Recap – “Appointment In Samarra”
Whoo hoo, midseason finale recap. This has ended up being one of the most challenging ones ever to recap. There’s a lot of nonverbal glares and glances that left me guessing and were often difficult to interpret. Hopefully I got it right.
Any episode that starts with a glory shot wins. In this case, the Impala pulling up to a colorful vegetable stand with colorful canopies all around. That black beauty looks awesome in daylight with a colorful background. What looks even prettier, the driver. Dean gets out and sees the address on the canopy across the street. 230. He checks it with his note. Yep, that’s it. Except I don’t think he was expecting a Chinese butcher shop. His “You’ve got to be kidding me,” is the clue. Apprehensive Dean walks in the butcher shop where an oriental man is cutting up some impressive chunks of meat. Dean doesn’t have to say much before he’s told to “go all the way back.” I guess the butcher knows who’s a serious customer and who’s a hunter. It’s like shooting fish in a barrel. Luckily there’s a buzzer close by so he can alert yet still remain productive. Got to admire an efficient operation.
Apparently, efficient doesn’t mean clean. Dean goes through the back door, up some stairs, and notices the sticky grime on the railing. Dean was expecting something different in Chinatown? Where did he think he was, Epcot? Out of the back room door comes Freddie Krueger, I mean, Robert Englund. With a beard and glasses. Got to love the crossover casting idea, using a horror icon like this in a horror TV show. Too bad it was a small part. Anyway, judging by his greeting of “Dean Winchester,” I’d say Dean was expected. Dean isn’t as happy to see him, for he’s still a bit nervous about this visit. Oh lighten up Dean, it’s not like you haven’t died before.
Dean calls Freddy “Dr. Robert.” That’s funny too. That’s an actual Beatles song about a doctor that gave them all their “drugs,” not to mention was a known supplier for lots of other celebrities. I think John Lennon called it one of the worst songs he’s ever written. Either that or “And Your Bird Can Sing.” Or both. Anyway, Dr. Robert is all happy to see Dean, coming over and patting his shoulders. “Son, I stitched up your daddy more times than I can count.” Then he grabs Dean’s cheeks. Dean just smiles uncomfortably, like an awkward relative is touching him. He’s certainly a lot more warm and fuzzy than your actual relatives Dean. Considering your brother and grandfather have both tried to kill you recently, yeah. Oh wait, he is going to kill you. Ah well, I like him.
“Of course that was ages ago, before I still had my medical license.” Dean is definitely not comfy now. He follows Dr. Robert to the back room anyway. Desperate times I guess. “Well you know, I’m no germ freak, but-” But, it’s a freaking bacteria infested pig sty? Dr. Robert has no issue. “The rent’s cheap.” What else is cheap, Dr. Robert’s assistant. She’s a snarling Goth princess that knows how to work an IV. Dr. Robert calls her Eva, but I think she looks like a Beulah. Dean finally brings forth his apprehensions, asking if the doctor has done this a lot. Oh yes, he’s quite proud of it. Dean, obviously not learning from the past, asks what the success rate is anyway. Oh Dean, isn’t that the hunter’s rule, never ask the odds? Oh, maybe that was Han Solo. Doctor Robert boasts it’s excellent. “Almost 75 percent.” You know, that is far better odds than Han Solo got.
Dr. Robert wants to get the preliminaries about of the way, aka, where’s his dough? Dean hands him the envelope full of cash. Gee Dean, you want to know how many people are willing to kill you for free? Oh, but they won’t try to bring you back. Dean also has thought about what happens if this doesn’t work. He has his farewell letter. It’s addressed to, Ben? Who lives in Battle Creek now? I’ve been there, since I grew up in the state and all. The only thing there is the Kellogg’s Headquarters and factory. I took the tour once. You want to know how boring a cereal factory is? The tiny free sample wasn’t worth it, especially since it was Special K. Wouldn’t you give a kid Fruit Loops or Frosted Flakes or something?
