Oh, sorry. Yeah, I agree.

Time travel -- in your continuity, screwing it up.

I totally think this looks like West: [link]

Oh my god. Is that the kid from Pet Sematary?

Yes. And I totally think they're kindred on a number of levels.

Oh dear. (Vicki, run!)

I mean, I figure Misha has to be the one teaching him the bad behavior ...

Do you think it was harder for Dean to come back from hell, knowing what he'd done, with those memories, or for Buffy to come back from heaven?

Also, the idea that Dean was in hell for longer than he'd been alive on earth is really heartbreaking.

I think Dean came back hating himself and Buffy came back hating her friends.

And I think the latter is easier to get over, because you don't change. Something has to happen to give you more insight and acceptance of yourself. But if it's other people that you hate, they can explain themselves, apologise, win back your trust and love.

Besides, Buffy loved those guys. Dean never loved himself.

Amy, I really liked your essay - you did an excellent job of pulling bits and pieces of various episodes into an entertaining analysis of sacrifice. It got me thinking that it doesn't seem that Dean is still willing to sacrifice himself and I'm wondering why. Sam is concerned that he is reckless but I think that is resignation and frustration, not sacrifice. I don't think he has more self-esteem than he did in Season 2 but I think that his decision not to be self-sacrificial after Sam went to hell was more than just complying with Sam's request - he ignores Sam's directions on a regular basis. Has he decided it is futile? Does that make him less heroic?

Do you mean he thinks it's futile to be self-sacrificial?

I'm still mostly of the belief the reason he didn't dissolve into a downward spiral of alcohol abuse and risky behaviours was because of the promise, myself.

I think his promise to Sam kept him from being stupid with his life but I'm not sure it is what kept from trying to march into Hell to save Sam. I just don't think that current Dean would make the deal that Season 2 Dean did and I'm wondering what has changed. Has he learned from his past or has he just decided that the whole "saving people, hunting things" is a crock? If family motivated him, even to the point of self-sacrifice, in the early seasons, what motivates him now? If he is just going through the motions because it is all that he knows to do, is he still a hero?

This is all Amy's fault, of course - she made me think!