Dean moves the top board of the pine box, dirt falls on him and lights out. Yikes! Watching his struggle out of that hole in the ground is chilling, and just plain freaky. On top of the incredible acting, the camera work in this scene is outstanding. First we see an unmarked grave marker from the view of ground (a cross? for an atheist?), then hands popping through the grass, then the rest of Dean following, gasping for air and struggling as the point of view switches between the ground and up above to capture every painful detail of his emergence. The camera goes eye level with Dean when he stands, then circles to capture every detail of his confusion. Here’s the big money shot — the camera pulls away to show the overhead view, the elongated shadow of the cross right next to the elongated shadow of Dean. Hmm, divine intervention perhaps? The camera rises further to reveal the surrounding trees toppled in a circle around the grave site. If anything, that delivers the message coming back from the dead is not normal. Bravo, Mr. Manners!
On comes the new intro, setting the new tone for the season. Birds of the apocalypse, and the Supernatural logo in red. I like it, but then again, I’m ready for Sam and Dean’s take on the end of the world. They’ve been sending us hints for 60 episodes now. Bring it on.
Dean walks to an old gas station in the middle of nowhere, and its time for another round of guess that classic car. Here’s one of the reasons why this script is superior, it capitalizes on Jensen’s strengths. There’s a no dialogue scene focusing on Dean’s changing facial expressions as he tries to make sense of what’s happening. This scene alone should be enough for Jensen’s Emmy reel. Water, food, porn mag, flashes of his death, and a perfectly restored chest in the mirror. Yeah, I felt the collective thud, too. The tattoo survived, so thank heavens for that. There’s also freshly burned handprint on his shoulder. Notice the bloody knuckles? Make note, for we see that again later. The TV comes on, then the radio, then a loud deafening noise, then glass exploding, forcing Dean to take cover. Not quite a welcome home parade, huh Dean?
What in the world did Dean expect, trying to call Sam and Bobby? Did he really think they were going to believe over the phone that he’s alive? Social courtesy alone reserves that bombshell for a personal visit. Anyone guess the car yet? It’s a 1962 Mercury Monterey. I grew up in a Ford family and I had to look that one up.
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Article comments
1 - cassi
Hi Alice!
Great idea with the two parts, especially with another amazing episode airing next Thursday!
"Anyone notice the bathroom walls are red"
Yeah, I loved the walls, it made the whole scene even scarier. I just love that flashback to hell!!! I was thrilled after watching the first few seconds of SPN. It was fantastic! I think it's one of the best effects I've seen in SPN so far.
I agree Kim Manners is a genius, the gravescene (magnificient), the suprise scene (my favorite) and the brothers hug (going from Jared to Jensen and back)!!!!
I think we should get a discount with ACDC songs, how many have we used already? ;)I'm still waiting for Thunderstruck! Great intro! My heart was already beating faster when I heard the first notes of the song, Hells Bells is better but Shook me all night long was also fantastic.
Of course, I noticed the knuckles, I even noticed the knuckles in the preview from Comic-Con.I'm a fan of the knuckles!;)
The new Supernatural logo (red, black feathers) is great, although my all-time favorite is still season 2.
Can't wait for the second part!
Especially what you think about Castiel, Pamela and the new Ruby.
2 - Linda
--Dean asks, “How much did you pay?”--
Actually, that's not the line. Dean asks, "What did it cost?" I think that makes a big difference to the tone of that scene. There's no way that Sam could've taken that line to mean anything other than Dean asking him what he did ... what did it cost Sam to save him? And Sam knows Dean is dead serious ... but he's immediately evasive by turning the question into a joke. Dean, of course, KNOWS Sam, and knows he's lying.
Padalecki did a nice job with the eventual reveal and apology. Ackles shows his great talent at shifting tone and emotion on a dime as he maintains Dean's dead serious and determined tone throughout the confrontation, and then in an instant, softens to reveal Dean's big-brother, caring side with his "It's okay Sammy, you don't have to apologize. I believe you." Very nice.
3 - Huppy
Really nice review of the first half of the episode, Alice.
When I saw the old car that Dean hotwired to get to Bobby's, I thought of you, and I figured you would be able to tell us what kind of car it is.
The reunion scenes between Dean and Bobby and then Dean and Sam were wonderful. Great acting on the part of all three.
I didn't like the filling station/store being so conveniently closed, yet still having that day's newspaper in stock. Also the store being so isolated, but having a car there for Dean to hotwire. I'm surprised Dean had to use a phone in a phone booth (how many of those are still around?); the store should have had a phone, since it had everything else.
And I really didn't like Ruby/Kristy opening the door while in her underwear (like all women do that!), but I assume the point of that was so we would wonder what she and Sam had been doing.
Now I don't want anybody to think I didn't like the episode overall. I really did, and it was great to see Dean, Sam, and Bobby again. Castiel and Pam were also great characters that I will be glad to see in future episodes.
I actually think this season has so many possibilities, and I like the introduction of angels to the storyline. This might be the most exciting season yet!
4 - Alice Jester
Hi Cassi! Great hearing from you again. Thunderstruck would be perfect! Something other than a track from "Back in Black". Maybe next season.
Linda - You are so right! I stand corrected. There were so many details in this episode, I must admit I missed what you saw. Great observation, and thanks for pointing that out.
Huppy - I was going to mention the phone booth thing, but since we're dealing with rural Illinois, in which I've seen some pretty scary parts, I dismissed believability. Good point though! Most stores do have a phone, but in these days of cell phones, who knows? You are so right, this looks like a pretty exciting season
5 - Joan
Alice
I love your reviews! You are such a fan girl so I really enjoy reading your reviews. Dean is one of the chosen ones! I am so excited to see where this show is headed and I am glad to see it exploring the good side.
What a magnificent season premiere!
I am still speechless. I haven't stopped thinking about this episode since it aired.
Joan
6 - Noni
There was one line from Ruby that is still disturbing to me from this LR part one episode. The one when she said, "So, you two are together?", and looked like she did not recognize the big brother.
I mean, Ruby's soul wasn't new to Dean, and she definitely knew Dean's relationship to Sam. She actually held some conversation with Dean in the previous season. So, why this question? Was it just meant to be funny?
Well, it was funny :)) thanks to Jensen and Jared's perfect facial expression. But seems uncalled for, coming from an old acquaintance.
7 - McMaggie
"There was one line from Ruby that is still disturbing to me from this LR part one episode. The one when she said, "So, you two are together?", and looked like she did not recognize the big brother."
Of course, she recognized Dean as she opened the door. If you have the chance, rewatch Sam's double-take to the "Are you together?" His first inclination may have been to say "Ruby, what are you taking about?!" but he followed HER lead, getting stuck in the deception that will start the slow deterioration of the brother's trust in each other. To be fair, I think Dean is also starting with a lie - I think he remembers Hell.