Recap – “Live Free or Twihard”
Sam is acting more agitated than concerned as if he wonders why Dean is acting like this. Shut up Sam! Dean yanks the radio cord out of the wall. He’s ready to talk now. “Samuel is going to kill me when he gets here.” Sam disagrees, but that wasn’t Dean’s point. He’s going to make Samuel kill him since Sam won’t. Sam claims they can figure this out and Dean wants to know how. Yeah Sam, you let your brother get turned into a vamp and now you won’t kill him? What’s up? Dean does have experience with this and knows it’s pretty hopeless now. This is the point where he’s normally cutting off the vamp’s head. Sam doesn’t have an answer.
In Sam’s silence, Dean figures out something. “Why aren’t you freaked out?” Sam claims he is. “Really?” Dean asks. “Because I can hear your heart beat and its pretty damned steady.” We can hear it too and he’s right. Sam gives one very unconvincing “I’m trying to remain calm.” Ha! Liar! Forget the hopes of Dean kicking your ass next week Sam, I’m ready to do it now! Sam claims Samuel will know what to do. Dean is a bit smarter than that. “I’m a monster, this is not a problem that you spitball. We gotta deal with this before I hurt somebody.” Sam isn’t being patient at all. Oh what Sam, your vampire brother not behaving the way you hoped?
Dean looks outside and clutches his head in pain. Sam wants to know how it feels. “Now? Now you want to talk about my feelings?” No, he doesn’t Dean. He’s really tracking you like a lab rat. He doesn’t care how you’re feeling, just how it feels. Sam clarifies physically, but Dean just gives him a “How do you think it feels?” I’ve got an idea Sam, how about Dean cut open a vein so you can find out! This should be you anyway since you’re so damned curious. Dean tells him it feels “not good” and heads for the bathroom. Sam wants to know where he’s going. “Bathroom. Newsflash Mr. Wizard, vampires pee.” Dean slams the door and Sam looks…not concerned at all. It’s more like he’s irritated that Dean is taking a necessary break. Oh, Sammy, what is wrong with you? I just can’t defend you anymore.
Dean turns on the water, splashes some on his face, and then sees his haggard face in the mirror. Then he does what he’s been dreading, he lifts up his lip and checks out his mouth. Fang. Not what he wanted to see. His devastated look in the mirror is so heartbreaking! Then he gets an idea and turns the water on. What are you planning Dean? Sam waiting in the room realizes something is up. The water has been running a bit too long. He goes into the bathroom to check it out. Dean has escaped through the window. Oh, now he’s worried. Jerk. I bet you didn’t think that would happen in your master plan.
Things just keep getting from bad to worse for Dean. There’s an open window and suddenly he’s standing there watching Lisa sleep. How is that not rapey? It’s quite brilliant how they contrast here with the book cover he was making fun of earlier and it’s not so romantic, is it? (Ardeospina caught that too in her Visual Review). It’s dark, there’s the creepy score and Dean does not look good. We see sleeping Lisa from Dean’s eyes, she’s all distorted. She wakes up and sees its Dean and is relieved. That’s about to change.
Lisa turns on the bedlamp and we can hear the burning sound of the lightbulb. Wow Dean’s hearing is sensitive, as is his sight. Lisa wasn’t expecting him for a couple of days but Dean wanted to see her. He’s acting remarkably in check for all what’s going through him right now. Dean sits down and Lisa instantly figures out something isn’t right. “It doesn’t matter. But I need you to know, you and Ben just…” He’s at a loss. “Thanks. Okay? For everything.” This is making me whimper. How sad that Dean thinks he has to do this. How many think he wanted to tell her how much he loves her but couldn’t?
Lisa gets worried and tells him he’s scaring her. Dean gets up, putting some distance between them likely because he’s not trusting himself right now. “Oh God, I’m Pattison,” he says. Leave it up to Dean to tell a joke during a dire moment. Lisa doesn’t understand and Dean tells her he’s got to go. Lisa isn’t accepting this and wants to know what’s going on. “I can’t bring this crap home to you.” Lisa thinks he’s talking about his work. “I’m talking about my life. It’s ugly, and its violent, and I’m going to die, soon.
He’s trying to keep his distance and it’s so clear he’s fighting his instincts right now. Lisa though doesn’t realize why he’s that way and moves in closer demanding he tell her what’s going on. Dean resists, boy does he resist, but she gets too tempting. He grabs onto her and slams her against the wall. He stares her down with a crazy stare, leans into kiss her and just as he gets close stops himself. He puts some distance between them, turns around and out come the fangs. Yikes! That’s really freaky to see those coming from Dean. Lisa calls out and Dean bolts. Whew, that was close. I must admit, that stopped my heart for a few seconds.
