After last week’s silly “Man’s Best Friend With Benefits,” I hoped Supernatural would return to form tonight. I was a little leery, as “Remember the Titans” is not only another stand-alone episode, but one that involves gods. The show’s track record with gods is not good (see “Hammer of the Gods”). Sadly, the episode did end up a disappointment, though more for the damage to the season’s arc than the legend of the gods.
The portrayal of the Greek gods Zeus, Prometheus, and Artemis was handled adequately, drawing on the legend of Prometheus stealing fire for mankind and getting cursed by Zeus to die every day with an eagle eating his entrails. The conceit of his son inheriting the curse apparently by accident was a stretch, but one that I could roll with. The writers are allowed dramatic license to make the parallel to the Winchesters. However, it is that connection to the trials arc that failed for me.
Sam has been hiding—or thinks he’s been hiding—his tuberculosis or something with similar symptoms from Dean. But he’s scared. And watching the price Prometheus pays for saving mankind from darkness apparently opens his eyes to the likelihood he won’t survive the trials. He confesses his doubts to Dean, who prays for help to Castiel and it all should be very moving.
But I spent the episode just astonished at what was playing out. I could not believe Sam and Dean would bring Prometheus, his girlfriend and his son TO THE BUNKER. They were supposed to throw the key in and lock it away forever because the secrets inside are so dangerous in the wrong hands. Instead, they not only bring these people in, Dean then tells them all about the Men of Letters which is a—wait for it—secret society.
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Article comments
1 - rc
Bad review...
2 - Gerry
Well, or a bad episode (-:
3 - Sheri
Exactly how I felt about the episode. I was so pleased with the revitalized Dean in the first nine episodes. Now he's dumber than a post and back to another year of worrying about Sam. I wasn't moved by the prayer to Cas, because it was nothing more than a bridge to bring Cas back into the story. The weekly reminders of Kevin and Cas is beyond boring. It's pretty obvious, from the episodes this season and these constant call-outs that Kevin and Cas have the story this year. I'm to the point of wondering when the J2s will be listed as special guest stars in their own show. S8 has been one big, gigantic mega disappointment.
I did like the Dean/Zeus stare-down. That's the only part of Dean that I saw that was interesting...although I completely agree that JA sold the prayer scene. It's too bad this show choses not to make use of such a talented actor in any meaningful way.
4 - Gerry
Hi Sheri, I agree about Dean. I was so pleased to see him get character growth from Purgatory, but it all seems to have leaked away. He's no longer a honed warrior, he's no longer moving past assuming guilt for things that are not his fault and lately he's hasn't been the sharpest tool in the shed.
And that's without even mentioning praying to Cas for help with Sam when he knows he can't trust Cas right now for unknown reasons. Cas said he was going to help Samandriel and he ended killing him in suspicious circumstances. That's not relevant to Dean. Does he even remember? Do the writers remember?
And why can't Sam's backstory as the guy who saved the world by jumping into the pit for eternity play into his current story? I want to see why Sam has hope and I'd like that story line to play out longer than one episode. I liked the different dynamic between the boys in Trial and Error, not the same old positions.
I was so disappointed with this episode and last. This season's plotting and characterizations have been all over the place, with sudden starts, stops and reversals. Who's at the helm? Someone steer this ship.
5 - kay66
I did think allowing others into the bunker was inexplicable, so hopefully it's a one-off moment. Otherwize, a solid mow episode.