Supernatural - "Criss Angel is a Douchebag"

[kitsu84]

Personal thoughts pertaining to this episode under the cut...

This episode blended quite a few of my favorite subjects together - those subjects of course being: magicians, tragedy, heartache, angst, darkness and friendship. There was also a little bit of slash thrown in for good measure. In a word, this episode was fantastic. Well, except for the "douchebag" part. I swear to God... If I hear that word one more damn time, I'm going to slap a bitch.

My favorites:

♠ "Oh, you haven't been had until you've been had by the Chief."

This had me in tears I was laughing so hard. Then, Dean went back to talk with Charlie and Vernon - the two men responsible for sending him to the wrong address - and Charlie asked Dean rather sarcastically if whether or not Chief was his type. Needless to say that the reply in my head was "Of course not, you fool... He likes angels in trenchcoats with striking blue eyes, and hair that's worthy of worship. What the fuck are you talking about? Seriously..."

♠ The exchange between the brothers concerning whether or not they'll survive.

I'm with Dean on this one. Stories such as these never have a happy ending, or as Dean put it: "It always ends bloody or sad."

That entire conversation hit something deep inside me - something which successfully reminded me why I love this series so damn much. It's both dark and tragic, with an underlying theme of hope.

Personally, I don't think these boys are going to make it through all of this. Then again, the Kripkeeper may very well pull a fast one on me.

♠ "He offered me a gift, and I threw it back in his face. How is that right?"

This scene was brilliant because it made the brothers think about the concept of "the right thing." Was Jay killing his best friend really the right thing to do, even if it did save the lives of the Winchesters? How could the betrayal of someone whom you held dear be considered the right course of action?

All of those thoughts flooded my head after that scene took place. And the part where Sam got in the car with Ruby left me thinking: "Maybe this is the right course of action as well..." Because Sam wants his brother to survive, to have a normal life. Which is something Sam wants as well. And considering everything these boys have sacrificed for the sake of the greater good, I don't think that's too much to ask for.

Kripke & Company... I tip my hat to you guys. I thoroughly enjoyed this one, and I now considered it to be one of my personal favorites from the current season.

Kitsu's Final Grade: A

Comments

[breakinporcelan.livejournal.com]

He likes angels in trenchcoats with striking blue eyes, and hair that's worthy of worship. What the fuck are you talking about? Seriously..."

LMAO It's like we're brain-twins or something.

And IDK if I'd get lynched in the wider fandom for this, but I've never thought that Show would have the boys live long lives. Obviously I'd be overjoyed if they did - who deserves to survive if not them? - but I just don't think it'll happen. I hope I'm wrong.

How could the betrayal of someone whom you held dear be considered the right course of action?
I'm hoping that what I perceive as the wrong course of action right now (Sam getting help from Ruby) will just be another path to the right course. I tend to forget that there can sometimes be more than one way to get there too. I'd give it an A as well. And it gets double cool points for having BRAD from the Rocky Horror Picture Show :D

[kitsu84.livejournal.com]

LMAO It's like we're brain-twins or something.
Totally. ♥

And IDK if I'd get lynched in the wider fandom for this, but I've never thought that Show would have the boys live long lives. Obviously I'd be overjoyed if they did - who deserves to survive if not them? - but I just don't think it'll happen. I hope I'm wrong.
I've thought the very same thing since the beginning of the series.

I'm hoping that what I perceive as the wrong course of action right now (Sam getting help from Ruby) will just be another path to the right course. I tend to forget that there can sometimes be more than one way to get there too.
Well, it's like Castiel said: "All paths lead to the same destination."

I honestly don't think it's a wise idea for Sam to get help from Ruby, but that's really the only course of action he's able to take right now.

And it gets double cool points for having BRAD from the Rocky Horror Picture Show :D
YESSS. \o/

[breakinporcelan.livejournal.com]

Well, it's like Castiel said: "All paths lead to the same destination."

I had forgotten about that. Thank you ♥ That gives me even more hope, because I really want Sam and Dean to have some version of Happily Ever After. I really do.

[kitsu84.livejournal.com]

I want it as well. These boys deserve to have at least some form of happiness in their lives. That only problem, though, is the fact that this sort of life is the only way they know how to live.

