Recap – “Live Free or Twihard”
Okay, this is where I get a little conflicted. I’m carefully watching the look in Sam’s eyes. I might be reading too much into it, or maybe it’s the fact that this new version of Sam is completely unpredictable now, but I actually think he’s a bit worried here. Genuinely worried about Dean, not his silly plan. Samuel cuts right to the chase, “Did you feed?” Dean comes out of the kitchen. “I went to say goodbye to Lisa.” Another worried look from Sam, for now he’s concerned that Dean hurt them. You’re confusing me here Sammy! “Which for the record is a lousy idea,” Dean continues. Samuel commands him to answer the question, Sam looks majorly tense over the possible answer. I don’t think he wants to kill his brother. Gee Sam, couldn’t you have thought of this risk earlier, you know, when you had a chance to prevent it?
Dean turns around and with his evil stare tells them to relax. He didn’t “drink” anyone. Both Sam and Samuel are relieved. Genuinely. I believe them both this time. Dean is fully aware he came close though, which is enough for him. He takes off his jacket and is ready. “Alright, do it.” Samuel takes one more look at comes closer. “Okay, if you insist. Or I can just turn you back.” That spurns a “What?” from both Dean and Sam. Dean’s I believe, Sam’s I don’t. Judging by Samuel’s look, he doesn’t believe Sam either. “I didn’t drive all this way to kill you Dean. I’m here to save ya.” Oh, okay, thank you gramps?
Samuel pulls out his own old leather bound journal, except his is from his grandfather. That’s pretty old! Not six centuries old, but still. “The cure is an old Campbell recipe, kind of like the soup.” Ha, Grandpa made a funny. Bout time there was a reference to that. Of course no one has tried it since Chuck knows. Oh, I mean God knows. From what he hears through, its a bad trip. How can it be worse than actually being a vampire? Dean of course answers with his trademark “awesome.”
Grandpa swears it’s good but Dean’s got some responsibility. If he drinks he’s done. Even one drop. Dean claims he’s got it but Grandpa makes it clear. He will feed, it’s only a matter of time. So what do they need? Grandpa will cover the rest, but Dean needs to get the blood of the fang that turned him. “That guy was huge,” Sam says. Shut up Sam, you’re the one that started this whole mess. No one asked you. Dean gets up and Samuel wonders if he’s going to walk right into the nest. “Well, I’m one of them, aren’t I?” Dean’s plan is to get in there, find Animal alone and “shoot him up with so much dead man’s blood he thinks he’s rushing a fraternity.” Isn’t that kind of rush his every day life?
Sam wants to come with him. “No, you wreak. You’re like a walking hamburger.” I don’t know Dean, take him along. If Sam is so damned curious about the nest let him put his neck on the line. Dean chooses do this solo. Sam mentions they haven’t been able to find them. “No problem, I can smell them. They’re two miles east of town,” Dean answers. He tells them to meet him there. Samuel give him the needle full of dead man’s blood. Oh, good thing he has that handy! Dean might need it. He claims its plenty. Dean takes a long look at it and I’m not sure because it is blood, or if he’s curious if Grandpa is setting him up. Samuel gives him a sincere “Good luck son” and Dean drops his apprehension. He takes the blood and leaves.
Whew, with Dean gone, now Samuel can address his other problem, namely, his mop haired lying son-of-his-daughter grandson. “What the hell’s wrong with you Sam?” Yeah Sam, we want to know too! Sam plays dumb and he sucks at it. “You knew about the cure,” Samuel says. He did?? Oh, you risked Dean on a chance that he could be cured? That’s awful! Don’t you see what pure Hell he’s going through? Sam of course claims he didn’t. Liar! Oh, wait, benefit of doubt. Let’s see how he defends himself. Samuel reminds him they talked about it months ago. Sam claims it wasn’t him, it was probably Christian. So Samuel calls Christian who claims that Sam is a lying son-of-Samuel’s-daughter.
No, Samuel instead puts it all together. “Huh. That’s strange because if you had known, it would be almost like you let him get turned. Get a man on the inside, help us find that alpha vamp we’ve been looking for.” Sam acts offended but he totally sucks at it. “You serious? You think I’d do something like that, risk my own brother.” Well, since we actually saw you do it, I guess the answer is F*** YEAH!!! There goes my benefit of the doubt. Samuel gives him the stare of not believing him, so Sam tries to turn it around. “What’s wrong with you?” That’s when Samuel kicks the shit out of him. Oh wait, that’s Dean next week. Sam tries to break the uncomfortable moment by saying he’s relieved they can fix him. He grabs the bag and leaves, but Samuel’s disturbed stare goes on. Hmm, curious development. I’m so glad Samuel is coming across this time as an overbearing drill sergeant instead of a really creepy and evil being.
Outside the lair and Dean easily sneaks his way in, even though he really didn’t need to do that. He’s still thinking like a hunter instead of a vampire. Given the fact he isn’t getting a welcoming party, he must smell normal to them. Might I also point out that from here on out, this entire scene in the vamps nest is one mega acid trip. The director, Rod Hardy, is doing his first episode on “Supernatural” and man does he go all out. The shots in the scene, the framing, the tone, it’s unlike anything this show has ever done before. It’s haunting, creepy, thrilling, mind-blowing, and the best damned horror I’ve ever seen “Supernatural” do. That’s says a lot consider it’s a horror show in its sixth season.
Out pops emo vamp Robert from the opening teaser. That’s Pattinson, Dean. Or Stefan Salvatore, I haven’t decided. Dean tries to explain who he is, but Robert knows. He’s the guy Boris turned outside of the bar. So Animal’s name is Boris, huh? I like Animal better. Robert was told to look out for him. He’s glad Dean made it and offers what looks like the secret vampire handshake. Banging knuckles. Dean plays along. My favorite secret handshake of all time is the one Mr. Burns did with Mark Cuban, fellow member of The Billionaires Club in “The Simpsons.”
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.