A tad late with this reply. Aaah, RL, how I hate thee sometimes!
but I do think that John is the kind of man who, for all that he is used to and expects Dean to come to heel, still sees and is proud of the man that Dean grew to become. I do see him understatedly and subtly letting out Dean's leash
Absolutely. John was a bright guy and as much as he expected obedience, I don't believe it was the blind version Sam perceived in his rebellion.
And from a simplistic POV, I simply don't envision the man who called Sam "kiddo" and Dean "dude" as a drill sergeant 24/7. In John's speech to Dean during IMToD, he was guilt-laden, grieving and proud so, just because he referred to himself that way doesn't mean he should be indicted as always being that way. They had moments of lightness - I'm sure of it. I can't imagine any of them surviving with so much humanity without it.
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branchandroot
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Date: 2008-08-26 03:54 am (UTC)Absolutely. John was a bright guy and as much as he expected obedience, I don't believe it was the blind version Sam perceived in his rebellion.
And from a simplistic POV, I simply don't envision the man who called Sam "kiddo" and Dean "dude" as a drill sergeant 24/7. In John's speech to Dean during IMToD, he was guilt-laden, grieving and proud so, just because he referred to himself that way doesn't mean he should be indicted as always being that way. They had moments of lightness - I'm sure of it. I can't imagine any of them surviving with so much humanity without it.