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charcubed · 2 years ago

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Hi. I tend to forget that tumblr exists and just shout all my thoughts about The Winchesters on Twitter @CharCubed, which is a problem, but for once in my life I'm posting something here!

Here are some broad Thoughts on where I've landed of what this season 1 finale of The Winchesters offered–

• I very much want season 2 of this show SO badly. I want to see how they all continue to build their lives now that we know tragedy need not be their end! THIS IS THE HEALING SHOW. That whole cast gets to write their own story... "the only thing that's worse than how it starts for a hunter is how it ends" is no longer the case, as Carlos already said... and Dean helped to free them? That fucks.

• In regards to those possibilities: now that Dean would no longer be framing the prequel as a story he's telling, it frees the prequel up to no longer be doubling as Dean's story through revealing mirroring–which is very much what it's been doing for 12 episodes. Now the monster plots and the storylines for those characters in The Winchesters can also be diversified, so every episode no longer has to include, for example... [checks notes] a situation where a character is literally and/or metaphorically trapped and has to confront their trauma, break cycles of violence, and speak truths to be freed. It's been very Loud and very much Like This Constantly because it's Dean's story, but now it won't have to be anymore, which is an interesting thing to contemplate! (To be clear, for those unaware of my history of yelling about this show: I love that it was Like This. This show is fucking genius.)

• Initially, this finale had some alarm bells pinging in my brain but then I parsed the Reasons for those things. Mary told John she had "Something to say," right? And then she never says it. That's a Chekhov's gun that's never fired and it's of course paralleling how Dean has "something to say" to Cas too. Them not speaking that truth is a problem. In addition, we also got a montage eerily akin to the 15x19 one. But these callbacks / parallels to s15 all loudly indicate something very specific: The Winchesters is an unfinished story, and this finale (like the rest of this show) is mirroring and revealing truths about the prime narrative of SPN. For one thing, with the prequel they originally expected to have 22 or so episodes and ended up having 13 to work with. For another... this is the START of their story, not the end. So along those lines, what can we deduce about the end of season 15? (Hint: that finale is not an ending either.)

• Speaking of which: We learn that everything Dean was just doing takes place in the ~heavenly~ time period before Sam “dies." This all functionally happened right after Dean died as he drove down that road. He is restless, unmoored, grieving, and–this is key–considers his "ending" to be an unhappy happy one. He's fucking around and finding out, looking for and unpacking (through his narration) what he needs and wants for HIS happy ending to look like. He found out about the Akrida being a failsafe from Chuck and couldn't resist meddling to save everyone. It's also worth noting that Dean says to Jack something like, "If you have to kick me out of Heaven then that's fine." Between the lines is the thought of "please kick me out of Heaven, I'm causing problems because I'm grieving and I'm not done, I don't want this 'peace' but would rather have freedom." That in itself is a massive subversion of the SPN finale, to say nothing of the previous 12 episodes we've received.

Anyway. So in terms of Dean's story, we now know that this all takes place smack in the middle of 15x20 timeline-wise. This checks out because Bobby's presence connects to him being the only one we saw in 15x20. And... what I personally consider to be Jack's incredibly fucked up or ~potentially taken over by Chuck~ vibes are, in that sense, consistent with 15x19 as well. (I'm so sorry but please let me drop this cursed "Alex Calvert playing Chuck" joke by Jensen from August 2022 which haunts me.)

So: nothing about the concept that @chuckwon at the end of season 15 has been confirmed or denied in canon at this point. The idea that Chuck LOST, as Dean says here, is simply what Dean may still be thinking (which makes sense). But nothing has fundamentally changed about the state of how season 15 left things in the prime narrative yet... largely because that's not what this story is / was about.

In terms of what this finale presented to us, I think "Chuck won" potential was all deliberately left open. And I continue to Call Bullshit on the finale accordingly. A Chuck won plot line COULD be used in a future sequel to great affect, or it could NOT be used in a future sequel. That will be totally up to the future authors / team behind that potential sequel to see what story they choose to tell, and where it all may or may not go. But until then (on that front) right now it's the same shit, different show, and deliberately literally nothing about that potential has changed.

