people have commented as God keeping an eye on Amara / Amara's new toy (Dean).
*Huge continuity issue alert - if Dean hasn't been gone any time...and he didn't answer Sam's phonecall immediately before vanishing...the n it has only been seconds since Sam called him and there is no way Crowley could have gotten his handcart organised in that length of time. So Dean could EASILY have called Sam back before Sam went to Limbo with Crowley and Rowena
If we took your thought a step further -- could this be a time jump or a in the future scenario ??? Dean appeared to be looking for the angels smiting Amara and the fall out - he was looking at the sky ??
Regarding the "Are all three gentlemen the same?" The first two do look similar but the pix are so blurry of the second handshaker guy.
To me the Hotdog guy looks totally different; but, again, not a good shot and anyone can wear a disguise.
I like your theory though.
I like that God would be watching events unfold.
Who started the Hot Dog God Theory? That is awesome!
I could not figure out why they would waste so much time with this shot
(especially when the plot jumped over so much)....and then it gets dropped when Dean returns.
The Hot dog guy does not even acknowledge him. Duke's Dogs on the umbrella.
And that RED Umbrella???? It was so eye catching/important/.
I was thinking "Umbrella, Umbrella... Have we seen those before?
Besides Crowley having them in his drink, there was that reference to Mary Poppins by Metatron that was so stand out weird.
About God and where he is..."And they want magic... Mary Poppins." 11.06
And the continuity idea is certainly a worthy proposition. It certainly makes the whole hot dog scene more worthwhile.
That is what I love about SPN 10 viewers=10 different perspectives.
Thanks for reading and I am happy you are becoming a regular visitor.
Someone else started the HD God theory
I have an idea of what I believe, on evidence of previous seasons, they have planned for next episode and it SUCKS. But I won't detail it here because I only depress myself further by putting it down in black and white. But it involves why Dean has gone to see Billie. And why Castiel has writing on his chest. And what hints Misha has given out. And hints that there are old faces we haven't seen in a while who might come back. And the fact that it is very important to the writers for some reason that Sam should be crushed completely for trying to do the right thing when there is never a right thing available for him to do.
I admit to not being terribly adept at this speculation game of what will happen next.
I tend to try and focus on the WYSIWYG of each episode.
I hear you about the screen caps. Kiss them goodbye have theirs up ...finally.
You can check them out here: SCREENCAPLINK ("http://www.kissthemgoodbye.net/supernatural/thumbnails.php?album=49")
I am looking forward to your write up.
Oh excellent a new source of caps! Ta!
- Lilah
- Lilah
- Lilah
- Lilah
Actually I kept waiting for a wardrobe malfunction !!!!
As for that soul suck maybe not kiss, and look of confusion ?? I was wondering if something has changed since Dean killed Death maybe a type of protection ??? Way back in S5 My Bloody Valintine Dean didn't get infected by Famine either At the time Famine said Dean was empty inside, deep dark nothing,broken, defeated. I wondered if Dean hasn't really healed from that ???
Either Amara couldn't suck out his soul, because of their whole bond of never being able to hurt the other. Or she decided against it for her own reasons. I don't think Dean is soulless or still dealing with he "emptiness" issues.
In regard to the character Amara and not the actress, the dress dramatically emphasizing her bare cleavage/ boobs was an interesting choice. On one hand I could see the emphasis as a continuation of the mother theme Wednesday pointed out in an earlier article but it was not really the point in this episode. The primary characterizatio n of Amara in this episode was not the opposite version of God Light Male Father/ Goddess Darkness Female Mother. It was that of being God's sister; an inexperienced angry petulant child (Nightsky compared her to a neglected child- victim) who was seeking to anger God to draw him out. Her search for God was done in such an unintelligent manner that she may have just looked under a bed. So I guess I object to the visual of her breasts because in light of the whole presentation of her character, this just made her seem weaker because it screamed SEX... She was presented as an angry , sarcastic, argumentative child-like sister, throwing a tantrum, destroying God's creation/ chosen ones and utilizing sexual attributes to manipulate. The last point even more clear in light of the sensual kiss. She was not strong, mature, smart and worst of all not unique. Teen Amara showed promise of Uniqueness but it did not come to fruition in the adult version. If she was, then the boob exposure may have just been sculptured beauty. So, I was disappointed that a being that is God's sister had to be portrayed as using sex. On a more general note, I know most all female characters on this show have / show cleavage but if they were just going for eye candy it was a tad too much; she is not one of Dean's fantasy pole dancers. I was disappointed because I wanted her to be unique a new character with new attributes not just more of the same depiction of sex and bratty entitlement teen behavior.
