the Elite Eight of spn episodes

[fannishliss]

un_conscience has tallied the results of the sweet sixteen of spn eps, and now presents the Elite Eight!

Here are my thoughts.  :)

Mystery Spot vs. Changing Channels
Okay, these are two of my very favorites.  I have to go with Mystery Spot, which I believe is the pivotal episode in the character development of Sam Winchester.  It’s the first time we really see him throw himself into hunting and become the TurboSam to be reckoned with.  MSpot has all the humor of ChCh, but more weight, and crazy amounts of pathos.  i vote for Mystery Spot.

Lazarus Rising  vs What Is & What Should Never Be
Lazarus Rising is perfect for the first 20 minutes, but after the reunion with Bobby, when we go to meet Sam’s, it is hard to know why Sam is so off (it’s because he’s fully hopped up on demon blood right then, we later learn).  Still, we also meet Castiel.  hmm. No, I have to go with WIAWSNB.  It’s so important in understanding who Dean is deep inside, and how much hinges for him on his brotherly relationship with Sam.  It’s also the first time Jared gets to step outside his Real!Sam character and show us who Sam isn’t.  i vote for What Is etc.

The End vs. The Monster at the End of This Book
Monster has a lot of interesting moments, and i really like the concept of the books and chuck, but I have to vote for the End.  Just in terms of the amazing lesson Dean finally learns about whether he and Sam should stick together or not....  that alone would seal it for me.  But on top of that we also get 2014!dean and orgy!Cas, plus Samifer and the whole croatverse.  I love how real!Cas pulled Dean’s bacon out of Zack’s fire.  and then, the reunion, where Dean totally doesn’t stab his Sammy-- breaks my heart every time!! THE END.

In My Time of Dying vs. On the Head of a Pin
imtod -- gosh, John’s dying machinations; the ouija board and Sam’s refusal to let Dean go; Tessa!!  Azazel!
head of a pin --  I’ve just got no words for the ep.  It’s just so powerful for me.  And so complex.  I mean, i just want to start drawing diagrams of how everyone’s actions affect everyone else -- right?  on the wiki, the bare synopsis is 17 paragraphs long! I still think it’s one of the most gripping hours of tv I ever watched.  So much is at stake!  The ethical dilemmas are rife!!
I do love IMTOD, don’t get me wrong, but I have to vote for OTHOAP. 

Comments

[bowtrunckle.livejournal.com]

I see you, too, are a character-based viewer. :) I agree with your selections although I'm conflicted with the last pairing. I adore "OtHofP" in so many ways I can't list them, but I always find myself gravitating toward "IMToD" whenever I want an episode with good old brotherly I-will-do-anything-for-you Sam-n-Dean. It was like my security blanket during the first half of S6 when Sam and Dean weren't even acting like brothers. So I suppose for no other reasons than it acted like an emotional band-aid and S1/S2 nostalgia, "IMToD" would be my vote. But really? I'd rather not have to choose between the two.

[fannishliss.livejournal.com]

I know -- it comes down to really impossible choices!

I really think it's such a great show, despite the wider public having no idea it even exists!

[outlawradio.livejournal.com]

I thought the sweet 16 was hard, but this was torture! I wish On the Head of a Pin was getting more votes. It may be my favorite ever.

As for Lazarus vs. WIAWSNB -- that is SO HARD. I think LR is as much of a Dean character ep. for who he is post-Hell. Plus WINGS puts it over the top for me.

:D

[fannishliss.livejournal.com]

I enjoy the poll because I like to hear what people think -- but also, I find it interesting that my opinions are in the majority ---the one place where I am in the middle of the bell curve :P. Except for the last one.... yeah, Head of a Pin is just, like, almost beyond words for me. Plus, visually, it's freaking gorgeous the way it's filmed. so, so good. :D

Thanks for popping in to comment!! :)

[outlawradio.livejournal.com]

A moment for a non-baby-oriented thought! A fannish one even! :)