Recap – “Live Free or Twihard”
Creepy shot of a weathervane, black man from behind again, and the two girls playing outside. In the dark. Black man comes up to one of them, reaches out with those big dark eyes and smears blood on her cheek. He smiles and then points outward. View from inside the house and the girls leave hand and hand. Amazing visual on that one. A couple more quick flashes and it’s back to Dean. Wow, how freaky! I’m taking all that to be the alpha’s funny way of telling the beginning, how he started it all. It’s likely his way of asking the other vamps to now do the same. Maybe this is what helps the vamps become “compliant.”
Dean wakes up and it’s taking a while for him to get his bearings. There’s a great angle of his fuzzy view of the stained glass ceiling, and of him lying on the ground from overhead. Dean then rolls his head just in time to make out with his fuzzy vision Animal letting the girls out of the cages. Uh oh, I think he just lost his job as recruiter. Now he’s a juice bar. Dean hops up in a hurry.
Just when we didn’t think this scene could get anymore shocking, just wait. We get to see first hand exactly how much of a bad ass mofo Dean is when he’s vamped up. The first person attacks and Dean injects him with the dead man’s blood. Animal tells all the girls to “go get him.” Dean runs upstairs and manages to dodge the next guy, pushing him down the stairs. Then Robert shows up but guess what? Dean just happens to have his vampire beheading machete in his coat. He pulls it out and takes out Robert in one slice. This is where the VFX guys get to work their magic, showing the look on Robert’s stunned face as his head slowly falls off. Stupid vamp. Don’t ever go after a raging hunter turned vampire with a weapon. I guess word didn’t get back when Sam did it to the other guy.
More charge at Dean and he is sooo bloodthirsty now. If he can’t drink it, he might as well spill it. Three girls charge him and Dean swings. We get the standard blood spatter on the wall. Time for a commercial break! Yeah, deep breaths everyone, there’s more to come.
There’s the Impala! We miss you baby! Sam and Samuel pull up in Samuel’s Mystery Machine van and scope out the alley. They no sooner park and Sam hears a noise on the roof. Next thing a vamp is crashing through Grandpa’s window. They must smell like hamburger. Next is Dean on the balcony near the big clock, cutting off more heads. His machete is bloody, headless bodies are everywhere, but these silly vamps keep coming for more. Dean obliges. He chops one after another and he’s looking really unhinged now. When was the last time we’ve seen Dean in this super soldier killing mode? I really can’t recall when he was ever this dangerous. “Jus In Bello” comes to mind, but this is exponentially more frightening because he’s doing it alone. Another one charges and Dean with the wild eyes readies himself. I think we know how this is going to turn out.
Speaking of cutting heads off of vamps, Sam gets to do one too! There’s another unique shot of Sam and Samuel from inside the van looking out. The vamp attacking slides off the van roof across the windshield headless, and judging by the fact that Sam is pulling the body down and huffing, I’d say he took the dude out. They realize that they aren’t going to be able to pull off the sneak attack and charge into the nest ready to fight.
Now back to Dean who, wow, jumps down from the balcony in super vamp mode and lands easily. That’s a nifty power to have! Too bad he can’t keep it. Dean’s hands are beet red from all the blood and his face is really well splattered too. The looks in his eyes though, whoa! He’s in a zone right now and this is the most his character has ever scared me. He examines the carnage and we know there’s only one vamp left. Animal hides around the corner while Dean on a mission seeks him out.
“You stopped nothing, you know that?” Animal says before coming out of hiding. Dean’s cold dark eyes of death fall upon him, but Animal isn’t intimidated. “This is much bigger than you and me.” Dean does not care and grips onto the machete ready to attack. Animal raises his hand and waves him on. Despite the promising setup, one has a weapon, one doesn’t. I think we know how this is going to turn out.
Sam and Samuel enter the building and go through the dark corridors cautiously, but it doesn’t take them long to find evidence that their work is already done. Headless bodies and trails of blood are everywhere. Sam is stunned, Samuel is impressed. “Looks like your brother has some Campbell in him after all.” Darn straight and might I say despite how absolutely unnerving it was to see Dean like that, you’ve got to admit, you’re also smiling over how badass it was, aren’t you? It was pretty wicked.
This next setup is awesome. Sam and Samuel enter the main room from the balcony and the shot is from down below at Dean’s location. His unclear profile is at the right, and we see Sam and Samuel’s full reaction from the balcony. Samuel is investigating the carnage, Sam’s eyes are cautiously fixed on Dean. “Dean, you okay?” He asks. Um, define okay Sam. I’m sure he’s anything but okay. So what does Dean say traditionally when he’s not okay but doesn’t want to talk about it? Camera shifts focus to Dean’s profile. “Yeah, I’m good.” Now who’s the liar Dean!
The camera pans down to show Dean’s foot is resting on something. Animal’s head! Oh that’s so cool. Next is Dean from the POV of Sam and Samuel. His expression is so weary its fantastic. He’s coming down from his rage. Back to Sam who looks completely freaked out and Samuel who is reserved but concerned. The shot goes to Dean and the haunting carnage, Animal’s headless body in the center of the room and the long trail of blood to his head where Dean’s foot is. That entire nest sequence is completely mind blowing! Well, well done show.
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.