Far Away Eyes’ Review, 7.22: “There Will Be Blood”
It was good to see that Osric Chau’s Kevin Tran managed to emerge from the end of the previous episode unscathed—more or less. He presents a frightened, but resolute Tran well here, defying Dick Roman’s demand for his own translation. Even when Roman offers a full expenses paid trip to Princeton, Tran refuses, and we see Chau give him a steely backbone while facing extreme danger. Unlike the frightened gazelle that ran from Sam, here Chau shows Tran’s strength of character. Unfortunately, Tran is caught between a rock and a hard place, and Chau shows how the character breaks upon seeing a loved one—his mother—being held captive by the monster.
The actress that played Emily showed a victim tailor made to fool the Winchesters. She is sweet, innocent, and young. The actress showed it in fear in her voice and reaction upon them entering her secret bedroom. She cowers, and instantly the brothers fall into her trap. She makes her story so believable that it draws the viewers into the same trap. It isn’t until we see her look out the window and take out her phone that we realize there is much more than meets the eye. The actress, once revealed to be a fake, takes on a smug appearance, proud that she had done this for her “Daddy.” She shows that Emily, despite being a food source and pawn for the Alpha Vampire, cares, as she expresses concern upon seeing Edgar attack him.
Benito Martinez brings the sinister Edgar to life, ever the chameleon and work horse for Dick Roman. He is the goon that twists Tran’s arm. He is the battering ram to find the Alpha Vampire and eliminate him. Martinez gives Edgar a cocky edge, so sure he can’t be beat by any one else outside Roman himself. We see it in his glee upon over taking the vampire that he shifts into, the glee in messing with Tran as Martinez flips the knife open and closed, and in his attitude towards the Alpha Vampire as he goads him by calling Eve a “whore.” Martinez is deliciously evil here as Edgar, doing all the leg work for the Leviathan cause while Roman sits back and dictates. If the Leviathan were of a mutinous nature to their boss, Martinez’s Edgar would be a likely candidate to attempt a coup. As he is not, he ends up falling right into Sam and Dean’s hands, his head chopped off. If the Alpha Vampire took Dean’s advice, we might not see Martinez again anytime soon.
James Patrick Stewart continues to present the suave and sinister Dick Roman. His appearance on the morning program discussing “SucroCorp” and the new corn syrup the company created included a minor slip by the usually calculated Roman. Stewart shows how Roman covers up his flub about it making “humans taste better” with a pained smile. His mild mannered speaking covers the dark subtext in his language, and he, much like Edgar, enjoys taunting Tran. Stewart revels in doing the same later to Mark Sheppard’s Crowely, an oily smile breaking out across Roman’s face after summoning the King of Hell. While Roman may have been furious about the Winchesters stealing the Word of God from him a few episodes back, now that he knows what they need to get the weapon to kill him, he seems back to his cocky self. Stewart puts it in gestures and facial expressions, conveying wonderfully the dark underbelly that resides in Roman’s business man facade.
Rick Worthy returns to the role of Alpha Vampire, dark and creepy—yet alluring all at once. He is not like the other vampires they’ve met in the past. Worthy shows that the Alpha is a thinker, does not jump to conclusions, and likes to make decisions with all of the facts. He makes it most apparent when he states, “It can’t hurt to get the story.” Worthy puts a patience into his Alpha Vampire. He has lived for many centuries and thus knows what it takes to survive. Worthy also shows the Alpha’s frustration when Sam and Dean demand that he also release the young boy servant in his entourage. Worthy is a delight to see, mostly because he makes vampires scary. While we can tell through his body language and mild tone that he is a careful monster, his violent outburst with Edgar reminds us that the Alpha is a frightening beast. That showed well in Worthy’s performance. It seems, by the Alpha’s comment “see you next season,” that we might run into him yet again.
Jim Beaver continues to excel at showing how Bobby’s coping—or not despite his protests. He is becoming angrier, and we see it in his struggles with the safe combination holding his flask. Beaver makes us concerned for Bobby as he is left behind so not to make his transition to vengeful spirit. Good intentions, again, bite the brothers here, and Beaver shows this best in his angry pacing—complete with special effects of fires raging, glass breaking, and lamps being tossed. As much as Bobby’s anger at Dick Roman could be a trigger, his being left behind is the sore spot here. Beaver shows it best when Bobby realizes that Dean has used his own birthday to put a combination on the safe.
