Drabble Fic - Hope (13.02)

[madebyme_x]

Title: Hope
Summary: 13.02 Drabble. Dean's thoughts on the closing scene.
Rating: PG13
Genre/Spoilers: Gen. Season 13 spoilers.
Warnings: Unbeta'd
Word Count: 100
Disclaimer: I don't own Supernatural that privilege belongs to CW, Kripke and Co, I'm simply borrowing them for a while. I'm not making a profit, this is just for fun and all the standard disclaimers apply.


Hope

Dean's hands are shaking.

Maybe he took the blade from Jack to save the world? After all, the kid's powers go crazy when he's scared. Maybe he did it because he saw a young Sam in front of him, instead of Lucifer's spawn? Or maybe, Sam's right?

But no. Hope can only let you down, and get you killed, and Dean can't deal with any more loss and pain; he's at his limit.

So Mom has to be dead, and Jack has to be evil, or he'll lose it.

Dean takes a steady breath; his hands aren't shaking any more.



A/N: Not a perfect episode, but there was definitely lots to enjoy here! I'm loving all the Sam and Jack scenes, and seeing Sam and Dean talk their differing opinions through like the grown men they are. I enjoyed seeing Jack imitate Dean, seeing Sam's tattoo, and having Donatello back again. I really wanted to focus on Dean here because while I can understand his reservations about Jack, I don't want to see Dean like this for a whole season. I like the idea that he just can't deal with hope right now, and that he's using denial to sort of protect himself from the pain of disappointment. As always I'd love to hear your thoughts too; on the episode, on the drabble, on everything (just no spoilers please). Take care :)
                                                                                                                         

                                                                                                                             

Comments

[laughablelament]

Yes! I love your interpretation here , think it's spot-on Dean psychology. Thank you for this. ^_^

[madebyme-x.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad this rang true to you - thank you for your kind words! Poor Dean, he really is struggling, but I like to think that this scene showed that there's maybe something more going on with him than we think. Maybe he is softening to Jack, but can't let himself get too close. Take care and thank you for stopping by :)

[jj1564.livejournal.com]

"Hope can only let you down..." aw, this is such a sad but insightful drabble. I think you are so right that Dean can't hope any more - he had his mom back and she's gone, he's lost his best friend, after all. I've written similar drabbles reflecting this, too. I also think Dean can't allow himself to see Jack as a sweet kid, as if Jack goes dark it will be his job to kill him, not Sam's, as Sam is attached to Jack. I liked this episode, Jack imitating Dean was so sweet and funny, and I love Sam's protectiveness towards him. Donatello is a fun character but I don't know who Mr Rogers is!

[madebyme-x.livejournal.com]

It certainly felt that way to be too; that he simply can't afford to hope anymore, not after all he's lost. And yes, I love your insight too, with Dean not allowing himself to get close to Jack because Sam is, and therefore he has to be the one who's prepared for the worst and ready to kill (*sniffs* Oh Dean!)

There was so much to love in this ep and thank you for stopping by and for your lovely words (ps I think Mr Rogers is from a kids TV show, but I might be wrong!) Take care :)

[jj1564.livejournal.com]

You're very welcome, I agree that there was much to love in this episode, and I'm loving S13 so far. I guessed that Mr Rogers is a stand up guy that would be a yardstick for poor soulless Donatello - Amara could've given him his soul back before she went off on vacation!

[madebyme-x.livejournal.com]

Yes, it has started out strong and I hope we'll see some equally awesome mothw eps too! Fufaraw kindly gave us all a background history of Mr Rogers (see below comment), and at least Donatello has his Mr Rogers mantra to steer him in the right direction :)

[jj1564.livejournal.com]

I saw the Mr Rogers comment, he sounds like a lovely guy and now I understand all the Mr Rogers references!

[madebyme-x.livejournal.com]

Yes, me too! I have a much better understanding of the reference now now :)

[fufaraw]

Oh, I can't let this lack of knowledge go unanswered.

