Why did Anna show up when she did? Can she be trusted? Whose side is she on? Are her motives any cleaner than Ruby's? Does she want to use Castiel the same way Ruby wants to use Sam?
I do wonder if either Sam or Castiel told Dean how Sam killed Alastair. Sure, he’ll find out eventually, but is it now or later? Did anyone else love Sam’s look to Castiel after that happened? “Oh, you noticed that, huh?”
An A+ on this one. Definitely a classic. Next week is another comedy episode, and boy, do we need it. The rest of the season after that is going to be brutal.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - SupernaturalSoul
I've watched this episode six time already and I think it's the best epi of the series. I agree and love your review but would love to hear about how creepy Alistair was! "Something was in my throat. I think it was my throat!". Sooo good and creepy!! I will miss his royal creepiness!
2 - Alice Jester
I couldn't agree more about Alastair! I could have written an entire book about this episode, it was that good. Considering the review was already at an unusually large 2700 words, I couldn't get it all. Thanks for mentioning how great he was.
3 - cassi
I completely agree with you Alice, this episode was epic, a real CLASSIC! I think I found a new defintion for classic SPN episode, they're absolutely ADDICTIVE, you simply can't stop watching them.
I've never been THAT involved with an episode, OTHOAP left me completely shaken and stunned. I'm so happy that we get something light next week because honestly I've no clue if I would survive watching another episode like OTHOAP.
I just want to add that Alistair was stunning in this episode. The way he taunts Dean, sings "I'm in heaven..", makes the monopoly joke, shows what a magnificient villian he is.
Although Wishful thinking is another one of Edlund's funny episode YOU ALREADY SEE THAT EDLUND IS CAPABLE OF WRITING ONE OF THE BEST EPISODES EVER. The brothers scene in Whisful were amazing and they were connected with the funny moments in an seemless way!
Oh, and how GREAT was Robert Wisdom? His Uriel was amazing in so many ways, I'm really sad to see him go but the follows the path of many amazing guest actors before him.
And I can't even start to describe how amazing Misha and Jensen were in this episode. I don't have enough words!
4 - kikibug13
Man. I feel guilty for loving this episode so much, considering how shattered it leaves just about everybody... at least Sam (for he is. He may love the power... but he does keep it limited to demons only. But he doesn't love what it costs him at least), Castiel (... yeah), and Dean.
As you said, the dedication between the brothers is totally, completely ... heartening. It's their weak spot, but it is also their strength. On the other hand... Metamorphosis as foreshadowing, as in Sam's hand being forced (by threatening the one person who matters more than himself) ... into going where he can't go back from?
Things that made me wonder... well. A lot of things did. Is 'weapon' the way Anna sees Dean? What is, overall, Ruby's game (she does not go counter to Sam's choice of targets, doesn't even suggest it... but MAN did that 'Sammy' sting!)? Is it possible that the demons don't know that which Castiel dropped in the end, about Dean being the only one who can finish it? Because if they did know, they'd be gunning to get him back a LOT more than they are!
And also, I think the next episode is needed to get Dean back into action. He's... really at the end of his rope. So they take away his memories, let him gather some momentum again, and then drop it all back on him.
mmm.
I love this show.
5 - Julie
I actually lost count on how many times I've seen the episode, and I cannot believe that it comes better and better every time I see it! It's Tuesday and I am still in awed with everything!
I SO agree with you about Anna and Castiel. I was surprised that she didn't go to Dean. I wonder if Dean will ever know that she was around... But one question I surely have about her: to who has she done the request to get her body back and what does that mean? Unless of course it's nothing important, but we all know that in Supernatural, all the small details count.
Sam. That disgusting scene was, disgusting, but at least we now know that it had a good nature. He still cares deeply about Dean and I'm glad to see that fact. But that smirk of hers tells me that Sam's going to have to pay and that scares the jeepers out of me!
