Far Away Eyes’ Review: Supernatural 7.23, “Survival of the Fittest”
For the last two seasons, Supernatural has danced around the notion of Purgatory. True to form, the show takes the notion of the oft neglected realm in a different direction. Rather than being the place where souls are purged—hence the name—of sins as found in Catholic tradition, we learned through the Alpha Vampire that this is the destination of monsters when they die. When the dragons performed a spell, we learned that it can be opened, and something can be let out. They let out the Mother of All, Eve, creator of all creatures that stalk the night. But when, in order to defeat Raphael, the last remaining Archangel, Castiel opened the door to Purgatory to swallow its souls, he swallowed another creature far more dangerous: the Leviathan.
Death told the Winchesters, “I personally found them entertaining, but he was concerned they’d chomp the entire petri dish, so he locked them away. Why do you think he created Purgatory? To keep those clever, poisonous things out. Now Castiel has swallowed them. He’s the one thin membrane between the old ones and your home.”
Once they escaped Castiel’s vessel and spread through the United States, it quickly became apparent that Death was not exaggerating by any means. Clever and efficient, the Leviathan set out to not only assert their power but to subjugate humanity as their food source.
But they have a problem to deal with first—the Winchesters.
In order to set up their feast, they must eliminate their threat. They start by marginalizing the brothers in “Slash Fiction,” as they send out their shapeshifted doubles to commit mass murder and broadcast their violence to the public at large. It slows the brothers down significantly, making them have to change their methods, habits, and attack plans. Rather than moving through the country anonymously amongst normal America, they are well-known for what their doubles did—as short lived as they were. It puts the brothers at a severe disadvantage.
Not only do the Leviathan take away their aliases, their safe houses, their simple understanding of the job itself, they also take away their preferred means of transportation. Painted more and more into a corner, the brothers have to make do, have to change their ways—adapt or die.

In “Survival of the Fittest,” we see the Winchesters yet again take the odds thrown their way and find a way to overcome them. Dick Roman may have single-handedly taken away most of what they had—and Bobby personally by his own hand—but this didn’t prevent the inevitable.
The brothers have everything they need to create the weapon described by the Word of God.
Well, almost everything. Crowley, afraid the brothers—or someone else—would double cross him, insists on providing his blood for the spell last.
Before he can return to give his donation, however, Dick Roman ensnares him in a Devil’s Trap. He isn’t there to kill Crowley—he is there to deal with Crowley. He isn’t foolish about making a deal—but even he should have realized there are different rules when dealing with the former King of the Crossroads. The sheer length of his contract should have been a tip off to that. After all, the deal terms on the surface seemed simple: Give Sam and Dean the wrong blood in exchange for Canada being demon territory.
Once Crowley answers the brother’s summons, he quickly shows that he’s reneging on his deal with the Leviathan Boss. He tells them that Dick knows about the weapon, knows they’re on their way, and that he wanted Crowley to give them the wrong blood. He holds a vial, and teases that it could possibly not be his—but gives it to them anyways. It is in the brother’s hands, as Dean says, “You’ve got to figure who he wants dead more, us or Dick.”

Crowley isn’t foolish, either. He knows that it’d be a matter of time before Dick Roman called in his chips and backed out of his deal—leaving him vulnerable to being killed. It also gives him a chance to make a move—as Meg had warned the brothers. He is waiting, patiently, and ready to pounce.
Once the brothers put the blood together with the bone they had unearthed from a nun’s crypt, they have what they need to eliminate Dick Roman.
Unfortunately, Bobby is hot on the trail of the Leviathan leader, and he is angrier than ever. Possessing the maid from the hotel, he has made his way straight to the headquarters of SucroCorp, armed with only a machete. Luckily for him, however, the boys are arriving to make their attack. Sam recognizes the maid and rushes to stop Bobby before he can take this too far.

In his anger, Bobby nearly kills Sam. He wants nothing more than to go after Dick Roman, to take the vengeance out on the man that had robbed him of his life with his boys. As he tries to strangle Sam, he spots his reflection—his real reflection—in the glass. He sees the anger lurking inside him and he releases Sam—and the maid. It is a pivotal moment.
