What a concept! A horror show where one of the main characters accurately states, “For us, everyday is Halloween,” opts to do a Halloween themed episode. Considering the Halloween season is a disastrous time in the Winchester family history, why not dress up the fact that this year isn’t proving to be any better for the brothers?
“It’s The Great Pumpkin, Sam Winchester” pays fitting homage to the teenage slice and dice horror flicks of the 1980s. You know, those countless films in which Halloween urban legends were depicted with horrifying gore (like razor blades in the candy) and enough campy teen kills during bad parties to make us wonder how a town didn’t notice the sudden drop in the teenage population. Maybe the motivation behind following that formula in this week’s episode was to confuse enough channel flippers into thinking they were watching Halloween (insert your terrible horror movie here).
Trick or Treat?
Oh, but we knew this was a Supernatural episode. Plenty of the familiar elements were there. Sam and Dean again played FBI agents with the rock and roll names. This week Agent Seger (as in Bob) and Agents Geddy and Lee (lead singer of Rush for those who aren’t educated in such things) were accepted by unsuspecting authorities without question. That’s the second shout-out to Rush this week by the way, for their song “Tom Sawyer” played a big role in the crucial scene of Monday’s Chuck and it was awesome.
The MO started the same as well. Suspicious kill, clue found (hex bag), investigate the lore, give Sam a few minutes in lecturing mode to educate us on said lore, and of course, talk to the witnesses. It wasn’t until the angels showed up that this episode took a different turn, and that turn was good. If this episode is remembered for anything though, it would be the stunning exorcism in which Sam pushed his abilities to new agonizing limits to rid the world of Samhain, all while Dean watched with the most heart-crushing look of sadness and concern.
In comparing this holiday themed episode to last year’s extraordinary “A Very Supernatural Christmas,” this one fell short. The writing was average and the dialogue standard. However this was written by a new writer, Julie Siege, and considering some of the crap other new writers have put out in the history of this show, this was an acceptable effort. Also average here was the directing. Charles Beeson has directed four other episodes but they weren’t exactly classics (“Playthings,” “Sin City”). His style isn’t bad, but he didn’t offer anything exceptional either. Plus, a Halloween backdrop doesn’t seem as outrageous on this show like an over-the-top Christmas theme that’s supposed to represent joy, not human sacrifices.
Article comments
1 - Tigershire
Hi Alice,
I have a theory about the pronunciation of Samhain - I think the general population wouldn't have understood the Gaelic and I think that it might have been unnecessary exposition to include Sam educating Dean on that. And Gaelic is one tough language it could have made the episode quite clunky.
As for the handshake - I agree with you. Cas just didn't get what Sam was doing at first. I found that whole scene heartbreaking. Seeing Sam crushed - just like any of us would be upon meeting our idols and finding them lacking (or jerks) would be crushed.
I'd ask when that poor boy is going to get a break, but we can probably guess. :)
As for the whole scene in the mausoleum - I'm kind of wondering if it wasn't a test of some sort to see if Sam would wait for Dean to come help him? Perhaps I'm at the point where I'm reading too much into the story but Dean showed up pretty quick after Sam started the whole mind mojo. Granted I assumed that the knife would have worked. It didn't occur to me that the minor damage it did on Samhain's arm might have meant it wouldn't have killed him even if it was plunged into his heart.
I did, however, find myself saying "no" to the TV while the whole exorcism when on. The show doesn't scare me but what happens to Sam and Dean sure does.
2 - elle2
Alice, a great evenly balanced review.
Like you I found the episode 'weaker' and looser than expected until I saw that it was indeed a new writer and a director who hasn't directed any episodes that I remember enough to say, oh, yeah, CB directed that one.
Weak spot that stands out the most: Sam and Dean writhing on the floor while the witch gave a lengthy monologue (I know, they have to tell the story somewhere but this was so weak it actually took me out of the moment as I watched it) also, Sam and Dean killed the brother with their guns, why didn't they kill the sister? They still had their guns and as Sam and Dean both showed, they were able to move. A few more minutes when staging that would have shown some simple fixes, knock one of them out, have the witch throw their guns across the room from them...anything.
