This part is so painful to watch, and crushes my heart into 800 pieces every time. I’ll do my best to recap without bawling, but if you see erratic typing, you know why. Sam hears Dean’s voice off to the distance. Clutching his hurt shoulder, he stupidly turns his back on Jake and responds, relieved to see his brother is alive. This is one of a couple of in-your-face examples of how the brothers are each other’s weakness. Watch out, Sam! A panicked Dean sees Jake sneak up behind Sam and plunge a knife square into his spinal cord and twist. Sammy!! [lip quivering, on the brink of tears]
Sam collapses to his knees, gasping to the sky in what Kripke calls the Platoon shot, and we know before Dean reaches him he’s a goner. That’s it, I’m crying now. A traumatized Dean grasps his brother before he slumps to the ground, and Sam’s eyes roll to the back of his head, just to let us know how bad this really is. Sam for all practical purposes is dead, so we’re just waiting for the lights to go out (give me a sec, too busy sobbing).
Reality hasn’t hit Dean though, and he clings onto that brief glimmer of hope, assuring his brother in heart-crushing fashion he can get through this, despite seeing the wound that suggests otherwise. Dean is killing me here! Dean clings on. “I'm going to take care of you. I gotcha. It's my job, right, watch out for my pain-in-the-ass little brother. Sam? Sam! Sammy!” I’m bawling profusely now. Oh, Sam.
Sam slips away, and Dean clutches onto him, reality hitting him hard. Sam’s eyes are closed and mouth hanging open, while Dean holds on tight and weeps. The sad music plays and we get the dramatic overhead shot of these two embraced on their knees in the mud. It’s not done yet though, for Kripke loves to twist that proverbial knife in our hearts. We cut back to Dean, who shouts “SAM!” for the second time, just before more tears fall. Excuse me, I’m inconsolable. (Deep breath in). Damn you, Kripke! You too, Sera Gamble, who had to nerve to do this to us.
“All Hell Breaks Loose Part II” would have made a better season three premiere than a season two finale, but blame The CW and their threats of cancellation. However, if I had to go through a summer with that cliffhanger, I would have gone stark raving mad. After all, Sam couldn’t even say goodbye. Sniff. Lucky for me, I watched this for the first time on DVD. Sam’s death came out of nowhere (he was not my red shirt guess), and was far more of a shock than the prophesized “Dean is going to Hell” death in season three.
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.