Sofia’s Review – “Time After Time”

“Sweet merciful awesome”. Dean pretty much hit it right on the head with that line. I love me a good filler episode. Especially when they involve Eliot Ness, Back to the Future references and Dean Winchester in a fedora.  There may not have been a ton of major plot development in ‘Time After Time’ but I found it to be a very enjoyable hour of television. 
 
I have to admit I was in the dark about the plot of this episode. As you may or may not know from past reviews, I avoid spoilers like the plague. I don’t even read the episode synopses when they are released. So Eliot Ness was as much a surprise to me as he was to Dean. And being a born and raised Chicagoan this had me pretty excited. Although I think Dean may have been even more geeked than I was. I love how much of a fangirl Dean is about those things. He could not have been more starry-eyed if he tried. 

In fact, Dean’s whole trip to 1944 brought back fond memories of last season’s ‘Frontierland’; the obvious comparison being that both episodes involved time travel. But both episodes also showcased Dean’s habit of romanticizing the past. For the most part, ‘Frontierland’ used this as a chance to crap on Dean’s fantasies of the Wild West, which was admittedly hilarious to watch. Especially since Sam was right there to watch it with us. ‘Time After Time After Time’ did, however, let Dean hold on to a few of his illusions of the 1940’s. Both episodes also came at a time when we really needed a laugh. These filler episodes are usually perfectly scattered amongst the heart-wrenching drama and ‘TATAT’ was no exception.
 
The episode also gave Sam and Dean exactly what they needed. Sam, being Sam, really needed someone he could talk to about Bobby; someone that would listen and share with him. Dean just can’t be that person right now. So I was very happy to see Sheriff Mills back in the picture. I was a little worried that with Bobby gone she would be forgotten. I’m happy that it seems like the Winchesters have her as an ally. So Sam got the emotional support he needed and Dean got to escape. Dean’s main coping mechanism is escape so his trip to the 40’s couldn’t have come at a better time. He got to play dress up (hello nures!) and hunt with Eliot Ness and for a little while he got to forget about losing Bobby and finding Dick Roman. What more could a guy ask for?

Dean’s scenes with Eliot were golden. The generation gap made for some great moments and Dean and Eliot actually made a pretty good team. Even though Dean spent half the time ogling Ness.  But the moment I liked best between Dean and Eliot was the conversation they had in Ness’ car. Dean has come to assume that hunters become hunters because they’re seeking revenge. To tell you the truth, I have assumed that myself. The thought that someone would hunt because they felt a calling to do so just never crossed his radar. So when Ness shared that hunting sets him free and gives him purpose Dean wasn’t totally sure what to do with that. Personally, I love the idea of hunting as a calling rather than a curse. I do think that Sam and Dean were destined to become hunters; it’s in their blood and they do love saving people. But it’s not something they chose for themselves and it has brought them a great deal of misfortune. At this moment Dean doesn’t feel any real purpose in life. He’s just going through the motions with revenge as his driving force. Not what I would call a healthy motivation. So Dean juxtaposed with Ness who may be the most well adjusted hunter we’ve ever seen makes for quite a contrast.  One I don’t think went unnoticed by Dean. I would have loved to see a scene at the end of the episode where Dean got to tell Sam about Ness and how he hunted because it set him free. I would have liked to see how they both reacted to that information. What do you guys think that would have looked like?
 
I found the Chronos story a bit bland, but I don’t think he was ever supposed to be the star of the show. Chronos was just the catalyst that brought us to Ness. I did find myself feeling bad for him though. At the end of the day he was just trying to survive so he could find his way back to the woman he loved. But then he choked Dean and that feeling was gone. Sorry, but that’s how it goes. If you try to kill and Winchester I can no longer sympathize with you. But at least Chronos delivered his cryptic message before he died. Sam and Dean’s future is covered in thick black ooze. It’s not necessarily new information. If Sam and Dean can’t take down Roman their future will be filled with leviathan. But it’s confirmation that things will get worse before they get better. What did you guys think of Chronos’ message to Sam and Dean? Do you think there’s more there than meets the eye? I guess we’ll have to wait and see.
 
What did you all think of this week’s episode overall? Any Untouchables fans out there as psyched as Dean was? And was I the only one watching Dean’s beer like a hawk? 
 
There were plenty of moments worth mentioning in this episode and I know I’ll miss some so keep them coming in the comments section!
 
*Sam: “What’s the plan exactly?”
Dean: “Don’t die”
 
*Dean: “Don’t give me that dirty diaper look. I ain’t calling you.”
 
*Dean: “It’s called anime. And it’s an art form.” I was so happy Sam called him out on obsessing over Dick Roman.
 
*Rock, paper, scissors was back! And Dean still sucked at it. 
 
*Special agents Smith and Smith. Way to keep things under the radar. But I would love to hear some of the old names come back. 
 
*Dean’s kiss from Ezra was a shock. That is one lucky lady! But I was happy to see that Dean found comfort in having her around before she got all grabby. It’s nice to know that he’s not shutting out fond memories of Bobby.  
 
*Sam: “You gonna look at more anime or you strictly into Dick now?” I may or may not have snorted when this line was delivered. 

*Dean showing off the new research skills he learned from Frank was so adorable. He was so proud of himself. 
 
*The music as Dean entered 1944 was perfect. And I loved the use of shadows throughout the entire episode, especially Dean’s shadow on the white picket fence. Just perfect. 
 
*Dean: “Awesome.”
Eliot: “How does that fill you with awe?”
 
Dean: “Does this mean that I’m an untouchable now?”
 
Dean: “Gas costs four bucks. You can get cheese out of a spray can. The president is a black guy. I could go on.”
 
Eliot: “because that…”
Dean: “Is the Chicago way!”
Crickets.
 
Dean: “Lester. Is that a German name?!”
 
Dean: “Talk to me.”
Eliot: “I am.”
 
Dean: “Back to the future 3. I need to borrow some paper” Gotta love Marty McFly! 
 
Chronos: “You wanna know your future? I know your future. It’s covered in thick, black ooze. It’s everywhere. They’re everywhere.”
 
  

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