Yet, Bobby is still trapped. The brothers still have the flask—retrieved by Sam from the maid. He informs them that they should have burnt it with him, that he is ready to let go this time. This sorrowful moment is met with great hope, however. In his farewell, able to communicate fully with his boys, he gives them the drive and reason they had all along to follow through on hunting Dick down. He tells them “Go get Dick, but don’t do it ’cause you think it’ll scratch the itch. Do it ’cause it’s the job.”
It’s exactly what they needed to hear.

Resolved to honor Bobby’s memory and advice, they make their way to kill Roman—but this time in style. Hidden and exiled since the Leviathan Sam and Dean murdered across the country, the Impala has sat waiting and ready to return. “Born to Be Wild” announces her grand entrance, and she gets the attention that she deserves. Baby is a decoy, a distraction in an elaborate scheme to trick the Leviathan. They may be clever, but this is not their home.
As she rolls up in all her black glory, she crashes through the glass SucroCorp logo, and a surprising figure emerges from the driver’s seat: Meg. The body guards stationed to lie in wait for the Winchesters immediately start to fire guns, striking Meg in the chest. As a demon, she is only slowed down. While the Leviathan guards mess with her, it gives the brothers their chance to infiltrate and find Dick Roman to finish the job they set out to do.
The problem here is that Dick Roman knew that Crowley would give them the blood necessary to create the weapon—and so he clones himself, a Dick Roman around every corner lurking, waiting, hoping that the brothers will be foolish enough to employ the weapon on the wrong one.
Castiel has the ability to spot the right one, as they had been inside his vessel. He knows them, so can tell them apart, no matter the body they wear.

While Castiel and Dean go in search of the real Roman, Sam comes across Kevin Tran, held prisoner. He has witnessed the next phase of the Leviathan plan. They intend to breed out undesirable humans—those who are too short, too skinny, too small for those that are fatter and provide more meat. He sees them prepare Polly, a woman souped up on their enhanced corn syrup, and then lead her like a lamb to slaughter. She is to demonstrate the chemical that will be used to weed out those like her. It is effective and potent, killing her in seconds.
Tran tells Sam this, and insists that they go down to the lab where this chemical is being developed. Sam reluctantly agrees, his instinct to take the civilian to safety strong. Yet, it is right where they need to be—and they arrive in time to see the big finish. Dean and Castiel have arrived, with weapon in tow. Dick is amused, smug, and unafraid. He tells Dean, “A+ for getting that prepared.”
Dean stabs him in the heart, only to watch Dick pull the weapon out without being affected. If “There Will Be Blood” taught us anything, it was to look out for the double cross. Dean provides no tells, keeping his face full of fear and horror as Dick advances on him. Castiel had made an advance, only to be thrown aside like a ragdoll. Here, he comes from behind, just as Dick Roman comes in for the kill. He bares the Leviathan’s neck, and with a swift motion, the elder Winchester stabs the real weapon through it.

It works. Dick Roman starts to die, slowly pulsing and losing power before them. He seems immobilized. In an instant, he explodes, disappearing from this realm. Sam protects Tran from the ensuing explosion as they huddle by the door. As they pull away and look around at the aftermath, no one is there—no Dick Roman, no Castiel, and most importantly no Dean.
Crowley appears, ready to inform Sam that he has his army dealing with the floundering Leviathan left behind in the wake of Dick Roman’s death. This matters not to the younger Winchester as he is in a panic over the whereabouts of his elder brother.

Callously, Crowley tells him that the weapon had a kick—as most weapons of God do—and that a warning should have been put on the box. The weapon killed Dick Roman, yes, but it sent him back to from whence he came: Purgatory. As such, it took Dean, too. Sam is “truly on his own,” and will have to find a way to get Dean back.
