Robin’s Rambles – “All Dogs Go To Heaven”
“All Dogs Go to Heaven”
Season 6, Episode 8
Robin’s Rambles by Robin Vogel
Editor’s note: The night this episode aired, my 15-year-old dog, Snapple, went into a prolonged seizure that wouldn’t abate. My husband and I were having him euthanized the following morning, but we realized we couldn’t wait and took him to an emergency clinic to have him put to sleep immediately so he wouldn’t suffer anymore. We had him since he was four months old and it was very hard to say goodbye to this wonderful, mischievous dog who’d filled our lives with such joy. We’ll miss you, Snaps!
Buffalo, NY – A man walks out of a bar toward his car, asking, “Did he eat? You gave him a bath, right? Dd you take him to the park? Did he give me a peepee and poopoo? Good. Tell him Daddy loves him, be home soon.” As thunder crashes and lightning flashes, we become aware we are seeing him through a creature’s eyes. He climbs into his car, rustles through his gloves compartment and suddenly finds himself face to face with the creature, who has leaped onto his windshield. “What the–?” he cries, but that’s all he’s able to get out before the creature breaks through the glass and splashes his blood on the driver’s side window, finishing him off as he thrashes and cries out.
As Sam sits eating at an outside table at Fat Mac’s Rib Shack, Dean worriedly consults with Bobby on the phone, begging him to keep digging. “If Crowley thinks–” “If Crowley thinks WHAT, Dean?” asks the demon, who has appeared at his elbow and says, “Is that Bobby Singer? Give him a kiss from me.” Dean tells Bobby he’ll call him back. Crowley sits beside Sam at the picnic table. Sam drops his fork into his food, unable to eat anymore. “Good news, boys,” the demon says, “I’ve got a job for you. Dean sits across from Crowley and says, “I’m gonna say this once–shove your job up your ass.” “Is that any way to talk to your boss?” asks Crowley. “You’re not my boss, dick bag!” spits back Dean. Crowley reminds him they’ve been through this–“Quit clutching your pearls, you’ve been working for me for quite some time, Sam here, longer.” “We didn’t know,” Sam reminds him. “Like that makes a difference to you,” snarls Crowley, “you’d sell your brother for a dollar right now, if you really needed the soda–look, I’m sending you–” “No,” says Dean.” “Beg pardon?” asks Crowley. “I’ve done some shady stuff in my time, but I am not doin’ this,” insists Dean, “no.” “Ten quid says you will,” says Crowley, and presses a finger to the top of Sam’s hand, causing him to cry out in pain, leaving a third degree burn the size of a silver dollar. Sam grabs his injured hand with the other, still gasping in agony. “You like pain, Sam?” asks Crowley as Dean looks on in anger and concern as Sam’s wound bubbles, “you like hell? Stop thinking of this like some kind of deal, this is a hostage situation, you arrogant little thug! I OWN your brother, do you understand me?” The demon snaps his fingers and Sam’s burn disappears. “C’mon, Dean, smile,” urges Crowley, “it’s not that bad. You bag me a live Alpha and I’ll give you Sammy’s soul back with a cherry on top.” “What, Alpha vamp not good enough for you?” asks Sam. (Wasn’t that Samuel’s catch?) “Best mind where you poke your nose,” advises Crowley, “if you want to keep it.” He tosses Dean the newspaper and says, “Your merry little hike up the food chain starts here. Businessman, found dead in his car, chest ripped open, heart missing–sounds like?” “Werewolf,” says Sam, checking the article. “No, it’s not a full moon,” says Dean. “Werewolves turning on the full moon,” says Crowley, “so ’09.” “He’s right,” says Sam, “Samuel and I ganked one on the half moon six months ago. Things have been out of whack a while now, I guess.” “Yeah I guess,” says Dean, exchanging a significant look with his brother. “So it’s settled then,” says Crowley, “you bag the howler, bring it home to Papa.” He looks from one brother to the other. “See you soon, boys.” And he’s gone. Dean puts one hand to his head, food untouched.
The Impala speeds over the road. Sam notes that the vic is a real class act who owns slumlord apartments and homes. “So this is it,” says Dean, “this is what you’re going to do?” “What am I doing?” asks Sam. “Crowley– he’s so far up our asses, we’re coughing sulfur,” says Dean, “but you, you’re just gonna work the case?” “He’s got us by the short and curlies,” points out Sam, “what else are we supposed to do?” “It’s just, you know, man,” says Dean, “I’m workin’ for a demon now, I don’t even know who you are, I just need a second to adjust.” “Look,” says Sam, “this is a crap situation, I get it, but Dean, I am still me, the same melon, same memories, I still like the same music, I still think about Susie Eiser–” “Biology class Susie Eiser?” asks Dean. “Can you blame me?” asks Sam. Dean’s eyebrows say no. “I know you don’t trust me,” says Sam, “and I can’t take back what I did, but I’m going to prove to you, I’m still your brother.” Dean looks at him, and Sam gives him the puppy face we all know, love and trust–or do we?
Dressed in their hottest FBI attire, the brothers come upon the Buffalo coroner zipping a second victim into a body bag at the docks. Dean introduces them as Agents Holt and Wilson (football association). When the regular cop asks why the Feds were called in, Sam answers, “We’re specialists–they call us in to answer the questions of mouth-breathing dick monkeys.” (Was he channeling our favorite dead angel here?) Both Dean and the cop toss him a weird look. “So are you gonna walk us through this or. . .?” asks Sam. “Dock worker,” answers the cop, “morning shift found him, chest ripped wide open.” Like the body in the car, says Dean. Second one in two days, replies the cop. “Internal organs missing on both vics?” asks Sam–“like, their hearts?” “Looks like it, yeah,” answers the cop, “how did you know?” Ignoring that question, Sam asks if this guy had any enemies. “Plenty,” says the cop, “but I don’t think it was a wolf or possibly cougar that had a beef with the guy–you do realize these were animal attacks?” “Out here?” asks Dean–“you think they came for the sailing?” The cop gives him a strange look.