Anyway, Dr. Robert notes what we’re all shouting at the TV, that Dean would have had something for his brother Sam. Dean says just about the saddest thing I’ve ever heard him say, even though it’s bitingly accurate. “If I don’t make it back, nothing I say is going to mean a damn thing to him.” Way to crush my heart into little pieces Dean, and you’re not even dead yet. Maybe you are on the inside. Yikes, that makes me feel worse! Stop that me!
Beulah pushes Dean down onto the table with a scowl and sticks a needle in a vein in his arm without hesitation. She got it without even having to search for a vein. Either Dean got lucky, or she really knows what she’s doing. Dean isn’t as impressed as I, probably because she tells him not to be a baby when he yelps in pain. I know, men just can’t take pain. “A little bedside manner would be nice,” Dean says. That only earns him another scowl. Gee Dean, I don’t think you paid for the beside manner option. Next time, go for the deluxe package. I bet it comes with a slutty blonde nurse in complete costume.
Dr. Robert has the magic stuff in the needle and is ready to begin. Dean goes back to being really scared and nods. The doctor tells him he’s got three minutes and injects the needle contents into his IV. The heartbeat on the monitor, which must be really old since it has beeps, gets really fast and then flatlines. Dean’s eyes roll to the back of his head and he drops back on the table, dead. Gee, I really need to dig for my scorecard to see how many times he’s died. The issue is, do you count “Mystery Spot” as one or several hundred? It boggles the mind. It’s number one for season six.
The doctor, for those of us that don’t know what flatlining means, announces he’s dead. Thanks for the newsflash, Edison (yeah, I had to use that). Suddenly ghost Dean is looking over dead Dean. I guess he’s in too much of a hurry to freak about it, calling it “good times.” Gee, I hate to see what bad times are. Oh right, being turned into a Vampire while your brother watches with a smirk. Dean goes into the butcher shop, stands there, and hopes whatever he’s about to try will work. Man, it would be a bummer if he went through all this and Tessa didn’t show. Dean chants one sentence of something in what I surmise is Enochian and boom, guess who’s behind him. Great seeing you again Tessa!
Needless to say, Tessa, ain’t happy to see him. She was in the Sudan. You know Tessa, this might be an improvement. Then it dawns on her. Why is Dean dead? Well he needs a favor, why do you think? She can’t believe he died just to ask her a favor. Yeah, those crazy ass Winchesters. Dean talks quick for he knows he doesn’t have time. He wants to talk to her boss, aka, DEATH. This is where I do Grandpa Simpson’s impersonation of pointing to everything calling it “deaaatttthhh.” Tessa flat out says no. She’s offended he has such nerve. “Desperate times,” Dean answers. That’s for sure! Tessa says Death calls them, they don’t call him. Dean pushes, asking the infamous “can’t or won’t.” Both. Lucky for Tessa, Death is bored and likes Dean. Suddenly he’s there, giving the infamous “Hello Dean.” You know, kind of like “Hello Newman” but with 800 percent more creepiness.
Hi Alice
I love your recap. Reading it was like TV in my head.
But one thing: Jon didn´t made the 1st deal, Mary did with YED to get John back and condemned Sam in doing so.
Hey Alice – loved your recap, as always. This was such a great episode. So happy that Sam got his soul back and looking forward to see the end result. Didn’t think it was going to happen though, so I was pleasantly surprised.
I think the most powerful scene in this whole episode and not a word was spoken, were the looks that Dean and Sam gave each other while Dean was looking through the Panic Room door. I also felt that right then and there Dean had decided that he couldn’t let this Sam live. He had to do what his father warned him about way back at the beginning of Season 2. If he couldn’t save him, he would have to kill him. And Dean had finally come to the point where he could no longer save Sam and he was bound to do the unthinkable. He had to kill this Sam because he would continue to kill innocents, and most likely, at some point, probably Dean as well. I don’t think that Dean would relegate this task to Bobby though. This would be something that Dean would HAVE to do. Yes, I felt very badly for Dean as well. To have to kill the one person you loved more than yourself. Truly heartbreaking. And so he goes upstairs to collect himself and mentally and emotionally prepare for the task at hand. Thankfully, Death appears and changes this course of action. Yay Death! I hope we see him again. I love him. Can’t wait now to see what happens in the new year.
