Supernatural: Heaven and Hell Comments

Tonia

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 21:05:27 +0000

Me again. Just wanted to say Whiskey, you articulated EVERYTHING I felt about this episode and Show and Jared. Also there was a Buddy TV interview with Jared where he confirmed having been in Hawaii. And Sylvia, I have a lot of fannish rumblings about Dean not helping Sam up first before the skank Ruby. Enjoy your much deserved rest! Tonia

Joan

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 18:18:41 +0000

Part 4 Okay…now onto the episode. I don’t even know where to begin. Overall, I enjoyed this episode but not every scene worked for me. The editing was choppy in parts. Alistair’s voice annoyed me. The ‘stolen’ scene from Titanic was corny and I believe I actually laughed out loud. The episode dragged in some areas. And Dean helped Ruby first…BEFORE SAMMY! Hello?! That one bothered me on so many levels. However, there was so much to enjoy as well. Sylvia, you know, more than anyone, how I feel about this show. There has only been one other show that was ‘must see’ for me. Prior to Supernatural, Alias was the only TV show that I looked forward to every week. I ‘heart’ Jennifer Garner. She kicked butt every week. And, she breathed so much life into the character of Sydney Bristow. The writing was great. The acting was stellar and she had chemistry with so many of the show’s characters.

Joan

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 18:17:52 +0000

Part 3 10). Two references to Porn! Yes, please Dean don’t EVER change. 11). The brotherly banter was in full force again. I love it when Sam just looks at Dean with that exasperated look on his face. 12). Sex in the back of the Impala 13). Sam’s facial expression when Ruby wanted Sam to use his powers 14). The final scene was one for the books….More on that later.

Joan

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 18:17:18 +0000

Part 2 Anyway, my list will be shorter this time, but I had to make one. 1). Thank you Kripke for the shout-out to my home state of Kentucky! SCORE!! 2). I like that they chose the city of Union Kentucky. BTW – US 42 ends in Union. Nice touch with the US 42 sign! 3). I enjoyed the chemistry between Anna and Dean 4). Pamela rocks! Enough said. 5). I love the dynamic between Uriel and Dean even though I loathe Uriel. He sure is heartless. 6). ‘Junkless’ ‘Ken Doll’ ‘Angel food cake’ LOL 7). Castiel’s forlorn look when Anna kissed Dean good-bye was interesting and made me go ‘UMMMM”... 8). Half-nekked ness two weeks in a row!  9). Lot’s of kissing…….yummy!

Joan

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 18:15:47 +0000

Dear Sylvia Part 1 Sigh. This episode really caused quite a stir, in Supernatural fandom. There were so many scathing reviews that it made me sad and honestly, tore me up inside. No, the episode wasn’t perfect. It was slow in some points and there wasn’t enough Sam and Dean for me. Even when an episode doesn’t completely work for me there is always something which makes me, as a fan girl still love the show. In ‘Heaven and Hell’, there were several key scenes; important scenes; mind blowing -gut wrenching scenes that made the episode worth watching. In fact, I enjoyed it more the second time I viewed it. That usually happens because I get so wrapped up in the show that I miss some of the subtleties the first time I watch it. Joan

Teller

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 18:10:42 +0000

What's so bad about Jared going to Hawaii to chill? What I got from it was that the script was written for In the Beginning with minimal Sam and Jared was like, "Sweet, I think I'll head to Hawaii and relax." Sam didn't really fit into In the Beginning b/c of the script and storyline. I say the boy deserved a break, saw a chance and took it. I'm just confused sometimes about some of the anger in this fandom; where is comes from and who its directed at.

Joan

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 17:57:23 +0000

Back in a moment to post comments but I wanted to say please enjoy your break. We all love you but you deserve some down time. Thanks, Joan

Silvia

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 17:11:13 +0000

Hey Sylvia....well...I'm Silvia!:P I just wanted to tell you that I pretty much enjoy reading your very interesting reviews because they are clever and reflect exactly my thoughts! I totally agree with your Ackles' praise,the boy is gorgeous and a BRILLIANT actor!And I squeed out loud when I've read your "The writer(s) sometimes don’t seem to understand the power of the characters they’ve created" because it is so damn true!Do you mind if I rec your review on my journal?I was going to make a season 4 picspam (sooner or later) and I wanted to add a link to your blog!

Whiskey

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 17:04:18 +0000

Dean's confession at the end broke me. I was crying right along with him. Ackles sold that to me hook, line and sinker. I am in awe of how truly talented actors can tear themselves apart for the sake of their character, and show us the tiny pieces. I don't know how they put themselves back together at the end of the day, but I do know they deserve far more credit for it than they usually get for doing it. I really, really wish that Show would quit relying so heavily on the shiny sparkly goodness of Ackles acting and allow Sam/Jared more chances to shine. Jensen's amazing, unbelievable, talented beyond comprehension and of course, gorgeous. We know this. Now let's see what someone else is capable of. I enjoyed watching Sam's face as Dean broke down beside him. He was clearly fighting tears, genuinely torn apart by what his brother was saying. I think this was the scene that Jared mentioned in an interview, talking about how the camera wasn't even on him, he wasn't the focus, but the performance that Jensen was giving was tearing him up, making him cry. That ending was painful, but awesome. But even that couldn't make up for the rest of the episode. Here's hoping the hiatus brings better things.

