It's a great day to be a fan girl. The show is back! Yep, it was all good, until I sat down to write this review. I mean, how do you summarize all that? We got a little of everything, and I do mean everything. I was half-expecting Kripke to show up at the end and toss in a kitchen sink.
Before I jump into the review, I should make note of a few relevant season five staff position changes. The obvious one is Misha Collins, who's now listed in the starring credits along with Jared and Jensen. Jeremy Carver is now a co-executive producer and Ben Edlund, Sera Gamble, and Phil Sgriccia are all now executive producers. Congratulations to all earning those well deserved promotions.
As for the directing and writing, for the first time the always solid Robert Singer gets the call to direct the season opener. Of course we all miss Kim Manners, but I definitely saw his influence, which is a nice homage. As with all the other openers thus far, the writer is the “keeps everyone on their toes” Eric Kripke.
Sympathy For The Devil
Picking up where we left off, Sam and Dean are being engulfed in Lucifer's white light. They try to escape, but those menacing convent doors close again, trapping them inside. Everything goes white and they're... on an airplane? Wow, I don't think anyone saw that coming, including Sam and Dean, whose shocked expressions said it all. So, only a minute into this and there's a new mystery to solve.
No time is wasted in getting to the core of these episodes, the brotherly drama that's laced throughout. Sam tries to apologize, but Dean brushes it off. He's focused on finding Lucifer. Sam knows something's up, we know something's up, but there are too many other messes to get to right now.
Like an exploded Castiel at Chuck's house. Zachariah and entourage waiting for Dean. An icky slash fan and avid Sam girl being called to duty to deliver a message about finding Michael's sword. Bobby arriving (with the Impala!) and responding to Sam's heartbreaking confession about starting the apocalypse by casting him out of his life. Bobby going black eyes and attacking Dean under the leadership of Meg demon. Bobby stabbing himself with demon knife to save Dean. Sam and Dean racing to the storage locker where Michael's sword is, only to find out from Zachariah that Dean is Michael's sword, aka vessel. A very pissed off Castiel showing up after Zachariah hurts Dean and kills Sam (yes, he dies again) and making Zack hit the reboot button while putting the fear of you-know-who into him. Castiel branding an angel-cloaking sigil into Sam and Dean's ribs and moving on. Bobby being paralyzed and apologizing to Sam after getting a pep talk from Dean that he didn't really mean. Oh, and in between all that Lucifer tempting his grieving-from-the-worst-possible tragedy vessel.
Article comments
1 - Huppy
Hi, Alice, I totally agree with your review, which covers the episode perfectly. I still am having trouble accepting that Bobby could have gotten possessed by a demon--that is so OOC.
My favorite line was the one Dean said after Meg kissed him: "Is that peanut butter?"
I also enjoyed the scene in Chuck's house, with Chuck hitting Sam with a plunger. Yes, it's been a stressful day.
The fangirl was funny but got a little too meta for me. I did enjoy the cartoon snippet of the Devil and Yosemite Sam on the plane.
There definitely was a lot going on in this episode. I'm looking forward to the next!
2 - tina
Nice review Alice Just one thing Sam had help starting Armaggedon it was a team effort and I am not quite sure why Sam is the only one when Dean and the angels and demons were just has guilty.
3 - maria
really good review. summed it up completely, and the episode just took SPN to a whole new level. i can't wait for the next ep.
4 - Chris
Very nice review, Alice. I really enjoyed this episode, although there was a lot going on, I think it was necessary to set up plot lines for the remainder of the season.
I enjoyed getting some background on Lucifer's meatsuit, Nick. I think MP will do a great job in the role. I also enjoyed seeing Meg again and hopefully she will return. Kurt Fuller continues to be amazing as Zach. And I'm VERY glad Dean stood up to Zach and doesn't trust a word he says. It's clear that Zach has no concern for humanity.
To "tina" -- I don't understand why you believe that Sam is the only one being blamed for starting the apocalypse? Dean himself said "WE started this and WE have to clean it up." The demons know Dean broke in hell and the angels know as well. Dean didn't tell Bobby about what Sam did, but then Sam confessed. And Dean told Sam that he didn't have to apologize for killing Lilith. That's not the source of Dean's anger.
I thought the scene between Dean and Sam at the end was nicely done. Dean is clearly very hurt by Sam choosing Ruby over him all last season and he needed to be honest with Sam about what he's feeling. Dean didn't yell or hit. He was honest and open about his emotions (which kind of surprised me given how Sam used Dean's emotions against him last season).
I have to disagree with this, Alice: "He'll never trust him again." Dean said that he didn't know if he would be able to trust Sam again. He said he was having a "hard time forgiving and forgetting." Dean didn't speak in absolute terms of "never". He just doesn't know *right now* if he'll be able to trust Sam again. But certainly Dean is deeply hurt right now, and I don't blame him a bit. I have every hope that they will be able to mend their relationship, but it's going to be a long (angsty!) road, I'm sure.
Thanks again, Alice.
5 - Elle
I'm so happy that there are new episodes that lead to fabulous new reviews! I have missed them so, Alice! I agree with pretty much everything you said here.