Great recap for a great episode. This episode merits many viewings for all the stuff that happens without a word being spoken, as well as for magnificent snark from many of the characters. After six years, I am still astounded that these boys can make the most out-there events and concepts feel so real. I’m not sure even the holidays are worth having to wait for the next step in the journey!
Tee-hee: When I read your response to Junkerin above, I chortled – I went on at length in my show blog this time about just how extreme a violation of the natural order the Winchester brothers are! If you want to read, it’s here: http://bardicvoice.livejournal.com/71754.html
Fun recap! Not so fun hellatus … can’t wait for 28 Jan!!
Thanks for all your lovely articles over the past year, Alice; I love coming here to WinFamBusiness, and just wish I could do it more often. Happy holidays!
Just to be redundant Alice, I loved your recap!
I like how you help out a depressing episode (not that it wasn’t awesome) by giving a humourous slant to it.
Yes, Dean was left with no choice at all but to kill his shell of a brother. So glad Death has taken an interest in the boys and came through. That would have finished Dean no doubt, and probably he would have finished himself afterwards. Can’t have that!
Such a long wait for the next episode when we see the real Sam for the first time this season.
And Mary (Bardicvoice) I just want to tell you how much I enjoy your reviews and have enjoyed them for a few years now. You always make sense of everything and bring it all into perspective. So thanks to you for that. 🙂
The guys may be an affront to the natural order, but I wouldn’t want it any other way! It is hard to imagine the past 6 years without the Winchesters in my life. In this holiday season, I am thankful for this show & these characters, & all of you wonderful people who are as crazy-obsessed with this show as I am! Merry Christmas!!
P.S. Great recap Alice! I think I didn’t breath during that stare-down between the brothers at the panic room door; that moment really got to me too.
my english is not enough to post my thoughts, but i am a devoted reader.. thanks alice and all for the wonderful articles and for this amazing place! buon natale e felice 2011 😉
What would make an episode I love even better?
The recap by Alice. 😀
It has been a long time since we began an episode with one of the boys in the middle of doing something, we have no idea what is going on and have to figure it out as we go.
Also, we tend to forget that John was doing this a long time ago and it is nice to see Sam and Dean rely on one of John’s contacts. It keeps John’s memory alive, even four (five) years after his death.
Just a side question. Alice, who goes on a tour of a cereal factory??? I rather go to a chocolate factory. 😆
Honestly, if Dean had sent a ‘goodbye’ letter to the Soulless One, do you think he would have cared? When Dean was being ‘abducted by aliens’, all the Soulless One was interested in was a little nookie. 👿
When Death is bored, he hangs out with his new BFF Dean Winchester, how cool is that. 😀
SUPERNATURAL is such a cool show, that it’s secondary characters are a lot cooler than the main characters on most mainline shows. Also, what other show can bring back dead characters and nobody thinks that is strange.
Plus, what other show can bring back characters from three or four years ago, and makes fans cheer. No other show. 😀 😀
Let me go out on the limb and ask you Alice, If they created a fan club for Death, would you want to be the president? 😆
‘Dean instantly picks Adam’ 😆 I think that when Death told Dean to pick, all the fans said ‘DAH’ 😆
When it comes to Sam’s well being, Dean’s balls are as large as watermelons. 😆 😆
‘Desperate times’, I like that even though Sam and Dean aren’t seeing eye to eye (for now), they still think on the same wavelength.
The Soulless One obviously never really cared about Dean, all he cared about was himself. That is why Bobby never stood a chance against him. He was going to do whatever it took to keep his soul out. Dean had no choice, after the Soulless One went after Bobby, John’s words finally came true: save Sam or kill him. The Soulless One could not be allowed to live as is. I think that when Death showed up, Dean was steeling himself to kill Sam. If that had happened, I think that Dean would have then just told Bobby to leave the room, and Dean would have taken care of the Soulless One and put a bullet into his own head.
Usually Bobby’s scenes are the ones played for the comedy, but in this episode, Dean’s scenes are the funny ones, with Bobby in the serious life and death scenes.