Mark Sheppard returns to the scene, showing that Crowley is still the survivalist as always. He is snarky and defensive in his approach. Sheppard later shows Crowley’s disdain for Roman, all by simply saying the Leviathan leader’s name. Sheppard’s appearance was small, but had impact. The brothers need Crowley’s blood, and Sheppard makes certain that while the King of Hell is willing, he is ever the Crossroads King, too. He won’t do it without something in return, and this time rather than asking for anything, it is only to have his blood taken last. Sheppard knows that Crowley is calculating and careful, and it is no more evident than here in these short scenes.
Jensen Ackles showed a determined and driven Dean. Once they were on the route to gathering the items needed, Dean made no bones about getting right to it. Ackles showed this best in Sam and Dean’s drawing of the blood from the incapacitated man on the bench. His delivery of the line, “Yeah Sam, look around; it’s freaking Woodstock, everyone’s hopped up on the brown acid. We don’t need the song and dance. Give him a little prick,” is matter of fact, even if masked in the comedy of the situation. Ackles also shows how Dean can provide the light-hearted moments as he asks Sam if they’ve corrupted pie and replies with “those bastards” to his pleas about being a “warrior and unable to live on rabbit food.” Ackles manages to juggle the two sides of Dean’s personality well. He can be serious, somber, and determined in one moment and almost childlike and humorous in the next. Dean’s childlike hope about natural being printed on the label making it safe brings out that side well, and Ackles completes the picture best there with his softened expression. He also shows Dean’s concern and frustration over Bobby, evidenced by the pain in his voice and the tight body language when discussing or confronting it.
Jared Padalecki brings an edge to Sam in this episode. It shines best when they confront the Alpha Vampire, evident in his tight jaw, stiff frame, and hard voice. Padalecki brings out Sam’s steel backbone when he refuses to budge on the Alpha Vampire letting go of the little boy, Allen. We also see him bring a subtle comic undertone to his scenes—those in the gas station and the park bench. Sam’s frustration translates into humor when he holds up the bananas and then later when Sam quips “You’ll live, Dean,” about the fresh vegetables and fruit. Padalecki brings more of this subtly to his performance when he withdraws blood from the slushie victim. It is evident in his awkward expression and his hesitant actions. Padalecki also plays up Sam’s concerned side when they discuss Bobby, bringing out a softness to both voice and facial expression.
Now that Dick Roman has Crowley, could it be that the Winchesters have to rescue an enemy in order to defeat the Leviathan?
Thanks for the great review. Rather than rehashing everything I’ve said on other posts, let me just post an observation, or at least what would have been nice to see, and this is just my opinion, not harping on the writers.
What if the boys had simply taken Bobby with them instead of leaving him behind? They knew Bobby would be majorly pissed, even alive he would get pissed at them if they tried to do that, as per the line: [i] Do I look like a ditchable prom date?[/i]Sam & Dean knew they weren’t going to confront Dick Roman that day, so there was no chance that Bobby would freak out. And I don’t think it’s a bad thing to have a ghost on your side when you’re fighting any monster.
Anyway, just my opinion. I’m afraid of where the writers will be going with Bobby because of all this. I mean now that he’s possessing a human that is. Has he crossed the line into vengeful once and for all? It would seem so. As Sam pointed out, the lore says that once you go vengeful, there is no coming back. It would be unbelievably sad if the Winchesters had to get rid of Bobby instead of helping him cross over gently.
Thanks for the comment.
You bring up some very interesting points. I can see both sides here for pros and cons for them keeping the flask with them. I agree with you whole heartedly that Bobby HATED being left behind alive, so as a spirit he’d be no different. I also think the boys KNOW this, and it would have perhaps kept them from fanning his temper the way they did by leaving him behind. So I absolutely see that point completely. It could be a mistake here on their part.
