katierose295 Reviews

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Homecoming (1998) Season 3, Episode 5

Enter the Mayor

[7/10 · 14 October 2008]

Big Bad for Big Bad, they just don't come any funner than Mayor Richard Wilkins. For the rest of the season, his polite brand of villainy will take Sunnydale by storm. The Mayor's a germ-phobic, milk-loving, sociopath who is just so gosh-darn entertaining that you can't help but sort of vote for him. He's a real nice guy, he's just... well... evil. His appearance in "Homecoming" marks the beginning of his reign as season three's antagonist and it's worth watching the episode just to see him. The Mayor will play a bigger and bigger role as the season rolls along, so his introduction in this episode is an important glimpse of things to come.

"Homecoming" revolves around Sunnydale High's homecoming dance. Cordy is running for homecoming queen and, of course, expects to win. Buffy, meanwhile, is feeling invisible. After her new boyfriend dumps her and she misses getting her photo taken for the year book, she's determined to prove that she's a part of Sunnydale High. She tosses her tiara into the Homecoming queen ring, too. This immediately starts problems in the Scoobie ranks, as both Buffy and Cordy think that everyone should be on their side.

Willow and Xander have problems of their own. A formal wear induced fluke has left them sort of attracted to each other. Their post-kissing guilt leads them to over compensate and help Cordy's cause. Then, feeling guilty over THAT, they decide to try and mend fences by leaving Cordy and Buffy alone in the Homecoming limo to work out their differences.

Unfortunately, it's also Slayer Fest '98. Mr. Trick has helped to organize the event, which is basically a hunting expedition for demons and people who want to bag a Slayer. Lyle Gorch, last seen in season two's 'Bad Eggs,' is back with his bride to join in the fun. Thinking that Cordelia and Buffy are really Faith and Buffy, a team of hunters waylays the limo and attacks. Buffy and Cordy have to work together to escape the hunters and make it to the homecoming dance.

There are some good parts to this episode. I love the class photos. Xander's "Hey, there" leer, Cordy's prom queen smile, Willow's puzzled droop... Too funny. And I continue to enjoy Mr. Trick. The guy's a great addition to the cast. And Faith confronting Scott on Buffy's behalf with the snarky "Good news, Honey, the doctor says that the itchy, swollen rash will disappear if we just use the cream" is hilarious. As for Willow and Xander's kiss, I kind of like them together. I think Xander's right. When everything else is long gone, it'll be Xander and Willow side by side in a nursing home somewhere. They are the most important people in each other lives and always will be.

On the downside, couldn't Buffy be a little more interested in and supportive of Angel? I mean... Geez! The poor guy spent hundreds of years rotting in a hell dimension and all Buffy can do is prattle on about how she needs the stability of her new boyfriend, Scott. She leaves Angel all alone in that mansion, like it was HIS fault that he lost his soul and killed all those people last season. You have to laugh when Scott dumps her. Serves Buffy right. Yes, I know, I'm biased, because I love Angel, but still... He looks so sad.

My favorite part of the episode: The "tie" for homecoming queen at the end. For a second, I thought the episode was going to do some kind of cop-out, "you're both winners!" deal. But, it totally surprised me and still remained true to the show. Very fun.

Supernatural: Hunted (2007) Season 2, Episode 10

Sam Learns the Truth About John's Final Words

[8/10 · 21 March 2008]

This episode is important for several reasons. 1) It establishes that there is a demon war coming and that the psychic kids will play a part in it. 2)It introduces the character of Ava, who will come up again. 3) It brings Gordon back on the canvas. 4)Sam finally admits that he is Hunting because he thinks its making a real difference in the world. 5)It reveals what John told Dean in "In My Time of Dying": Dean must either save Sam or kill him. This is an important episode and you really can't skip it.

"Hunted" revolved around Sam finally learning about John's dying words back in "In My Time of Dying." Apparently having some idea of Sam's destiny, John told Dean that one day he'd have to either save Dean or kill his brother. Dean is confused by what his father meant by that, and why Sam's immune to the "Croatoan" demon virus and how his visions are connected to the Yellow Eyed Demon. Dean thinks that they should lay low. Sam disagrees. Angry and scared he takes off for the Roadhouse leaving Dean behind. While he's there, he gets Ash to find out more about the psychic kids. It turns out one has been killed recently and Sam heads off to investigate.

Sam soon meets up with a girl named Ava, who says that she has visions of people's death, just like Sam. She's seen Sam being blown-up. She and Sam begin investigating the other psychic guy's death. Dean arrives in town, just in time to stop Gordon from killing Sam. Gordon kidnaps Dean and explains that he's on a new mission. He's heard of a coming war between humans and demons. The psychic kids are suppose to be helping the demon side. Gordon tries to trick Sam into triggering an explosive device, but thanks to Ava's warning, Sam survives. He and Dean escape Gordon and call the police so Gordon is arrested. Dean says that they should lay low, especially when they learn that someone at the Roadhouse tipped off Gordon. But, Sam insists that he's committed to Hunting now and that what the brothers do makes a difference in the world. Meanwhile, Ava vanishes and her fiancé is killed. The boys find traces of sulfur at her apartment and think she might have been taken by demons.

There are some good parts to this episode. I like the scene with Sam & Dean discussing John. Dean is trying to explain things to Sam, but all Sam can hear is that he might go evil. I think Sam knows that Dean will try to shield him and that the only way he'll ever get any real answers is to go out looking for them. Otherwise he could one day just wake up "darkside" and hurt his brother. It's an interesting. And I like Ava. She's such a cute, funny little thing in this episode. She and Sam are actually a good team, as they investigate the case. Her line, "Can't you just leave town before you blow up?" just makes me laugh. And I always like Gordon. He's such a good villain because he BELIEVES what he's doing. When Dean attacks him in a blind rage, punching Gordon and the two of them fight on the rooftop it's really cool. The phone call where Dean tips Sam off with the code word "Funky Town" is perfect. And I like the trip wires going off as Sam breaks into the abandoned house. Dean's panic as he thinks that Sam has been killed is incredible. When Sam comes into untie him, Dean just grabs at his brother, checking him for injuries and immediately heading into kill Gordon. But, Dean leaves the house when Sam asks him to, because he trust his brother's judgment. It's sweet.

One interesting feature of this episode is the question that Gordon poses to Dean. Gordon is convinced that Sam is evil. An unclean Anti-Christ type figure. He's convinced that he's right in his quest to kill Sam. Gordon can sort of understand Dean's hesitance to get on-board with the "lets-kill-Sammy" plan, seeing as Sam's his brother. But he also thinks that, as a professional Hunter, Dean should be able to understand the bigger issues here. He sees Dean as blinded by emotion. So Gordon asks what Dean thinks John would have done. If Sammy went evil, if John could stop him, would he shoot his own son? It's an interesting question. John seems to have told Dean to do just that in "In My Time of Dying." But, realistically, John HAD to know that Dean would NEVER shoot Sam. Not for any reason. No matter what. Before John told Dean that he might have to kill Sam one day, he started crying and telling Dean that Dean was the one who'd kept the family together. ("You took care of me, you took care of Sammy...") And that was also just hours after the events of "Devil's Trap," where John heard Dean begging Sam to not shoot John, stopping Sam from killing the YED once and for all. So in "In My Time of Dying," could John have really BELIEVED that Dean would kill Sam if it came down to the line? Did he really WANT Dean to? Could John have done it himself? I just don't know.

On the down side, we never do get any resolution on how Gordon got the information on Sam from the Roadhouse.

My favorite part of the episode: Ava at the psychiatrist's office, acting as a distraction for Sam. "I just remembered that when I was a kid, I ate like 6 things of Pop-Rocks and then drank a whole can of soda! You don't think that counts as a suicide attempt, do you?"

Supernatural: Croatoan (2006) Season 2, Episode 9

A Nice Episode for the Brothers Relationship

[9/10 · 21 March 2008]

I really enjoy this episode. It doesn't offer a lot of answers of give any real resolution, but I'm okay with that. It's just a cool episode with a lot of scary scenes and nice moments between the brothers. "Croatoan" also shows how much pressure Dean is under. His suicidal mind set and questionable decisions are very apparent as the boys try to deal with the demonic virus. Dean also begins to tell Sam the truth about what John whispered to him in "In My Time of Dying" in this episode, but the full reveal will come out in "Hunted." All in all, "Croatoan" isn't vital to the story arc, but you should still give it a chance if you're watching on DVD.

"Craotoan" revolves around Sam getting a vision about Dean shooting someone. He's worried because Dean's been so edgy lately and his visions always have something to do with the Yellow Eyed Demon. He and Dean off to investigate the location of the shooting. It's an isolated Oregon town, where people are acting strangely. The word Croatoan is carved into a telephone pole. Sam points out that the same word was left in a tree after the Roanoke Colony disappeared. (Well, first he had to remind Dean that history class, wasn't the "How Bills Become Laws" segment of "School House Rock.) Then the brothers find the house of the guy that Sam saw Dean shoot in the vision. When they arrive, he's not home and his family is acting crazy. They've attacked the mother, pouring their blood into her wounds. Dean shoots the father, but the other son gets away because Sam can't kill him.

The boys take the woman to the local doctor's office. The entire town is going nuts. Road blocks are set up, keeping people inside the town limits. The phone don't work and the citizens are all attacking each other. They have a demonic virus. The mother is infected, too and Dean shoots her. The only uninfected people left, besides the boys, are a ex-marine Sargent, the doctor, nurse and possibly Dwayne. He shows up after and Dean can't bring himself to shoot him. (After a little guilt tripping from Sam.) Unfortunately, the nurse is infected and she bleeds on Sam. Dean won't let the others hurt his brother, but he tells them to leave in the Impala. But, the infected people have vanished and Sam seems to be immune to the virus. The boys leave town with more questions than answers. Dean begins to tell Sam about John's dying words. Meanwhile, Dwayne turns out to be a demon. He kills the Sarge and communicates with someone, telling them that Sam is immune.

There are some good parts to this episode. I like Dean driving the Impala away from the road block. It looks cool, swerving along the road. And I enjoy the car trip he and the Sarge have to take back to the doctors office, the two of them holding guns on each other. And when the Sarge complains that his neighbor, "Mr. Rogers" tries to kill him, Dean responds, "You got a neighbor named Mr. Rogers?" Sarges reply, "Not anymore," just makes me laugh. And I like the scene where Dwayne arrives at the doctor's office and demands to know where his parents are. Since Dean has killed both his mom and his dad already that day, it's pretty funny when Dean looks at Sam and mutters, "Awkward." I really love brothers talk together after Sam is infected. Dean just sits down across from him and refuses to go. Sam's begging him to leave, but without Sam, Dean doesn't really have anything to live for anyway. He just gives up. Explaining how tired he is and how he doesn't want to go on. He even gives the Impala to the others, which is a huge deal for poor Dean. Then at the end of the episode, he finally breaks down and starts to tell Sam the truth about what John whispered to him in "In My Time of Dying." His speech about how they should just take a break and visit the Grand Canyon is really beautiful. It's a great episode for their relationship.

On the down side, didn't Sam's vision GET someone killed in this episode? If Dean had just shot Dwayne, then the Sarge would still be alive. On the other hand, I'm still not sure if Dean should have killed the infected mother. I understand why he did it, especially since Sam was in the doctors office and Dean's a shoot first and ask questions later kinna guy when it comes to Sammy. But, it seems sort of harsh. It is cute that he looks to Sam for verification that she's one of them before he actually fires, though. Dean trusts Sam's judgment, which is why he doesn't shoot Dwayne. Dean's still spinning out of control, so I just don't know what the right thing to do was. It's complicated. Also, I'm confused about what Sam was being tested for. And was the Yellow Eyed Demon behind it? Doesn't he already know Sam is one of the psychic kids?

My favorite part of the episode: Dean pulling a gun on the Sarge and Dwayne when the threaten to hurt Sam. He's been complaining all episode that Sam needs to be more hard hearted and that the infected people aren't humans but "its." Yet, the second they move towards Sammy, Dean's threatening to kill every one of them. Well, not threatening so much as promising, his, "You make a move on him and you'll be dead before you hit the ground, you understand me?!" seems pretty much like a vow. It's a brilliant scene that shows how willing Dean is to abandon his black/white, good/evil ideas where his little brother is concerned.

