SPN 3:08 - A Very Supernatural Christmas

[maygra]

I totally approve of the casting for young Sam. And I was really glad they were able to get the young actor back who played Dean in "Something Wicked". Seriously, the whole episode rocked the house, but those two young actors did a great job of bridging the years between the boys we know and the kids they once were. It was actually gratifying that the Sam here, despite being young (maybe 8-9? possibly even 10 -- although Dean doesn't quite look 14) seemed to be pretty mature for his age, and it was good to see Dean kind of giving him a hard and occasionally nasty time and Sam pretty much shrugging it off, like Dean's threats were always a little hollow, along with his insults.

I even liked the progessive steps of hero worship: Dean for his father, obviously, but just as obviously (but with pre-adolescent restraint) Sam's hero worship of Dean, of not wanting Dean to see him cry, of trying to be tough like Dean is, just like Dean tries to be tough like John.

And I knew about the amulet, although the script changed slightly from when I first read it, and it's less clear if Bobby gave the amulet to Sam to give to John of his own volition or if (Uncle --hee!) Bobby, sent it along because Sam asked for something (either in fact or in an idea) to give to his father. I can see a dozen ways this could play out in fanfic -- since I'm still half-convinced that the reason Dean's never been possessed is because of the amulet. More interesting if Bobby didn't actually know of the amulets properties that way -- or if he did, since he may have had some idea of what John was hunting. I think [perhaps not (although it could also be a snafu on the part of the continuity folks on the series) since, Bobby didn't give the boys amulets against possession until late last season.

But still, it was nice to see the origins of the damn thing, and that Sam thought it "Special" enough to give to his father, and thus equally special enough to give to Dean. It makes me wonder what Sam had planned for Dean's gift in lieu of that. (And perhaps it was a pocket knife that John eventually got.) Nice also to see at least some suggestion that Sam's grievances with his father weren't necessarily blown out of proportion. Broken promises at that age -- especially by parents -- can be really tough on a kid, even if a parent has a good reason to break them.

For the rest of the episode -- it was pretty creepy and extremely well done, if a bit gruesome. I do take a bit of issue with the idea that meadowsweet is a particularly rare herb -- it may be in Michigan (or Vancouver) but elsewhere in the US, especially the east, it's not that uncommon and propigates itself pretty easily. (Although possibly different varieties than the show researchers were looking at) but it's a pretty minor quibble. The "gods" were suitably creepy in that twilight zone kind of way. The torture of the boys was cringe worthy (and despite watching though squinting eyes, props to the props people who rigged the fingernail gag...that was anasty.

I really liked the moments the boys had too, adult version -- at odds over Christmas but still in synch, and that Dean didn't duck away from it this time. I honest to go don't see how Dean thinks Sam is ever going to be okay with this.

And I freaking loved the closing scene -- because Sam doesn't like Christmas any more than he likes halloween, but as with Jess, he gave it his best because it made her happy, and he gives Christmas a shot too, because it means something to Dean. (okay, and just an observation -- that Dean gave Sam something he might want himself -- skin mags, and something he needs more than Sam appears too -- shaving cream. And Sam gives Dean motor oil and junk food....

Taking back this having watched the scene again. Dean did buy those things for himself. He wasn't prepared for Sam to try and give him Christmas, and I'm guessing he stopped to pick up the mags and shaving cream for himself, and did some quick thinking on the spot when he realized what Sam was doing. It doesn't really change my opinion on the rest, but I do think it very adorable and very Dean to give Sam his won stuff, and even more telling for Sam to get it, and appreciate the gesture. He had, after all, told Dena he wasn't doing this. God. Could they possibly love each other any more than they do? I think not.

I'm just saying that Sam is......

Not to start an argument or debate...but Sam really does honestly put himself in there people's shoes a good deal more easily than I think Dean does. It's not a criticism of Dean so much as an observation of Sam -- an he's not really flashy about it...but as with his ease at getting people to talk to him when he tries..I'm just ever more thrilled with Sam's subtle empathy.)

Sam said yummy. That will never stop being funny.