I cannot wait to see what will come of Dean. All heroes fall at some point, but let's be honest Dean cannot fall any deeper than where he is. All he needs is a boost and to learn is true meaning on Earth, then I'm sure we'll get our Dean back. Castiel is about at the same place as Dean. He's a hero of his own too and when he gets up from all that's been happening to him we'll have two awesome soldiers fighting on the good side!!
And as for the directing: no one could have said it better!!!!
You already know how much I love your reviews! This one rocked out loud! Keep them coming! =D
6 - Kate
For Dean my heart is breaking..What's in my throat? The little pieces of my heart
7 - TeamPadalecki
Alice ~ I so wait with anticipation of your reviews. I want to see if you feel the same way as I do -- and usually you do. I totally loved this episode and I also thought it was the best so far of all the seasons -- I called it the EPIC episode !!! It is amazing that they put so much in a 40-45 minute show. I felt like I sat there for 2 hours. It is so intense and deep. I also felt Kim's handprint on this episode. I miss him ! Thank you for always being here to summarize the episode and give us your take on it. I appreicate it !!! Look forward to future reviews. Take care ~ Team Padalecki :)
8 - Luisa
I absolutely HATED this episode, by far the worst of this season for me. Just far too much of Castiel and for those of us who couldn't care less about the inclusion of angels nor his motivations it was utterly horrible.
Sam got all of seven minutes so HOW this was supposed to be an episode about all three as you mention I'll never know.
I miss him absolutely madly and want to get more inside his head but yet again the writers are denying us.
By far the worst episode of the entire dismal season for me, the Sam/Castiel scene where Sam told him to STFU and sort stuff out was the only bright spot.
9 - Miriel
Hi Alice. I'm fairly new to your reviews but now wait anxiously to read your take on episodes! And it's wonderful to hear the pov of someone who isn't caught up in the insanity of fandom where the carping about screen time, Wincest, and general asshattery abounds (I've seen it and shuddered - lol). Someone who just flat out loves the show as I do.
And YES - this episode is definitely an 11! I feel like I'm shooting the rapids and loving it even while my nerves scream and hands tremble.
My daughter and I have a theory about Ruby and I wanted your opinion. If the goal is for Lucifer to walk the earth then he would need a human vessel capable of containing him. Could Ruby's motive be to strengthen Sam for that purpose? If I'm not mistaken, an ordinary human could not sustain Lucifer's possession but Sam very well could given Ruby's 'training'. Whatever her motives, it bodes ill for our Sammy.
And before I forget, thanks so much for taking the time to write these reviews and major kudos to you!
10 - Bevie
Hi Alice
What a great review! I hope there is room for the two of us in that hospital bed with poor Dean, because I was a pile of mush at the end of the episode.
So glad to see that Sammy still loves his big brother best and all the weird things he's doing are all to protect Dean. As long as the brotherly love continues, this show will rock!
Never been so involved with a TV show before.
Thanks for your great reviews Alice.
Bevie
11 - strangeworld
I think you missed something important Alice. It is not Dean that is weak, it is Sam. Dean doesn't need demon blood to be strong, Sam does. What does that tell you?
12 - Missy
It was interesting to me to see Sam misjudge Dean so badly in that scene with Ruby. Dean's reluctance to torture wasn't weakness. Just as with his remorse over the people he harmed, Sam takes Dean's morals and equates them with weakness. Dean didn't want to torture Alastair, not because he couldn't do it, but because he knew what it MEANT. He knows what it MAKES you, when you torture, and how very, very easy it is to stop caring. Sam, naive, foolish Sam, would have seen his bloodsoaked, sadistic brother in Hell, and would have thought him strong.
I think Sam's got a hard fall ahead of him. His pride, his arrogance, his inability to temper any of his vengeance with compassion... it's going to be ugly. But he needs to do it, to understand where Dean has been, and why his reluctance to become a monster again is anything BUT pathetic.
13 - elle2
Hi, Alice,
Awesome review...I knew it would be worth the wait.
I love your take on Sam's need to protect Dean, cover his weakness not expose it. Sam may be overwhelmed with demon addictions but he loves his brother. Once again the demons use that against him.
