In This Section
TV Guide Spotlight
Also on TVGuide.com
|
« Panns' Ponderings
Supernatural Un-Book Club - Being Dean Winchester – WIAWSNB
For me, the mind of Dean Winchester is a microcosm of the Supernatural world. Sudden, sharp and scary. Dark and deep. Warm and supporting. Haunted and haunting. One moment, heartwarming, the next, heartbreaking. And layers upon layers upon layers. On the surface, smart and slick. Underneath hard, strong, stalwart and loyal. Under that, insecure, unsure and angry. And finally at the core a little 4 year old boy that saw his world come crashing down on one fateful night.
A four-year old core so strong, that when Dean has his heart’s wish answered, it’s not to end up on a tropical island full of Gumby Girls, as the adult Dean Winchester would, no doubt, want us all to believe. Nor is it to end up in Atlantic City gambling with a hot winning streak. It’s simply to have his mom back.
But first, let’s take a step back.
Dean Winchester is an interesting character who adamantly resists our attempts to intrude on his psyche.
“No chick flick moments.”
“Hold me Sam, that was beautiful.”
He must drive the torture writer’s room to distraction as they try to develop his character for us. And so they are left to employing extreme devices to give us a glimpse into the mind of Dean. We’ve seen a shapeshifter speak for him, we’ve seen him at the deathbed of his brother, and we’ve seen him face his inner self in a nightmare. And each time we the viewers have examined the glimpses to try and figure out how much of that is the true Dean Winchester. For me, however, nothing speaks more of the true Dean Winchester than the world we see in the episode of WIAWSNB.
Please allow me a brief digression here. I would be remiss if I presented this episode without mention of the amazing performances by both Jensen and Jared. Jensen shows us how Dean reacts when all his adult defense mechanisms are stripped away. He presents to us the devastation Dean feels as his “normal life” is once again ripped away from him. And Jared gives us a Sam Winchester who didn’t spend his whole life growing up wishing to be just like his older brother. A Sam Winchester who is, in effect, a stranger to Dean and to us. Also, I would like to compliment the direction of Eric Kripke who knew when to stick to his guns (having the brothers be strangers to each other) and when to bow to reason (letting Dean have a job rather than be an aimless drifter).
Back to being Dean Winchester. In Skin, we saw some of the resentment he had when Sam left. In DaLDoM, we learned about his anger towards his father. And in AHBL2, we saw that anger directed at himself.
But what does this episode tell us about the mind of Dean? I believe that this episode shows Dean’s strengths. Sure he can get angry with his father and brother. Who doesn’t occasionally get angry at those closest to us? Those people that we let under our barriers. And Dean is no saint. He has self doubts too, but he’s been on a long and twisted road most of his life. However, this episode shows us a different part of Dean’s psyche. It shows us Dean’s commitment to family, his ability to love and his inner strength as a hero.
First things first. In this episode, we reaffirm what we already knew. Dean is a family man. He wants nothing more than to see his family happy. He wants him mom back and Sam to be at school pursuing his dream of being a lawyer. And hey, dating an attractive respectable nurse isn’t too bad either. His brother is going to be married, his mom is going to be a grandmother, even his father died peacefully in his sleep rather than on a hospital floor having sold his soul. And if he and Sam don’t get along, well he can work on that. This is what Dean wants, a chance for his family to have the family life he saw growing up. Well, that is when he was watching TV in all those non-descript hotels while his father was out hunting. This is the life that he tried so hard to give his little brother as he protected Sam from the grim reality of life.
We also see Dean’s capacity for love in this episode. I’m not talking about the “Doublemint Twins” kind of love. Eric Kripke mentions it in his commentary, how Dean leans in to his mother's caresses. He doesn’t want it to end, he craves that close physical expression of love the way a man in the desert would crave a cool glass of water. And you can see the contentment he has dating a “respectable” nurse rather than spending every night with a different girl. “I get it. Why you’re the one.” And look at his face when he sees Jessica, who in reality he briefly met once. He’s so happy to see her alive and well and with Sam. His family, those he loves, are safe and happy and that means all the world to him.
And there he might have stayed forever. Or at least a couple of days in real time. Except for that last strength.
Eric Kripke said, “It sucks to be a hero. Their lives are filled with pain, danger and fear”. So why would anyone want to be a hero? And if they had a “second chance”, why would they choose to go back?