I think people are confusing where Dean's headspace is right now. I truly do not think he is "angry" about Sam and his role in releasing Lucifer. To me, it read more as hurt over (perceived or actual) abandonment on the part of Sam " it’s more about the personal than the global consequence of Sam’s choices last season. And no, I don’t think Dean is a saint, but I do believe Sam walked a very dark path and as happens with addicts, things get destroyed and damaged on that path. We know that Dean wants his family together over and above most else and many times now he has been left behind by his family " at least he did. And it wasn't just physical either, there was an emotional detachment between the two boys in season four - Sam's lack of faith in Dean (despite Dean's own lack of faith in himself) had to be really painful to endure after one year prior, when Sam was talking about how he'd looked up to his big brother his whole life. I totally feel for Sam and understand that his guilt and apologies are genuine and from the heart - but who hasn't had the experience where you just can't forgive and move on because the hurt is too deep, at least right now.
I am looking forward to the re-forging of the relationship between Sam and Dean as the season goes on.
I am very please with how far Dean has come. I guess he's learned his lesson about making deals - it doesn't end well. I was very proud when he refused Zachariah no matter what was threatened. I can see the potential great leader in there and I hope to see that develop more as the season moves forward. That said, I also wonder if it isn’t a sign of Dean’s complete disillusionment with everything and his resignation to go down swinging. Regardless, it’s still a step up from last season when he was so consumed with his guilt and sorrow he could hardly function.
Even though it’s only been one episode, Sam is like a breath of fresh air over last season- much more the Sammy we knew. Not the same, and certainly changed, but the gentler Sam is very much welcome. Poor guy has a long, long road ahead.
Season five is off to a fantastic start!
Thanks, Alice, for the great review!
6 - Alice
Tina - Sam technically started the apocalypse, but no, he's not in full blame for all of it. As Chris and Elle so wonderfully explained, it was Sam's betrayal of siding with Ruby over him that is bothering Dean. He doesn't take betrayal well.
Chris - I agree definitely, I guess I meant that was Dean's headspace right now with never trusting Sam again. Excellent clarification on your part, because what you wrote is correct.
Elle - Hi there! I agree with everything, especially that Sam is already so much different. He's gentler for sure and I loved the return of the innocent puppy dog eyes. He didn't seem to be the darker Sam and seasons three and four. I'm also thrilled with Dean finally not willing to make deals. I think there's so much more to come with those character directions. They will be challenged! Can't wait!
7 - Sahar
Great review, Alice! And excellent points raised by Chris and Elle. I agree - Dean isn't angry and hurt because Sam killed Lilith, but because of the way it happened.
And I also am happy to see the 'nice' Sam back.
8 - Bethany
I agree with Elle it is nice to see a more gentle Sam back!
In defence of Bobby although it would be out of character for Bobby to get possessed if you think of all the things that had happened just before (Sam's scary withdrawl and escape, Dean's emotional breakdown after seeing Sam then disappearing right in front of his eyes - he wouldn't have known where Dean was) you can't help but think he must have been on the back foot and that's what allowed the demon to find the chink in the armour to sneak in.
Castiel justr rocked, that is a mystery i can't wait to explore there was a steel and a determination about him that wasn't there before, can't wait to see what he is up to.
Dean, Dean, Dean... can i get a "hell yes" for his stance against Zach! Strong, defiant and unwilling to bend or give up his free will ready to fight for what he thinks is right, just as i've missed a more gentle Sam, i've missed fiesty Dean too!
I have to agree with Chris that Dean is hurt and feeling betrayed by the fact that Sam chose Ruby above him and that he feels that he has given so much for his family and this is what he gets.On the other hand I couldn't help but feel hopeful, as painful as it was to hear, when Dean finally spoke about his feelings. So many times before they have kept their feelings to themselves, hidden their feelings away and let them simmer and fester beneath the surface until it all blows up in their faces. Not this time, i think in this one episode Sam and Dean were more honest about their feelings then in the entire last season (well almost) and i see this as a good thing as something has shifted. Although its awkward and painful and brutal they're not hiding their feelings from each other, they're being honest and that shows the barriers of the past season have been eroded. Yes it's not pretty but sometimes you have to break everything down and hit the bottom before you can rebuild. Honesty is the best place to start. They can work back up to trust.
9 - Bethany
Also - poor Dean he's never going to get over that fear of flying is he?
10 - Nitewoman
Great comments and good review. Agree with most of what you said. Looking forward to Episode 2
11 - elle2
Great review as usual, Alice.
You nailed it in your recap, the pacing that trips me up the most and is the most jarring is the cut from the ending of the fight scene to the quieter 'seduction' of Nick by Lucifer. They should have continued with Bobby's arrival at the hospital and then as the boys sped off cut to the Nick/Lucifer scene. Alas, that will go down like ITGPSW with Uriel and Sam's scene coming before Dean's and Castiel's, reverse please.
All in all, a great episode and the ending really got to the crux of the matter...You chose a demon over your own brother. I love that the shot has Dean getting to the Impala and opening the door and then looking back at a stunned and frozen Sam...all hope is not lost.
Only 13 hours until tonight's episode. Whee