What Episode Have You Changed Your Mind About?
It’s late Monday, I’m busy getting ready to travel to San Francisco this weekend for the Salute To Supernatural convention, and I’m scrambling for topics. While pouring through the comments and trying to find ideas for a quick discussion, I found NancyL recently commented my ancient article (circa season three) the Five Worst Episodes of Supernatural. Oh yeah, that list has changed a bit since then, except for number one.
In going through that list though, I realized I gave “Playthings” an honorable mention. We’ll, after two and a half years, I retract. Now I don’t think it’s a half bad episode at all. It’s grown on me through time. It’s actually proven to be enjoyable to watch, very quote worthy, features some golden moments (fine, drunk and wet Sam), and had a decent balance of humor and mystery, something that season six has been sorely lacking for the most part.
Granted, “Playthings” is not a stellar episode. The mystery is uneven at best, I still don’t care for the guest acting much, and the doll thing was more uncomfortable for me than creepy. The brotherly strife though couldn’t be more perfect and I’m often referring to this episode in that regards for meta analysis. It’s strengthened over time.
Compared to the seasons that have followed, this episode just isn’t all that bad. I can list several that are worse:
Hammer of the Gods
Heaven and Hell
Hammer of the Gods
Family Remains
Hammer of the Gods
Fallen Idols
Hammer of the Gods
Swap Meat
Hammer of the Gods
All Dogs Go To Heaven and…
Hammer of the Gods.
Me thinks an upcoming article will have to revisit a top ten worst episodes list.
So, now it’s your turn! What one “Supernatural” episode (yeah I’m making this hard) is the episode you have most changed your mind about for the better? Something you loathed when you first saw it but have since grown to accept or even like it? Be honest. We’re among friends here.
Oh, it amused me how much you hate Hammer of the Gods. Truly, it does.
As for the episode I have changed my mind about? Well, it’s “Bugs.” Maybe I should really confess and say that I have always liked “Bugs.” And before I get crucified, I get that it’s a completely ridiculous episode with a horrible curse mystery and don’t even get me started on the 5 minutes from midnight till dawn. But all that kind of adds to the charm for me, like it’s so bad, it’s good. I just — I like “Bugs” a lot.
My second choice would be “Metamorphosis.” I didn’t really like that episode much the first time I watched it, but I have come around. I quite enjoy it now, actually, even though the “compare the monster’s situation to Sam’s situation” is kind of heavy handed.
There, did that distract anyone from my confession of love for “Bugs”? Didn’t think so. 🙁
The one that comes to mind reading your article is Exile On Main Street. When I first saw it I was rather displeased. I disliked Sam’s obvious lack of emotion and how Dean and Sam interacted because I was expecting a grand loving moment and all I got was Dean hugging Sam gratefully and Sam’s disturbingly distant face. After the reveal of Sam’s lost soul I have gone back and rewatched what I thought could have been the result of lazy acting or poor writing and have concluded that given the situation it was actually a decent episode.
Pretty well all the season 6 episodes, now that we know Sammy gets his soul back. 🙂
Hmmm, well, off the top of my head, I guess mine would be Route 666. When I first saw it,I don’t know, I just didn’t really like it. It wasn’t just Cassie, although she irks me, I’m not even clear why I didn’t like it. Gooing back now, it’s a love/hate episode for me. The brotherly interaction was amusing (Sam teasing Dean), and it was kind of nice to see Sam help Dean out for once. I didn’t like the ending at first because I felt horrible for Dean, but it all kind of fits together. The episode doesn’t annoy me as much, but I don’t think its ever going to be one of my favorites.
Oh, have fun at the San Francisco Con! I’m going to the LA one in Feb., only because I got the tickets before the SF one was announced. :roll:: LA almost five hours farther than SF, but whatever… Anywho, have a blast! I can’t wait, this will be my first convention ever! 😀
This feels like a confessional! Cuz I’m about to confess. *gulp*
Forgive me Alice for I didn’t like Changing Channels.
I DO NOW THOUGH!!!!
I literally had trouble watching it, almost turned it off several times, but perservered and I’m very glad I did. I uh, also didn’t like “The Real Ghostbusters”. I’m not big on meta stuff. But love that epi now.
And since I’m coming clean here, I like Swap Meat. I enjoy watching Hammer of the Gods, and like Fallen Idols as long as I skip through the part that has a yammering twiggy blonde.
Whew, that feels good to get off my chest. Just goes to show, it takes all flavors to make the fandom.
I really didn’t like Long Distance Call the first time I saw it. I didn’t understand why Dean would fall for that or would want daddy so badly after how he had come to think of John. The only part I liked was the brother moment at the end, the rest left me cold. But now I feel differently. I’ve grown to like this episode and absolutely love that final moment. Now this episode breaks my heart.
