A Visual Review – “Like A Virgin”
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, it’s time once again for a visual review! There are a lot of really cool shots in this one from some very interesting camera angles, so expect a number of overhead/nearly overhead shots in particular. Overhead shots are generally an exception on this show. But not this episode! It was directed by Phil Sgriccia, so I’m sure we can expect some wonderful bloopers from this episode. I’m crossing my fingers for some Dean vs. the Sword of Bruncvik mishaps because that sword is clever. Also, be forewarned as this is a loooong one, and there are about 7 or 8 shots I didn’t even include because I didn’t want Alice and Jenniffer to hunt me down and kill me.
1.
I think we all know by now that I’m a sucker for restricted view shots like this one through a doorway. I like that we get just a hint of Sam laying on the bed in the corner but not so much that it’s hitting us over the head. And poor Dean, worrying about his brother and not sure if he should go check to see if he’s okay first or listen to what Cass has to say first.
2.
Look how early in the episode we’re starting up with the overhead shots! Well, nearly overhead. Very cool. And I am always in favor of wide-angle shots anywhere in Bobby’s house because that place is a treasure trove of interesting things. Which is a very nice way of saying he’s a hoarder.
3.
If Bobby’s hesitation at Sam’s hug wasn’t a strong enough indication that he’s still uncomfortable around Sam, this shot sealed the deal. Just look at Bobby’s body language right here. He’s about as far away from Sam as he possibly can be without Sam raising too many questions. But he’s very rigid, and he’s got his arms folded in front of him. I do the same thing when I’m not exactly comfortable with someone. If he wasn’t leaning against the stove, I bet he’d be standing at an angle to Sam with one foot in front of the other in a classic defensive posture. Also, I like how the light is washing over Dean’s face in this scene. It’s sort of helping sell his earnestness and desire to keep Sam in the dark.
4.
This isn’t exactly an overhead shot, but it’s still pretty cool. Take care of your Chevelle, Bobby. Now if we could only convince him to give her a bitchin’ paint job… I also really like that part of Bobby’s yard, with that awning and table and the car parts all around. It’s almost the Impala of Bobby’s house with all the important conversations that have been taking place there lately.
5.
I love this shot of the Impala, with her lights cutting through the dark, illuminating just a hint of the road in the blackness all around. Gorgeous.
6.
This is a two-parter because I just really liked how Phil shot this Impala conversation. Shooting from slightly over their shoulders felt like a new twist on an old classic. It was like the viewer was sitting in the back seat leaning forward as far as possible to hear what they were saying.
7.
Apropos of nothing, but was anyone else totally creeped out by the shadow guy in the background of this scene? I know it’s an apartment building and people come and go, but when I first saw that guy walk by, I swear my first thought was, “Dean, Sam, it’s a ghost! Get him!” But then they didn’t care, so I realized I was being silly. Still, that is creepy.
8.
Big Az burgers, huh? I see what you did there, show. I see exactly what you did. Also, well played.
9.
And here we have yet another slightly overhead shot. It’s kind of like if they stuck a camera in the very top corner of the room and just filmed from there. Also, look at that hotel room. It’s wonderfully tacky. And can someone smarter than me please tell me when we’ve seen that tabletop printer before? I feel like it has to have been around, but I just don’t remember seeing it all that often. It’s like their research papers usually appear out of thin air!
10.
Okay, this is an extreme overhead shot! Seriously, the crane they used for this shot must have been gigantic. I love when the show does crane shots because it’s a really neat change of pace. I obviously love the normal shooting style, but it’s always nice to change things up a bit. This is especially awesome because it’s a dragon POV shot. Yep, just a dragon sitting up in the tree waiting to swoop down on an unsuspecting virgin. Pay no attention to the dragon in the tree!
I’m kinda new to the site but I love your visual reviews. I have to say that Supernatural is one of the few shows where I ever even think about things such as lighting, camera angles and what’s going on in the background. The obvious thought and attention to detail always fascinates me – it’s part of the fun in going back to rewatch episodes. So thanks.. I’ll be coming back for more 🙂
Lovely visual review – you caught a lot of gorgeous shots that I was too caught up in the plot to notice…but I did notice it was a very visually stunning episode. I love the use of wide-angle and overhead shots too!
To answer your printer question: I think the first time I remember seeing their little printer was in S3- A Very Supernatural Christmas.