I've watched this episode more than two or three times so far and I'll have to go back and check the Sam driving the car scene...so many have mentioned his eyes turning black and I've missed it...alas, I'll have to watch again.
Re: your analysis/insight into Castiel's innocence I find a parallel to Dean: Castiels is a good soldier, follower of orders; he was CREATED to be such. Dean similarly is a good soldier, follower of orders of his father b/c he LEARNED to be from near tragedy [Something Wicked] The Dean from S1 is similar (not exact by any stretch) as Castiel is here.
Dean was even known to step back from the leadership role and let Dad take the reins (the conversation between him and Sam in the Impala back in Dead Man's Blood) and to ask "What am I supposed to do." At the beginning of AHBL II at Sam's deathbed.
I agree...this episode was/is epic. It gave a major push forward to the mytharc, and opened/widened/deepened the angel storyline which will continue into S5...awesome.
14 - Oh Dean!
"I love your take on Sam's need to protect Dean, cover his weakness not expose it."
Sam revealed Dean's weakness to Ruby without even a second thought. A demon. Who Dean hates and who hates him back. So no I do not see Sam being protective of Dean in that sense even though I think he was in other ways. Just an observation.
15 - Mary (Bardicvoice)
Why am I not surprised your review ran long, Alice? So did mine - this episode really deserved it! The writing, the acting, the directing, the story structure; I loved the lot.
The revelation of what Sam has really been up to in order to soup up his powers was devastating. All the subtle little teases and hints sneaking in from the background paid off in a huge way. Now that we know, I suspect Sam's progress along that path will come into the light, but I'm not looking forward to the moment when Dean learns the full truth. (Well, I am, but not for how it will make him feel!)
I did love the way that this story showed the full picture of Sam's feelings for Dean, to contrast with the biased view we got through the siren's spell in Sex and Violence: yes, Sam believes Dean to be weaker than he was before Hell (and his hesitation could kill), but Sam doesn't want him hurt because of it; all the love is intact. Sam is proud and over-proud of his own abilities - but proudest of all that he can save his brother, as his brother so often saved him. That was great. But doing wrong things even for (mostly) right reasons (I do recognize Sam's craving for the blood power as also having factored into his decision to drink again) is a dangerous path to walk.
This show has always been superior; now it has become epic.
16 - Saint Sam
I think it is VERY much strecthing to try and say Sam did this for Dean. At NO point prior to the hospital scene did Sam show any concern for Dean's safety. He did not not go running off there thinking Dean was in danger. He said one thing and one thing only - that Dean was too weak to get the job done.
The writers even had Ruby herself mention Dean's well-being to Sam and Sam quite pointedly and specifically said "No" that wasn't what he was concerned about. Sam thinks Dean's lost his edge, that is what he thinks he's lost. That was all he was concerned about at that moment. The writers practically put up a neon sign over it.
Most importantly is that the writers are clearly couching everything Sam is doing in terms of addiction and self-delusion. Metamorphosis - it was no mistake that Sam sounded something like an addict trying to justify himself. It's no mistake that Pam pointed out to Sam that Sam did not have good intentions, no matter how much he tried to convince himself they were. Sam is not doing this for Dean, Sam is doing this for HIMSELF and he's using Dean as an excuse.
And it is certainly no mistake that at no point prior to Dean's being in the hospital did Sam mention any concern for Dean's personal well-being.
He was talking pure and simply about Dean's ability to do what he was being asked to do and that HE, Sam could and he wanted the extra juice so he could go SHOW them what he could do when Dean, as he fully expected, failed.
And guess what? Dean was able to do that. So Sam was wrong. Dean was betrayed, Dean was not too weak. Dean went in there and faced a demon who tortured him in ways that made what we saw look like a walk in the park every day for decades. And even after hearing the worst he could hear, he was going to keep going. That's not weakness, that's strength.