Dean is living in a fantasy brought about by the fulfillment of his deepest wish. And yet his subconscious knows that this isn’t right, this isn’t real, and begins to send him flashes of reality. And when he ignores those, it shows him what would happen if he never became a hunter in a “Wonderful Life-esque” fashion. He finds out that everyone he’s ever saved is now dead. Without his little brother as a sounding board for thoughts or ideas, he’s left to rail at his father’s grave, finally admitting the need to give up all that he’s gained because it isn’t right. I’ve said repeatedly that Dean is about saving people, and nowhere is this more evident than in the end of this episode. This is what he is. A hero. Despite the pain and fear and sacrifice, he has the strength to go back to his former life.
And at the end? Did you catch that? He realizes that this is all in his head. All those people he saved are still alive. He can lay down his burden without guilt at this point, and yet he doesn’t.
Family. Love. Strength. All part of our Dean Winchester.
And so I leave you with this question, if you’d like to answer. Over the episodes we’ve heard a lot about what Sam and Dean could/should do with their lives. And we know that Mr. Kripke has an ending to the series in mind. We’ve even discussed how we would like to see the story “end”. My question is:
Knowing what you do about Dean, what kind of “ever after” would you write for him?
The Supernatural Un-Book Club schedule for the next couple of weeks is:
Weekend of March 29th – Ocean with Benders
Weekend of April 5th – Whimsy with Nightshifter
Weekend of April 19th – FrenchLady with Home
Thank you for joining us!
|
TVGuide Links:
|
|
|
|
Mar 24, 2008 4:49 PM
|
Oooh! I love this episode! Great job, Panns. :D
It's so weird, I was just thinking about something along these lines last night...About how Kripke shows us a different part of each of the boys. I get the feeling we as the audience know Dean better than Sam, in that we get a look into Dean's psyche, his motivations clearly laid out for us. We know why he does the things he does because there are whole episodes, like WIAWSNB, devoted to his character. Sam on the other hand, is more of a story for us. We see what happens to him rather than why he reacts the way he does...Don't get me wrong, I think we know both the boys very well, or at least as well as Kripke allows us to, but still...It's kinda ironic how the "touchy-feely" character is the one we have to guess about his emotions/motivations while the "stoic" one has whole episodes devoted to the formation of his personality...*smiles*
Anyway, my "ever after"? *cries* I don't want an ever after! LOL I'd be perfectly happy if it never ends...But that won't happen. 
I think...I used to think Dean would die. I thought Sam would handle it better. After seeing MS, I know how wrong I was. But if Sam died...I don't think Dean would allow himself to survive much longer. They're too attached, and the trickster was right: They'll be the death of each other. So...for me, it's either they both go out in a blaze of glory, or they both ride out into the sunset. Can't have one without the other. They couldn't handle it, and I certainly can't either!
(x posted at LJ)
|
|
Mar 24, 2008 5:28 PM
|
Panns, sweety, great seeing your blog about WIAWSNB. To do it justice and knowing I'm not that fast in english, I need more then 5 minutes to read and comment. I have to get dinner started, then eat, then clean up.
Just to tell you, I'll get to it tonight, after Torchwood.. I cant't wait to read it.
|
|
Mar 24, 2008 6:17 PM
|
Wonderful job, Panns!
Dean does have so many layers. What a complex character.
One thing I noticed about this episode is that, while the Djinn appears to have created the outline for the "dream life", it really didn't seem to have the control of it. If it had, it would have made sure it was more satisfying for Dean. Instead, it wasn't an ideal existence. Dean seemed to be the one to actually flesh it out, and it had some painful aspects for him. John still being dead, Sam being a stranger, all the people they saved being dead, etc.
All of that seemed to be Dean's additions in a way. He was so angry at John, it might have been too much to have him back (even if JDM had been available). And it makes sense about all the people they saved being dead, too. If the Djinn had control, no way would he have put in that newsbreak reminding Dean that people were dead because he wasn't on the job.
The saddest part was how Sam interacted with him. That had to come from Dean. And isn't it sad that Dean thinks Sam wouldn't like him if they had a normal existence? Really sad that he thinks he would steal money and girls from Sam in a normal existence. I hope at some time we get to see what caused such a poor self-image.
While this episode had some funny aspects (a lawnmower with no blades?), overall it was sad. Even so, it is one of my top 3 episodes from Season 2.
|
|
Mar 24, 2008 7:34 PM
|
Hi Frenchy! Looking forward to seeing your thoughts!