Quote:I agree. Disappointing portrayal of the female force, entity, or Goddess.
She creates a “daughter” of herself to learn all about the earth and what has happened.
As I mentioned before, if she could read “Dante” at eight, why is she stalling with more pertinent knowledge.
She quickly picked up on the beauty tips and “make over” from “Goldie.”
It was SO important that she learn to pluck her eyebrows!!!
At the very least, she is inconsistent with her intelligence.
Although I applaud her NATURAL BREAST over the contrived and
enhanced breast beauty standard that is crammed down our throats in this culture,
it is sad that any woman in our society is first and foremost judged by her appearance and sexualized.
What would a true natural woman goddess look like and how would she behave?
Certainly not like a spoiled, stupid, vindictive child as was presented.
BoGirle
Quote:Exactly. Except that just having “women” writers is not enough.
Many Women Writers who actually make it in the industry, do so because they are able to write with a man’s style and a male voice.
In fact, it has actually been considered a compliment to women writers to be able to do this.
Our Jenny K for example has this said about her.
But, what is the point of having women writers who are just going to present the same old male dominant voice?
We need women writers who are going to present a voice for and about women and their perspectives.
Real history and Real religions have completely disempowered and removed the female voice.
(Think burning at the stake for worshipping nature and being a midwife.)
So Amara kind of represents this disempowerment of women. She could be so much more.
And NOT just an opportunity to trot out a bunch of old stereotypes.:(
I applaud challenging the current beauty standards of our culture.
Without underwire, push up, push together, padding, or implants and they are still ‘steal the show’ gorgeous.
Free the girls! I wish they had gone further: little tuft of armpit hair; Less make-up.
Emily Swallow is stunning. I say, if you got flaunt it. Good for her.
I totally SUPPORT this more natural breast beauty. ;)
I would love to see the guy (and it would be a guy) trying to convince standards and practice that they HAVE to show her topless because reasons ...
- Lilah
Anyway everybody knows Dean is a boob man LOL :p:p:p:p
Considering wildfires in California literally happen because bushes start burning, there is a fair amount of logic to what Dean said.
"working on the old misconception that evil witches worshipped Satan."
The show has had witches worship demons and swear servitude. Her being such an old powerful, it makes sense she would be very interested in the "Dark Prince."
As for where they are in the actual episode, since Crowley can teleport himself and other people around, it's not really an illogical contrivance that they go from Crowley's lair in Mass. to Kansas.
I literally have no idea what you are talking about in regards to the convo in the Bunker.
As for where they are in the actual episode, since Crowley can teleport himself and other people around, it's not really an illogical contrivance that they go from Crowley's lair in Mass. to Kansas.
I.loved the brief flash of sadness and regret on Dean's face when he turns away from Amara to get himself together enough to attack her. Was there also a little thinking that he was betraying her as well? And then the look of concern that passes between them when she is about to face the wrath from the smiting. So subtle. It looked like for her she was going to miss him until they meet again. I don't think she fears what is about to happen between her and the Heavenly host. For Dean it looked like he didn't want her to get hurt/injured/de stroyed but he was powerless to help her.
Am I insane? Don't get me wrong, the kiss between Dean and Amara was hot and he was participating but I didn't see him enthusiasticall y throwing himself into it. If you look his eyes are scrunched and his movements in response to the lip lock seem to me to be a little resistant. As if he's into it but not a happy camper with himself that he is into it. So he wants her but he doesn't want to want her.
I cannot tell for sure on my phone but the window may display the life of rhe .virgin. There's a,story there for sure.