Sam on the other hand IS showing a great deal of weakness. He gets an illusion of strength from the power drinking Ruby's blood gives him. But you know what, Dean, crying in his hospital bed, is stronger than Sam right now. Because Dean is under no illusions about himself. A man who can admit he feels weak is stronger than the man who thinks he has none and that is Sam, a man who thinks he has none.
I think you are seeing what you want to see not what is actually there.
17 - Alice Jester
You know, I'm a blogger that does this for pure fun. There's no glory in this, or money, trust me. There's just a lot of time involved. I love Supernatural so much and I want to use my writing skills to give it the respect it's long deserved and often not gotten. More importantly, and I want other fans to feel welcome and share their opinions as well.
I want to say thank you so much to those of you that come to me each time and express your sheer love of the show. You don’t necessarily agree with me, but you don’t mind pointing out the good and the bad, where you see it differently, and you keep up the spirit of the show. I'm honored to hear from you all every week and that you take time to read my sometimes wordy articles.
There are dissenters, and I don’t mind those either. I love getting other viewpoints. Take for example this time from “Oh Dean!” That’s a proper dissent and I appreciate the comments.
For the rest of you that keep turning my reviews into a Sam vs. Dean lynching every time, this is for you. Please keep in mind these are short reviews. I do not knock down one brother at expense of the other. I call it as the episode shows it, and do not have that much space to dig deep into the big picture. Go back over the reviews for this season. One week it’s Sam at a low, the next week it’s Dean. That’s intentional on the writing team's part. NEITHER of them are perfect.
This is not a Sam vs. Dean debate, and I’m getting a little tired of being told every week by Sam fans I’m knocking down Sam unfairly and making Dean look like a saint or by Dean fans that I’m knocking Dean down unfairly and making Sam look like a saint. I’m ready to put this statement at the end of every review from this point forward until people start getting it. This is not a forum for putting your favorite character on an unreachable pedestal and knocking down the other. My reviews refuse to do that, and I expect the comments to be respectful in the same way. It’s only fair to those of us that want to go to a place to love our show.
Sure, I point out screen time issues, but I usually bring it up when it results in a missed development opportunity. That DID NOT happen in this episode. The screen time should be about quality, not quantity. I do not use a stop watch counting Sam and Dean time and never will.
Thank you for letting me get that off my chest. This episode was WAY too good and deserving for the petty bickering that's been happening lately. Now I can go back to responding to reviews that are worthy of debate.
18 - Alice Jester
Cassi - Oh yes, Robert Wisdom was good too. Heck even Julie Niven (Anna) was good this week. I do love the caliber of the guest acting they've been getting this season.
Kikibug13 - I do wonder if the next episode has something to do with Dean's recent depressed state. I'm sure we'll find out! I also got the impression that Dean is the one that must break the final seal. So yes, I think the demons know, and we haven't seen the whole plan yet. As Castiel said, "They don't tell me much."
Julie - Thanks for the agreement on Anna and Castiel. I think we're the only two. I'm still blown away by this episode.
Kate - Well said. I couldn't agree more.
TeamPadalecki - I'm in awe how they can cram so much into one small episode. I'm trying to write the full recap for my blog site right now, and it's huge! There's so many little things in there I pick up each time I watch.
Miriel " That’s a very interesting theory about Sam being a vessel. Yeah, I could buy that. Who else could Lucifer possess? I’m still not certain if Ruby is serving her own purpose or is part of the “end game”, but she’s evil nonetheless. I can’t wait to see how it all plays out.
Bevie " I’ll let you sneak in Dean’s bed with me, but I have a feeling there will be thousands that beat us to the punch!
Elle2 - I didn't buy into the black eyes thing with Sam at first, but on the rewatch, oh yes, it's pretty dramatic. I don't know if that was intentional or an accident, but I remember a TV show producer once saying "there are no accidents."
Mary - I'm sure you found it as impossible to write a review as I did. I put a link to it up on my site. I so agree about the story showing the full picture of Sam's feelings for Dean and how his path is very dangerous. The show has gone this season from superior to epic, that's for sure.