Like you I also will watch this episode again because even some of the baddest eps(Yes, Bugs, you're still there) has good moments and this one added a lot in the moving forward and deepening of the mythology.
I also appreciated that Sam talked to Dean about his powers, he didn't just do it and Dean didn't just order him not to. No, Sam brought it up and while he was reluctant to agree with Dean in the end, he did, in fact, agree.
For me I think the knife would have worked, it was cutting into Samhain's arm but the arm doesn't kill and Samhain had enough strength to get the knife away and fling it across the room (ironically, on my second viewing I saw that the knife actually lay between Dean and Samhain)
While I was screaming for Dean to run, grab the knife and save Sam I find it so much more powerful that he did not:
First, it shows how truly frightened Dean is for Sam's future and for what may ultimately face him (Dean) [Castiel's words at the end only deepened my concern as well as my desire to see where the SPN crew go with this]
Second, Dean's eyes were all about sadness. No disappointment or anger or betrayal just sorrow. He can see this hurts Sam, he knows Sam doesn't like it [the powers] and it saddens him to realize that he may not be able to stop it either.
I see this as a tremendous opening for Sam's character as his powers are truly out in the open and openly discussed by the brothers as a possible weapon against evil, and there is much to develop and fear here.
Sam and Dean in the Impala discussing Faith and angels, the new writer handled this part expertly. For Dean to harken back to S1 type moments when he encourages Sam and reminds him there's plenty to not give up on is similar to how he always tried to buoy Sam's thoughts/emotions about their father [JDM, hope you can make it back again] and I loved it.
This doesn't fall into a great episode but it's solidly good, once again the acting is exceptional and Jared took a difficult scene (stand, hold out hand and make us feel/believe) and sold it completely.
Castiel I love ya, Uriel, I love to dislike you (and fear you too) Interesting Sam got to see the angel move (wing sounds and all) and Jared's expression sold what a special effect might have diminished...great job!
3 - Elle
Excellent review, as usual Alice. While this wasn't as awe-inspiring/world shaking as some (read:most) episodes this season, I did appreciate the use of classic Supernatural formula. And, as you pointed out - the angels make it wonderful. Jensen has really gone above and beyond any past work this season (and that's saying something, as he's been great from day one.) The scene between Castiel and Sam was well done. Sam's reaction was adorable. I also found Misha to be exceptional in this episode, you could really feel his frustration with and unspoken apology for Uriel's behaviour.
What I found interesting here, after last week's hoopla, was the use of the word "dick". Where I thought it was especially note worthy was at the end, when Sam comments to Uriel - "my brother was right, you guys are dicks" to which Uriel responds (something to the effective of) "Dean should get off his high horse". Perhaps this is just be seeing continuity where there is none, but there it is anyways.
Can't wait for next weeks episode. The preview clips was hilarious!
Thanks again Alice
4 - Huppy
I enjoyed reading your review, Alice, and the comments already posted. A grade of B or B+ is what I would have given it too, and AVSC is still the better holiday-themed Supernatural episode.
Dean and Sam and the angels were the best part of this episode. The most powerful scene in the episode was the looks on Sam and Dean's faces when Dean sees Sam exorcising the Samhain, and Sam knows it. I also enjoyed the conversation between Dean and Sam, when Dean tries to help Sam with his disillusionment with the angels, and by extension, Sam's faith.
5 - heraldtalia
Hi, Alice.
I always enjoy your reviews but I did have to comment on something that you loved but that really bothered me, and I'm certain people will roll their eyes and act like I'm overly sensitive, but I'm going to say it anyway.