Dean goes into the hallway and he’s looking bad. Everything again is off kilter again from his POV, including Ben, who has gotten up to see what’s going on. He comes closer but Dean warns him to stay there. He’s a 12 year old Dean, think he’ll listen? Mine doesn’t! “I said stay back!” Dean pushes him away and Ben hits the wall somewhat hard. He’s not physically hurt but man are he and Lisa freaked out now. Dean abruptly leaves and Lisa in fright pulls Ben into her bedroom. How sad, Dean’s intentions were good but I doubt they’ll be able to get past this one. This only makes me that more disappointed in Sam, for now Ben and Lisa are at risk too. Not just Dean. Bet he wasn’t thinking about those consequences.
Sam and Samuel (that will never get old) enter the motel room. Samuel is giving Sam the what for because he lost Dean. Sam tries to defend, he didn’t think- (no you didn’t!) but Samuel won’t hear it. “He’s not himself Sam. He’s a monster and he’s hungry.” Sam looks ashamed but I don’t see much regret there! Samuel wants them to prepare to do the right thing. Suddenly a voice comes from the kitchen. “I told you he’d kill me when he showed up.” Dean’s leaning on the fridge and that inspires both Sam and Samuel to whip out their machetes. Gee, what a family. No “Are you alright Dean?” He’s only your freaking grandson and brother guys!
Great recap, Alice, as usual! This was such a dark episode that I didn’t know what to think when it was over. I’m still processing but can’t wait for next week when hopefully the truth will out!
BTW, Dean was say a Jewish toast when he drank the cure – L’Chayim – which means “To Life”. Very apropos, don’t you think? 😉
Very nice recap – I enjoyed reading it.
A small quibble. 😛 I thought the password to the girl’s computer was “Lautner”. Sam typed in that name as the password, and while he was waiting for that password to fail, he asked how “Pattinson” was spelt (in anticipation of typing “Pattinson” as his next attempt). However, “Lautner” worked.
Reading your recap reminded me of how heartbreaking this episode was for Dean – being turned into a vampire and thinking he was going to have to be cut down, having to say goodbye to Lisa (again !) and nearly drinking her in the process, and of course, discovering how Sam betrayed him and allowed him to be turned.
Thanks, Rose, for explaining the toast. 🙂
Hi Alice
I so love your recaps…and this one I’m sure was definitely a hard one to do.
I burst out laughing when you referenced that Boris looked like Animal from the Muppets….so true…all he needed was a set of drum sticks and a chain around his neck and waa laa it would be him.
I have to say aside from the drawn out beginning and Sam’s character annihilation it was a really good episode. It was creepy and dark and I loved the camera effects and of course Jensen was fantastic. And I loved the building that the nest was in aswell. It did look like an old Bank or maybe an old Train Station.
Now before you get on me about my comment on Sam. I am keeping my fingers crossed and deeply hoping/believing that Sera will do good by Sam and a acceptable, redeemable, forgivable, anythingable answer will be provided soon. And that we will get our brothers back and finally move on from this story line.
I am still very curious as to why and by whom both Sam’s were resurrected and how they crossed paths. And I am also looking forward to more on the Alpha story line.
I do have one little nitpic as I mentioned in Elle2’s review, I don’t see how Dean saw Sam smirk. From the filming stand point Dean’s eyes were shut at the time. He may of caught a glimpse of Sam standing there but could not of seen the smirk.
Thanks again Alice for the great recap.
Thanks for the recap, Alice. It’s especially good handy given that I couldn’t bring myself to watch it a second time. I’m waiting for (another) Sam redemption before I rewatch.
Some really good observations here and some quintessential Supernatural moments; making the cuddly, hairy dude the head vampire honcho, 21st century vamps, projectile vomiting, Dean trying to jibe Sam into resurrecting Sammy and Sam all work, work, work.
I was thinking about the turning (as it shall from hence forth be known…) (1) If Sam wanted a hunter on the inside, why not himself? Maybe, given his propensity for blood, he doesn’t trust himself and (2) He felt Dean was more honourable and thought he’d never take human blood. Turned out he was right.
I don’t know though, maybe I’m just having a ‘glass half full’ day but looking at the screencaps and looking at Sam’s face while watching Dean being turned, I don’t think he planned for it to happen. He’s got a bit of the WTF face going on. However, now that it HAS happened, why not use it to your advantage? Still doesn’t take away from the fact that he didn’t try to stop it though.
While I’m not happy (cos I’m quite sad) about Sam, I am intrigued, very intrigued AND invested, very, very invested.
