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You know, I think Kripke should've left the episodes in their original order.
I'm kind of hoping that "Jus In Bello" gets moved back before "Mystery Spot" on the DVDs when they come out. I can see Kripke's point about this being a big action episode and ending on a cliffhanger of sorts with the Lilith reveal, but on the other hand, this episode just didn't fill me with nearly as much squee as "Mystery Spot" did. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed "Jus In Bello," but it didn't make me squee in a range that only dogs can hear like "Mystery Spot" did.
For the most part, switching the episodes didn't affect too much, but being hot on Bela's trail after the Colt would've made more sense in an episode immediately following her stealing it, instead of two weeks later. Also, if "Jus In Bello" had been filmed after "Mystery Spot," I'd like to think that Sam would've freaked out more over Dean being shot, since he'd just watched Dean die over a hundred times and grieved over his "death" for three months.
Okay, let me get Bela out of my system for a minute before I get back to the episode. Point the first, I don't like Bela being shoehorned into episodes as a plot device. This episode could've easily gotten along without her. I totally believe she would turn the Winchesters in to the FBI in order to cover her tracks, but I would've been much happier if Agt. Henriksen had been clever enough to catch the boys on his own. Point the second, Bela had some nerve being all outraged at Dean for suggesting she stole the Colt to sell to the highest bidder. That's what she does. She's certainly bragged about it enough. So, I'm sorry if the shoe fits, sweetie, but deal with it. Of course, now I'm wondering what she really wanted it for if not to sell.
I was wondering how Sam and Dean would get Henriksen to believe them about the demons and let them free to help. And really? Getting possessed himself is about the only thing I think would've made Henriksen believe them that demons were real. But for all his smug arrogance in his appearances so far, at least he was big enough to admit he was wrong when confronted with the evidence. The way he was talking to Dean about wasting his life catching just a few bad guys when there was something so much bigger that needed doing made me think that Henriksen might just become a hunter after all this was over. Too bad he died, but at least the FBI are no longer after Sam and Dean. Both of them have now been declared dead. That's a first for Sam and the second time for Dean. I wonder if word will get out about that. Can you imagine Bobby's reaction to hearing about their deaths on the news?
Yay for Sam and his mad exorcism skillz! The exorcisms on the fly (and from memory!) were cool, and I loved the mass exorcism via P.A. system. Sam really had me worried when he grabbed Nancy through the bars of their cell because that's just not Sam, but I was relieved to see that he only wanted her rosary. To make holy water in the toilet in their cell. That's just wrong on so many levels, but it worked.
How many times has Dean gotten shot in his left shoulder now? It's a wonder he can still use that arm.
When did Sam and Dean get anti-possession tattoos? Don't get me wrong, I think it's a great idea and about time they did something like that, but I foresee a lot of potential for continuity errors if the make-up people put the tattoos in the wrong place, or at the wrong angle, or forget to put them on at all.
I was kind of disappointed in the way the big climactic battle was shot. I like to watch fight scenes, but the quick edits and jittery camera work made it impossible to follow what was going on. It was more an impression of a battle than an actual battle, if that makes any sense. I want to watch the boys kick some butt in good lighting with a steady camera. Is that so wrong?
The scary demon kid is kind of a cliché (I immediately had a flashback to the Anointed One on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and he certainly wasn't the first), but she does have quite the temper on her, and she wants Sam dead. That can't be good. The rest of the season should be interesting.
And if anybody sees a screencap with Agt. Henriksen's name on it, would you please drop me a link in the comments? I hate spelling things wrong in public.
ETA: Got a confirmation. Special Agent Victor Henriksen. Yay! I don't have to change the spelling.
I'm kind of hoping that "Jus In Bello" gets moved back before "Mystery Spot" on the DVDs when they come out. I can see Kripke's point about this being a big action episode and ending on a cliffhanger of sorts with the Lilith reveal, but on the other hand, this episode just didn't fill me with nearly as much squee as "Mystery Spot" did. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed "Jus In Bello," but it didn't make me squee in a range that only dogs can hear like "Mystery Spot" did.
