Recap – Exile On Main Street
Oh, this next scene just kills me! I’m already depressed enough over this episode. This only makes it ten times worse. Not that it’s a bad scene, it’s a perfectly acted scene, just very depressing. Sam and Dean arrive back at Lisa’s house. I’m trying to figure out how Sam was able to resurrect Dean if the antidote was destroyed, but I assume he picked up one off the floor on the way out that wasn’t broken. I would have loved to have seen Sam save him. Maybe get a glimpse of how frantic he was, another subtle sign that he’s not an emotionless robot. No such luck.
So, the brothers. Dean doesn’t look happy and the first thing he does over the mess that was made is put Lisa’s picture back the way it was. Aww! He asks about Samuel and the cousins. Sam, all casual, says they took off and he’s meeting them back at his place. He then asks Dean if he’s coming with him in a tone that’s more like going to the store for beer rather than leaving your family for life on the road.
Luckily, Dean has come to his senses. He’s going back for Lisa and Ben. Sam is somewhat surprised. Dean has changed his mind, but Sam states his case. “Look, I practically shoved you at them.” Dean says that’s a funny way of putting that. I’m not sure I get why. Still pondering. “I’m just saying I really wanted that for you. And when I told you to go I thought you could have it, you know. But now, I’m not so sure. I mean, you’ve got to consider the fact you’ll be putting them in danger if you go back.”
Dean has the more emotional argument thank heavens. “So what it’s better to leave them alone, unprotected and then they’re not in danger? I did this to them. I made them vulnerable the moment. I knocked on their door and I can’t undo that. But what I can do is go with the best option.”
Now, this is the point where I have to watch the facial expressions very carefully. Whatever I say from this point is pure conjecture. Sam looks disappointed, but pretends to see the logic. Or maybe he does see the logic, but that doesn’t change the fact that he’s feeling something bad over it. He quickly brushes it off with a “I hear you.” Then he casually, like he’s slipped into robotic defense mode says, “I guess I just wish you were coming, that’s all.” This is essentially Sam letting his brother know he needs him. This is as expressive as he can be right now. This is really frightening.
Dean, confused by that statement asks why. Sam scoffs (he’s been doing that a lot this episode) and says, “Don’t be stupid.” Sorry Sam, he’s not getting it. Probably because you’re unrecognizable to him! Dean says Sam knows plenty of good hunters. He’s rusty. “I did something seriously stupid going out like that. I almost got us both killed.” Sam, in nonchalant form, tells Dean that’s exactly why he wants him. Dean doesn’t understand. “You just went. You didn’t hesitate cause you care, and that’s who you are. Me, I wouldn’t even think to try.” “Yes you would,” Dean says. “No, Dean,” he answers, somewhat surprised by that admission. Sam gives one more half hearted and very empty plea. “I’m telling ya, it’s just better with you around, that’s all.”
If Sam wasn’t being a big jerk right now, I’d be busting into tears right now. Poor Sammy! What’s happened to you? This is the point where Dean should be grabbing hold of him and shaking him real hard, screaming “What’s happened to you?” He needs you Dean! That’s casual hunter code for “Help me, I’m a FUCKING MESS.” He’s nothing but a shattered man inside blankly masking all that pain. Why doesn’t Dean see it? I know, Dean has his own worries. I know it’s been a year, I know both these guys have been through two very different torments, I know they’re not the same. They’re brothers though, where’s that intuition? That feeling that something isn’t right? They both are so broken they can’t help themselves. They’re so stuck and don’t know how to get out.
Sam looks really sad now, so Dean reaches out with the one gesture he has left. The one thing he can do to show how much he cares. He pulls out the keys to the Impala. “Listen, she should be hunting, take her.” I know Dean has done this before and that offer has always sent the right message in the past. It so fails here. Sam looks at the keys inquisitively and he only has one answer. Without Dean, he has no business taking the Impala. She is only for them together. He doesn’t need a car, he needs his brother. Sam again plays it cool, for there’s no way he’s showing how hurt he is right now. “Thanks, really, but I already got my car setup how I like it.”
This is where Bobby storms in, whacks them both with a 2 by 4 and calls them both idgits. Oh, how I wish. No, Sam coldly says he needs to get on the road and Dean coldly offers to walk him out. The next shot shows them both outside, both absolutely miserable right now, and both completely unable to open up to one another. Sam especially looks very unsettling. Actually, Ben Edlund told us in the press room at Comic Con that what Sam does will seem unsettling. He was so not lying. This is devastating to watch.
