I finally watched 13x17 and what the HECK, the resurgence of S8/S12 romance tropes (alongside Davy’s Kurt Russell & The Thing homage in the ep itself), parallels, Destiel exposition and role subversions has me going—
I mean, Dean focused on the mission to get Mary and Jack back just like Cas in 13x14, which was a heavily thematic episode that touched upon MISCOMMUNICATION, HEART vs HARD CHOICES, and the constant vacillation between what one WANTS to do/say versus what one NEEDS to do/say. Tonight’s episode pretty much laid it on thick again.
Dean was mirroring Cas’ choices. Largely reminiscent of and intentionally emulating Cas’ absence from 12x15–12x19, he was consumed with the decision to go off on his own and do the wrong thing for the right reasons: for HIMSELF, CAS, and Sam.
He didn’t notify Cas of his reckless plan (I say ‘reckless’ in that Ketch can choose to double cross him anytime. He can die in Apocalypse World. TIME MAY RUN OUT. The chances of survival aren’t high) and left quickly.
Dean also refused to put Sam in danger. He verbalized WHY. As @thetwistedwillow pointed out, Dean’s TEXTUALLY telling Sam what he’s not telling Cas —> he’s doing this to prevent the people he loves from doing it themselves, even though they ‘don’t need babysitting’. It’s not a matter of babysitting, but of loyalty and devotion. Dean has FAITH. He wants, not needs, to do it.
Dean explicitly stated he doesn’t care about Ketch dying as long as Sam (and Cas, in the ep’s negative spaces) don’t die. Sound familiar???
At the same time Dean’s actions boil down to one person—the person behind the purpose: Cas.
Dean’s doing this to protect him.
There’s the characteristic reversal. Dean and Cas have been each other’s direct parallels like we’ve observed this season with “I have faith” and “I need a win”. I’m dancing over the storytelling brilliance of this ep; I can almost FEEL an impending textualization of sorts on my taste buds *YELLS* The unsaid FINALLY being said, but I digress a bit—
Let’s be real, here. Dean was more than aware that hardheaded Cas would’ve INSISTED to go with him. Nope, he ain’t letting Cas walk near nor touch a rift with a ten foot pole ‘cause God knows how broken, hollow, and hopelessly depressed Dean was post-12x23.
Last episode Dean said he won’t allow Scooby the talking dog to die. Not on his watch. He’d take a bullet for that dog.
On that note, there were two reminders: 1. when Sandy stabbed the cloaked cultist through the chest from behind, and 2. when Sandy was dragged through the rift.
Look at his stricken expression in each case.
Dean’s not over it. He will never be over it.
The love of his life getting stabbed in the chest—dying right before his eyes—is seared within his brain. It’s traumatizing. We know it’s the stuff of Dean’s bottomless nightmares.
Never again does Dean want to suffer the nihilistic soul-crushing grief he’s experienced from 13x01–05.
Losing Cas (at least where interdimensional rifts are concerned) was the Rock Bottom of Rock Bottoms for Dean—so unbearably tragic that he called it a Hallmark movie.
Losing Cas again would DESTROY him.
(Listen, Dean absolutely fucking knows him and Cas hit nearly every goddamn romance trope in the books. He LOVES books. He ACKNOWLEDGES and RECOGNIZES subtext. He ADORES romcoms)
Yep, a canon romantic couple, separated lovers, once again narratively paralleled to Dean and Cas.
It’s currently Cas’ turn to occupy the position of Worried and Stressed BF that S12 Dean did. And once Dean returns and/or they reunite? *cue similar narrative notes of “Where the hell have you been?” “You can’t just go dark like that.” “I was worried. That’s not okay”*
There’s a LOT to unpack and I hope I can elaborate on additional things I forgot to mention later, but right now Destiel and the HIGH POTENTIAL these two possess in emerging out of subtext into text has me flailing imho. We’re so close!! ;)
TPTB’s setting up the culmination from saying nothing in this episode.
Dean and Cas must say everything and use their words!
prguitarman
s-u-f-j-a-n-s-t-e-v-e-n-s
origamiaround
titsay
snowghoul
theartofmadeline
