The big confrontation scene with the demon known as Tammi didn’t do this episode a lot of favors. It involved too much monologuing. I know that’s the classic vehicle for a villain, especially a demon, but Tammi overdid it. That brings me to a nagging point that keeps coming up in several of these episodes. Tammi confronted Sam by slamming him against a wall (with Dean joining him this time). I don’t get it. She took out Mrs. Renee Van Allen with one quick twist of the neck, so why do demons fight off Sam and Dean by crushing them against something after delivering a taunting speech? It’s sexy, sure, but it is so reminiscent of the Bond films where the villain goes through the elaborate and escapable scenario of death, when a gunshot to the head would have done the trick nicely (yes, I took that from Austin Powers, but it’s so true).

The scene did redeem itself though with what my husband calls the coolest part of the entire season, Dean gutting that evil Tammi demon several times like she was a fish with Ruby’s “knife-of-demon-death”. In my husband’s deeply profound words, that was “awesome.”

The Real Reason This Episode Worked

This episode was the best showcase in season three for the beloved and equally vital third cast member, the Impala. It’s criminal awards aren’t given for this type of performance by a non-living entity. That brightly lit angle from the back seat while Dean rants to Sam about how much he hates witches sent my heart soaring, for I got a fully spectacular HD view of the three prettiest cast members in television. The Impala got its chance to play hero too, practically flying in to save the day for poor undeserving Paul (was I the only one that wished the maggots would get him?). Sure Dean was driving, but who wasn’t watching the car?

How about the way the Impala sputtered and jerked before going dark when Ruby showed up? That’s better dramatic acting than what we get from other guest stars (cough**Bela**cough). Given how the Impala is an essential member of the Winchester family, it’s fitting that it stood behind Sam and Dean in unified support during the tense confrontation with Ruby. It reminded us how more powerful and complete scenes are in this show when the car is present (see all Sam and Dean in-car arguments and the end to “A Very Supernatural Christmas”). In one of the many great action shots we often get from our favorite vehicle, our heroic Impala used its power and speed to race to the rescue to save Dean with Sam behind the wheel. For those counting, that was only the second time this season (thus far) that Sam was seen driving the car (after none in season two). Finally, in the outstanding closing shot, after Dean gets the devastating news about his fate from Ruby in the parking lot, all that’s left is Dean and the Impala. At least his baby is there to console him.