TV Review: Supernatural - "Long Distance Call"
Published May 03, 2008
The big winner though was the final scene. Just like in “A Very Supernatural Christmas,” Mr. Carver captured with brilliance the ideal brotherly moment. Every bit of the ending dialogue was perfect, and the acting as usual was first rate. They shared their feelings, and then Dean broke into his usual bravado before it got too uncomfortable, ending with them sharing a beer and facing uncertainty. That sounds like the Winchester mantra to me. Me tearing up during such scenes was typical too. I’m such a sap.
What Didn’t Work
Despite my blind love for Jeremy Carver, the script wasn’t flawless. First, I’ve never been impressed with villains that monologue. Back in my review of “Malleus Maleficarum,” I criticized Ben Edlund for using this typical “Bond” tactic of opening up the escapable scenario instead of just blowing someone away. This time it was worse and longer. The villain’s calls and M.O. were scary; the villain himself was annoying. Sadly, this also made the situation predictable, and usually this show isn’t predictable.
Granted this is the nitpicky, plot-focused writer in me, but the first phone call from John would have been more effective if it happened earlier, before they went to the victim’s house and started asking questions. That way, the call would have been more out of left field and built the suspense more. By the time it did happen, it was predictable (noticed repeated use of that word).
Some of the brotherly tension seemed a little forced. When Dean first told Sam about John’s phone call, he got upset when Sam suggested that if he calls again to say “hello” even going as far to abruptly leave the room. That scene didn’t feel right. Some aspects of the big fall out in the motel room later didn’t seem right either, but more on that later.
Why does this show like separating the brothers so much? The only episode that tactic worked well was “The Usual Suspects.” Maybe that was deliberate to show how at odds Sam and Dean were in this episode, but that added to the strange feeling. Take for example “Bedtime Stories.” They did that case together, and then in the end split up to get a resolution on both ends. That method would have been better served here.
Sam got caught and tied up by the MOTW. Been there, done that, and now for two weeks in a row, he saw another guy killed right in front of him. I did a check and yes, it’s been a while since Dean has been captured. Minor nitpick, but interesting how that’s been going. The only saving grace was that this time Sam got himself out of it instead of having to be saved.
- TV Review: Supernatural - "Long Distance Call"
- Published: May 03, 2008
- Type: Review
- Section: Video
- Part of a feature: The Winchester Family Business: Supernatural
- Writer: Alice Jester
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Comments on this articleComments
I have to disagree with you about Sam. I don't like this uncaring version of him. Nor do I want the brotherly relationship that I came to love ruined just for the sake of darkside Sam.
I, like you, am also confused at Sam's cold response to his brother's obvious frustration and I don't know if it was part of the acting or the directing, but I didn't feel Sam cared whether it was dad or not, he just wasn't going to deal with panicky Dean because he "knew" it couldn't be John. How? We don't know, since at that point, they didn't know if it was really loved ones calling or another reason.
I also thought that Sam's response "huh..hello?" to Dean's heartbreaking request about what to say if John called back was unbearably callous. Sam was not a likable character in this episode till the end, and mainly because of Dean's lightning up the moment. I didn't see any layers in Sam that he was worried about Dean all the while he was telling Dean that it wasn't John and therefore he was going to go and talk to Lainie.
I found it also disturbing that he showed more patience and caring for Lainie than he did for his own brother.
As for the welching clause, per John, he told Dean that he had a way of getting Dean out without putting Sam in danger. So Dean wasn't going into this blind, he figured it was worth a try knowing that Sam would still be ok.
I'm not sure what you meant about Dean not caring about the clause. "John" pointed it out because it knew that Dean would only go along with what it was saying IF the clause would be rendered useless, thus showing that Dean was concerned about potential invoking of the clause and that even this thing knew it.
Sam's behavior on the other hand I find completely confusing. He acted like he didn't care about what Dean was going through at all, like he had better things to do than worry about this. This after a year of Sam complaining that Dean wasn't acting like he cared enough about the fact that he was going to Hell. Then, when Dean acts like he cares, Sam suddenly isn't interested.
I found this meta article that attempts to explain Sam's actions in this episode. It's a very interesting and well thought out analysis and might explain some of the points I was having issues with. Anyway, it can be found here
As for Dean not showing concern about welching on the deal, it goes back to the blind faith thing he has in John. He wasn't just risking himself, but Sam as well. I just thought he'd be more concerned about that. It wasn't a huge sticking point with me in this episode though, but I'm curious to see if this will be an issue as they get closer to the end of the contract.
I will not agree that Sam wasn't a likeable character in this episode. Dean is desperate as he is running out of time and he can't find a solution! He is ready to accept anything-even the impossibility of his father calling him. He's in a condition so characteristic of people who have lost any hope and they are scared. Sam cares for his brother, as he always did, but he tries to remain calm, not to loose his ability to think clearly and he also tries to talk some sense into Dean as not to believe so easily this "long-distance call", not until they find out what is happening. Once again, Sam keeps the balance between the two of them. Sam wants to investigate very carefully this case, just to protect his brother from another trap, that's why he considers it very important to talk to the girl! Scared and desperate Dean misinterprets his brother's intention and he thinks Sam doesn't care for him anymore, another sign of his despair! However, Sam still means well and his only concern is to help Dean. Dean realizes that in the end.
P.S. It's the very first episode, we see one of the two heroes, and more particularly Sam, driving another car and not the Impala (we will see Sam in another car also in the ep. "Time Is On My Side").
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I love your reviews! I am with you. On the first viewing, it was hmmmm. I watched it again last night and enjoyed it much more. I wonder if Sammy seems on unresponsive to Dean is because he knows what he can become now after Mystery Spot and doesn't want to go there. I still think the Trickster is somehow connected to Dean's deal. Like he is "working" with/for the good guys. He admitted he liked the boys in Tall Tales and he could have just killed them both outright but he didn't. OK, he killed Dean a hundred times in MS but I think he was trying to make a point. I still think there is a hint in there of things to come in there somewhere and I can't wait to see the final two episodes!