Dean tells Sam to keep in touch. “Of course,” Sam says coldly. Sam is so disappointed, fighting so much hurt inside right now, it looks like he can’t wait to get out of there and get back to his vacant Campbell companions. With them he doesn’t have to feel. For some reason though, Sam decides there’s one more gesture left. It makes things even freaking worse. “It’s really good to see you again Dean.” MY GOD boys, you both aren’t some guys who used to work together and haven’t seen each other in ten years. You’re fucking brothers! Not just brothers, soulmates!
Now Dean is the one who looks hurt. He can’t even say a word. He just nods. A cold, blank Sam gets in his car and leaves, and Dean is so messed up right now he thinks about waving goodbye but stops himself. The final shot is Dean’s saddened look. So what is he sad about? Disappointing Sam? Regret over his decision, not being certain if its the right one? Wanting to get back hunting but can’t out of obligation? Or does he freaking realize now that Sam is one messed up dude? Who knows, maybe all.
I don’t expect the brothers to be all hugs and happiness, but wow. This is the most disturbed I’ve been from any bit on this show. This episode wildly succeeded in what it set out to do, but it’s hard to swallow for a fan that just wants to see a glimmer of hope from this brotherly bond. You know, two guys against impossible odds with nothing but each other. I’m very forgiving, but this pit in my stomach won’t stop aching. Yes, I’m that emotionally invested. I feel as broken as these two guys right now. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to write a fan fic in which Sam has a good cry. I need some release! That’s a recap.
Great recap, Alice,
Like you, I sorely wanted to see Sam hug Dean back. They did at least two different shots, the one we saw in the episode, and the one that was previewed because in the preview clip it was a wider angle so we saw more of their upper bodies and Sam’s arm did indeed come up and hug Dean back. however, the choice here was much more questionable as to whether or not he did…I go with he didn’t for his posture seems so stiff.
I’m sure the choice was to keep the ambiguity of Sam going more and more in a disturbing way…I’m disturbed.
As for whether or not Bobby and Sam looked guilty at Dean’s rant…I’m going to go with your thoughts that they do look guilty, heads hanging down, not making eye contact.
Twas a great opener, lots of mystery and questions and very few answers…bring on the season of mystery and shadows.
🙂
Alice, I always love your recaps, this is no exception. However, I said so much about this episode already, in my comments and my article, that I’ll just leave it this time with a big Thank you and singing your praises aloud (forgive me). you do such a great job with these – it’s palpable that your heart’s in it.
Cheers! Jas
wow this recap was epic!
I totally agree this whole episode just gave me an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach, which is the perfect set up for the season without punching us in the face.
This episode made me feel very off kilter like one of those dreams where everything looks the same but you know something’s not right and it’s not until you wake up that you realise what was wrong.
So much screamed “something isn’t right, somethings off, something has changed” can’t wait to see what that is and why.
Bring on Friday…..
Hey Alice,
Love, love, LOVE your recaps! I’ve watched this ep 4 times and your recap made it a 5th time for me.
I was thinking that the beauty of this show is that over the past 5 seasons the writers, cast and crew have all done such a wonderful job of creating this world of Supernatural that we have become so emotionally invested as to physically feel the pain and anguish of our boys (as well as the joy). Why else would the fans respond so passionately, both positively and negatively?
The more I watch this episode, the more I’ve come to appreciate it and love it but the end result is always the same – I’m sooo depressed at the end, just as I’m sure Sera meant for all of us to be! I am very much looking forward to seeing how the questions and mysteries presented here will be answered in future episodes.
On a purely Dean-girl note, Jensen never looked so good – love how his hair is a bit longer and not so military short. And yeah, the beginning was a bit slow but hey, I was enjoying the view every long, drawn out step of the way!
Cheers! Rose
Great recap Alice. Yes, the B&W photography at the beginning was very effective at denoting the past, and I love the new title card. The reflection of the SPN lettering backwards in the glass is very symbolic too. …everything in reverse. Really agreed with your last paragraph, too. Time to get the boys back together and back on the road!
As far as Dean’s feeling of protecting Sam being gone, never going to happen. Parents never stop protecting their children and Sam has always been a son to Dean. That makes the hurt of Sam’s not coming to Dean even worst. Sam is Dean’s life, and he will always feel the need to protect Sam, whether he has a second family of not! That’s the old Dean, and I was glad to see it.
