I know I’m very behind, but I’ve been at college and just now got caught up on Season 13. And I need to talk about this even if nobody cares, so please excuse what’s probably going to be a long post. Hope it isn’t too annoying on your dash!
I haven’t seen anyone mention this yet, but do ya’ll understand how freaking important it is that Dean killed Lucifer, and how and why he did it? I’ve been watching since Season 3, so when I say I lived all the emotions from that season onward, I honestly mean it. I firsthand, no spoilers yet, watched Sam sacrifice himself and fall into Hell with Lucifer in Swan Song, and do ya’ll remember why? I know you do. He did it for Dean.
Yeah, humanity was at stake if Michael and Lucifer had started their war that day in that field. But it was seeing Dean’s pain, getting strength from memories of him, how much they loved each other…that’s what gave Sam the power to take back his vessel. It was Dean.
Then, Sam was tortured for it by Lucifer in the Cage. And when he came back, Dean was the one who watched the results of that. Sam told Rowena this season that he’s never talked to Dean about his abuse from Lucifer, but it didn’t matter. Even without details, Dean knew the trauma Sam’s torturer had left behind. Even after all these seasons, I always had a sense that Dean was holding onto that rage against his brother’s abuser. Speaking as the oldest sibling myself, I know I would have been; I wouldn’t ever forget.
Then comes 13x23. Those flashbacks to Zachariah’s conversation with them were so significant, because at that time in the story, nothing in all the universe would have made Dean say yes to being Michael’s Sword. (Even when he almost did later that season, it was Sam’s faith in him that stopped him.) But that was before Sam went to Hell, before the torture and the scars it left. Nothing could ever have forced Dean to say yes to Michael, but when Sam was once again at Lucifer’s mercy in this finale like history repeating itself, Dean begged to be the Sword. Of course, once again, the universe was at stake, but when he turned to Cass, that’s not what he gave as his reason. He said Lucifer has Sam. Lucifer has Sam. That is why he said yes. Because although it almost seemed brushed over, Dean never forgot. He never let go of the fact that Lucifer abused his brother, and he would do anything to protect him.
Now, I’m almost done so bear with me. But think about it from Sam’s perspective. As a child, even though he didn’t always like it, he knew Dean would take out anybody who hurt him. Then he got older and their relationship has changed, and Dean has made mistakes and hasn’t always been able to protect him. But even with a more equal relationship, Dean’s still the big brother and we still see that protectiveness come out quite a bit. Just earlier, he had mentioned to Sam that he was trying to protect him because the last time there was a Michael-Lucifer apocalypse fiasco, Sam had been the victim. That was already his fear, and Sam knew it.
So just imagine being Sam, with all these memories resurfacing from all of that (not to mention the effects of recent events), and being rescued from your abuser–Satan–by your big brother. Imagine how Sam must have felt, watching Dean, who has been taking care of him his whole life, rain or shine, up or down, in sickness and in health, annihilate his torturer once and for all. Knowing that Dean’s biggest priority was always protecting him, even after everything. His superhero big brother swooping in like a badass and saving the whole universe…for him.
I’m sorry. I just honestly want to cry thinking about it because the story has looped back around so beautifully.
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