Much like the end of season 3’s “No Rest for the Wicked,” we are left with the image of Dean in another realm. Here, he is free moving—and he is not alone. Castiel has also been transported there, and he asserts that they best find a way out. As Dean takes in his new surroundings, when he turns back, Castiel is gone. We are left to wonder if the angel has left Dean on his own to find a way out—or if perhaps he had been nabbed by a monster.
He is in none other than Purgatory itself—the realm of monsters—where they go to die and “feed on each other for all eternity.”

Seasons 6 and 7 danced around Purgatory as a frightening place. Ellie, also from Purgatory, warned, “I didn’t ask those idiots to crack the door. I just happened to be the thing that fell through. And let me tell you something, you are lucky it was me.”
Edgar tells the vampire that tells him to go to Hell, “No. My neighborhood is worse than that.”
It looks like we’ll be seeing just how bad that neighborhood is when season 8 begins.
For the brothers, it is one of their biggest challenges yet. Separated by supernatural forces, Sam and Dean must both dig deep within themselves to get back to one another. It has the potential to show both brother’s strengths beautifully as Dean fights his way through the dangers and horrors of Purgatory and Sam struggles to find any tools he can to help Dean return. This will be about them, fighting to reunite, and that is something they’ve always fought hard for—so far they’ve always managed it. This time will be no different. The one tool they possess that makes it possible is the one they’ve had all along: love. It is their binding agent, thicker than the blood they share, and it is their driving force. This time, Sam and Dean’s situation is personal, about the two of them finding their way back to one another—to do so will certainly take everything they’ve got—and more.
Osric Chau continues to show how Tran is adapting to his new situation. He is smart—and therefore resourceful. Upon realizing that Polly is too out of it to be much help, he admits, “I’m on my own.” It is also a nice foreshadow of the final episode moments. He has to find a way out of this mess and try and stop the Leviathan plan—no matter how futile. Chau shows that Tran is afraid, but willing to take the risks, as he does by trying to sneak out of the building. Chau again shows his character’s strength when he tells Sam they must stop the lab, that they must blow it up. Chau makes Tran easy to like, and we root for him to help out Sam and Dean with the information he’s gleaned from being trapped in the lair of the monster. Judging by the fact that he is now Crowley’s hostage it is possible we might see him return to the show in the upcoming season in some manner.
Rachel Miner gave sass to Meg. She shows her desperation to get out of the way before she can be captured by Crowely, declaring in dramatic fashion upon sighting the summoning tools, “I’m outie.” Miner shows that Meg, ever the fighter, knows that she must help the brothers out to stop Roman, though, if she has a chance of giving Crowley the slip. Her emergence from the Impala is shocking. Miner gives us Meg’s strength as she takes the bullets and fights back against the Leviathan guards. Miner has Meg in her element as she stalks away from them, only to be attacked by new foes: demons sent by Crowley to collect her. The smugness and satisfaction slips from her face to be replaced by fear and horror. Miner shows that Meg’s been more or less cornered, and it’ll be interesting to see if the only demon to be around since season 1 will return in season 8—and in what capacity.

James Patrick Stuart provided us with a cocky and sinister Dick Roman right up until the end. He is savvy, smart, and resourceful. Dick Roman exemplified Death’s description of the Leviathan, and Stuart showed to what lengths his character would go—all in style. His smug smile indicated that the gears were in motion, ever ready to outfox his opponent. Stuart seems to relish portraying a dark and evil character, and we see him make the polish of the business man come off as creepy time and time again. We have to wonder, now that Dean is trapped in Purgatory—as is Roman himself—if we’ll see him again.
Mark Sheppard showed a conniving and cunning Crowley. He managed to craft a deal that sounded like he got the short end of the stick—but really he has set himself up in a position of high power. He has captured Meg, his biggest rival for the throne, and has set his armies on beheading the Leviathan gathered. Sheppard seems to enjoy playing a smug Crowley more, making his performance fun and entertaining. He is subtle and suave in his dealings and double crossings. Crowley seems to have no sympathy for nearly everyone involved, and Sheppard shows it well in his caviler way of telling Sam, “You’re truly on your own now.” Sheppard’s always managed to make Crowley equal parts ally and enemy, and here we’re left to wonder if he’s not attempting to set himself up as the potential big bad for season 8. After all, the Winchesters more or less did his dirty work for him—now he gets to reap the rewards.