• I LOVE all of the above now that I've parsed it all in my brain. It makes perfect sense. Much like we were never going see the gay angel pop up in this show and kiss Dean (with apologies to anyone who somehow thought otherwise?)... leaving other things open like this is fantastic and the objectively correct call. Dean's story is HIS story to be furthered elsewhere, whereas this show belonged and continues to belong to its cast of characters who must take center stage. But through this story within a story narrated by Dean himself, we learned a hell of a lot about his state of mind as it actively stands in 15x20. Or more accurately: the entire show reinforces and reiterates comprehensively and repeatedly that the SPN finale was wrong and bad and not the end of the story at all, and now canonically and openly and in no uncertain terms that that's how Dean feels too.

• AND THUS: season 1 of The Winchesters works as deeply clever and layered commentary on Supernatural's ending and presents the stepping stone for a sequel continuation for Dean and his family. It's also the beginning of a new chapter with endless potential for The Winchesters' cast of characters who are not tied to fate or main timeline.

I fucking love it here.

Truly, madly, deeply: ALL HAIL ROBBIE THOMPSON.

And seriously, I really hope we get a season 2 because I adore all of the prequel's characters on their own merit and I want to see what their story can become :')

#the winchesters #spnwin #spnwin meta #the winchesters meta #dean winchester #GO LITTLE ROCKSTAR. FUCK SHIT UP #chuck won theory #chuck won meta #char writes things #ON TUMBLR? NO WAY.#I will likely reblog this to the chuckwon blog eventually

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twobraincellkentwell · 5 months ago

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Cursus Honorum

[A Game Of False Fates]

Part Three

Series Masterlist Part Two

Summary: Clio's first year as a mentor was always supposed to be easy; lapping up attention in the Capitol and learning the ropes of securing sponsorships. She was never supposed to be helping her sister through the ins and outs of the arena, but what's done is done. She'll just have to make sure the nation is ready for their second Kentwell sister in succession.

Warnings: strictly 18+ due to the nature of content in some of the chapters. Reaping. Mentions of President Snow. Ebony deserves her own warning.

Word Count: 2.1k

A/N: Happy Hunger Games to you all I guess. Happy Haymitch's Games being written. I really want to know everyone's theories for the POV etc...

Reminder to read book one (A Game Called Revenge) first for the intended order.

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The justice building had hardly changed since last year's reaping, only an additional golden notch added to the top of the gable to signify the district's newest victor. The check-in desks are swarming with teenagers, each having their blood drawn and being ushered into the usual places within the crowd. Parents of the selected volunteers are waiting in the first row of spectators, loudly hyping up their children's skills to the gambling addicts lingering around the square - who are already preparing to place bets on the tributes. Clio adjusts her maroon blouse, fiddling with the twist at the front of the halter neck and smoothing down her slim-fitted black trousers before brushing her hair back and tightening the half ponytail. She walks alongside Cato through the aisle in the middle of the square to reach the side of the stage where the other victors all wait, passing her sister at the edge of her row where the best performer in each year group always waits.

Then as the clock tower chimes out for two o'clock, the mayor steps forward to begin his speech, playing the usual video for the district, one that everyone over the age of fourteen could recite word for word. Clio waits for the mayor to conclude this speech, eyes trained on her sister's form in the crowd until the man begins to introduce each of the District Two victors. One by one they step forward, waving to the crowd before taking a seat in the chairs lined up at the back of the stage. As Clio sits down and the crowd returns to silence, Xanthe Corvus, District Two's escort, replaces the mayor at the front of the stage, tapping on the grille of the microphone to focus everyone's attention. Her navy blue beehive bounces as she walks and complements her indigo ensemble, dress hanging from one shoulder and extending outwards into an opulent purple balloon made of chiffon and silk. Her giant navy shoes are so tall that even she wobbles slightly while she walks, seemingly defying gravity to reach the bowls. Her smile never falters, wide and beaming and glistening in the sunlight, as her enthusiasm carries throughout the square.

"Hello, my dears." Xanthe says jovially, leaning forward into the microphone with a bend of her knees and clasping her hands in front of her. "May I wish you all a very happy Hunger Games!"

