Now, it’s time for shocking reveal #6. Guess who’s clapping over this great performance? Dean and Sam are certainly shocked. Crowley! Wait a second, Mark Sheppard wasn’t in the opening credits. How crafty. “Well, that was dramatic,” Crowley says. Sam calls out his name, just in case we forget who he is. Crowley says “hello boys,” forgetting that Gwen is right in front of them. Samuel, who’s now alert, is furious about Christian. He wants his nephew back now. “The one you just crammed a demon into!” Okay, how could Christian be his nephew? That would mean that either he has a sibling with a kid or Deanna. This must be explained.
Crowley of course is smug, claiming he had him possessed ages ago. How long is ages? Again, poor Sammy. That’s likely why Christian didn’t die like the other Campbells. I wonder what Gwen’s story is? Anyway, Crowley comes up to Samuel and man is he short. “Samuel, really, I keep an eye on my investments.” Dean figures out these two know each other. “Not in a biblical sense. More of a business relationship I’d say,” Crowley says. Sam puts it together. “You’re Crowley’s bitch.” That’s so much more cruder than business relationship Sam. At least Crowley was trying to be diplomatic.
“It’s not what you think,” Samuel says. “It’s precisely what you think,” Crowley says. “That alpha he’s caught me is getting him a gold star.” Dean wants to know since when does Crowley give a crap about vampires. Crowley comes over to him. “Since uh, what’s today, Friday? Since, let’s see, mind your business.” Oh yeah, this is why I like Crowley so much. Smart ass.
Sam jumps in, letting Crowley know that they know he’s looking for Purgatory. “So you heard about that.” “Yeah, you want to tell us why?” Sam says. Crowley doesn’t mind sharing that info, for it’s quite clever. “Isn’t it obvious? Location, location, location.” Blank stare from the soulless guy. Come on Sam, you went to Stanford. You should get this. “I’m a developer. Purgatory is vast, underutilized, and Hell adjacent. And I want it.” Dean wants to know what for, but Crowley tells him, “Employees don’t question management.” Oh, don’t go there with Dean. He doesn’t like being told what to do.
“We ain’t your employees,” Dean says, delusional to these developments. “Of course you are. Have been for some time now, thanks to gramps. Don’t keep Captain Chrome Dome around for his wit do I?” Hee, great nickname. Samuel gets the look of scorn from Sam. No, not the Sammy look of scorn! Crowley continues. “Samuel knows things. More than any of you actually. Walking encyclopedia of the creepy and crawly. And I knew you two are so hung up on family loyalty nonsense he said jump, you get froggy.” No, that’s just Sam without a soul.
Dean thinks the game is over, but Crowley doesn’t agree. “Not if you want to see Sam’s soul ever again.” Uh oh, he found his leverage! Demons I tell ya. Gwen is surprised to hear Sam doesn’t have one. Come on Gwen, do people actually act that way? Sam thinks Crowley is bluffing, but he is so not bluffing. “Tell him Samuel.” Oh no gramps, what have you done? “He pulled us both back, me and Sam.” What I want to know is why? Why would Crowley pull back Sam? How could he?
Dean knows better, for Cass did mention that it takes some “big ass mojo” to pull that off. He knows Crowley is only a “punk ass Crossroads Demon.” Crowley drops the announcement that he’s now the King of Hell. What, Bobby didn’t tell you guys? Man, what does it take for everyone to get on the same page? Crowley claims he has the mojo. I don’t believe him! No way. No demon can do that unless a deal was made. Hmm, you think, that’s where Samuel comes in? Still, pulling Sam from Lucifer’s cage? Deal or not, he can’t do that. I’m not even sure an angel can do that. There’s far more to this story than what’s being told here.
Crowley issues the ultimatum. “I snap my fingers and Sam gets his soul back. Or, you can be…you, and I shove Sam right back in the hole. Can’t imagine what it’s like in there, and I can imagine so many things.” Sam is staring at Crowley with the tough guy look, not showing a big reaction over the threat. It’s more like he’s ready to plot revenge. “So, we clear? Me Charlie, you angels.” Hee, good reference. I like fun demons. Crowley wants more creatures, and somehow they have to aim “higher on the food chain.” What’s higher than the alpha vampire? Archangel on a stick? Crowley has enough manners to give a proper goodbye before disappearing, which already puts him one up on Cass. The camera does a go around of everyone’s faces pondering this latest development. Sounds like they have something to think about.
Samuel breaks the mood, telling Gwen it’s time to go and get the van. Gwen ain’t exactly in blindly following orders mode, still hung up on the fact that they’re working for a demon. Samuel makes it clear nothing has changed. They hunt. He tells her not to worry about him, he’ll take care of it. You know Samuel, just sayin, you’ve got a pair of grandsons with an angel on their shoulder. He might come in handy. Gwen still isn’t convinced, so she’s once again asked for her loyalty. She gives in, still totally pissed off, and goes to get the van. Oh goody, now it’s quality time with two pissed off grandsons! Family meeting time!
It’s interesting how the person taking this personally is Sam. The soulless guy? He’s still a huge mystery. “Working with a demon huh? You’re not who I thought you were.” Gee Sam, like that’s a first. People have been lying to you your whole life. What makes Samuel different? Samuel’s quite offended himself now. “You don’t know anything about me son.” How can he when you won’t let anyone in, huh Samuel?
Dean breaks up the tension with a question we all want to know. “What’s so important that you’re the King of Hell’s cabana boy, huh? What did he offer you, girls, money, hair?” Samuel answers he has his reasons and leaves it like that. His family! He’s trying to get his family back. Can’t you guys see it? He goes to leave and an angry Dean blocks his way. Samuel challenges Dean to make his move. “Or what?” Dean asks. “Or nothing. I’m not going to do anything to you Dean. You boys, you’re my family. The way I see it, you’ve got two choices. Put a bullet in your grandfather, or step aside.”
Now this gets interesting. Without hesitation, Sam furiously pulls out his revolver and aims. Sam? What triggered that? Logic? I’m really not getting this soulless thing. He does feel. I’m just not sure if he realizes what he’s feeling. Right now, its rage! He has those crazy Sammy eyes. Dean instantly pushes Sam’s gun away, for Dean has this thing called human instinct working on his side. He can tell something is on the level with gramps. “He sold us out,” Sam says. “I know, let it go,” Dean replies. Sam asks why, but Dean won’t answer. I’m sure Dean can’t explain gut instinct to Sam at this time. Dean tells gramps to get out of there, which he does.
Sam wants to know what now. Dean knows they can’t work for Crowley. “You sure about that?” Sam asks. “You don’t get it, demons bone you every time.” Sam does get that (he’s the one that really knows that). “Just running the math, do we have another choice?” Dean suggests stabbing Crowley in the throat, but Sam knows that’s not exactly going to get his soul back. They’ve got to play ball, for the moment. Dean knows Sam is right, but he still really hates the idea.
“Man, I’ve done some stupid things in my time, but punching a demon’s clock?” Sam is thinking a bit more clearly, which is understandable since that pesky soul isn’t getting in the way. “Look, just ‘til we find another way.” “And then?” Dean asks. “And then we track Crowley down, and give that son of a bitch what’s coming to him.” Dean considers the plan. “You with me Dean?” A determined Sam asks. Cut back to Dean, who’s thinking about it.
Whoo hoo! Brothers working together. Me likey. Let’s really really hope it sticks. Plenty to brotherly tests to come. Dig in everyone, there’s a lot of season left.
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.