A Hard Look in the Mirror
These aren’t in chronological order but I’m tossing them out as they come to me. I’m told other posts have been made, but haven’t seen them, so my apologies for the duplicate scenarios(and by all means send me links to these posts, as I’m dying to read others thoughts as well). This is interpretation, not an attempt to draw fire.
While Chuck does parallel a particular group most of the time, I’d like to point out as a Destiel shipper myself, my side of fandom has members who’ve exercised atrocious judgement and behaved badly as well. This side is not immune and it would be very fair to see shots fired on it, should we be blessed with such direct, multi layered storytelling again next season when Chuck is in-episode. I’m in no mood for a crucifixion, but always welcome correction, respectful debate, and those offering additions.
We know Chuck was the show’s first author insert, a way to connect with fans. None of this is news. But in the finale, not only did Chuck serve as an insert, he also peeled back another layer, revealing himself to be Becky on steroids. Becky represented the toxic, hateful people of this fandom.
Sam asks him about the other worlds he’s made. He says there’s one in reverse, one without yellow, and one with just squirrels. I started thinking about this, such an odd combination of random descriptions. But knowing he’s representing basically the Bronlies, it all made sense.
One world in reverse-rewinding back in time. One world without yellow-yellow is Cas the sun. One world with just squirrels-all Dean, as he explains to “Moose” and has already declared the Winchester Bros his favorite show. He also told Cas he didn’t come to save Jack, but to kill him.
Who has loudly and continually fussed the show should go back to what it was like pre Cas, with only the bros hunting monsters? The Bibros/Bronlies. Chuck via description of his other worlds, told the audience he is a fan of those times. When the bros didn’t have the extended family in their lives they have now. They didn’t have the “screw-up” angel, or much of anyone else.
Dean asked him right away where he’s been. The question is repeated throughout the episode, Chuck is able to evade with vague answers - until Sam, after hearing about those worlds, begins piecing a few things together.
Sam: “Have you been watching us, even when you’re not here?”
Chuck: “Yeah, you’re my favorite show.”
Sam: “Why is it always on US (to save the world)?”
Chuck: “Cause you’re my guys.”
This is important dialogue once you realize that Chuck is not only God, the showrunner insert, but now an even more toxic, hateful Becky. If we examine this conversation in a different way, filter it as Jared coming through via Sam.
Sam: “Have you been watching us, even when you aren’t here?/ Are you the ones who have been writing hateful things about Jensen and I, lies about us? Even when you’re not here?/From behind a computer screen far away where it’s easy to write things you can’t be found and accounted for?”
Chuck: “Yeah, you’re my favorite show/ Yeah, we’re your biggest fans.”
Sam: “Why is it always on US to save the world?/Why do you always pick on and bully US, don’t you realize it hurts?”
Chuck: “Cause you’re my guys/Cause you’re our guys. We love you, we want you to ourselves and our interpretations to be correct and in real life.“
By this time Sam knows Dean is walking into a trap, they’ve been fodder for God’s entertainment their entire lives (in fandom since the pilot 1x1 aired).
But let’s go back a ways to Jack and when he cast the truth spell. There is far more finger pointing occurring before Sam figures out what’s going on.
In the Mirror building, when Dean and Sam figure out Jack has cast a truth spell, and they see things begin falling apart in that room with all the coworkers, they retreat to that single room.
The Chaos room was fandom, forced out from behind the anonymity of their computer screens, speaking their truths to each other and all hell breaking loose.
The Yogurt dudes were Stan’s vs TFW positive (1 vs 3). The Stapler Queen was the docile shipper just trying to avoid conflict and wants to clutch her favs close, keeping them safe from the raging wars around her. Destiel was the primary ship based on the red and blue staplers, but other colors represented other ships so she can easily be considered representative of chill shippers in general. The fact she was so adorable and gosh darn likeable, no matter which colors she was holding, is acknowledgment from Dabb that some nice, peaceful shippers exist and I want to hug Dabb for it. Bless. Girl on floor who just wants to be loved-those who miss Crowley.