As for everyone else, let’s face it, Dean is weaker. I know that drives Dean fans nuts, but believe me when I say this serves a purpose for what’s to come. Alastair and Sam said it both, a part of him was left downstairs. He’s not what he was before. Me calling Dean weak does not mean I’m calling Sam strong. Sam thinks he’s being strong enough for Dean, and yeah, turning Alastair to dust is pretty damned impressive, but it’ll cost him in the long run. By drinking Ruby’s blood and craving the power, he’s weak too. He did use Dean as an excuse this time, but his intentions were all still for Dean. It goes back to what Mary said, it showed the full picture of Sam’s feelings for Dean. I loved it. Dean is his main priority.
I'm not sure if I'll be able to see this Thursday's episode live (traveling). If I can't, I'll be crushed, that's for sure. Must have more!
19 - seroes
Excellent review Alice. You and Bardicoves are the only 2 I read. You always have fantastic insight into the episode. I agree with everything you said.
20 - seroes
Sorry for the double post. I should rather say that I loved the episode but after Sam's last scene the episode did lose some of its intensity for me. Dean, Sam, Ruby, and Alistair for me were the real driving forces in the ep. I loved all of those scenes. It was still good after that, just not so intense.
21 - Haven
And Alice speaks! And speaks words of wisdom she does! Well, compared to the gabbering nonsense that gushes out of my mouth whenever I try and explain just what made this episode awesome. Shakespeare Ms Jester, you write pure Shakespeare.
Gah, it was just so....well, see, I keep using the word epic and its beginning to lose all significance in meaning. Seriously, I need a thesaurus, what's another word for EPIC?
Not only are the storylines epic but the way they go about them, the way the epicness is presented to us, well, that's epic too.
I'm now really scared about the epicness, it's just soooo mindbogglingly intensely, bite fingernails type epic.
Budge over, I'm ready to curl up with Dean and his despair too. I might start rocking gently too. It's just so...here we go...so EPIC to think about it all without a resulting headache.
I both love and hate this show for making me feel like this. Gah!
22 - Suze
How about momentous?
Even with Swedish subtitles ( don't ask ) This one just left me breathless.
Sometimes heavyduty plot developements only make you think the writers should lay off the recreational stimulants, cough * Heroes * cough, but here every piece fell into place with a huge satisfying crash and an echoing why-didn't-I-see-that-coming ... Bloody brilliant.
Good shout on the squabbling, too. All the Handbags At Dawn stuff is really dull to read through and pretty pointless ... If both the boys were paragons of virtue the story would have ground to a halt long ago instead of getting deeper and more mind-boggling by the hour.
23 - vichi
so I guess now it's my turn to comment :)!
Hi Alice, I just read the entire review as always and now I have to swallow my tears because you just reminded me how painfully awesome this episode was. I mean, freakin' amazing!
I gave it an A+ and it is on my top 5 episodes of all seasons, so far! I never expected Ben Edlund capable of such an intense and perfect episode, I loved his funny ones, I mean they were brilliant but this is a masterpiece!
Where do I start?
Dean and Castiel togheter are amazing! Jensen and Misha have great chemistry on screen and their acting was flawless in this episode (as usual). I cried with Dean, felt his pain, his struggle, and then when I saw him in that hospital bed, it was heartbreaking. It is interesting to see the way Cas is influenced by Dean, he beggins to "feel", he respect Dean and he suffer with him. After Heaven and Hell,I though that Castiel is the angel who is gonna fall, but after what I saw in On the Head of a pin,I am not so sure anymore. Yes, he has doubts, and doesn't trust anymore the received orders but for the first time he has complete faith in himself to do the right thing. He found the strenght inside himself and Dean and I perceived him as the Phoenix Bird, resurrect from his own ash.
I loved Anna in this episode, probably because she was there only for Castiel! I don't believe she is evil, I think she will be there for Cas and the boys in season finale to fight against Lucifer.
