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« SJJCM's Blog
Supernatural: Jus in Bello - For the love of another
How can we be so darn lucky? How is it that week after week, we are treated to the absolute best that television has to offer?
Jus in Bello was supreme! The nuances, the camera angles, the revealing storyline all enhanced a remarkable episode.
Regarding acceptable practices while engaged in war, the agreements are referred to as the jus in bello.
I felt the acceptable practices discussions and decisions were beautifully portrayed throughout last evening’s episode, particularly in the sequence where you had SA V. Henricksen (so well played by Charles Malik Whitfield) and Dean more or less siding together against Ruby and a quiet Sam in the decision of whether to sacrifice Nancy Fitzgerald (Aimee Garcia, who played her part so well).
Then again, at the end of the episode, when you had Ruby coming to see the boys and telling them that they were going to do it her way from now on.
Did anyone notice the very evident purple colour in the demon smoke? The writers tied this aspect very well into the story.
Purple is considered a colour for people seeking spiritual fulfillment, it symbolizes magic and royalty. Thursday’s colour is purple.
Here’s the clincher – most children love the colour purple, and as we know, Lilith in this episode was a child, so I don’t believe the use of the colour purple was random.
I must say, I was not thrilled at all that a child has been chosen as the Ultimate Evil one. Having said that though, by choosing a girl and the name Lilith, it taps right into the whole evil spirits, good versus evil scenario.
Here’s a brief description of the name Lilith: “Derived from Assyrian lilitu meaning "of the night". This was the name of a demon in ancient Assyrian myths. In Jewish and Islamic tradition she was Adam's first wife, sent out of Eden and replaced by Eve because she would not submit to him. The offspring of Adam and Lilith were the evil spirits of the world.”
I found it intriguing that white eyes and not dark eyes were used when Lilith moved into her mode.
Could this be a red herring, could the true evil one, be the one holding Lilith’s hand?
Demons often mingle the truth about the future. Mothers of demons include: Naaman, Agrah, Mahalath and Lilith.
The wanted poster on the wall, for Molly Baker, was clearly evident two times in the episode. Did anyone else think she looked a lot like the woman holding Lilith’s hand? I’d be interested to hear what people think of this idea.
Bela truly irked me last night. I know the guys got the big issue of them being looked for by the police resolved, but I thought to myself, they need to get her, get her good and get her soon.
Ruby was really good last night.
I feel bad that they killed off Henricksen. I thought it was so good when the boys shook his hand near the end, showing no hard feelings.
I love the true exchange between him and Dean, two men, once on opposite sides, coming together to fight the good fight.
“Dean: Honestly, I think the world's going to end bloody. But it doesn't mean we shouldn't fight. We do have choices. I choose to go down swing’in.”
When Sam and Dean were on the cot in the cell earlier in the episode, chained together and Henricksen made that comment about Dean not seeing his little brother ever again, it made my heart jump a bit, for I believe that hell must be a lot like prison.
I thought it was well done when Sam sat right up when Henricksen started to criticize John, not sure what Dean’s reaction was going to be.
Waiting for the siege to begin was very well done. It felt like I was almost part of that scene.
Regarding the tattoos on Sam and Dean, if they are to be protection tattoos, why were they not closer to the throat chakra? From what I saw, the pentagram is included in the sun. What I couldn’t determine, is if the circle surrounding the pentagram is broken in design. The reason that this is important, is because to have full protection, you need to have two complete unbroken circles surrounding the pentagram. How does everyone else feel about this?
The look on Dean’s face when he realized that Sam had not shared some key information with him was upsetting, almost like a look of betrayal and disbelief all wrapped into one. Both Jensen and Jared did a remarkable job in this episode.
With regards to Nancy being a virgin, I found it interesting that fresh blood would be required to cast this spell. In Roman times, Vestal virgins could not be shed of their blood, they were buried alive if a sacrifice had to be made (OMG – isn’t that terrible). But yet, in Demonology, fresh virginal blood is required. I don’t know, being buried alive or having my heart ripped out, both sound equally horrible.
Ultimately, here is my take on why I loved last night’s episode so much:
You have John who gave his soul for Dean, you have Dean who is giving his soul to save Sam, you have Sam who is willing to work with a demon to ultimately save Dean, any way he can. Last night you had Nancy, who was willing to have her heart ripped out to save her friends.
One of the highest regards for humanity, is the principle about loving your neighbour more than yourself, about being willing to give up your life to save that of someone else’s.
Supernatural displays this virtue to us in many ways.
Peace.
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Feb 22, 2008 10:01 AM
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Little girls are creepy. Don't ask me why.
I thought last night's episode was great. I knew it was only a matter of time before Bela turned the boys in.
And when Ruby said she could do a spell that would kill all the nearby demons, including her, I got really happy for a second.
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Feb 22, 2008 11:16 AM
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Hi SJ,
Thanks for the great recap and the information on Lilith. There's a discussion about her over on Gabs blog too.
Well, that was worth the wait, wasn't it? If anyone deserves to have her heart ripped out, it's Bela. Whatever Ruby's motivations might be, she was outstanding last night.
It was heartbreaking that the boys' efforts to save everyone was for naught. I was especially saddened to see the last of Henrickson. I was hoping he would join the fight and become a recurring character like Bobby.