I love the ‘Dead like Me’ vibe, I got from the scenes of Death!Dean. Dean had to know that it was too easy to last and that the job was going to get tougher.
You want Dean to do something, don’t tell him it is ‘destiny’, because he will just do the opposite of what you want him to.
Does Bobby only have one closet in that whole house? Even though, it now has a handy nearby trapdoor. 😀
Hey Soulless One, Bobby did not get old and grizzly by being stupid. 😀
It all comes back to ‘what am I supposed to do’, and it always end with a death or near death of a Winchester.
Alice, I agree completely with you, at the end hearing Sam yell, I felt bad for Dean and Bobby. You know that Dean was dying inside hearing Sam yell, but he had to be strong knowing that this would bring his Sammy back.
Goodbye Soulless One, don’t let the door hit you in the ass as you leave. 😀 😀
I’ve said it before, I LOVE THIS EPISODE, and I love this recap. 😀 😀
Reading your reviews are fun. I mean really fun. All kinds of excitement and love for the SPN is breathed into these, and reminds me all over again why I love this show.
Getting rid of RoboSam and getting back SoulSam was my one wish before hellatus set in. As such, I’m not feeling the fever as usual. Sammy is back, in one form or another, and this pleases me.
Now I’m going to break my resolution (again) and speculate a bit. It’s not a new idea, I’ve read it from some other commenter’s, but I think that Sam may not have been as flayed as we’re being led to believe. Why?
Well, it’s 90% wishful thinking. I don’t want SoulSammy to have been made the torture toy of two arch angels. 9% comes from the writers not taking the path they’ve hinted at (in this case screamed) in the past. Though they have been (often) known to take the path they tell us they will take. Dean going to hell for instance. How many actually believed it when the show told us again and again that there was no way out of the deal for Dean? Umm, right, trying to sell my theory here, not undermine it. Onward.
The last 1% of my speculation comes from what little we know about Michael. Sure, it makes perfect sense that he’d involve himself in a furious and eternal beat down of SamSoul. I buy it. BUT…yes, but. What little we know of Michael (other than the fact that he’s a destiny driven dic) is that he characterizes himself as the good and obedient son. It is who he is, how he defines himself. Lucifer rebelled and became the bad son, and therefore Enemy Number One.
Now, quite suddenly and unexpectedly, Michael finds himself in hell’s cage. Well blast! Major suckage. Now what? He’d probably be more than willing to throw Sam on the rack, but that was doubtlessly Lucifer’s first move. Maybe, just maybe Michael decided to protect Sam (and Adam) just to keep himself differentiated from Lucifer. “You are the bad son, I am the good son. This is my Father’s creation and I will protect him from you because that is all I have left.†Micheal seemed pretty dead set on the idea that he and Little Bro were supposed to duke it out. Why wouldn’t he carry that determination with him into the cage?
Now, I can’t imagine, if this is the case (oh how I hope!), that it would be any picnic for Sam (and Adam) to find themselves in the midst of a tug-o-war between two powerful and absolute creatures. But it certainly beats the alternative.
This theory, as weak as it is, would open up a whole new set of angst for Sammy. I mean, we all know (or I could be assuming, sorry if I am putting words/thoughts in others mouths) that Sam is going to scratch at that wall. So the wall comes down and he recalls Michael battling madly to keep him from Lucifer’s clutches. (I’m picturing a sort of angel-esque Gandalf moment of “YOU SHALL NOT PASS?!†happening.) Which would turn Michael into a sort of protector/big brother/battle buddy for Sam. Now I’m getting way ahead of myself, but I’m not wanting Sam to have spent the past…what would it be? Well over a hundred hell-years, being worked over. I just don’t want it to be?!
And this ran long again. I need to learn how to write in Cliff Notes.
Thanks again for the review Alice!
Yvonne, I think you may be on to something. Nobody knew what went on inside the cage except for Lucifer!Sam, and Michael!Adam. I like the idea of Michael deciding that enough is enough, and putting himself between Lucifer and Sam’s soul & Adam.