Whiskey

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 17:03:04 +0000

But I totally agree with you, the hypnotizing scene went on far too long. So did the scene where Anna was explaining her fall and her grace and all such things. I might have been able to tolerate it better if the actress playing Anna was better at selling it, but that's doubtful. I did enjoy watching Sam figure it all out, where the grace fell and how they might find it. I am pretending Ruby's torture scene never happened, and no one can make me change my mind. The return of guest towel Sam did nothing to endear this episode to me. Bad enough it took them eight episodes to deign to show us some of what Sam went through, something that surely ranked in importance above shapeshifters with a taste for black and white films, and giant teddy bears commiting suicide. Now just one week later we're back to sidekick Sam, the ever lovely guest towels. On top of finally getting confirmation from Jensen that Jared was indeed in Hawaii while they filmed In the Beginning, and not doing reshoots as fandom had insisted he was in order to justify his abscence from that episode....well, Show is scraping the bottom of the barrel when it comes to my patience.

Whiskey

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 17:00:33 +0000

The sex scene, to me, wasn't that great. Ackles is indeed beautiful, and the glimpses of his back were hot, very hot. I think though that my distaste for Anna bled over into my impression of that scene. I was also, highly, highly distracted with trying to figure out how much of Dean's body was hanging out the door when he was on top, and how on earth he fit himself into the when he switched positions with her. Dean may not be the giant that Sam is, but he is by no means a small man, and the logistics of the chosen location for that interlude distracted me something awful. The hand in the window at the end was, in a word, horrifying. I actually groaned out loud when it happened. I did love the fact that Bobby wasn't home when they went there, though I could have lived without the mental image of him that Dean so thoughtfully provided, and I love your take on how Sam and Dean each reacted to the issue of consulting Bobby. I have to admit that I also loved watching Ruby glower from outside the safe room. Seeing Pamela come back was nice, and her interaction with Sam made me giggle, particularly the way he stammered when she caught him checking her out.

Whiskey

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 16:58:45 +0000

Don't EVEN get me started on the whole issue of Dean basically ignoring Sam as he lay on the floor unconscious, and then in obvious discomfort. Clearly I stumbled into some alternate reality of Show, where Ruby and Anne Shirley are more important than Dean's baby brother. In my mind Dean's behaviour in that instance called for much splashing of holy water and tossing around of appropriate Latin words, because the Dean Winchester we've known for three and a half seasons wouldn't do that, ever, so he is clearly under supernatural influence. Again, fanfic? Or Show? Dear Kripke, if you simply MUST borrow ideas for canon from fanfic, please to be culling from the good stuff at least. Sincerely, Annoyed Fangirl.

Whiskey

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 16:58:16 +0000

Another lovely review Sylvia. And yet another long winded reply from me. I apologize, again. My initial reaction to this one was very mixed. There were things I liked, like Sam's bits about Dean confusing porn with reality, and bits I hated, like every single time Mary Sue, I mean Anna, opened her mouth. When Show introduced the character of Castiel, and who/what he was, my first reaction was that it was awesome. Then they brought Uriel in and it was more like "another holy flapper? well, if we must." But then he was so different from Castiel, and so acidic and almost hateful that I had to love to hate him. When Mary Sue, dammit, Anna sat up on that cot and looked all meaningful, I got a sudden chill and thought to myself "Surely not, they won't go there will they?" Not only did they go there, they went above and beyond, making her not only another angel, but an angel that outranks the angels they've already given us. Is this fanfic or Show? I couldn't tell there for a while.

