Comments on: TV Recap: Curiously Entertaining- A Commentary on Supernatural S5.7 The Curious Case of Dean Winchester

By: Andrea

Andrea — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:43:20 +0000

I love Sera Gamble. She wroite several of my favorite episodes and she always treats Sam as an important character. But this wasn't one of the best tough. Almost zero brother interaction, that's why. Much as I like Bobby, I don't watch SPN because of Dean and Bobby, but because of DEAN AND SAM. The only redeeming aspect was precisely Sam against Patrick. Loved it! Dean fans are never happy when Jared/Sam gets credit or praise for an epoisode or even a scene, but some reviewers just happen to notice how talented an actor Jared is. And sorry guys, but Jared stole the scene in this one.

By: Pop Culture Curmudgeon » Visions of Winchesters: The Supernatural Blog Carnival, November 3

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:31:36 +0000

[...] TV Recap: Curiously Entertaining- A Commentary on Supernatural S5.7 The Curious Case of Dean Winches… Over at Eclipse Magazine, MR Reed shares his opinions on the episode. Again, Chad Everett is singled out for his amazing performance. I would like to read an interview with Everett where he talks a little about his process for taking on this role. [...]

By: Allie

Allie — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:35:05 +0000

Bit bored by the episode, the acting all round was spot on and I liked the manwitch character but the episode fell flat for me. I thought I was a Supernatural fan but I've come to realize that I only enjoy episodes for Jensen's Dean which makes me a horrible person I know. I'm glad he had time off though and loved his happy dance.

By: partaymon5

partaymon5 — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 22:58:47 +0000

I also had no concerns, because one of the main 'problems' that I think the writers have written themselves into a corner: is that both Dean and Sam are going to get resurrected anyway: Zachariah and Lucifer aren't going to let their intended 'vessels' die on them…so unfortunately, that takes a LOT of the drama out of the whole rest of the season for me at least. I think it was a poor choice to have both boys threatened with 'non-death' so early in the season, and it's really lost the tension we should be feeling even when they aren't doing an episode directly related to the apocalype. But other than that… I really enjoyed this episode; they mixed humour and emotionally charged scenes very well.
-partaymon5

By: partaymon5

partaymon5 — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 22:58:32 +0000

Both Sam and Dean have been thru the fires together, and it has burned away a lot of their more 'fragile' emotions and weaknesses. I'm really hoping they continue this and show just how well the guys will work together, once they realize this and trust one another totally again.

I initially thought that the end of the poker game was dragged out too, but upon watching it a 2nd and 3rd time, I don't believe so.

By: partaymon5

partaymon5 — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 22:57:52 +0000

I was very impressed with Chad as 'old Dean' and I totally 'bought' him as that character, so much so, that seeing Jensen dancing near the end of the episode came as a bit of a shock. Despite the humour, there was some really honest 'give and take' between Dean and Bobby especially, but also with Sam. Sam has grown amazingly in the past few episodes: yeah he doesn't care for the 'kiddies' table bit or Bobby or Dean telling him he doesn't get a choice in deciding if he wants to play, but he used that and turned it into a positive. Just like he dealt so well with the 'freak' comments in the 'anti-christ' storyline, Sam is learning to let those things slide off his back and not be a weapon to be used against him anymore and I am so gratified to see that. While Dean is becoming a good strong leader, who is taking control and learning how to lead people, how to encourage them – like he did here with Bobby, Sam like you said, has the military smarts too and I suspect would be an awesome chess player – especially if he keeps his emotional issues under control.

By: partaymon5

partaymon5 — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 22:56:50 +0000

I've always felt the character of Bobby is the most 'normal' or 'everyman' character in the story. The two young 'bucks' are also fully developed characters, but honestly, they are a bit 'not quite real' in what they've faced and overcome, but Bobby comes across as everyone's crotchety old uncle: gruff, but you know he loves you, despite calling you an idjit – which the boys honestly deserve sometimes!!

By: partaymon5

partaymon5 — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 22:56:12 +0000

Excellent review! About the only thing I would disagree with is the assesment of Dean needing Bobby as the 'leader' to his 'soldier'. Dean needs Bobby as family, not a leader I think. Dean has grown a lot these past seasons and he's standing on his own and starting to look at the big picture – humanity – as his family, but he still wants and needs that closeness that Bobby brings. I also thought that people who found Bobby whiny or ungratefull, have never been put in his posistion: a strong, vital man who is just as much a warrior as the Winchesters, only he's been doing it a whole lot longer. To suddenly lose that – well, I thought his reactions were spot on. It's a testament to how close to the boys Bobby is, that he can actually drop his 'facade' and honestly admit how scared, depressed and frustrated he truly is with his situation. Kudos to the writers and Jim Beaver for making that whole thing believable.