Mr. Rogers had a show on the Public Broadcasting System, funded by donors and by government support. It ran at the same time as early Sesame Street and The Electric Company, and many years beyond The Electric Company's lifespan. Most local stations ran the three programs together, and if they were wise, they ran Mr. Rogers last of the three. He was a Presbyterian minister who wanted to do something to encourage children to get in touch with, and be able to interpret and control, their feelings. To give kids options in handling difficult reactions to whatever life threw at them. To do this, he created Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood, a quiet, non-threatening space where kids could be quiet and listen and get involved with the small drama of puppet characters. Where Mr. Rogers changed his coat for a sweater and his outdoor shoes for indoor ones every time he came in the door. Where he always fed his fish, and where the scale model of The Neighborhood Trolley took everybody to the imaginary puppet land for an unfolding story that took a few days to unfold, resolve, and conclude.

He used the same greeting at the beginning of every program, and the same sign off at the close of every program, "I like you, just the way you are." His program was probably the half hour in a day when kids felt the most safe, the most settled, the most secure, and learned about themselves, as well as about others. His show won awards, and generations grew up watching, and their kids watched. The show still runs on some stations, and episodes are available online. I know my kids and I have nothing but love for Mr. Rogers.

People spoofed him--Eddie Murphy did a famous one as "Mr. Robinson's Neighborhood" on Saturday Night Live. People mocked him as being so...nice, and people kept expecting the facade to fall, for some scandal to reveal what a fraud Rogers was. But the kicker was, he was genuine. There's never been anybody in public tv like him, and I doubt there ever will be again.

These two clips are thirty years apart, and they reveal a lot about who he was. In the audience of the second clip are Shari Lewis and Rita Moreno, both famous for their work on children's shows, as well as stage and movie work.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKy7ljRr0AA

I'm sorry to take so much space in your comments, but I couldn't let Mr. Rogers go unknown--he made such a difference in the lives of so many kids.

[roxymissrose.livejournal.com]

*hold up lighter for Mr. Rogers*

[caranfindel.livejournal.com]

WHO DOESN'T KNOW WHO MR. ROGERS IS?????? HOW CAN THIS BE?????

[madebyme-x.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for taking the time to explain the reference. It's not something that I've heard of over here in the UK (we definitely had Sesame Street as I remember watching that as a kid, but I don't think we ever had this show). Thanks again for the heads up.

[jj1564.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much for the info, I've often heard Mr Rogers referenced on US shows but didn't really know who he was. We had Sesame Street here in the UK (and The Banana Splits!) but not Mr Rogers, which is a shame as I just watched a bit of his show on YouTube and he was lovely. And "I like you, just the way you are." is a wonderful message for kids and adult, too!

Thanks :)

[fufaraw]

Oh, and I originally meant to post to say, I love the drabble, and agree with your speculation about where Dean is right now.

[madebyme-x.livejournal.com]

I'm very happy to hear that it rang true to you. I hope that we'll see some more chinks in this armour he's wearing. Thanks again for stopping by. Take care :)

[borgmama1of5.livejournal.com]

...he's using denial to sort of protect himself from the pain of disappointment...

I think you've got that right...it hurts to watch Dean right now!

[madebyme-x.livejournal.com]

It's fascinating to look at how differently Sam and Dean deal with grief, loss and pain and it certainly feels like Dean's using denial to protect himself for further pain and disappointment.

I've seen a people also mention that perhaps he's playing the 'bad guy' because he has to. Sam's forged a bond, and if it all goes wrong Dean might see himself as the only one who can 'take Jack out' so he has to distance himself.

Thank you so much for reading and commenting! Take care :)

[roxymissrose.livejournal.com]

Yes, yes! Exactly this. :)

[madebyme-x.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I like to think that there's something more going on with Dean at this point, and this seemed to make sense to me too. Thanks for reading and commenting! take care :)

(ps your icon is just adorable!!!)

[caranfindel.livejournal.com]

I find all these theories about Dean's actions re: Jack very intriguing! Love your take on it.

[madebyme-x.livejournal.com]

Me too! I've seen quite a few different ones and they all ring true to me. It's interesting to be reminded about how differently Sam and Dean deal with grief and loss. Take care and thanks for stopping by :)

[toratio.livejournal.com]

This is great, I think you nailed it. Dean is sometimes black and white because he feels he has to be.