On the other hand, I think the boys were really shaken up by what Bobby did when he shoved Charlie aside and broke her arm. While he didn’t intend to hurt her, nor had he gone vengeful on her, I think it scared them that if he was in any contentious situation that he’d lose his cool—Dick Roman being there or not.
It almost feels, at least to me, that Sam and Dean are caught in a catch 22. They’re damned if they do, damned if they don’t, you know? I do hope that they can resolve Bobby’s story here in a way that honors all the characters involved.
Thanks again!
I know it’s a terrible thing to say but Sam and Dean really need to figure out what exactly they [i]want[/i] to happen with Bobby because they, literally, hold the key to his future in the palm of their hands. Do they want him back? Then look for ways of getting him back. It’s not as if he hasn’t been brought back from the dead before. Everyone has! Jeez, it’s like a hazing ritual on the show. You have access to angels and demons, one demon who will owe you big time if you off the Leviathans.
If they don’t want him back? Well, the flask is right there. Either way, they have to, for once, sit down and talk to Bobby. All the alienating him crap by leaving him in the car and locking him in the safe is damn unfair to the man who has risked his life, more than once, to help them. Jeez, have they learnt nothing from locking Sam in the panic room? What’s the first thing he did when he got out of there? Ran to Ruby, got pissed and almost ended the world. As I said a few weeks ago, if Bobby does go full on vengeful, Sam and Dean will need to think long and hard as to why, and ask themselves what role they played in that.
I know that the general air is that ‘He’s a ghost, he’s going to go vengeful’ and yes, he is a ghost, but he’s [i]also[/i] Bobby. They didn’t kill John when he was a demon because he was their father. They didn’t kill Sam when they knew he was one of the special children, or when he was exorcising demons with his mind or when it was revealed he was Lucifer’s vessel. Why not? Because he’s Sam. Hell, they didn’t kill Dean when he was a vampire. Why is Bobby, as a member of Team Free Will, and a declared member of the ‘family’ not being given the same consideration as the rest of the Winchesters? Was Dean just talking crap when he was giving that big spiel about family because so far Bobby isn’t being treated like a member of the family. He’s being treated like a leper, put in the naughty chair and talked about while his ‘family’ just wait for him to go rabid.
It’s interesting in this one that the Alpha Vamp, despite being an Alpha Vamp, actually has some bit of honour. He did seem surprised when Edgar reneged on his deal. I don’t think he’ll be much of a threat to Sam and Dean after this, unless of course, they come after him first.
I know it’s a terrible thing to say (but I am a terrible person!) but there’s something about Dick Roman (or the guy who plays him) that’s just wrong looking. It looks, in a way, as if his skin is too tight, not in a botox sort of a way, but more as if he doesn’t fit comfortably into his skin. Remember that scene in [i]Men in Black[/i] where the alien caught hold of the back of his head and pulled his skin to make it all tight? He reminds me of that.
Aaaargh, Crowley. Nuts. He’ll double cross the double crossers and then double cross them some more. I hope Meg ganks him. And ganks him well……
Thanks Far Away Eyes.
Thanks, Tim, for the great comment.
I think the situation surrounding Bobby has to be resolved, absolutely. I think you’re right, that in some ways they’re not dealing with this right. Like I said, it’s almost like a Catch 22 for them, but at the same time, I’d really like to see the boys sit down and just hash this out with Bobby. Don’t get angry, don’t accuse. Come to a decision on both sides.
It’s obvious that Bobby chose to stay out of love. I hope that this element is what comes to the front again when they do sit down and deal with Bobby and what to do. I have no doubt that Sam and Dean are afraid and don’t want to push Bobby’s temper—hence the not talking directly to him at times, but they know how it feels when others do that to them. I also know that Bobby has a justified reason to be angry with Dick Roman, and that’s a problem for him to perhaps go vengeful, but I come back to love. Love is why he stayed, love is what will help him and the brothers make their final decision.
I have to wonder about Roman’s appearance how much of that is make up and the oily smile often plastered on his face, but I know kinda what you’re saying.