For the most part, switching the episodes didn't affect too much, but being hot on Bela's trail after the Colt would've made more sense in an episode immediately following her stealing it, instead of two weeks later. Also, if "Jus In Bello" had been filmed after "Mystery Spot," I'd like to think that Sam would've freaked out more over Dean being shot, since he'd just watched Dean die over a hundred times and grieved over his "death" for three months.
Okay, let me get Bela out of my system for a minute before I get back to the episode. Point the first, I don't like Bela being shoehorned into episodes as a plot device. This episode could've easily gotten along without her. I totally believe she would turn the Winchesters in to the FBI in order to cover her tracks, but I would've been much happier if Agt. Henriksen had been clever enough to catch the boys on his own. Point the second, Bela had some nerve being all outraged at Dean for suggesting she stole the Colt to sell to the highest bidder. That's what she does. She's certainly bragged about it enough. So, I'm sorry if the shoe fits, sweetie, but deal with it. Of course, now I'm wondering what she really wanted it for if not to sell.
I was wondering how Sam and Dean would get Henriksen to believe them about the demons and let them free to help. And really? Getting possessed himself is about the only thing I think would've made Henriksen believe them that demons were real. But for all his smug arrogance in his appearances so far, at least he was big enough to admit he was wrong when confronted with the evidence. The way he was talking to Dean about wasting his life catching just a few bad guys when there was something so much bigger that needed doing made me think that Henriksen might just become a hunter after all this was over. Too bad he died, but at least the FBI are no longer after Sam and Dean. Both of them have now been declared dead. That's a first for Sam and the second time for Dean. I wonder if word will get out about that. Can you imagine Bobby's reaction to hearing about their deaths on the news?
Yay for Sam and his mad exorcism skillz! The exorcisms on the fly (and from memory!) were cool, and I loved the mass exorcism via P.A. system. Sam really had me worried when he grabbed Nancy through the bars of their cell because that's just not Sam, but I was relieved to see that he only wanted her rosary. To make holy water in the toilet in their cell. That's just wrong on so many levels, but it worked.
How many times has Dean gotten shot in his left shoulder now? It's a wonder he can still use that arm.
When did Sam and Dean get anti-possession tattoos? Don't get me wrong, I think it's a great idea and about time they did something like that, but I foresee a lot of potential for continuity errors if the make-up people put the tattoos in the wrong place, or at the wrong angle, or forget to put them on at all.
I was kind of disappointed in the way the big climactic battle was shot. I like to watch fight scenes, but the quick edits and jittery camera work made it impossible to follow what was going on. It was more an impression of a battle than an actual battle, if that makes any sense. I want to watch the boys kick some butt in good lighting with a steady camera. Is that so wrong?
The scary demon kid is kind of a cliché (I immediately had a flashback to the Anointed One on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and he certainly wasn't the first), but she does have quite the temper on her, and she wants Sam dead. That can't be good. The rest of the season should be interesting.
And if anybody sees a screencap with Agt. Henriksen's name on it, would you please drop me a link in the comments? I hate spelling things wrong in public.
ETA: Got a confirmation. Special Agent Victor Henriksen. Yay! I don't have to change the spelling.
no subject
Date: 2008-02-22 05:11 am (UTC)From:I'm kind of hoping that "Jus In Bello" gets moved back before "Mystery Spot" on the DVDs when they come out.
I totally agree with you! I get why they moved it for the airing, but it would fit much better in the original order on the DVDs. I think.
I'm just not a Bela fan. At all. Like you said, they just force her into the episodes and, to me anyway, it's just awkward and annoying. I don't like her, but if she's just going to be a stone-cold bitch, that's cool. Now this hint that she might be all soft and cuddly...UGH NO NO NO. Well, I'll just expect the worst about her so I can be pleasantly surprised.
no subject
Date: 2008-02-23 12:35 am (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2008-02-22 03:49 pm (UTC)From:I also have big problems with Ruby, now that it's known she can't save Dean. What use is she? Last week proved Sam didn't need her help getting ready to fight without Dean. And to have her chastise the boys like 4th graders was just wrong.
