This is a great analysis, considering there's so much canon to hold onto with these comments about character arcs/characterization.
All of these traits and in the moment thinking make him good at what he does but they do tend to blind him to how his actions, and words, impact others.
So true.
he equates Sam leaving to do his own thing as betrayal and abandonment
I think there's also a deep sense of failure that he feels he not enough for Sam. This may be tied in with Dean's emotional parentification imparted by John and, thus, feeling like he's responsible somehow for everyone else's actions/emotional well being. And if Dean perceives someone "abandoning" him, it's a reflection on his failure and not a result of others' desires. I think in a little twisted way--even though clearly Dean thinks about Sam's well being and is literally selfless in a self-sacrificing way--it's all about himself, Dean, subconsciously in his own head. And instead of Dean becoming emotionally vulnerable when he's hurt or scared, he lashes out and/or becomes defensive, the ultimate survivalist act of self-preservation. Oh, Dean. *squish*
he envisions a future where they both survive
This is what, despite everything Sam's been through, amazes me about his character. He's like the Energizer Bunny, he just keeps getting up--even if he's barely crawling--with that dumb, heavy drum (i.e. the emotional weight of all his "failures") and keeps stubbornly going. WTH, Sam? Where are you even going!? ;) I do like how Carver underscored Sam's desire for a life at the end of it all because in previous seasons I had a hard time believing that Sam was really giving himself over completely to hunting (in particular his discussion with Dean "Wishful Thinking") when I thought his hope for something beyond that life was so ingrained and character defining.
I don't see that as Sam throwing these people in Dean's face or trying to make Dean feel guilty because Sam's got no reserves left to make such an effort. Sam is taking this all on himself
Ditto. Well said.
It turns out Sam has real abandonment fears as well. Maybe he is one of those who leaves first so as to avoid being left behind.
Abandonment in the form of death considering most every romantic relationship he's had ends in it (except Amelia ... so far). :( And I think that also plays into this idea that Sam leaves first; it speaks to a great mistrust Sam has of himself and in his ability to keep people he cares about safe, something that he sees as a personal failure even though it's not entirely his fault. And walking around with that sense of fear of failure on your shoulders is self-fulfilling--you tend to over-react/react/run when it may not always be necessary. Oh, Sam. *cuddle*
Thanks for a great discussion. You may want to consider posting at spn_heavymeta as I'm sure others at that comm would be interested.
no subject
All of these traits and in the moment thinking make him good at what he does but they do tend to blind him to how his actions, and words, impact others.
So true.
he equates Sam leaving to do his own thing as betrayal and abandonment
I think there's also a deep sense of failure that he feels he not enough for Sam. This may be tied in with Dean's emotional parentification imparted by John and, thus, feeling like he's responsible somehow for everyone else's actions/emotional well being. And if Dean perceives someone "abandoning" him, it's a reflection on his failure and not a result of others' desires. I think in a little twisted way--even though clearly Dean thinks about Sam's well being and is literally selfless in a self-sacrificing way--it's all about himself, Dean, subconsciously in his own head. And instead of Dean becoming emotionally vulnerable when he's hurt or scared, he lashes out and/or becomes defensive, the ultimate survivalist act of self-preservation. Oh, Dean. *squish*
he envisions a future where they both survive
This is what, despite everything Sam's been through, amazes me about his character. He's like the Energizer Bunny, he just keeps getting up--even if he's barely crawling--with that dumb, heavy drum (i.e. the emotional weight of all his "failures") and keeps stubbornly going. WTH, Sam? Where are you even going!? ;) I do like how Carver underscored Sam's desire for a life at the end of it all because in previous seasons I had a hard time believing that Sam was really giving himself over completely to hunting (in particular his discussion with Dean "Wishful Thinking") when I thought his hope for something beyond that life was so ingrained and character defining.
I don't see that as Sam throwing these people in Dean's face or trying to make Dean feel guilty because Sam's got no reserves left to make such an effort. Sam is taking this all on himself
Ditto. Well said.
It turns out Sam has real abandonment fears as well. Maybe he is one of those who leaves first so as to avoid being left behind.
Abandonment in the form of death considering most every romantic relationship he's had ends in it (except Amelia ... so far). :( And I think that also plays into this idea that Sam leaves first; it speaks to a great mistrust Sam has of himself and in his ability to keep people he cares about safe, something that he sees as a personal failure even though it's not entirely his fault. And walking around with that sense of fear of failure on your shoulders is self-fulfilling--you tend to over-react/react/run when it may not always be necessary. Oh, Sam. *cuddle*
Thanks for a great discussion. You may want to consider posting at spn_heavymeta as I'm sure others at that comm would be interested.