Sam’s demon blood was a consequence of Mary Winchester’s fateful decision to bring John back. Dean and Sam’s troubles have only mounted since Dean sold his soul for Sam’s. John Winchester could have easily let Mary’s death go and walk away, but he didn’t. Sam started using his demon abilities because of his pain over Dean’s death and need for revenge. It just doesn’t stop.
Their problems are complicated further by that desire for revenge. That was the catalyst in this story for turning evil, especially when the justification of “ridding the world of monsters” was used rather than dealing with the pain. It happened to the ghouls, it happened to John Winchester and it’s happened to Sam.
I don’t see a Winchester curse happening here. The Winchesters have chosen to tempt fate, often out of that stubbornness and selfless devotion to one another. This family did what they believed was right, only to find later there were ramifications for their actions. It’s interesting that out of all the Winchesters, only Dean now recognizes how destructive this pattern has become. John remained oblivious to the very end, and Sam currently does as well.
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
Uh, Sam, not a compliment! Far from it. I’ve never felt more sorry for Dean, and I didn’t think that was possible after “Dream A Little Dream of Me” and “On The Head Of A Pin.” How much longer can he be patient with Sam? How many more chances can he give him before “family” stays enough of a reason?
Dean’s disillusionment with John grew much farther, and seeing the worst of his dad now in his brother hit his daddy issues right at the core. Finding out about John’s secret life was hard for him, but at least he understood why Adam was kept a secret. To protect him. He’s less understanding of Sam’s desire to train Adam like a soldier and doom him to their life. The fact that Dean still saw hope for others close to them to have a better life while Sam didn’t, even using John’s exact words about giving up everything, showed how far apart they’ve grown.
Before the salt and burn of Adam’s body, Dean refused to entertain Sam’s suggestion they try to pull a favor with Castiel. “He’s in a better place.” I wonder if Dean silently concluded that he should have done the same thing with Sam in Cold Oak. Let go. That maybe they’d both be much better off (then again if he did, this series would have stopped being interesting.) As hard as it was him to say goodbye to family, it’s something Dean has accepted as a reality now. Will letting go of Adam make the decision easier if he does have to follow through on John’s warning and kill Sam? (I know, bite my tongue). What will happen when he finds out about Sam’s demon blood doping? I’m sure that idea that once seemed impossible now seems more real.
Article comments
1 - vichi
Hi Alice,
Great review as always. What can I say? Almost everytime I read your review and I feel like you read my mind. I feel exacly the same about this episode. It was slowly packed but that was necessary. I felt the gap between Sam and Dean and I think that this episode is the one where Sam's transformation process is over. From now one, Sam is ready to go dark, and I think that we'll have to say goodbye, foar a while, to the Sammy we used to Know. I think Dean did that too at Adam's grave! He said his farewell to Adam but also to Sammy he knew. This new Sammy feels like a stranger for him, now, and that's sad, really sad :( .
As for Adam, damn I fell sorry I didn't get the chance to really meet him and know him. Or that he didn't meet his brothers. How cruel Kripke can be! He knew that fans will reject a third brother from the start, then he introduced him and when everybody accepted and really wanted to know more about him, Kripke did that. Having Adam dead before the episode realy started was really a shocking idea and so unexpected. That's why I love this show so much! Can't wait for the next week or the last two episodes. It will be so intense...
2 - Anna
Great review Alice. And one that mirrors my own thoughts on the Winchester family. So much unnecessary pain. John and his single-minded obsession with the YED. Dean and his single-minded obsession with family. Sam and his single-minded obsession with Lilith. But, I was glad to see Dean taking more steps out of his family's shadow. He is finally starting to recognize the damage they've all done to each other in the name of love and seems determined to have it stop with him. He's based his life on his father's wants and his brother's needs and has neglected himself all along. Maybe now that he sees what those wants and needs have really accomplished, he'll be able to remove himself from the equation. Staying with Sam has stopped being an option now. It's only causing more pain for both brothers. It's kinda like watching a bad marriage continue on long after the divorce lawyers should have been called. The next 3 episodes are going to be hard and that's saying a lot for a season that has already broken my heart.
3 - BackToKansas
I think Dean did follow in his Dad's footsteps. It led him straight to Hell, where he was tortured and then turned torturer. That's not lucky in my book. I bet Dean wishes he had been allowed to die peacefully back when Sam dragged him (out of love!) to Reverend LaGrange.
As for Sam, his story is incredibly tragic because there never really could be normal for him. Sam was targeted by Azazel as a baby and fed demon blood. Azazel would have come after Sam no matter what life Sam was leading at the time. For Sam, there was no escape. That's probably enough to make any parent angry and vengeful.
I can't wait to see Sam's hero journey play out, and find out what role Dean plays in it. "We're stronger as a family, Dad, we just are, you know it."
4 - bordnow
I usually agree with you Alice, but not this time. While Sam and Dean were both jealous of Adam, I dont think Sam was trying to take Adam's choices away. Adam could have said no at any time. In the end Adam's lack of knowledge about the supernatural was what got him killed. He couldnt defend himself. While John could have been a much better father, he did give his eldest sons a defense against the supernatural world.
I agree that the Sam we knew is dead. Pulled back into a life he hated after Jess's death, then he lost his father and his brother. Sam had nothing left to lose. He began using the powers he loathes, and drinking Ruby's blood. SOmething that disgusts him. Sam finally ran out of hope. Even when he did just try to walk away from the demon blood, it caused him more pain. Jake killed Sam, leading to the deal and then Sam didnt use his powers to save Dean, and Dean died. Sam had nothing left to lose.
Also, im sure Sam knew that Dean didnt mean it as a compliment. Ive never seen a movie or show where the ill take it as a compliment was anything more than not wanting to fight about it. It was the same here too.
5 - Meg
Excellent review, Alice! I really enjoyed this episode. And as much as the conflict between the brothers has been painful to watch, I really love this season, especially the character growth we've seen in Dean.
"Dean was angry, Sam accepted it. Eventually though, as this show often does, it twisted, and Sam's acceptance turned to willingness to turn Adam toward the same terrible life he has, while Dean intended on protecting this kid, for it wasn't too late."
Yes, that was interesting. I felt that Dean's desire to protect Adam came from his desire to protect him, like John wanted. He and Sam had a LIFETIME of training, so I'm not sure if Sam expected that they would be able to stick around and train Adam for the next few years or what? So I definitely agreed with Dean's POV on this. I really felt that Sam's "What makes Adam so special?" remark was indicative of his underlying motivations here.
"But, I was glad to see Dean taking more steps out of his family's shadow. He is finally starting to recognize the damage they've all done to each other in the name of love and seems determined to have it stop with him. He's based his life on his father's wants and his brother's needs and has neglected himself all along."
Anna -- this is a great observation and I totally agree. I think Dean has matured so much this season and is finally stepping out of the shadows of what has defined him for most of his life -- his role in the family. He's finding his OWN identity, seperate from the role as caregiver, son, and brother, and it's a wonderful thing to see.