Pengy – I know what you mean. I’ve been looking at quotes from the boys for my project, and I’ve noticed that when Dean becomes emo, he’s mostly talking about himself. When Sam goes emo, a lot of the time, he’s talking about his relationship with Dean.
And really, we haven’t seen a lot of fall-out from Ava going bad and what happened with Madison from Sam. He just seems to throw himself into his hunting. Come on Sam, share! 
Hi Tana, thanks for stopping by!
the Djinn appears to have created the outline for the "dream life", it really didn't seem to have the control of it.
Very true. It’s like Dean’s mind knows this is wrong, and fights the Djinn every chance it can get. From the flashes of reality to showing Dean the people he never saved. And what a testament to the character of Dean that after indulging in a brief “pity party” at his dad’s grave, he picks himself up and heads back to what he knows is right.
The saddest part was how Sam interacted with him.
Yes. Interesting how if he’s not Sam’s protector, he’s the tormenter. He really thinks that he and Sam otherwise would have nothing in common. Very sad.
I remember when I saw the teaser for this episode thinking that it was going to be awesome, but I had no idea that it would be so bittersweet as well.
|
|
Mar 24, 2008 8:19 PM
|
Hey Panns- great chapter to our little un-book club. I love What is and What Should Never Be. You're absolutely right, it is bitter sweet but then we do love our weekly/sometimes daily dose of Winchester angst. Don't we?
Knowing what you know about Dean, what kind of ever after would you write for him?
I think Dean already answered that question for us when he and Henrickson had their little talk in Jus in Bello.
I think the world is gonna end bloody but it dosn't mean we shouldn't fight. I choose to go down swingin'
I have to agree with the man himself. I don't think there is any other way for Dean and Sam but to keep fighting the good fight.
As for Sam I think we'll know more about Sam when Sam knows more about Sam.
Sam on the other hand is more of a story for us... so true Pengy. is he the Anti-Christ or the Messiah?
|
|
Mar 24, 2008 9:37 PM
|
For me, this episode showed me that Dean couldn't live a lie. Or maybe he could have, if he'd known that the people he hadn't saved in his head were still alive out there. But I think Dean's subconscious used those "deaths" as a wake-up call for him.
Or this could just be another symptom of Dean's low self-worth, thinking he doesn't deserve this life. But I don't think so.
Dean's life, post-show. I just want the boy happy.
(x-posted at LJ)
|
|
Mar 24, 2008 9:43 PM
|
As for Sam I think we'll know more about Sam when Sam knows more about Sam.
Good point, Brit! And yes, Thursday just isn’t the same without Winchester angst!
And Whimsy, as I said in LJ, I'm with you, I don't think this is a reflection of his sense of self worth. To me this episode shows strength of character. He couldn't live a lie, and he couldn't stop saving people and hunting things. He says that it's the family business, but I think it is more so for him than for John or Sam. John and Sam both had the element of vengeance driving them. I think Dean does this because this is something he can do and it's the right thing to do.
And I’ll share my answer to the question.
What I would write for Dean would be to have him find a woman that could be a partner for him. Not necessarily in hunting, but someone strong enough to protect a home and children and leave him free to go out and hunt, and come back to a safe place where he is loved. And hey, if it’s a particularly difficult hunt, then he’ll go and browbeat his little brother to come out of “retirement” again for this “one more time”.
But I’m a romantic at heart.
|
|
Mar 24, 2008 11:23 PM
|
the mind of Dean Winchester is a microcosm of the Supernatural world. Sudden, sharp and scary. Dark and deep. Warm and supporting. Haunted and haunting
Panns, I like that description of Dean. WIAWSNB is one of my favorite episode ever. One of the reason is the exploration of what makes Dean Winchester well, Dean Winchester.
But what does this episode tell us about the mind of Dean? I believe that this episode shows Dean’s strengths.
Definitely, we see a man that will turn his back on everything he ever wanted, a family, because it's the right thing to do. But then in AHBL2 , he makes a deal with a demon to bring back his family (Sam) from death. That could be seen as not doing the right thing. AH! but in this case, he's the only one paying, no innocent are involved. So it'sacceptable in his book, and it will save his family, Sam.
I’ve said repeatedly that Dean is about saving people, and nowhere is this more evident than in the end of this episode. This is what he is. A hero.
