Recap: “Lazarus Rising”
Bobby backs up, fumbles for a silver knife, and attacks. How does lunging at Dean with blade forward from a distance constitute an effective attack? Dean deflects easily and takes cover, calling out personal facts to convince Bobby that it’s really him. We get Bobby’s full name, and I’ll never tire of the “closest thing I have to a father” line. Bobby gets wiser, pretending to play along and moving in closer before attacking again. Dean gets the knife from Bobby anyway, and does the “slashing-of-the-arm-with-the-silver-knife-to-prove-he’s-not-a-shapeshifter” trick. As many times as Dean and Sam’s arms have been cut, shouldn’t there be a crap load of scars by now?
Bobby buys it this time, and what a hug! We see through his near breakdown how much Bobby’s missed Dean, for even though he still has his doubts, the mere thought that he’s hugging the real Dean shows how weary Dean’s death has made him. “It’s good to see you boy.” I wouldn’t know what else to say. As this show does so well, it goes from emotional to funny in a split second. As Dean tells his story, water suddenly splashes on his face, and the frustrated reaction is hysterical. It’s the Dean equivalent to a Sam bitchface! “I’m not a demon either you know.” Bobby is apologetic, but yes, he can’t be too careful.
Both agree none of this makes sense. The line “looking like Thriller video reject” is funny, but shouldn’t Dean be asking about Sam by now? I would have thought that would have been the first thing out of his mouth when he saw Bobby. When he does gets around to it, Dean asks about Sam’s phone being disconnected and then trails off, showing his fear over whether Sam’s dead or alive. The apprehension is a great touch. Dean’s relieved to find he’s alive, but Sam’s missing and doesn’t want to be found. Judging by the empty liquor bottles and Bobby’s inability to track Sam, we feel his “the last four months haven’t been easy.” That’s putting it mildly.
Sam’s the one who insisted on a burial instead of a salt and burn with hopes he would get Dean back, causing light bulbs flash in their eyes. Dean’s resurrection had to be due to Sam. Oh, the mistrust! Sam’s earned that reputation though, since being evasive and mysterious all the time will make people think like that. This show loves pulling out the Star Wars references, but man did they go obscure this time. I’ve seen that film 800 times, and even I had to look up Wedge Antilles. Sam “˜s in Pontiac, Illinois, which is where Dean was resurrected. Strange coincidence, huh? It also leaves open the debate why Sam would bury Dean there, but hopefully that’ll come up later.
A tacky neon sign at a downtown motel, and it’s time for another over the top theme room. I’m giddy. Hearts on the doors? Animal prints on the wall? An animalistic love nest? Sammy, what have you been up to? We get a clue as a girl opens the door in her underwear. It’s nice to see that Sammy’s been getting some. I guess he’s gotten over the phobia of killing Madison. Out comes Sam in that wonderful grey t-shirt that reveals his perfect features, and surprise, he’s freaked too.
Sam stares, Dean stares, Bobby stares, and the anticipation is killing us. Sam breaks the silence by greeting his long dead brother with a knife attack of his own. Ah, don’t you feel the brotherly love? Bobby convinces Sam he’s real, and time for another great Dean line (do we ever get tired of those?). “I look fantastic, huh?” You certainly do! Sam goes for the mother of all bear hugs, and Dean hugs back. Finally! It only took four seasons for the mutual hug. Bobby’s emotional, reflecting exactly what all of us feel.
They pull away, and stare in awkward silence. After all, what do you say to your brother that’s been rotting in the ground for four months? How’s it going? So Mrs. Lincoln, did you like the play? The girl goes away (after hilarious flirtatious look from Dean) and why did Sam put on a shirt? Is there a rule he has to dress in layers for Dean and Bobby? Sam takes time to give this girl a proper goodbye, calling her “Kathy.” She of course frowns and says “Christy.” How funny that these two are playing it up like that in front of Bobby and Dean. You think Ruby would have been freaking out over the fact Dean was there. Or Sam. Anyway, she goes and now Dean can let the accusations begin. Since our minds are already in the gutter, Dean asks, “How much did you pay?” “The girl? I don’t pay Dean.” Ha! Great comeback Sammy.
Dean isn’t amused, convinced Sam is lying about not making a deal, and the brotherly tension is the perfect setup for a heart tugging Sammy speech. There’s the script brilliance again, for Jared is so damn good at these scenes. He wishes it was him, but everything he tried failed, and judging from his total heartache he’s telling the truth. He even said he was sorry for failing. Oh Sam, the past few months haven’t been kind, have they? Dean melts from the puppy dog eyes and backs off, believing him. Aww, they’re brothers again.
Bobby isn’t taking Sam’s story as good news, for the mystery remains. While Bobby calls the psychic, its time for Kripke to throw another lump in our throats. Sam takes the amulet off his neck, and hands it back to Dean. I was doing so good holding back my tears until that. Damn you boys! Sam asks with worry what Hell was like, and Dean doesn’t remember. One look in the mirror later though generates the red and black flash, and chances are we’ll be learning more about his time in Hell in the future. Anyone notice the bathroom walls were red? Yes, the attention to detail is that profound.
