Supernatural and Veronica Mars

[dangermousie]

Watched Supernatural's "Phantom Traveler." About five minutes in, I'd realized that this is the only SPN ep I've seen before (I am usually never home when SPN is on at normal time on WB). My thought back then was that it was nice, but not enough for me to tape, and true to form, it's my least fave ep so far, though quite enjoyable. I like me my angst. Still, the usually unflappable Dean being scared of flying was hilarious. And Sam being he voice of reason and focus. Cute. But my favorite bit was at the end, when they call that voice number and get Dad's voicemail message, saying that he is unavailable and that if it's an emergency, contact 'my son Dean.' What really struck me about that scene was the look on Dean's face. It was such a mix of emotions. What struck me the most was the look on his face when the message referred to him. Was it some sort of pride that his father thought he was good enough to call instead, or missing his father a lot, or just some starving need for attention from Dad being partially fed? What? crumpeteer indicated that Sam is the 'special' child (and the demon they destroyed in this one seemed to know about Sam's gf, so spirit world seems to keep tabs on him, too), so I wonder if Dean knows about it and feels second class, in respect to how their father views them. No idea, but I just thought it was such a messed up, starving look. Dean actually fits the mold of characters I like quite perfectly: incredibly strong walls to hide the fact that once you are in, all defenses are made of paper.

Also, this show has one heck of a body count, doesn't it? Buffy levels. Ooooh, Dean/Faith. I can see that. Someone on my flist was reccing some fic that involved that (I think it was femmenerd) and I must go see if there are any links.

I've also been continuing my rewatch of Veronica Mars and am now through "Betty and Veronica." And for once, what I want to talk about in RB and B&V is not Logan *gasp* but Leo and Veronica. Leo is that nice guy who has little chemistry or excitement with V. I think, in some ways, he is antithesis to Troy who was witty, charming, and untrustworthy. I do think in some ways that is why V picks him: she knows he is thoroughly a good guy (and of course, you get the sense of her and Duncan mutually and gradually letting each other go and being at peace with this throughout these eps). But that is the problem. He is good, he is nice, and there is no spark. It's significant that their whole interaction is so based on her asking him for favors (great character continuity with second season btw. Here, Leo has no problem 'borrowing' evidence tapes because V asks him. For him, rules are flexible and personal comes first so it fits perfectly into OAV) and always being able to keep the case first. Just compare it to her and Logan, no rational logic for getting together, being giddy and swept away and concentrating on the chemistry to the exclusion of other things, completely bowled over. And of course, the ultimate fact is that Leo is a nice guy. Veronica, amazingly cool as she is, is not a nice girl. Meg is a nice girl. V 1.0 is a nice girl. V 2.0? Not so much.

And also, quite indicative that when Logan is grieving for his mother, he acts out by being exhibitionist drunk and hiding his real emotion: that is such a pattern for so much of his actions throughout the season.

Comments

[crumpeteer.livejournal.com]

The show has a massive body count. Probably one of the highest on TV in fact, since they never make it through an episode without at least one person getting killed.

"Phantom Traveller", "Bugs", and "Route 666" are all extremely weak episodes. There are nice moments, but on the whole they just aren't that good. I encourage you that the follow up eps of "Skin" and "Bloody Mary" are far better, in fact "Bloody Mary" is probably my favorite ep.

My view of Dean's look at the end was more a pride thing. John views Dean as his second in command and Dean is so insecure about his place in the family that I think he really likes to have it verified that he's needed. Dean's the one who never questions his father, so this is like a military order for him to take over. Of course John tends to forget that Dean is only 26 and ill suited to deal with a lot of stuff and his isolation from his sons bothers them. While Dean is quick to forgive, he doesn't forget that his father never returns the messages that he left for him in "Home" when he was distressed about having to return to Kansas and Sam's message that Dean was dying in "Faith".

I think Dean is mainly afraid of John's disapproval. There are reasons for that revealed in "Something Wicked", but it's not because Dean is weak willed. He admits to Sam later on that he wishes he could have stood up to John like Sam did, but the baggage is too great for him and he tends to fold in the face of his father.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Yes, I am definitely watching the next ep soon (I can't use youtube on all the computers I have access to, which presents a bit of a problem. OTOH, I'd be marathonning like crazy, so it's OK).

Re: Dean. I guess Dean built some of his identity on being the 'good dutiful son' (in conrast to Sam). hmmmm. It's interesting because he seems like a lot more 'buck the system' type than Sam does. But it's Sam who is really independent in his quiet way.

I also want to mention I am amused at Dean's hopeful attempts to pick up each and every woman with rather lame pick up lines. Heeee. And the fact that they might rescue people, but they also run creditcard fraud.

[crumpeteer.livejournal.com]

The role reversal of the brothers is one of the best things about the show. In any typical family Sam would be the "good" son and Dean the rebellious troublemaker. Only this family is so screwed up, Sam makes it clear he knows that Dean is the "golden" son in comparison to him. Dean is daddy's prize child even if Dean struggles to believe that. Dean does really loathe authority figures, but it's Sam who's seen as the openly rebellious one. It's partially because Sam IS an awful lot like his father. Dean repeatedly points that out. Dean seems to have inherited more of his mother's flexible nature than Sam did. Sam is stubborn and deeply tough at his core, much like John, which is why they're at each other's throats within minutes of being around each other. It's always Dean who has to play middle man and peace maker and on one occassion physically get in between them to keep them from hurting each other. It's a testament to how FUBAR this family really is and why Sam and Dean are far closer to each other than their father.

And the credit card fraud is a nice touch. They might be the "good" guys, but that doesn't necessarily mean they're moral. Dean has no qualms about killing humans if he needs to as well if they've gone "bad", something Sam balks at. And Dean is consistant in his womanizing, not that he has to try hard with looks like his.

[fivil.livejournal.com]

*totally off-topic from this post*

Hey, I had to ask you.. I don't actually know where you live but I heard you'd be attending the KANK opening meet-up in NYC (BW? meet-up that is). Well, I won't make it but I may be in NYC a bit later (Aug 15-20 or so) and I'd love to go see KANK while there. If you live in NYC or would like to see KANK again with me or something, let me know! I already asked Darshana that if I do make it, I would def need some very specific directions to a Bollywood-playing theater and I wouldn't mind meeting her, either..

This is not 100% sure yet (still have to ask my boss about the days off & see if I can afford the plane tickets - the former more a problem than the latter as I'm loaded right now) but either way, wanted to check at this point.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Hey! Not sure if I'll be attending the meet but I do live within drivable distance of NYC and would totally come up to meet you. Just let me know what weekend and I definitely will unless it's in beginning of September when I am in Japan...

[femmenerd.livejournal.com]

Ahem. I've been collecting all things that I find that are Dean/Faith related here (http://femmenerd.livejournal.com/92851.html). One of them is mine.

And gah! But Dean's relationship with Daddy Winchester is nothing if not complicated, no?