I didn't notice the woman who was holding the demon-child's hand, but it's interesting she might have been the woman in the poster. Also, I didn't know about the significance of the color purple. Thanks for that info.
I've bookmarked your and Gab's blogs to read before I watch the episode again.
It's going to be a long two months, eh?
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Feb 22, 2008 11:20 AM
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Good morning Whimsy, Little girls in evil roles sure can be creepy.
I so hope they get Bela soon, I flipped with what she pulled last night.
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Feb 22, 2008 11:33 AM
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Hi Marci, Thanks so much, I appreciate it.
You're so right, it was so, so worth the wait.
Bela so needs to be taken care of. I was yelling at the tv last night when she pulled that stunt on the boys.
I'll be interested to hear your thoughts once you view the episode again in relation to the older woman.
There is so much behind the name Lilith and it goes back so far. What I find so interesting, is that it crosses over into all religious affiliations and is represented in Demonology as well. What a rich backstory this name has.
I feel so bad about Nancy dying and then to know that Hendricksen got it too. It's such a shame, cause he would have made a great addition to the fight.
You're so right about April, it seems so far (too far) away right now.
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Feb 22, 2008 11:47 AM
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Yeah for Supernatural - we're four for four on the sidebar popular entries item, presently at this moment. 
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Feb 22, 2008 12:30 PM
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Hey Sandra,
I haven't seen the episode yet, since I am still in UK. I did download it and will watch it later.
I'm excited to see after reading the recap.
oooh, we got some brotherly angst, did we?
I will let you know what I think after I watch.
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Feb 22, 2008 12:41 PM
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Hi Lisa,
It's great to hear from you. I sure hope you're having a great time.
I bet you're going to love this episode. There was so much emotion.
Bela has to get taken down though Lisa, oh wow!
I look forward to hearing what you think.
Cheerio!
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Feb 22, 2008 12:45 PM
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The name Samuel, can also mean "A Gift from God". Let's hope the light path is chosen by Sammy, as opposed to the wrong path under the name "Samaul".
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Feb 22, 2008 12:50 PM
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This epi ROCKED!!!! I totally didnt' see the little girl coming, and knowing how dean's character is with little kids, it'll be interesting the first time they have a show down.
I was sad to see Hendrickson go...I liked his character and it would've been handy to have friends in high places.
its going to be a LONG wait until we get another new one, but at least it sounds like we have a few more for this season.
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Feb 22, 2008 3:39 PM
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Happy Friday Cassie,
When you and T are out in Vanc. if you get a chance and you see anyone from the show, can you please let me know how anxiously the fandom is waiting until April. It's going to seem like forever until then.
I sure wish they hadn't iced Hendrickson, he was pretty cool.
You're so right, I wonder how Dean will be with Lilith on their first showdown.
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Feb 22, 2008 3:57 PM
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Hi SJJCM:
Thanks for the "Lillith" information. I never take the time to do the research, so I count on you folks who do the more detailed analysis!
And I wish they hadn't iced Henricksen too, darned it. He looked like he could be a good addition.
I thought Sam sitting up when H started insulting John was cool. He didn't look any happier about it than Dean.
And YAY! We got an "honorable mention" on Marc Berman's site today. We did awesomely well for the finale.
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Feb 22, 2008 6:56 PM
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Wow, there's plenty of great background information here. Did you research all of it, or is your brain a massive encyclopaedia full of knowledge? The whole thing about the 'demon' Lilith being Adam's first wife if especially intriguing, and given that the yellow-eyed demon was called Azazel, said to be a fallen angel, these names are definitely not coincedental, and the writers have clearly done their homework.
Great catch on the Molly Baker posters, too. I noticed them on my second viewing, and with the camera's intent on showing the posters to us, it wouldn't surprise me if we'll come across her at some point -- possibly possessed by a killing demon, which might explain her being a fugitive. However, I don't think she's the woman holding Lilith's hand, so I'm sure someone would recognise her in the police station (before they died, of course).
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Feb 22, 2008 7:30 PM
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wow!
Just watched jus in bello.
great job on this epi. The fight scene was well done.
I still don't get Ruby, but it does seem that she genuinely wants to help them.
That Lilith girl is creepy. She looks like a child from the old days. That was a give away. I mean, come on, what little girl looks like that nowadays?
So now Sam and Dean have to take out kid. Oh, man that is going to be good.
I had to laugh at the funny lines. I shot the sheriff, but you didn't shoot the deputy.
And the line about them in chains, kinky....
I feel bad that Dean knows now that Sam kept a secret from him. I hope he doesn't start to mistrust Sam.
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Feb 22, 2008 7:44 PM
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I just rewatched the episode and the woman holding Lilith's hand didn't seem to be Molly. However, perhaps they'll cross paths, or it's just there. One can never tell with Kripke and Company. I just wish we could have reigned in Sera's bloodthirsty ways and kept Hendricksen around. I liked the chemistry between Charles and Jensen, they really played well off each other. But as Kripke is infamous for saying, no one really stays dead for long on SN.
But I did like Lilith's words, 'Excuse me. I'm looking for two brothers. One's really tall and the other's really cute.' (It was chilling and funny at the same time)
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Feb 22, 2008 7:46 PM
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