Reviewer: acruska (Signed) · Date: 25/05/10 07:11 PM · On: Chapter 1
I like your view on John/Dean dynamics. :) It's believable, you let us in John's head and created a reasonable vision of this character. Good writing, keep that up!
Author's Response: Thanks so much! I'm glad you enjoyed it, and thanks for letting me know!
Reviewer: AhhGingerKids (Signed) · Date: 12/05/10 06:48 PM · On: Chapter 1
This was great and I think your John/Dean dynamic is very realistic, John clearly preferred Sam no matter what Dean did. Awesome, write more.
Author's Response: Thanks for your kind words, and I'm glad you enjoyed it! I'm not sure if John preferred Sam, but he sure worried about him more (and with good reason, it turned out!)
Reviewer: Shannondoah (Signed) · Date: 27/04/10 09:40 PM · On: Chapter 1
Absolutley fabulous! I loved everything about it--- the vivid descriptions of Dean's appearance and both he and John's emotions. The dynamic between father and son was a perfect balance of anger, worry, and love. It would be exactly how I would feel if my child had run away. I agree with you. I don't think John did more than what you described and I'm certain that Dean punished himself much more severely than John ever could. Sam turning up sheepish and surprised that John was home made a marvelous end. We have no clue how Sam's running away ended but your version seems very plausible. What a little shit to do that to Dean!
Author's Response: Thanks so much, and I'm glad you enjoyed it! I tried to make Sam's running away and return as logical as possible. It seemed likely that if he'd run away out of anger, the memory wouldn't have been so pleasant; and if he'd been punished, he would have mentioned it (or at least not been surprised when Dean hinted at how angry Dad had been). And yeah, he was a little shit...<g>
Reviewer: Micaiah (Signed) · Date: 15/04/10 12:34 PM · On: Chapter 1
Nice job! I can totally see John behaving this way. I'd say that was pretty much the way his and Dean's relationship always was after Mary died. John put too much on that boy's shoulders. I know he did what he did with the best of intents but he also didn't realize the injustice he was doing Dean. Now it's Dean who puts too much on his own shoulders.
Author's Response: Thanks, and I'm glad you liked it! I think Dean was warped from childhood into believing that his job in life is to take care of people...Sam first, and now the world. That's not a bad thing, except when he thinks it's the only thing he has to offer...
Reviewer: saltnburnem (Signed) · Date: 13/04/10 08:31 PM · On: Chapter 1
I think John's drill-sergeant reflex after Mary's death really did emotionally distance him from the boys. In a way, he really thought his methods were the right ones to teach his boys how to stay alive....but in another way....he actually didn't think at all! He would just automatically shut down, emotionally pull away and would turn on the "Commander John" programming that had become his survival mode. He never really saw how much damage he was inflicting on Dean especially. John's methods taught Dean survival, yet they emotionally starved him along the way. You hit it right on the mark in your story.
Author's Response: You're absolutely right. I never thought John was a villain; but a lot of damage can be done with the best of intentions. I also think Dean became an expert at hiding his feelings so John wouldn't think he was weak, and that made things worse. (*sigh*) Thanks so much for your comments, and I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Reviewer: Gail (Signed) · Date: 13/04/10 12:06 AM · On: Chapter 1
This is a "must read" story; I really think you've got John, perfectly. (although I'd love to show him what the phrase "kick like a girl" actually means! <g>) But I think the insights are dead on, and intuitively so right that I now can't see John any other way. Interesingly, this is a portrait of abuse, but abuse in a way that most people, John included, don't recognize. But all the more devastating for being words instead of blows. And it explains both the boys, so well; Dean as the "hero child" always taking the brunt of John, and Sam as the classic "rebel", breaking away from, and denying the expectations of, the family, even very young. Great story!
Author's Response: Thank you so much! I really appreciate your comments and kind words.
Reviewer: Tree66 (Signed) · Date: 10/04/10 02:58 PM · On: Chapter 1
Awesome piece... And I dont think you have to make any apologies or excuses( whatever) for John... I find myself oddly changing my stance on the man... while never a John hater... I used to be a bit more stalwart in defending him. Now... I'm having a harder time doing that as Kripke & Co. reveal more about the boys lives growing up... but then again... so much more of the dynamics about the boys is changing... Again... I really love how you filled in the gaps of what Dean went through- how thorough he WOULD have been... how exhausted.... devasted... fearful- it was palpable when John came home... those nuances of his hands... his gulp... etc. well done. And then Sam- so casually strolling back in- like he could just take a "spring break" and his Dad would never know- without a thought to what it would do to his brother.... I think it mimics the similar "thoughtlessness"( and no I dont mean that in a totally bad way) that Sam had in Dark Side eppy... He just didnt "get it" Anyway.. I'm rambling on- and this was a great fill in tag. ( oh and "Featured" - cause someone had to do it- hahahaha) Tree
Author's Response: I think John had good intentions, but we all know where those lead! <g> But I think he never really understood what makes Dean tick, which was always the problem. And while young Sam could conceivably be “thoughtless,” I’m not sure he would ever be that cruel, even unconsciously; but I think the writers needed it to show that he is now, finally, "getting it." Hopefully. Thank you so much for your kind words, and I’m so glad you liked it! And for the little “featured” icon…I’m doing a major happy dance!
Reviewer: Amberdreams (Signed) · Date: 10/04/10 10:54 AM · On: Chapter 1
I'd been expecting a much less sympathetic rendering of John from reading your preamble - but this was a perfectly understandable version of John - driven, presenting a hard exterior because he wants his kids to be as tough as they can be but still aware that they are suffering. I agree about Sam but again, I think his reaction is also understandable - both John and Dean protected him as much as possible, and in effect spoiled him - and kids are very slow to start understanding the consequences of their actions, particularly consequences for other people. In fact I think Sam is only just starting that growth of spirit in some respects...
Author's Response: Thanks for your comments! While I agree that John wanted to make his kids strong the only way he knew, I also know how much damage can be done with the best of intentions. For Sam, I think maybe my issue was with the writers…because, while I do understand him being protected and “spoiled”, the show has always (up to now) emphasized how sensitive he was to others’ feelings, and I’m having a hard time reconciling that with the idea that he wouldn’t recognize how much Dean would be worrying, much less suffering, by his absence. To not call home even once in the two weeks, just to say, “don’t worry, I’m safe,” just seems out of character as he’s been written over the past five years.
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