Dean awakens from a sound sleep to find Sam has never gone to bed. “Good morning,” greets Sam. “You didn’t sleep,” says Dean, “because you don’t sleep.” He rubs his eyes. “Right,” says Sam. “That’s not creepy at all,” says Dean. “It’s not like I can help it,” says Sam, shrugging on his suit jacket, “so are you going to lie there starin’ at me or do you wanna hear what I dug up?” Dean makes a gesture that could have meant anything. Sam says, “Werewolves are id gone wild, whoever they hate, they kill when they wolf out, so, I’ve been playing connect the victims. So I think I’ve found a common denominator.” He tosses Dean his wallet and tells him, “Get the lead out.” “Let me get dressed, OK, Robocop,” says Dean.
They pull up in front of a brick house. Sam has tucked his gun, all ready to shoot, down the back of his pants. He knocks at the door, which is opened by a sweet-looking mom, Mandy, with her son in her arms. Sam asks for Cal Gerrigan–they have questions for him. Puzzled, she invites them in. She sends her son to his room (was that a toy soldier she handed him?) and apologizes for the mess, gathering toys and making room for them at the kitchen table. She offers them refreshments. Cal, her boyfriend, is asleep. “Mind tellin’ him up and at ’em, he’s got some guests,” says Dean. She goes to do so, but Cal, clearly victim of a giant hangover, enters the kitchen, causing Lucky the dog to growl. She introduces him to Agents Holt and Wilson. Cal claims he was out late, but only had beer; Sam coldly asks, if that’s all he drank, why is he sweating Vodka?–“and it looks to me like you slept in those clothes, am I right?” (Times like this I REALLY wish Sam had gone into law or Jared would get a job on one of the LAW AND ORDER shows; he’s so good at interrogation!) Cal admits that’s a yes. So, says Dean, you got blind drunk and blacked out, and I’m guessing that isn’t the first time. Truthfully, says Sam, who knows what you’ve really been up to at night? Cal’s girlfriend makes a sound and the two of them exchange glances. “What’s this about?” asks Cal. “We’re investigating the death of Ronald Gerrigan,” says Sam. “My brother?” asks Cal, looking at Mandy again. She shrugs. “Sorry for your loss,” says Dean, noting how little Cal seems to care. Cal thought that was an animal attack. “No love lost between the two of you, huh?” notes Sam icily. Cal admits they loved each other, but had their differences–Ron had a lot of problems, he was volatile. (Sound familiar?) Last time he was here you called the cops? asks Sam. Yeah, says Cal, last time he was here, he came in all messed up, he shoved Mandy, so yeah, I called the cops, I don’t see what that’s got to do with anything–” Sam interrupts: “Your landlord was found dead this week, were you aware of that?” “Saw it in the papers,” says Cal, “why?” “You two were pretty far behind in your rent,” says Sam, “right?–he had sent eviction papers?” Again, Cal and Mandy exchange looks. “I’m sorry,” she says, “that was an animal attack.” “Funny enough,” says Sam, “yeah, both of them were.” “So what in the hell did you think I had to do with them?” asks Cal irritably. “Just following procedure,” says Dean, “had to ask. You two have a good day.” The brothers leave. Mandy gives one more shrug.
Outside, Sam notes, “So Cal’s a prince.” “He didn’t even know where he was last night,” says Dean. “Bag him now?” says Sam as they head toward a playground near where the Impala is parked. “No, we make sure,” insists Dean. “REALLY?” asks Sam. “Before we hand him over to a lifetime of demon rape?–yeah, really,” says Dean. They drive off. For the remainder of the night, they trail Cal to three scuzzy bars, one scuzzy strip club, a chili club joint, seven or eight night caps and now, scotches in the library. I’m gettin’ cirrhosis just watchin’ this. Other than that, we got squat.” “”Let’s just see,” says Sam, watching Cal play pool. “Dude,” says Dean, “sun’s up, this guy’s still on two legs–in theory. He ain’t wolfin’ out.” “Well, not tonight, anyway,” says Sam. They decide to head back and re-attack it in a couple of hours. Cal and a few others drunkenly close down the last place. Cal limps to his truck, starting it with a remote starter. Suddenly, Lucky is there. “What are you doin’?” Cal asks him. Lucky attacks, dragging Cal behind his truck. We hear the wet sound of Cal’s bones cracking, and see through Lucky’s eyes Cal’s body, chest ripped open, heart surely gone. Then, however, we see a MAN, blood running down his chest, reflected in the driver’s side windshield of Cal’s truck. Standing next to Cal’s mutilated body is a naked, blood-spattered man–could this be what Lucky turned into after killing Cal?
Mandy lies asleep in her bed. Lucky, now in man form, watches her. He has cleaned himself up. Turning back into dog form, he jumps on the bed and avidly snuggles with and kisses Mandy. Then he lies beside her, facing us, defying us to reveal his secret.
Mandy awakens. Lucky goes in for kisses, forcing her to push him away. “That’s enough!” she says. Breathing heavily, Lucky lies down in Cal’s spot on the bed. “Cal!” calls Mandy. When he doesn’t respond, she mutters, “Typical.” She pets and scratches the dog, saying, “Oh, Lucky, you are the only decent boyfriend I have ever had.” When she goes in to take a shower, Lucky follows so he can ogle her naked body.
