TV Review: Supernatural - "Bedtime Stories"
Published June 22, 2008
Given what we just saw, the next scene makes tons of sense. Sam is going to confront the Crossroads Demon anyway, sneaking out while Dean is asleep (nice shot of the full moon outside, and then in the picture, by the way). He holds onto the wooden box in the middle of the crossroads, thinks about if he’s doing the right thing, and then puts it in the ground, attentively moving the dirt around it. That’s a sharp contrast to Dean’s desperate and hurried visit the last time. I won’t dwell too much on the fact that the Crossroads Demon (Sandra McCoy) happens to be at the time Jared’s real life girlfriend (they announced a few weeks ago the engagement and relationship was off), except to say that she’s so tiny compared to him! That was a lot of man to hold onto. She’d get completely lost in a hug.
The crossroads scene is the conclusion of Sam’s story from “Sin City.” “Do you even want to break the deal?” The demon comes out and says what the Father last week hinted, isn’t he tired of cleaning up Dean’s messes? Isn’t he tired of being bossed around? Of course he’s tired of taking Dean’s orders, which is why he’s there. The scene at the hospital was his breaking point, and it’s time to take matters into his own hands.
The questions raised from last week are explored deeper here. Is Dean helping or hurting Sam? Is he saving Sam from a dark destiny, or preventing him from living the life he wants to live? As for Sam, does the idea of saving Dean mean that he must lose himself? Can Sam ever let go, or must he always cling to this notion that he must look out for his brother? Will Dean’s death give him some relief of a burden? It’s still amazing to me all the unresolved questions this episode left behind. I’m forgiving, though, since there’s a strike to blame, so I’ll reserve further judgment until next season.
This question has nagged me the entire season, and I’m still not sure I have an answer. Why did Sam kill the Crossroads Demon? Part of the reason was that in his mind he was taking control of the situation and no longer seeking permission. Another part was from those words hanging from Ruby, “You need to go against that gentle nature of yours.” Also, he’s starting to ask himself how would Dean react and trying to be more like him, which hints to us (rightfully so from what we saw the rest of the season) that he’s losing his sense of self. Sam’s identity has been unraveling ever since he came back from the great beyond, and here it took a sharp turn downward.
- TV Review: Supernatural - "Bedtime Stories"
- Published: June 22, 2008
- Type: Review
- Section: Video
- Filed Under: Video: Drama, Video: Fantasy, Video: TV Recap
- Part of a feature: The Winchester Family Business: Supernatural
- Writer: Alice Jester
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- Alice Jester's personal site
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Comments on this articleComments
I look forward to your reviews every week and find myself nodding in agreement, laughing, and occasionally crying as I relive each episode. I love that you're so excited by the show and have so many profound things to say about it. In my life, whenever I mention Supernatural in a conversation I generally get a blank stare so it's nice to know you're out there! Thank you for all the time and thought you put into your reviews!
Same for me Kari. People think I'm crazy for loving so much this show. If I speak about Supernatural is like I talk to the walls. People just stares at me not Knowing what I am talking about, so it is very nice to read this reviews, to see that there are people just like you who understand your emotions and your feelings toward that show.
And Alice you do it just fine. It's like you collect all of our thoughts and put it on the net.
About this ep, I really like it. I mean, Dean got the best lines, like that one with the frog, or the wicked stepmother of Snow white.
Anyway i was really impressed with Sam's abilitys of drawning. Picasso would be green with envy:)
My reactiong at seeing that drawning was the same as Dean's.Even now I'm laughing just thinking at that scene.
I noticed that Dean has a pleasure in making Sam feeling inconfortable:this scene with the drawning, that one from PLaythings with the huge crush of Sam in dolls, and etc.
About Red Sky... It will be difficult but that episode too has his part off good lines. Dean's all:)
Even Kripke said he isn't content with that episode but I think they gave us one hell of the finale so we can forgive that ep:)
Barry - Yeah, the number one and two scripted shows, and they get zero respect. The latest budget cut news (I won't reveal for spoiler reasons) really bothers me. It's not fair! As for Dawn, the only reason she isn't gone yet is because no one else will take that crappy job. I wouldn't.
Kari - Why thank you! I'm fortunate to share my love of this show with my husband, but that's it. I have no friends that watch it either, and certainly no co-workers (probably because I work in IT and they're all from India). I'm just thrilled for the opportunity to share my love to an audience like this.
Hi there vichi! Dean does know how to make Sam uncomfortable, doesn't he? I plan on doing an extended commentary on that when my review comes up for "A Very Supernatural Christmas." At least I hope so. That's going to be a very long review, since it's one of the best episodes of the series.
Red Sky isn't the worst, but what I came up with as an alternate should be more fun than analyzing that episode extensively. Even Kripke admitted it was a lost cause, so I can't rub salt into an already open wound. I'm featuring the top five worst Supernatural episodes of the series. When Mystery Spot airs, then I'll do the best since I've already done a review for that. Hopefully these subjective lists will go over well. Either that, or the taunting will be harsh! We'll see.
I read that SN starts on 9/4! :)
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October 2?. It figures!. The CW gets the jump early and gets Gossip and 90210 going, and probably everything else, but no SN?. I hear it's October for Smallville as well. More disrespect thrown their way. Is Ostroff out yet?.