Supernatural: Crossroad Blues (2006) Season 2, Episode 8

A VERY Important Episode

[8/10 · 21 March 2008]

This is a very important episode that sets up a lot of the story arc this season and beyond. It explains how Cross Road's Deals work and establishes how tempted Dean is to do something crazy to put the world "right again." He doesn't think he should be alive, and he REALLY wants to "fix" things somehow. Dean is on the ragged edge of control and "Cross Road's Blues" illustrates how unstable he can be. All in all, you really need to see this episode if you're watching the season on DVD.

"Cross Roads Blues" revolves around people selling their souls to demons for personal gain. Using the legend of Robert Johnson, the episode lays out a back story where people can make pacts with demons at cross roads. In exchange for their souls, they get to live 10 years and have a wish granted. Well, ten years are up for a lot of people in one town and Hell Hounds have arrived to drag them off. Sam & Dean have to try and stop the contracts from being fulfilled. Dean is annoyed, though, because he feels the people brought it all on themselves. The deal John made to save him is still weighing on Dean.

A famous architect and doctor are killed. A talent painter is next, but he refuses to let they boys assist him, saying he brought it all on himself. The other possible victim is an ordinary husband, named Evan, who sold his soul so his wife would live. Even Dean feels bad for him, but not bad enough to NOT yell at him for his selfishness. While Sam protects the guy from Hell Hounds, Dean goes to summon the Cross Roads Demon. He traps her and makes a deal to let her go free if she lets Evan out of his deal. She agrees but she also offers Dean a deal. She'll bring John back if he gives her his soul. Dean refuses, but he's tempted.

There are some good parts to this episode. The melt-y faces that victims see on other people before the Hell Hounds arrive are really creepy. And I like the invisible Hell Hound attack, with the claw marks in the floor. Very cool. Also, it's pretty funny when Dean grumbles that the artist guy's apartment isn't "next on MTV Cribs" material. Dean's annoyance over the Cross Roads deals is very well done this whole episode. He's angry over the selfish deals that other people make. Even as he's tempted to make one himself to get John back. He's bitter about John making the deal for him. He's been acting crazy for awhile now and the idea of John giving up his soul to save his life just eats at Dean. He doesn't think he deserves it. His feelings play right into "All Hell Breaks Loose" and the decision he makes. I also like Dean trapping the Cross Road's Demon. It's pretty clever.

This episode is all about recognition. People doing things so their "lives will mean something." People focused on being famous or rich or talented. Even Sam is annoyed that he's not wanted by the FBI, and getting his recognition. The doctor wanting recognition as the youngest chief of staff. The architect getting recognition in all those magazines. The artist complaining that he he should have asked for fame rather than talent. Even the Cross Roads Demon saying that she wanted to be the one to take John's soul and torture Dean. Evan is the only one who acted without wanting recognition, but his actions -as Dean points out- were also selfish. He'd rather his wife live without him than have to live without HER. Giving your life for someone else is established as wrong in this episode. Selfish and a way to make your own life worth something, without considering the feelings of the person you'll leave behind. That'll come into play again, so it's cool they establish it all here.

On the down side, did the brothers find a way to save the artist guy, too? I hope so, because I felt bad for him.

My favorite part of the episode: Dean's happy assertion that he's now wanted by the FBI. "Dude, I'm like Dillinger!" That's just the perfect criminal for Dean to identify with, since Dillinger was all about being charming and daring in his "work." Plus, Sam pouting that they he's not in the FBI database, too, is just funny.

Supernatural: The Usual Suspects (2006) Season 2, Episode 7

Sam & Dean get Arrested

[8/10 · 21 March 2008]

This episode builds off of the season one episode, "Skin" where a shape shifter frames Dean for murder. This is actually a neat episode, in that it's constructed so a lot of it is in flashback. It opens with Dean in custody, Sam being arrested and the murders already in progress. Then the case has to unfold both forward and backwards. It's cool. Anyway, this isn't vital for the story arc this season, since they'll be another, more important law enforcement episode later ("Nightshifter.") But, "The Usual Suspects" a fun episode and I recommend that you give it a shot.

"The Usual Suspects" revolves around Sam & Dean being arrested for murder. While investigating a case, Dean is caught by the police standing over a dead woman. They think that she's been killed by a vengeful spirit. Just as he husband had days before. Dean & Sam are soon being interrogated by the cops, separated but sticking to their story of being "old family friends" of the victims. They're also trying to investigate their case. The name Dana Shulps keeps appearing on computers and other stuff at the scenes of the deaths. Dean finally figures out that the name is an anagram for Ashland, which happens to be the name of a street. Sam escapes to go investigate the address.

Meanwhile, the police woman investigating the case beings to see the spirit herself. Relucatantly buying into Dean's story that there a vengeful spirit at work. Dean sends her to Sam, and soon the two of them discover that the vengeful spirit is a missing woman who used to deal drugs. They find her body in a warehouse on Ashland street. (The extra letters the first part of the word "supply company.") Anyway, it turns out that the police woman's partner/boyfriend is behind all the killings. The ghost is really a death omen. The cop tries to kill Dean so Dean will take the blame for the murders, but Sam, the police woman and the ghost save the day. They police woman lets Dean & Sam go.

On a side note, I like Sam's continuing assertion that he and Dean are on a "road trip." It fits in with the characters being named for Sal Paradise and Dean Moriarity from "On the Road" by Jack Kerouac. A book about journey rather than destination and young men searching for a vision of the future on the back roads of America. It's cool.

There are some fun parts to this episode. I like Sam being questioned by the police. There's a voice over of him lying, while the action shows what's really going on. "She gave us the key!" he insists, while we see Dean picking a lock. And when the police woman questions his about his "road trip" with Dean, Sam declares that they just saw the second largest ball of string in America. "It was awesome." It's just hilarious. And the scene where Dean sits there bored and making clicking sounds with his tongue is just perfect. "Dude, really?" Sam finally snaps. Just a great little moment. It's also funny that both brothers call their Public Defender "Matlock." Yep, they really are brothers. And Dean's confession is hilarious, going something like "My name is Dean Winchester. I an Aquarius. I enjoy long walks on the beach and frisky women." Then he explains that it was a vengeful spirit who killed the women and the murder in St. Louis was committed by "shape shifter who just looked like me." Then he gives this completely smart-ass smile that cracks me up.

On the down side, the brothers are separated for a lot of this episode. I think they're always best in scenes together.

My favorite part of the episode: The brothers walking away at the end. Just something about the way Sam playfully shoves Dean is so cute.

Supernatural: Simon Said (2006) Season 2, Episode 5

Sam Learns More About His Powers

[9/10 · 20 March 2008]

Ever since "Nightmare" in season one, Sam's been worried about going evil. The Yellow Eyed Demon told Sam that he had plans for Sam and "all the children like him" back in "Devil's Trap" and in "Simon Said," Sam learns a little bit more about what that means. This is an important episode for the story arc this season. It introduces Andy, who will appear again. It establishes that the YED has a connection to an untold number of children like Sam, all of whom have psychic powers. Some of the kids are also dangerous, as the YED gets to them in their dreams and twists their thoughts. (It's never really said why the YED talks to some kids in their sleep for the entire time after their powers awaken, but waits until AHBL for others. If I had to guess, I'd say that he's been trying to get into all of their heads the whole time, but some of them -like Sam- have been strong enough to keep them out.) Anyway, "Simon Said," also reveals that Dean's scared for Sam. Even if he tries to hide it, he's worried about his brother's powers. All in all, you should see this episode if you're watching the show on DVD.

"Simon Said" revolves around another kid with psychic powers who might possibly be killing people. Sam gets a vision of a man entering a gun store and calmly shooting people for no reason. Sam insist that they go to the Roadhouse to get Ash's help in finding out where the guy is. Dean isn't thrilled, especially when they come up with a suspect whose mother died in a nursery fire 23 years before, just like Mary. The brothers soon track down their suspect, a guy named Andy, who has the power to control people with his voice. He just says something and they do it. Dean keeps insisting that they need to keep an open mind about Andy. But Sam is convinced that Andy's evil and that it's only a matter of time before Sam also turns evil and starts murdering people, too.

It turns out that Andy's innocent, though. He has a twin brother who he's never met and that guy's behind the killings. He's picking off the people who've kept him and Andy apart. His next victim is Andy's girlfriend. He and Andy get into a "mind control" fight. Poor Sam gets knocked out. The evil twin almost gets Dean to shoot himself. But in the end, Andy kills his brother and saves the day. Sam and Dean leave town again, but Sam still isn't reassured about all kids with powers. He's worried about what it means to him and what will happen if the powers are a precursor of evil.

There are some great parts to this episode. I really like Andy. He uses his powers to wander around town in a bathrobe, talking people out of their coffee and dodging debt collector. He just really cute. And I just have to laugh when Andy talks Dean in to giving him the Impala. Sam's expression as he sees Andy driving it down the street is priceless. And Dean's explanation that Andy "Full on Obi Wan-ed me!" cracks me up. The look of concentration on Dean's face as he tries to stop himself from agreeing to Andy's mind control is hilarious. Sam's immune so he gives Dean this mystified, "Dude, what are you DOING?" sort of look and Dean can just helplessly shrug. Dean is usual pretty resistant to supernatural-ly stuff like that so it seemed to freak them both out. And I just have to laugh at Andy's ridiculous van. The Viking queen riding the polar bear just isn't doing it for me, no matter how impressed Dean is with the design. Finally, Dean signing RAO Speedwagon just makes me laugh.

I like Dean dealing with Sam's powers in this episode. He REALLY doesn't want to tell the Roadhouse crew about Sam. He worries about what the other Hunters will do if they learn that Sammy has a connection to the Demon. Even when Sam explains everything to Ellen, Dean just sits there watching Ellen closely as if daring her to say one critical thing to his brother. And Dean himself is starting to fear for Sam. (Thanks in part to John's whispered comments back in "In My Time of Dying," which will come out in "Hunted.") Dean argues again and again that Andy couldn't have been hurting anyone. (Leading to one of my favorite Sam responses ever, "Dude, the doctor was mind-controlled in front of a bus. Andy just happens to have the power of mind-control.") But when Andy uses his mind control on Dean all of Dean's secret thoughts come pouring out. How scared he is that something evil might be growing inside of his brother. Of course, after that Dean calls for a "Do over," but Sam still hears all of Dean's fears and he continues to worry about what's happening to him. But, Dean isn't scared OF Sam. He's scared FOR Sam. Which is a distinction that I think Sam is missing.

On the down side, and this is more of a question, wouldn't there only be nursery fires if the mom interrupted the YED in his late night visit? I don't see why this is so surprising for the boys. Mary only died and there was only a fire, because something went wrong. If everything went right, which it normally would, then there'd be no trace of the YED in the house, at all. It only makes sense, right? Also, I wish Andy's girlfriend had been a little bit more understanding at the end,

My favorite part of the episode: Andy discovering that he has a brother who's been stalking him and killing people. "I have...An evil...Twin..." It just cracks me up.

Supernatural: No Exit (2006) Season 2, Episode 6

Not the Best Episodes

[6/10 · 20 March 2008]

I actually wrote my master's thesis on World's Fairs, so the true crime book, "Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson was pretty much required reading. The book is all about the juxtaposition of a rash of urban serial killings in Chicago, with the artificial splendor of the 1893 World's Fair. H. H. Holmes was the serial killer in the book and I actually like the idea of basing an episode around him. He was a human monster, who would make an excellent ghost for the boys to fight. "No Exit" is just not a great episode, though. It just never comes together. If you're interested in Jo's storyline, you might want to give it a shot, since she's in it a lot. And it does set up her anger with the brothers in the better episode to come, "Born Under a Bad Sign." However, if you don't care about Jo, then you could probably skip it and not miss much.

"No Exit" revolves around Jo. She wants to investigate killings in Philadelphia and Ellen is trying to stop her. Ellen gives the case to Dean & Sam instead. It seems that women are mysteriously disappearing from an apartment building. Jo follows the boys to Philly, where they soon discover that the ghost of H. H. Holmes is at work in the building. Holmes was America's first serial killer and soon he's kidnapped Jo. Sam & Dean have to save her from Holmes. Then they trap Holmes in a ring of salt in the sewer and cement him in. Meanwhile, Ellen is furious at Jo and the boys. She tells Jo that Jo's father died because of John. They were both Hunters and John used him as bait on a case they were working. Something went wrong and Jo's dad died. Jo takes her anger out on Dean and tells him to go away.