Tonia

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 14:53:34 +0000

Hi Sylvia, I found this episode a huge letdown after last week's. I don't mind the angel-demon arc story but I find it has been badly done and I keep waiting for something good to evolve. So far ... boring. The angel-demon fight at the end was laughable and I was so disappointed that Castiel was taken down so easily and quickly by Alistair ... it made Castiel look like a wuss. Seems to me that a showdown between these two powerful forces should have been a helluva lot more exciting. And the whole Anna losing her grace ... well, let's just say I was laughing a lot this episode. As for the love scene, sorry but the only part I liked was seeing Dean's beautiful back. And I was SO looking forward to it. I found they had no chemistry at all together. I watched it a few times to see if I could feel different about it but nope, it felt so flat. And the Titanic shout-out was the final straw that killed it for me. I laughed and laughed. My favourite parts of this episode was Pamela smacking Sam's butt and their whole funny interaction. I don't think that Pam was ignoring Dean. He had gone to pick her up and drive her there, so I'm sure she had her "fun" with him in the car. Hee! I also loved the way they cut from the Dean/Anna love scene to Sam sleeping and Ruby watching him sleep. The closeness of the previous scene and the distance in the latter. It had kind of an unrequited love feel to it. My favorite line was Ruby saying to Sam, "Kinda buff for a nerd" to because ain't it the TRUTH! And lastly, for the shallow ... yes Sam's hair was not as pretty like the last few episodes but he did look especially yummy in the scene where he is sitting next to Pam when Anna is explaining hoe she lost her grace. That brown shirt does something to me! And also as you mentioned his research scene with Ruby. YUMMMY! Will you be continuing your reviews of Season 2? I need something to look feed my Show craving during the hiatus. Please say yes. Take care, Tonia

Chris Power

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 14:22:19 +0000

I'm with you on the angels as far as this show is concerned. Castiel I can accept, soap and all, but Uriel? For an emotionless being, the man is a thug full of anger and hate. He got waaay too much pleasure beating on Dean. Sam, now - I loved his backing away from Castiel. Maybe not just because of the 'Don't make me use my powers' thing, but also the 'OMG, should I hit an angel??' deal. The last scene... Dean's reveal. I've had the feelling for a longtime that what happened in Hell would be terrible, and along the lines of what he did rather than what was done to him. Someone like Dean, whose raison d'etre has always been 'saving people, hunting things', forced to choose to do harm. I was proud of Show for goimng that route. At first I so wanted Sam to hug him, but then I thought it through. One gesture of love, compassion, empathy, frfom Sam and Dean would have lost it. Shattered completely. And afterward he would NEVER have forgiven Sam for causing the breakdown, and Sam knew it. Dean needs to be in control - especially after what happened in Hell.

Joan

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 11:32:27 +0000

Dear Sylvia, I will be back to post later on. I am still trying to digest this episode and I am having a difficult time putting my thoughts together. Joan

CatsbyCat

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 10:14:23 +0000

PS - my male work colleague loved this episode too. Came to my office this time to tell me. So even The Ackles crying didn't put him off. Heh.

CatsbyCat

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 10:12:38 +0000

2nd half One thing I did like, is when Anna kisses Dean, and she says that she forgives him, Castiel has to look away. He says so much just in the way he stares at Dean in these scenes of them together. His face is expressionless, but you just know he’s fighting a liking and an empathy for Dean, and I am convinced that in the end, he’s going to be a huge ally to the Winchesters. He knows that Dean desperately needs absolution, but at this point can’t bring himself to offer it. Or something. One girl (Caffienekitty) even suggested that it was part of Castiel’s grace that brought Dean back to life – an empty space, life created at the centre – kinda like the oak… I liked that idea. Remains to be seen if it’s the case though. And speaking of absolution, that reminds me of Titanic again. There is a track from the film called Never an absolution and Rose talks about all the people on the lifeboats, who left the others to drown and all they could do was “wait for an absolution that would never come.” That’s Dean. That is what he’s waiting for.

CatsbyCat

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 10:11:48 +0000

I do love your reviews. They are so very good and to the point. Funnily enough, on my first viewing of this episode, I loved everything about it. On my second viewing – with my sister – I noted a few of the flaws that you mentioned. The relegation of Sam to “guest towel” status, the lameness of the demon/angel smackdown, and for me, the odd delivery of some of Anna’s lines. Not sure if that was the actress’ choice or not, but they kinda jarred. Overall though, I still enjoyed, even more so because of that last Emmy award winning scene. As you said, Ackles is awe-inspiring! Re the sex scene, firstly, if you watch it again – a hardship I know – you’ll see that Dean takes his amulet off. Why? No idea. Does it mean anything that he did? Also, no idea. Secondly, that Titanic shout-out, while kinda funny, also jarred. However, in the last week some enterprising fangirls found an advert that Jensen must have done when he was about 19 (I hope he’s fired his agent since then) selling a replica of the “Heart of the Ocean”. The ad is cheese personified. It’s awful. Its poor Jensen standing with the stupid replica draped over his fingers, a backdrop behind him of the Titanic. Then there is one of him putting it round the neck of a girl. They’re so bad one has to laugh and wonder if Jared teases him mercilessly about it and if they’re stuck up on the wall of the makeup trailer. Which leads me to believe – and hope – that the hand slap was an in-joke aimed at Jensen and his ah, early, questionable career choices. Lol. Otherwise – Eep!

pinkraygun

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 08:51:27 +0000

Just want to let everyone know that the ultra-long posting issue is still being worked on. Feel free to make multiple smaller posts should an attempt at a long post fail. Also, Sylvia will be slowing down on her recaps during the Winter hiatus. Expect a recap/review every other week throughout December.