Misha Collins continues to show how Castiel is evolving. He is flighty, easily distracted, and seems to have lost his ability to communicate effectively. Yet, in his lucid moments, Collins shows flashes of the old Castiel. It is a difficult balance, and Collins handles it well. He helps the brothers to clean up his mess, right there to hold Dick Roman as Dean goes in for the kill. Collins almost seems like the old Castiel in the final scene, looking around to find a way out. With his disappearance, however, it leaves us to wonder when we’ll see Collins reprise the role again in season 8. Will he return to help Dean find an exit, or, as he said might happen, been “torn to shreds?”
Jim Beaver gives us a wide range for Bobby in this episode. He is angry and unstoppable in his pursuit of Roman. Beaver shows us in the reflection images just how angry his character is with deep scowls and narrowed eyes. Later, when he attacks Sam, that reflection changes to one of sorrow and remorse. His speech to the boys is touching, and Beaver makes sure it has the tone of Bobby in pep talk mode. It is emotional without being too sentimental. Considering the elaborate ruse to hide Bobby’s status last time, however, it is premature to say this is his last hurrah.
Jensen Ackles showed a Dean right on target and determined to finish Dick Roman off for good. He had a lot of the old devil may care attitude, knowing that it might be a suicidal venture, but rather than being depressed or angry, he has turned that into fuel for the fight. Ackles puts it in determined facial expressions and body language. He also shows Dean’s cunning by keeping the shocked face upon the decoy weapon’s failure well. Ackles also pulls on the heart strings when he shows Dean’s acceptance and grief upon losing Bobby a second time—and yet we see some peace with that decision. When he awakens in Purgatory, Ackles shows Dean’s confusion well, glancing around the frightening landscape he has been dumped into. It’ll be interesting to see where he takes it in season 8.
Jared Padalecki showed a determined and steely Sam—all up until the very end when he realized that he was alone. He is with Dean on stopping Roman at all costs, but won’t allow Bobby to make the mistake of going in armed with only a knife. Padalecki shows Sam’s concern well for Bobby, even while he’s being attacked, and it is his soft pleading that aids Bobby to stop. We see Sam’s sorrow in his expression when it comes time to let him go. Padalecki best scene comes when Sam realizes that he is truly alone. His face crumbles , and despite his size, seems to shrink on screen into that of a little boy lost. Its in is his eyes and marked in his body language. He sells Sam’s pain well, and it’ll take the determination Padalecki displayed in Sam earlier in the episode to help bring Dean back.
After that cliffhanger, October seems oh so far away.
PURGATORY WAS NOT TAUGHT IN MY RELIGION. HAVE NOT BEEN TO CHURCH IN DECADES. SO I JUST GO WITH SN EXPLAINATION.
DEAN IS THE “JOB” CHARACTER OF THIS SERIES. IT HAS TAKEN ME 7 YRS. TO FIGURE THAT OUT.
SOME SAY BOBBY IS IN PURG. WHY I ASK? HE WENT PEACEFULLY ON HIS OWN TERMS. HE SHOULD BE IN HEAVEN WITH HIS WIFE & RUFUS & FRIENDS. IF I AM WRONG SO BE IT.
OTHERS HAVE SAID MAYBE CROWLEY IS GOD, OR GABRIEL. I DONT KNOW WHAT HE IS, BUT HE IS WAY MORE THAN HE SEEMS.
BRAVA SERA, GOOD SCRIPT. HATE THAT DEAN CANT CATCH A BREAK, BUT AS I SAID BEFORE, HE IS THE LONG SUFFERING “JOB” LIKE CHARACTER. SO THAT BRINGS ME SOME SOLICE.
