Supernatural: What Is and What Should Never Be

Sam: "Wake up, dammit."
Dean: "Oh, Auntie Em. There's no place like home."

I just loved this episode. Probably because I just love Dean.

The jinn made Dean's "wonderful life" wonderful, but not too wonderful. Mary was alive, but not John. Dean had a regular, but not fabulous, job in a garage. (John worked in a garage, too). Dean had a terrific girlfriend who loved him, but he didn't know who she was. Sam was in law school and still with Jessica, but sadly, Dean and Sam had never gotten close as adults. The fact that it wasn't perfect made it more real, and Dean's happiness was so touching. One of my favorite scenes was Dean in a state of euphoria because he got to mow a lawn.

But even while he was caught up in a literal dream come true, Dean couldn't handle the thought that all the people he had saved were now dead. Reality may be full of horror and loss, but Dean still needs to do what he does. That young woman kept showing up because Dean's subconscious couldn't let go. And he was strong enough and determined enough to actually drive to Illinois and confront the truth. I think that if I were experiencing a reality where my mother and sister were alive again, I'd find it impossible to leave, no matter what it cost me.

I haven't made it a secret that Dean is the character that I love on this show, and this episode illustrated why. Dean may think he doesn't have depths, but he does. Gold acting stars for Jensen Ackles. He was fabulous.

Bits and pieces:

-- It seemed odd that alternate reality John Winchester died of a stroke. Casting issues? Or did they think there was more than enough going on already? Or possibly that having John there would inevitably create John/Sam conflict and make Dean's idealized alternate life not so idealized?

-- "Carmen" turned out to be a model in a beer ad. I'm wondering why it wasn't Cassie or Jo? Again, was it casting issues? Or was it on purpose?

-- Dean and Sam ditched the Impala's old license plate and their old credit cards. I was wondering when they'd get around to that. There were also different plates on the Impala in the alternate reality.

-- I wonder what Sam would have experienced if he had been the jinn's victim? Probably something pretty similar.

-- This week: Joliet, Illinois and (in Dean's head), Lawrence, Kansas.

Quotes:

Sam: "Where are we?"
Dean: "Well, we're not in Kansas anymore."

Dean: "I'm dating a nurse. That is so... respectable."
Coincidentally, Jessica was dressed up as a nurse in the pilot episode. So Dean subconsciously wants a respectable girlfriend, huh? Maybe one like Jessica?

Dean: "Bitch."
Sam: "What are you calling me a bitch for?"
Dean: "You're supposed to say 'jerk'."
Sam: "What?"
Dean: "Never mind."

Sam: "This isn't a dream, all right? I'm here with you, now. And you are about to kill yourself, Dean."
Dean: "No, I'm pretty sure. (pause) Like ninety percent sure."

Dean: "You should have seen it, Sam. Our lives. You were such a wussy."

Four out of four stars,

Billie