I did miss Sam, even though this story was for his benefit. His absence served its point, so I’ll let it pass. The only thing I won’t let pass is why was Dean driving a 1979 Ford Pinto in 1973. My family drove Pintos while I was growing up so I know. There, nitpicks over. Time for the pages of gushing now.
Who Needs Classic Rock?
This is a packed full episode, so no time for musical montages. There’s a great recap of season one for those of us who don’t remember all those unanswered questions that we’re still over-speculating about. They even showed Mary apologizing to Sam in “Home.” It’s about time that one was cleared up!
The writer this week is the most incredible, awe-inspiring master of storytelling and dialogue known as Jeremy Carver (I’m still openly begging for that interview). The director is Steve Boyum, who I haven’t had the pleasure of praising before. He previously directed “Crossroad Blues” and “Dream A Little Dream of Me” and added a gem here to his list.
Let’s Begin
Dean is asleep on the bed, and obviously he got back from something exhausting since he’s on top of the covers and has his clothes on. Sam has that tough guy “ready to waste some demons” glare, and he does the sneak out on Dean. Take a good look at that gorgeous face for that’s the last you see him until next week. Mitch Pileggi said in an interview that Jared went to Hawaii while this episode was filmed. As a joke, the crew taped postcards from Hawaii on the front of the camera while filming to irk Jensen. That story alone makes Sam’s absence worth it.
It’s the Willow Tree Motel! That’s the exact same sign from “Mystery Spot”, the motel Sam went to, to dig that bullet out of his ribs. Granted the inside is different, but I guess reusing signs is allowed. They did that with “A Very Supernatural Christmas” too (Cicero Pines), so I wonder if this is a norm for Jeremy Carver episodes. Probably just a coincidence.
Dean dreams of the red and black flashes from Hell again and there’s Castiel. I heard all those squeals of joy! Awesome how he pops in and out like that and when Sam isn’t around. He’s an imaginary friend or something. “You have to stop it.” Before Dean gets an answer, the magic angel fingers go in between the eyes and he’s being wakened from a park bench. No time for a long slow setup.
Article comments
1 - Erin
Awesome review! LOL, I was wondering about the year on that Pinto. Kripke underestimated us again .... ;-)
Per the distance Dean drove to fetch the Colt, though, I looked on Mapquest, and if we presume Dan Elkins lived near Boulder, CO, it's about an 18 hour round trip drive from Lawrence to Boulder and back. Judging by the lighting in the scenes, Dean left at night after their visit to the Whitshire farm, drove all night and was gone all day, and got back in time to deal with Liddy Walsh the following afternoon. So he *did* have time to do it, and I think most of the terrain would have been relatively un-challenging to that Pinto ... ;-)
Thanks for the awesome review! :-)
2 - Mary
Hi, Alice!
I loved this episode, and just got my review up; I'm dying to read the rest of yours, because I was chuckling all the way through so far! I shared your laugh at Dean in the Pinto, because my very first car was a gold 1973 Pinto; I knew the year was off, but not what the year was, so thanks for that!
I would say, though, that Mary didn't actually sell Sam's soul. Me, I think that Sam's soul is still his own, and keeping it that way is going to be Dean's ultimate task. Azazel bought the opportunity to taint him, even though Mary didn't realize that at the time, but I don't think that taint is irresistible. At any rate, I certainly hope not!
3 - Elle
Hi Alice,
I've already posted over at the Part 2 review - but I had to stop in and tell you, since you mentioned it's one of your goals now, that I was able to use "got their hands on some Deloreans" in conversation this week! "Angels" wasn't the pro-noun, but the rest was all there.
Anyways, just wanted to share.
4 - Alice Jester
Elle - You're much farther than me then! I suppose telling it to the dog doesn't count, does it? Thanks for sharing that, and I hope it didn't result in too many strange looks.
5 - Gadfly
The episode was fantastic. However, I disagree on one major point: Dean was pulled out of Hell to help stop Azazel's endgame and to help stop Lilith from breaking the 66 seals. Sam, as the last of this generation's psychic Romper Room, is now part of the endgame (as Ava or Jake would be if they had been the last).
I think Castiel could smash Sam right now, but I also think he's giving Dean a chance to save his brother, not so much for Sam's sake--because Castiel doesn't seem to care very much if Sam goes good, so long as he doesn't play his pawn's role in the endgame; Castiel never talks about Sam joining the side of the angels if Sam doesn't fall all the way--but because God has work for Dean, and I think Dean would walk away if they took out Sam before it was absolutely necessary.
6 - tiffany
I love watching Supernatural also you and Jared aka Sam are very funny. Also u are really cute Dan aka Jensen Ankles.