There are some good parts to this episode. I really like the ectoplasm in the building. Or, more specifically, I enjoy Dean's reaction to it. "Sam, I know what we're dealing with here. It's the StayPuf Marshmallow Man." It cracks me up. And I like Dean's ring tone playing "Smoke on the Water." It's a nice touch. And I enjoy his fearful respect of Ellen. She kinna scares him a little, especially when she calls asking where Jo is and Dean has to deliver the encouraging news that, "Look, we'll get her back, alright?" And the scene of them all driving together in the Impala is just so uncomfortable and perfect. But, at the same time, Dean tries to tell Jo that she should appreciate her mother more. It's a nice way to show how Dean misses his parents and how he never had someone to try and stop him from doing a dangerous job. He even tells Jo that he never really had choice about Hunting and now he can't do anything else. Even if he loves the job, he's trapped in it and doesn't see an exit.

On the down side, it's still hard for me to warm up to Jo. She just seems too try to hard. I really like the show best when it's just the two brothers hunting together. Poor Sam spends a lot of this episode getting coffee and doing stuff on screen. And Jo's reaction to Ellen's story is just ridiculous in my opinion. Why are Sam & Dean to blame for something their father did years before? They never even met Jo's dad. It's just out of line to take it out on them. Also, anyone who's ever watch the History Channel knows that photo of the murder victim shown in this episode is one of the women Jack the Ripper killed, not a H.H. Holmes victim.

My favorite part of the episode: The "Nebraska is for Lovers" t-shirt wearing tourists who wander into the Roadhouse while Sam & Dean are refereeing Jo & Ellen's screaming match. "We'll just try the Arby's down the road."

Supernatural: Children Shouldn't Play with Dead Things (2006) Season 2, Episode 4

Sam & Dean Battle a Zombie

[8/10 · 20 March 2008]

This is an episode that builds off of Dean's grief over John's death and sets-up a lot of stuff for the season finale and season three. Dean's emotions come to a head in "Children Shouldn't Play with Death Things." Where he finally admits that he believes that John traded his life and the Colt to the YED in order to bring Dean back. The guilt from that is eating Dean alive. All in all, this is a good episode that uses the monster-of-the-week to tell a deeper story about the characters. You shouldn't skip this episode if you're watching the season on DVD.

"Children Shouldn't Play with Dead Things" revolves around a zombie girl named Angel, coming back from the dead and killing people. Sam & Dean come to town to visit Mary's grave. Well, Sam wants to visit it, Dean insists that it's a waste of time since Mary isn't even buried there. It's just a marker. Still, he goes along with Sam and while he's in the cemetery, he notices that the earth around one of the graves is all dry and dead. He's instantly suspicious that something supernatural is going on. Sam thinks Dean's just looking for a way to distract himself from his own grief.

Dean ignores his brother's skepticism and investigates the grave. It turns out that a girl, Angela, died in a car accident and was brought back by her dorky friend. He had a crush on her and didn't realize that bringing her back would mean she'd be evil. Angela kills her old boyfriend who cheated on her and then goes after her roommate who he cheated with. Sam and Dean have to stop her. The only problem is, there's so much zombie lore out there that they're not sure what will work. They try some different stuff, (Luckily not the feeding her heart to wild dogs thing, though.) They finally end up staking her into her casket, which seems to work, but Sam breaks his hand in the fight. (Dean says he's too fragile.) After the leave, Dean finally opens up to Sam about how guilty he feels over John dying and how he know that John gave up his life to save Dean.

There are some good parts to this episode. I really enjoy Dean summing up Neal's feelings for Angela as "unrequited Ducky love." And when he confronts Angela's father because Dean thinks that he's the one who's brought her back he ends up shouting "Haven't you seen 'Pet Semetary?'!" It makes me laugh. And I like the beginning of the episode, where Dean won't even let Sam out of his sight for one night. He'd rather go to visit Mary's grave, which he REALLY doesn't want to do, than be separated from his brother even temporarily. He's so cute when he's over protective. I also like how committed Dean is to investigating this case as an outlet for his pain. Sam keeps trying to talk to him about his emotions, which just makes Dean angrier. Then, at the end of the episode, Dean finally breaks down and tells Sam how horrible he feels. He's blaming himself for John's death. Sam and John are the only people Dean has in the world and having John sacrifice himself like that is tearing Dean apart.

I like Dean's dread of the grave yard, too. He can't get near Mary's grave, his eyes linger on a tombstone dedicated to someone's "loving father," he'd rather focus on anything than the death of his parents. Dean's obsession with Angela is all about himself. He keeps repeating that, "What's dead should stay dead." As the episode moves along, it becomes clear that he isn't talking about the zombie. It's all about how John shouldn't have saved him. Dean feels John's choice was wrong and not something that Dean would ever have wanted his father to do, no matter how selfless John's motives. This also ties in with "All Hell Breaks Loose" later in the season. Where Dean's convictions are shaken to their core and he has to make some impossible decisions of his own.

On the down side, Sam really could have said something at the end to make Dean feel better. How about, "It was dad's choice and he wanted you to live more than anything, Dean." Plus, that might have had some interesting connections down the road, too, especially in season three.

My favorite part of the episode: Dean breaking into Neal's house and calling, "Neal! It's your grief counselors. We're here to hug!" Then he pulls out a gun.

Supernatural: Bloodlust (2006) Season 2, Episode 3

Enter Gordon

[8/10 · 19 March 2008]

This is the episode that introduces Gordon Walker, who will show up again in episodes to come. Gordon is a man dedicated to the extinction of evil and unable to see the shades of gray. There's human & non-humans in Gordon's world and anything that's non-human should just be killed. Or tortured and THEN killed. Gordon's really great character who I just love to hate. "Bloodlust" also continues to show Dean's downward spiral after losing their father. He isn't thinking straight and he's spoiling for a fight. All in all, this is a good episode that's incredibly important for the Gordon storyline, so you really do need to see it.

"Bloodlust" revolves around a nest of vampires. Sam & Dean come to town to investigate cattle mutilations and are surprised to find a nest of vampires at work. They're even more surprised to find another Hunter in the area, Gordon Walker, who specializes in vampires. He and Dean bond over decapitating a vampire and soon they're all having drinks. Sam isn't happy. He thinks that Gordon brings out the worse in Dean and that Dean is just latching onto Gordon because of John's death. Dean disagrees with that by punching Sam in the face.

Also a problem, the vampires aren't evil. They've actually given up drinking human blood and they're kinna upset that Hunters keep trying to kill them The kidnap Sam and try to reason with him. Sam believes them, but Gordon doesn't. He captures the vampire leader, Lenore, and tortures her with dead man's blood. Dean isn't thrilled with torturing anything, even a vampire. And then Gordon makes two even bigger mistakes. 1) He admits that his sister was turned into a vampire and he killed her. 2) He cuts Sam's arm. At that point, Dean pretty much hates Gordon. He's never real fond of people who murder their family members (see season three's "Red Sky at Morning") and the idea of killing a sibling like that hits close to home. (see season two's "Hunted.") And basically nobody hurts Sammy without Dean going ballistic. So Dean punches Gordon, the brothers help the vampires escape and Gordon gets left behind, tied to a chair.

There are some good parts to this episode. I enjoy Sam & Dean pretending to be reporters for the Weekly World News. Or the World Weekly News, Dean can't remember the name. The sheriff just rips right through their cattle mutilation theory and it cracks me up. And I really like Gordon and Dean interacting, swapping depressing stories on how they became Hunters. And I think Gordon's sister dying that way is a nice precursor to the choices Dean will be faced with later in the show. (see "Born Under a Bad Sign.") When Gordon tells Dean that he would have made the same choice in his place because they're alike, it's just a nice setup for what's to come. I also like Dean riding the edge of sanity as he grieves for John. He still doesn't trust the Road House crew, or anyone else, but he's so desperate to have another Hunter to talk to that he just latches on to Gordon. And I like the boys pretending to be doctors. The entire scene is funny as they con their way into the morgue and then have to deal with a severed head. (Complete with a nice "Silence of the Lambs" impression from Dean.) Plus, it's ironic that Dean complains that a lot of strange stuff happens in Florida, considering what will happen to him in season three's "Mystery Spot."

I think this is also an episode that shows Sam's strength. There were moments in season one where I got angry at Sam for shooting down Dean's dreams of the Winchesters' "traveling demon hunting show." Dean's just so needy that I kept wanting Sam to offer him some real reassurance that he needed Dean and that Dean wouldn't be alone. I love Dean. In season one, Sam was pretty focused on holding on to the life he'd created for himself at Stanford and still often reacted to Dean as a stand-in for John. He kept stressing that he didn't want to be called Sammy, the nick-name Dean and his father had given him. His love for Dean was still mixed up with Dean as the authority figure of his youth. By "Bloodlust" he's stopped complaining that Dean called him Sammy and, in fact, tells Gordon that ONLY Dean can call him that. This Sam is different than the Sam who left for college or went along for Dean's road trip after Jessica died. He's no longer a kid running away from his destiny or reacting to Dean like a rebellious teenager. He treated Dean a lot more like a equal. In fact, in this episode, it's Sam trying to take care of Dean.

On the down side, Dean shouldn't have punched Sam. The poor guy gets beat up enough.

My favorite part of the episode: The Impala fixed and cruising down the highway while "Back in Black" blares. Just a perfect scene.

Supernatural: Everybody Loves a Clown (2006) Season 2, Episode 2

Another Great Episode

[10/10 · 19 March 2008]

I appreciated this episode more the second time I saw it. Possibly because of Stephen King's "It," I find clowns pretty scary. So, the first time through, I was preoccupied with being creeped out. After seeing the rest of the season, though, you can see all the stuff "Everybody Loves a Clown" sets up. First off, this is the episode that introduces Jo, Ellen and the Hunter bar "The Roadhouse." It turns out that there are a lot of Hunters roaming around the countryside and a lot of them have heard of the Winchesters. Secondly, it shows the trauma that Dean has gone through at the loss of his father. He isn't dealing with it well and he's trying to hide his rage and sorrow behind behind his usual tough guy mask. It also sets Sam up in more of a protective role. Last season Dean was the one shielding Sam most of the time. Now, Sam's saying that he doesn't want to go back to Stanford, partly because he thinks John would want him to keep Hunting and partly because Sam sees that Dean is spinning out of control. Sam is worried about Dean and trying to get him to talk about his problems rather than keep than buried under his "I don't give a d*nm" smirk, something that will come up again in season three. All in all, you shouldn't skip this episode.

"Everybody Loves a Clown" revolves around a monster, dressed as a clown, killing people. It works it's way into homes by befriending children and then killing the parents. Sam and Dean are staying at Bobby's after John's death. The two boys burned their father Darth Vader style, but they're still not handling his passing very well. Dean is burying himself in fixing the Impala. While Sam is lobbying for the boys to take on other jobs and devote themselves to carrying out John's legacy. He also wants to find the YED and he'd like Dean to open up with him about his feelings more. Getting a message from an old friend of John's, Ellen, the boys head to the bar. She and her daughter Jo specialize in Hunter clientèle and the have a computer expert named Ash on hand, to help the boys decipher John's notes on the YED.

Since they're in town anyway, the boys begin investigating the clown killings. They get jobs at the carnival where the killings have been traced, too. They save one little girl from being clown food, but they're distracted by their own feelings of guilt and grief. Meanwhile, Ellen's daughter Jo is interested in Dean. He finds he attractive, but he's too depressed to put too much effort into a seduction. The brothers finally figure out what's doing the killings, a monster disguised as a blind knife thrower. They stop him, then Sam finally tell Dean that neither of them are dealing with John's death well and that they'll have to deal with it. Dean response is to beat the Impala with a crowbar.