The one I absolutely have not change my mind on is Criss Angel Is A Douchebag. It’s difficult for me to say this, but I really don’t like this episode. Even with the moment between the brothers where Sam discusses getting old or Dean and his awkward moment with the Chief. I just do not like this episode and it’s the one I’ve watched the least.
Off your list I’m with you on All Dogs Go To Heaven, Swap Meat and Fallen Idols. I have grown to accept Hammer Of The Gods, purely because of Lucifer who finally showed his true colours.
Interesting! Thanks for making me think about this!
This is a very interesting topic to be thinking about. As for myself, I have to confess that I have grown to love “Bugs”, too. At first, I hated it and watching the episode just once was enough for me. However, I’ve grown quite fond of it over the years. Now, the opposite is true.
The one episode that I still can’t stand “Criss Angel Is A Douchebag”. I just couldn’t get involved in this storyline. It just didn’t work for me.
As for your list, I agree with you on all of them especially Fallen Idols.
“fallen idols” I hated it at first but now watching it again.. it re-solidified sam & dean’s relationship after they separated.. 🙂 although paris hilton still unnerves me.. 🙂 plus I LOVE the quote by sam “he was a .. fruitarian..” lol! plus, dean’s reaction lol!
Well, Alice, you really know how to make me twist my mind, eh? 😉 This is hard to answer, since I never really hated any episode. (And I am, too, very amused how much you hate Hammer of the Gods. And Heaven and Hell. And Hammer of the Gods. And Heaven -oops :o)
I think for me it would be Swap Meat, I guess. Except for the ‘Chrystal, I would love to have the sex with you’ line, at first I didn’t like the concept at all. But, having watched it a few times now, I see its qualities.
As there are no episodes I truly hate, there are some scenes in episodes that probably will never grow on me, like the performance of ‘Cassie’ in Route666. Yes, perhaps one could say I really disliked that (though the episode had some other fabulous scenes)…
😀
Have the best of great times in San Francisco, Alice! Looking forward to read about your adventures there.
Cheers Jas
What a great idea. Mass group therapy for guilty pleasure episodes or eureka moments for previous unfavourites. Much appreciated.
I like your top ten list – the points you made about Hammer of the Gods elsewhere about cannibalism were spot on. And I definitely agree with you about most of All Dogs Go to Heaven although SniperDean? Yes please!
Difficult to pick one episode so am sticking to Season 6 – I have to say oddly enough I did not like Two and a Half Men when it first aired. I know it had baby and supermarket and Winchester goodness, but for some reason it seemed to be trying too hard to be cute for me. And I found Dean really out of character at parts.
But have rewatched it a couple of times since and although still have issues with Dean being out of character at some points, I now love most of it – the scene in the supermarket where the baby suddenly looks at Dean and he freaks is genius 🙂
Thank you. I feel much better now!
Oh and have a great time at the Con. Wish I was going too. Can’t wait to hear all about it 🙂
Honestly, I can find something to love in pretty much every episode–I’m that obsessed! Still, some of the comedy episodes work for me and others not so much. (I think they’ve improved over time.) Initially one of my least favorites was “Hollywood Babylon.” However after re-watching it a few times, I have gained a greater appreciation for it. There are some blatant inside jokes in the ep that everybody caught first time, but there are some subtleties I missed first time through. So it has grown on me considerably. I also think when it first aired just after the intensely emotional “Heart,” it was sort of jarring, so time and distance have also helped.
Wow, I inspired an article. 😀 😀
The episode that I liked after first disliking, would have to be ‘Weekend at Bobby’s’. I am ducking the tomatoes. I did not like this episode after first viewing. But, after reading all the reviews and recaps here at WFB and at my other favorite SUPERNATURAL sites, I rewatched the episode and had a change of heart.
Have a safe trip. Have fun in San Fran. 😀
Hi Alice
I had to laugh at your repeating of the Hammer of the Gods.
I actually didn’t hate that one as I did find some great moments in it, but I am still very bitter over them killing off Gabriel.
After going through all the titles, I really don’t have any that I really disliked completely or had a change of heart over. I have always been able to find some scene or moment that I liked or even loved in every episode.
Even with Ghost Facers (which to date still sits at the bottom of favourite episode list), I found one or two minutes that I actually enjoyed.
Hope you have a wonderful time at the San Francisco Convention.
Gee Alice, I get the feeling you didn’t like “Hammer of the Gods”.LOL 😉
I have a hard time with trying to pick an episode that I’ve changed my mind about. You could say most of season six when I was upset with fakie Sam. Now I know he has his soul back I enjoy them much much more. Weekend at Bobby’s I liked right away. I did think the episodes were very good except I was upset that Sam was so cold. If they had been any other TV show, I would have liked them right off.
The shows I enjoy the least when rewatching the series are in order of non-enjoyment, Criss Angel is a Douchebag, The Rapture, Family Remains (I kinda liked that one, but on rewatching I like it less and less). These were all in the fourth season and that is why I enjoy season 4 the least. Don’t get me wrong, season 4 had some great episodes, Lazarus Rising, On the Head of a Pin etc. but watching the boys bond disintegrate was really sad.