Ruby, God how I sent her. When I saw the smirk on her face after feeding Sammy with her blood I felt the urge to smack her! And the way she called Sammy! Nobody but Dean has the right to call him "Sammy". And I was shocked to see how Sam is behaving around her, like a lover... I hoped the one sex scene will not repeat but now I don't really know what to think, Sam and Ruby seems to be too closed...
I saw this episode so many times and each time I was amazed by Alastair! I got chills on my spine from the moment he started singing "cheek to cheek" and he became my favorite vilain ever, I loved him even more than YED, if that's possible. I am gonna miss Christopher Hayerdahl, that man was just freaking amazing! The same goes for Uriel! I didn't expected him to a traitor, so it was kinda of a surprise but it fits! Uriel worshiped Lucifer, he has the same attitude as Lucifer against people!
Anyway Alice, as always, I loved your review and I don't really know how this is possible, but we kinda think alike when it comes to this show :) ! I don't know/have enought words in english to say how much this episode touched my heart!
24 - trina
While I could have done without the extended torture scenes, Holy cow was this ep chock full. The whole point of this episode (and the season) is that Sam and Dean are both weak and lost right now. They need to reconnect because they are stronger together. Sam will not be able to overcome this addiction and what is sure to be Ruby's betrayal without Dean, and Dean will not be able to stop what is coming without Sam.
25 - Saint Sam
"As for everyone else, let's face it, Dean is weaker. I know that drives Dean fans nuts, but believe me when I say this serves a purpose for what's to come. Alastair and Sam said it both, a part of him was left downstairs. He's not what he was before."
So because Alistair said it, a demon whose purpose has been to torture Dean and who naturally would want put him in the worst shape possible when it comes to "finishing it", and because Sam said it, who is for all intents and purposes a drug addict looking for an excuse to take his next hit - that makes it true?
That's your opinion and it's not mine. I do agree Dean is hurting alot right now, physically and emotionally. But I don't see any of it being for the reasons Sam or Alistair said. Dean is hurting because he was tortured horrifically for decades, so badly he finally broke himself and allowed himself to do it just to make it stop for him, not because he's "missing" anything. If anything it shows he's NOT missing anything, he's still all him and so he feels everything he's done terribly, as Dean Winchester always would do.
Sam said Dean couldn't do it, he related it to being in Hell. Yet why is no one asking the obvious question - what in the world would Sam have expected a pre-Hell Dean to do to Alistair that would have been "better" or "stronger"?
That's put the lie to Sam's reasonings right there. It's all misdirection - we see Dean hit rock bottom, we see him saying he can't do it, it's too big, he's missing part of himself, etc, etc.
That would all seem to fit in with what Sam said - yet what Sam said and how Dean is acting are not the same.
The reasons for Dean's actions are not for the reasons Sam gave. Sam was talking about power not strength, they aren't the same thing. So Sam was wrong - yes Dean is "weak" now but not for the reasons Sam thinks he is. It's showing how entirely screwed up Sam's priorities are in my opinion, not that his actions are all for Dean.
"It goes back to what Mary said, it showed the full picture of Sam's feelings for Dean. I loved it. Dean is his main priority."
I fail to see how the show told us this. Sam's main priority was getting his next hit, for which he used Dean as an excuse after the angels took him away but which he was looking for even before that. Why do you think he was so gung ho to go see Ruby when they were talking in the car earlier?
So again, it's opinion and that's fine, all of our opinions are worth the same, but I'm not going to "believe" anything. That's not Sam vs. Dean, that's trying to look at what I think the show made a point of trying to outright show me.
In the previous episode, an episode about the lies people tell themselves, they made a point with Sam, with Pam's dying words, that Sam's was lying to himself about his intentions.
Sam's trying to find reasons to say he's doing it for good reasons and he'll find ways to list them off, but ultimately Sam isn't doing it "to save the hosts", he isn't doing it "for Dean", he isn't doing it "for the greater good". Because that's what addicts do. He's doing it for his next hit, he's doing it for the power he likes to feel.