One guy was cheating on his wife, the other knows and is okay with it, until it’s revealed it was filmed- those were fans who’ve made some “assumptions” about J2’s wives, some fans having gone so far as to violate the guys privacy by filming them in public places without their permission(aka-Jared’s drone story), fans strongly violating their privacy.
The news people on TV, in a bubble room with opaque glass, symbolic of J2 trying to keep their distance from the chaos but can still see what’s happening to a degree, are in red and blue. One is much older, a little quirky compared to the other, and suddenly confesses- “I love you, I always have.” It’s awkward as heck doing that in front of an audience of thousands of people, we’re left hanging as to her response.
As she calls the guy Jack, it reminds Dean of someone who’s caused him great pain, so he escapes HIS reality by avoiding it (turning off the TV and getting online). He goes to a blog he apparently visits regularly and while Jack, TFW’s ‘son’ has his own adorable face on the computer/intranet for search, Dean begins criticizing this “EightpackMomma” for the gluten free popover she’s posted. Then he switches to uncharacteristically criticizing posts of her children.
Sam turns to call him on such crappy anonymous hate behavior.
Dean realizes, “Yeah I should probably stop talking/ Yeah you douchebags who post on our social media accounts saying how ugly our kids are, or comparing them to each other should definitely stop talking.”
Sam immediately says, “Yeah.”
Meanwhile Cas, has just realized Chuck will not be bringing the kind of help he prayed for as he just called Jack a “problem.” Many toxic fans come up with all kinds of reasons why every character who isn’t J2 is a “problem.”
So we notice Cas and Chuck enter the room. Dean and Cas don’t speak much before Chuck pulls the plug on the truth spell/truth influence. The Destiel fandom is now like “Dang it! Ya couldn’t have just let them TALK and work things out…which might lead to a love confession?!?? Nope. Because Chuck is not a fan. I draw con parallels to this scene for further illustration.
Many consider JibCon Cockles Christmas because it is the one time a year Creation cannot extend its reach across the pond, putting a stop to Cockles and J2M panels like they have for the last ten years in the U.S. So imagine a room of fans, Jensen and Misha talking, Jensen’s under the Truth Spell of Alcohol(but not excessively-except maybe once) with microphones(which like a spell, 'amplify’ their words so they’re heard) and “Chuck” pulls the plug. This can easily be applied to Creation cons in general as well.
The spell’s over. Dean right away is pissed off at the burden placed upon them by “Chuck” when he left with his sister and left the bros to clean up the mess and keep the world safe. Chuck evades the “where have you been” comment, because of course at this point Jensen is now channeling via Dean. Jared’s not the only one affected by the online haters. We know that Chuck is a writer, he sits writing crap behind a computer all day in his bathrobe, drinking stale coffee and alcohol, thinking up horrific plots to spice up the books he writes so they’ll hopefully sell. But he also happens to be a musician.
Last visit, he confessed to dating girls and guys, and he played the beautiful song “Fare thee Well.” Chuck decides to answer Dean in song, because it reminds us he uses more than one medium to express himself. How DUALISTIC of him, right? Because he also happens to be bisexual. And “Chuck” aka-haters, have insinuated/claimed all of kinds things about J2’s relationship with each other.
So what does Dean do when “Chuck” refuses to give a clear answer to where he’s been/haters of course being frustratingly out of reach for accountability of their venomous actions? Picks up that guitar and blatantly ignores Dean by just pretending he’s done nothing wrong. Jensen, channeling via Dean, smashes the damn thing to pieces in rage. He’s understandably pissed at having to deal with not only the crap about him and Jared-but the bullying and slander of Dani, Gen, and Vicki. Dean losing people he cares about/them being victimized by monsters, ones who wield influence and harm with venom and zero accountability.
Then they’re all zapped back to the bunker. Chuck knows Dean is angry over the loss of Mary. He knows Jack is unpredictable. He lies about being able to do anything himself(he’s not responsible for Jack’s choices and actions/ it’s not his fault).