The cheers of the district makes Clio smile a little. Even the smallest of the children standing with their parents at the back of the square move their little hands together to join in the series of claps and cheers as Xanthe moves towards the bowl filled with girl's names. Clio watches from her seat as Xanthe's hand dives into the glass ball, her manicured fingers swirling around the pieces of paper - as if it really mattered when the name read out wouldn't be the girl entering the games, unless it was the volunteer.

Clio doesn't register the name that Xanthe reads out, instead she finds herself counting.

One. Okay, that's normal.

Two. Don't panic.

Three. Shit.

Four. Come on Ebony.

Five.

"I volunteer!" An all too familiar voice calls out of the crowd of girls all packed together to the left side of the stage. Shit. No. Fuck, Clio thinks, making eye contact with her sister and she watches her raise her hand. Out of the corner of her eye, she watches the girl whose name was read aloud let out a held breath before her gaze finds Ebony who stands at the edge of the row at the front of the seventeens and she scowls at her. If looks could kill then District Two's academy would have one less seventeen next week. Xanthe smiles at Clove as she is ushered to the stage, still smiling as she walks up the stairs to join her at the top. Clio's face is pale.

"What's your name, dear?" Xanthe asks expectantly as the attention of the whole central population is focused on the stage.

"Clove Kentwell."

Xanthe gives an over exaggerated reaction as she jumps up and down a little, stumbling a little in her ridiculous heels. She claps as the district cheer at the sound of Clove's voice. "Oh how wonderful, Clio's little sister. If you're anything like her then I'm sure that the odds will be in your favour."

Clio smiles at the crowd, at the praise, well aware that the cameras and their eyes would more than likely have flickered to her when her name was mentioned, and now that Clove has volunteered, she can't betray her sister by looking anything less than pleased. Then she watches Clove, the smile on her face so wide that it looks as though her cheeks could crack before focusing on Xanthe as she moves towards the other bowl. The district quietens down again as her hand fishes around in the bowl again, leaving Xanthe to pull a slip of paper and read a name out.

Ajax Dumont volunteers immediately. His words ring out across the square and all eyes follow his movements as he steps forward from his spot at the back of the crowd with the other eighteens. His expression changes from the excited smile to the usual stoic look; it's clear he's spent hours perfecting it in the mirror. The crowd continues to watch him as he makes the long walk to the stage, all cameras trained on him. When he climbs the stage he joins Xanthe at the front, and stands with his feet shoulder width apart and hands folded behind his back, executing the same posture as most - if not all - of the male volunteers from Two. Clio watches him carefully as he introduces himself to the district, he's large, incredibly muscular and at least six feet tall. She knows him - of course she does - and she knows he's been waiting for his moment for the past three years, beaten to the chance to volunteer by his two best mates; Cato in the seventy-second, and Evander - who she beat to take the crown - last year.

"Wonderful!" Xanthe cheers. "Let's hear it one last time for our District Two volunteers!"

Clio watches as Ajax glances down at Clove with a smirk as they shake hands, but smiles to herself when her sister doesn't falter under his gaze. They both turn to face the crowd, lifting their interlocked hands above their hands and smiling at the crowd as they begin to applaud. The two volunteers shake hands with the mayor, before nodding at Brutus, Enobaria, Cato and finally Clio as they step forwards to stand as their mentors. And then they are ushered off stage by two peacekeepers - who are older graduates of the training centre that Clio vaguely recognises - and into the justice building.

Clove and Ajax are escorted into the rooms where they will say their goodbyes, whilst the other victors all congregate at the front of the building foyer. Clio watches as a few people sit on the solid stone benches either side of the large room, waiting until the one person she wants to see enters the room. Ebony. One of Clove's friends in the academy, and the supposed volunteer. When the tall, black haired girl approaches the bench, Clio ignores the other mentors and seizes the girl by the lace collar of her dress, fingers gripping the fabric with a mixture of anger and urgency. She drags Ebony, who is caught off guard, along to the far wall, the shuffling of their feet against the polished feet mingling with the girl's shouts as Clio shoves her into the wall and presses her hand to her shoulder to keep her in place.