The brothers Winchester watch Cal being zipped into a body bag. “I might go out on a limb and say it’s NOT Cal,” says Dean. “Masterful deduction, Sherlock,” huffs Sam. “Werewolf attack in daylight?–this whole thing is just weird, man,” opines Sam. “Dogs and cats living together, mass hysteria,” says Sam. (Line straight out of GHOSTBUSTERS.) “So you know this means we’re down to one suspect, right? Mandy is right at the deep end of the vic pool–can you do it?–shove her in the trunk, serve her up to Crowley?” After a long hesitation, Dean says, “Yeah, Sam, I can do it.” Sam walks away.
Mandy has spent a sleepless night with Aidan, her sick son. She joins him on the sofa, planting his feet on her lap, checks his head for fever, and gives him a juice box. Lucky brings a squeaky toy over for the boy, delighting both mother and child. Wendy chortles how much Lucky loves him, petting the dog, who is playing tug of war with the toy, eventually tearing off its ear. “Oh oh,” teases Wendy, “Lucky, look what you did!” Mandy finds Lucky in the living room, watching the morning news, which is about to have a feature about the recent killings. While putting on his leash, she notices blood on his leg where it meets his body. “Have you killed a bird again?” she asks–“bad dog!” (If only she really knew!)
Outside, Sam and Dean pull up when Mandy is talking to a neighbor, Lucky leashed by her side. Turns out they’re the first to report Cal’s death to her. She’s devastated. “I know this isn’t the best time, but we’d like you to come with us,” says Sam. “Why?” she asks–“you think I have something to do with this?–with Cal?” “Of course not,” soothes Dean, “we’ve just got a few questions, i’s and t’s, mostly.” The dog is watching, listening. Mandy asks if they could do it later. “I’m afraid not,” says Sam, implacable. She explains that her kid has the flu and she was up all night. Sam suggests a friend or neighbor watch him while she’s gone. Realizing she’d said her son was up all night and she was with him that entire time, Dean asks to speak to her son. “Why?” asks Mandy. “Yeah,” echoes Sam, “what difference does that make, Agent Holt?” “Trust me,” says Dean, “it’s important. Please?” he begs Mandy.
Leaving, Dean tells Sam, “It wasn’t her.” “You don’t know that,” insists Sam. “She’s got an alibi,” says Dean. “She’s lying,” says Sam. “You heard the kid, she’s not lying,” counters Dean. “She still had time to wolf out,” says Sam, “last werewolf was in bed–with me–and she wolfed out.” (Interesting how the soulless Sam still remembers that incident with so much passion.) “Don’t make this personal,” says Dean, “all I’m sayin’ is between this and the daylight attack, somethin’s not addin’ up–I’m not just goin’ to hand her over to Crowley until I find out what, you understand?” “OK, OK, I understand,” promises Sam, “how about you go check out Cal’s crime scene, see if we’re missin’ anything, I’ll come back and keep an eye on Amanda.” “Whoa whoa, how about YOU go and I’ll stay here,” says Dean. “I still know how to do my job,” insists Sam, “I’m just gonna watch her, that’s all–trust me.” (As much as a used car salesman?) “Uh huh,” says Dean. (Please see my former comment.) Sam gets into the shotgun seat of the Impala.
Watching through Mandy’s window, Sam sees a naked man abruptly appear and stretch. Taking out a pair of binoculars, Sam looks more closely. He readies his gun as Lucky, now clothed, leaves the house. Lucky stops and sniffs the air. Seeing no one, he continues on. Hiding behind a wall in the playground, Sam takes aim at Lucky, who meets up with another man and has a conversation with him. Again, Sam takes aim. Near a fence, Lucky again catches a scent and stops, sniffing the air. Catching sight of Sam this time, he turns and runs. Sam is almost as nimble as Lucky, who, during the chase turns back into a dog (and let’s face it, we’re always comparing Sam to a puppy). Finding the man’s discarded clothing, Sam realizes he’s now chasing down the dog, but it doesn’t deter him; he runs, fast, coming upon a van that apparently hit Lucky as he darted into the road. People have already loaded the dog into the van and are rushing him to a vet when Sam comes on the scene, calling, “Hey, mister, wait, that’s my dog! It’s my dog.” Sam huffs out a deep breath, barely winded after that incredible run.
Dean pauses his phone on Lisa’s number, but doesn’t call her. He tosses the phone on the desk. His phone rings and he isn’t happy to see who’s calling. “Hey, it’s me,” says Sam. Dean reports he got bupkus here, but Sam’s got plenty: “It ain’t a werewolf, for one; it’s a skin-walker, as in the family dog seriously needs a neuter, for one.” “Wow,” says Dean, “I haven’t heard of a skin-walker in years, I’m actually a little rusty on the profile.” “You and me both,” admits Sam, “I just got the low-down from Bobby; they can change anywhere, anytime, skin-walkers affect you with a single bite, otherwise, they’re basically a werewolf cousin–silver’ll drop ’em, they chow hearts like Snausages–” “So what happened, did you catch him?” asks Dean. “Not exactly,” says Sam, “but I have some idea of where he might be.”
Erie County Domestic Animal Hospital – Sam and Dean stop in front of Lucky’s cage. “Hiya, Lucky!” greets Dean, kneeling–“bad dog! First things first.” He slips the ammo out of his gun and shows it to the dog. “This is silver. Don’t say I didn’t warn ya.” He shoves it back into the gun. Lucky looks at Sam, who’s tossing a red ball back and forth between his hands. Dean tells the dog they can do it the easy or hard way. Dean looks at Sam with the ball in his hands with disapproval. “Soul or not, that’s funny,” insists Sam.
