Review: Supernatural 12x19 "The Future" - by sweetondean

Wowzers! So much happened in “The Future” So much! And so much of it hurt like hell. I found this episode so painful. The betrayal and the shocks, and the knowledge that no matter how good his intentions, Cas going against the boys is going to hurt them - and him, big time. I was left with a really uneasy feeling as to where we’re going, and how much pain there will be when we get there!

The opening scene of Kelly trying to take her life was seriously hard to watch. It was horrible and yet, strangely beautiful. Very nicely shot by director, Amanda Tapping. It reminded me of the painting The Death of Marat - one of my favourites - in its simple, powerful imagery. Kelly is stuck between heaven and hell, quite literally. Not knowing what her baby is or isn’t going to be, and not having anyone to help her, or listen to her. With Dagon filling her head with stories of the chaos her child with reign down upon the earth, and being trapped with certain death looming and no way to guide her child to goodness as opposed to evil, Kelly saw no other recourse than death for both her and the Nephilim growing inside her. Of course we all knew that the Nephilim would not allow its host to die, at least not before it was born. If the Nephilim is already so powerful it can resurrect Kelly regardless of all that blood in the bathtub (!), it certainly must be powerful enough to make Kelly feel however it wants her to feel - to feel that the Nephilim’s soul is good. This is not to say the Nephilim will be evil. We don’t know…and that’s the really interesting thing about this whole Nephilim deal, we don’t know! Lucifer didn’t start off evil, he was God’s favourite, but where the other angels accepted their Father’s rules and decisions, Lucifer said he would not bow to the hairless apes, and so was tossed out of heaven. Death said that it was the Mark (of Cain) - the lock to keep the Darkness in - which God gave to Lucifer, that corrupted Lucifer. So this poses the question, was it nature or lack of nurture that made the angel Lucifer become the Devil? What would have happened if he was never entrusted with the Mark?

SPOIL-A-PALOOZA! SUPERNATURAL SYNOPSES FOR FINAL FOUR EPISODES OF SEASON 12!

I usually don't do this, but I am so OH MY GOD WHAT THE HELL IS GOING TO HAPPEN with this season that I got all excited about getting synopses for the final two episodes! So I just had to share them! In fact, we now have synopses for the final four episodes, SO I'LL SHARE THEM ALL!

Of course, episodes 22 and 23 will play back to back on May 18. Though not a finale 2 parter as such, just a double episode, at this end of the season the eps pretty much run into each other story wise! But the Show has been at pains to say it's 2 episodes back to back not a 2 hour finale episode. Which I guess just means, that Carry On Wayward Son will still be at the start of episode 23!

Right...enough jibber jabber (as a certain Padaleski likes to say at cons) here are the synopses for the final 4 episodes of season 12!

sweetondean's Light on Spoilers, Heavy on Squee Preview of Supernatural 12x19 - The Future

Okay kids, this is it, full steam ahead until the finale on May 18 - which they will have finished shooting by the time this ep airs!

The finale will be a double ep night, with eps 22 and 23 playing back to back! Though not a double - just a double episode - which as this is finale time, might as well be a double! So basically, 2 hours of stress and pain! Um. Yay? And then of course, it's the LOOONNNNNNNNNNG HELLATUS until season 13!

So with five episodes to go.... let's look at what's in store for us this week!

THEN
The broment heard round the world!

NOW
I think this is when the shit starts hitting the fan!
Oh and this guy's back!


Yep! We finally find out what Cas has been up to all this time in heaven!


So now let's check out this week's synopsis!

Leylin Vixen's Quick Draw SPN Roundup - 12x18 The Memory Remains

The Memory Remains

Opening words

Here we are are again. The Memory Remains was a myth arc filled MOTW that felt very old school. I got to hand it to them, the broment in the end was great. No, it was more than that. It was awesome! The story was simple at a first glance but in the end it turned out to be pretty complex. It was also an ominous episode. The BMoL, Ketch, and the boys thinking about their legacy gave me goosebumps. It is not unusual to feel like this when the finale is closing in but I feel like some huge trouble is ahead. I fear for the Winchesters and everyone they hold dear. I hope they and we will survive what ever is coming!

Review: Supernatural 12x18 "The Memory Remains" - by sweetondean

Oh how I loved The Memory Remains. It was like a little horror movie! Creepy and cool and super fun. It was a fantastic monster hunt where once again, the monster was not only a monster, but a human - basically we got a two for one, a monstrous human and the monster he controlled. Yep, who is the greatest monster in this situation - a powerful theme of Supernatural through the seasons, and one so relevant to this year's arc with the British Men of Letters, and the devil baby. I ended up feeling sorry for the poor old god, being locked up and starved so that it would grant its captures wishes. The monstrous human turning the monster into more of a monster than it may have been if left to its own devices. Kinda like that werewolf that Claire came across. 

