When Sam escapes and goes with Ruby, that's the ultimate betrayal to Dean. Sam trusts a skanky demon over his own flesh and blood. Bobby warns him not to let his anger get in the way and to swallow his pride for the sake of getting Sam back. Dean can't do it though and tries to kill Ruby, but Sam comes along to save her, making Dean madder. He tells Sam he'll help go after Lilith only if Ruby isn't part if it. When Sam refuses and tells Dean he knows what he's doing, Dean lets too much slip and stops himself before saying what really hurts. “Then that’s worse. Because it’s not something that you’re doing, it’s what you are.” Sam gets him to say it anyway, and Dean instantly regrets using that “M” word (even tearing up) when he sees how much it hurts Sam.
When Dean is hurt on the ground after Sam beats him, watching the monster inside of Sam walk away, Dean delivers his ultimatum. "If you walk out that door, don't you ever come back." I'm not sure what Dean expects Sam to do, especially seeing the rage in his brother, but of course Sam left. Sam makes his choice, and that’s more than physical pain Dean’s feeling on the floor in the final shot.
The Acting
It's common now for Jared and Jensen to blow us away every week, but this week they really gave us something special. Jared especially is given a tough task (which is something Sera Gamble often does to him) and he again exceeds our expectations. If he cringed before at Sera Gamble's scripts, this one must have sent him into full-fledged convulsions! The prep alone had to have killed him, let alone everything he gave to the episode.
Might I also add here that the makeup crew should be highly commended for making someone as pretty as Jared look so bad. The gradual shading on his face, making him look more gaunt with each scene, cumulating with him looking half dead while nervously waiting in the hotel room, it’s just incredible and dramatically accents Sam's sorry state. Score one for makeup!
Speaking of incredible, Jensen brought it too. He had to be restrained in complement to Jared’s manic state, but we saw every bit of the cracking around the edges through those composed glares. This is what Jensen does best, and once again Sera Gamble uses her script to play to each actor’s strengths. This is one of those pinnacle episodes that allows both actors to shine in very distinct ways, and even though their characters are worlds apart in the scenes together, their explosive chemistry bridges that gap by producing something out of this world. It doesn’t get any better than that. Of course I say that, then an episode like this comes along and it does do better. I don’t know how they do it.
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Article comments
1 - Emma
Great review Alice, I agree this episode was intense and showed just how far our little Sammy has changed. It showcased Jared's talent and Jensen played off of him perfectly. I wasn't as shocked when Sam knocked Bobby out (I was sure as Hell mad though) but not surprised. He's a junkie needing his next fix. The twitches and uneven breathing in the motel room showed that perfectly. I agree that I think Sam is Lucifer's First not Lilith. Ruby is a manipulative bitch and is playing Sam like a fiddle.
Dean was heart breaking as usual and he looked like a trapped animal when he made that deal with Cas and the angels- he did it for Sam. Even with all the lies and secrets and demon's blood turning his brother into a M word Dean still gave up everything for him.
I was shocked that Cas let Sam out. He is really conflicted by the orders he's been given. Nice to see that all that "ass reaming" in Heaven didn't completely take hold, there's still some of 'our' Cas in there somewhere.
The hallucinations were fantastic. I agree completely with your analysis. Something else people picked up on was the way each of those characters were portrayed: Alastair was bathed in golden light- probably to show Sam what he could become. Little Sam was pale, dark and very washed out- maybe to show how much of this sweet innocent child he has lost, as it slowly dies. Mary wasn't her normal angelic self either, she was portrayed as a bloodied human. This was interesting because she has been put on a pedestal by the Winchester men all series and Sam sees her as a human, but I guess that helped with the human emotion she gave Sam, something he needed. And of course, then there was Dean. This scene has me in tears. Jared was amazing. He really knows how to work those puppy dog eyes of his. Dean attacked him right in the heart by calling him a monster and I've always said Dean represents Sam's conscience, this scene seemed to prove that. Sam knows what he's turning into but his tunnel vision, and the demon's blood is clouding his mind and moral compass. He's willing to sacrifice himself and his humanity in order to exact revenge, oh excuse me, we're calling it justice now. He's losing the battle, let's just hope Dean can bring him back before they loss the war.
Em
2 - tina
Wonderful review Alice.I cant say anything you havent and the boys acting was phenomenal esp Jared and to finally get inside Sammys head was so heartbreaking but it showed how damaged he has been since losing Jessica.
Just fantastic.
3 - elle2
I love your opening bit here, especially about how this cannot be taken at face value. Repeat viewings are critical and that is part of what makes it so phenomenal. As expected the pre-season finale is awesome and sets the stage for not only the finale but for next season. They've been sprinkling in some things between The Rapture and now this and to be sure next week.
I'm really, really, really, really hoping Eric answers some questions and gives us a glimmer of hope...that may be too much to ask for since last year he killed Dean and showed us a sobbing Sam and a tortured Dean so no doubt he's looking to up the ante this season. Argh!
I really like how Sam's story which has been subtle but building all season long exploded here. It's not that different from Dean finally admitting he wanted to be saved from hell and then finally realizing that he had to pay the price...that took time to come about as well.
I'm still a mess over all that happened here and will be reading your review again and again to gather my thoughts more. As I've done before, I'll likely spend some time trying to figure out where and how it all gets put to right...I have faith though that damaged, frayed, dented and torn it can be put back together...heck, we saw the Impala brought back from almost total destruction...right? Anyone? Help?????
4 - vichi
oh, once again you did it! amazing review Alice! I loved the episode and Jared was excellent in that one. Jensen always is but now was Padalecki's time! speechless now...
5 - Baronius
Very interesting interpretation of the Lilith/Lucifer story. I hadn't thought that it might represent Sam.
6 - Andrea
Your reviews are awesome. I thought it was the saddest episode ever. Never imagined to see the boys fighting each other like that. Yet it was intense and powerful. Jensen usually gets the most attention for his performances but Jared was particularly outstanding in this one. He made an incredible job as the tortured and addict Sammy.