Hotel room – Lucky the man is now tied to a chair with silver and a rope. “You’ve got us stumped,” says Sam, “why shack up with the family? Is it a kinky thing? Do you like to play with your food? Roll over, Lucky. Speak!” (I remember when Sam was the good cop and Dean the cruel cop. Sam is just being a real dick, isn’t he? But I love him anyway.) “Go to hell,” says Lucky. “Already been–didn’t agree with me,” says Sam, and suggests taking a silver knife and “start carvin’ some dog until you behave?” “You do what you gotta do,” says Lucky, scared but trying to be brave. “Hang on, Sam,” cautions Dean, “you don’t have to tell me why you’re with the family, I get it.” “Oh you do, do ya?” asks Lucky. “You killed every threat that came near them,” says Dean, “you care about them in your own whackadoodle kind of way, it’s obvious. What I wanna know is, who was that guy you were kibbitzing with–he a skin-walker, too?” After a long pause: “Look, I can’t say anything,” insists Lucky. “But if you don’t,” says Dean, “you’re going to put the girl and the little boy in danger, and sooner or later all this CRAP is gonna come for them. We don’t give a rat’s ass about you, we wanna help THEM, that’s our angle, that’s it.” “Yeah, that guy is whatever it is I am,” confesses Lucky, “he’s not the only one.” “How many are you?” asks Sam. “About 30 in all,” says Lucky, “we were kinda recruited.” “RECRUITED?” repeats Sam. “Me, I was living on the streets,” says Lucky, “they found me, they told me one small bite I’d be strong, I’d be fast.” “Sniffin’ people’s butts, that’s a real step up,” says Dean sarcastically. “Well it was for me,” says Lucky. “Where is this little Scooby Gang of yours?” asks Dean. “Everywhere,” says Lucky, “we’re out there finding families and once they take us in, we lay low–while we’re waiting for the word. Once we’re settled and we get the signal, then we all turn on our families. We change them, all in one night–30 becomes 150.” “You’re a sleeper cell,” realizes Dean. “That’s one way to say it,” agrees Lucky. “So you’re waiting for word from who?” asks Sam–“who organized you?” “There’s a pack leader,” says Lucky. “Your Alpha?” asks Sam eagerly. “What’s an Alpha?” asks Lucky. “The first skin-walker,” prods Sam, “the strongest.” “He’s plenty strong,” says Lucky, “but I don’t think so–I’m pretty sure there’s guys like him in other towns, we’re not the only pack out there.” “Fantastic–you can help us stop him,” says Dean. Lucky refuses. “Yes, you can,” insists Dean. “You guys don’t get it–no one can,” says Lucky, “these guys who turned me, they’re ruthless.” Sam is holding the ball out, whistling at Lucky. Dean and Lucky look at Sam in disbelief. Sam tosses the ball away. “Sam, not helping,” Dean says. “Fetch THIS, dick,” says Lucky. Sam gazes at him, puzzled by his anger. “Listen to me,” says Dean, kneeling in front of Lucky, “what are you gonna do to that family, really? You put your jaws right on that little boy’s throat? Climb down, listen to him cry for his mom? I’m gonna guess that these were the only people in your pathetic life that have ever shown you any kindness. So it’s either that–or you can stop it.” Lucky’s face works with emotion. What is he going to do?
As Dean searches the Impala’s trunk, Sam asks a good question: “How are we supposed to get near something that can smell us from 100 yards off?” “We don’t,” says Dean, showing him a rifle with a sight. “The pack leader–we’re takin’ him down?” asks Sam. “Yeah,” says Dean, “you have a better idea?” Sam doesn’t, but says Crowley isn’t going to be too happy about that. Dean doesn’t care–they let that thing live one second and it sends out its psychic dog whistle and boom! “On the other hand,” says Sam, “it could lead us to an Alpha, and Crowley would give me my soul back.” “You kidding?” asks Dean–“150 people turning into monsters, that’s what you want?” “No, of course not,” says Sam, “I’m just asking.” “That’s it,” says Dean, like he’s had it, “you say you’re just folks, that you like baseball and apple pie and whatever, truth is, I don’t know what you are–you’re not Sam.” “Dean, come on,” protests the other man. Dean continues: “I mean it’s your Gigantor body and maybe your brain, but it’s not you, so just stop pretending, and do us both a favor.” He takes out the rifle and walks away. Though Sam walks beside him, they have never been further apart.
Dean sits high up, in sniper position. Sam, beside him, suggests that Lucky, pacing in front of a one-story building below them, is nervous. Catching Lucky in his rifle sight, Dean says, “Wouldn’t you be?” “I’d double- cross us,” says Sam, “you’ve got to realize, that’s his best bet if he wants to keep breathin’.” “Nah, he’ll go through with it,” predicts Dean. “Why, because he loves that family?” asks Sam. “Yup,” says Dean. “I’d double-cross us,” says Sam. “Thanks, Dexter, it’s reassuring,” says Dean. “I’m just making conversation,” says Sam. (AWFUL, AWFUL conversation!) A van pulls in. “Here we go,” says Dean. Sam pops up beside Dean, binoculars to his eyes. Men climb out of the van. Behind Lucky, men open a garage door. “The big guy, the driver, that’s the guy who left him in the bar,” identifies Sam. “And there’s The Boss,” says Dean. “Take him out,” urges Sam. “It’s not clean,” says Dean, looking through his scope, “we got one shot at this, literally.” The men are gathered around Lucky, speaking to him. Mandy and her son are hustled out of the van. “Take the shot!” urges Sam. “I’m tryin!” cries Dean–“she’s in the way!” “Take it anyway!” says Sam. (Even if it means killing Mandy and Aiden?) Dean shakes his head at his brother, then refocuses on the sight. He’s unable to get a clean shot before all the men plus Mandy and Aiden go into the building and close the door behind them. “So, Plan B?” says Sam. “We got one?” asks Dean, incredulous.
