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OMG! Supernatural!
We watched SPN 3x08 tonight and I had a thought.
Just how sneaky are the SPN writers, anyway?
Was the amulet just a "awww, cute brothers" moment (and it was definitely very "awwww") or does it somehow tie into Dean being able to get out of his demonic contract?
Bobby gave it to Sam to give to John, and Bobby's very good with charms and amulets and things like that. Somehow I seriously doubt that it's just a keepsake. I'm just wondering if it's actually supposed to be important or if it was just a cute little moment for this one episode.
And while I'm at it ... wow, Sam. You know, while I can see what their dad was trying to do, I can really see why his resentment issues run so deep, if he was left out of the loop for that long.
I also don't think I'd really thought, prior to this episode, about the logistical issues (and moral implications) of someone with a "job" as demanding and difficult as John Winchester's, raising two young kids. We saw them left alone in "Something Wicked", but I don't think I'd realized until this episode just how common it would have been, from the time they were very small, for the boys to have been left alone regularly for days at a time. Not only that, but it impressed on me how precarious their situation was, with John being their sole caretaker and regularly putting himself in situations where he ran the risk of getting killed.
I've never been a person who believes that parents ought to put their lives on hold for the sake of their kids. Actually, quite the contrary; I think our society over-protects and insulates children to a ridiculous degree. Kids are little human beings, after all; they're far more resourceful and resilient than people give them credit for. The conditions under which I grew up, in rural Alaska, would probably have been considered child endangerment by some people, but I can't imagine having lived any other way, and by the time I was the age of little Dean in this episode (12 or 13, maybe?) I was entirely capable of being left alone with my little siblings in our cabin in the woods.
At the same time ... the utter precariousness of their existence makes me shiver. Especially since Sam didn't have a clue what was going on; if something had happened to John, all he would have known was that one day Daddy wouldn't have come back, and they would've been on their own -- two little kids in a strange town.
Just how sneaky are the SPN writers, anyway?
Was the amulet just a "awww, cute brothers" moment (and it was definitely very "awwww") or does it somehow tie into Dean being able to get out of his demonic contract?
Bobby gave it to Sam to give to John, and Bobby's very good with charms and amulets and things like that. Somehow I seriously doubt that it's just a keepsake. I'm just wondering if it's actually supposed to be important or if it was just a cute little moment for this one episode.
And while I'm at it ... wow, Sam. You know, while I can see what their dad was trying to do, I can really see why his resentment issues run so deep, if he was left out of the loop for that long.
I also don't think I'd really thought, prior to this episode, about the logistical issues (and moral implications) of someone with a "job" as demanding and difficult as John Winchester's, raising two young kids. We saw them left alone in "Something Wicked", but I don't think I'd realized until this episode just how common it would have been, from the time they were very small, for the boys to have been left alone regularly for days at a time. Not only that, but it impressed on me how precarious their situation was, with John being their sole caretaker and regularly putting himself in situations where he ran the risk of getting killed.
I've never been a person who believes that parents ought to put their lives on hold for the sake of their kids. Actually, quite the contrary; I think our society over-protects and insulates children to a ridiculous degree. Kids are little human beings, after all; they're far more resourceful and resilient than people give them credit for. The conditions under which I grew up, in rural Alaska, would probably have been considered child endangerment by some people, but I can't imagine having lived any other way, and by the time I was the age of little Dean in this episode (12 or 13, maybe?) I was entirely capable of being left alone with my little siblings in our cabin in the woods.
At the same time ... the utter precariousness of their existence makes me shiver. Especially since Sam didn't have a clue what was going on; if something had happened to John, all he would have known was that one day Daddy wouldn't have come back, and they would've been on their own -- two little kids in a strange town.
no subject
Hmmm... In all honesty, I actually really hope that it DOESN'T turn out that way because I don't want the solution to the problem of the Demon Deal to be something as simple as a magic amulet protects him. That's too "neat" and "easy". I want them to find a solution to the deal through a trial of courage or virtue or intellect or skill - or through sacrifice. I want to see Dean's salvation earned (by his and/or his brother's actions). I suppose I don't mind so much if the amulet plays a small role, but if it proves to be the crux of Dean's salvation, then I, for one, will be disappointed.
And another thing... well, if Sam had originally intended to give the amulet to their father and at the last minute changed his mind and gave it to Dean (and Dean knows this fact) - if the amulet saves Dean from going to Hell, isn't Dean going to wonder if their dad would have been saved if Sam had given him the amulet as he originally intended. Dean (being Dean) would think he cheated in getting his salvation, that he, in fact stole their father's chance to live (coz I assume that not only Dean's soul, but also his life would be saved). Geez! How much would THAT eat away at the Deanster? And I suppose I wouldn't put it past Kripke and co.
no subject
(But oh, you DO have a point about the guilt factor, if it does turn out that way! Like he needs more guilt ...)
no subject
Oh. Okay, I don't mind it being a small piece of the puzzle, but I'd hate it to be a large basis of the solution. As I said, I want the solution to be something they do, not some trinket they they find. In all honesty, I think it should involve some sort of sacrifice. Nothing as simplistic as Sam trading his life/soul/whatever. But I think that whatever the boys do to stop it will have to involve someone losing something they value or perhaps have to live with the pain/guilt of something they've done. They may think the price worth it, but some sort of price will need to be paid. Salvation doesn't come cheaply. Or it shouldn't IMHO.
(But oh, you DO have a point about the guilt factor, if it does turn out that way! Like he needs more guilt ...)
It would also be a bit too much like his major guilt of early season two. It would seem a bit too much like a rehashed storyline to me. So, I don't like it from a dramatic standpoint, even aside from the fact that, as you say, Dean scarely needs more guilt.