And again with the brother's as a gay couple -- playing it for all it's worth. And us. Tell me Kripke and the boy aren't doing it just to yank our chains. *g*

Comments

[lostandalone22.livejournal.com]

I loved that Sammy gave the gift that was supposed to go to their dad to Dean.

[maygra.livejournal.com]

Me too. I kind of agree that a lot more than just a redirected gift happened in that scene between them.

[shay-renoylds.livejournal.com]

I think that Sam's a bit more... empathetic yes ;) Dean tries, but what he gives Sam is what Dean thinks Sam needs so, yes, totally ;) But it was absolutely try to form on both ends.

And the "yummy" line *snicker*

[maygra.livejournal.com]

I think you can make the case of Sam being the one who was always outside looking in -- and worked at being in as much as he could, whereas Dean may have looked in but decid3ed it was not for them.

[geminigrl11.livejournal.com]

This episode was so far and away my favorite, it's like it's not even the same season. Wee!Sam was just perfect--the Sam I've pictured, thin shaggy-haired and astute (I think he was supposed to be 8 1/2) and snarky ("it's a pony") and questioning and wanting the truth, even though he knows it most likely sucks. I love that when Dean woke him, he wasn't looking for presents, but just for Dad. And that it was being lied to that hurt him worst.

And wee!Dean was real. He was a little mean, a little harsh, but still trying to be the father/mother/brother he thinks Sam deserves, wanting to save him from fear, in all its forms. He was carrying a huge burden and carrying it well, but he wasn't perfect, either, and I am grateful for that.

It breaks my heart, how familiar they both seemed with being on their own, how familiar Sam even seemed with Dean leaving him alone. Props to both young actors. Hope we see them again.

And your observations about Sam with the gifts make a lot of sense. Dean cares with his whole heart, and would put himself on the line to save anyone, but he doesn't have a lot of empathy. Sympathy, yes. But that true, putting-himself-in-someone-else's-shoes thing, I think he kept himself from doing at a young age to protect himself, and then never grew into.

The final scene was just kind of sweet and heartbreaking and one of the best all-around brother moments since the last one (in "Fresh Blood" - I swear, I'm not being facetious. It's a real compliment. :)) And Rosemary Cloony at the end did me in. Tears and all.

[maygra.livejournal.com]

I think Dean was being a typical older brother for his age -- a little mean, but not really maliciously so, just, I'm sure of being forced to fill and ill-fitting roll of both brother and parent to Sam. (not to mention being he buffer between parent and sibling.

That last scene just about killed me.

[riverbella.livejournal.com]

I was hugely impressed with the wee!chesters performances. I expect I'll need more viewings (hey, you gotta do what you gotta do:)) to get all the nuances, but I swear Ridge Canipe even had precursors of grown-up Dean's facial expressions and body language going on. And the actor playing Sam was so like grown Sam when he was demanding that Dean tell him the truth. Dean is a good con man, but not that good a liar--at least when he tries to lie to Sam, who always sees through him. I liked the sibling tension between the young boys and of course the way their love for each other showed through anyway. It interests me that canon is leaning toward John, as well as Dean, trying to protect Sam from the truth for quite a while when he was a kid. It makes me wonder when John was actually planning to bring Sam into the family business and start his training, especially since he was later to become so determined to keep Sam in it.

The evil of the episode was delightfully creepy--pagan gods as Ward and June Cleaver! Sam's research was really interesting. The fingernail definitely freaked me out a little, but despite being quite pacifistic by nature, I can get positively gleeful about a moment or two of gore. Don't want a movie full of it. That's too much for me. But I don't begrudge Kripke his 'Ewwww' moments!

The necklace came from Sam! Planned for Dad but given to Sam's real hero. No wonder it means so much to Dean. Turns me into a pool of sentimental goo just thinking about it.

It is too late and I'm too sleepy to go into all the other things about the episode I loved, but in general, I liked this episode very much and I have a feeling it is going to grow on me even more with repeated viewings.