In the warehouse, Mandy begs the men to let her son go. Lucky’s friend tells him there’s nothing he can do; the boss is pissed. “These murders you’ve been doing–you didn’t ask for permission–now you’re gonna screw up the whole damn plan! I tried to warn you.” “I know, I’m sorry,” says Lucky softly. “There’s been a mistake,” insists Mandy, “this has got nothing to do with us.” Lucky’s friend informs her this has EVERYTHING to do with her, then turns to Lucky and asks, “Are you with us or not?” “Of course I am,” says Lucky. “Fine, prove it–turn them, now, both of them, while we watch, or I’ll kill you all,” orders Lucky’s friend. Mandy mutters “Oh my God” and clutches her son tightly. The skin-walkers all smell something, but not in enough time; Sam bursts in and begins shooting, getting The Boss in the face, plus several others. Dean, hidden in a new spot with his rifle, shoots more while Mandy tries to hide and assures Aidan they’ll be OK. Lucky accosts them, scaring Mandy, who cries, “Who are you, I don’t even know you!” “Yes you do, trust me, I’m trying to help,” he says, and pushes them along in his wake to safety. Dean sees their retreat through his sight.
One skin-walker hides from Sam.
Lucky has Mandy and Aidan lock themselves in an office, where she slips her son underneath a desk. Through the glass window in the door, she gazes at the stranger who saved them.
Stalking his prey, Sam finds a pile of clothing on the floor. A great Dane is on his heels, quietly stalking him. Behind Dean is a German Shepherd, snarling, about to pounce. Dean, who has had his gun thrust between the squared bars of a mail cage, is momentarily stuck, so he pulls out and instead uses the handgun in his other hand to shoot the animal. It reverts back to man in death, a bullet through his heart.
“You’re protecting them?” demands Lucky’s friend, “after what I did for you? I gave you your life back! But them–you’re nothing to them. You’re a dog!” Lucky punches him, hurting his hand. Mandy watches, horrified. “I was gonna turn ’em, but now I’m gonna kill ’em.” He punches Lucky, who hits his head against the window in the office door where Mandy waits with her son. A dog leaps to attack Lucky. Sam shoots it in mid-air; it falls, turning back into a man. Lucky faces his ex-friend, turns to look at Mandy through the door, then morphs into a dog. “LUCKY?” squeaks Mandy, stunned. “So you think this is going to be a dog fight,” says the other guy, “I’ve got a better idea.” He shoots Lucky, who falls, whimpering, in pain. Mandy covers her mouth in horror. “Silver bullet, Lucky,” chortles the other man, about to administer one to the heart, but Dean gets him first. Only Lucky remains alive. Sam checks his ammo and heads over to finish him off, too, but when he gets there, Lucky is gone. Only a blotch of blood remains, puzzling Sam, who exchanges a look with a freaked-out Mandy through the cracked glass of the door.
Hesitating, human Lucky knocks at Mandy’s door. She peers at him unhappily through the half-closed door. He backs up, waving his arms in surrender. “Look, I’m not here to bother you,” he says, “I just wanna say one thing. You and Aiden–you’re the only family I’ve ever had, and I know that sounds. . .I know. . .I know what I am. It’s just that no one’s ever been so nice to me before, so. . .thank you.” “Get away from this house, you psycho,” orders Mandy, a disgusted expression on her face, “and if you ever, ever come near me or my son ever again, so help me. . .” “I know I probably deserve. . .” begins Lucky, but she closes the door in his face. Despondent, he leaves. When Mandy looks outside, all she sees is a pile of clothes on her patio and Lucky, the dog, padding off alone across the street, tail down. (This made me feel inexorably sad. Lucky would have been contented to remain their dog until the day he died. I doubt he would have been able to ever turn them, signal be damned.)
Sam and Dean bring their take-out food to a table. A woman jogging with her dog passes by. “I’ll never look at a dog the same,” says Dean–“makes you wonder, though, how many packs are out there–what if they’re all just waitin’ for the signal?” “So,” says Sam, “you were right–I’m not your brother. I’m not Sam. All that blah blah blah about being the old me–crap. Like, Lisa and Ben, right–I’ve been acting like I care about them–but I don’t. I couldn’t care less.” “Is this supposed to make me feel better?” asks Dean uneasily. “You wanted the real me,” Sam reminds him, “this is it. I don’t care about them; I don’t really care about you, except that I need your help, and you’re clearly not going to stick around for much longer unless I give it to you straight, so, I’ve done a lot worse than you know. I’ve killed innocent people in the line of duty, but I’m pretty sure it’s not something the old me could have done. Maybe I SHOULD feel guilty, but I don’t.” “Sam, get to the punchline,” says Dean, not about to laugh at THIS. “Look, I don’t know if how I am is better or worse,” says Sam, “it’s different– you get the job done and nothing really hurts. It’s not the worst thing, but, I’ve been thinking, I was that other Sam for a really long time, and it was kinda harder, but there are also things about it I remember that– let’s just say I should probably go back to being him.” Dean gazes at Sam for a long moment and says, “That’s very interesting. It’s a step.” “So?” says Sam. “We do what we gotta do,” says Dean, as though speaking to a stranger, “and we get my brother back.” Sam nods. Dean’s forehead is extremely crinkled. They’re sitting at a picnic table by the water and have come to a decision that Dean seems uncertain about.
