Angels and demons aren't that different after all, grace somehow exists in Kentucky, and Misha Collins rocks.
Usually after an episode I’m immediately on the fan boards sharing my initial reactions. I then spend time and more posts trying to debunk what complainers and dissenters have to say, asking people in general to look deeper than what was presented.…
Article comments
26 - Ande
Jensen is a much better actor than Jared. Sorry Jared fans. Jensen has a much wider range than Jared. Not that Jensen is perfect. He has moments when he falls a little flat when having to do emotional scenes over and over again to get all of the angled shots but overall he is a much better actor than Jared Padalecki. I can't tell you how many people I know that watch an episode and are immediately impressed with Jensen and think that Jared is terrible. They actually laugh at him when he's supposed to be big bad angry Sam.
27 - Noni
This episode triggered a question. When Sam died for several days in season 2 (before brought back by Dean's deal), where did his soul go by then? Hell, heaven, or a transit/waiting point in between? Even though it was only for a couple of days on earth, but it must be at least 3-4 months in that hell-heaven-universe, because time counting is different there. So maybe Sam could remember his experience there, or what it was like. I just think, if Sam is able to relate to Dean's torturous experience during hell, Dean might not have to feel that alone. So sad to see him cried bitterly.
Another curiosity about the torture Dean endured. He was sliced, carved, and torn, until there was nothing left, and then he was whole again. That broke him by the end of his third month down there. This sounds like a flesh torture, which is extremely painful, in literal sense. And yet, I thought heaven/hell is the land of spirit? So how was there flesh torture? Something to ponder, I guess.
28 - Alice Jester
Great questions Noni! I have this hope that Sam's time while dead is sitting on the writer's white board for future rehashing. We'll see if that ever happens.
Heraldtalia - Supernatural's ratings are up this year, almost in line with season two. Only one episode this season failed to top last season's HIGH. So it's all good news. The DVR numbers are even better, and the show has even gone over 4 million 3 times with year with DVR added. In a year where almost every network show is declining, this is very good news for an established show in its fourth season. It is the second highest scripted drama, and third highest rated show for The CW.
29 - heraldtalia
Awesome! Thanks for answering that ratings question Alice. I can never understand Zap2it on my own. :) Now let's hope everyone watches the repeats and keeps the ratings up.... (I even made my family watch on Thanksgiving last week. ^_~)
30 - Cindy
Just wanted to say that for myself, I find Jareds portrayal of Sam to be deeply haunting. He manages to push all the right emotional buttons for me. I'm totally willing to agree that both boys are great, and that I can see why Jensen appeals to so many. But I would also like to be given that same validation regarding Jareds skill. I think attacking the actor or his skills is completely unfounded.
31 - Meg
I have to agree with your original statement Alice. I think Jensen does out perform every actor on the small screen today including Jared. That last scene is proof enough for me. I've never seen such a well acted scene on the show and have never felt so affected. Jared while amazing has just never had a powerful scene like that. While I'm sure he could pull it off until I see it I can't judge. Jensen blew me away. His performance saved what was a very poor episode that followed an even worst one.
32 - Lauren
I agree with your review, Alice. I thought this episode was a bit uneven and I didn't really enjoy the Anna storyline that much (although I did enjoy seeing Dean's very nice back during their love scene!). To me, everything is a bit muddled with the grayness of both the demons (mostly Ruby) and the angels (mostly Uriel). And the fallen grace-in-a-bottle thing was just weird. It's too bad this one didn't work because I do love the angels' storyline, especially Castiel's relationship with Dean, and I do think it's been handled quite well up until this episode. Again, too much grayness on both sides for my taste, and I think Ruby is the primary problem I have. She's a demon, and she SHOULD be evil. I really hope she's just playing the boys and I doubly hope Dean is playing her right back.
But I will say that this episode was saved by Jensen's performance, especially in that final scene. He is an outstanding actor. And while I do think that Jared is very good in his portrayal of Sam, I honestly don't think it does him a disservice by saying that Jensen outperforms other actors on TV. Not all actors are on an equal level, so why would they have to be on this particular show? As Tina mentions, I agree that Jared has grown in his role of Sam over the years. But saying that now Jared is to the exact level of Jensen (merely due to those years of experience), does do a disservice to JENSEN. Jensen has grown over the course of the series as well. So while I think Jared is a very good actor and has given some fine performances, I don't think it takes anything away from him to say that I feel (and apparently others feel as well) that Jensen is the superior actor and is consistently outstanding on this show and especially this season. I have to say, Jensen moves me in a way that very (VERY) few actors do, especially when he's given these very emotional scenes.
After watching the repeats for 4.1 and 4.2, I do hope that the show can get back to that quality of story-telling, but I am very glad to see great ratings the show is getting overall this season.
33 - Edith R
Folks, the reason the handprint a la Titanic was done was because it was an inside joke. Back when Jensen was on Days, he appeared in some print ads with models hocking a necklace that looked like the Titanic Heart of the Ocean necklace. Back when Jensen was so pretty he looked like a girl.
Nice review, BTW.