I don’t really know what will happen with Crowley. I think Crowley or Meg is a battle of evil and either way it won’t end well for the boys. If Meg should eliminate Crowley, I have no doubt she’ll turn on Sam and Dean and assert her power by going after them. She ascends the Throne of Hell and becomes Queen, why not meter out your revenge?
You’re welcome again, and I’m glad for the comment!
WOW, A LOT TO PONDER. I WILL REPEAT THIS…I HATE THAT JACKET DEAN IS WEARING. IT DOES NOT LOOK LIKE LEATHER IS LOOKS LIKE PLEATHER AS WE SAID AS KIDS.
GET A BLACK BETTER FITTING JACKET WITHOUT THOSE WUSSY CHEST POCKETS. NOW, NEXT.
THERE IS NO REASON BOBBY CANT BE A GOOD OR SERENE GHOST. I CAN THINK OF 2 NOW. THE FANCY LADY WHO SPOKE TO SAM & DEAN FOR LAURA. the woman all 3 men had sex with at different times.
THE FOX SISTER WHO WAS TRYING TO WARN PEOPLE ABOUT HER HATEFUL SISTER IN THE MENTALISTS.
IT WOULD BE A DISSERVICE TO BOBBYS GREAT SEND OFF FOR HIM TO GO BAD. THEY HAVE TO RESOLVE IT RESPECTFULLY.
THANKS, CANT WAIT FOR FRIDAY **_**
Thanks for the comment.
I guess we’ll have to disagree on the jacket, though. I kinda like it. Shame someone else stole the old one, but hey. It’s growing on me a bit.
I don’t really know how they intend to resolve Bobby. I almost suspect, judging as we’re down to one ep, that it might get pushed to the next season. I think they must resolve it respectfully.
Thanks for the comment!
just a thought-I read that Jensen and the crew/producers had actual input in the style, fabric and look of the Dean jacket. Jensen OK’d the color, material, style, so the jacket as is seems to be his choice.
JENSEN WAS A MODEL SO THAT IS VERY DISTURBING NEWS. IT DOES NOT FIT !!!!!!!!!
[quote]JENSEN WAS A MODEL SO THAT IS VERY DISTURBING NEWS. IT DOES NOT FIT !!!!!!!!![/quote]
I think NolaNola, I remember a couple of years ago Jensen wore tight black leather jacket at con. It’s a tight fitting black leather with white lining on the hem and neck. It’s even smaller than the red leather jacket of Dean. I swear because the hem of Jensen’s personal leather jacket is barely reach the hem of his jeans. I can show you the vid if you don’t believe me.
So, my conclusion is Jensen likes tight fitting clothes. As oppose to somewhat baggy loose on the leg jeans that Jared wear Jensen always wear tight fitting jeans.
It does not have to do with whether he is a model or not. I remember Jensen said that the crew handed him over many kinds of leather jacket and he wore each one of them. He chooses the one that comfortable FOR HIM as opposed to what other thinks.
So, even if you keep saying it does not fit, but Jensen is the one who wears it and he likes it. So, I think we don’t have any say in it. BUT yes I disagree with the color. He looks good in his own tight fitting press bodied black leather jacket why red now?
LOOK HERE KAJ, YOU MIND YOUR BUSINESS AND I WILL DO THE SAME. JENSEN CAN WALK AROUND IN A DRESS IF HE WANTS.
IF YOU CANT SAY ANYTHING NICE TO ME !!!!, DONT SAY ANYTHING AT ALL. HAPPY SPN FRIDAY.
I’m glad you brought out the fact that the actors are still delivering this season, despite the evident fact that the writing on the show has really been a disservice.
I would also add that, other than some obvious editing problems this season (and that has been brought up several times), the production staff continues to do excellent work. The sets and lighting have maintained real quality. Now if we could get more rock music back.
I would also like to comment on the excellent job Guy Bee did in this episode. He had some really beautiful shots in this episode.
Season-wise, I don’t know what’s going on with the writing staff on this show (well, I think I do, but I’m not going into speculation here), but the actors and the production staff are still giving us quality work.
Thanks for the comment.
I’m no actor myself, but I notice their art and how it tells the story. It’s something I’ve enjoyed doing throughout the season on each review, finding what it is about their skill that tells me the story more or less.