I do believe this is an important part of the core essence of Dean Winchester, as well as family, love and strength.
Knowing what you do about Dean, what kind of “ever after” would you write for him?
Now don't hate me for what I'm about to say. I think Sam and Dean will live through a lot in the next few years. One of the thing they'll learn is to accept that the other one might not survive the war. I don't think that both boys will make it. But that the survivor will be OK and will keep hunting. Who will survive, I don't know and either one would be fine. Of course, I'll probably be in tears.
Panns, you did a great job and your view of Dean Winchester is really close to my own..
And Ocean, can't wait for next weekend.
Now I'll go and read everyone comments.
(x posted at LJ)
|
|
Mar 24, 2008 11:27 PM
|
Hi all. I stumbled onto your unbook club last week and really wanted to join the discussion this week. So here goes.
I love this episode. It breaks my heart every time. I even cried when I was watching with the commentary on.
I was thinking back to Bugs where Dean says he wouldn't want to have a normal life he would take his life over picket fences any day. Yet here the second he gets to have somewhat "normal life" he jumps at it (that lawn looks like it needs to be mowed). His inner wish is just to have a normal family life and a happy home. The scene at John's grave is just heartbreaking. I wanted to hold him and tell him it would be ok. When he found out about the djinn and everyone was telling him to stay you could just see how much he wanted to. He is stronger than I think I would be. Inside I think he knew if stayed the really Sam would have to go on without him. Alone with no one to watch his back, and he couldn't do that to him. Not yet anyway.
Jensen's performance in this episode is mind boggling and you know he is unsure where to take this character. I have seen almost everything Jensen has done since he was Eric Brady on Days of Our Lives, and this is one of his best performances ever.
As for how do I think it will end for Dean. I am not sure he can have a happy ending, it wouldn't fit him. I see the show ending with the boys going out fighting the good fight as The Doors' The End plays and the screen fades to black.
|
|
Mar 24, 2008 11:53 PM
|
Wow. Just wow. Panns, I'm reading your blog and just reliving all the perfection of this episode. You wrote a wonderful blog- very eloquent. You're going to give Mary and Cindy a run for their money!
For me, this is the best episode of the series so far. It is perfection in every way possible. I love how it shows the little boy that Dean still is in many ways, and the grown, mature man who does what he knows he has to do, no matter how much anguish it causes him.
It shows Dean to be the bravest person I've ever seen. Truly. How many of us in his place could do what he did? I'm guessing not many. My guess is that most of us would willingly live in a fantasy world if it gave us our deepest secret wish carried from childhood. This is such a heartwrenching, bittersweet episode I don't know where to start describing how much it moved me.
The final "gang up" scene is the most sublime scene in the episode. It's where all the elements come together and force Dean to show his true stripes- to himself and everyone else. The true theme of the episode is repeated- his mother tells him he can get some rest if he stays there. How many times was Dean told "get some rest" in this ep? In the second season, rest is what Dean craved, body and soul, and that is what was being offered to him. To underscore that theme, AltSam speaks the most profound line, "Why is it our job to save everyone? Haven't we done enough?" Again, AltSam is offering precious rest to Dean.
And yet...Dean, as much as he wants with every cell in his body to just get some rest, knows he can't. Because he has to fulfill the family business of saving people...the people who wouldn't be saved if he was happy in this life.
You all are right- Dean does his job not for the same vengeance-driven reasons as Sam and John. He does it simply because it's the right thing to do. It's a hard, scary job and he is uniquely qualified to help them. So he has spent his life subjugating his wants, his needs, himself, in order to risk his life helping random strangers. If that isn't a definition of a hero, I don't know what is.
As far as what will happen at "the end", I truly don't know. My mind has run through all sorts of scenarios. But I think Brit might have Kripke's number on this. I truly don't believe a single word put into a script is wasted. Every sentence has meaning; there's nothing throwaway. And so we have I think the world is gonna end bloody but it dosn't mean we shouldn't fight. I choose to go down swingin'. My gut tells me this is a major piece of foreshadowing...
Pengy's idea of them going out in a blaze of glory also fits, because we know one isn't going to do well without the other. They're almost symbiotic in their relationship. But then my other thought is that the final scene of the series is going to be one brother getting behind the wheel of the Metallicar and driving off into the night. Alone.
