Recap – “Family Matters”
Samuel wants to know how they get his soul back. Dean tells him they’re still trying to sort that out. Gramps gives support, but this family moment is interrupted by one distracted Castiel. Something’s happening, he’s gotta go. That angel spidey-sense is such an annoyance. “You’ve leaving?” Dean asks like Castiel is bailing on them when they need him most. “I’m in the middle of a Civil War,” Castiel reminds him. Yes Dean, it’s not like he’s just a ride captain at Disneyland. He’s running freaking Heaven! “You better tear the attic up, find something to help Sam,” Dean says without any appreciation for what he’s done already. “Of course, your problems always come first.” Um, I know he said that a bit too dryly, but it’s obvious to me that was Castiel’s attempt at biting sarcasm. Dean ponders for a few seconds what he meant by that as Cass leaves. “Would have asked him to stick around for a beer,” Samuel says. Yeah, you’re not used to the angel dump and run. It took Dean a while.
Dean changes the subject. “What’s up with the book club outside?” Samuel’s putting together a hunt. Dean notices that’s a lot of guys for one hunt. Sam figures it out. “You found him, didn’t you?” Dean wants in on the secret and Sam guesses Samuel has a lead on the alpha vamp. Dean asks if he does and gets a “maybe.” Um, that so means yes. “How’d you track him down?” “We’re good,” Samuel says with pride. That and Crowley probably told him, but I’m jumping ahead. I tend to do that once I pick up on clues that I didn’t catch before.
Sam is all happy about this, wanting to know when the run is. Dawn. Wow, Sam is more offended by that piece of info that Samuel’s admission that he scares him. These soulless creatures are so unpredictable. “You didn’t call me? Why?” Dean gets it. “Because of me. You don’t trust me very much, do you? Especially when it comes to big game like this.” Um, it’s not that, he just doesn’t know you, not like he knows Sam, which sounds like not much at all since he didn’t figure out he was soulless. That essentially means he doesn’t trust you! So, that’s a round about yes. This family is so good at not giving direct answers. Except the soulless guy. He’s direct, but it’s not always the truth! This clan is really messed up, aren’t they?
Dean is a smart guy for if he’s going to get any sort of info, he has to play ball. So he pledges his trust and loyalty to dear old granddad. “Alright, you call the plays. 100 percent. I’m here to listen.” Samuel wants to know since when. “Big daddy bloodsucker, I ain’t gonna miss that.” Dean is being convincing, but I think he really means that last part. He has a personal interest in finding that guy. Call it a connection! Then he goes back to bullshitting. “But this is your deal, I get it. I’ll follow your lead. I trust you.”
Next thing Sam and Dean are leaving and the first words out of Dean’s mouth are, “I don’t trust him. Dude’s hiding something.” Sam doesn’t believe that, but you aren’t exactly the best judge of character these days, right Sam? “If you weren’t Robo-Sam you’d feel it too.” Hmm, another nickname to add to the growing list. I have Sasquatch, Gigantor, Ginormo, Francis, Moose…I’ll have to look the rest up. This is all shocking news to Sam. “Huh. Just you, saying you don’t trust family.” Oh Sam, you really are quite messed up. Dean realizes this and gives some instructions. They’re to stay close, blend in, see what they can pick up. Sam wonders if Samuel is connected to this soul thing. Dean isn’t sure, but he’s the only lead they got.
Back to inside the compound, closeups on sharpening knives and getting together dead man’s blood. Sam sits down with Christian, providing diversion while Dean goes to Samuel’s office. Dean knocks and no one is in there so he picks the lock. Sam apparently sucks these days at providing diversions, for Christian shows up wondering what Dean is doing. Dean claims he had to make a phone call and needed privacy. In Samuel’s locked office? Dean says it wasn’t locked. Christian decides to keep being a dick and wants to know who Dean is calling. Time for the trademark Dean Winchester sharp retort! “Your wife, let her know I’m not going to make it over tonight.” Yeah, that’s a old one, but it works great for Dean in this case. Christian is mad!
Christian tells Dean he tried to play nice but he’s done. He tried to be nice? My God, what are you like then when you’re being a dick? Dean essentially says the same thing. “What, you’re trying to tell me a bigger nob than what you’ve been letting on?” Christian says he’s a guy that’s been here. “You walk around like you’re playing pro tennis. The only action you’ve seen lately is between your slut girlfriend’s legs.” Oh, don’t say that to Dean! That’s going to get you slammed against a wall. Yep, that’s what happens. Parker Lewis is losing here, but the jerk isn’t backing down. “Sure you want to comes with us tomorrow? Accidents happen.” Dean promises he has his back and walks away. We know who the bigger man is! Why can’t Christian get the beating Sam got last week? That would be more fair.
Everyone heads out and by daybreak they are driving near a farm field. I’m sorry, but am I the only one that thinks that looks like the Kent farm from “Smallville?” I haven’t noticed anyone else say that. Surely I’m not the only “Supernatural” fan that watches “Smallville” too. I think it was put in there as a shout-out (although it may not be the actual farm). Plus it’s a lovely shot.
Now we’re up to the not so subtle part of Dean re-living his horror as a vampire and facing an issue of mistrust with Sam. After all, sometimes themes sink in better when applied multiple times by sledgehammer. Samuel is leading the charge, everyone goes with him except Dean and Gwen. They stay behind to make sure to make sure none get away. Dean is not quite pleased but accepts his assignment. Gwen isn’t so subtle. “I’m in the rear end with the reject?” She gets the “shut up” eyes from Samuel and they move on. Sam comes up to Dean and assures him it’s fine. “Oh nothing’s fine. You’re not fine…go.” Dean will have to put some faith into his bro on this one.
Awesome review! I’m lost on the souless rules as well. But then, as far as we know, this is pretty much a first. So maybe SPN feels comfortable making up their own rules.
I thought the lady in the window who called to Dean and went bloody, was one of the hunters back at the Campbell compound. And Montana does the internet!!! Promise!
Alice, great job as always.
No matter what, Dean still cares for Sam, he wanted Cas to heal Sam right away. Have to love Dean for that.
I don’t know which I like more NoBS!Dean or BadAss!Cas when it comes to dealing with Gramps. 😀
As a fan of ‘Smallville’ since day one, I also saw the farm and thought that Sam and Dean were going to pay Clark and Co. a visit. Wouldn’t that be funny. 🙂
(Jason Teague may have been shot by Lionel Luther, but he was really killed by Dean Winchester). 😀
Just because Gramps is ‘family’, that doesn’t mean that he is FAMILY. (does that make sense?) Just because he is a Campbell, that doesn’t mean that Dean has to trust him, no questions asked.
I agree, some episodes require multi viewings. What you may not catch the first time, or may not make sense, when you watch the episode again, then it becomes clear.
I agree with your opinion of Gwen (or is it Glen Campbell? 😀 Bobby did have Kenny Rodgers on his episode). I think she is nothing like Hunter!Mary. I personally think that H!Mary would have wiped the floor and (dare I say) ceiling with Gwen.
‘Sam and Dean follow in a car that sticks out like a sore thumb’: two words: CLOAKING DEVICE 😀 😀
‘Sam is BFF’s with a demon’ DAH!!! 😆 😆
We now know that even before Ruby, anyone that Sam considered a friend had a 99.99% chance of being a demon. Poor Sammy.
Can’t wait til your recap of this week’s ep. The end reminded me of the end of ‘Good God’. Do you agree? The heart to heart (chick flick moment) at the picnic table.