[auroradream.livejournal.com]

Because Sam wants his brother to survive, to have a normal life. Which is something Sam wants as well. And considering everything these boys have sacrificed for the sake of the greater good, I don't think that's too much to ask for.

But I don't think that's what Dean wants... Because seriously, even when he had that moment of life without hunting, he wasn't really happy. And yes, that dream he had of Lisa and Ben... even Dean seemed unsettled by it and not really embarrassed, but creeped out..

[kitsu84.livejournal.com]

I don't think it's so much as what Dean wants, but rather what he has come to accept. You could tell from the way he talked to Sam that he's accepted the fact there's no happy ending for the life of a hunter.

And yes, that dream he had of Lisa and Ben... even Dean seemed unsettled by it and not really embarrassed, but creeped out..
I didn't get the vibe of him being "creeped out." It was more along the lines of him knowing he'll never have something like that.

[dangerous-47.livejournal.com]

I felt it was more him embarrassed that Sam could see that. Like he didn't want his brother or anyone to know that he dreamed about that.

*Shrugs*

[kitsu84.livejournal.com]

I felt it was more him embarrassed that Sam could see that. Like he didn't want his brother or anyone to know that he dreamed about that.
Yes, there was that also.

[worshipthedean.livejournal.com]

Damn, you're eloquent and focused. I cannot focus long enough to write this shit.

[kitsu84.livejournal.com]

Thanks, love. I actually had to sit down and think for a few minutes before I typed it up. The tunes which are currently playing on my iPod also helped me to focus on what I was writing.

[gembat.livejournal.com]

I may be the weird one in fandom, but I really, really hope they die. Blaze of glory. Dust in the Wind. I feel like a broken record I've said this so many times in the past, but I was actually cheering Dean on in that scene, and my friends were giving me evil, traitorous glares. XD

I think what Sam is doing with Ruby could ultimately be what saves them, and that the angels aren't right. I think they just don't know what Sam is capable of (they don't know the YED's end game, either), so they'd rather take him out of the equation altogether. I think Ruby and Dean are on Team Sam, and that's the side that's gonna win this war. So I hope Castiel joins them. :D

[kitsu84.livejournal.com]

I may be the weird one in fandom, but I really, really hope they die. Blaze of glory. Dust in the Wind. I feel like a broken record I've said this so many times in the past, but I was actually cheering Dean on in that scene, and my friends were giving me evil, traitorous glares.
A blaze of glory would indeed be a fitting end to the Winchester family saga. And I hope that they take out quite a few demonic sons-of-bitches with them. Oh, damn... That would be just simply epic.

I think what Sam is doing with Ruby could ultimately be what saves them, and that the angels aren't right. I think they just don't know what Sam is capable of (they don't know the YED's end game, either), so they'd rather take him out of the equation altogether. I think Ruby and Dean are on Team Sam, and that's the side that's gonna win this war. So I hope Castiel joins them. :D
I don't fully trust Ruby yet, but I'm getting there. I'm also getting to the point where I like her quite a bit.

As for whether or not her grooming of Sam ultimately being that which will win this war, I'm not sure what I think about it. I also don't know if I agree with your opinions of the angels. Personally, I think everyone's side is right - including Ruby AND the angels. They're all out to win this war no matter what sacrifices must made to do so.

[brittwinchester.livejournal.com]

"Oh, you haven't been had until you've been had by the Chief."
That scene, I was dying. AWESOME!

I agree with Sam wanting to take this road.I know he sees it as something good. But I'm not comfortable with him using his power. IDK. It's all sketchy (powers,Ruby) I don't know what's gonna happen and it could end terribly.

But I can see why he want's to do this and not have an expiration date. lol. He wants Dean to have this. But "All paths lead to the same destination." like you said.

I just can't see them living normal apple pie lives. After all they've seen and been through. It just doesn't fit. IDK, I mean I want my boys to be happy, but I just can't see that happening.

[kitsu84.livejournal.com]

That scene, I was dying. AWESOME!
It was indeed. And Jensen's facial expressions were just simply priceless. xD

But I'm not comfortable with him using his power. IDK. It's all sketchy (powers,Ruby) I don't know what's gonna happen and it could end terribly.
I must admit that I'm feeling rather uneasy about the whole thing. I know that Sam has the best intentions at heart, but this could very well lead to his downfall.

