I was really hoping that someone would have a theory for the flags (and possibly also the ‘America’ sign seen when the boys leave the Conjurarium) as we really don’t see them often in the show.

I forgot about the “America” sign! Thanks for mentioning it, hugemind.

You’re definitely not wrong to think Freedom and Liberty and yes those should bring with them connotations of Strength and Hope. Liberty was the motel name so it was certainly an intended connection. Another thing this show does so well is foreshadow so that it’s not always obvious until you look back for it. The previous episode, 5.05 Fallen Idols, had that scene of Sam having his stare-down with Abraham Lincoln, the Great Emancipator.

(Also in the wax museum, there was specific mention made of Franklin D Roosevelt, the president who guided the US out of the Great Depression and through WWII. I’d love to see that become foreshadowing!)

I wrote about thinking of “allegiance” in connection with the flags. That was because of our Pledge of Allegiance [to the flag] recited daily in many schools. LOYALTY is such a Dean characteristic and one I admire most in him.

Yes! Yes, yes! I meant to include a reference to that somewhere, but never managed it. That Tibetan thought form and its morphing and being influenced according to the prevailing beliefs is right in line with the kind of thing I’m imagining.

I’m absolutely in love with the idea that something from years ago in a one shot comedy episode may in fact have been designed to establish early foundations for a expanding but consistent universe.

Who’s to say this isn’t someone outside it all relating the story of Sam and Dean, or a bunch of someones? All tales told change according to the storyteller.

I get uncomfortable with some of the possibilities that come with this kind of speculating. I start playing around with how far it might be taken and don’t know where to stop. Some directions get extremely scary and depressing.

I cannot bear anything except a happy ending for the Winchester brothers. Hear me, Kripke? Neither of them can die!

Anyway, I loved reading your meta here. I adore it when talented writers like yourself come up with such wonderful concepts for colors, concepts, ongoing themes, etc. It proves how much depth SUPERNATURAL has, and what an excellent show it is.

I agree. If anyone deserves a little peace (and happiness!) when they are done….

Thanks for the kind words, Robin. I’m pleased you took the time to share your thoughts.

I was really hoping that someone would have a theory for the flags (and possibly also the ‘America’ sign seen when the boys leave the Conjurarium) as we really don’t see them often in the show.

Remember the Tulpa from “Hell House”? The creature that became whatever people imagined it would be? The urban legend that changed like a game of Telephone?

Who’s to say this isn’t someone outside it all relating the story of Sam and Dean, or a bunch of someones? All tales told change according to the storyteller.

I cannot bear anything except a happy ending for the Winchester brothers. Hear me, Kripke? Neither of them can die!

Anyway, I loved reading your meta here. I adore it when talented writers like yourself come up with such wonderful concepts for colors, concepts, ongoing themes, etc. It proves how much depth SUPERNATURAL has, and what an excellent show it is.

BRAVO!

Love, Robin

I’ve thought of it as akin to Dream a Little Dream of Me where more than one player is experiencing and affecting events occurring on another plane. In my opinion, it’s not a reset if here’s true danger and shared, lasting consequences resulting from actual choices. The astral projection of 4.15 Death Takes a Holiday had that same quality. We’ve certainly had Lucifer making it clear that his dream visits were/are REAL.

The idea of characters not fully understanding their part a story is nothing new to Supernatural. Remember Roadkill’s Molly from S2? I think the show, by introducing Chuck writing about the boys in S4, revealed the Winchesters as being in a similar position. That’s especially true when they go the next step of pointing out when Dean or Castiel decide to veer from prophecy to make “it” up. Then they go on to canonize fanfiction?? (Is that an oxymoron?)

There are just so many little things I’ll be soooo much more satisfied by if they aren’t just coincidences. What if Sam deciding something was “missed” and re-doing that autopsy in 5.05 was a way to get a new clue to move a story at a stalemate? Isn’t that like Dean deciding that he’d go back to the crypt and look again when he was at a dead end in Jump the Shark? What if the boys were subconsciously(?) responsible for creating what they found? Hell, what if Dean being saved from the shapeshifter Dracula by the pizza delivery was a bit of character created story rather than just an awesome Edlund touch?

(It’s also possible I’m in love with this show enough to fall for making patterns out of red herrings.)

And as for your theory about belief shaping reality, even without conscious thought — wow, what if the Show were really going there? On the one hand I think that would be an awesome twist, if the brothers could channel that power together and use it. On the other hand, I’m afraid it might be too pat, end up like the shower scene in Dallas. Oh, Show has backed the guys into an apocalyptic corner? It’s okay, we’ll just wish it away. But you’ve given me something to think about and no, I haven’t seen this discussed anywhere else. I’ll try to let you know if I do.