There are some great parts to this episode. I really like Sam's fear of clowns. It's just so funny and random and gives Dean an opportunity to really tease him. "What's a matter Sammy? Sounds like you just saw a clown." And "You used to cry when Ronald McDonald came on the TV." When Sam fights back reminding Dean of fear of flying, Dean's retorts "Planes Crash!" Sam's response "And apparently clowns kill!" just cracks me up. And the clown in this episode is really terrifying. It's so creepy, standing out on front lawns and waving at kids. **shudder** And I like Ash a lot. His stupid hair cut hides a surprisingly smart guy. And I think it's cute that the boys move in with Bobby as they try to deal with John's death. Bobby is turning into a surrogate father for them. Of course, he gives them that "soccer mom" van to drive around, which Dean doesn't necessarily appreciate. But with the Impala out of commission, he doesn't have much of a choice. And speaking of the Impala, I think last episode Sam was seeing it as representing his brother. Like Dean, it had been damaged and needed to be fixed. In "Everybody Loves a Clown" I think that Dean is seeing the Impala as representing John. He's obsessed with fixing it and won't even talk to Sam about much else for the week after John died. But, at the end, after Sam's speech finally gets through to him a bit, Dean takes a crow bar to the Impala. Giving into his sorrow as he beats the car in an almost blind rage, over John making that deal and leaving him. It's a very powerful scene.

A lot of this episode is about people not quite fitting in and trying to find a place to belong. There's the Road House, which caters to Hunters, who have nowhere else to belong. The carnival workers are living the same, transient lifestyle. The carnival owner even tells the boys that they should go back to their old lives of school and normalcy. But Sam dismisses that, saying it's not what they want. The brothers go to Bobby's, but that's not exactly where they belong, either. Really Sam & Dean are struggling to find somewhere to fit in. Mixed in with this is the image of a clown, something childlike twisted into something evil. Sam & Dean have lost their own father, and with him the last bits of the childhood. They're on their own now, in a world filled with evil things.

On the down side, I really don't like Jo very much.

My favorite part of the episode: Sam and Dean arriving at the carnivals owner's office and seeing two chairs. One ordinary office chair, one horrible looking clown chair. Watching the boys nearly knocking each other over, trying to get to the normal chair first is hilarious.

Supernatural: In My Time of Dying (2006) Season 2, Episode 1

An Incredible Episode

[10/10 · 19 March 2008]

"In My Time of Dying" is basically the final part of the season one cliff hanger. It kicks of season two in such a bold and surprising way that, really, I think it's one of my favorite episodes of the series. I actually like season two better than season one, because of risks it takes in its storytelling. It deepens the mythology arc and the characters, really creating some incredible story lines. Season two is all about the brothers dealing with Sam's powers and John's death, both of which are factors in "In My Time of Dying." If you're going to watch the season, you really need to start with this episode.

"In My Time Dying" revolves around Dean nearly dying. After the car crash in "Devil's Trap," he's in a coma, but walking around outside of his body. John & Sam are okay, but are worried about Dean, who the doctors say won't wake up. Sam is convinced that they need to use some kind of supernatural hoo-doo to mojo him back. But John doesn't seem very focused on that. He insists that Sam go and get the Colt from the trunk on the crashed Impala. Meanwhile, a Reaper is after Dean, trying to get him to leave this plane. (Or something. She's not real specific on what exactly the plan is.) But she says that Dean must go with her or be stuck as an angry spirit forever. Dean is torn. He fears becoming the very thing he hunts. (see season three's "Maleus Malifacarum.") But he also doesn't want to leave Sam and John. What he doesn't know is that John is cutting a deal with the YED. He's tracing the Colt and his own life to save Dean. Dean wakes up, but John dies in his place.

There are some great parts to this episode. I like watching Sam & John shout at each other as they try and figure out the best way to help Dean. Without Dean there to play peacemaker, the two of them have a hard time communicating. Plus, it's interesting how much Sam identifies the Impala with Dean. He won't give up on fixing the Impala because it would like giving up on his brother. I also like the boys trying to communicate through the talking board. Dean mutters that he feels like he's a slumber party, but he sits there and tries it, which is cute. I'm not sure that the talking board is really doing anything in its own right, though. Sam had been "sensing" Dean for most of the episode. Using Dean's words and hearing him. I think the connection between the brothers was what was enabling them to talk, the talking board was just giving them a way to do it. And it's sweet that when Dean wakes up out of his body he's still more concerned about John and Sam than his own problems. He's the one who reacts with relief when the doctor says John is awake, Sam just wants to know how Dean is. And when he's almost taken by the Reaper, Dean takes the time to reassure Sam that he won't leave him. I'm not sure if Dean would've gone with the Reaper even after she told him he could go evil if he stayed. Not if it meant leaving Sammy, which fits in with season 3. It's interesting that the episode never shows his final choice, so it can be read either way. Finally, I just love the YED. He's so wonderfully evil.

The best, most heartbreaking parts of this episode come from the talks between John and Dean, though. At first, when Dean's a ghost, he's ranting at John for not trying to save him. John just sits silently by his bedside, as Dean paces around, furious that he's given everything to John and John isn't trying to save him now. But, as the episode goes on we see that John IS doing something to save his son. He's trading his life to save Dean's. When he talks to Dean for the last time, he starts to cry. Explaining that he put too much on Dean's shoulders and that he's always been so proud of the way Dean kept the family going. Dean instantly knows that something is wrong with his father, and asks what's going on. But John presses forward, telling Dean to watch out for Sammy. Dean automatically says that he will, but what he doesn't know yet what John means. (The full truth will come out in "Hunted.") But really John's telling Dean three separate things with that statement. 1)Protect Sam. 2)Dean should protect HIMSELF from Sam. 3)Dean should watch for changes in Sam. It's just great writing.

On the down side, I miss John. Also, I'm sorry that Dean doesn't remember any of his out-of-body experience after he wakes up. It would be nice if he could recall how John and Sam worked to save him. Also, if John knew how to summon the YED why didn't he try that when he first got the Colt? Also, I'm not sure how the idea of trapped spirits in this episode ties in with "Roadkill" later in the season.

My favorite part of the episode: Dean's a smashing a glass as a ghost and saying "Dude, I full on Swayzed that mother!" Perfect line.

Supernatural: Devil's Trap (2006) Season 1, Episode 22

Now THAT'S a Cliffhanger

[10/10 · 19 March 2008]

Just as a friendly warning, if you're going watch this season finale, you'd better have the season two DVDs standing by. Because after "Devil's Trap" ends chances are, you're gonna want to go right into season two, to see the resolution the cliffhanger. It's that good. "Devil's Trap" is a very important episode for the show. It introduces Bobby, who will be in many episodes to come. It exorcises Meg, establishing the rules of demon possession, devil's traps, and rituals that will come into play over and over. It also establishes once and for all that the mission isn't the most important thing for Sam & Dean like it is for John. For the brothers, their family is what matters most and that's something that comes into play through out the series. All in all, you can't skip this episode.

"Devil's Trap" revolves around the boys trying to rescue John. Going to John's old friend Bobby, they trap Meg in a mystical symbol. They then get information on John and exorcise her back to hell. The boys manage to rescue John, but he's been possessed by the YED and attacks them. Sam shoots the YED in the leg, but it gets away. As the Winchesters drive to the hospital, a truck comes out of nowhere and smashes the Impala.

There are some great parts to this episode. I think it's really cute that Dean wanted to be a fire fighter when he was a kid. It's such a pure, heroic job that it just fits his self-image as a "protector" exactly. I also love Bobby, so I'm happy to see him introduced here. It's cool that they remember how John has "falling outs" with most of his friends. (see "Deadman's Blood.") The last time Bobby and John were together, Bobby ended up pulling a shotgun on him. I'm not sure what John could have done to get Bobby that mad, but I'm betting that it had something to do with the boys. Bobby's been in the boys' lives since they were kids and he loves them like a second father. It's sweet. I also like the scene where Meg is exorcised. The boys are actually conflicted on how to "save" her. If there's a innocent girl in there, Sam is worried that exorcism will kill her. Besides he thinks they can use Meg as leverage or to get more information. Dean sees the girl as a being tortured. He thinks they need to be set her free, even if she doesn't survive. Then, he presses the dying girl for information about John. It's morally interesting.

The best scene in the episode is the YED attacking the boys, though. It starts out with Dean, feeling guilty about using the Colt to kill the YEDs son. Not because he destroyed the human host. He feels guilty because he DOESN'T feel guilty. Because there's nothing he wouldn't do for Sam & John and it scares him. When the YED, possessing John's body, tries to comfort Dean, Dean starts to get suspicious. He eyes his narrow a bit and when "John" asks for the gun, Dean goes with his gut and points it at his "father," instead. You can see how conflicted, Dean is. How he's doubting himself, but knows he's right. Sam comes skidding back into the room, demanding to know what's going on and he's confronted with a choice. Stand with Dean or side with John. And Sam moves behind Dean. Now, you can read this as Sam just believing Dean's "he's just different" explanation, trusting that Dean knows John better than anyone and can tell that he's not right. Or you can read it as all the logical result of all the years that Dean was Sam's main "parent." The one stable, constant, person in Sam's life. His hero (see season three's "Fresh Blood.") If it comes to a choice between John and Dean, Sam always goes with his brother.

So the YED attacks them both. But he especially focuses his rage on Dean who "killed" both of his children. He taunts Dean that John & Dean don't need him. "Not the way you need them." But as he starts to kill Dean, Dean calls for his father and John fights his way out of the possession. (Side note, he's the only victim of demon possession to date who has been able to do that.) As Sam grabs the Colt, John begs his son to shoot him, so they can kill the YED. And maybe Sam would have done it. Except Dean is still there, telling Sam to not to. I'm not sure what would have happened if it was Sam & John alone, given their obsession. Sam shoot John in the leg forcing the YED out and John is saved. As they drive to the hospital, John berates Sam for not finishing off the YED. He claims that it's the more important than anything. "No, Sir," Sam replies looking at his wounded brother. "Not, more than anything." This is the episode that proves to Sam forever that Dean is the most important thing in his life.

On the down side, can the YED control the flickering of lights? Because I sort of saw it as a involuntary thing that happened around him. Why would he deliberately make the lights go all flickery when he breaks into a nursery, right? But, in "Devils' Trap" it's like he only cause the lights to go all blinky as a ruse to get Sam & Dean to think their being attacked. Before that the lights in the cabin were fine. So did he do that deliberately? Also, what happens to the human inside the body when Dean shot the YEDs son? I know he died, but was he destroyed forever like the demon because he died by the Colt?

My favorite part of the episode: Dean's utter calmness as he shoots the YED's son to save Sam.

Supernatural: Salvation (2006) Season 1, Episode 21

Carry on, Wayward Son

[9/10 · 19 March 2008]

Can you believe I'd never even hear the song "Carry On, Wayward Son" by Kansas before this episode. I must've been living in a cave. Seriously, the opening of this episode, with clips recapping what's happened over the season, is just incredibly. It cements the song forever in my mind as the show unofficial theme. "Salvation" is the first part of the season finale. This is an important episode for the show. It establishes, once and for all, that the Demon who killed Mary & Jessica is still after the Winchesters. (It also shows us his gleaming yellow eyes for the first time, giving him the name he'll be know by all next season, "The Yellow Eyed Demon" or YED.) "Salvation" also sets up the moral quandary of sacrifice that will follow the Winchesters through out the series. When it it too much to give? How do you protect your family from themselves? It's pretty complicated stuff. Finally, this episode reintroduces Meg, who's always a fun addition to the show. All in all, you need to see this episode.

This episode revolves around the Winchesters' plan to kill the Yellow Eyed Demon. Electrical storms and dead cattle are popping up around a town called Salvation. These are the same sort of omens that happened in Lawrence before Mary was killed. John and the boys begin investigating possible targets for the demon, babies turning 6 months old, since those are the YED's victims of choice. Unfortunately, Meg knows that they have the Colt and is trying to flush them out before they can stop the Demon. She's going after all of their old friends. She calls John and says that she'll arrange a trade. She'll stop murdering all the Winchester's allies, if he hands over the Colt.

John isn't willing to make that deal, but he decides to bluff. He buys a fake Colt to trade and gives the real one to the boys. Sending them after the YED, he goes to confront Meg. In the meantime, Sammy has had another vision. He sees the YED attacking a family. Sam & Dean break into the family's house and save them. But when Sam shoots at the YED, he misses and it gets away, starting a fire. Sam tries to rush back into the house as it burns, but Dean won't let him. Meanwhile, Meg and her brother, another demon, discover that the Colt is a fake. they take John prisoner and call the boys.

