Um...Wow. That's a Valentine’s Day Sam and Dean will never forget.
If you're going to ruin a Hallmark holiday with one of those pesky four horsemen crashing the celebration, I can't think of a better person to take on the task than Ben Edlund. After all, he doesn't just ruin a holiday. He obliterates it. In this case, he deals a major setback to all three of our heroes. Sure they won the battle, but were left heaping piles of mush in the end. You know, the angst filled episode that pretty much harms all our psyches and keeps us coming back for more.
This episode is classic Edlund. For one, it must be gross. The show didn't beat around the bush as two star crossed and literally sexually starved lovers brought a new meaning to the cliché "eat you alive" before we even saw the title sequence. I won’t even mention the guy who overdosed on twinkies and the carnage at Biggersons. Second, the supporting characters are usually very quirky. That quota is easily filled by Cupid, or a pasty white middle aged naked man loaded with joy, love, and too many female hormones. Third, the plot usually builds slowly only to careen way out control by the end. Check, check, and check.
The Breakdown
Once I fought to keep down my dinner from that opening scene, the first clue that something's wrong comes quickly. Dean has no desire to whore around on Valentine's Day. That worries Sam. The second clue happens next scene when Sam can vividly hear the heartbeat and smell the blood of a demon that happens to walk by. I don’t think he could always do that. The third clue isn’t far behind either, for not only does Dean not want his burger but Castiel does. A theory is formed thanks to Enochian symbols Sam finds on the hearts of the cannibal victims. One quick call to Castiel (and funny arrival) is all they need. Cupid has gone rogue. It’s interesting how Castiel, a fallen angel, talks of a cupid, or cherub third class, with such belittlement. Angels are truly an arrogant bunch.
Castiel traps said Cupid, who’s nothing but pure marshmallow inside. He’s a softie that uses bear hugs as handshakes and joyfully follows his orders setting up people for love before moving on. When harshly accused of killing people by Dean and Castiel, this cherub reacts the way any oversensitive angel would. He cries. Yep, a little boy in a pasty white naked middle aged man. Cupid does manage to innocently drop one bombshell though. Orders from above had a cherub fix up John and Mary Winchester. Top priority. Dean and Sam had to be born. So the meeting of the two bloodlines was not accidental. Dean doesn’t take this news well, the big clue being when he punches Cupid. Sam and Castiel stand stunned in the background, seeing the absurdity of punching a sweet harmless cherub. Dean won't talk about it though. No, something isn’t right.
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Article comments
1 - Meghalee
very good summary, the best i have read till now. my fav lines 'With bloody face and crazy eyes, Sam delivers THE most chilling line of the season. “Wait your turn.” Whoa Sammy!'
2 - Anthony C.
Hi Alice!
First of all I wanted to say this is my first time posting, but I read your reviews every week and always look forward to your insights and opinions after each new episode airs.
I wasn't sure where to ask this question, so I thought I'd post it here and see what you thought. Since Season 6 seems ago, I was just wondering what your opinion on it is? I personally feel like it's a bad idea. Supernatural is my favorite show on television, but I'm just worried how on earth they could possibly top the Apocalypse/Lucifer storyline. It just seems to me that if they defeat Lucifer, as they're bound to do in the end, any other Demon or Monster they face after him while they may be powerful, will seem like a cakewalk to them. I mean you can't really get more evil or powerful than Lucifer and the Horseman, even in the Supernatural world. I'd rather them finish Season 5 with a bang (as was the original plan) and go out on top, rather than another season that doesn't seem to fit with the first 5 which were so meticulously planned. Plus the trend seems to be with movies, books, and televsion that all of the installments in a series that are planned from the beginning are absolutely seamless for the most part and so much better than ones added on afterwards just to keep them going. Plus with Kripke possibly leaving the show, I'm a bit nervous as well. I mean don't get me wrong, Sera is an awesome choice to take the reigns, but yeah...I just have a lot of doubts about a possible sixth season and I was just wondering your views on it all! :-) Sorry if this was the wrong place to post this!
Another amazing review! Thanks for taking the time each week to do it!
- Anthony
3 - Alice Jester
Hi Anthony! Thanks for posting! This isn't a wrong place to post this at all. I don't mind giving an opinion on the subject! I probably ought to do an article on the renewal here and give my thoughts.
Quite frankly, I had a great hunch that season six would happen when season five was announced. I even told a bunch of people at the Supernatural NJ convention last March it was happening. One of those people reminded me of that this week. Why did I feel this? For one, I knew the actors were contracted through season six and The CW schedule was still too thin to be fixed in one season. Then Eric Kripke at the Comic Con in July told us in the press room that there is more story to tell and five season plan was just for this arc. The writers had this feeling too and have had quite a bit of time to plot out season six.
Kripke is not leaving the show. He may (and that's MAY, nothing is official yet) hand over more of the showrunning duties to Sera Gamble and Robert Singer, but he will still very much be involved with the show. He will still be the visionary and give the final word on things. Sera Gamble recently shared some ideas for season six in Maureen Ryan's column after renewal was announced. Their plan is to go back to basics like season one. They don't want to top Lucifer and the apocalypse. They want to go back to the core story, the relationship between the brothers. There is still plenty of story there to tell, especially in the aftermath of all that's happened. Considering I have a huge amount of faith in this creative team, I think they'll deliver big time!
Oh, and thanks for the vote of confidence on the review. I do love doing them, but it usually takes me two days after an episode airs to get my thoughts together before I can write one. This darned show always leaves me in such knots. :)
I hope that answers your question!
4 - farchester
Hi Alice,
This is my first post also. I can't wait to read your review and see if there is anything I may have missed. I usually read your review before I watch the episode for a second time.
After watching this episode a second time I noticed when Dean is being hugged by Cupid, Dean ask for a little help. Cupid leans in and tells him that help is on the way.
Do you think this is a hint of what is to come, or just an innocent comment.
Thanks for listening and keep up the good work!!
5 - Alice Jester
Farchester, knowing what I know about these writers, everything is carefully considered, especially when Ben Edlund is involved. I do believe it was deliberate.
I'm sure we'll find out for sure though in the upcoming episodes.
My review for "Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid" is delayed because I've been out of town this week (spring break thing). I'm hoping to have it out before the next episode.
Thanks for your comment!