“Dean hangs up and Sam arrives. Oh yeah, tender moment over. Sam wants to know what he’s stoked about, but Dean moves onto the case. Six girls have gone missing in seven days which is definitely unusual for the area. “And cute,†Dean says, noticing the pictures. Sam finds that amusing. “Ice cream comes in lots of flavors Sam.†Hmm, interesting joke considering he just got off the phone with Lisa.”
I think the above exchange represented a brotherly moment … of sorts.
Sam’s questioning what Dean was so stoked about is rhetorical, as Sam saw him on the phone and easily guessed that it was Lisa. That is, Sam is teasing Dean about the latter’s acting like he’s in love.
Dean’s “ice cream” quip is an attempt to deny it, which Sam knowingly brushes aside.
***
I wasn’t quite as overwhelmed by this ep as you — although I did think it was very good. I think it would’ve worked better if the Kristen story had remained more in the foreground of the plot. After all, they were initially planning to rescue her. Having to gank her should’ve been a little less offhanded.
Alice, Alice, Alice — I was so much like you with this episode.
Happily watching until THAT occurred! After I finished yelling, hyperventilating and whimpering, the show was over and I couldn’t tell you what the rest of it was about until I watched it again with a broken heart, but knew what would happen so it wasn’t such a complete shock the second time.
How Sam can be redeemed is absolutely beyond me right now, and perhaps Dean beating the crap out of him won’t cure Sam, it sure will make me feel better, and maybe Dean too. This must be fixed soon, and better than just another “I’m sorry Dean” as that got old some time ago.
I’m hoping right now that that isn’t Sam in any way whatsoever. I don’t want to have to see Sam and remember how he used to be and isn’t any more. Just can’t forgive him for that if it really was him.
The second time I watched I discovered the badass mofo that Dean still is. LOVED how he went through the whole nest and rested with his boot on Boris’ severed head. Woot!!!! 😈
Jared loves to play the bad guy, but I hope he realizes how awful it is to watch a once beloved character disappoint in every possible way. I want to love Sam again and have the brothers close again and trusting completely each other. Right now I wouldn’t trust Sam to pick up dinner. Sam’s gone off on Dean about not letting him be an adult. He doesn’t deserve to be after this episode. If he is not kicked out of the Impala he should be kept on the shortest leash available. Hope this is not dragged on too long! 🙁
Even so, can’t wait till the next episode, and that is the point of it all, I guess. Riveting and unbearably hurting for our beloved boys!
Great recap/review. It was an awesome episode. Loving how the new writers and directors are bolder and are doing new things this year.
I really was not liking Sam after this episode, (and I consider myself a Sam girl) but now I am having compassion for him. :cry::
Alice, I am getting this vibe that you enjoyed the beatdown that Sam got from Dean. 😀
Great recap.
Were the new vamps stupid before they were turned or did they get stupid when they became vamps? If you see someone coming at you with a sharp knife why do you keep walking to them??? 😀 😀
I like Daddy!Dean, giving advice to the children out there. But I love Vamp!Dean even more. 😀 He is a badass, and can take out a whole coven of vamps within minutes including their big hair leader. (and that is without drinking a drop of blood, he should give some lessons to Stefen Salvatore) 😀
I think that Vamp!Dean would have wiped the floor with Vamp!Gordon.:D
I was waiting for Sam to come to Dean’s rescue, but the MoFo was just standing there. WTF WTF WTF
Poor Dean, having to deal with the super senses of being a vamp and an a**hole of a brother. Even when Dean is cured, all Sam wanted to know was details about the coven. WTF. (I was saying that alot during this episode, they should have called this episode ‘WTF Sam’.)
When Dean was watching Lisa in her bedroom, I had a flashback to the Pilot, when YED was standing over the crib, also when John was in the hotel room in ‘Shadow’.
Grandpa gets a cookie for yelling at Sam. 😀 Sam WTF
Love the stupid ‘rhymes with witch’ who wants Dean to help her when he sees her in the lair. She changed her mind about being a vamp, too late.
Is it just me, or are there no good little girls in SUPERNATURAL? All the children that have been victims are boys, but the girls are evil. Can anyone think of a girl that was in danger? Just thought of one, Tyler from ‘Playthings’, but she did have an evil imaginary friend (who was a girl).
I urge everyone to go to zimshan.livejournal.com/225640.html, she talks about how season 6 Sam is different. It is called ‘The Enigma which is post-Hell Sam’. She wrote this last Friday afternoon, before ‘Truth’, but after seeing ‘Truth’ and seeing the previews for next week, her picspam makes even more sense.
It is like when Dean took the crowbar to the Impala, he started and couldn’t stop until his arms got tired.
He started beating on Sam, when Sam didn’t try to defend himself, then Dean just got crazier because that really did mean that Sam was empty inside. ‘Cause if you don’t even care about yourself then how can you care about anybody else.