Things I Love About SPN Season 1: Scarecrow #1

[fanspired]

Continuing my series examining the themes, tropes and meta of Supernatural season one, here is a link to the first section of my rewatch review of "Scarecrow" at my journal, in case anyone here is interested in sharing my celebration of the early episodes with me. And also to a masterpost I've created for the collection. I welcome comments and discussion.


"Like “Phantom Traveler”, “Scarecrow” is a season arc episode masquerading as a standard monster of the week. John’s appearance early in the episode should have been a clue since he has had some form of presence in each of the demon arc stories so far, even if only as a voicemail, but the episode’s status is only fully confirmed in the final scene when Meg Masters is revealed to be more than a chance meeting for Sam, and actually a part of some sinister plot against the brothers.

The episode represents a major point in the hero’s journey myth, where the hero is tempted from his true quest by the seductress and must choose between two paths: whether to follow the temptress or to commit to the quest."


Read more at Live Journal


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Comments

[walking_tornado]

Loved the analysis. Having just re-watched season 5, I'm struck again by the similarity in Sam and Dean's "good son" argument in this episode and Michael and Lucifer's in Swan Song.
For me, the scene that made this episode one of my favourites was the phone conversation where Dean told Sam he was proud of him, and Sam realized that Dean was saying goodbye before he hightails it back to his brother.

[fanspired]

The thing that I loved about the first 5 seasons was that they told a complete, organic story with consistent character development. Kripke clearly held the big picture in his head the whole time, which allowed for continual foreshadowing and nods back. It took me a while to appreciate what a work of genius it was. It was a show that rewarded multiple viewings. I found my understanding of it, and of Sam and Dean, changed subtly with every re-watch.

I loved that phone conversation too, and you make a great observation that Sam decides to go back almost as soon as he realizes Dean is really saying goodbye this time and not just grandstanding like he was in the earlier scene. It's like the moment Dean gives him permission to choose his own path, he chooses Dean. (If you love someone, let them go; if they come back they're your forever . . .) On the other hand, I think Sam indicated he was already tending that way when he said "if you're hinting you need my help, just ask". I guess he was also giving Dean permission to ask him to come back. It really is a complex and fascinating conversation psychologically.

Come to think of it, there seems to be a running theme of reverse psychology in the episode. I'm just working on Sam's first meeting with Meg at the moment, and she uses it consciously and deliberately to hook him and reel him in.

Thanks so much for your feedback! You've got me thinking and seeing even more in the episode!

[walking_tornado]

Ha! Yep, that's prime Stubborn Winchester Logic.

Sam: I want my independence + Dean says that's okay = have to go back
Dean: I want my brother's help + Sam offers to help = couldn't possibly ask
vs Dean in the pilot: I want my brother's help + Sam says no = claims can't do it alone

[fanspired]

It's the yin and yang of it all. So long as they push against each other they go to opposite extremes, but as soon as they yield a little, they flip. What's interesting is what starts happening to Dean as soon as Sam commits to hunting. It starts to be apparent from the Benders onward, but I suspect it begins with Faith - another episode I'm looking forward to unpacking :)