{ Supernatural, 5x10, Abandon All Hope...}

[delga]

I can't believe that of all the things that I've watched recently, this is the one that I want to talk about a little. Not in terms of mythology because it's not exactly linear, but just in terms of how gorgeous this episode was. I haven't watched a full episode of this show since 5x04 (I think?) and I've been skimming the past few for the dramatic bits because the humour bent on this show was just not made for me. But I think the arc episodes are generally fairly well handled, and this one had a visual kick to it.

A couple of spoilers first: DAMN IT I LOVE ELLEN HARVELLE. Damn it!

In other news, I like that the Angel of Death here is incorporeal - I like that it's an idea more than something conquerable, because that's death. It's a force not a thing which is why you can't fight it. But a couple of other interpretations would have been interesting because there is, of course, Azrael, but also Gabriel and Michael, and Samael (ha). In Kings, the Angel of Death was portrayed in surrealist fashion by Saffron Burrows, and whilst I didn't expect anything quite like that here I'm glad they went for something more subtle. The Devil, as ever, has garnered a sense of humour, and has become much more theatrical which is not the humble, focused individual we saw at the top of the season. I'm in two minds about this decision because of course the character has to expand, but now he is more explicitly evil whereas in the beginning, despite being THE DEVIL, his motivations led to some ambiguity. Now he's just more, well, deranged. Pellegrino played him very well, though, and made some neat, precise choices with the dialogue which I hugely enjoyed.

Lastly, I love the actress who is playing the most recent incarnation of Meg. She's perfect for the role, and I hope we see more of her, though that seems unlikely. I also really enjoyed seeing Mark Sheppard as Crowley. He's such a great guest star in everything I've seen him, and his delivery was spot on. "And three, how about you don't miss, okay? MORONS!" Ha.

--

I do still intend to talk about Spooks eventually. You know. Once my hysteria-reflex dies down.

Comments

[tartary-lamb.livejournal.com]

Mark Sheppard, as a guest star, has been haunting me recently. I swear, the man is in everything and he's amazing every time.

As for Death, having... uh, I'm just going to go with "it" incorporeal would be a really cool way for the show to play it. At the time, I'd assumed they used that camera angle to keep us from being able to see Death until after the hiatus, but your interpretation would be way more interesting.