I just can't see them living normal apple pie lives. After all they've seen and been through. It just doesn't fit. IDK, I mean I want my boys to be happy, but I just can't see that happening.
Exactly. These two boys were raised to be warriors. Those types almost always die on the battlefield. But like gembat said earlier, it would be great if these two were to go out in an ultimate blaze of glory, taking an insane amount of demons with them.

[brittwinchester.livejournal.com]

know that Sam has the best intentions at heart, but this could very well lead to his downfall.
My thoughts and fears exactly. I just don't think I could handle seeing that. I'm a dork.

What gembat said would be great, to go down side by side, but it would be so hard to lose them like that.

OH MY BOYS!
♥

[kitsu84.livejournal.com]

My thoughts and fears exactly. I just don't think I could handle seeing that. I'm a dork.
I've got a MAJOR soft-spot for Sam, so for me, it would be like watching a trainwreck. It is indeed horrific, but you just can't bring yourself to look away from it.

What gembat said would be great, to go down side by side, but it would be so hard to lose them like that.
Agreed. But it would be a fitting end to our boys. Although, I'll admit to the fact that I would spend the following months crying while cursing Kripke. There's also a distinct possibility that I wouldn't be able to watch the series over again without breaking into tears.

[angels3.livejournal.com]

I was lauging at the way he kind of threw up in his mouth right after the guy asked him about his safe word. If you didn't catch that reaction go back and watch it, it was hillarious. I love the expressions Jensen can pull off in the name of Dean.

[kitsu84.livejournal.com]

I was lauging at the way he kind of threw up in his mouth right after the guy asked him about his safe word. If you didn't catch that reaction go back and watch it, it was hillarious.
LMAO. Yeah, I noticed that also. I also chuckled when he came back and told Sam that it was something that he neither wanted to talk or think about ever again.

I love the expressions Jensen can pull off in the name of Dean.
You and me both. ♥

[angels3.livejournal.com]

I mean seriously if you're going to have someone to take care of Dean it's going to have to be someone of a much higher caliber than Chief.

[kitsu84.livejournal.com]

Like an angel of the Lord? Just sayin'. ;P

[angels3.livejournal.com]

at least or you know someone ranking higher on the demonic food chain.

[aphoticdivinity.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I posted my thoughts about this episode in my journal... it's kind of leading me down a familiar dark road... one I went down in the beginning of the season and I was hoping it'd turn for the better :/ I don't see Sam siding with Ruby as the right thing to do at all.... I can't see anything good coming of it. I keep having this terrible thought in my head where Dean winds up in the same spot Jay was in and seeing him have to make that decision... and in this case if it leads Sam to the DARK dark side? He might not even be able to stop himself from destroying Dean in the process :( I honestly can't see Dean even killing Sam if it comes to that... he'd die first. I just hope my analysis is dead wrong.

*wibbles*

I think I need some hot Cas/Dean smut to distract me xD

[kitsu84.livejournal.com]

I don't see Sam siding with Ruby as the right thing to do at all.... I can't see anything good coming of it.
That's the question that was posed by this episode, though: What is the right course of action? What determines the definition of "right?"

As for whether or not anything good will come out of it, I'm going to take a "wait and see" approach. Ruby has got me completely and utterly perplexed; one day I trust her somewhat, the other I'm going "watch it Sam, she's leading you into temptation."

He might not even be able to stop himself from destroying Dean in the process :( I honestly can't see Dean even killing Sam if it comes to that... he'd die first. I just hope my analysis is dead wrong.
I'm in agreement with you here. There is indeed a very distinct possibility that embracing these powers of his will ultimately lead Sam down a path that may very well end with either his or Dean's death.

I think I need some hot Cas/Dean smut to distract me xD
Dean/Cas smut cures all ailments. TRUFAX.

[tracy-loo-who.livejournal.com]

Personally, I don't think these boys are going to make it through all of this.

Really? I still sort of cling to hope that they'll both survive. D:

[kitsu84.livejournal.com]

Really? I still sort of cling to hope that they'll both survive. D:
I guess I've gotten to the point where I've come to accept that which will be the inevitable. With the course these boys are currently on, do you really think they'll both survive?

