[Drops remote in stunned disbelief, unable to do anything other than emulate a pile of jello.]
What the... how did… what did Dean and Bobby just do to Sam? What’s coming in the final two episodes? Until that final shocking scene and subsequent preview, "The Rapture" is a pretty even, not over-the-top yet emotional look at another family not named Winchester that's torn apart over this holy war. Every once in a while, especially in a 22-episode season, some time has to be set aside for some good old fashioned story telling. Jeremy Carver is a master and his story works very well until those of us lulled into a sense of security are whacked in the head by a two by four at the end.
[Shakes it off, tries to focus on review.]
Sheesh, this is gonna be a long week. Anyway, the one thing I absolutely love about this season is the writers' and producers' ability to mix it up. It’s never the same episode each week, and usually what’s presented manages to take me by surprise. A pleasant surprise. “The Rapture” is no different. For a story that mainly focuses on the ramifications when the calling of a higher purpose comes from an angel, I’m easily sucked in by all the drama. Sure, the pacing is slower, and it’s hardly a blow-you-away episode (until the end, that is), but I’m pleased to see this story shared. Even the vessel has issues. There’s also enough intense Sam and Dean drama to keep me going for another week and still enjoy the story told.
So, what happens when an angel comes along, asking for service? The tale of Jimmy Novak is what happens, and the story behind the man serving as the “vessel” for Castiel for the last year is gut-wrenching to say the least. Jimmy, a devout man who’s at first honored by Castiel’s presence, finds he’s one of that rare breed that can communicate with angels in their true form (after the rough first meeting, that is). He eventually commits to making the sacrifice and serve, with his only request being that his family is kept safe.
A year later though, as Sam and Dean have found out since the angels have come along, God’s calling isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Jimmy is free when Castiel is supposedly dragged back to Heaven against his will. As he tells Sam and Dean while choking down food he hasn’t had in months, the last year has been like being tied to a comet. It’s not all the glory he expected, and he’s done. He’s so eager to go back he immediately reunites with his family, not buying into Sam and Dean’s theory that he’s a target for demons and putting his family in danger.
Article comments
1 - Luisa
I love your reviews, but you didn't talk about what they did to Cas while he was in heaven and what it is he had to tell Dean.
2 - Alice Jester
Luisa - Great point! I must admit, I didn't mention it because I have no theories. They did something, and I hope eventually Dean is the one that sets him straight. Or Anna. Or both.
3 - Huppy
Alice, I always look forward to your reviews, and enjoyed reading your latest one.
I wonder, though, why it now seems that all Sam's powers come from drinking demon blood. What about the psy-kid abilities of Season 2? Sam was immune to the demon virus in Croatoan and he was immune to Lilith's white light in NRFTW, and that didn't come from drinking demon blood, and neither did his visions nor any of the abilities of the other psy-kids.
It is obvious Kripke is liking the demon blood addiction story line, which I do find interesting, so maybe he is concentrating on that to the exclusion of any other source of Sam's powers. But I hope Kripke will tie all these loose ends up at some time.
4 - Saltnburnem/tngmd
Great summary and review. Some folks were put-off by a Castiel-centric epi, but I enjoyed it. Sammy going all Rugaru on that demon...Eek!...I probably had the same stunned look on my face as Dean did!! Then Jensen did that very brief scared/threatened WTH look as Sam raised up his hand toward Dean. Very quick look of fear, very subtle, but so perfectly done. That guy rocks!! And then they dropped the bomb on me as Sam was locked up in the panic room for a hunters intervention. Incredible ending! Thursday never comes quickly enough!
5 - Bethany
Huppy - I think you'll find that Sam's powers have always come from Demon Blood as revealed by YED in All Hell Breaks Loose (I can't remember which part) YED was in Sam's nursery to put Demon Blood in him to give him his abilities.
Great Review as always Alice, I too was having an OMFG moment at the end and I too am nervous for the next two episode esp as you know Kripke is going to end it on a cliff hanger which is going to have me fretting all summer.
6 - Baronius
The thing I wasn't prepared for is that I didn't like Jimmy. He knows how high the stakes are, but he was whiny about committing to the fight. That's going to make Castiel a less appealing character to me, I'm afraid.
7 - Huppy
Bethany, You're right, Sam's powers have always come from demon blood, but right now it seems any powers he is currently showing come from drinking demon blood, instead of coming from the YED blood already inside him.
8 - maguie
I love your reviews!
Did you watch the part with anna in the Impala when she asks to dean about he let Jimmy got away and Dean answers talk to ginormo refering to sam, I didnt get it, what is or who is ginormo
9 - Elle
Huppy, I think that when YED was alive, once the other kids gave into him they were able to realize their abilities more fully. The little bit of blood from YED likely connected him to them and, since he was more powerful than Ruby, he was able to exert some control and "feed" them. Also, Sam still had visions prior to drinking the blood - but only up until YED died, so I have to assume his existance had something to do with it.
Alice - great review. I agree 100%. I loved the exchange between Sam and Dean in the car - Dean was so desolate. Another powerful scene that really struck me, was the transition between Jimmy and Castiel, when Jimmy is first possessed on the porch and his daughter talks to him. That was very well done by Misha - the facial expressions, movements and tone all clearly illustrated two different entities in the same figure.
I too saw the wife possession right away. I think, following a demon encounter, all present parties must consume holy water before passing go and collecting $200.
The preview for the last two episodes - well, I have no words but I felt your description involving jello pretty much mirrored my reaction.
Can't wait until tomorrow night.
Thanks for another great review!