“Chuck” could easily represent another showrunner at this point, one who tried manipulating certain people into thinking success for the “world/show” meant 'good storytelling’ aka- getting rid of the unique angel. But by killing said angel to save the “show” it only quickened the process of the show’s death until Misha was begged to come back. Gamble shot herself in the foot with that plasma gun maneuver.
The honorable mentions of the Leviathan and Men of Letters stories were great.
Cut to Cas, sitting with Jack. Who is confused about all this negativity in the world, he never meant to hurt anyone. Imagine Misha talking to West/Maison, trying to explain why people say and do hurtful things. They want to understand, but can’t. Misha says, you’re not able to understand, yet.
Cas wants to find a place to protect Jack, a safe place from all of this. Just as a real father would want to protect his children from the harshness of the world.
Dean is standing in the graveyard, holding this gun. “Chuck” has set Dean up beautifully. He aims, Jack pushes Cas away. Dean/Jensen takes aim, but is beginning to connect the dots. He’s been set up or “baited” into firing off an invisible force of harm which can be used and twisted against Misha/Cas and also Jensen himself.
Most of the time it’s meant to prompt Jensen into making a joke or comment certain toxic fans will twist and claim it’s how Jensen and Jared really feel, even though J2 are simply taking a light hearted dig at someone they love. Sometimes the baiting gets more aggressive and at one point(side eyeing JaxCon 2017) Jensen fired off the “Destiel doesn’t exist” comment in the Bibros/Bronlie’s attempt at negating the entire Dean/Cas relationship(friendship and/or otherwise). Jensen didn’t realize it for a while, but now he does. Dean also knows by firing on Jack he will devastate Cas, in addition to dying himself. And this is when Dean/Jensen is DONE. He’ll make jokes if he wants, he’ll say what he wants. So will Jared, because they don’t give a damn about people who refuse to believe Misha isn’t one of their bestest friends in the entire world.
He tosses the gun on the ground, “Chuck” urges him to pick it up and keep going, but by now he’s got “Chuck's” number. Dean says “Enough is enough! This isn’t some story. THIS IS OUR LIVES.” Basically telling “Chuck” to shove off, they’re sick of it. Chuck throws a fit and even taunts him with Mary, but Dean is having none of it.
Sam grabs the gun and wings Chuck. Good for him. Because Jared has dealt with this shit for years. He knows the majority of toxic people in this fandom are ones who claim they adore him. Yet they blast him, his wife, and his children he loves without mercy. He doesn’t care if he takes a hit back.
Now that “Chuck” realizes his characters/objects of haters obsession have become aware-aka-J2 are on to their bullshit, he knows the game is up. While Chuck, aka God, snaps his fingers and leaves them to darkness, undoing everything they killed and sent to hell, the haters cowardly slink back behind their computers deciding if it’s worth continuing or not, and to some sadly, it is.
But while “Chuck” has screamed for so long he wants the Winchesters, without Cas, to go back to seasons 1-3 where it’s them, the monsters, and their victims, their greatest wish has been indeed granted by Dabb.
But Dabb, being who he is, delivered that wish, and “chained a comet” to it, Aka-Cas/Misha. And now they have all they want, but with a firm statement from the show, backed by J2 that they can forever:
GET ON BOARD OR WALK AWAY.
Dabb has pointed the show’s pen at the real villain "Chuck,” the haters. He has been identified, his agenda laid out in the open, and he’s the Big Bad.
Meanwhile Billie, who’s strong enough to reap God, seems to be backing TFW 2.0. I hope she is.
Dabb’s making a statement this show is getting back to its roots. Not because it’s what the haters wanted, but because it’s the best place to take the story on its final stretch. The writers will bring the brothers back to the beginning and do so with the family it loves and all the kinds of love within this found family, are accepted and matter.
This is in no way a declaration of intent to make Destiel canon. That will remain in the gray area until it either happens or doesn’t. But it is a declaration that Cas matters. A lot. He is valued. He is loved. And whatever end the Winchesters meet(hopefully a happy one), Cas will be right there with them.