There are some good parts to this episode. I like that's it's Dean who carries the baby to safety, since it matches up with Dean carrying Sam out of the Lawrence fire. And I like Sam trying to say good-bye to Dean before the big show down. Dean doesn't want to hear it. Still, Sam's speech about how much Dean means to him and how he knows that even when he has no one else to guard his back, he'll always have Dean, is sweet. And I like John and the boys arguing about him ignoring their calls all year. John is angry that Dean didn't tell him that Sam's been having visions. (Which is also interesting because he automatically thinks that Dean should be the one keeping him informed about Sammy, instead of Sam himself.) Anyway, Dean's response that he had a better chance of "winning the lottery" than getting John on the phone makes me laugh. I also like the special effects in this episode. From the lights flickering in the house, to the YED dissolving into a black cloud thing... It's all really cool.

Like I said, a lot of this episode is about the Winchesters different takes on sacrifice. John sees killing the YED as the most important thing in their lives. Taking it down kamikaze style suits him fine, just so it winds up dead. Sam is wiling to run back into the building to kill the YED, claiming he doesn't care if he dies in the process or not. He's willing to sacrifice himself for their vendetta. Dean is the one who has to hold him back. Of all the Winchesters, Dean is the one who can see beyond to the quest to kill the YED and focus on the survival of the family. John and Sam are "all he has" and he won't sacrifice them for anything, even if they get angry at him for the choice he makes to keep them safe. Yet, each Winchester changes their position next season, at least a little bit. John will still sacrifice himself for the mission, but also for his sons. (see "In My Time of Dying.") Dean will still argue against sacrifice, but he's capable of making incredible sacrifices for his family. (see "All Hell Breaks Loose.") And Sam will come to see that maybe there are more important things than killing the YED, but will still sacrifice pieces of him moral code for vengeance against the Winchesters' enemies. (see "All Hell Breaks Loose.")

On the down side, it probably would have been more emotional for me if we'd actually seen Caleb or Pastor Jim on screen before they died. They'd been mentioned, but if we'd actually gotten to know them, their deaths would be all the more tragic. Also, did Meg's brother shoot her thinking that was the real Colt? Or did he know it was a fake? Because -Wow- That's kinna a cold way to test the Colt, even for a demon.

My favorite part of the episode: John's frustrated speech to the Sam, that goes something like, "You think I don't want you go to college? You think I don't know that Dean needs a home?" It's just an interesting way to show that he is aware of the boys needs and how he's partially responsible for keeping them from normal life. Plus, I like the phrasing of "Dean needs a home," like Dean's a lost puppy or something. It's cute.

Supernatural: Provenance (2006) Season 1, Episode 19

One of the best episodes of the season

[19 March 2008]

This is one of the show's best monster of the week episodes. The creepy moving, painting is especially cool and I like how they bring Jessica back into the story. Sam's guilt and sorrow over her death continue to haunt him and drive his quest to find her killer. This isn't a vital episode for the story arc, but it is one of the season's best episodes and you really shouldn't skip it.

"Provenance" revolves around a haunted painting. It's of a creepy family who were killed in 1912, supposedly by the father. After a couple buys the painting at a charity auction, they are quickly found brutally murdered. Sam & Dean head to the auction house to investigate. While they're there the meet the owners attractive daughter, Sarah, who immediately sets her sights on Sam. Sam's attracted to her, too. But he feels guilty because of Jessica. Dean feels that it's his responsibility as a caring, older brother to pimp Sam out to Sarah. In the meantime, they destroy the painting, but it regenerates itself.

Sam & Dean do some more investigating and discover that the painting moves and changes position. They think that the spirit is tied to it. But even after salting and burning the bones of the father in the painting, the killings continue. Sarah is confused about the brothers' story that the painting is evil, but she helps them investigate. She and Sam continue to grow closer. More research reveals that it's really the evil little girl in the painting that doing the killing. She attacks Sam & Sarah. Dean has to burn the last remains of the girl, which happens to be a doll with the little girl's hair on it. With the painting exorcised, Sam & Dean leave town. But before he goes Sam kisses Sarah good-bye.

There are some good parts to this episode. I enjoy watching Dean trying to fix Sam up with Sarah. He's trying to make Sam happy and get him past his guilt over Jessica, but he's just so clumsy at his match making attempts that I have to laugh. From pretending to loose his wallet at the auction house so Sam would have to go back and see Sarah, to switching the car radio to a love song when Sam walks Sarah away, he's just so cute. And I like Sam's reaction to trying to fight the evil little girl. He can't find any salt in the house to use as a weapon, causing him to label the homeowners "low sodium freaks." It cracks me up. Also, the ghost in this episode is really creepy. The way the painting changes, objects disappearing and the coming back, people's positions changing... It's all just really scary and fun.

On a side note, I think this is one of the more unique hotel rooms that the boys stay in. I enjoy seeing what sort of seedy establishment they'll pick each week. Every episode it seems like they have a new temporary "home" and I kind of see it as a metaphor for the bleak and thankless nature of of Dean & Sam's life on the road. They don't have a real home, (except the Impala,) so the hotels all look sort of like the same place to them. The decorations are different, but they choose the same sort of establishment again and again in an effort to create some stability and predictability in their crazy world. It's interesting, especially when the decor goes a little nutty. This room and the one in season three's "Dream a Little Dream of Me" are probably my favorites.

On the down side, Sarah was the best of all the boys' girlfriends. I'm sad that Sam left her and I'd like to see her come back.

My favorite part of the episode: Sam's stunned reaction to the painting being back at the auction house all un-burned. "Oh My God!" It just makes me laugh every time.

Supernatural: Dead Man's Blood (2006) Season 1, Episode 20

The Episode that Kicks Off the Series Finale

[9/10 · 18 March 2008]

This is an important episode for the show. First, it establishes that vampires exist, which is a subject that will be revisited in seasons to come. It also reunites the boys with John and sets them on the path to the two part season finale, which starts next episode. It also shows that Dean & Sam are functioning as a unit now, so John is suddenly not the one in control of all the decisions. Finally, this is the episode that gives us the Colt, a weapon that will be important throughout the series. All in all, you need to see this episode.

"Dead Man's Blood" revolves around a nest of vampires. They kill an old Hunter, named Elkins, and make off with a special Colt revolver. Sam & Dean come to town to investigate the killing and they're surprised when John shows-up, too. John isn't real forth coming with details on his plan, which bothers Sam. But Sam & Dean try to resume the old Winchester dynamic of following the father's orders. John explains that the Colt can kill anything. Even demons. Not just send the demon back to hell, but destroy it completely. He wants to use it on the Demon who killed Mary, but first they have to steal it back from the vampires.

After kidnapping the head vampire's girlfriend, Kate, the Winchesters arrange a trade: Kate for the Colt. John tries to keep the boys away from the deal, but they arrive to help anyway, saving his life. John shoots the head vampire with the Colt (which is a really neat effect) and the vampire is instantly killed. The other vampires run off. John admits to the boys that maybe the are stronger a s a family and that they should all Hunt the Demon who killed Mary together.

The best parts of this episode deal with the Winchesters shifting family dynamic. "Dead Man's Blood" injects a new tension in John and Dean's relationship. Meeting up with their father again, the boys have to try a work a job with John as the leader. Sam is instantly annoyed at John's attitude. Dean tries to go back to his usual position as second in command, but Dean & Sam have been running their own show for months. John comes back into the picture, after ignoring their calls and excluding them and wants things to just wants things to go back to "normal." Only Dean can't just take orders anymore, because his months with Sam have given him the strength to deal with John as an equal and a respect for Sam's instincts. And Sam is less willing to take orders from John now than ever before. The more John tries to force Sam into his own mold, the more Sam resists. It's only when John admits that he's made mistakes with Sam that Sam can quietly state that maybe their not that different. Not with Jessica and Mary dying the same way and both of their obsessions to find the Demon. Then they can both laugh at the idea of John spending Sam's college fund on ammo.

"Dead Man's Blood" is also where Dean makes his first break from John and his blind loyalty to his father's orders. Somewhere on the road, when John and Sam are having that fight and Dean is standing between them, something just snaps into focus for him. I think it's John's line about Sam "leaving" them and the life to go to college. It was an obvious guilt trip on John's part and -Heck!- Dean thinks Sam abandoned them, too. But, after almost a year with just Sam standing beside him, Dean's loyalty towards his father cracks a little. He doesn't like John playing that card with Sam. Doesn't like John's attitude. Dean loved Sam enough to let him go to Stanford and John saying that seemed to get Dean at least partially on Sam's side. After Dean orders Sam to get back in the car, he told John something like, "That means you, too." And it was in just a totally different way than he usually speaks to John. I think it was one of defining moments where Dean saw his father and brother in a new way... And decided that he had to stand with his brother. When John has his talk with Sam about being hard on the boys because he was worried and then when he admits that Dean was right and that they ARE stronger as a family, it's really John seeing his kids as adults for the first time.

On the down side, why didn't Elkins the Vampire Slayer know that the knife wouldn't hurt Kate? He should have at least dipped it in dead man's blood since that's vampire poison. And does Kate still have Sam & Dean's scent, if vampires can track someone forever? That can't be good. Also, John saying that Dean should take better care of the Impala was just way out of line. Dean takes wonderful care of that car!

My favorite part of the episode: Dean listening to his father's speech about how he just wants to keep the boys safe and away from the Big Fight with the Demon. Dean's calm, "All do respect, Dad, but that's a load of crap" has John and Sam both turning to gape at him. Great scene.

Supernatural: Something Wicked (2006) Season 1, Episode 18

The Episode that Made Me Love the Show

[10/10 · 18 March 2008]

This is the episode that made me love "Supernatural." I'd been watching the show up until then, but this is the episode where I saw how great it was capable of being. The character of Dean is just completely established in "Something Wicked." His blind devotion to following John's orders, his intense fear of allowing Sammy to get hurt, the crushing responsibility put on his shoulders when he was just a child, and his self-esteem problems are all laid out in this episode. Showing flashbacks of Sam & Dean as kids, the episode illustrates the kind of rotten childhood Dean had and how he tries to shelter Sam from the worst of it. "Something Wicked" made me love "Supernatural" and the character of Dean. If you're watching on DVD, you can't skip this episode.

This episode revolves around an evil witch thing called a Shriga sucking the life force out of children. It comes to town and goes after siblings, draining them of their energy and slowly killing them. Dean is anxious because he's faced this thing before. 16 or so years before, John was hunting it. He left the boys alone, putting Dean in charge of Sammy, and went out hunting for it. After a few days in the hotel room, Dean got bored and went out one night to play a video game in the hotel lobby. While he was gone, the Shriga attacked Sam. John got back in time to save Sam, but the Shriga got away. Dean blames himself.

Now it's back and attacking kids like, Asher, the son of the lady who runs Sam & Dean's hotel. Dean identifies with the kid's older brother Michael, another big brother who sacrifices for his little brother. The boys soon determine that the Shriga can only be killed when it's feeding and that it's disguised as a doctor. Since it goes after siblings, they arrange to use Michael as bait and wait for the Shriga to show up. Then they kill it, saving all the children that it had been slowly killing. Sam & Dean leave town again, with Sam better understanding what drives Dean.

There's a lot to like about this episode. I really, really like the flashbacks of little Sam & Dean. It's the first time we've seen the way they lived as children. Stuck with no one but each other to talk to for days on end. And Dean always in charge, always the protector, and always giving up his own desires for the good of the family. He even hands over the Lucky Charms that he wanted to Sam, because his little brother asked. It's really sweet. It's also interesting that Little Sam is watching the "Thundercats" on TV in the flashback. In the season two episode "What is and What Should Never Be," Dean also flips past the show. I think it's being used there to represent Dean recapturing some of his innocence. In "Something Wicked," Dean doesn't get to watch the "Thundercats" because he's taking orders form John. In "What is and What Should Never Be" Dean finally gets to relax, for a minute at least. I also like that Sam told Dean that John had been wrong and that the Shriga attacking him wasn't Dean's fault. Dean brushes that aside, but when Michael blames himself for Asher's illness, Dean instantly tells the kid that it's not his fault. It's sweet that Sam's words really did seem to get to him a bit. And the brothers trying to find the Shriga, thinking that it might be an old woman if pretty funny. Dean quickly volunteers that he saw an old woman at the hospital. Sam's sarcastic, "An old person? At a hospital? Call the National Guard!" just makes me laugh.

