TV Review: Supernatural - "Fresh Blood"
Published July 07, 2008
I want to send my thanks to all who read and sent comments regarding my cop-out last week for “Red Sky At Morning”. The feedback was fantastic and many agreed with my choices for the five worst episodes. The best episodes list will be coming in a few weeks, and I’m sure I’ll get far more disagreement on that one.
“Fresh Blood” holds a special place for me since it’s the very first Supernatural episode I saw live. As I’ve mentioned before, the hubby and I spent most of the fall catching up on the previous 50 episodes. We went into this episode holding up our arms in triumph because we finally reached the pinnacle. This episode was when season three kicked into high gear and began to reach levels of season two, sometimes exceeding them. Not that this season so far was bad, but here it went from good to really great. Of course, my husband will be the first to disagree with me, but that’s because he hates Gordon.
This is the third time a Sera Gamble script connected with Kim Manners’ direction, and the results again were remarkable. It’s a great combination because Sera tends to write powerful emotional scenes, and Kim knows how to bring out the greatest impact from those scenes. Of course it helps to have great actors like Jared and Jensen in your corner, but I’m stating the obvious. Even the first scene didn’t bother me. Bela was actually good with Gordon and her presence was minimal, which is a bonus. She even got to deliver a great line about hearing Sam was the Antichrist from the Easter Bunny and Tooth Fairy, and then appropriately asks, “Are you off your meds?” Sharp dialogue so early makes me happy.
My happiness continues as we get some classic, badass Dean. Sure he was cutting it a little close, but it was awesome. “I smell good. I taste even better.” I’m sure you do! How many of us were insanely jealous of Mercedes McNabb? I shake my mind out of the gutter and move on. Sam gives Dean grief for being reckless, something that comes full circle later.
The décor in this week’s motel room can’t be critiqued, since the mattresses up against the windows had me wondering if Sam and Dean flipped a coin over who got to sleep in the back seat of the Impala. When I open my vampire motel, I’ll know how to decorate now. “Lucy the Vampire Girl” was slipped some tainted blood at a club and wants to come down now. Judging by that machete in Dean’s hand, she should be careful what she wishes for. I was surprised when Sam flinched over Dean doing the decapitation. Just wait Sam. You’ll get to one-up him in the biggest way.
- TV Review: Supernatural - "Fresh Blood"
- Published: July 07, 2008
- Type: Review
- Section: Video
- Filed Under: Video: Drama, Video: Horror, Video: TV Recap, Video: Television
- Part of a feature: The Winchester Family Business: Supernatural
- Writer: Alice Jester
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I LOVE "Fresh Blood." Tis a brilliant episode. The scene in the hotel room with Sam asking Dean to be his brother again just takes my breath away ever single time.
I may be one of the few but I didn't find it horrifying when Sam pulled off Gordon's head. Gordon is a murdering vampire. He tried to kill Sam. He tried to kill Dean. Three strikes and he's dead. Sam's never had a problem killing (evil) vampires before. It was an incredibly badass moment for Sam though and I love it.
I certainly think season 3 was hitting it's peak around this time (and continued to gain momentum for several episodes). It's such a pity that the writers strike cut it short, the last four episodes of the season, IMO, suffered from the disruption. But yes, Fresh Blood was a kick-off to an awesome middle section of season 3. I agree with your picks for the best moments, I've rewatched this one many times.
Great review!
Hi there Alice,
Great review as always:)
I love this episode, it's dark and scary(Gordon as human gives you the creep but as vampire make your blood freeze) and has one of the most heartbreaking brotherly moments : the scene with Sam wanting Dean to be his brother again(It reminds me of the scene from In my time of dying when Sam told an almost dead Dean thatjust started to be brothers again:)-yes, last night I saw again IMTOD my favorite episode from the show:).
The other scene is with Dean teaching Sam how to fix the Impala.When I say the scene from the last episode in NRFTW when Dean tells Sam :Take care of my wheels, I remembered this scene when Dean teach Sam to fix the car. Is like he is writing his testament.The most precious thing he has, the Impala, we'll become Sam's so he must know how to take care of it.
Thanks Alice for this, is a long summer and your reviews make my summer easier without Supernatural. Can't wait for the guys to come back:)
Your review captured my high points of this episode. Thanks! I naively hoped that VampDaddy got away to find Lenore and the VeganVamps, but that's probably wishful thinking. :)
I started watching Superanatural with Season 3 at a friend's suggestion (without watching Seasons 1 or 2 first). I really liked the show up to this point and thought it was good, but Fresh Blood is where my view turned and affection turned to smitten obsession. After this episode, SPN went into the top 5 in the TiVo season pass and 'must see in real-time' TV. Fresh Blood captured the full range of the show - the acting, the storytelling, the characters - all better than average TV.
I love that motel room! The cowboys are holed up. Sam and Dean are completely whiped out at this point. Jared and the writers really showed their chops in the 'be my brother' argument. The clincher was that ending scene where Dean shows Sam how to fix the car - so well written and well played by both actors and that shiny pretty Metallicar.
Nice review as always and I agree with a lot of points you make here. As to why Dean does not care about dying: I think the first episodes of S3 made clear that that's not the case. To pretend to not care is a simple defence mechanism he cultivated in his behaviour towards Sam, in the belief to make it easier for his brother to let him go. In 'The Magnificent Seven' Dean states that he has no death wish and we see him wistful, thinking about what he leaves behind when he talks to Lisa in 'The Kids Are Alright'. We learn that he is scared out of his wits about going to hell when he talks to Casey 'Sin City'. Dean does care about dying, he just hides it in front of his brother. Add to that, that he was forced into inactiveness by the 'Sam dies'-clause in his contract and his behaviour becomes pretty understandable. :)
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I totally agree with your review, Alice. "Fresh Blood" is a gritty, exciting episode, no matter how many times you watch it.
Two highlights for me were the scene between Sam and Dean, when Sam wants his brother back; and the fight between Sam and Gordon. And yet I love the last scene the most, which is one of the best closing scenes in the entire series, when Dean teaches Sam how to fix the Impala. Jared in particular did some fine acting in this episode.