If I remember correctly they also had a printer in the Bloody Mary episode? I think it was that one anyway. Do correct me if I am wrong. Dean printed out photos of when Mary had died – but it may have been a different printer. I do remember thinking at the time, where on earth do they put the printer in the Impala 🙂
Hi Arde
I loved your review. It must be hard to come down to only 21 pictures. Funy is I was woundering about the pink box too. Thank you for that info. Is the AZ burger some kind of insider joke?
My favorits are 18, 15 and 9
My personal favorite of this fine lot is #17. 🙂
Hi Ardeospina
I love your visual reviews.
You really should get into photography, you have such a good eye for this.
My favourites would have to be number 6. That whole scene really made me feel like I was in the back seat of the Impala and was a part of the conversation.
Then I would have to say 12. I love that port-hole/fish-eye view effect. Plus we get the added bonus of being able to gaze into Dean/Jensen’s huge, gorgeous eyes.
I would then have to say 13. I loved the stain-glass windows with the staircase banister in the foreground. It’s hard to believe this is in that same house that Dean pulled up to. Looks can be deceiving.
Lastly I would have to go with 14. Not only because of how heroic Dean looks, but also the ceiling really caught my attention. The design looks like scales. Between the design and the lighting it gave the allusion that Dean was standing under the breast of a dragon.
Amazing job picking these out Arde. These visual reviews deepen my appriciation of the show.
My favorite is #6. That sequence made me feel slightly guilty when watching and it took me a while to realize the angle got me to feeling like an eavedropper. As if I were a part of the scene instead of an observer. AMAZING! Any moment, I expect Sam or Dean to grab the salt gun and go after the ‘ghost’ in the back seat.
#12 is my second fav. Love the fish eye!
Great job, Arde! When I’m watching the show my whole attention is focused on the actors so it’s great to sit back and really study the scene shots.
Looking at the peephole shot it dawned on me that the location (at least for the exterior shots) was Hy’s Mansion on Davie St. in Vancouver. It was turned into a restaurant and I’ve eaten there several times!
My fave shot? #6 – the conversation in the car because I actually thought about how I enjoyed that POV as I was watching the scene.
Oh big-AZZ burger! Thank you Arde. Took me a minute there. I was thinking Arizona? What? Big as what? ….Ohhhh. *facepalm*
I love your visual reviews. Thank you so much for doing them. They have definitely become a part of my Supernatural week. And the timing is perfect – just before the next episode, to remind us of the previous high notes, but late enough to ensure we have all watched the episode for the story itself.
I love so many of your choices. I do like the Torn-Between Dean you pointed out in #1 – had not seen it like that before. So much stuff I guess we process subconsciously when watching and pick up on the emotion the director wanted us to without realising why we did, until we have amazing people like you to point stuff out. I think it speaks to the strength of the show though that even when we leave aside the story and examine the craft behind it as you do, even though we are purposefully looking at the man behind the curtain, it still does not take away from our enjoyment of the watching the Great and Powerful Oz. In fact it makes it even better (that made sense in my brain!)
(Does anyone else think Cas looks incredibly dodgy in #1?)
I too love the new Garage Confessional in #4 that they have been using since the end of Season 5 at least. Not quite the car itself, but car-adjacent (to use Crowley’s turn of phrase) and nice to have things more out in the open (on more than one level).
#5 is breath-taking and has to be the winner this week. Reminds me of the, what was it called? Axis mundi? Some people see it as a road. Only this is earth-bound. I also only just noticed that when they do a recap they use the phrase ‘the road so far’. *facepalm #2*
I really like #9 too, very Lord of the Rings-esque with trees and the wood, very apropos for dragons. #10 was SO high up, do you think it was from the window of a building? Or did they just do something to the crane shot to make it seem even higher? Finally, I also love #s 11, 17 and 20. 20 is a really cool point of view. Looking forward to the next episode and the next visual review!
Hey Ardeospina, I know I have been hanging out here at the Winchester Family Business too long, cause while I was watching the episode and they got to the over head shot in your #20, I thought “oooohhh…I bet that is one of the shots that will end up in Ardeospina’s visual review!” And tada! here it is! 😆 You have an amazing eye, and I am glad you share it with all of us. All the shots you pick are just lovely.
This is for you, too, Junkerin:
If you say the word AZ a little softer, it sounds like “ass.” So, Big Ass Burgers.
Not sure if that was intentional, but I liked it!
I am glad you commented on the shot of Bobby’s soup.. lol! I don’t know what that is but I wouldn’t eat it! :0)
Great article! Can’t wait for the visual review on UNFORGIVEN! 😀