Stream of consciousness: The opening scene made me laugh. Why? In real life, I babysit dogs, going to owners’ homes to care for their pets. What the man was asking on the phone, especially about peepees and poopoos, reminds me so much of what dogs’ owners all want to know! And many owners will actually want to TALK to their dogs on the phone and ask me to hold it up to their dogs’ ear! What happens to this guy, being mysteriously killed by SOMETHING, was really pretty horrible, especially since we didn’t see WHAT killed him. SUPERNATURAL is very good at scaring us by showing us nothing, just letting us hear terrible things, then showing us a glut of blood. Great opening, show!
Yes, I howled when Crowley told Dean to give Bobby a kiss. I still see Bobby and Crowley kissing to seal their deal, and it’s one of the funniest memories ever! “Shove your job up your ass.” “Dick bag.” Dean doesn’t spare the dirty language on Crowley, and the demon doesn’t spare the pain or the words–hostage, thug–or actions–giving Sam a third degree burn–when showing Dean he means business. Thing is, we know Crowley, and his promises aren’t worth dingus! Dean notes Crowley is so far up their asses, they’re coughing sulfur, while Sam says he has them by the short and curlies.
Is it me, or is the language a lot saltier in this episode? Like when Sam said, “We’re specialists–they call us in to answer the questions of mouth-breathing dick monkeys.” I was wondering if he was channeling Uriel, because it sure didn’t sound like SAM! The way Sam was conducting ALL the interrogations was positively scary, and I’m sure Dean noticed! I was thinking to myself that LAW AND ORDER: SVU really needs a new DA, and Sam would be perfect!
Sam is all set to “bag” Cal, even though the evidence against him isn’t solid. Dean hesitates to hand Cal over to a lifetime of demon rape, even if he is a dirt-bag, so they observe him on a nightlong drunken party, leave, and miss his being ripped apart by Lucky the dog who turns into a man and back into a dog so he can snuggle beside Mandy. It’s all pretty shocking, creepy and weird, and with the gore and Sam’s peculiar behavior, well, this one is a nerve-wringer!
Now we know that Lucky is a dog-man, and he is watching Mandy in the shower and lusting for her. Did he kill Cal so he could have her to himself? Icky, but perhaps better than Cal. Sam and Dean must now surmise MANDY is the werewolf, and Sam doubts Dean can hand her over to Crowley. The fact that Mandy has had a sleepless night with her flu-stricken son gives her an alibi, even though Sam is sure she’s lying. He remembers Madison wolfing out when she was in bed with him, something I was surprised the soulless Sam recalled at all, no less with such passion. Dean is reluctant to leave Sam alone to watch Mandy, but he does, and Sam witnesses Lucky’s astonishing transformation from dog into man. Sam runs after Lucky, keeping up with him very well even after the man discards his clothing and turns into the dog, and it was really cute the way Sam tried to claim that was HIS dog being carted away in the van. (Especially since we know how much Jared loves dogs and has two of his own.)
Sam and Dean were at cross-purposes throughout this episode, but I doubt very much Dean’s ability to run so nimbly and jump over fences the way Sam did. I was really in awe!
I have no idea why Sam felt it necessary to be so nasty to Lucky–tossing the ball, baiting him about playing with his food, talking to him like he’s REALLY a dog–it wasn’t necessary. Does having no soul also make you mean? Sam was instantly ready to resort to using the knife, but Dean decided to try honey first, and it worked.
What I’m confused about, and perhaps you all can help me with this–was Lucky a dog to begin with, or a man? It sounds like he was a homeless man who was turned into a dog, am I right? He was bitten by one of these skin-walkers and turned into this man-dog creature. Is that how it went?
So Dean convinces Lucky to help the people he loves, putting himself in danger. When Sam suggests risking lives in order to get back his soul, Dean realizes this isn’t Sam–it’s got his body and brain, “but it’s not you, so just stop pretending and do us both a favor.” That hurt me, it really did, but I understood why Dean said it. In this episode, it’s almost as if Sam has given up all pretense; his “clothing” has come off and the dog underneath is not the sweet puppy Sam of the past. This is a pit bull trained for fighting in a killer ring, every ounce of humanity drained from him. It’s killing me. I want the old Sam back so badly, I’m aching for him! What more proof do we need than to hear Dean call his brother DEXTER? We know who Dexter is and what he does, but Dexter kills the bad guys only when the law doesn’t do so!
Sam says if he were Lucky, he would double-cross him and Dean, and apparently Sam doesn’t believe the love Lucky feels for Mandy and Aidan is reason enough for Lucky to go ahead with the plan. OH, SAMMY!!!!
While Sam and Dean dispense with the skin-walkers, Lucky does his best to save the only family he has known and loved. Turns out his killings were not sanctioned by the pack, so he’s in big trouble. They want him to turn Mandy and her son, now, in front of the group. She, of course, has no clue what’s going on, not even when Lucky the man is trying to save her and Aidan.
Lucky comes out of this with his life, but Mandy calls him a psycho and orders him to keep away from her and her son, so he loses everything else. She sees Lucky walking away sadly, but whether or not she really knows what happened, I’m not sure. Any way you slice it, Lucky is homeless again, so his ending is a sad one. I felt terrible for him, because I really believe he never would have been able to harm either Mandy or Aidan. He loved them!
As for the final scene between Sam and Dean, I got horrific chills up and down my spine as Sam calmly told his brother, “I don’t really care about you, except that I need your help.” I was holding my breath when Sam said, “Look, I don’t know if how I am is better or worse–it’s different–you get the job done and nothing really hurts. It’s not the worst thing, but, I’ve been thinking, I was that other Sam for a really long time, and it was kinda harder, but there are also things about it I remember that–let’s just say I should probably go back to being him.” I was TERRIFIED that Sam was going to say, “I’ve decided I like myself better this way and I don’t want Crowley to return my soul to me.” Argggh! Don’t TOY with me, show!!!
