“This family, this is it for me now. Β Whatever you need, I’ll do.” Β Samuel is aware of that, but…(isn’t there always a but in this show), “Until we can figure out this soul business of yours, I need you to keep doing what you’re doing.” Β Right, like that’s been doing him favors. Β Sam insists he can help but Samuel says he can’t. Β I half expected Sam to shout “Don’t tell me what I can’t do!” and then I remembered this isn’t “Lost.” Β Instead Sam tucks his tail in between in legs (metaphorically of course) and leaves really disappointed. Β You know, I didn’t notice that before. Β I think a part of him really hoped the old man would come through for him. Β He’s seeing that Dean is right. Β That really has to be disappointing for him, soul or not. Β Especially since he followed him loyally for the last year. Β He probably wouldn’t have gone with Dean if Samuel had let him be a part of the interrogations. Β Bonus for us though because it pushes the brothers together. Β
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Sam steps outside and he’s got the shifty eyes going. Β You’re gonna regret messing with him grandpa chrome dome (I know that reference comes later). Β Sam makes sure the coast is clear, goes into the Mystery Machine van and pulls out one of the cell phones. Β Okay, you’ve got my interest. Β Then in one of the major “woot woot” moments of the episode, Sam gets in the passenger seat of the Impala. Β Dean is surprised. Β “Hey.” Β Sam picks up on the reaction. Β “You didn’t think I’d come back.” Β “I figured 60/40.” Β Sam can’t disagree with those odds. Β So was the 60 for or against Sam? Β
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Sam pulls out the laptop. Β You know, the one that has such a powerful wifi card that it can pick up a signal from Montana. Β I would imagine if the Campbell compound did have Β wifi, it’s likely a secure network. Β Unless gramps set it up. Β If that’s true though the FBI would have raided the place long ago. Β Anyway, Sam says that Samuel didn’t take the bait, so they’re going with plan B. Β “We had a plan B?” Β Dean asks. Β Sam fired up the GPS on the cell phone and thanks to the ARC Mobile interface, the one used constantly throughout this series, they can track him. Β Good ole ARC Mobile. Β Where do I sign up? Β My Verizon coverage sucks in that regard. Β Dean is afraid grandpa will get wise, but this is where Sam’s knowledge becomes useful. Β “Trust me, he thinks velcro is big news.” Β Yeah, coming back after being dead since 1973 creates disadvantages when you’re also brought back with your only recently dead grandson. Β Yes, that makes my head spin too. Β
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Okay, the van goes to an inconspicuous warehouse and Sam and Dean follow in a car that sticks out like a sore thumb. Β I wonder how that never backfires on them. Β The door has dead man’s blood smeared on it. Β I guess that’s meant to deter vampires. Β Tell me, don’t they just have to open the door without touching it? Β I know, details, details. Β Anyway, they search the warehouse, Christian is spotted coming out of some room and Sam and Dean duck into an office. Β Christian senses something while walking by. Β Now tell me, he must really be bottom of the barrel demon, because can’t they usually sense or smell Sam and Dean? Β Okay, I get that Sam is soulless but Dean should be fair game. Β Ah well, I’ll let it go, for this gets good and nitpicking is mean. Β
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Sam and Dean go to the door that Christian came out of and sure enough on the other side there’s the alpha vamp in a cage, electric prods stuck in his hands and feet, all chained up. Β He’s being interrogated by Samuel. Β He asks alpha vamp where is it and how do they find it. Β A-vamp isn’t being talkative, so Samuel turns on the juice. Β The device shocks a-vamp but all he can muster is a deadpan “Ouch, stop, that hurts.” Β Samuel turns it off and decides threats would be better. Β “This is club med compared to what we have planned for you.” Β Samuel has all the time in the world. Β “That makes two of us,” a-vamp says. Β The difference is Samuel is manic and a-vamp is really calm. Β I get the impression Samuel has something really important riding on this. Β Sorry Samuel, but I like my villains bone chillingly calm. Β
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Samuel picks up the vampire beheading knife, then stops himself and puts it down. Β He leaves realizing he’s getting nowhere. Β Sam and Dean keep watching, still kind of confused over what’s happening. Β A-vamp gives his evil laugh, grows a fingernail really long and starts working the leather straps. Β Leather? Β Seriously. Β This dude should be in all shackles. Β Rookie mistake gramps. Β Anyway, just as Sam and Dean are trying to figure out what to do a-vamp asks them if they’re going to hide there all night. Β “Come on out boys.” Β Sam and Dean look at each other like this is a bad thing. Β They need to be more optimistic. Β
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They decide to enter. Β A-vamp just sits in his cage, chained up with dead man’s blood running through his veins without a care in the world. Β Sam and Dean look at him like they’re at a zoo. Β A-vamp asks “How can I help you?” so Dean decides to go first. Β “Got some questions for you Skippy.” Β Come on Dean, I don’t waste the nickname Skippy on a cool villain like this. Β I use it on pinheads like Christian. Β Dean is brazen since a-vamp is going nowhere fast. Β “Don’t be so sure,” a-vamp warns. Β Dean pretends he knows what he’s talking about since, well, he actually knows what he’s talking about. Β “Locked down pretty tight. Β With all that dead blood rushing through your veins not sure you’ve got enough juice to fire up that psychic bat signal of yours, do you?” Β A-vamp admits that’s true. Β “Not near enough juice for that, Dean.” Β Oh yeah, he remembers him.
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“I didn’t realize we’re on a first name basis,” Dean says. Β “Of course we are. Β After all, you were my child for a time.” Β That’s when Dean rants how the bastard responsible for that is standing next to him. Β No, Dean’s only thinking that. Β He’s playing the cool cucumber right now, the thing Samuel isn’t. Β All that torturing experience in Hell might come in handy Samuel. Β A-vamp asks Dean if he enjoyed it. Β “I’m asking the questions here fright-night.” Β He fires up the electrical shock and sees it does nothing. Β So much for playing it cool.
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Dean’s attitude though actually gets a-vamp mad. Β “When your kind first huddled around the fire, I was the thing in the dark! Β Now you think you can hurt me?” Β Dean gives him a cold steely stare and turns off the switch. Β A-vamp settles down and we’re back to the pissing contest. Β A-vamp declares he has all night, they don’t. Β He’s happy to tell them what they want to know so now it’s Sam’s turn to ask questions. Β Why? Β “Because soon I’ll be ankle deep in your blood, sucking the marrow from your bones.” Β Ah, a superiority complex. Β Gets those villains every time. Β
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. π
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. π
(Jason Teague may have been shot by Lionel Luther, but he was really killed by Dean Winchester). π
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? π 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 π π
‘Sam is BFF’s with a demon’ DAH!!! π π
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.