LOTS OF LINES I LOVE,’ AN EMBARRASSMENT OF RICHES’ BEING MY FAVORITE.
JUST WANT TO SAY THERE ARE CERTAIN WRITERS & COMMENTATORS I LOOK FOR EVERY ARTICLE. SOME OF U HAVE ME CRYING WITH LAUGHTER. I WONT NAME U & EMBARRASS U, BUT U MAKE LIFE BETTER.
THIS IS WAY TO LONG FOR ME, I STILL HAVE SOMETHING LEFT FOR ALICE’S REVIEW. BUT I LIKE TO COMMENT, I AM NO CRITIC. LOVE THIS FANDOM & THANKS GUYS.
Thanks for the comment!
Purgatory is a medieval concept more or less. It was a place that fairly good people could go that hadn’t committed “mortal sins” in the eyes of the Church, and purge those sins until they were worthy of Heaven. The most famous medieval literary expression of this concept is Dante’s. He wrote the Inferno, Purgatory, and Paradiso, a journey through the three realms. Most know the Inferno best.
Supernatural has taken the Dante division and taken it in a totally different direction, of course. The idea that a monster’s soul goes to Purgatory is a fascinating twist to me.
As for Crowley, we’ve never once seen his eyes turn black, or any other color for that matter. The question IS what is he? I don’t think he’s God, but I think he’s something more, despite the fact that he’s affected by a demon’s summon or devil’s trap.
My big question, now that I’ve ruminated on the finale is this: Where do Angels go when they die? Or demons, for that matter? Angels are FROM Heaven, so they can’t go there. They have no soul, so they can’t go to Hell (not counting Lucifer and Michael as they are NOT dead). Where, then, do they go? And what of demons that are killed? They were once humans that then morphed into demons in Hell as their souls were twisted. It’s an interesting thought. What if they, upon death, go to Purgatory?
I think your take on Dean is an interesting one. I think, in many ways, both brothers share these qualities, though.
Thanks again!
YES, Y’OLE 9TH CIRCLE OF HELL 😆
I DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THE OTHERS, SO NOW I HAVE SOMETHING TO RESEARCH. THANKS
[i]”We have to wonder, now that Dean is trapped in Purgatory—as is Roman himself—if we’ll see him again.”[/i]
You know, I haven’t seen anyone comment about Dick Roman’s evil laughter as he was dying. If you think about that, laughter seems a very odd reaction to the realization that he was outfoxed by Dean Winchester. I could see him angry, I could see him shocked. But smiling and laughing?
For me, that is the real giveaway clue. Dick Roman is laughing because he realizes that both he[b][i] AND[/i][/b] Dean Winchester will end up together in Purgatory for Round Two. What other possible reason would there be for his laughter?
I noticed that evil laugh too.
One of the great things about Purgatory is it opens up so many possibilities of who (and what) they could run into there. Everything they’ve ever killed is there. Maybe even ghosts go there.
Oh my yes. I was watching Skin last night and thought of that skin walker Dean kills. How many of these vanquished monsters will flock to Dean to punish him?
Thanks for the comment!
I noticed the wicked smiling, too. Most villains are SHOCKED when Dean Winchester delivers that kill shot. I think Roman knew, like Crowley, that this weapon would backfire on its user. So, I think it’s very possible he’ll be there in Purgatory, on his own turn, able to inflict some major damage if Dean can’t figure out how to make it out of there.
Either way, it’s kinda creepy. I wonder if we’ll see Dick Roman’s true form. We’ve seen a Leviathan’s face, but what do they REALLY look like?
“Padalecki best scene comes when Sam realizes that he is truly alone. His face crumbles , and despite his size, seems to shrink on screen into that of a little boy lost. Its in is his eyes and marked in his body language. He sells Sam’s pain well, and it’ll take the determination Padalecki displayed in Sam earlier in the episode to help bring Dean back. “
This is the scene that really gut-punched me!
We had some really great villains and recurring characters. Both James Patrick Stuart and Mark Sheppard are amazing, they both have so much screen presence. I loved the sass Rachel Miner gave Meg. And Kevin Tran Of Advanced Placement is just so endearing.
