Watching Supernatural

Dean: Hey Sam, I was wondering. When you were in my head, what did you see?
Sam: Uh, just Jeremy. He kept me separated from you… What about you? You never said.
Dean: Nothing. I was looking for you the whole time.

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For some history in the episode’s title, check out what tv.com has to say about it.

Along with “Fresh Blood,” “Dream A Little Dream of Me” might be one of the best episodes of Supernatural to date, let alone this season. Besides offering us a great look at Bobby Singer’s background and how he became a hunter, we also learned more about what Dean felt about himself and his brother. While I objected to the clumsy dialogue of the scene between Dean and himself, it gave us the first look at his vulnerability this season.

The one line from this episode that has stuck with me until now was when Dean told Bobby, “You’re like a father to me.” Considering that Dean did have a father while he was growing up, one has to wonder what Bobby offered him to be considered in the same light as John Winchester.

In season 2, episode 14 “Born Under A Bad Sign,” Bobby was there when Dean had to face the demon version of his own brother. In fact, Bobby didn’t interfere at all except to break the bond the demon had made with Sam’s body. He was willing to let Dean take control of the entire situation. Additionally, Bobby knew that Sam had killed another hunter while possessed, yet only warned Sam and Dean to be careful as they left.

Would John Winchester have let Dean handle the demon alone or would he have just killed Sam? Would he have understood that Sam was possessed when he killed the other hunter? Whatever John would have done in that situation is merely speculation, but Dean’s appreciation for Bobby’s cool-headed reaction is obvious. In the ending scene at Bobby’s house, Dean pauses at the door before leaving. He and Bobby share a look that is both a ‘thanks’ and a ‘I’m not sure I can handle this on my own.’ I personally don’t think Dean would have dared to share a look like that with his father.

The biggest difference between John Winchester and Bobby Singer was obvious in season 2, episode 22 “All Hell Breaks Loose, Part 2.” Namely, Bobby and John would have had different reactions to the news of Dean’s deal with the Crossroads Demon. John would have supported Dean’s deal because it was Dean’s ‘duty’ to protect Sam. Bobby, on the other hand, immediately asked Dean how he could have made that deal, when he knew how much anguish he would put Sam through when Sam found out.

What Dean responds to in Bobby is more than just respect - it’s the sense that someone actually cares about him. While John obviously loved his sons, he never showed his concern verbally. Bobby did and still does, which Dean considers to be ‘father-like.’ Now John Winchester has become an ‘obsessed bastard.’

It’s odd that Dean never thought to actually question why Sam’s life was so vitally precious to John; after all, anyone can see that there’s something more to that order than just a father-son relationship. But that’s what Dean ridicules in himself, isn’t it? Never asking questions, always taking orders - “Dad’s perfect little soldier.” Dean’s decision to live is more than just rebellion - it’s the most selfish thing he’s ever done.

The other part of this episode that really stood out to me was Bela’s actions. Why on earth would she steal the Colt now instead of all of those times that she must have seen Sam and Dean with it? She only seemed to notice it when she saw it in the safe. I also don’t see any use to her having it, unless she’s about to sell it to another hunter. Most regular people don’t even know about demons in this world. So, if she’s going to sell the Colt, who’s going to buy it? It’s a priceless gift - I can’t think that any hunters would actually have enough money to purchase it at her price.

Furthermore, Bela’s assumption that she would join ‘the hunt’ struck me as suspicious. The last time she ever directly involved herself was in season 3, episode 6 “Red Sky at Morning,” and even then she was involved for her own gain. In fact, why did she consult her Ouija board in an effort to help the Winchester boys? Was that more deception on her part? I can only hope there’s an answer to this in the four upcoming episodes this season.

All in all, an excellent episode that brought along probably more questions than even the writers expected. Dean’s decision to live was very anticlimactic, but at least Sam and Dean are on the same wavelength at the end of this episode.

TAGS: supernatural, dream a little dream of me, episode 3×10