[tracy-loo-who.livejournal.com]

Well, by "survive" I mean I am still optimistic that their souls might survive and remain together in some capacity. It seems almost irrelevant whether or not they survive on Earth.

[elvia-e.livejournal.com]

I seriously love this summary and analysis. I think it sums up a lot of what I was thinking about the episode too. Then, I read through the comments which were also very well written and deeply reflective of how much we all love these boys that made me think I should get sleep first and then come back and comment.

I will however say that when Dean mentioned that,"It always ends bloody or sad." I felt my little glimmer of hope for their happy ending fade a little. I do really very much want the boys to have their happy endings but I don't think that will ever happen. Even if the demons are destryoed, teh seals prevented from opening, and lucifer stopped; there will still be some evil to fight. And these boys are so used to the life of hunters I don't know if they'll be able to be content with mundane lives. At least, not Dean. And so in this perspective, I agree that an epic blaze of glory death would be a proper fit to the boys.

[kitsu84.livejournal.com]

I seriously love this summary and analysis. I think it sums up a lot of what I was thinking about the episode too.
Thank you very much. I'm not usually this focused. It's just that this episode got me to thinking about quite a few things, and all of those thoughts came pouring out when I wrote this up, and replied to comments.

Then, I read through the comments which were also very well written and deeply reflective of how much we all love these boys that made me think I should get sleep first and then come back and comment.
By all means, do return and post your thoughts. Everyone is free to join in the discussion.

I will however say that when Dean mentioned that,"It always ends bloody or sad." I felt my little glimmer of hope for their happy ending fade a little. I do really very much want the boys to have their happy endings but I don't think that will ever happen.
I've come to accept the fact that these boys will more than likely die when this series concludes. That's the reason why I agreed with Dean; with every hunter they've come across, they have either met untimely ends or they end up like Bobby and Rufus.

And these boys are so used to the life of hunters I don't know if they'll be able to be content with mundane lives. At least, not Dean.
Exactly. These two were raised to be hunters; they know not how else to live.

And so in this perspective, I agree that an epic blaze of glory death would be a proper fit to the boys.
Agreed.

[artinrevolution.livejournal.com]

I really like this episode and I love the sort of "parallel" there was between Charlie&Jay and Sam&Dean <3
Btw, I also love your favorites moments of the ep ^^

[kitsu84.livejournal.com]

I really like this episode and I love the sort of "parallel" there was between Charlie&Jay and Sam&Dean <3
Agreed. But I've got a question: Who was Vernon in this parallel? Castiel, maybe? Or perhaps Bobby?

Btw, I also love your favorites moments of the ep ^^
Thanks. ♥

[chriztinaaa.livejournal.com]

THIS EPISODE WAS DEFINITELY AN A. SO GOOD. I LOVED IT. I WANT MOOOOORE. XD

The conversation about death. Was really captivating and brilliant. I loved it so much. I'm with Dean, but I love it that Sam disagrees. That he has hope. And I agree with you. This show is dark and tragic, but there's still hope. AAAH! SHOOOOW! <3333

[credulesque.livejournal.com]

I have to say, I want the boys to survive but I DON'T like the idea of them growing old and loving each other and having a happy ending or whatever, because that just CAN'T happen after all they've been through, it's like...they either go out fighting or they're fucked up for the rest of their lives. There's no way they can settle down and have normal lives with normal families after everything they've seen. So, in a weird way, I think it would be good if the series just ended with their fates left as something of a mystery or even....dare I say it, death? I honestly see no other option. IDK! *iz rambling* I LOVED THIS EP THOUGH YAY ♥♥

[sarpanita.livejournal.com]

I am so love your reviews)))
It was a good episode) And i liked that they said how much seals are broken))

[24snowyli-chan.livejournal.com]

i agree so much with you on this, i'd honestly forgotten i could enjoy an episode of SPN this much. disregarding the excess usage of the word douchbag, it was a good episode and the ending was just heartbreaking and it does make you question the meaning of "doing the right thing" sure Jay saved the brothers, but he did have to kill his best friend of years to save two strangers, so how is that right? .