SPN 2x01: In My Time of Dying

[moonshayde]

I'm going to devote just one post to this episode and then I'll get back to posting my thoughts on the other episodes I've seen. I'm about to start "Hunted."


In My Time of Dying

Okay, well this was the first episode I ever saw. I'll always remember it because it was Thanksgiving and the CW was playing reruns. I had gone home because I felt like crap. I was soooo bored. I flipped around a lot to see what was on TV. I was frustrated and I think I ended up on the Food Network. But I kept going back to Supernatural. I remember when I was surfing, I kept seeing images of Dean and the chick. I knew from the description he was in a coma.

Now, I've finally seen the entire episode and in context. I'm not quite as harsh as I was here. I still stand by my assessment that SPN is a bit predictable and the ideas they use are nothing new. To be fair, this is standard of most TV, film, and literature. The key is making it interested and fresh, along with some excellent suspense, and I feel that Supernatural does just that.

This is probably one of my favorite episodes. I've seen all of S1 now and I've seen a little more than half of S2, though that's mostly out of context. Still, this is going to be one of those episodes I'll never forget. It had strong family caring, arguments, Dean in peril, and that fateful deal that John made with YED. Who can forget the scene where Sam finds his father?

Aside from John's sacrifice, I think the part that stuck out for me the most was the running theme of becoming what you fight. The fact that Dean could become an angry spirit, the very thing he battles every day, is very poignant. I thought that entire theme and the associated scenes were played very well.

I love this episode.

I wonder, though, just how much this episode influenced my views of the show. I saw the first season after I had caught the end of this episode, so I knew what was coming. I watched Season 1 with the lens of what will be not what could be. I saw John in light of his sacrifice and Dean and Sam in light of that scene where John whispers to Dean.

I'm a Dean fan. I love both of the brothers, but it's obvious I favor Dean. The reason I favor him is a bit of a mystery to me. It could be because my first episode was about Dean or it could be because I knew Jensen Ackles from Smallville. It could be that I'm an overprotective older sibling and I understand where he comes from more than half the time. It could be because, scarily, I relate to many of his motivations. It's probably a mix of all of these things. I may post thoughts on that some time soon.

But in the end, I enjoy them both and I get testy if too much attention is placed on Dean or Sam alone. I like some balance. For the most part, the show has done a good job with it.

I'm satisified

Comments

[jessm78.livejournal.com]

Yay, some SPN discussion! *bounces*

I love this episode, too. I came into the series around mid-season 2; Playthings was the first ep I saw, but I didn't watch it in totality. I think that honor goes to Roadkill.

But anyway, I saw the season 2 finale before I even saw IMTOD, or any of season 1. So I knew what had happened to John and had an inkling of what would happen to him in IMTOD. I liked that running theme of the episode, of Dean turning into an angry spirit, the kind of thing he hunts. I thought Jensen gave a great performance in this episode, especially the scene where John was just sitting at his bedside. The whole "I've done everything you've asked me to, I've given up everything...and you're just going to sit there and watch me die? What kind of a father are you?!" thing. And it turned out that John was thinking of that very thing, how to help Dean and we know what comes next. His sacrifice was another theme I liked, and we see how it affects Dean in the next couple of episodes.

I love both brothers myself. I can't really say who I'm a fan of more. I love Dean in the way he's so protective of his younger brother, his various wisecracks and so forth. But I have an extra soft spot for Sam because he seems kind of like the reluctant hero. He tried to run away from the hunting life by going to school, and he just got dragged back into it when John went missing and then Jess got killed. I don't know why that appeals to me, but there you have it. Plus I love seeing him in geek mode... because I am a geek so I totally identify. *grin*

I'm with you though, I really enjoy them both and I love their interaction.

[moonshayde.livejournal.com]

It's weird. Usually, Sam is the type of character I fall for. You know, the Daniel Jacksons and the Luke Skywalkers. The more sensitive types.

For whatever reason, I am drawn to Dean a bit more. DOn't get me wrong. I adore Sam. I prefer episodes that are about both brothers and the demons they tackle, both internally and externally. But if I had to choose, I'd have to say I like Dean a little more.

[jessm78.livejournal.com]

I hear ya. It's just the way things happen sometimes. I admit it's tough choosing between them sometimes. They both have some different qualities that appeal to me. And I love eps that involve both of them pretty much equally (which is why I'm not too fond of episodes like No Exit).

[moonshayde.livejournal.com]

I liked the concept of No Exit, but most of the time I was like, where's Sam?? As much as I enjoy Dean, I didn't really want to see an episode just Dean. The lack of Sam kind of took some of the fun out of the episode for me.

[lyore.livejournal.com]

Usually, Sam is the type of character I fall for. You know, the Daniel Jacksons and the Luke Skywalkers. The more sensitive types.

You know, I'm the same. Normally a fan of the Daniels and Lukes of the fandom world, but for some reason I prefer Dean to Sam (not by much, of course, but there is a preference). Hmmm.

[moonshayde.livejournal.com]

I don't know. It's bizarre. I'm going to have to think on it and maybe post about it later. Interesting that I'm not the only one breaking type.

[meg-tdj.livejournal.com]

My first ep was Dean-centric, too, so that can't be the reason. ;)

I agree, it was an awesome episode despite its flaws. I actually like that SPN is a little flawed... I think it would be kind of stiff and much less appealing if it was perfect. In a way, it makes it feel more real, and therefore more scary. Especially when they do throw something at you that you were totally not expecting, because it's that much more shocking.

[moonshayde.livejournal.com]

Then I give! I don't know why Dean inches out Sam a smidgen. Hmm.

I don't know if I agree about the flawed aspect, but I've come to except that all shows have some issues, some things that can be done better. As long as it is engaging and earnest, that is what matters.

See? I am trying not to be so hard on everything ;) Plus it helps me with my own story perfectionism issues ;)

[superbadgirl]

Yeah, I don't mind shows being derivative if they take what they're using and put their own stamp on it, which I've always thought Supernatural has done well.

As for which brother I like, I fluctuate. I love them both dearly. For the first two years, I'm sure I was a solid Dean girl. Now...I'm leaning more toward Sam. Ultimately, though, I want them both pretty much equally.

[moonshayde.livejournal.com]

Oh, I love them both too. I just know I like Dean a smidgen more. It breaks type with what I normally like these days, but that's how it is. Like I said, I'm not really sure why since i met a guy like that in real life I'd want to kick him where it counts. I think it has to do with the fact the character and I have a ton in common (scarily) and I can relate to him in that sense.

Plus JA has nice eyes. JP has a hot torso though...

ETA: I guess that now that I'm into S2, I can finally go back to that fic I bookmarked like a year ago...

This is totally, completely, and utterly OT...

[mysticalweather.livejournal.com]

...but I just snagged this icon because I saw it and thought of you.

I was going to give you the link to the page, but the other icons on the page were spoiler-y for SGA... *has a spoiler phobia*

So anyway if you'd like this one for yourself, here it is! And credit goes to lenyia.

*hugs*

:D

~Misty

Re: This is totally, completely, and utterly OT...

[moonshayde.livejournal.com]

Oh that is pretty. I think I like it better than mine. I may just need to snag.