My first thought about that scene was "isn't it nice to see John Winchester finally back on the show?"

[madebyme-x.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Yes, I think perhaps this is Dean's knee jerk reaction; to sink back into the black and white world where everything is less complicated. I've also seen point out that maybe he's keeping his distance from Jack because he feels he has too; if Sam has forged a bond and it all goes wrong, Dean might see himself as the only one who can kill Jack.

Hehe yes!!! Well we certain ly are going back to the early season here where the boys had no angel and demon allies. We've already seen them turn to John's journal for help, so why not let Dean mindset go back in time too!!! Thanks for stopping by :)

[zara-zee.livejournal.com]

Spot on. Thanks for showing us what's going on in Dean's head, beyond the armour of anger he's using to shield himself. :)

[madebyme-x.livejournal.com]

Oh Dean - he's just breaking my heart! It certainly feels like he's shutting himself off and protecting himself from further pain and disappointment. Thank you so much for reading and commenting, I really appreciate it. Take care :)

[finchandsparrow.livejournal.com]

I think you're right about Dean stifling his hope as a self-preservation tactic. It makes me both sympathetic to and impatient with him, even though I relate. (Or perhaps because I relate!) And, as you mentioned elsewhere in the comments, there is certainly an element of "protect Sam" in Dean's attitude toward Jack; and maybe part of "protecting" Sam means "allowing" him the freedom to have hope (because Sam uses it to cope) by appointing himself, Dean, as the person who is ready to step in if—or, in his view, when—things go wrong. But, underneath it all, I think those external motivations, while not insincere, also function as excuses for his internal instincts of self-protection.

I know very little about this upcoming episode (hurrah for avoiding spoilers!) but I'm guessing we'll get at least a little more insight into Sam and Dean's mental spaces. I loved hearing Sam tell Jack about "the wires in Dean's brain" in 13.02! I am so hoping that we have the opportunity to delve into Sam a bit more, even obliquely. (Actually, I'd probably prefer obliquely, haha.)

[madebyme-x.livejournal.com]

Thank you - I'm happy you enjoyed it! It certainly seems to me that Dean's at the very least not letting himself get close to Jack; whether that's because he feels it'll fall to him to kill him, or because he's trying to protect himself from more pain. I'd certainly like to see more exploration of it, and hear a little more about how Sam's dealing with things. At the moment, I'm really hoping Jack will stay on the 'good' path, but I'm guessing Show has other idea!

Yes, I like to avoid as many spoilers as I can (a few years back I gorged myself on spoilers but it started to affect my viewing. I like to go into a new ep and not know what to expect!) Take care and thanks for sharing your thoughts and for stopping by :)

[milly-gal.livejournal.com]

This is completely on point Dean, bravo hun x

[madebyme-x.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I really feel for Dean, and I hope we see some more exploration of this on Show. Take care, lovely :)

[liliaeth]

Great drabble, and I hope you're right

I thought the ep was ok, but I really hope that they don't have Dean keep acting like an asshole to Jack.
It was bad enough to see Sam act like an asshole all through s8-s9, I don't want to see the same happen with my fave character on the show.

[madebyme-x.livejournal.com]

Thank you, and me too! A few people here have also mentioned how Dean's keeping his distance from Jack because he feels he has too; if Sam has forged a bond and it all goes wrong, Dean might see himself as the only one who can kill Jack which is also a really valid point.

Yes, I don't want to see a whole season of Dean like this, but if it's explored a bit deeper and we get to know the reason why, I think that might be interesting. Thank you for stopping by :)

[kalliel]

I loved that scene so much, for exactly the emotions you pinpoint so beautifully in this drabble. And I agree that Dean's hardline opinion of Jack is more something he's just decided to go with because it's manageable and nothing else is, rather than something he genuinely believes at his core.

[madebyme-x.livejournal.com]

It was a such a powerful scenes, and yes, it really felt to me that this was all a coping mechanism to protect himself. Take care :)