I was thrilled with Guy’s direction. I think he got a lot of great moments put on screen that might not mean as much until we see the finale—and others that were so great right when they happened.
Thanks again.
I have another thought about Bobby situation. Bobby is easy to anger these days. I mean Dean is his favourite right? But he also the one that annoy the hell out of Bobby sometimes with smart aleck and smarmy mouth. Usually when he was alive Bobby can just hit his head or screamed at him and called him idjit of the highest order. (like when he was dressing them down in Weekend at Bobby’s). But now every time Bobby gets upset, a mirror brakes. Every time Bobby sees Dick the room shakes, even if Sam and Dean DO try to talk with him things will escalate because Bobby cannot see reason now. He is polluted by anger and WHEN he is angry things will break. (Kinda like the Hulk, I think) It’s like talking to a fire breathing dragon, you have to have a shield nearby because if he gets upset you get burned, he scoffs you get burned, he spits you get burned. See what I mean? Even if you come with a shield he will get offended and you still get burned.
Sam and Dean are wary of Bobby. The scene in the bathroom is shown that they are just talking, right? Dean is being his usual self snarky and smarmy. If Bobby’s alive he would only scream at him and called him idjit but now,… he breaks the mirror. If he gets angrier he could hurt Dean. The mirrors could break down and the piece could hit Dean. Sam is right, Bobby could burn down the store with the power of his anger.
Throughout the seasons I’ve seen Bobby been annoyed, irritated, mad at Sam and Dean but because he was human he can control it and he definitely cannot burn a fireplace up by sneezing at it but now he can. I don’t think talking to him will end well to.
I can imagine it will go like this :
Sam/Dean: Look Bobby, we can talk about this. You have to control yourself and etc.. etc… (along that line)
Bobby: What are you idjits talking about I’m FINE! I can get at Dick. I will kill him and get my revenge! Don’t tell me to stay down and talk me out of this fight!
Then the cabin is shaking up and burning and Sam and Dean get trapped under its rubble. The End.
I think the indication that Bobby was losing it wasn’t because the brothers didn’t want him in on the fight. Rather, I think what was shown was the he was slipping down the slope when his anger got the best of him and he broke the mirror in the bathroom while talking to Dean. Dean’s reflection was in that mirror, and Dean was only showing concern for him.
That was a beautifully shot scene, and those scenes don’t get put in there happenstance.
[quote]I think the indication that Bobby was losing it wasn’t because the brothers didn’t want him in on the fight. Rather, I think what was shown was the he was slipping down the slope when his anger got the best of him and he broke the mirror in the bathroom while talking to Dean. Dean’s reflection was in that mirror, and Dean was only showing concern for him.[/quote]
That’s what I’m saying, Ginger.
I think talking with Bobby will not bring any benefit at all. Bobby is ALWAYS angry whenever he saw Dick. He saw Dick in that motel before he possessed the maid.
You dn’t mess with angry ghost. When human!Bobby angry he barks and snaps when Ghost!Bobby angry he could burn down the building. I’d get away from him rather than talk to him. Sam and Dean is so brave by keeping the flask around.
Thanks for the comment!
I think it’s an interesting take there. Bobby is easy to rile up and takes much longer to cool down now. It’s interesting that the way he’d bark at one of the boys while alive has a much greater impact now. He can influence the world around him because of that anger.
I’ll be curious to see how that conversation goes down between the brothers and Bobby. I think they need to have it, and it needs to be handled carefully.
Thanks again!
Far Awys Eyes, since I don’t know how else to get in contact with you, I thought I put it down on here.
I was at the Con in Germany last weekend and I was able to hand Jim Michaels the Crew book we made here at the WFB. After the panel a few people came up to me and told me that they read the articles here and like them. A few of them said that they especially like your reviews but never comment.
Just thought I let you know that you have more admirer than you actually get to read on here.
Thank you! I’m so glad you got to hand them the Crew book and had such a great time.
I’m glad that my reviews are faring well. It means a lot to me to hear that my thoughts mean something.
So thanks again!