Its time for another joyous reunion, maybe the best one yet. Who didn’t squeal over Dean’s wide eyed excitement when he catches the keys and ogles over his baby? He climbs into the Impala, running his hands lovingly over the steering wheel, and but joy turns to horror when spots Sam’s upgrade. An iPod jack! Oh come on Dean, you can’t blame Sammy for catching up with the times. It’s okay give him crap for his bad choice in music (Jason Manns?), but you can’t fight technology. Sam’s response is perfect, the “sorry for me living my life” eyebrow raise and shrug. I haven’t seen that one before. Jared should start using that from now on. Dean tosses the iPod in the back in disgust and off they go.
Here we are, the part that makes the storytelling in this show superior; the brotherly chat en route in the Impala. Dean asks the question we’ve been waiting for him to ask, how did Sam get away from Lilith? Surprisingly, Sam tells the truth. He’s immune to her power. Dean’s mistrust is still there though, and he wants to know what Sam’s doing with his new found immunity. Oh, there’s the lying Sam we all know and love! Nothing he claims. He even pulls the “dying wish” card. Oh Sam, when will be the right time to tell him? Yeah, probably never.
Excellent blog as always, Alice. GREAT catch on Mary saying “Angels are watching over you, Dean”!!! Keep these reviews coming! Lindsay http://www.SupportSupernatural.com
Thanks, and I’m impressed you made it through all that! I looked at it forward, backward, upside down and sideways though, and couldn’t figure out how to make it shorter.
Awesome blog, Alice! Thanks so much for forwarding it to me to read. Your wit has me laughing in each of your blogs and this was did too. I’m impressed by your insight and tying Lazarus Rising back to season one episodes. Wish I’d had the same insight, but it sure has me thinking now about Mary’s and Roy LeGrange’s comments. Can’t wait for the second episode tomorrow night.
Hi Alice, I stop by to let you the link you asked about. It’s in romanian so It will be impossible for you to understand…But since you asked here it is: http://www.tvblog.ro/serial/supernatural/ -it’s the page for Supernatural. I write as Maviky and I have done only 2 articles and 2 reviews so far…but season 4 just started so I’ll have a lot to work. Since is my first experience so far I don’t know if I’m good ar anything but I have passion and desire to learn:-) Anyway, I just wanted to say I really appreciate your work and can’t wait to read your next review.
The music used in the impala is sung by Jason Mann and Jensen Ackles. It’s a song they did together called “Crazy Love” I learned while attending his concert at the Supernatural “eyecon” convention in Florida last year. He and Jensen are friends and he told of how it became the music used in that scene,a joke kind of with it being a love song and all. They sold the single at the convention too and it was adorably titled J&J
It’s easy to miss going by that song alone but Jason Mann has a very strong and beautiful voice.
Actually, it’s Reminders by Jason Manns. He sent out a bulletin from his MySpace page when Lazarus Rising aired. The only reason I know this is because I get them.
The J&J Crazy Love duo is awesome, however, as is all of Jason Manns music. I have all of his stuff (which isn’t much at the moment, but more is coming) and I must say, I almost prefer his live stuff over his studio recordings. His voice is wonderful. I highly recommend listening to a few all the way though (which you can do on afore mentioned MySpace page).
That’s odd since my three daughters and I heard Jason Mann tell the story in person about “Crazy Love” being used in “Lazarus Rising” at the convention. Perhap’s it was a slip of the tongue and Jason said the wrong song title but I do know at least one of my daughters heard him say the same thing I heard because we happened to be talking about just this a night or two ago.
I love Jason Mann’s voice but I’m not that crazy over the song “Crazy Love” lol but me and a lot of others bought the single CD for the reason it was used that episode.
That’s odd since my three daughters and I heard Jason Mann tell the story in person about “Crazy Love” being used in “Lazarus Rising” at the convention. Perhap’s it was a slip of the tongue and Jason said the wrong song title but I do know at least one of my daughters heard him say the same thing I heard because we happened to be talking about just this a night or two ago.
I love Jason Mann’s voice but I’m not that crazy over the song “Crazy Love” lol but me and a lot of others bought the single CD for the reason it was used that episode.
I think you’re right Tigershire!! After carefully listening to the music in that scene in “Lazarus Rising” and even with it being a short clip it doesn’t sound like “Crazy Love!” I’m not as informed as you are on his music I was simply taken aback by the beauty and strength of his voice. And oh lord Jason Mann and Steve Carlson should definitely do a full CD together. Their voices together are magic,I was lucky enough to get to see them do one song together at the convention!
Thanks for the clarity!
So sorry Alice Iforgot to say what a wonderful review this was. You were dead on about this incredible episode and I couldn’t agree more this 4th season opener was so much better then the previous seasons.
Ah “The Magnificent Seven” oh it makes me sad just thinking of what could have been done with that episode. The brillance of this concept with the seven deadly sins escaping hell and walking this world in the flesh!