By: Sasha

Sasha — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:01:07 +0000

I don't really think Bobby figures much in Dean's fears about his future self. If he wants to keep from turning into that more hardened version, he needs to avoid that future because the destruction of mankind was the important factor. We have seen in this very episode how prone to wallowing in self pity Bobby is when it comes to himself, so I don't think he can help with that in any way. Maybe he would present another "human tie" to Dean but I actually don't see him as a deciding factor.

So, the whole scene at the end was in my eyes for Bobby's benefit, done to help a friend and yes, in a way for Dean's and Sam's benefit, so they wouldn't lose another friend. A question of morale more.

But the one thing Dean has now learned apparently is to see himself unrelated from the restriction of his worth only in definition of his family. So, I disagree he needs a father figure, chain-of-command-structure to exist.

As for the episode itself, I found it rather dull and for an episode about poker the stakes were really low. It was clear, seeing the structure of it that Sam would win with this kind of TV reveal of "oh look, exactly the cards he needed". So, the long-drawn out game with Patrick really lacked the necessary suspense.

By: M R Reed

M R Reed — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:24:58 +0000

LOL there are probably a few voodoo dolls of me out there too. Here at Eclipse we don't do voodoo dolls if you have a different opinion or perspective on an episode or a character. I write my commentaries and I freely invite people to make comments, give opinions/insights and have no fear of telling me that they do not agree with my view or take on the episode. To me another person's perspective or take on the episode, the actors and characters has equal validity (All I hope is that no one makes derogatory remarks against others or the actors on a personal level).

So please feel free to express your opinion, thoughts and ideas on Supernatural in response to me commentaries. I like hearing from you!

By: Christina Ferrara

Christina Ferrara — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:15:29 +0000

one tip: never, I said NEVER understimate Dean Winchester, if he is wrong say that he does things for a good purpose.

another one: when you say about other actors say few words and do not write they were good, jus write one little positive aspect of him or her. (I'm sure me and others who don't choose sides will understand).

Always say that the actor who play Dean Winchester, Jensen Ackles (sorry if I write his name wrong) was the best of the episode.

I'm a just watcher of the show who don't have sides, I watch for fun, but I learned searching for Supernatural on the internet that if you say some critics (even if they are good) about the character you will be throwed in hell.

One day I visited a forum to discuss a pass episode and said in a good way, not being desrespectful that I agreed in what Bobby've said to Dean (to make Dean wake up). My mistake, I was banned and people wanted to make a vooduu dool with my picture.

living and learning…

By: ShannonT4

ShannonT4 — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:58:54 +0000

….continued…..

oops, I left the "i" off Padalecki. Sorry!

By: ShannonT4

ShannonT4 — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:58:27 +0000

…continued….

If Bobby doesn't know by now how important he is to the boys, he never will. Hurt/injured/paralyzed, whatever….he will always be a surrogate father and friend to them. Dean has said it over and over again. Bobby is a vital part of their lives and hopefully he believes it now.

All in all, not a stellar episode, but not the worst either. Although even a "worst" Supernatural is better than most everything else on TV these days!

By: ShannonT4

ShannonT4 — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:58:15 +0000

Great recap! Thanks for shining a spotlight on Jared Padaleck – he is overlooked way too much in my opinion. He definitely has a huge future ahead of him!

When I first watched this ep, I was slightly bored. But on re-watch I found a lot to love. Chad Everett (yes, I'm old enough to remember him from Medical Center) is still a fine actor and embodied Dean so very well! He really did justice to the part. The scenes between Chad and Jim, especially at the graveyard and in the van reciting the spell were wonderful! (Speaking of which, where did the van come from? Did Bobby just find it somewhere? How was he driving it?)

Dean's dance and clicking-of-heels once he was restored to his 30-year-old self was beautiful! That smile…..oh, that smile!

By: tonia

tonia — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:50:52 +0000

Great recap! I found the episode myself a little boring. The only part that held my interest was the poker game between Sam and Patrick. Jared hardly had any dialogue but his expressions were spot on. There was great chemistry between Sam and Patrick. Thanks for noting the brilliance of Jared. So true!
Did not like the end scene with Bobby and Dean. Seemed OOC for both of them to me or maybe I am becoming numb to all the emo scenes with Dean. They are becoming a bit of an overkill and have lost their impact for me.