Even though it may be wishful thinking, even Death thought that Sam’s soul was a wreck, that is why he came up with the whole ‘build a wall’ idea.
Then when Sam pokes holes in the wall (and we all know that he will) and memories of Hell leak out, they won’t be as painful as everyone said that they would be.
Is it January 28th yet??????????
I thin the’ll be painful, yes (just for the drama), but Sammy will find that he’s more resistent than he thought, because Death mentioned the strength of souls.
BTW, how are you supposed to scratch something that is inside your mind??
Oh my, sorry for the typing mistakes. 😳 My English is not wonderful, but it’s not THAT bad either. 😯 I guess I’m just too excited for my own good.
Thank you for this very enjoyable recap. 🙂
I love Sam to pieces but I want Sam went through to be real no matter how hard it is. One reason is in times past on the show Sams trauma has been fobbed off . What Sam did has to mean something , he ended up Souless because of that sacrifice . Now he is whole again and I DONT want another fob off by the show. It is heartbreaking to think of Sams soul being in there and suffering but it would be a change for people to be heartbroken on Sams behalf . I would not be impressed if the show after what they have established and honestly I dont think Michael would be the slightest bit interested in protecting Sam that they turned round and did something different .
I dont’ think Michael is so much protective and kind. He’s basically a d*ck, like almost all the angels we have known, he thinks only to fulfill the “prophecies”. And he’s an archangel, the “most powerful and terrible force of the universe”, so I guess his wrath is not something to be dismissed easily.
Now, we know he wanted, with all of his strenght and heart and mind, to battle with Lucifer, to kill his little brother and to establish the heavenly (= God’s, in his mind) victory once and for all, even if this would cause a “disruption on global scale”, just to quote an (in)famous author.
BUT this has been stopped. HE has been stopped. So, in his mind, Heaven’s (God’s) victory has been forbidden to happen. And WHO is the responsible for that? Sam Winchester, of course (and Dean too). Somehow I don’t think Michael is too happy for that. Somehow I don’t think that his thoughts about Sam, down there in the Cage, are all of care and protection.
Sam Winchester provoked the WRATH of TWO ARCHANGELS. TWO, not just one. HIs time in the Cage mustn’t have been a pleasure holiday.
Oh dear, it seems that I have managed a miscommunication. My apologies! I never meant to posit that Michael was not angry at Sam or that he wasn’t a dic or that he has suddenly turned into someone nice. No. Nononono! Eee gads!
My 1% speculation rests on him being in need to keep his identity as a ‘good’ son. The only avenue now allowed for him to do this is to act differently than Lucifer. Michael has two roads left; 1.anger/revenge against Sam 2. Anger/fight against Lucifer. In this case, he may choose one above the other. I wasn’t thinking of him as wanting to protect Sam, but foil Lucifer.
‘the enemy of my enemy is my friend’.
Ah, blimey, Alice, I am soooooooooo late to this! It was a great joy again to read your recap. I am too sleepy right now to put any coherent thoughts together, so I’m just going to leave it at that: it calmed my mind, I think finally I can find sleep in a night that’s been chasing away any chances of sleep at all so far (just to be sure: I don’t mean that your recap bored me to sleep, eh? ;-), ah, but you know that!)
Cheers, Jas
Hot diggity nancyL, well said. Now where and how can I get my hands on the “how to make a point in under 10 words” manual that you’ve put to such lovely good use? 🙂
@Yvonne
No problem! I was just underlining my view about Sam’s time in the Cage. But it’s just MY view… 😉
Gah, late again, bloody holidays … This is probably rubbish but I’m wondering if the show’s going to pull a Buffy on us and it’ll turn out Sam’s soul wasn’t in the cage at all but somewhere a rather less fraught ( although by the sound of it Heaven’s a bit of a demiliterized zone at the moment … ) I know Death, Crowley, Old Uncle Tom Cobbly and all said that’s where it was but the man said Trust No-One … Hmmn?
@Brynhild
And I’m thinking that your view will be the right one. Mine is me just over-excersizing my protective instincts over the boys. Haven’t they been through enough? I mean really. 🙂