There was so much to love in this episode, from the super fun dialogue-which was so on point with the brothers' banter, to the creepy sheriff stuffing a ferret (was that a ferret?). The hunt scenes with the torches, which were so much like the early seasons…creeping through a building, torchlight shining into camera lenses. I loved the shot through the goat eyes, the flapping painting plastic, which for some reason will never not make me feel like something awful is about to happen! The slaughterhouse and the meat hanging on hooks in the cool room that Dean had to look around as the god hid from and stalked him. So many familiar and awesome horror tropes! John Bring did such a great job with both the story and the script, giving us tingles in all the right places…both from the scares and from the feels!

ALL OF THE FEELS! This was a broment-a-palooza episode!

Supernatural Think Tank - Anna's Thoughts on 12x18 "The Memory Remains"

Human vs. Monster

There has been a recurrent theme this season and we see it once again in this episode.  The question of the human monster vs. the actual monster.  The MOTW is  Black Bill, who in this case, is actually a god.  This particular god offers one what they want and in return it desires human blood.  We've seen a god similar to this before, back in s1.  In Scarecrow, the Vanir also required sacrifice and in return the town's crops thrived. I do really like the old school feel of our little show this season. I enjoy the blending of the past with the present and I enjoy the call backs to past episodes.  We got that twice in this ep.  Anyhoo, as I was saying before I digressed.....the theme of the human monster.  I think this theme will play a role in how the boys ultimately handle Luci's baby.   The question is somewhat raised again though, as Pete gave his monologue about his family's legacy of hunting people  and killing things, the family business.  The god killed yes, but this was based on it's own survival.  Pete on the other hand was a human, who chose to kill just so he can be rich, for him the basis was greed.  So one can ask, who is the real monster here?   This could also relate to the BMOL as well, or to some of them, like Hess and possibly Ketch as well. The BMOL preach about ridding the world of monsters to make the world a better place.  For some though, this doesn't seem to be the case at all.  For some of them, they kill to retain power.   So who is more the monster in this case?  The BMOL or the monsters they claim they want to rid the world of?  When Sam and Dean discover the truth in regards to the BMOL and their true intent, will they not fight to destroy the human monster just as they would any actual monster?  Unless of course it turns out that an actual monster is in charge of the BMOL.

sweetondean's Light on Spoilers, Heavy on Squee Preview of Supernatural 12x18 The Memory Remains

Lord! I nearly forgot to write this! It's just been one of those weeks.... Then I suddenly went - I HAVE TO WRITE THE PREVIEW!

Anyway, I'm here now...so let's take a look at THE 18TH EPISODE OF THE SEASON. (GUH!)


THEN

Mick got dead
Lucifer got sassy(er)
Crowley got played (maybe)
Mary got laid
Kelly got an ultrasound
Sam got flirty
Dean got the Colt back

Leylin Vixen's Quick Draw SPN Roundup - Supernatural 12x17 The British Invasion

The British Invasion

Opening words

This episode made my head spin. I mean look at how many characters were in it. The plot kept jumping around. But that doesn't matter. The episode had a lot of good things in it and also few things that didn't quite sit well for me. But they are telling a complex story with many elements so not liking something is common. One thing that hit me pretty bad was that Mary Winchester took off her wedding ring from her neck that she got from John. That was a gut moment.

So, here we go.

Review: Supernatural 12x17 The British Invasion - by sweetondean

Oh Mick…we were only just getting to know you…but here’s a hint, don’t start talking about your tragic past, because chances are, you’ll be a goner!

The British Invasion gave us a bit of backstory on the British Men of Letters and who they really are, and through this, touched on a theme that Supernatural has looked at many times over the years, what really constitutes a monster?

Sam and Dean don’t have any clue how awful the thing they’ve stepped in is; not really. It’s ugly and evil and cruel and completely amoral, and they’re in up to their necks without even knowing it…and not only that, they're in some deep trouble! The British Invasion left me feeling super uneasy, 1. because of Mick’s death, which, though I knew we were hurtling towards, still made me gasp out loud at its suddenness, and 2. when Dr Hess dropped Dean’s file on the table, my stomach heaved. I was left with a definite feeling of foreboding as to what’s in store for us and our boys! It’s moments like these I thank Chuck we know we have season 13!