I want to watch the boys kick some butt in good lighting with a steady camera.
Yeah, and maybe have a love scene shot that way. ;)
no subject
Date: 2008-02-23 12:41 am (UTC)From:Bela just kind of meanders through, makes the boys look stupid, and meanders out again. I would really like to see her get her comeuppance one of these days.
no subject
Date: 2008-02-23 12:45 am (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2008-02-24 09:08 pm (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2008-02-22 04:04 pm (UTC)From:OTOH, there were things that made this order make sense to me, like Sam's fast latin from memory and actually considering Ruby's plan for virgin sacrifice- all things that seem more likely of a changed Sam, a Sam that had to hunt without Dean for three months.
I trust Ruby a lot less after this episode. Dean had it right, and I think Sam saw that until Ruby tried to mess with his head again. As much as all the bad guys try to tell Sam that Dean is his weakness, it's obvious that Dean is his strength.
no subject
Date: 2008-02-23 12:54 am (UTC)From:Ruby certainly has her own agenda and isn't working with the Winchesters out of the goodness of her heart. I hope we find out what her true motive is soon.
no subject
Date: 2008-02-23 08:20 pm (UTC)From:Yeah, Ruby is bad news, I just feel it. I bet we don't find out why until next season however.
I've enjoyed your LJ. Friend?
no subject
Date: 2008-02-23 09:51 pm (UTC)From:Certainly. The more the merrier.
no subject
Date: 2008-02-23 03:33 am (UTC)From:No wonder I love reading your recaps so much! I think you and I are kindred spirits. I couldn't have said it any better myself. Sam leaving the hotel room a broken and despondent wreck would have been a far better way to go into the hiatus than the ending we got last night.
When I first watched this episode, I didn't like it much at all. After a little thought though and a second watch, it moved into "okay" territory for me. Sam was so out of character with the ordering of these episodes, but if Mystery Spot hadn't aired, he wouldn't be. Willing to sacrifice the virgin? He wouldn't have even considered that decision if he had gone through the ordeal of three months without Dean. He would also have fussed more over Dean's wound. Latinating on memory though was really cool! I guess Sam did "pay attention in class".
Having said that, I did love Dean in this episode. Who would have thought he would become the moral conscience? His bonding with both Hendricksen and Nancy? That was great to watch. His plan was the best one, only because it was the moral thing to do, despite the outcome. The fact that he's willing to go out fighting, so cool. They did his character a lot of justice in this episode.
It also became so obvious to me that Ruby is playing Sam like a fiddle. I think she was lying about sacrificing the virgin, and used the outcome to guilt Sam into following her lead in the future. I'm still questioning, why did the demons let her go? Is she not a threat, or is she in on it? I'm curious to see how much longer Sam goes with Dean's plan over hers. That could be the conflict they're setting us up for.
My fanwank, Hendricksen is not dead. After all, Sam and Dean supposedly died in that explosion too. I predict he becomes a hunter and crosses paths with the brothers in the future. Which would be all kinds of awesome. I hope that idea is being planted in the writer's heads as we speak (keep sending wish vibes to Los Angeles). I hope the actor is available!
Thanks again for your insights, and I'll look for your next one in late April. Happy hiatus!
no subject
Date: 2008-02-23 04:33 am (UTC)From:I think the only reason the demons let Ruby go was basic psychology. She had a knife that could kill them (and apparently had killed a few on her way in), and although Ruby was no match for thirty demons, none of those demons wanted to be the first to attack her because the first five or six of them were almost guaranteed to die before the rest of them overwhelmed her. Since no one wanted to go first, no one did, and she just walked away.
I loved Dean's bonding scene with Henriksen. I really would've liked to have seen him become a hunter. Maybe in your fanwank, Henriksen can team up with Ash. Ash can do the research, and Henriksen can do the field work.
See you in April!