Really, though, "Something Wicked" is all about Dean for me. It shows Sam how much Dean sacrifices for him and always has. John put so much pressure on Dean to be perfect. To protect Sammy, to follow orders, to not screw-up. It fed into Dean's poor self-image and hero worship of John. I think John's coat in the flashbacks is even the coat Dean sometimes wears. Dean doubts his own judgment, because he'd once been over confident and nearly gotten Sam killed. So, following John's orders means survival. For most of this series Dean struggles to find some kind of balance between his own ideas & feelings, and his father's training. He's so used to running everything through a filter, of "What Would John Do?" that he can't really trust his own judgment. But, as his image of his father, begins to crack in later seasons, Dean finds himself struggling to find an anchor.

The end of the episode has Sam lamenting that Michael has lost some of his innocence. Unlike most people, he knows now that there are things in the dark that can hurt him. Sam adds, "I wish that I could still have some of that innocence." Dean's already refused to hear Sam's apology for the way Sam's criticized Dean's tendency to just follow John's orders, cringing away from the sentiment. Now as he looks at his brother, who lost his innocence just like Michael and says, "I wish you could, too, Sam." Nothing about himself or how his own childhood was even worse than Sam's. All about Sammy. John put Dean in charge of watching Sam, guarding him, but no one ever protected Dean. He doesn't see himself as having any importance, even though Sam & John both depend on him completely. It's just a great, sad scene.

On the down side, how do you think Michael is going to explain all the bullet holes in the walls of his bedroom to his mom?

My favorite (non-Dean) part of the episode: Sam saying that the Shriga has attacked also attacked the towns of "Ogdenville, Bockway, and North Haverbrook." Simpson's references just make me laugh.

Supernatural: Hell House (2006) Season 1, Episode 17

Season One's Best Comedic Episode

[8/10 · 18 March 2008]

This episode doesn't add a lot to the mythology arc this season, but it is just so fun that you need to see it. Basically, it has to do with the power of thoughts and beliefs. How something can become real if enough people just think it is. "Hell House" also shows the brothers relationship in a more lighthearted way. The two of them goof around all episode, playing pranks on each other and basically being adorable. All in all, you shouldn't skip this episode.

This episode revolves around a haunted house in Texas. Basically, there's a deserted shack, where a man supposedly killed himself years before. Teenagers are seeing ghosts, being attacked and even dying. Sam & Dean investigate and realize that the stories the kids tell are all different. The ghost doesn't seem to be following any rules or connected to any real person. And the some of the symbols painted on the walls of the haunted house are from a "Blue Oyster Cult" album cover. Sam & Dean also become involved in a escalating war of pranks on each other, just to pass the time.

It turns out that that there's a Thought Demon a work in the haunted house. A local website, Hellhound'slair.com, has posted the story of the ghost and people all over the world are reading about it. Their thoughts and belief are giving the ghost power. Sam & Dean meet up with the dorky guys who run the website and trick them into posting fake information on the ghost. They're hoping that if people BELIEVE the ghost has weakness, then it will. Unfortunately, the website goes down and the ghost is still powerful. So, Sam & Dean improvise by burning down the house with the ghost trapped inside. Then call a truce on their pranks against each other and trick the website boys into thinking that the website is being optioned as a Hollywood film. They website boys leave town, and Sam & Dean drive off.

It's interesting to note that this is the first episode where Sam has really initiated the hunting. (Discounting the times that he was personally involved with the victims, like "Skin.") He usually follows along after Dean on these jobs, doing research and putting things together. But, in "Hell House," he's the one insisting they investigate the website and haunting. After last episode, "Shadow," Sam seems a bit more committed to hunting things and saving people, even if they have nothing to do with Jessica's murder. His desire to go back to college seems to have been suppressed again, as he focuses on his job with Dean.

The best parts of this episodes revolve around Sam & Dean torturing each other. Their pranks are pretty hilarious, and -if you have a sibling- fairly accurate. Their gluing each other to things, putting itching powder in clothing, etc... The Nair in the shampoo is a little extreme, perhaps, but it's just a funny image. And I love Dean sticking the spoon in Sam's mouth while he's asleep and then taking a photo of it with his camera phone. It's just a great scene. And Dean "double daring" Sam to drink that jar full of ooze makes me smile every time I see it. He looks so hopeful. I also like the Hellhound'slair.com guys. They add some comedy to the show with their belief that they're the "real" experts when it comes to supernatural stuff. Dean's so dismissive of them and Sam keeps laughing. It cracks me up. Plus, lines just don't come funnier than, "Sweet Lord of the Rings!" I also like the scene where Sam & Dean have to question the teenage victims and they all have different stories on what the ghost looked like. It's edited so that each story contradicts the other. It's very cool. Finally, just burning down the haunted house to stop the ghost, is just a really clever idea.

On the down side, since when does electricity mess with EMF readings? Dean's used it as an air plane hangers (see "Phantom Traveler"), in people's houses (see "Nightmare"), and outside (see "Scarecrow"). It always seems to work just fine. Also, I'm with Dean. I'd rather face a house filled with ghosts, than a house filled with rats any day. I hate rats. **shudder**

My favorite part of the episode: Four little words. WWBD: What Would Buffy Do?

Supernatural: Shadow (2006) Season 1, Episode 16

An Important Episode for the Winchester Family

[8/10 · 18 March 2008]

The title of this episode "Shadow" has two meaning in this episode. First, there's the shadow monsters that try to kill the Winchester boys. But, there's also the fact that both boys continue to live in the shadow of their father and his quest. John and Sam are almost too much alike, as this episode shows. They both think that they can do things on their own and that their lives would somehow be easier if they could just "go their own way." In fact, all three Winchester's basically say as much this episode and they're all wrong. The Winchesters are stronger a group something that it will take them several more episodes to finally acknowledge. All in all this is an important episode for the season. It finally brings John & the boys together and it establishes Meg as a force to be reckoned with in the hunt for Mary's killer. You shouldn't miss this episode.

This episode revolves around Meg's return. The brothers head to Chicago to investigate a mysterious death. A woman has her heart ripped out inside her locked apartment. They also run into Meg, the "girl" from "Scarecrow." Of course, she's really a demon with a plan to kill the Winchesters. In fact, she lured them to town with a scheme to use them as bait for John. The brothers don't know what Meg is exactly, but they are suspicious of her sudden appearance. After finding out that several victims came from Lawrence, they call John.

Thinking that maybe Meg is connected to the demon who killed their mother, the boys are both excited and scared. Sam says that once they kill the demon, he and Dean can restart "normal" lives. Dean is shocked and angry that Sam would consider going back to college. He wants John, Sam, and himself to stay together. Sam insists that he can't live this life forever and that Dean must let him go his own way. Feelings are still strained between them as they head of to face Meg. She soon springs a trap of her own, capturing the boys. They have to work together to escape, Meg falls out a window, but lives.

John arrives and -after some tension from Sam- the boys are happy to see him. Unfortunately, the shadow monsters attack again. Sam kills them and the Winchesters escape. Sam wants to continue Hunting with John, but Dean says it's too dangerous. Feeling guilty that he lead his father into a trap, Dean says that they weaken John and John has to go his own way for now. Sam & Dean drive off in one direction and John goes in another.

There are some good parts of this episode. I like Sam & Dean dressed up the security guards. Dean's unhappy with the disguise. Disguises tend to make him feel uncomfortable and silly. (Except, when he gets to dress up in something so different than himself that he sees it as a joke, like priests or doctors. -see "Nightmare" and "Bloodlust." Or Firefighters. Dean likes Firefighters. -see "Devil's Trap" ) I think it might have something to do with the confident mask that Dean feels that he must keep in place all the time. In this episode, he can't admit that he's worried about facing the demon that might have killed Mary. And then, when Sam says that he still longs to return to school, Dean's first instinct is to cover his hurt and fear with indifference. Anyway, Dean's grumbling that the repairmen disguises remind him of a high-school drama club is cute. Especially, when it's revealed that Sammy once had a starring roll in "Our Town" when he was in school. Which is not only a nice choice of play for the show, considering the Winchesters rootless existence. But it also means that Dean must've gone to SEE Sam in the play, which is really kinna sweet.

I also love Meg. I think that she's one of the coolest villains on the show. Her interactions with the boys are just so fun. Also, the shadow monsters in this episode are just really creepy and cool. They're invisible, except for their shadows on the walls. And when the first woman dies it's when listening to her answering machine. The voice says something like, "Now, I know the last guy I introduced you to ripped out you're heart, but THIS one..." The the shadow monster rips out her heart. Yeah. I'll admit it. I laughed. Plus, I can never get enough of people calling poor Sammy a pervert. It's just funny.

Probably the most interesting scenes in "Shadow" are with John and the boys, though. Like I said, this episode sets-up the idea that the Winchesters are stronger as a team. Sam insists that he wants his old life back, but it's pretty obvious that -no matter what- he can never be a normal kid. He needs Dean to survive. John says that he has to find and kill Mary's killer alone. But, it becomes clear in later episodes that he needs his boys to succeed. And Dean just wants his family together. Hunting is the only life he knows. He, literally, has nothing but Sam & John. When Sam says that things can't be the way they once were, Dean is crushed. But, as the series goes along, it becomes clear that they're both right. Sam is correct and they can't go back to what the had before, but Dean is right in that they have to create some new life together. The Winchesters need each other if they're going to defeat their internal and external enemies.

On the down side, Meg's plan seems pretty complicated. Aren't there easier ways to trap John?

My favorite part of the episode: Dean discovering that Sam complained about him to Meg, "You've been b*tching about me to some chick?" It's just sounds exactly like something a real brother would say.

Supernatural: The Benders (2006) Season 1, Episode 15

Another Great Episode

[9/10 · 18 March 2008]

This is the first episode where Sam & Dean face human villains instead of supernatural monsters. Adapting urban legends is a trademark of the show, and I'm not really sure that this particular tale has a name, but it's still familiar. A family of backwoods crazies kidnap and hunt unsuspecting victims for sport. Anyway, this is a good episode, with a lot of character development between the brothers. Last episode, "Nightmare," made clear to both brothers that Sam's visions are getting worse. For Dean, this knocked his protect instincts towards his little brother into overdrive. And for Sam, it drove him emotionally closer to Dean, who's always been his protector. That bond is shown in "The Benders," as the brothers are separated and end up having to save each other. Basically, if you're watching on DVD, you really shouldn't skip this episode.

"The Benders" revolves around Sam being kidnapped by a creepy family, who hunts humans for fun. Dean & Sam have come to town to investigate some unexplained disappearances. Unfortunately, Sam wanders outside alone and is abducted. Poor Sam is soon locked up in a cage on an isolated farm, with another kidnapped man. The crazy family holding them, murders Sam's cell mate and have similar plans for Sammy. Meanwhile, Dean is frantic to find his little brother. So frantic that he actually goes to the police for help, for once. Since he's still wanted for murder (Thanks to that shape-shifter in "Skin" killing those people and wearing Dean's face) Dean lies to a local police officer named Kathleen, telling her that he's from the state police. He convinces her to help him look for Sam. A video camera of the parking lot that Sam disappeared from gives them a clue and soon the two of them are hot on Sam's trail.

It turns out that Kathleen's brother was also kidnapped and killed by the crazy family years before. Kathleen is soon abducted by them, too, and Dean has to sneak onto the farm and try to save the day. He is incredibly relieved to find Sammy alive, but he can't get the cages open without a key. Dean is also sort of repulsed by the idea that humans are behind the disappearances. ("Demons I get. People are just crazy.") As he tries to find the key, he is captured, too. The family says that they will kill Sam, Dean, & Kathleen. But Sam gets out of the cage and saves Dean. Kathleen kills the father of the murdering family. Then she tells Sam & Dean to get out of town before the police show up and start asking questions. Sam & Dean start off down the road together again. Dean mutters that the next time Sam gets into trouble, Dean's not gonna come looking to find him. "Yeah, you will." Sam replies.

There are some good parts to this episode. I have to laugh when Dean tries to explain why he looks nothing like the real police officer, whose identity he's stolen. He looks at the photo of the large, African American man who he was pretending to be and sort of winces, "Well, I've lost a lot of weight. And I have that Michael Jackson skin disease thing." It makes me smile. I really enjoy Dean when he's all over protective of Sammy. They have such a cute relationship. Dean can go from making fun of Sam's love of the remake of "Godzilla," to begging Kathleen for help because Sam's been his responsibility ever since the fire in Lawrence, to threatening to kill the entire crazy if the touch his brother. Dean's just so cute. And I like Sam in this episode, since it's really Sammy who gets out of the cage. He's pretty clever. And I think it's cool that Kathleen takes revenge for her brother by shooting the creepy father guy.

