I’m not pondering that plot twist though, for Sam gets to go back to the night his mother died, hooking me in. This scene has raised a huge stink among the fandom, and to this day has left us with many unanswered questions. Mary recognizes yellow eyes, right after he feeds baby Sam demon blood — two stunning developments that Sam has yet to share with Dean. Two stunning developments that better be answered in season four. Does this mean Sam is part demon? Did Mary give up her second-born to evil? Was Mary killed for a reason, or was it bad timing like yellow eyes claimed? Many fan fics have tried to answer these questions. Now Kripke needs to.
Sam wakes up because Ava is missing. He and Jake go look, while Andy the coward stays behind the salt. Uh oh. Ava appears, and she's evil. Bye bye, Andy! Sniff. Can he come back as a fun loving ghost, please? There's no fooling Sam, as he puts two and two together when he sees the broken salt line. I was really disappointed by Jake taking out Ava. I wanted to see Sam do it. I know Sam’s supposed to take the high road and not kill anyone, but it still didn’t feel right.
Oh look, it’s Dean! You know, the other Winchester brother? Blink and you miss him though, for he and Bobby grab weapons and go on foot. Sorry, but that's a classic episode filler tactic, and didn’t make much sense here. The Impala should have been at Sam and Dean's side at the end.
Sam suggests to Jake they can leave now, but Jake bought yellow eye’s bullshit. As we especially learn in the next episode, he’s no Einstein. They fight, and we wonder how in the world Sam can defeat someone whose power is superhuman strength. I was hoping Sam would realize he has that power too and they go off on each other in a mega colossal fight to the death. But no, after a hit from Jake results only in a dislocated shoulder (Huh? His arm should have been ripped off!), Sam proves he’s got some wicked iron bar skills.
Okay, here we are, the most crucial moment in the entire series. Sam's choice here sets off the supernatural chain of falling dominos. Jake’s unconscious, and Sam has his chance. One blow with that iron bar and Jake’s a goner. Sam rears back, shows his scary killer instinct, and we’re all shouting, “Do it!” Sam hesitates, and in a decision he wishes he could take back, puts the bar down. After all, killing Jake plays into yellow eye’s evil plot. While we were cheering that choice, knowing it was the right one morally, embracing the Sam Winchester we know and love, it proves to be not only his downfall, but Dean's as well.
Article comments
1 - Elle
First, I have to again express my love of your reviews! I clap my hands with glee when I see a new review.
I agree with your assessment of this episode - the subpar supporting acting detracted from the episode but the end....there are no words. Reading your review has made me want to go back and watch the episode again - if for nothing else than just for the Jensen parts - he's brilliant and could probably create chemistry with a cardboard box. I too first saw this episode on DVD (thank goodness! - I also saw the season 1 finale on DVD and I just about died in the 6 hours I had to leave my DVD player and go to work before finding out what happened in season two, which, fortunatly, was on hand) and I can't imagine having to wait until a new season to see how it resolved itself. All in all, Part 2 was my favourite, as I said - Jensen fan here. I can't wait to read your review!!!
2 - LindsayW
First, thank you very much for the Support Supernatural plug.
Second, thank you for a fantastic, balanced review. I cannot wait to read your next one!
3 - vichi
Indeed, I agree with you about this episode. I just saw AHBL 1 and 2 and I love the ending part of the first episode and adore the first half part of the second. Jensen never cesse to amaze me.I am a Dean fan all the way but I have to say that I love Sammy too and I cried when he died.
Can't wait to read your next review and hope you have the time to do one for IMTOD too.