Purgatory in the Supernatural universe is a very terrifying and fascinating place. I can’t wait to see how this plays out. October sure is too far away!
Thanks for a well-written and well-thought out recap of the season and finale.
Thanks for the comment!
I felt really bad for Sam there. He’s been holding on tight to his sanity after Cas took the brunt of the hallucination effects, but I don’t think he’s quite out of the woods and this will be a big test of that.
The recurring characters, for me, just enrich the series so well. Especially the villains. They provide a nice antithesis to the boys.
I am thrilled to see Purgatory come into the front. I don’t know how they’ll get Dean out of this situation and such, but I think that it’ll provide for great story. Unlike Hell, an Angel can’t just swoop in and rescue him.
Thanks for the comment!
Hi Faraway Eyes,
Thanks for the review. I finally have a chance to write some stuff down so I apologize in advance, but this is going to be lengthy.
I have a few quibbles and they mainly have to do with editing. We should have seen the boys in the car at some point, certainly should have seen Dean driving her. Even when he was with Lisa, the separation wasn’t that long. He could go out to the garage, lift a corner of the tarp and ogle her any time he needed to! There should have been a bigger reunion scene.
Also, there appears to be two heads in the car as it careens down the road. I think they stopped, got out and Meg got in. We should have seen that. In an episode full of doublecrosses, it would have been important to see that.
I confess I enjoy a good spoiler now and then, and I read a quote from Jared at the Rome con. He was quoting dialogue from a future episode and he said something about Sam asking Dean about finding the will to keep fighting, and Dean says “you just have to tryâ€. (I can’t find the quote right now. Drat!) But, I think that sounds like a fairly important discussion that we never saw. We also never saw the “Don’t die. Don’t die†exchange of the 7.23 previews.
I know the episodes are edited for time. (It’s the aggravation of my day job.) But those seem like really important BROTHERLY things to leave out.
In fact, if they’d been included, the brothers’ unintended, brutal separation at the end would have been even more poignant than it already was. It might have illustrated just how much stronger and more balanced their relationship has become.
I really didn’t need to see young Polly in her undies. Rationally, I know a beige bra & panties are just another type of bikini. But, for some reason because we call them underwear, they seem so much more intimate. Perhaps because she was obviously a teenager, but I found it oddly gratuitous, one of the few gratuitous moments ever in Supernatural.
Those criticisms aside, I think it was a great episode. Each brother had a chance to shine. They also got a last bit of advice from Bobby – Do it for the job, and when it’s your time to go, JUST GO!! I think Dean already learned that – first from Tessa after the car crash, and then after his day as Death. But, it never hurts to repeat an important message like that. However, could it be foreshadowing their future deaths, and the way the show will end?
I really liked Crazy!Cas. He had a lot of wise stuff to say, I’m just not sure I caught it all! And I liked Dean telling Cas to pull himself together and help clean up the mess he made. It was tough, maybe harsh advice, but it was good advice. Cas can’t undo the past. But he can help the Winchesters fix the problem in the present, and save the future. Also, Dean has been on the receiving end of that advice all season. It’s time he passed it along!
I really liked the hint of forgiveness between Cas & Dean at the Impala. Regardless of what Jensen says, (see Rome JIB con reports again.. oops!) I think Dean has been slowly forgiving Cas all along. They had been allies & friends for a long time. I think he wants to find a way back to that. And he doesn’t want it to hang over them forever like “Omaha†did for Bobby & Rufus.
I liked the little Sam & Dean brother moments. The teasing in the car about how a bad joke can be a good idea… The shared WTF when they’ve covered the bone in blood – and nothing happens! .. Dean’s confusion & concern when Sam was rushing out to confront Maid!Bobby. I don’t think Dean wanted to stop him. He just wanted to know what Sam’s plan was, and that he’d be safe.
