I remember when The CW switched “Jus In Bello” and “Mystery Spot” in season three. Even though “Jus in Bello” was filmed first, the switch was done because the show was going on hiatus due to the writers' strike and the network thought that “Jus In Bello” would be a stronger finale, especially since many feared it would end up being the season finale. Eric Kripke called the switch a “happy accident” because “Jus In Bello” was better after “Mystery Spot.” Sam was withdrawn and dire the entire time, which fit after his long ordeal with The Trickster.
This time, the network switched the airings of “My Bloody Valentine” and “Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid.” The show was supposed to come back from winter hiatus on January 14, but the network pushed it back a week to January 21. That left the dilemma of them having a Valentine’s Day episode that wouldn’t air during the week of Valentine’s Day so the change was necessary.
Sadly, there were no happy accidents this time. “Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid” feels really off airing out of order. “My Bloody Valentine” had such an explosive and shocking ending so it was silly not to see at least a minor amount of fallout from Sam’s detox and Dean’s meltdown. The brothers carrying on from that unscathed and back in normal mode didn’t seem right.
Lack of episode continuity aside, when judged on its own this one is a big winner. It is rare when a secondary character is given the chance to shine on this show and the opportunity for Jim Beaver is long overdue. Yes, his struggles were well portrayed in “The Curious Case of Dean Winchester,” but in this episode the stakes are higher and he is given a lot more to work with.
This week’s theme is zombies, but it isn’t your average zombie story by a long shot. This is Supernatural after all. The show often excels with this concept of taking a plot device that’s existed for years in horror and twists it to serve not only the unique story line but to add a believable human element.
As we know about humanity and small towns, there are quirks. So, when a dead person rises from the grave and kills the person that killed him, it’s interesting how we as viewers don’t find the idea absurd, how Sam and Dean Winchester don’t find it absurd (except for the zombie getting away with the murder), and how many of these townsfolk don’t either. Digger Wells is the best example, finding the idea of this type of payback amusing and sharing the story like it's town gossip. I’m very sure this didn’t happen in Dawn of The Dead.
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Article comments
1 - JanieBee64
One comment: When I buy Season 5 DVD and watch these episodes, I will watch DMDWP and then MBV followed by DSOTM. Great review and I agree. I wish they would just leave things alone
2 - manap3000
i though this episode was one of the weaker ones, the boys dont even face the zombies until the last five minutes; this story lacked conflict and seemed boring to me.
3 - ElenaM
Great review of a great episode, but I agree, I really want the order switched back on the DVD set, too! Loved getting to know more about Bobby, his past, his town, and Jim Beaver so rocked this... I've got a tween kid sister, so I recognized Kim Rhodes from a certain Disney show that was alluded to in "Lucifer Rising"; I thought she was absolutely wonderful in this episode. I kind of doubt it'll happen, but I'd love to see Sherriff Jodi Mills again.
4 - Lola
Hey Alice! Great reviews, as always.
Regarding season six, I was having some thoughts about it and would like to share them with you. Considering how the mytharc hasn't evolved as much as in season four, I believed season five finale would have the two brothers each saying yes, thus starting season 6 with the "real" Apocalypse, the "real" action, brothers opposite, at conflict. I really had that feeling, and I'm not sure how I would feel with if they returned to season one mode.
5 - Lindy
This ep just really bugs me for one reason - Sioux Falls is NOT a small town. It is, I grant, a small city, but it IS a city. Pop. 156,000, with a metro area population of over 200,000 and a quarter of the entire population of the state! It has 4 major hospitals, 6+ colleges, a professional symphony orchestra, a zoo, and had been one of the fastest growing metro areas in the country for nearly 2 decades. This is not information that is hard to find (I fact checked on wikipedia for heaven's sake). Oh and it also has the State penitentiary, NOT a little 2 cell sheriff's office. Every time I watch this episode the whole thing just bugs me. They do so much research into myths and legends on this show - can't they at least do a quick wikipedia search on the towns they say they are in, at least to get the population in the ballpark? Just sloppy.