#leader sam

Because they served their purpose highlighting Sam’s leadership ability, so they were dispatched.  Think of Star Wars Greedo who was a minor character that was killed soon after a brief conversation with Han Solo.  That conversation - and the result of it - tells us a lot about Han’s character, not just some of his history but also highlighting his roguish bent. This scene is so important to who Han is that it spawned the “Han Shot First” movement when George Lucas retconned the scene to have Han killed Greedo purely in self-defense instead of self-preservation, which is entirey different.

Let the word vomit commence!!

Can I take a moment to talk about Sam?!?! In an episode where Dean is made to face himself via Jack, Sam is also made to face his old self in AUCharlie. Charlie wants out. She wants away from this life any way she can. As did Sam all those years ago. And Sam’s response shows how much he’s grown. He gives Charlie reasons why she should stay that are the same reasons that Sam eventually realized he was staying for. Maybe it’s because he’s seen the butterfly effect of what happened when he and Dean weren’t there.  But he emphasizes the ‘doing good to spread good’. He doesn’t guilt Charlie by saying “your family needs you” but instead says “you have a family here for you.” Sam found his “place”.  He’s truly built a network and a community, and in doing so he found something good. I think he acknowledged her reasons for wanting out, but in a way she was running away. She obviously still hasn’t really dealt with her lover’s death because she didn’t have the time, and Sam’s seen and felt that kind of grief and how destructive it can be. So I think him asking her to stay wasn’t just selfishly wanting her around, but more letting her know she doesn’t have to go through that alone. Even if she steps back from hunting I think it’s more of a support thing than anything else. & I think she agreed to stay b/c of that. 

He’s very aware of his family’s needs. Bobby and Mary taking a break from hunting. Dean’s dream of sitting on the beach with Sam and Cas. He knows his family is ready for a more quiet life, and I think that this hunter community is a means to that end for Sam. He’s content to be in the life for as long as he can, but he’s trying to build a world where his brother doesn’t have to keep fighting all the time, where his family can be safer & take the time to rest. He’s doing this for their happiness, b/c that’s what makes him happy And I think that’s what I love about this season so much. The subtleties in the way both brothers have grown. How we see how strong their bond and their devotion is through their unspoken motivations. And I love it. 

I re-blogged a gifset and posted this underneath but apparently the OP didn't like that soooo I'm just gonna make my own post lol

I love this opening scene so much. I was worried that Dean would not be okay with Sam running the show, since Dean has typically been the one to bulldoze make the decisions. But from last week with Dean holed up in his room and this opening scene, we see the exact opposite. Not only is Dean stepping back and letting Sam lead, he's fucking proud of him for doing such an awesome job. Dean is letting go of his need for control, his need to take care of Sam and make sure he is safe. He doesn't jump back in to hunting immediately, he isn't the one leading this meeting, hell he even lets Mary tell him what to do (I'm with Sam, Bobby you're with Dean). And you can tell Sam isn't sure if Dean is okay with it yet. When the hunter calls Sam Chief, he's embarrassed. During this scene in 14x05, he gets really nervous and awkward when Dean walks in, and seems to look at him for approval. But Dean gives it to him. Not right away, not when Sam is looking or can hear him (i.e. the conversation with Bobby), but you can tell that Dean approves of what Sam is doing. He's not jealous or upset or controlling, hes so fucking proud of Sam. Just with a look he communicates so much support and love and awe and, "Damn look at my brother doing everything right." That's a shit ton of character development in just one scene, especially when you consider how Dean reacted to everything in The Scar. Obviously, Dean is still dealing with trauma from Michael. But he's getting better.