Really there's a lot of people attacking others because they pose a threat to their family in this episode. Dean threatens the crazy family for Sam, the creepy father threatens Kathleen for his family, and Kathleen kills the father because he murdered her brother. It's interesting. Finally, I like Dean's conversation with the creepy family while he's tied to the chair. He's still not willing to back down from being a smart-ass. "Oh, eat me. Wait, no, I forgot, you actually might." But at the same time he's worried about what they might do to Sam. When they tell him to choose which person they'll hunt next, Sam or Kathleen, Dean hesitates. You can see him trying to figure out which option will give Sam the best chance of survival. When the family finally decided to kill both Sam and Kathleen, Dean's rage is actually sort of scary.

On the downside, there's something wrong with the way Dean gets out of those handcuffs. Kathleen cuffs him to the car door, and then Dean picks the lock of the cuff around his wrist. But, the crazy family is already coming down the road, as he works on it. Next we see that Dean has escaped and that the handcuffs are gone. But, unless Dean took the time to also pick the lock on the handcuff side that was still attached to the cars door, it just doesn't seem to make sense.

My favorite part of the episode: Dean describing himself to Kathleen, while pretending to be a policeman. "Yeah, Dean. He was kind of the black sheep of the family... Handsome, though." It just makes me laugh every time.

Supernatural: Nightmare (2006) Season 1, Episode 14

Sam's Visions Get Worse

[8/10 · 18 March 2008]

This is an important episode for the series. It establishes that Sam's not the only kid with special powers, or the only baby whose mother was incinerated over his crib. It's also the episode that shifts Dean's main mission from "hunting things and saving people" to "protecting Sam." Dean's always been looking out for Sammy, in fact he practically raised the kid. (see season one's "Something Wicked.") But after "Nightmare," Dean's concern for Sam, and his worry about Sam's powers are Dean's main focus in life. If you're watching the episodes on DVD, you shouldn't skip "Nightmare," since it sets up a lot of stuff for the rest of the season one and helps establish the story arc of season two.

"Nightmare" revolves around Sam finding another kid with physic abilities. Sam has another prophetic dream of a guy dying and insists that he & Dean investigate. The dead guy had a creepy son, named Max, a quiet wife, and an angry brother. Sam & Dean crash the funeral, dressed as priests to question the bereaved and quickly determine that it's not the work of a ghost. After the brother also dies mysteriously and Sam has a vision of it, the boys turn their attention to Max. Sam and Dean are also worried because Sam's visions are now coming when he's awake, too.

It turns out that Max was abused by his uncle and father. He killed them to get revenge and now he's after his step-mother because she just stood-by and watched. Sam and Dean try to stop him, but soon Max has them all at gun point. Sam and Max talk, and Sam realizes that Max has the same sort of mysterious powers that he does. Max's are a little different in that he can move things with his mind, though. Max also tells Sam that his mother died on the ceiling of his nursery, burning. Like Sam, Max's powers began to manifest recently and are getting stronger. Then he locks Sam in the closet and goes after Dean & the mom. Sam sees a vision of Max killing Dean and power surges out of him. He opens the closet with his mind and saves Dean, but before they can stop him, Max turns the gun on himself. Sam is upset over Max's death and the new questions he has about his own powers. Sam and Dean leave town, with Dean promising his brother that Sam isn't evil, or dangerous to anyone like Max and that they will get answers to what's going on.

There are some good parts to this episode. I like Dean's shock when Sam mutters that that their family is cursed. "We're not cursed. We've just had some dark spots." Dean has such a childlike belief in his family that it's kinna sweet. I also like Sam's conversation with Max. Sam comes to see how much harder his life would have been if he hadn't had John and Dean there to protect him. It's also the threat to Dean's safety that makes Sam break free of the closet. It's an indication of things to come, where the brothers will do incredible things to keep each other safe. Finally, I like Sam & Dean dressed up like priests. They're just cute... In a "Thornbirds" kinna way.

On the down side, is Sam's telekinesis ever going to come back again?

My favorite part of the episode: Dean assuring Sam that, "As long as I'm around, nothing bad is gonna happen to you." Then he makes a joke about heading to Vegas to test out Sam's new powers. Sam laughs and you can see that he's comforted by Dean's words. Then Dean turns and there's a close up on his face, all the worry he hid from Sam reflected in his eyes. It shows how many of Dean's thoughts and concerns he hides behind a joke and quick smile. All of their lives he comforted Sammy, by telling him he would handle it and acting like it was all under control. But beneath the surface, Dean is scared to death.

Supernatural: Route 666 (2006) Season 1, Episode 13

Probably the Weakest Episode of Season One

[5/10 · 17 March 2008]

If I was going to skip one episode of "Supernatural" this season, this would probably be it. It doesn't fit in with the story arc, or add anything to the season's mythology. It does show Dean as someone capable of deep feelings. He thought that he loved Cassie and when Dean loves people, he doesn't lie to them. He sleeps around with a lot of women, but he's capable of more. When he does open up to someone, like Cassie, he stays committed to them even years later. He drops everything to go and help her, which I think is sweet. It also shows the difference between Sam and Dean. Sam was willing to marry Jessica without ever telling her the truth about the family. Dean, as soon as he felt something real for a woman, told her everything up front. Dean's usually more willing to break the "rules" for the people he loves, than Sam is. Really, though, if you're in a hurry to get through the season, you can skip this episode and not miss anything.

"Route 666" revolves around a ghostly, racist, monster truck killing African American men. It runs them off the road, then vanishes into the night. One of its victims happens to be the father of, Cassie, Dean's old girlfriend. She dumped Dean when he told her about his life of hunting, but now she needs his help. Sam & Dean come to town and start investigating. It turns out that the truck belonged to an evil racist guy name Cyrus. Cyrus wanted to marry Cassie's mother, and when she choose Cassie's father instead, Cyrus went nuts. He firebombed a church and tried to kill Cassie's dad.

Dean and Cassie get closer again. They wind up sleeping together. Meanwhile, the truck picks off another victim, this one white. Cassie's mother finally explains that Cassie's father killed Cyrus, after Cyrus nearly beat him to death. Then Cassie's dad and his friends hid the body. Now Cyrus is back for revenge and his spirit is attached to the monster truck. Sam & Dean have to stop it by tricking the truck on to hollowed ground -the church that Cyrus burned- before Cyrus can kill Cassie. Then, Cassie tells Dean that she really doesn't see a future for him, given his life style as a Hunter, and Sam & Dean leave town.

There are some good parts to this episode. I like Sam teasing Dean about his relationship with Cassie. He's so happy about Dean actually caring for a girl that it's like he's mentally singing "Dean and Cassie, sitting in a tree..." It makes me laugh. I think it's cute when Sammy acts like a pesky little brother. Also, I like the way the brothers defeat the monster truck at the end. It's very cool, with the truck sort of dissolving into nothing as it meets the Impala head on.

On the downside, just the fact that I feel bad about giving this episode a low rating, shows that the social message takes over from the story in "Route 666." My grandparents came from different cultures, so I think that this could actually have been a good story to present on the show. It's important. But, it's done way too heavy handedly here and it comes off a fake. It's not a story about racism. It's like a 45 minute public service announcement saying, "Racism is bad," with nothing else to make the characters and their problems real. It cheapens the whole message, because it doesn't connect with the audience. It's a hollow, cardboard presentation of a real life problem. Plus, Cassie herself is very, VERY unlikable to me. Nothing against the actress, I have no problems with her. But Cassie dumps Dean twice -TWICE!- in one episode. She only calls him because she need him, after she broke up with him when she found out that he was a Hunter. Then she uses him and tosses him aside, after he solves all her problems for her. He opened up to her and she broke his heart. I just can't like anyone who hurts Dean, I don't care how relevant a social message they represent.

My favorite part of the episode: Sam's saying how much he misses college and "conversations that don't start with, 'So, about this killer truck'." It makes me laugh every time.

Supernatural: Faith (2006) Season 1, Episode 12

One of the Best Episodes of the Season

[9/10 · 17 March 2008]

I know I hit the spoiler button, but I'm about to blow some plot-points for seasons 2 and 3, so if you haven't seen them yet, better quit reading this now. I don't want to spoil anything for people. Okay? Ready? Last chance?

Okay, "Faith" is a great episode. It builds on the fact that Dean isn't sure he believes in God, introduces the idea of Reapers, and establishes that Dean is somehow "special." It also is an episode that lays the ground work for episodes to come, like season two's "In My Time of Dying" and season three's "Mystery Spot." Mostly though this episode is like a preview of season three, where Sam will do pretty much anything to keep Dean alive and Dean isn't so sure he's worth the effort to save. You really shouldn't skip it.

"Faith" revolves around Dean getting hurt on a job. He electrocutes himself while tasering a monster and damages his heart. Sam is horrified when Dean's doctor tells them that Dean will die. Dean is willing to just accept his fate, but Sam refuses to give up. He researches and comes up with a faith healer, Roy LeGrange, who might be able to help. Sam tricks Dean into going to the man's revival meeting, where they also meet a sick woman named Layla. Layla has a brain tumor and is hoping that Roy can help her. Dean's skepticism and muttered complaints, seem to catch Roy's interest. (Plus, he sensing something special about Dean.) So Sam shoves Dean up on stage to be healed, but instead of being the fake that Dean expects, Roy actually cures him. The only problem is, when Dean gets better, another man dies.

Dean is sure that something is wrong and some investigating reveals that Roy's wife Sue Ann is controlling a reaper. It kills the people that she selects as sinners and then has the reaper trade their life force for some sick person, who Roy "heals." Sam and Dean have to stop her. But, if they do than Layla will die, because Roy won't be able to "heal" her. Dean is torn, feeling unworthy of being alive, when Layla is still sick. In the end, the boys stop Sue Ann and Lalya come to see Dean, telling him that she having faith mean believing even when miracles don't happen.

There's a lot to like about "Faith". The grey, washed out colors of it give the whole episode a cool, hopeless sort of look. And I like Dean's rant against the Snuggle Fabric Softener Teddy Bear and daytime TV. "I'm gonna hunt that little b*tch down." Then he tells Sam to just leave town without him and of, course, Sam refuses. Still, it shows how little Dean really thinks of himself. He has no idea how important he is to his brother. But Dean still breaks out of the hospital and going to be with Sam at the hotel, because he just can't stand being alone and away from his brother for long. It's sweet. And I like Dean's annoyance when he finds out that the "specialist" Sam is taking him to is really a faith healer. "You lying b*stard." He makes me laugh. Also, I like Layla. She's one of the more sympathetic people that the brother's meet. Finally, the scene with the reaper going after the jogger, while the brothers piece together that that a reaper is at work, and then "Don't Fear the Reaper" starts playing, is just one of the best scenes ever.

What I find most interesting about this episode, is the fact that out of everyone in the tent, Roy chose Dean to save. Roy says that Dean was the most deserving and that he still had a mission to complete. I think also it was because Dean was the only one there with an unselfish motive. He went to Roy to make Sam happy, he was only sick in the first place because he was helping to save children from a monster, and he would have given his life in the end to save Layla. Also interesting, is contrasting Sam in this episode with Sam in season three. Here Sam instantly contends that they can't kill Roy, who is a human and they can't allow anyone else to be healed by him, either. But, I sort of doubt that Sam would have that felt that way if Dean hadn't already been healed by Roy. Sam has coldness in him sometimes and it usually comes out when Dean's life is at stake. (see season three's "Fresh Blood" and "Mystery Spot") There's nothing either brother wouldn't do to save the other, and that included making some pretty tough choices.

On the down side, I wish that, since Sue Ann was going to be killed by the Reaper anyway, her life force could have been given to Layla, somehow.

My favorite part of the episode: Dean's whiny reluctance to get "healed" by Roy. Sam's so excited dragging him into the tent and forcing him to sit up front. Dean's batting Sam's arm away and urging Roy to pick someone else to heal. Dean's usually so in control of himself and the situation that seeing him suddenly pushed along by Sam makes me laugh.