ALL DOGS GO TO HEAVEN – When Dean and Sam were killed in DARK SIDE OF THE MOON, both of them went to heaven. Sam was stunned that he was sent there, given the depth of his hellish mistakes, but he did, and once there, Ash told them that some people go as soulmates, hinting, I think, that Sam and Dean were going to end up in heaven that way. Given how far apart they are now, it’s hard to imagine them ending up soulmates on earth OR in heaven, but this title tells us that all DOGS go to heaven. I don’t think they’re talking about the evil skin-walkers here, but the gentle Lucky should get a shot, at least I think so. And Sam, our puppy, once so sweet and innocent, forced to kill Madison because she had turned into a werewolf through no fault of her own and there was no other way. Sam will get his soul back because he has a big brother who still loves him and won’t give up. Even if Dean has to go to hell to get it back, his puppy brother Sammy will go to heaven someday, soul intact. Dean may feel like whoever is sitting shotgun right now is a stranger, but they have a common goal, and who has EVER beaten the Winchesters under those circumstances? No one!
I must confess, I’m not quite sure how I feel about this episode. I didn’t get home from the emergency vet office until 9:30, and I sat down, still stunned from saying goodbye to my dog, and watched the show from the DVR, skipping commercials, always a blessing. The first viewing confused me, never a good thing, but the second made the story clearer. I found Sam something he hasn’t been this season—nasty, obnoxious and trigger-happy! I loved Crowley, but I always do. He was forthright about his wants, added in a little torture to make his point and went on his way. Always fun at the party, right? I felt sorry for Lucky, poor doggy. I don’t know whether or not to hope he finds a new home. Now I’m looking at my dog Bugsy and wondering. I’m glad Sam and Dean did away with the pack of skin-walkers. They had evil intentions and deserved to be blown away.
1. Was Lucky just a regular man before he was turned? Did the bite turn him into a skin-walker/dog?
2. How did you feel about Sam in this episode? Was he really getting on your nerves? What about his confession to Dean at the end—did it make the hair on the back of your neck stand up?
3. Do you REALLY think Crowley will give the Winchesters back Sam’s soul for only ONE Alpha? I don’t! Look how hard Bobby had to work to get his soul back!
4. Do you think Mandy realized Lucky and that man were the same person? Where and how did the wounded Lucky get away before Sam shot him?
5. Did you like this episode? I think this was another Sam/Dean comparison with the monster of the week ep, but it’s hard for me to concentrate on it the way I normally would because we lost Snaps the same night. I can’t believe the coincidence that this episode was about dogs and families and Snaps chose this night and time to have his worst seizure yet. Believe it or not, he had his second seizure two weeks ago, ALSO during SUPERNATURAL!
First of all: I’m sorry for your loss. I don’t know what it feels like to lose a dog like that, but it must be very hard for you.
About the episode: 1. Yes, Lucky was a regular man before he “turned” and the bite did turn him into a skinwalker.
2. Sam was being a total dick. It makes sense to me, considering the fact he doesn’t care at all about other people’s feelings and just wants to get the job done. But he also seemed to enjoy his nasty behavior towards Lucky, which was interesting.
I liked the last scene where he was being honest about himself. To me, it didn’t come as a surprise when Sam said he doesn’t care about Dean. It was shocking to hear him say it, but it does make sense. And I feel Sam and Dean are getting more on the same page now – and that is definitely a progress. Plus, I must say I enjoy Jared’s portrayal of soulless Sam, he’s doing it very well!
3. Basically, I’m about 90% sure Crowley won’t keep his promise. I just don’t think it will be that “easy” for the Winchesters to retrieve Sam’s soul.
Overall, I did not like this episode very much. It had good moments, like the last scene with Sam’s confession and the scene where they capture and interrogation Lucky. But the episode itself wasn’t very good. The show can do SO much better!
But I think the next episode is totally going to make up for this one(don’t worry, I’m not going to spoil anyone) but I will say I am looking forward to it!
As has already been said, Lucky was a human turned skinwalker. I’m finding both brothers are getting on my nerves. Dean’s wanting to call Lisa but not is bugging me. Sam, I am finding somewhat amusing, but I am sick of soulless Sam. I may be the only person in fandom who doesn’t feel sorry for Lucky. He killed three people, none of whom was posing a direct threat to his “family”, plus he was a man watching Mandy undress and bathe and that was just creepy to me.
I don’t trust Crowley either about returning Sam’s soul and I think there is probably more going on about Sam’s soul anyway. I hope beyond hope that the Sam’s soul part of the story goes away either just before or just after Hellatus, but I am really afraid that we won’t get Sam’s soul until the end of episode 22 at which time the cliffhanger (assuming we are renewed) will be “Is Sam’s soul demonic after all those years in Hell”, because hey, the show has never done an “is Sam evil?” before.
I am very sorry about your dear Snapple. I had to put my beloved RJ down last July, he was only 11, and it was devastating. Glad you have another dog to share your love with (oh, yes, and your husband 😀 ) for that helps to keep the heart open.
This is season that has as its motto, trust no one. Obviously that means Crowley and thus far has meant Samuel although I’m much more sympathetic. I have to wonder though how far the writers intend this ‘trust no one’. I’d like to trust what Sam has ‘fessed up to, and his now seeming truthfulness. I’d also like to trust that Castiel, while dealing with his civil war, will not betray the brothers and frankly, can we trust that Sam is Sam and Dean is Dean???? Oh, don’t get me going there. I’ll trust what I see until I can’t any longer. Further, while they say trust no one, I do trust that the writers know what they’re doing.
Thanks for your rambles in the midst of your sorrow.