As for the episodes most people dislike, Bugs, Hookman, Route 666, Red Sky at Morning, Magnificent Seven, No Exit, Roadkill, Hammer of the Gods (heehee!), Dogs Go to Heaven……I like them all! So shoot me!
Even the ones I like the least have some great and memorable moments between the brothers so there is no way I wouldn’t watch them again.
I guess the one that most fits this criteria of changing my mind would be “Criss Angel is a Douchebag” and I don’t LIKE it more with time, I DISLIKE it more every time I watch it. (Why watch it then, you say. Well, I can’t watch the series out of order, no matter what. Just my little obsession that maybe Jas could explain). 😕
Fallen Idols, but not in a good way. First off I thought it was only harmless fluff but now I’ve come to the conclusion it’s annoying, non-sensical, stupid-fat-rope exploiting, bad’n’evil fluff. It has that skinny fembot Whatsherface in it too … My other pet hate was Swan Song, which I haven’t dared revisit yet!
Have a fab time at the con … 😉
Bevie, hi, doc’s in the house ;-)! You’re not truly worrying about your little obsession, eh? It’s a perfect example of Obsessive Fantasy Provoking Compulsive Tv Disorder :D.
It’s characterized by images, impulses or urges to do something that will lessen the need for a certain tv show, in particular during such periods as Hiatus.
Diagnosis is based on history. Cause: two devilishly handsome men in an impala. Treatment consists of long dvd hours, booze or apple pie therapy, in severe cases both. Should you require more assistance, just notify me. I’m on housecalls, too 🙂
Love, Jas
Thank you Jas for your diagnosis.
Considering the cause of my OFPCTD, I think I will forgo a cure and just enjoy my obsession. It does help me get through the hated hiatuses.(is that a word?) Dvds and a little shot of booze really helps a lot. 😕 😉
love, Bev 🙂
You know, Bev, I wouldn’t seek a cure for that kind of obsession myself. Ah, who am I fooling? I AM not seeking a cure… 😉
I am also a happily obsessed (perhaps even a tad possessed) woman. 😀
Love, Jas
Talk about a challenge. Thinking really hard I realized that I like most episodes and the few I didn’t like remains so despite the passage of time i.e Swap Meat, I just really wanted those teenagers to die and normally I’m spare-the-kids!kind of guy.
I did find that some episodes that was “just fine” became kind of alluringly disturbing in light of latter season’s stories i.e. rewatched Playthings recently and the last scene of the two little ghost sisters playing together, with the younger sister stuck for eternity as the companion to her older vicious sister, instead of the initial feeling of sadness for the younger sister I was cringing in light of Sam’s and Dean’s long descent into co-dependency. Don’t get me wrong, the brothers deeply love each other but Dean is always portrayed as being more into Sam while Sam is more his own person, even when Sam as a person is a mystery to us and to Dean. Dean’s reaction to Sam’s heaven in Dark Side of the Moon was to bring up his own hurt and I was like, “Dude, this isn’t always about youâ€. End of ramble, my point is I probably changed my mind on Playthings but not sure if it’s for better or worse.
I have not changed my mind on Hookman. I always loved Bugs(its every single brother moment). I never liked Usual Suspects. Metamorphisis, I just have a hard time watching it cause the MOW really makes me shudder, not sure I actually dislike the ep.
F
I know I’m chiming in late, but for me it was Houses of the Holy. I didn’t get it the first time I watched it, or the second. Then it started being a “skip over” when I’d rerun the series.
Then, last year I watched it again and it made sense. I wonder if I was completely closed to the angel stuff (how on earth could they seriously consider angels was my comment back then) until after meeting Castiel and company. Now I really like the episode, and noticing the picture of Michael on the church wall has “deeper” meaning. That’s the episode I’ve most changed my mind about.
I liked some of Bugs (can’t get past the attic scene time dilation), so there are only some moments that I like…and I’m one of the rare people who liked Hammer of the Gods I guess. Yes, it had cheese factor, but throughout the last half of season four and a good part of season five, I kept saying to my hubby, “Well, this sure is getting Christian centric…bad guys come from other mythologies, but apparently angels and God are the only positive possibilities…what do you think the Greek, Norse, Chinese, and other religions’ Gods have to say about this?” And I wondered what the Judeo Christian Apocalypse would mean to those who don’t share that belief…
And, I should have remembered the “in Kripke we trust” mantra, because of course, in time, Kripke addressed it.
There are alot of episodes I didn’t like on first view, but then they grew on me with rewatches:
Home
Exile on Main Street
Swan Song
Scarecrow
Mystery Spot (I love it now, but I was afraid to watch Dean die at first)
Are You There God, Its Me Dean Winchester
Sympathy for the Devil
and so many others and my brain is drawing a blank right now