"What the fuck was that?" Clio shouts, face inches away from the other girl's. She's pleased when Ebony blinks in fear, despite being six months older and six inches taller than Clio. "Why'd you hesitate, you coward?"

"I- I didn't - I didn't mean to." Ebony stutters as she tries to defend herself against the victor, attempting to shrug off Clio's hands. "I didn't think she'd actually do it."

"That's the worst lie you've ever told." Clio spits, before Enobaria moves her arms from Ebony's chest, announcing her presence to Clio before grabbing her shoulders and pulling her away from the taller girl. Enobaria drags her down the hallway, nodding her head for Brutus and Cato to follow, until they reach the stairs and Clio turns back over her shoulder with a shout. "I swear, I will make sure you never live to see her crowning glory!"

Enobaria practically drags her down the stairs and into the train car, pushing through the crowd that have gathered during the time the tributes say their goodbyes. Clio lets her, but only since she's not really paying attention - she feels no particular need to just yet. Her mentor, or co-victor Clio supposes, leads her through the train, practically throwing her down in a dining chair and sitting herself at the head of the table. Brutus sits at the opposite end of the table, shaking his head when Cato moves to sit next to his girlfriend and wordlessly persuading him to sit nearest him on the other side. The two older mentors attempt to speak before the sound of the train doors can be heard as they slide open and peacekeepers accompany Clove and Ajax into the dining car. The two of them stare as they step further into the cart, mouths dropped open as they look around. Clio stifles a laugh at the look of amazement on her sister's face because it's the same look that covered hers last year and she knows that Clove has never seen a room as lavishly furnished as this cart - not even her house in Victor's Village has such over the top furniture.

"Both of you sit down." Brutus says, and the two tributes immediately do as he says; Clove slipping into the chair beside her sister and leaving the remaining seat for Ajax. A pair of Avoxes bring the six of them plates, six large plates of lemongrass chicken resting atop a bed of coconut rice and servings of potatoes, vegetables and other complex carbohydrates are placed on the long wooden table. It's certainly nothing like the elaborate feasts Clio has learnt that the outer, poorer districts receive, those who need to eat a few good meals to survive even a day in the arena, but it's a good large meal that will focus on keeping their protein intake high.

As they eat, Enobaria clears her throat and speaks up, directing her words at Clove. "Who in fuck's name gave you the authority to volunteer? This was not your year, Clove."

Clove simply shrugs, pushing another forkful of rice into her mouth. "Clio did."

All eyes flick to Clio. "I did not."

Enobaria pinches the bridge of her nose between two fingers and narrows her eyes at the two sisters. "Clio. Please tell me you didn't."

"She did." Clove pipes up, smiling behind her fork. "Ask Cato. He was there too."

"Oh you're evil, Clover." Cato groans, trying his best to ignore Enobaria's glare. "But I believe Clio's words were fucking forget it, you're too young."

"But you would say that, Cato." Clove rolls her eyes. "You have three working brain cells on a good day but somehow you can remember Clio's exact words this morning, sure."

"I remember everything she says to–"

"Alright, everyone shut up!" Brutus slams his hand on the table to command the attention of the room. "There's nothing we can do about it now, so we'll just have to do what we can to appease the victor affairs division since they've already been busy briefing our most reliable sponsors for the partnership between Ajax and Ebony."

Enobaria points towards Clio and Cato. "We'll deal with the two of you later and I hope you know that you've both earned yourselves the grunt work."

As the couple begin to protest, the door to the dining car swooshes open and Xanthe enters, her brow wrinkled with worry as she watches something on a tablet embossed with the seal of District Two. While the two tributes continue eating their last course, the four mentors look up at the interruption and once they take in the distorted look on the usually overly perky escort they realise something is clearly wrong. Enobaria is the first to ask her. "Is something wrong, Xanthe?"

Xanthe glances down at the tablet in her hands, and looks as though she can't form the words. When Enobaria raises an eyebrow at her, the escort swallows heavily. "The live reapings have just finished and there's something you should see. Come, the recaps are starting."

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