As an aside, I found it interesting that Bobby seeing his reflection in the car window as he strangled Sam, was another flashback to Lucifer!Sam pounding on Dean, and then catching a glimpse of the plastic army soldier, and coming to his Sam-senses.
I think the ending is very interesting. Who does Sam turn to? How does he divide his time between finding Dean and eradicating the continuing threat of the the Leviathan. Just because Dick is dead doesn’t mean the danger is past.
Does Sam summon Crowley and demand more information? And why does Crowley need a prophet? I am convinced that Crowley is not just a demon, if he’s even a demon at all. Maybe he’s only pretending to be trapped in the Devil’s Trap. He is something very powerful I think, with those eyes that never change colour!
Does Sam reach out to Death, and get his help in opening the door to Purgatory, just one more time?
Sam does have people he can reach out to – Sherriff Mills, Garth, even the father/daughter team and Charlie. He’s not totally alone. Plus, he has the Impala!! (What is Dean going to do in Purgatory without Baby!)
Dean isn’t totally alone either. I don’t know what role Cas will play next year (Misha isn’t a series regular again, yet.). To me, once in Purgatory, he sounded like the old Cas – deeper, rougher voice. That should be a good thing. But I don’t think he’ll be there all the time.
I don’t fall into the camp of wanting Sam to save Dean. I want Dean to save Dean. Moreover, I want Dean to want to save himself. That’s an important distinction. He admitted he didn’t want to go to Hell, or deserve to go to Hell. His surprise and fear at finding himself in Purgatory suggests to me he really does want to live. If he really wanted to die, he’d just lie down and let the red-eyed monsters tear him to shreds. But he wanted to “get out of hereâ€. Methinks, Dean is shedding his apathy, and getting ready to fight. I think Death could make an appearance in Purgatory too. (He’s got a soft spot for Dean!)
Also, was it only me, or did others thinks “Holy Hunger Games Batman!†at the sight of Purgatory?
I hope they leave the brothers separated for several episodes. They both have things to discover and face on their own. The reunion will be that much sweeter for the time apart.
And just because I like to think outside the box, I wonder if Sam will get a one-way ticket and join Dean in Purgatory? Wouldn’t that make for some interesting storytelling?!
Whew!
Thanks for listening,
Pragmatic Dreamer
DIRECTORS CUT DVDs IS WHAT WE NEED. I HAVE EVERY SEASON & NONE HAVE EXTRA CUTS. DELETED SCENES OR EXTENDED SCENES BUT NOT ANOTHER EDITED VERSION. Its about time SN CREW.
Yep, directors cut would be super on the DVD’s. I find deleted scenes somewhat boring on their own. Especially in this episode, I think a whole lot of stuff got edited out. Such as with the Impala, there were definitely two heads in that car when it was coming down the road, so yes, I’m sure Sam & Dean got out at one point and Meg continued on to create the diversion.
Thanks for the comment.
That’s a shame that they edited some of those things out to fit into the time. I am hopeful that some of those scenes end up as a cut scene on the upcoming DVD release, then. I have to agree I thought it was odd to watch Polly strip so we could then watch her die. She’s small and we could see that just as easily in her dress.
I agree. Jensen may think that Dean isn’t forgiving Cas this season, but the seeds are there. It was in that gesture and speech about the bottom of the 9th.
I noticed that Bobby’s stopping was very much a reflection of the showdown at Stull, too. And I think he saw just how angry he was becoming which lead to his decision. I don’t know if his advice is a foreshadow of the show’s conclusion, though.
As for Sam, I think he’ll go to Jodi Mills and get help from her. I will be curious to see just how America wakes up from their TDK Slammer hangover, too.
As for Sam saving Dean, I don’t really want that, either. What I truly want to see is both brothers, working either side of this situation, to get back to one another. I want Sam to be working hard to get to Dean in Purgatory, to get Dean back out while Dean is doing everything he can to get out and back to Sam. I want it to be a joint effort, even if they’re divided by this realm.
Thanks for the comment!