I don't understand how you could have loved the scene with the "chubby" kid. To me, Dean, who I normally adore, came off mean and bullying and it felt out of character for him. Why would he pick on a kid like that? And saying "I think you've had enough" after how much he ate in the Impala was just nasty and hypocritical of him. It didn't bother me as much in "The Kids are Alright" when he commented on the boy who was bullying Ben eating "too many cheeseburgers", because he was talking only to Ben and that kid was a bully. The astronaut in this episode didn't do anything wrong at first except get a little pouty that Dean had no candy for him. So full grown adult Dean making a mean-spirited fat joke to a kid he doesn't even know? To top it off, he looks at the kid like he's nuts when the kid is clearly hurt by that comment? And that's supposed to be funny coming from an admirable hero like him?
I know, I know, it's just a TV show. But clearly, all of us hardcore fans are emotional about this show anyway--otherwise, why would we be moved to tears by eps like AHBL or NRFTW and why would be be passionate enough to read sites like this in the first place? The fact is, the show does effect us emotionally, and to me, this scene was no exception.
I am a plus-sized person--to the point where I had bypass surgery just a few months back--and I can't tell you how painful it is for people like us to see moments like that depicted as funny and even justified. It's not funny and it adds to the idea that people like me are acceptable fodder for cheap jokes or that complete strangers have the right to mock us for our size and percieved eating habits. I hated seeing that coming from my favorite character in my favorite show.
Anyway, sorry for the rant. Aside from that one moment, I really enjoyed this ep--I think even more than the general fandom did as the writing and directing in this episode didn't bother me and it was my personal fave ep of this season aside from the first 3.
Thanks for letting me vent and I always enjoy your work.
6 - Alice Jester
Everyone - the full recap is up on my personal site at www.jesterz.net. Complete with pictures!
There's one big thing I noticed while writing the recap that I missed for this review. When Sam was performing the exorcism, the long shot from Dean's point of view showed Sam with a stained glass window behind him and two statues of angels on each side, almost like he was at an alter. Strange symbolism, huh? It almost like saying despite his demon powers, he's got the angels behind him. Could they represent Dean perhaps too? There is a good reason he's being kept alive.
Tigershire - Good theory on the pronounciation. I didn't address that too much because I heard a few different theories and wasn't sure which was the closest. I'm also not sure if the knife would have killed Samhain or not, but Dean's hesitation is interesting. Could have Sam's look been his way of telling Dean to stay away, or was Dean too stunned by what he was seeing. I'm sure if would have jumped into action if he honestly thought Sam was in trouble, but he was giving him a chance to finish it.
elle2 - I so agree with your weak spot analysis. I even mentioned your point in my full recap. I think the scene was clunky and badly done, but then again for every bad scene in this episode there was a great scene to compensate for it.
elle - I so agree about Castiel. That man should be a regular. As a matter of fact, I think maybe he should be part of Krikpe's spin off ideas. Misha would be more than ready for the role.
Huppy - What you mentioned, those were the parts on the episode that floored me. While the episode as a whole wasn't stellar, those scenes were. I love being blown away like that every week by at least one scene. This week, there were three.
Heraldtalia - No, you aren't being overly sensitive and venting is welcome. I have issues with people harping on one point constantly, but what you said made perfect sense and wasn't griping in my opinion. I'm plus size too, so I know what you mean. What Dean said was very offensive, especially for a chubby kid. What I found funny wasn't the comment, but the look of revenge in the kid's eye. He wasn't going to take Deans crap. As a mother, I know kids can be scheming at times. Since Dean got a comeuppance(or the poor Impala did), I took it with less offense. If they had left it at that, yes, it would have been worse.
7 - heraldtalia
You're right. Dean (or the helpless Impala) did get his payback and the kid himself was cute with his devil-glare. :) I feel a bit better now about it.
8 - Baronius
The part with the "chubby" kid - I don't remember it too well, but I think the rudeness of it was motivated by Dean's being defensive about eating the whole bag of candy. As for the way they said Samhain, they may be experts in the occult, but they're just two kids from Kansas who aren't trained in Celtic pronunciations. I would have said it the same way if I read the word in a book. Good ep, and good review.