But deep down, what I really, really hope to God happens is your idea, Panns.
What I would write for Dean would be to have him find a woman that could be a partner for him. Not necessarily in hunting, but someone strong enough to protect a home and children and leave him free to go out and hunt, and come back to a safe place where he is loved. And hey, if it’s a particularly difficult hunt, then he’ll go and browbeat his little brother to come out of “retirement” again for this “one more time”.
For me, that would be the most perfect scenario of all. It might even...just maybe... become my new favorite episode. Maybe.
P.S. Sorry for the length of this post, but on this episode, I just can't help it!!
|
|
Mar 25, 2008 12:45 AM
|
Panns, I like that description of Dean.
Thank you, Frenchy! I agree with your analysis of his actions in AHBL2. He is all about protecting others (Nancy in JiB), but he doesn’t hesitate to put himself on the line for his brother.
Now an interesting discussion is his actions during Devil’s Trap. He acknowledges that he killed innocent people who were possessed in order to save his family. And since I finally took the plunge and loaned out my S1s in order to get a new convert (what? My hands always shake like this . . . and anyway, I got two converts out of it!) I don’t remember exactly what Dean says, but I think he wasn’t as upset at killing the people as much as he was unnerved at how quickly he’d do it to protect Sam and John.
But on the other hand, in Benders . . . well, that’s for next week!
And as for your ending, that would be fitting, but very bittersweet too!
Hello crazyabouttv and welcome! Glad that you could join us, and jump into the discussion anytime!
I know what you mean about the commentary. I just recently watched it with the commentary, and it broke my heart all over again!
When he found out about the djinn and everyone was telling him to stay you could just see how much he wanted to.
And his expression as he leans in again when Mary caresses his face that last time? Jensen is a powerful actor, and we are really lucky to have him. He shows us, even knowing what is going on, how hard it is for Dean to leave. This is the secret wish Dean harbors in his heart, and yet he still turns away from it to go back. And yes, coming out to help and protect the real Sam is probably the strongest anchor for Dean.
Ooo, The End by the Doors would be a great SN song!
Thanks so much for coming by!!
|
|
Mar 25, 2008 12:55 AM
|
Hi Met! You snuck in on me there!
Thank you so much!
For me, this is the best episode of the series so far. It is perfection in every way possible. I love how it shows the little boy that Dean still is in many ways, and the grown, mature man who does what he knows he has to do, no matter how much anguish it causes him.
I think just about any Deangirl will agree with you there. I don’t think I can put my finger on what I think is the best episode, but this is definitely at the top. The range of emotion, the roller-coaster ride that is this episode is incredible.
And that “gang-up” scene makes me tear up every time. Knowing that the words spoken by AltSam is, in a way, the cry of the 4 year old deep inside of him. Telling him that this isn’t fair, and why can’t he just lay down his burden and rest. And you’re right. At this point in the series he is so tired and worn down you feel it with him. Yet he straightens up, picks up his responsibilities and marches on.
I would love for my scenario to play at the end, but if I had to put money down, I would bet that the last words of the series will be:
“We’ve got work to do.”
(Don't even worry about the length of the post. Trust me, I understand!!)
|
|
Mar 25, 2008 1:14 AM
|
Nice job, Panns. WiaWSNB is one of my all-time favorites. I cry just thinking about it! I agree with all the other comments.
Family. Love. Strength. All part of our Dean Winchester. Perfectly said. The only thing I would add would be Sacrifice, although that could fall under the umbrella of Strength.
As to your question, I'd like to see the boys hunting until the very end. Hunting to a ripe old age & then perhaps passing on their knowledge to other (newbie) hunters. Even after they defeat Lilith & the demon army ('cuz we KNOW they will!), there will still be evil, supernatural things in the world.
|
|
Mar 25, 2008 10:47 AM
|
I am so happy that the un-book club is back, and thank you, Panns, for choosing WIAWSNB. You must know that for this Deangirl, television doesn't get any better than this.
I have so little time right now, so I will try to get back with a better comment, but for now, I will just say this-I love that we see the true hero in Dean Winchester in this one and I think that we see so much of the workings of Dean's mind, the layers under layers, is because, yes, Sam IS the story, but Dean, who carries such a damaged and oh-so-broken psyche is the story behind the story and the reason that the story is even possible.
Back soon.
|
|
Mar 25, 2008 3:27 PM
|
|
|