Supernatural: Asylum (2005) Season 1, Episode 10

Sam & Dean go to a Haunted Insane Asylum

[7/10 · 17 March 2008]

A lot of people like this episode, and while it's not my favorite, I do think that it has a very atmospheric quality. Personally, I like the mythology arc episodes better than the monsters-of-the-week, but if you're looking a scary horror film-like episode to watch with the lights out, this might be a good choice. This is also the episode where the John finally calls the boys. And their problems in this episode (especically Sam's continuing feelings of frustration over fighting evil instead of just devoting all their energy to finding John and Dean's insecurities about Sam's commitment to their partnership) drive a lot of the action in "Scarecrow." All in all, if you're watching on DVD you should probably give "Asylum" a shot.

"Asylum" revolves around a haunted insane asylum. People keep breaking in, getting possessed and going crazy. They are consumed by rages that lead them to kill the people around them. John contacts the boys, text messaging them coordinates of the institution. Sam is getting increasingly frustrated with John, something that will come to a head in the next episode "Scarecrow." For now though, he takes out his frustration on Dean, and his brother's tendency to blindly follow John's orders and take the lead on jobs.

The boys investigate and it turns out that the old doctor in charge of the asylum was evil and like to do experiment on his patients. They rioted and killed him. But his spirit still haunts the place. The ghosts of the patients try to warn people, but the doctor infect visitors with a killing rage. Sam & Dean save a teenage couple, Kat & Gavin, who break in to the asylum on a date. (She voted for a movie.) The doctor's spirit goes after Sam & Dean. It fakes a phone call, pretending to be Dean trapped in the asylum basement. It gets Sam alone then infects Sam. Dean goes after Sam, but Sam is blinded by rage and shoots his brother with a rock salt gun. Dean manages to knock him out and salt & burns the doctors bones. Sam is cured and tries to apologize to Dean. Dean says it's fine, but he's obviously still hurt. The boys go back to the hotel where they get a phone call from John.

There are some good things about this episode. I like the fact that Sam is still trying to find his place in the world of Hunting. He's adamant that Dean isn't his boss, he's conflicted when he tells the psychiatrist about Dean & their never ending road trip. But, he's willing to rush off into danger to help his brother when he gets that phone call and, when he gets into trouble, his first instinct is to call out for Dean assistance. They're still working on their partnership, but it's clear that Sam & Dean make a good team. When Sam's not possessed, anyway... I also like teenagers in peril, this episode. Kat is the one who has to man the shotgun. And when Sam says that they can't panic, Gavin's response is "Why the h*ll not?" They have more personality than a lot of the monster-of-the-week victims. Also, the ghosts in this episode are pretty creepy looking. They sort of "fast-forward" their way around, and blink in and out. Very cool.

On the down side, it kinna makes me sad that Sam pulled that trigger. Granted he was all possessed & crazy, and the gun was empty anyway, but still... It hurts Dean that his brother could do that.

My favorite part of the episode: Dean's helpful lecture to Kat, "Haven't you ever seen a horror movie? Next time pay attention! If someplace is haunted, don't go in." It just makes me laugh.

Supernatural: Home (2005) Season 1, Episode 9

Sam & Dean Head Back to Kansas

[7/10 · 17 March 2008]

I want to like this episode more than I do. I don't hate it, I just don't love it. I think there are better episodes that explore the boys longing and dread of their home in Lawrence. (For instance, season two's "What is and What Should Never Be.") Anyway, this seems like it is an important episode in the season's story arc, but really it doesn't add a lot to the season. Sam finally tells Dean that he had prophetic nightmares, which Dean takes fairly well all things considered. (Only one reference to "The Shining") "Home" also reveals that John is alive and well and knows what his boys are doing... He's just avoiding them. And there is a nice scene with Mary's ghost smiling at the boys and apologizing to Sam. (For what is still a mystery.) But that's about it. All in all, this is an okay episode, but it's not really my favorite.

"Home" revolves around Sam & Dean going back to their old home in Lawrence, Kansas. (Interestingly, Sam left Kansas at 6 months old and Dean was only 4, but the both still see the house there as "home.") Sam has a vision of something going after the family who has just moved into their old house. He explains to Dean that he's had the vision and that they have to go to back to Lawrence. Dean is skeptical and he has a lot of conflicted memories of his life there, but he agrees to go. Sam & Dean soon realize that there is something evil in the house and they're afraid that it's the same something that killed their mother.

The boys track down an old physic friend of John named Missiori. She and the boys talk to the woman who lives in the house now and discover that something has been attacking the kids in the house. They also call John, asking for his advise, but he doesn't respond to Dean's call. They perform an exorcism and they think it's all clear. But, there's still something inside the house. It pins Sam up against the wall and Dean has to take an ax to the door to get to his brother. Suddenly, Mary's ghost appears and beats back the poltergeist haunting the house. The boys stare at her in awe as she smiles and cancels out the evil energy with her own goodness. The episode ends with the reveal that John is also in Laurence and is hiding from the boys because he doesn't want them to be part of his fight against the demon.

There are some good parts to this episode. I like Sam finally telling Dean the truth about his visions. He looks at Dean, willing Dean to believe him and Dean does. It's nice. Also, I like Dean's phone call to John. He's trying to hold it together as he talks to his father's voice mail, but his voice soon starts breaking and you can see how hard it is for him to be back in Kansas again. Also, the special effects are nice in this episode, with the man's hand getting pureed in the garbage disposal is very creepy. And the fire effect around Mary is cool. So is the fight scene with the knives flying at Dean and the lamp trying to strangle Sam. Also, I like when Sam tells the little girl to carry her brother outside, he uses the exact same words that John said to Dean on the night that Mary died. It's a nice touch. Finally, I like that Sam's powers are developing in this episode. His abilities are such a big part of the series that it's interesting to see them beginning here in "Home."

On a side note, if you have the DVD of this episode, the deleted scenes are worth looking at. Specifically, the one with Dean & Sam interviewing John's old mechanic friend. I love Dean's angry reaction to learning that the guy called social services because John sold everything he owned to buy guns. The guy laments that he hopes John got help. "Maybe there was nothing wrong with him." Dean snaps, "Maybe, you should have stuck by your friend." Sam quickly steps in before Dean really gets into a fight with the guy. It's just such a "Dean" thing to do. The guy was trying to help little Dean & Sam, seeing his buddy John as loosing his mind after the death of Mary and endangering his kids. All Dean sees is criticism of his father, though. Dean's blind loyalty to John and his inability to question him is a major plot point of the series, as Dean tries to deal with the fact that John isn't perfect. Also it's cool that John once owned a garage. In season two's "What is and What Should Never Be" it's revealed that -if Mary had never died- Dean would have worked in a garage. I'm assuming it's John's, which means that no matter what, Dean chooses to follow in John's footsteps. Dean's always so focused on his family.

On the down side, I don't like Missiori. She's mean to Dean and it ticks me off. I'm really protective of the guy. As a psychic, you'd think that she'd be able to see how sensitive and lacking in self esteem Dean is, under his jaunty smile. He's a self-destructive, protector with an inferiority complex and Missouri's not helping him deal with it. Also, I'm not sure what happened to Mary. How did she destroy herself and where did she go? Also, what sort of weird refrigerator was that? The whole middle shelf was moved so the kid could fit into it. Finally, John's letting Dean think that he ignored the phone call is just cold.

My favorite part of the episode: Sam learning that Dean carried him out of house the night that Mary died. His touched surprise is very cute.

Supernatural: Skin (2005) Season 1, Episode 6

An Important Episode for the Rest of the Series

[8/10 · 17 March 2008]

This is an important episode for the rest of the series. It establishes why the FBI chases after the brothers through seasons two and three, and it directly ties in with the season two episode "Nightshifter." This is also an episode that lets the viewers get under Dean's skin a bit. (I know. Bad pun. Sorry, couldn't resist.) But, "Skin" is a metaphor for stripping away Dean's "outer skin," his wise-ass, tough guy act and explore the Dean underneath that becomes more apparent as the series goes along. It's an episode that lets Sam and the audience see Dean more clearly. If you're watching on DVD, you shouldn't skip this one.

"Skin" revolves around a shape-shifter. Sam gets a message from his old college friend, Rebecca. Her brother, Zack, has been arrested for murder, even though she swears that Zack was with her at the time the victim died. Dean is reluctant to investigate, claiming that there's nothing supernatural about this case, but secretly fearing that Sam might be drawn back into his old life and leave him alone. Sam insists on helping Rebecca, though, so they start to investigate.

It soon becomes clear that a shape-shifter is in the neighborhood, kidnapping people, then assuming their identities to kill their loved ones. Soon Dean is captured by the shape-shifter and has his identity stolen. Sam instantly knows that there's something "off" about this Dean, but he gets kidnapped, too. The shape-shifter, still looking like Dean goes off and attacks Rebecca. Sam and Dean escape in time to call the police and save her, but then Dean is wanted by the cops for the attack. Meanwhile, the shape-shifter switches over to Rebecca's identity and attacks Sam. Dean saves Rebecca, then shoots the shape-shifter while it is attacking Sam. Unfortunately, the shape-shifter still has Dean's face, so the police think that it's really Dean. They declare him dead and release Zack, pinning the murders on poor Dean.

There are some good parts to this episode. I like Dean whining that because they have to get up at 5am to investigate a crime scene. It just seems like something someone would really grumble about. And I like conflicted feelings Sam continues to have about his life as a Hunter v. his life at Stanford. A part of him still hopes that he can go back to college some day, even as it becomes clearer to him that he never really fit in there or anywhere else, except next to Dean in the Impala. I also love Dean's plan to hunt down the shape-shifter and the beat the "holy crap" out of that "handsom devil." It just makes me laugh. Finally, the scene where the shape-shifter had Sam tied up in the sewers is really cool. The shape-shifter goes on about Dean's conflicted feels towards their lives. Since Sam went to school, Dean COULDN'T. He stayed, because that's what the thought a "good son" would do. But Dean made sure Sam could leave home with a clear conscience. He gave Sam and John what they needed so they could live their lives and neither of them thought about Dean's needs. I like the scene with Sam and the shape-shifter because I think Sam finally sees the sacrifices Dean quietly makes.

Aside from the obvious "peeling away" of people's exteriors in "Skin", there are other references to the idea that everyone is hiding their "real" selves beneath a mask. Photographs are mentioned several times in "Skin." Especially how they are can capture a person's soul. They can spot the shape-shifter in the video because his eyes gleam in the light. The shape-shifter might be able to look like the person and assume their identity, but he still can't BE them. When the shape-shifter turns into Dean, Sam instantly senses something wrong. For Sam, he had a picture perfect life at Stanford. All his friends just loved him... But they really never knew him at all. The photograph of Rebecca, Zack, and Sam on the refrigerator is fake somehow, because the Sam smiling in it doesn't really exist. For Dean, the police drawing of the shape-shifter inside of his skin, just isn't "a good picture." He's hiding so much about himself that even the shape-shifter is surprised. Dean's insecurities and abandonment issues are nearly as bad as its own and, at the end, he actually scold Sam for not "appriciating" Dean more. But at the same time, when Dean ignores Sam's orders and heads into the sewers alone to find the shape-shifter, he apologizes to his absent brother by saying "Sorry, Sam, but you know me." Of all the loved ones the shape-shifter attacks in the episode, it's clear that Sam & Dean are coming to know each other the best. Their bond is getting deeper all the time.

On the downside, does the guy the shape-shifter framed for beating his wife have to go to prison? That seems unfair. Also, I think that the shape-shifter was lying when it told Sam that Dean was jealous of Sam's life. While, I think Dean is scared that Sam will leave him alone, there's no real resentment there. If anything, I think Dean is SAD that Sam's life has gotten so screwed-up and can't be normal. Dean would sacrifice anything for Sam.

My favorite part of the episode: Dean's anger over the shape shifter taking his possessions. Assuming his identity is bad. Making him a fugitive from the FBI is worse. But, stealing the Impala and wearing his necklace is just taking things too far. Interestingly, the Impala and the necklace are the two possessions that seem to represent Dean. He always has them and clearly treasures them. Plus, they were gifts from John and Sam, respectively. It's just a nice touch that Dean's so eager to get them back from the shape-shifter. Ripping the necklace right off his double's neck was like Dean reclaiming his identity.