Supernatural Think Tank - Anna's Thinky Thoughts on The British Invasion

This is one of those episodes where there really isn't much to write about because it's basically about every other character except Sam and Dean.  Unfortunately when it comes to the heart of the story, Sam and Dean are the beats that keep the story pumping, so when we have an episode that is Sam and Dean light, well, it's just a bit of a weaker heart beat....kind of like we're in need of pacemaker.  Lucky though this episode did have a pacemaker.  Her name was Eileen and she brought heart to the story.💗🍀

The Light on Spoilers, Heavy on Squee Preview of Supernatural 12x17 - The British Invasion

Lord. How did we get to episode 17 already....7 eps left, including this one! Hiatus is looming and I don't like it already!

Okay... let's preview!

THEN

Sam and Dean gave Mick and the British Men of Letters a second chance

NOW

Sam and Dean probably shouldn't have given Mick and the British Men of Letters a second chance.

Ruh Roh indeed, doggy Dean. Ruh Roh indeed.

Right...what does our synopsis tell us!

Review: Supernatural 12x16 Ladies Drink Free - by sweetondean

Gosh it was good to have my show back. Just 2 weeks and I was already sad! We’re at the pointy end of the season, where any break feels like torture!  Though let’s face it, any break at any time feels like torture! 

I thoroughly enjoyed Ladies Drink Free - like, a lot. It was emotional, funny, tense and heartfelt, so much of the stuff that made me fall in love with Supernatural in the first place and that makes me keep loving it with all my heart. Plus it was a cool monster story with a lot at stake! Gotta love a stakes are high episode!

Claire has not always been a favourite character of mine, but she’s grown on me. These days I like her. I get her - I was probably once her, so maybe that’s why. I like that she’s all spit and vinegar and rebellion on the outside, but we know that on the inside, all she really craves is to find her place in this world. She lost her family in fantastical and tragic circumstances which couldn’t help but mould her existence and drive her path. Now she’s trying to find where she fits, and rebuilding her life with a new family - Jody and Alex…and of course, Sam and Dean. Family don’t end with blood… Claire’s story is the story of so many of our recurring characters, and the ever present powerful theme of our show. 

One of the things that I’ve loved about Supernatural in recent years, is that they boys’ lives have been pepper with people who have become part of their wider family, like Jody, Alex, Claire, and Donna. It gives the brothers connections other than to each other (or now Mary). It gives them a haven away from the work if they ever need it, maybe even an ear, if they ever need that - but really, it just expands their world, and that’s a good thing for a couple of fellas who live in each other’s pockets!

Claire has had her ups and downs with Sam and Dean, I mean, remember that time she tried to have Dean killed? But even though she’s all sass and skeezer smart assed remarks, you know damn sure that she appreciates what those men mean to her life, even if it means almost losing it for her to admit it.

Leylin Vixen's Quick Draw SPN Roundup - 12x16 Ladies Drink Free

Ladies Drink Free

Opening words

Welcome back everyone! After the mini hiatus my articles are back and with a new name. Well, half new. Amy thought that my articles are way deeper than a mere "recap" name could describe them so she suggested me to change the name. I am honoured that she thinks that about my articles and I thought it was also a good idea. So, we clapped our hands together and got to work to invent a new name for the article. It was FUN and actually harder than you might think. So here you have the first Leylin Vixen's quick draw SPN ROUNDUP!

Supernatural Think Tank - Anna's Thoughts on 12x16 Ladies Drink Free

I really enjoy watching the evolution of relationships on this show.  I'm not only talking about Sam and Dean's relationship with each other, but the relationship that they form with others.  I also enjoy witnessing the way the Winchesters influence other people's behaviour and mindset.  This aspect that I love so much was prevalent in this episode. 

Mick-Introduction to the human aspect.

I've said it before and I still believe this to be so, I find Mick's character to be very similar to S4 Cas.  He is also quite similar to early Dean.  Mick, like Cas and Dean, holds onto a very black and white outlook that had been conditioned into them.  They also blindly followed the orders given to them by their superiors/fathers. Mick's job is to kill monsters.  When the orders come from above to kill something, he does the job. Mick is part of an elite secret society charged with the task of saving lives against the supernatural. He is part of the group that holds the largest collection of occult lore in the world.  This group also has developed modern technological advances to destroy these monsters.  Mick is part of a group of individuals whose job it is to protect human lives, so for Mick there really is no questioning what needs to be done or how.  Mick isn't accustomed to murky waters, for him it's always been the clear deep blue sea.