Recap: “Lazarus Rising”
After a defiant sneer and a flash of the same crazy eyes we saw in “Dream A Little Dream of Me”, Sam closes his eyes, stretches out his hand and with his mind yanks the black smoke out of her! Sammy, what did you learn over summer vacation? She goes down in a violent swirl, and I want to hug the VFX guys right now. We’ve waited four seasons for Sam to finally do something with those “gifts”, and it’s better than we ever imagined.
Sam closes his fist, takes in a deep breath and opens his eyes, and man does he look dangerous. Way to man up Sammy! In walks the girl from before, and Sam calls her Ruby. I’m surprised, but not surprised. Granted, Genevieve Cortese didn’t impress me, but then again, Alona Tal didn’t impress, Katie Cassidy didn’t impress (at least at first), and Lauren Cohan didn’t impress, so I’m ready to stop complaining and accept what I’m given in the female supporting role department. It’s Ruby, she’s helping Sam, and I’m digging the plot twist.
This episode is so damn good that I’d hate to nitpick, but how long did it take Bobby to put those symbols all over the barn? That job would take weeks, not an hour or two, even if Dean helped. Anyway, I dismiss believability, for what we get next is too spectacular.
Ruby asks Sam if he’s going to tell Dean what they’re doing. Sam recognizes that Dean’s going to be pissed when he finds out and will try to stop him but for now, he says nothing and keeps going. “I don’t know if what I’m doing is right”. I don’t know either, but I like it.
Meanwhile, back at the barn”¦The planks on the roof begin pounding, the barn doors fly open, and in strolls a great looking yet dauntless man in a trench coat and a suit. Lights explode as he walks by, and bullets don’t make him flinch. That’s the way to make an entrance! He stops in front of Dean, whose demanding to know who he is. “I’m the one that gripped you tight and raised you from perdition”. Dean shows his gratitude by stabbing the man right in the heart with the demon killing ginsu. Geez, remind me never to do something nice for him. The man pulls the knife out, deflects Bobby’s crowbar strike without even looking at him, and takes Bobby out with a touch in the middle of the eyes. “We need to talk Dean, alone.” Judging from what this guy can do, Dean better listen.
Its time for the big teaser that’ll take us into next week, and what a teaser it is! The man tells Dean he’s Castiel. Dean wants to know what he is, and with a quick answer replies “I’m an angel of the Lord.” Excuse me? Angel? I never thought this show would go there, especially after “Houses Of The Holy”. Just like with Sam, it’s about friggin time.
In a big no-brainer, Dean doesn’t believe him. To prove his point, there’s flashes of light and Castiel shows off the giant shadow wings behind him. Damn the visuals are great! He admits to Dean his true form is overwhelming to humans, causing thing like eyeballs to burn out and glass to shatter. Oops! Dean is still skeptical (Holy tax accountant, ha!) and wants to know why an angel rescued him from Hell. “Good things do happen Dean.” Castiel’s eyes are sparkling gorgeous blue, and this has to be the most inspired casting this show has done since Jim Beaver. Heck, even Misha Collins puts Roma Downey to shame. He’s puzzled by Dean’s behavior. “What’s the matter? You don’t think you deserve to be saved?”
Best tag line ever. Dean asks, “Why’d you do it?” With those earnest eyes, Castiel replies, “Because God commanded it. Because we have work for you.” Cut to a shocked Dean, and roll credits! Ahhhhhh! No, I need more!!! Damn you Kripke!!
Oh my my, so many points and questions lingering. Here are the ones I can comprehend off the top of my head.
– It took two seasons, but maybe we’re finally seeing what Mary Winchester meant when she told Dean, “Angels are watching over you”. Also, Roy LeGrange’s reasons for saving Dean in Faith have more substance.
– The reunions are perfect. Not too mushy, they didn’t stretch on for hours, but they were genuine nonetheless. Dean hasn’t changed, since his mind has essentially hit the reset button, but Sam’s transformation is dramatic. As glad as he is to have Dean back, Sam’s emotionally withdrawn and determined to not let Dean’s return stop his crusade. Sam’s learned to survive on his own, and Dean didn’t get the hint that he went on with his life. I sense major conflict coming.
– Interesting how no one, not even the demons, knew or suspected they were dealing with an angel. I’m guessing that it’s been quite a long while since one has made an appearance. This is going to rock everyone’s world, and not just Dean and Sam’s.
– What do the angels think about Sam’s abilities? Is he doing good, or is he caving into evil? I wonder if Castiel’s true “visage” or voice bothers Sam.
– There were actually promos for the Sunday night lineup. Not bad CW. I might check it out since you went through the trouble. Sure there was Gossip Girl and 90210 too, but they weren’t as obnoxious. There were several ads during Smallville and Supernatural for the Season three DVD set also. Thank you Warner Brothers for buying that time!
As I mentioned in my preview, grade on this episode is an A+. It was series defining, and could end up being the most crucial episode of all the seasons. I did see a rough cut of next week’s episode, so spoilerphobes, go away.
The angel thing is expanded further, and Sam and Dean reunite with dead acquaintances in majorly pissed off form. In the end it all means something. There are several great bits in the episode, so I highly recommend checking it out. This is going to be a great season!
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!