By: LaurenVL

LaurenVL — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:39:52 +0000

Celia — Who here said anything about Jared Padalecki *not* being good? NO ONE that I can see. Speaking for myself, I am critical of the writing in this episode, not the actors. And I haven't seen anyone else make a comment that suggests "fanwank" except YOURS. And you might want to look up the definition in the of *fanwank* in the dictionary, because you are using it incorrectly. The word you're looking for is WANK.

And it's very interesting that in the same comment you speak of this "crazy ass fandom", YOU also have to take Dean down a few notches, in order to prop up your character of preference, Sam. I will say that move is very typical behavior by certain people in this fandom who's goal it is to create WANK.

By: robinv

robinv — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:14:23 +0000

I am so happy that someone wrote a mostly positive review for this episode, which I enjoyed immensely. I loved the suspense of the poker game between Patrick and Sam, and the quick cuts after OldDean had his heart attack. While I didn't feel much chemistry between Sam and Chad Everett as OldDean I loved the old man banter between Bobby, OldDean and Sam. There were some hilarious moments! Watching poor OldDean trying to play the sexy stud with the maid was so funny. I also howled when Dean and Sam interrupted Cliff (a little shout-out to their bodyguard?) at the house of ill repute with the two lovely Asian girls. Of course Dean called it classy; he's the one with the subscription to BUSTY ASIAN BEAUTIES, right?

We have 17 more episodes to go to tune into the apocalypse, and we will, of that you can be sure. Kripke likes to keep us guessing, wondering, annoying us. It's his modus operandi. I think we're going to be delving into the apocalypse next week, even if it does look like a total hoot storyline. Who can forget how funny the first 30 minutes of "Mystery Spot" were, but how upsetting and sad the last half was? Kripke has a way of making viewers feel like humans after demons have ridden them for a long time–"rode hard and put away wet."

So strap in, people. Hold on tight. The apocalypse WILL be back. By the time it is, you'll be SCREAMING for this episode with its mild-mannered villain, Patrick (who I adored, by the way, because he was multi-layered and interrupted poker to have sex with Lia). You will be sorry you ever made your wish. I know the way Krip works after four years. He will rip out our hearts!

Love, Robin
Editor, SUPERNATURAL
at moogi.com
Episode 5.7 up now for your viewing pleasure
http://www.moogi.com/shows/supernatural/season5/e…

By: M R Reed

M R Reed — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 12:00:50 +0000

Ok I concede that 'leader' was the wrong word to chose for what I was going for. Everyone who has commented that Dean is becoming a leader is right. But what I was aiming for was he was terrified that without Bobby's help he would become the wrong kind of leader like he did in The End. Dean still looks to Bobby, as he did to John Winchester to, help him keep his sense of self to give him something familiar to hold onto. Maybe 'Father' would have been the right word instead to clarify what I meant. Dean wants to be a good son and a good soldier who can lead others. He needs Bobby around to help him keep growing into that.

Thanks for all the comments so far. Enjoying the discussion and the shared insights

By: Mousitsa

Mousitsa — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 07:23:09 +0000

I liked this episode. It wasn't great but it was solid. It would've been even better at some other time where we didn't have to put the Apocalypse aside for it. Even though the episode was just a MOTW, the performances by everyone are to be commended. Jim, Jared, Jensen and Chad were wonderful. And BOTH witches, male and female, were engaging as well. With Patrick alive, it would be fun to see this character again. Too bad his partner chose to check out. I liked her, and it would’ve been nice to have a witch batting for Team Winchester. But despite the great performances and great chemistry, “our” Dean wasn’t really there. Yes, “Dean” was there, but “Jensen” wasn’t. And even though the absence was necessary for the story, I still felt it. I don't think I'm alone in saying that I just don't like it when Sam&Dean aren't there. I realize such episodes are needed to give either actor an occassional break… I just hope they don't let it happen too often **wink**

By: Mousitsa

Mousitsa — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 07:20:13 +0000

I also see Dean taking charge and moving into the leader role more and more. Would he step back and be more of the follower under the leadership of a father figure? Of course! It’s natural to step back and allow the older more experienced hunter lead the way, if needed. But in this instance I don’t see Dean falling back in line in the good son/soldier role; he’s progressed beyond that. As for Sam, we’ve known since the beginning that he’s cunning smart and has only gotten better over time. Good to actually see it play out on screen for a change.

(continued…)