The ending scene wasn’t a surprise to me. The impala is for the boys together…it’s their home. Would have preferred Dean didn’t offer it to Sam, but Sam was right not to take it. He needs his brother, not a car. But cold saying he liked his own car better. Hope the impala gets even with him for that!
And I can’t see Dean just leaving Lisa and Ben, after he put them in danger, that’s not something Dean would do. I would have been very disappointed if he had. Sam was right though, the longer Dean says with them the greater the danger they are in, but I would have like to have Sam say, “Okay Dean, how can I help? My fault you are here, I pushed you to them. What can I do to keep them safe?†Instead of “Nice seeing you again Deanâ€. Bad….very bad.
Alice, that was a wonderful recap!
Your love for this show really came through, and your despair at the broken bond of the boys right now. I was left feeling bereft too at the end of the episode. I get that that is what I’m supposed to be feeling right now. After all this is the first episode this season.
I so feel for Dean in his confusion and disbelief that his two most beloved people would deceive him so. How can he ever retrieve the trust he had in them before?
Sam is scaring me a lot right now as I can’t relate to him at all at the moment. I don’t like feeling that way. I want to be angsting after both boys as in the past, but can’t seem to dredge up any empathy for Sammy in that episode. I hope you are right in that his emotions are seething away behind that cold cold facade. I hope he breaks down and lets it all out sooner than later.
Phooey on the Campbells, Gramps included. ( love Mitch Pileggi, but geez!)
Love Lisa and her awesome understanding of her Dean. PLEASE DON’T DIE LISA !
This yellow eyed demon is my favourite demon and it was good to see him in all his glory again.
By the way, what happened to the colt that killed him? Have I forgotten, or was the last time we saw it was when Lucifer flung Dean into a tree trunk. Did Cas take the colt with them when he zapped the boys away? Must be having a memory glitch.
Anyway, Alice your recaps are top notch and I enjoy them immensely. Thank you.
One other point of interest I noticed: When the Djinn gives Dean the deadly double-dose of hallucinogenic poison, she repeats the line Dean said to Yellow Eyes’ corpse at the end of Season 2: “That was for our Mom/Dad, you son of a bitch.”
Just a short note to say that I enjoyed reading this recap. I especially liked your take on concluding scenes in 6.01 🙂
Hi Alice, Elle2, Jasminka and Robin
As always I enjoyed reading all your reviews and recaps.
I love the different perspectives.
I’m afraid my work schedule delayed me from reading and responding to all your articles so I hope its ok to just voice my thoughts on this episode in this one.
I actually liked this episode, it opened the doors to new questions and things to ponder and drive yourself nuts over. A great way to start a new season and new story line, I’m totally hooked.
I can’t wait for the flashback episodes to help explain some of the major questions.
When watching the opening montage, I didn’t get the impression that Dean was unhappy, I mean he wasn’t dancing the light fantastic but he didn’t appear to be just going through the motions. With still having dreams about Sam tells me he is still grieving but he seemed to be contented and adjusted to his new life with Lisa and Ben.
The hug didn’t have me unsettled either. To me Sam’s smile and his little head nod was like it was how he had envisioned his reunion with Dean. Almost like he had played it in his head a thousand times. I think that’s why he commented so quickly on what he expected from Dean, a hug or holy water and why he was so prepared to show him he was real.
Its like he had been waiting for that moment for so long and it was finally happening. I wonder how many times Sam may of secretly checked up on Dean to make sure he was ok.
I really felt for Dean in this episode, so much thrown on him at one time. Finding out Sam was alive and for almost a year, and that Bobby knew as well. Finding out his Grandfather was resurrected and that there was some Campbell’s still kicking. And to put the cherry on top he’s a target for revenge on some super nuked up Djinns.
Just how much can you expect one man to take in a 24hour period?
As for the proverbial question of whether Sam and Bobby should of told Dean that he was alive. It’s one of those no win situations, a two sided coin, that will never satisfy everyone.
Should anyone ever speak or make decisions for anyone else? To take away their right to make there own choice. Does anyone really know what’s best for someone else? Maybe not, but then maybe it all depends on the person and the situation.
If Sam had knocked on Dean’s door, right after being resurrected, told him he didn’t know who or why he was brought back, told him he was going to continue to hunt. Would Dean have even given Lisa and the apple pie life a chance? Is there any doubt that Dean wouldn’t of gone with him, even if Sam had protested against it.
