In season six, Ben Edlund wrote and directed The Man Who Would Be King, that was a game changer. Not only it changed everything for the rest of season, it totally had the 'just when you thought you knew everything..' kinda vibe. It also marked the beginning of the transformation of Cas, resulting in the downfall of his friendship with Dean, the Leviathans being set free…it set things in motion. The Man Who Would Be King put all the puzzles together just in time for the season finale, as well as setting the direction/ tone for season seven. 7.21 Reading Is Fundamental has a similar purpose. While the season seven finale and main storyarc of season eight are yet to be revealed, I believe Reading Is Fundamental is shaping the future in more ways than I can process right friggin now.
Reading Is Fundamental is enabling me to focus on a few talking points this week. This may or may not be my usual episode review. So here we go…
Demons and angels have always been part of the mytho of the show. They are always there in the end one way or another. The main event was about the Winchesters being the chosen bloodline to take part in the war of Heaven and Hell, which the angels and demons played an important role in the journey. While season six and seven seemed to be taken on a different path, but demons and angels were never far away from the story, they always pop up here and there. With the Leviathans in the picture, it still goes back to God's agenda.
When some fans say they are sick of anything that has to do with Heaven or even the angels, they even want Castiel to be off the show, because it takes away the main story about Dean and Sam. Really? Here is the thing. Yes, the show is about the brothers, their relationship and their dynamic is the DNA of the show. Evil creatures are programmed to create chaos, most people are smack in the middle of it without even knowing it, only a few are destined to save lives. And THAT is the Winchesters' job. The show is about the brothers dealing with bigger d-bags in different supernatural events and dealing with creatures and people/ friends. Through these situations and human interaction, we see their true colour and what they're made of.
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Dean and Sam are the best hunters in the business, killing regular monsters is like a walk in the park. They are not amateurs like the Ghostfacers! Of course I want the brothers to destroy Vader and the Death Star, not just Jaba or Bounty Hunters or the Sand People. Vader is the big cheese, Death Star is the big cheese, the Empire is the big cheese. The demons and angels are that big cheese in Supernatural and it's Dean's and Sam's job to deal with them. And all these problems are the real test to their relationship but it's also about showing their strength when it counts, and they are stronger as a family.
It's easy for fans to say the show is about the brothers and fans don't want anything else to take the dynamic away. But there are just so many factors involved. Without the big events, d-bags and friends, the brothers will never be challenged. It's like playing video games, you have the mini events and then you have the big monsters to fight and a village to save before you advance to the next level. This is what everything is all about! And Dean and Sam always prove that family (and friendship) is stronger than anything and can save lives. It's so much deeper than it appears because the show has so many layers. Supernatural contains layers and complexities, setting a whole new benchmark for genre shows. This is the reason I watch the show, it's out of love and appreciation rather than hate.
Castiel is one of my favourite characters on television and he is an integral part of the show. It's not like he is popping up every week, but I do like the recurring/ regular characters like Cas. I like the fact that Supernatural took a risk and showed us his transformation. It presents a new challenge for the brothers and I think they really took Cas in like a brother. Supernatural is at its best when we see the brothers' personalities, whether it's about them working together, fighting each other or the bromance, a lot of time they really shine when caring for Bobby and Cas.
Forgiveness is one of the major themes in Supernatural and I think ultimately this episode is about forgiveness. While a lot of fans think Dean is still struggling to forgive Cas, I actually think Dean has simply moved on. In Dean's mind, he is thinking "Cas is back and he is sorry. We've all been through a lot, but I got my friend back. The situation is still a mess, but there is still a fighting chance, we are all in this together, so deal with it!" Cas has been given a second chance to live and Dean is willing to give Cas the second chance to fix this mess and fight with them. If this isn't forgiveness, I don't know what it.
Dean could've just ignored Cas, punched him or killed him. But he didn't. He is talking to Cas because of their friendship and because Dean still cares, not because he hates Cas or talking to him as if he is his enemy. I have mentioned before that Dean has a big heart. I think it's very important to keep this in mind. Dean wanted Cas to get back to the fight mode and fight the Leviathans with them. Perhaps Dean is struggling with the fact that Cas has given up and not in fighting mode. Just like Cas struggled to understand why Dean was going to give up and be Michael's vessel in season five. With this new attitude, the sarcasm, the random talk about honey bees and flowers…it's not like Cas has gone completely insane or simply doesn't care. He just doesn't think he deserves redemption and there is nothing he can do to fix anything. Cas is feeling extremely guilty and he is struggling to forgive himself. He knows the Winchesters is always strong than he is, they can ALWAYS solve problems and kick ass. Cas is still ashamed for what he did, but he'd decided not to fight or get involved again, and he's decided not to like conflict and argument. The perfect example is when whats-her-name was beating up Cas, he is more than capable of fighting her and destroying her, but he chose not to fight. For this, Dean is upset. Because all Dean has to say is "I forget you." But for Cas, he just cannot forgive himself no matter what.
With Meg, you know, I never really pay attention to her in season one and two, but she has become more interesting. She is a survivor. I won't hold my breath about her being helpful or anything, but I just think it'll be kinda cool to see a demon searching for redemption. It's not in their nature but it's a good 'what if'. I have this really really strange soft spot for Meg and Cas acting like a old married couple in this episode. Ah shit!
I really want to get inside Ben Edlund's mind and see how it works. He is capable of writing profound things, and I really dig this episode. It's a rather philosophical episode and it's one of those episodes you have to watch many times to understand the layers.
We now know how to kill the Leviathans, all thanks to an emergency note from God. I like Kevin Tran, the new prophet. Although I do feel this would be a perfect episode to bring Chuck back, but Kevin will do for now! Kevin may have missed his exams, but he didn't get an Asian F from the Winchester! Kevin managed to translate Metatron's work into English. Dean and Sam will need the bone of a righteous mortal, washed in the three bloods of the fallen. They have already got Cas', and all will be revealed as we approached the seasons seven finale. What about the bone of a righteous mortal? Not the bones of Joffery's, that's for sure! No one is more righteous than Ned Stark! (A shout out to Kara's brilliant idea!) I am sure his bones are kept somewhere in Westeros.
A very personal note: Thank you for mentioning my hometown in the episode. 'Perth, Australia' never sound so sexy! Ah I love Dean! His geography is so good!
Don't miss next week's episode, 7.22 There Will Be Blood My hero Guy Bee directed this episode! Woot!!
SAM AND DEAN SEEK OUT AN ALPHA — In order to defeat Dick Roman (guest star James Patrick Stuart) and the Leviathans, Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) must locate three key items. Castiel (Misha Collins) helps with one but for the last objects, the Winchesters must face two of their strongest opponents – an Alpha (guest star Rick Worthy) and Crowley (guest star Mark Sheppard). Meanwhile, Bobby (guest star Jim Beaver) tries out a new ghost trick that ends up being very dangerous. Guy Bee directed the episode written by Andrew Dabb & Daniel Loflin.
