I had to take a few days before doing the re-watch and attempting to write coherent thoughts on “Jump The Shark.” This season has been rather intense and each episode has left me with all sorts of emotions — excited, scared, disturbed, laughing, and just plain dumbfounded. “Jump The Shark” was different; it left me unsettled. This very dark story took the Winchester brothers through one of their most dismal predicaments yet, ending on a bitter note. Eventually I figured out the episode’s main purpose; it’s some great prep for what’s to come in the final three episodes of the season.
Not to say the episode wasn’t good. It was. Very good. Not the best, but far from the worst. It left me thinking at the end, which means mission accomplished. It showed what happens when the supposedly simple concept of revenge gets twisted into very tragic circumstances. It showed the scars that John Winchester left behind in his sons run very deep. It showed just how far Sam Winchester has spiraled. Finally, it showed how far apart Dean and Sam have grown and made us wonder if they can possibly recover.
Andrew Dabb and Daniel Loflin again have proven themselves a worthy addition to the team, delivering a delightfully creepy tale and introducing an overdone device in a believable way. Also, just like with Kim Manners, I can always tell when Phil Sgriccia is behind the camera. His distinct gift for building suspense and horror did wonders here, and for the first time since I was a child I’m worried about what’s under the bed. Way to poke that those hidden fears!
Jump The Shark?
Okay, for the ten Internet readers or so that still have no idea what “Jump The Shark” means, it’s a term some clever dude came up with a while ago after pinpointing the moment when Happy Days stopped being worthwhile (was it ever?). It was when Fonzie strapped on water skis and jumped over some sharks. This reference has often been used in other shows as well, most noticeably in what I consider to be the older sibling for Supernatural, The X-Files. Their episode titled “Jump The Shark” came in season nine and was the infamous episode that killed off the Lone Gunmen, once and for all confirming that their spinoff show wasn’t coming back. The X-Files had long “jumped the shark” by then though, most noticeably when one of the two main stars left the show.
Supernatural is far from those shark-infested waters, but that didn’t stop the creative minds from running with this theme, right down to the brothers meeting at Cousin Oliver’s diner. So, does “Jump The Shark” carry a greater meaning other than the fact that they set off warning signs by introducing a third brother? Could this instead be the moment where the dramatic decline of the brothers’ relationship can be pinpointed? Probably not. Just like with The X-Files, they’re screwing with us.
Article comments
1 - vichi
Hi Alice,
Great review as always. What can I say? Almost everytime I read your review and I feel like you read my mind. I feel exacly the same about this episode. It was slowly packed but that was necessary. I felt the gap between Sam and Dean and I think that this episode is the one where Sam's transformation process is over. From now one, Sam is ready to go dark, and I think that we'll have to say goodbye, foar a while, to the Sammy we used to Know. I think Dean did that too at Adam's grave! He said his farewell to Adam but also to Sammy he knew. This new Sammy feels like a stranger for him, now, and that's sad, really sad :( .
As for Adam, damn I fell sorry I didn't get the chance to really meet him and know him. Or that he didn't meet his brothers. How cruel Kripke can be! He knew that fans will reject a third brother from the start, then he introduced him and when everybody accepted and really wanted to know more about him, Kripke did that. Having Adam dead before the episode realy started was really a shocking idea and so unexpected. That's why I love this show so much! Can't wait for the next week or the last two episodes. It will be so intense...
2 - Anna
Great review Alice. And one that mirrors my own thoughts on the Winchester family. So much unnecessary pain. John and his single-minded obsession with the YED. Dean and his single-minded obsession with family. Sam and his single-minded obsession with Lilith. But, I was glad to see Dean taking more steps out of his family's shadow. He is finally starting to recognize the damage they've all done to each other in the name of love and seems determined to have it stop with him. He's based his life on his father's wants and his brother's needs and has neglected himself all along. Maybe now that he sees what those wants and needs have really accomplished, he'll be able to remove himself from the equation. Staying with Sam has stopped being an option now. It's only causing more pain for both brothers. It's kinda like watching a bad marriage continue on long after the divorce lawyers should have been called. The next 3 episodes are going to be hard and that's saying a lot for a season that has already broken my heart.
3 - BackToKansas
I think Dean did follow in his Dad's footsteps. It led him straight to Hell, where he was tortured and then turned torturer. That's not lucky in my book. I bet Dean wishes he had been allowed to die peacefully back when Sam dragged him (out of love!) to Reverend LaGrange.
As for Sam, his story is incredibly tragic because there never really could be normal for him. Sam was targeted by Azazel as a baby and fed demon blood. Azazel would have come after Sam no matter what life Sam was leading at the time. For Sam, there was no escape. That's probably enough to make any parent angry and vengeful.
I can't wait to see Sam's hero journey play out, and find out what role Dean plays in it. "We're stronger as a family, Dad, we just are, you know it."
4 - bordnow
I usually agree with you Alice, but not this time. While Sam and Dean were both jealous of Adam, I dont think Sam was trying to take Adam's choices away. Adam could have said no at any time. In the end Adam's lack of knowledge about the supernatural was what got him killed. He couldnt defend himself. While John could have been a much better father, he did give his eldest sons a defense against the supernatural world.
I agree that the Sam we knew is dead. Pulled back into a life he hated after Jess's death, then he lost his father and his brother. Sam had nothing left to lose. He began using the powers he loathes, and drinking Ruby's blood. SOmething that disgusts him. Sam finally ran out of hope. Even when he did just try to walk away from the demon blood, it caused him more pain. Jake killed Sam, leading to the deal and then Sam didnt use his powers to save Dean, and Dean died. Sam had nothing left to lose.
Also, im sure Sam knew that Dean didnt mean it as a compliment. Ive never seen a movie or show where the ill take it as a compliment was anything more than not wanting to fight about it. It was the same here too.
5 - Meg
Excellent review, Alice! I really enjoyed this episode. And as much as the conflict between the brothers has been painful to watch, I really love this season, especially the character growth we've seen in Dean.
"Dean was angry, Sam accepted it. Eventually though, as this show often does, it twisted, and Sam's acceptance turned to willingness to turn Adam toward the same terrible life he has, while Dean intended on protecting this kid, for it wasn't too late."
Yes, that was interesting. I felt that Dean's desire to protect Adam came from his desire to protect him, like John wanted. He and Sam had a LIFETIME of training, so I'm not sure if Sam expected that they would be able to stick around and train Adam for the next few years or what? So I definitely agreed with Dean's POV on this. I really felt that Sam's "What makes Adam so special?" remark was indicative of his underlying motivations here.
"But, I was glad to see Dean taking more steps out of his family's shadow. He is finally starting to recognize the damage they've all done to each other in the name of love and seems determined to have it stop with him. He's based his life on his father's wants and his brother's needs and has neglected himself all along."
Anna -- this is a great observation and I totally agree. I think Dean has matured so much this season and is finally stepping out of the shadows of what has defined him for most of his life -- his role in the family. He's finding his OWN identity, seperate from the role as caregiver, son, and brother, and it's a wonderful thing to see.