SPN 5x22 Swan Song

[exsequar]

So... Dean and Sam's love saved the world. As we always hoped/knew it would. Through the IMPALA, no less. That's awesome.

Otherwise, I'm pretty underwhelmed. I think all the times they have died has just removed all of the impact from it for me. The first time Sam died? In All Hell Breaks Loose? SHAKING AND CRYING. Jensen's performance there...... christ on a cracker, that was insanely amazing and got me right in the gut.

But I just didn't feel any of that impact here. I don't know what I was expecting - for the show to magically get me where I live again? - but it didn't happen. I was doing my best! I was flailing at the screen and making chinhands at the little boys sticking toys in the Impala, and the Montage of Love from which I could name all the S1 and S2 clips, and stuff. But I never actually cried, because there was no moment that surprised me, not really.

I also feel like they Told more than they Showed. They relied on the impact of clips from past seasons to carry the emotional whammy, and didn't even have Sam and Dean say goodbye of any sort before Sam took the plunge. Jensen only got to have shiny eyes! You think he'd fucking CRY for SAM. He has before! Maybe he's just numbed to it like I am. And there was literal narration from Chuck, Telling us that The Impala Is Important! Which I appreciated because awww Impala, but otherwise it just kept any dramatic tension from building for me.

Idk. Maybe Chuck's God and Castiel's been his flunky from the start. (Theory courtesy of apocalypsos.) That could potentially make Castiel interesting, but I was really hoping that season 6 would veer entirely away from the whole angel nonsense. It doesn't look like that's happening.

At this point I'm just resigned to the fact that my heart's just not in this show anymore. I should go watch AHBL and see if I cry again - I bet I would. S1 and S2 were it, baby. That's where the magic was. Now I'm just kind of along for the ride because dammit, Winchesters, I just can't quit you. And you obviously can't quit life. Which is nice for my eyes! But not so much for dramatic impact.

(Isn't it convenient that Jo and Ellen were the only ones whose deaths stuck? And Gabriel, boo :( )

I hope you liked it better than me!

Comments

[asimplechord.livejournal.com]

Maybe Chuck's God and Castiel's been his flunky from the start.

The first part of this sentence is pretty much what my husband and I thought after his vanishing act.

[reinventweather.livejournal.com]

I was really hoping that season 6 would veer entirely away from the whole angel nonsense. It doesn't look like that's happening.

Wait, really? I thought Cas had a pretty damn good goodbye and Chuck left. I thought the show pretty obviously told us we were done with that.

I don't think Sam's death was supposed to stick. It don't think him dying was supposed to be that sad. It's not a tragic!death. I would venture to guess that had the show not been renewed, Dean would have jumped in there with him. This episode wasn't tragic; it was hopeful. Because, as Chuck God told us, "But then again, nothing really ever ends, does it?"

Also, remember it's a completely new show now. Kripke started Supernatural to tell a story in five seasons. That's what he did. This episode was the end of the story we started to watch in the pilot. I think Cas and CHuck are gone because they are characters from the old story. Things are starting afresh now. I consider the next season to be Volume 2, Season 1. It's not the same and isn't supposed to be.

I think this episode was the absolute best it could be. This was Kripke's goodbye. This was the episode he'd been planning since day 1. And that's why the narration was so great; CHuck has always been a Kripke insertion, and that's why it worked. It was basically Kripke's love story to this show. And I was sobbing like a baby. He loves it like we do (or at least like I do, I don't know about you). This was, essentially, Kripke's fanvid, complete with soundtrack.

Especially after this episode, I no longer see the show as seasons anymore. It's one story. And now we're moving into the next. I'm ready for Pilot Episode v2.0, I know. I'm ready for it to be salt 'n' burns again, and the Impala, and the open road. Carry on, my wayward son.

[exsequar.livejournal.com]

This is one of those moments where I'm like "...did we watch the same thing?" I'm happy that it worked for you, but I obviously don't agree. I have no wish to rain on your parade though.

Just one thing: I dislike Chuck as Kripke insertion. Just saying. I always disliked the meta stuff, even when it was entertaining. It felt rather cheap and bears no resemblance to the show I fell in love with.

I would be more on board if anything had actually landed any emotional punches for me, but it obviously didn't. If I'm honest, it hasn't since early season 3, with a few exceptions. But that's my loss and I'm glad it's still working for you.

[casapazzo.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I'm sort of where you are about it -- some moments (like the Montage of Love) that I loved, but otherwise it was a world of anti-climax.

[darksylvia.livejournal.com]

It all just felt so thrown together, like "QUICK IT'S THE END THROW SHIT TOGETHER."

[zippitgood.livejournal.com]

I drifted out of this fandom midway through Season 3. I think in part it was the completely random episodes we got as a result of the writers' strike and then just everything after. I tried to get back in during Season 4 and just hit a brick wall, sitting through an ep I kept wanting to know when it was over.

I agree that Seasons 1 and 2 were the height of the show. God, I remember the hiatus between them about killed me because I wanted to know if they survived and then watching the boys recover. *wibbles* That was so damn good.

[alanna-zero.livejournal.com]

At this point I'm just resigned to the fact that my heart's just not in this show anymore.
I feel the same. Season 1 and 2 were amazing, but after that...IDK.

[little-lusty.livejournal.com]

I read your comments and then the others and I will just say this....

We clearly were not watching the same show. :) I loved it. Thought it was amazing. I could sit here and list all the why's and WHAT'S but I know it won't change your mind. I will say this though....Sam as Satan, damn that boy is good! I was impressed.

I'm sorry your heart just doesn't seem to be in it anymore...I think that's so sad when that happens. To love a show so much and then just think its kind of meh. That will never be SPN for me though. Can't wait for Season 6. :)

[ghostrunner7.livejournal.com]

Isn't it convenient that Jo and Ellen were the only ones whose deaths stuck? And Gabriel, boo :(

If by convenient you mean UN-FUCKING-FAIR!!