I don't think it would have taken much to improve the ep - Portia could have removed her collar, which would have made a very blatant statement, or when human worn it as a belt, a very different statement than around the neck, or for fairness, the male familiar could have worn a collar. And showing her in a superior position (sexually at least) was negated when James is literally chained down, implying that this is the only way Portia could have a superior position, when his power is negated by someone else - in this case, Sam and Dean.
Instead of James pushing Portia away (showing that he's still in control) they could have faced the enemy together, and there would be less concern that the relationship is non-con.
James was very much a cipher, he could have expressed at some point that being a witch costs him something, from the way the writers drew his character he's not been selfless (like almost every heroic character in Spn, so it's difficult to care what happens to him. Portia was far more realized, but trapped in the Master/Familiar relationship.
As for Route666, it's main fault is that it blantanly places its story back in the 60's dealing with race relations, and that's something that you don't want to use simply for shock entertainment value, you also want to imply that the bad guys get their commeuppance, but it only came about after the Racist Truck had killed at least three good guys. If the Dean and Cassie relationship was supposed to indicate that things have gotten better (ie relationships between races more supportive) it didn't work because Cassie dumped Dean, and while they were still sexually attracted, had some make up sex, it was easy enough for them to part, with no implication that they'd ever hook up again.
Thing is, Ben Edlund was able to do an episode involving the Nazi's exterminating the Jews in the WW2 - he created the Judah Initiative concept, where the Rabbis fought the Nazis themselves (making them active participants, not needing an outside force to liberate them) and make a point that while they might still be around (even undead) there are still people like Aaron (and his Golem) willing to fight them. So you can take subjects that are historical, and current, and make them relevant and good entertainment, depending on the writer you choose.
I've come to think the only place Spn falls down at times is writing, becuase the acting and the production are great, maybe they should look at some guest writers next season.
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rosecarmine
(no subject)
Date: 2013-02-28 06:12 pm (UTC)Instead of James pushing Portia away (showing that he's still in control) they could have faced the enemy together, and there would be less concern that the relationship is non-con.
James was very much a cipher, he could have expressed at some point that being a witch costs him something, from the way the writers drew his character he's not been selfless (like almost every heroic character in Spn, so it's difficult to care what happens to him. Portia was far more realized, but trapped in the Master/Familiar relationship.
As for Route666, it's main fault is that it blantanly places its story back in the 60's dealing with race relations, and that's something that you don't want to use simply for shock entertainment value, you also want to imply that the bad guys get their commeuppance, but it only came about after the Racist Truck had killed at least three good guys. If the Dean and Cassie relationship was supposed to indicate that things have gotten better (ie relationships between races more supportive) it didn't work because Cassie dumped Dean, and while they were still sexually attracted, had some make up sex, it was easy enough for them to part, with no implication that they'd ever hook up again.
Thing is, Ben Edlund was able to do an episode involving the Nazi's exterminating the Jews in the WW2 - he created the Judah Initiative concept, where the Rabbis fought the Nazis themselves (making them active participants, not needing an outside force to liberate them) and make a point that while they might still be around (even undead) there are still people like Aaron (and his Golem) willing to fight them. So you can take subjects that are historical, and current, and make them relevant and good entertainment, depending on the writer you choose.
I've come to think the only place Spn falls down at times is writing, becuase the acting and the production are great, maybe they should look at some guest writers next season.