dustydreamsanddirtyscars:

13x04 “The Big Empty”
In which two things aren’t remotely comparable at all (if you ask me)

Fair warning ahead, there will be Sam criticism in the following. Though tbh I am not so much annoyed by Sam as such, but how he has been written for a while in relation to these recurring topics.

I’m not going to make myself any friends in saying this, but WTH?! I won’t even open the can of worms relating to Dean mentioning not wanting to be “Jack’s mother” and how all of that harkens back to Dean having been “mother, father and brother” for Sam, which Sam sometimes seems to forget (seriously, I’m too tired for all the arguments relating to that aspect - maybe tomorrow), but will instead just focus on how friggin appalled I am by Sam (and not for the first time) putting Dean down for not having been able to rebel against his father (I am critizing the writing here tbh, because the writing has made Sam look and be very unsympathetic for seasons now and partially that is due to the writers apparently being unable to have Sam form a meaningful relationship with someone who is not in some proximity someone Sam sees himself in - that sadly makes the character running in circles and just around himself) the way he himself could (newsflash, Sam, you were only able to form a healthier way of standing your ground and developing more freely, because Dean shielded you, Dean didn’t have anyone to shield him from your father). Nevermind that Sam is comparing apples and oranges here imo. Dean may not show any warmth for Jack (but at least he’s honest - that doesn’t excuse some of the harsh words of course, but it’s better than pretending to care when you don’t), but handing him a shovel is hardly comparable to the treatment that Dean experienced from their dad.

Dean is neither using emotional blackmail here nor is he manipulating Jack, two things Dean had to suffer from (among a long list of other things) by the parenting of his father. Furthermore, the question begs to be asked if Jack is needs “getting through”. To me he seems like a perfecty fine kid so far, that doesn’t need “getting through” (it’s quite telling how much Sam projects himself into Jack here and expects him to be just like himself), but understanding and time to develop. Sure, Dean is giving him a hard time, but he gains Dean’s trust in an “organic fashion” for lack of a better word and you can see how Jack felt about the genuine compliment at the end of the episode.