I’m sorry about your Snapple. I’m not an animal person, but I won’t go out of my way to hurt one who isn’t a sure rabid threat. I also know what it’s like to lose someone/something one loves…Some say animals don’t go to heaven because they don’t have human souls, but I prefer to differ. They’re not human, yes, but I think they deserve that beautiful Park-in-the-Sky as well as any human.
Re Epi 6×8:
*The Big Thing w/c really hit me this episode is, “Why does RoboSam want Sam’s soul?” I’m not asking “why does RoboSam want his soul back?”
–Episode 3 established that the Angel or Demon who owns a lot of souls has more trading power. What if Crowley sent this RoboSam to get Dean’s soul? And through Dean, the real Sam’s soul? He’d get the two Vessels of the Apocalypse.
–So what is RoboSam? Can he be an Homunculus? “An artificial human or automaton created by the alchemist.” Granted, homunculi are always written as 12 inches high, but we’re dealing with Crowley here.
To some of your questions:
2. Yes, NewSam got on my nerves and he did make the hair at the back of my neck stand up.
3. No, Crowley is lying. My answer is tied up to the Big Thing I mentioned. If Crowley is the King of Hell, and I don’t think he is, how come he needs humans to get Alphas? He could just use them as bait to get the Alphas. But as workers? Nah.
I think there are other contenders to the throne of Hell and Crowley boy is just trying to seal his bid by getting powerful souls.
4. Do you think Mandy realized Lucky and that man were the same person? Where and how did the wounded Lucky get away before Sam shot him?
Mandy was undecided about this, I think. Who took Lucky away from Sam? How about Dean? Maybe he wanted to give Lucky a chance to present his case to Mandy and become a family friend. Or, having an idea now what it’s like to be hunted, Dean wanted another decent yet misguided human-turned-supernatural being to remain free and have another chance at Life. (Perhaps Dean, in honor of his brother Sam, bittersweetly remembered the kindness his Sam did for the vegetarian vampire in S3.)
5. Did I like this episode? YES and No. It’s got my “hunting blood” up and I won’t be satisfied until I know the real score. So far, SPN6 has been stomach-twistingly complicated, exciting. But it also makes me sad because I miss the old Dean-Sam relationship…The boys are hotter than usual…The show has given all the actors much needed muscle to show off their talents, which I love.
The last part of your comment: “I think this was another Sam/Dean comparison with the monster of the week ep, but it’s hard for me to concentrate on it the way I normally would because we lost Snaps the same night. I can’t believe the coincidence that this episode was about dogs and families and Snaps chose this night and time to have his worst seizure yet. Believe it or not, he had his second seizure two weeks ago, ALSO during SUPERNATURAL!”
I feel it may not be coincidental. Perhaps your experience, terrible as it was, is meant to illuminate this epi a little for your readers? You care for Snaps, who is not human. Your experience helps us sympathize with what happened to you and how you feel for Snaps.
SPN6 is making us care for a Soulless Sam as well as for other supernatural beings who have been hunted or will be hunted because they were/are different. (Well, we care for the nice ones anyway.) Flaky opinion, if you like, but the Universe tends to work in mysterious ways.
(Does anyone find the ‘sleeper-cell’ comment made by Dean a random one? Reminded me of a comment I read in this website that SPN may be a post-9/11 comment by Kripke et al.)
Sorry for any rambling comments I made.
Me again. The title is intriguing, btw.
“All Dogs Go To Heaven” — If applied to humans and our differences (good and bad), could it be read as “All Roads Lead to the Divine”?
First, I’m sorry to hear about the loss of Snapple. My wife had a dog which she raised for 15 years, and I remember how devastated she was when her dog passed away.
Secondly, thank you for the article. Your description of soul-less Sam as “obnoxious” definitely provides food for thought. It’s not an altogether inaccurate description, in my view.
Finally, I’ll just put up a quick thought on your last quiz question – “Did you like this episode?”. I thought it was a fairly decent episode, with some very nice moments, and some wickedly funny lines. 🙂
Robin, my condolences for Snapple. I have a horse and two dogs myself, and you always hope they’ll live forever even though you that’s not the case. Hugs to you and your family.
As for Lucky, I got from the episode that he was a homeless man turned skinwalker. The main reason I would say this has to be the case is because when he was in dog shape, he had human qualities. I would think if it was the other way, when he was in human shape he would have had dog behaviour, not just heighten smell, and reflexes.
I really enjoyed this episode. It drew me in and I was surprised when I realized the episode was over, not noticing the time pass. I found Jared’s acting excellent and I thought it was hilarious when Sam was taunting Lucky. I wonder what that says about me?
I am loving the season so far. The whole puzzle of what is going on, what happened to Sam’s soul, the Alphas…..I’m in brain teaser heaven.
Crowley? I don’t believe he’ll give Sam’s soul back. Look at what Bobby had to do to get his soul back, and that was after Crowley promised to give it back. They are going to have to outsmart Crowley to get it.
I wanted to thank all of you who offered me condolences on Snaps’ death. I appreciate that more than you can possibly know. Having a dog who loves you unconditionally for 15 years is a gift so beautiful, when you lose it, you can’t help but grieve like you have lost a person.
If you go to Alice’s review of “All Dogs Go to Heaven,” I have some additional comments on this episode and season 6 in general.
Thanks for reading!
Love,
Robin
Robin, I’m so sorry about Snapple. Losing a pet is so rough if you love them like family (I do). Having something to focus on at least gives you a brief break from the grief. I thought you did an awesome job on your recap.
Always the last, I am. Really sorry about your puppy. I know the feeling and no matter how many times you go through it, it NEVER gets any easier for those left behind. My sincere condolences for Snapple