And I’m sure making that decision wasn’t an easy one for Sam. I can’t help but think of the look on Sam’s face at the end of Swan Song. To me looking sad and longing. Torn between either reuniting with his brother or letting his brother go to live his own life. I’m sure seeing Dean with a family, living the dream that he once sought to have, must of crushed him inside. How could he possibly take that away from Dean after everything he had done for him. I can’t help but wonder if that is when he went to Bobby. Needing a friendly face and reassurance he was making the right choice. As it was they both agreed to not let Dean know. But I have to agree they both looked pretty guilt ridden when Dean expressed his side of the whole situation. With both there heads looking down and not even able to look at Dean.
As for the Campbell’s I have many issues with them, but I’ll only comment on two for now. First of all they didn’t seem very bright. They have been hunting all their lives, but yet it took Dean(who is suppose to be the rusty one) to suggest the necessary plans to take down the Djinn’s. To me with there experience they should have at least been on the same level as Dean.
Second is how did Sam and Samuel meet? How did they fall into each others paths? Since they had never met each other before, for Sam to believe him and trust who he and who the others were, has me very unsettled and curious. Just how bad was Sam’s state of mind.
And the ending, wow talk about having your heartstrings being torn at.
There is so much pain and grief between these two.
Dean deciding to stay with Lisa and Ben instead of going with Sam and offering the Impala as the last gesture that he was done hunting and Sam rejecting it for that very reason.
And Sam accepting Dean’s decision in a mature and almost professional manner.
To me though, I believe it was killing him. If he didn’t behave that way, he would of fallen apart.
Uneasy is good, instant hugs would only ruin a month or so of potential angst, you crazy fangirls. 🙂
Well, at least we’ll probably have some kind of tie-in at last with the whole stupid ‘Azazel killed all of your mom’s relatives to cover stuff up ’cause nothing doesn’t attract attention like an entire family butchered, no, heaven would never notice that.” D in covert ops, man.
Alice,
I enjoy your recaps. You seem to say the same things that I am yelling at the tv.
I do not trust the Campbells, since when do the good guys take prisoners? 😕 Reminds me of the Initiative from Buffy, and we all know how well that turned out. 😈
I think Sam didn’t really think that Dean would commit to his promise to connect with Lisa and Ben. So, now he is back in Dean’s life, he thought that Dean would just come back to him no questions asked, but that is not the case. Dean wants to, but he now feels a connection to Lisa and Ben that he cannot walk away from, even for Sam. Poor Dean, his is torn between his two ‘families’. :cry::
But, we have to have faith in Sara, that the trio of Sam, Dean and Impala, will soon be on the road again soon. 😀 (with visits from a certain angel).
As usual, Alice, I really enjoyed your recap. Except for the part where you CALLED ME OUT!! The power, it goes to your head!
So instead of posting thinky-thoughts about the episode, I’ll just explain now why I am so anti-Ford and you can judge for yourself if the reasons are valid.
First, when I was growing up, we had two Chevy station wagons that I loved, loved, loved. One was silver and the other was blue with wood paneling. They lasted forever and really got the crap beat out of them. I even took the blue woody wagon to college my freshman year it was so reliable. But when the silver finally broke down, my dad got a Ford Taurus SHO. It was fun for a while because it was powerful and a manual and all that, so it was great to ride in and my dad liked driving it. That is, when he actually COULD drive it. That car broke down so often it was ridiculous. So he had to use my car instead, a Chevy at the time, because his was always in the shop, and I was left carless in high school. Not cool!
Second, my first car was a Chevy Cavalier that we got for $700. It never broke down even though my brother and I drove the hell out of that thing. I loved that car.
Third, in my high school, all the rich kids got Mustangs for their 16th birthdays, and we’re talking the late ’90s ones that are really ugly. So having a Ford Mustang was really a status symbol and a way to make the kids whose parents couldn’t afford one feel even worse about themselves. That’s high school for you.
Fourth, I personally think Chevy has way more cool muscle cars than Ford does. I don’t like the Mustang at all, for reasons mentioned above, and my favorite muscle car is a ’69 or ’70 SS Chevelle, like Bobby’s but not as junked out. Go, Chevy muscle cars!
Lastly, I’m from Cleveland, and we don’t like anything so heavily associated with the dreaded state of Michigan! Go Bucks!