In the sixteenth episode of the tenth season of Supernatural, Sam and Dean investigate a case at a Catholic church, and Rowena gets revenge. Intrigued? Then it’s time for Mark to watch Supernatural.Â
Trigger Warning: For suicide, gore, misogyny.
All right, let me split this review up to talk about the two plots unfolding. I HAVE THOUGHTS.
Confession
As an ex-Catholic, some of this episode had me thinking back on my time on the church, which wasn’t exactly my favorite part of my life. To give you an idea of just how warped my view of the world was when I was a teenager, I converted to Catholicism as a rebellion against my mother. In my worldview, that was a radical act. I mean, there were certainly other reasons for doing so; I thought that it would bring me closer to my ethnic culture. I also thought it would CURE THE GAY! And we all know how that turned out.
But here’s the thing: as much as my experience was negative and horrifying and absolutely contributed to me becoming an atheist, I had an affinity for the sisters who worked at my parish. They were the only ones who were kind to me (except one, I HATED HER, but she hated me, so it was a mutually powerful relationship full of spite and rage) and the only ones who genuinely tried to answer my million questions as I went through my education to become baptized and confirmed. Trust me, I was genuinely so annoying in my catechism classes, but it wasn’t because I was trying to be difficult. I really truly wanted to know what I was learning, you know? So even if I don’t really have any affinity for Catholicism anymore, I do have fondness for nuns. (It eternally pleases me that nuns have basically become my sites’ mascot. SO THRILLING.)
I’m explaining this because that’s one of the reasons I’m like… super bored by Dean’s sexualization of Sister Mathias. I mean, the ongoing sexualization and objectification of any woman who happens to appear in Dean’s peripheral vision is utterly pointless ten seasons in to this show. Sister Mathias is not a special case. But even if I don’t believe in God, I believe in the right of people to pursue modesty and an expectation of respect, you know? Just… no! Stop with the “hot nun” thing!
Anyway, I do like Sister Mathias a lot, but I was actually confused about the narration of this episode for a while. I think the cuts between the main story and the weird storytelling scenes with Isabella and Sister Mathias could have been pulled off better. They’re abrupt and timeless, which I suppose was the point. The writers wanted to trick us into thinking that Isabella was a real person, but it mostly left me wondering when those scenes were occurring. We’d go from one to another where Sister Mathias was talking to the Winchesters and I was so confused??? Was she in two places at once??? WAS SHE THE SPIRIT?
Still, that whole bit with the Florence, Italy was cool! This was a decent story about obsession, but perhaps not the strongest episode so far. The connection to the larger Winchester angst was okay, but not really all that significant compared to other episodes. However, DEAN WINCHESTER’S CONFESSION. That moment was powerful, and I can’t believe it has taken this show ten seasons to finally begin to seriously peel away the layers of masculinity of Dean Winchester. (I realize I’m saying this in the same review where I complained about Dean ogling woman. THE IRONY IS NOT LOST ON ME.) I say “seriously” because it’s not like this is the first time we’ve seen Dean be vulnerable, but it’s consistently happening this season.
The scene in the confessional is important to me because it allows Dean to stop being in denial about himself. His honesty is real, and it appears to be sticking. He’s changing his attitude about himself and his outlook on life, and it’s refreshing! I just hope it stays around because it’s really satisfying to see.
Rowena
I can’t really ever tell where the line between Rowena’s manipulation and her actual personality is. Is she genuinely upset about Crowley’s life, or is it part of some longer con? I suspect the truth is a mixture of the two, that her feelings are genuine and she’s acting to serve her own interests. They’re not exactly mutually exclusive ideas, you know?
And it’s clear from this episode that Rowena can get exactly what she wants through this kind of manipulation. By using sheer annoyance, she compels Crowley to capture Olivette to her. SO IT’S WORKING??? And lord, I realized just how wrong I’d been about Rowena. This whole time, I never once considered that the Grand Coven were actively preventing her from being more powerful. It makes sense, though! Why else was she so desperate to practice again! I suppose that she had already seemed powerful enough to me, so I didn’t get why the Coven was so important.
I also enjoyed that this episode finally gave Rowena’s story a very clear direction. With the works and powers of witchcraft spread about the world by the Men of Letters, Rowena now has a mission, one that puts her in direct odds with the Winchesters. Who don’t even know that this is the case yet! That just makes me wonder, though. If Rowena is as powerful as she is without the magic, spells, and information that the Men of Letters stole from the Coven, then how much more frightening can she be?
I’m excited about seeing where Rowena’s story might go.
The video for “Paint It Black” can be downloaded here for $0.99.
Mark Links Stuff
– Please help book/finalize the Mark Does Stuff European Tour!
– I am now on Patreon!!! MANY SURPRISES ARE IN STORE FOR YOU IF YOU SUPPORT ME.
– The Mark Does Stuff Tour 2015 is now live and includes dates across the U.S., Canada, Europe, the U.K., and Ireland. Check the full list of events on my Tour Dates / Appearances page.
– My Master Schedule is updated for the near and distant future for most projects, so please check it often. My next Double Features for Mark Watches will be the remainder of The Legend of Korra, series 8 of Doctor Who, and Kings. On Mark Reads, Diane Duane’s Young Wizards series will replace the Emelan books.
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