[maygra.livejournal.com]

The SPN writing staff really does have a knack for mixing both horror and humor without overdoing either end of the spectrum. Very much like the apple pie town and their pet god. I love it when the make the horror play against type. Cheerful psychopaths are way more interesting than creepy, unkempt obvious ones. *g*

[ladyclio16.livejournal.com]

And again with the brother's as a gay couple -- playing it for all it's worth. And us. Tell me Kripke and the boy aren't doing it just to yank our chains. *g*

This time they didn't even wait for the guy to assume it on his own like they usually do. Dean and Sam played up to it. The way Sam sort did this put upon sigh aimed at Dean before he got into character and did the "It was yummy!" thing. It made me laugh. I'm sad that way.

[maygra.livejournal.com]

I do love that they play it, or let other people play it for them. But I like to think that there's at least a nudge and a wink being sent to a certain segment of fandom. It's probably not true, but I like to think it just the same because it makes me happy.

[maygra.livejournal.com]

No worries *g*

And lets face it, the lighter side of paganism isn't nearly as horrific or fun as the darker side for story telling, just as there's probably a case to be made that there really is more to catholicism than that handy exorcism ritual. But you can't talk about the Catholic church without remembering the Inquisition, or paganism without the much vaunted (if not invented) blood sacrifices...it'd be like voodoo without dead chickens. *g*

I stick to my guns that as far as Supernatural is concerned all of the religions, major and minor, are simply tools not of faith or actual deism as much as they come with such handy and infinitely twistable rituals and histories.

[adelheide.livejournal.com]

I am taking this episode and crawling under the tree with it so that I can rock it and pet it and call it George...

[maygra.livejournal.com]

it was an awesome christmas story.

[trinity_clare]

I agree with this post, and I wanted to add that the show gave us a flashback caption of Christmas 1991, making Sam 8 and Dean 12 going on 13.

[maygra.livejournal.com]

I finally noticed that on a second watch. I was entirely too busy squeeing with glee at young Sam and Dean to notice the details the first time *g*

[tikiaceae.livejournal.com]

The amulet thing was awesome and the fingernail scene was suitably eeewwww worthy. Although I have to say I'm glad they didn't take Dean's tooth out. Ouch!

I also loved that they ended the episode with Sam, Dean AND Impala all in the same frame. *loves*

[andromakhe001.livejournal.com]

Taking back this having watched the scene again. Dean did buy those things for himself. He wasn't prepared for Sam to try and give him Christmas, and I'm guessing he stopped to pick up the mags and shaving cream for himself, and did some quick thinking on the spot when he realized what Sam was doing.

I don't think so. Dean gets them out to give to Sam before Sam gets out his own presents for Dean so I think they were meant for Sam all along. I think Dean got them for Sam but because Sam said he didn't want to celebrate because it would make him think about the fact that Dean wouldn't be here next year, Dean went the gag gift route so it wouldn't emphasise Christmas. He could make a joke out of it--the way he often jokes about Sam and porn(he's done that at least a couple of times, ribbed Sam about his porn watching/viewing habits) but at least he was still giving Sam something and maybe making things feel more normal for him--Dean his big brother purposely doing something to get a rise out of him, business as usual. He could toss them casually at Sam, "Hey I picked you up something while I was out"--and then Sam would open it, see what they were, roll his eyes, make some comment. It would be a normal, annoying but in a good way, big brotherly thing for Dean to do. I don't think Sam is a porn free zone anyway, he might roll his eyes at the time but I bet he'd be looking at it later. :)

Now as for the shaving cream, that IS practical. Sam does shave, apparently every day, so Dean did get Sam a gift he would use. The very fact that Dean is more stubbly would actually make shaving cream something Dean was less likely to buy for himself, because he just doesn't care if he goes a couple days without a shave. For all we know, Sam could have said that morning, while shaving--"I've got to pick up shaving cream, it looks like I'm out". In any case it I don't think either gift shows Dean getting Sam presents he would to get himself, as opposed to thinking of Sam and what Sam would want and/or need. Dean was just getting Sam gifts that didn't scream "CHRISTMAS!!!"