Sammy! There you are. It’s so good to see you and your damaged, angsty self. I missed you, buddy. As much as I loved “In The Beginning”, I found myself this week getting nostalgic, pulling out episodes like “Born Under A Bad Sign” and “Bedtime Stories” so I remembered what Sam’s pretty face looked like. Oh, and his tortured soul.
Speaking of those episodes, both were written by the writer of this week’s installment, “Metamorphosis.” Cathryn Humphris is one of the best writers on the team when it comes to exposing vulnerable, deeply disturbed Sam and again she knocked it out of the park with the issues this week.
The episode as a whole was decent, although Monster of the Week (MOTW) episodes like this usually produce scattered results. Jack, a Rugaru in waiting, wasn’t horrible like the MOTWs in “Everybody Loves A Clown” or “Long Distance Call”, but he didn’t compare with the great ones from “Provenance” or “A Very Supernatural Christmas” either. Jack’s standing is right down the middle as his decline proved to serve the perfect parallel for Sam’s deterioration.
Sam and Ruby Sitting In A Tree…
I want a devil’s trap made of chains like that on my ceiling. It makes for a great conversation piece at parties. Sam interrogates a demon in a warehouse with a vicious demeanor while Ruby watches in delight. There’s nothing like a sexy, tall man with some half-bred demon abilities to get you off, eh, Ruby? The demon easily pisses off Sam by not answering his question (where’s Lilith?) and taunting him with comments like “slutting around with some demon,” and “things you and this demon bitch do in the dark.” Could he be hinting something there? Sam and Ruby… oh I better stop, there’s plenty more story to focus on.
Sam stretches out his arm and doesn’t need to close his eyes this time in forcing the guy to barf up black smoke. This is way scarier than the first time for the close-up of Sam’s crazy eyes while he sends this demon back to Hell is chilling. I instantly ask myself, “Did Kim Manners direct this episode?” I find out later during the credits roll that indeed he did.
When Sam’s done he’s seething, fighting to control all that hatred and anger, giving us the clue that each time he does this it takes its toll on his inner darkness. A satisfied Ruby looks at him very turned on and they are so getting a room. But wait, the camera moves behind Sam and zooms in on the profile of one very disturbed Dean. Uh oh! Birds of the Apocalypse and I’d say the doom is warranted this time.
Back to Sam, who’s feeling pretty good because not only did he save the guy but he mastered his demon-choking technique sans headache. The good feeling is short lived when Sam, Ruby, and victim turn to see a dark figure enter in the shape of Dean Winchester. Not good. “So, anything you want to tell me, Sam?” There’s a crack in his voice, so Sam’s little show obviously shook him up. Sam reacts like a teenager that’s been caught breaking curfew and tries to explain. Oh, good luck with that!
Article comments
1 - Tigershire
I very much agree with you. If it were that easy for Sam to stop using his powers, well the show should end with this episode.
Steven King said it best in his book on writing - "Kill your darlings."
And Kripke has done that in spades. I don't expect this season to be any different. Grin.
2 - Elle
Another excellent review!
Can I just say, this was the most disgusting episode, in my opinion, to date. Pretty much any scene with Jack had me wincing, cringing and eye-covering. Moving on...
You are so right in your grade of the Sam/Dean scenes as A+, Alice. The Dean and Sam confrontation was exactly what I wanted and I felt Dead was totally justified in his anger (even the punches). Jensen, once again in a suberb acting job, conveyed piss off and overwhelming sadness in that low, grave tone that was heartbreaking. The range of emotions - man, episodes should be rated for their ew-factor and tissue requirement. [sidenote related to the hotel scene - even though Misha Collins wasn't in this episode (tragedy, if you ask me, he should be in EVERY episode), Dean called him "Cas" - ah! I loved that part. ] I breathed a huge sigh of relief when, finally, ALL the Winchester secrets (at least between the boys) had been revealed. The secret keeping was making me anxious.
I do agree that Ruby 2.0 was better (though I still miss KC) however, it irked me a little bit that Dean didn't figure out who she was right off the bat. Also, I loved how Dean's absolute rage lead to flinging Sam off him and nailing Ruby against the wall - awesome! That's the Dean we know and love!
On that note - I loved the entire "long-pig" exchange, including the pleased look Dean got on his face everytime he worked it into a sentence. I'd bet the bloopers for the "rescue" scene in the apartment are great too.
Looking forward to your treats for next weeks episode. I have a feeling I know what your special surprise might be (but I'll keep that to myself).
3 - Tigershire
Not all the Winchester secrets have been revealed. Dean still hasn't told Sam about his nightmares of Hell.
4 - cassi
Great review Alice!
I loved this episode because it was my usual dose of SPN Monster of the Week combined with amazing brother moments!!!! And Jack was really one gross and cool monster! Loved his scenes! The food scenes were also amazing, the close-up of his mouth was so disgusting, Kim Manners you're a genius! I loved the little bloodstream flashes he used to emphasize the evil inside Jack!
The brother moments were fantastic as always! The episode feeled like the first SPN episode that dealt with the brothers relationship using Sam-Dean discussions since NRFTW.
5 - Alice Jester
Tigershire - Good point about Dean not telling Sam about his flashbacks, but I'm sure he doesn't know what it means yet. I wonder when they get worse (notice how I said when) if he'll share that with Sam. He didn't when he was getting the hallucinations in NRFTW, but then again, he might be learning from Sam that lies aren't the best thing.
Elle - yeah, I could have said something about the "long pig", but I'll admit, cannibalism is one of those topics I turn away from with sour stomach. This one was pretty gross, but I think last year's "Malleus Maleficarum" was worse.
I also agree, need more Castiel. I get why he wouldn't be in this one though, for he gave the brothers room to work things out. I can't wait to see what happens when Sam and Castiel cross paths.
Cassi - You're so right! How did I miss the blood pumping thing? That's another great example of the parallels. What's happening to Jack is happening to Sam too. Thanks for mentioning that.
6 - Tigershire
Alice - I agree that Dean doesn't know yet what they mean (although he knows what they are as referenced by Castiel - "what were you dreaming of?") but I don't think either of them get much figured out until the 11th hour (which is what makes good television, right?)
Actually that brought me to an interesting thought. Have you noticed that, so far, Dean only dreams of Hell right before Cas shows up?
7 - vichi
Alice, great as always! I was focused on the brothers and Jack's story was for me more as a parallel for Sam's story, because after all, in this episode, Sam is the one who got metamophosised (I don't know if the word exist, I think I just made it up:).
Funny thing, I too saw again BUABS and Bedtime stories, and with me the fried who is staying at me for a couple of weeks. She got converted to SPN and now, every night she watch one or two episodes of SPN:)
the title and the action of the episod made me think about Franz Kafka's novel "The Metamorphosis", his only novel I liked:) Did you notice that at some point the license plate was the original one, from season one? I read somewhere that they reused a scene from an early episode and that's why the plate was back. I was glad to see it again:)
8 - Liz
Great review. And I totally agree, Jared deserves tons of praise for this episode. He was absolutely fantastic!! And it was SO good to see Sam back.