Thanks for the great review. What a cliffhanger we got for season 8, oh boy! Poor, poor Sam, he looked so alone and frightened when he realized that Dean was gone. I’m sure he’ll figure out where he’s disappeared to pretty fast and he does know how to open the door to Purgatory. Although, how to do that without letting out all those nasty beasties out will be interesting to see. Here’s hoping Sam goes to Jodi Mills for help.
And the look of fear on Dean’s face. At least in Purgatory he’s not chained up as he was in Hell, but I am so worried for him. I don’t think Cass has disappeared for good, he may be on a recon, at least that’s what I tell myself as a reassurance. It would be good if Dean at least had one friend with him. What else is lurking down there? According to the Catholic dogma, there aren’t only bad things there. It’s where souls go to be cleansed of earthly sins, so who knows, maybe he’ll meet a few allies.
I loved the way Bobby was put to rest, just showing the glow of the flame out in Sam & Dean’s faces. It was just so beautiful and very sad. But I also think it helped them say their last goodbyes and bring on the healing process.
So many things to ponder over this very long hiatus. I’ve already started watching from season one, I miss the boys already!
Thanks for the comment!
I had the same thought about Sam and figuring out what to do about getting Dean back. He could open the door to Purgatory to get Dean out, but yes, all those nasties would be back out and you’d be right where you started. So obviously, there’s gotta be another way to get out.
I like that Dean’s not chained up and has the ability to range. It’s interesting that you mention allies being a potential. I mulled over Dante earlier today, and I am seeing the forest they ended up in very Dante-esque. I wonder, who among those in Purgatory already, will step forward to be Dean’s Virgil and help guide him out. It’s a neat thought.
I had to process Bobby’s goodbye a couple times, and I really loved that he was given the parting words about “doing the job.” It’s just what Bobby needed to say to be at rest and what the boys needed to hear to carry on.
You and I are of a pair. I started my rewatch the day AFTER the finale. It will make Hellatus go much faster, no?
Thanks again!
If Sam goes to Jodi Mills, it will be a reflection of them working to get Dean back as they did in “Time After Time”.
I also thought that Dean might meet up with Dick in purgatory. That would be where dead Dick would go. That would be a great opportunity to see the “real” visage of the Leviathan.
I am so glad that Bobby was allowed to choose to leave his rage behind and pass onward. His redemption in that act will open his way to heaven-which he deserves after a life of killing monsters. It would be neat to have an episode-like “The Dark Side of the Moon”-where Dean and Sam can see that Bobby is there. Don’t really expect the writers to come up with that unless it is the series finale.
Loved Meg-hope she comes back in season 8. I’m sure Crowley is not keeping her healthy in hell but she’s a fighter.
Crowley is way too powerful for just a demon-he is king of hell now, is that enough position to make him that powerful? He is such a charming villain-easy to hate him but hate with a grudging acceptance of his charm.
Definitely a keeper for season 8 along with the alpha vamp.
Enjoying Cas a lot-love his flower child talk as long as he doesn’t stay there all the time. Like him getting serious in between-watching the character keep his balance is very enjoyable.
Love Sam, love,love Dean. Enjoy them every single episode. So happy with season 8 and on with them.
Doesn’t matter what night or day they are on TV-I will be watching.
Thanks for the comment!
I agree, absolutely, that if Sam should darken Jodi’s doorstep to help get Dean back it’ll be a perfect reflection of their teaming up in Time After Time. I think it’ll be a beautiful thing to see, too.
I think it’d be really interesting to see the true faces of the Leviathan—in this case, Dick Roman. There are other creatures that Dean has killed there, too, and I wonder if we may run into Eve again or see the other monsters differently now that they are dead. I’ve been trying to figure out what happens to Angels when they are killed, as well as demons when they are killed for good. Could they go to Purgatory? If so, that opens the door to many other characters returning in some form.
I thought Bobby’s parting words were some of the most beautiful of the whole episode. They weren’t sugary, they weren’t sentimental, but they got the job done and they tugged at my heart anyways. And just seeing the boys get to say goodbye and have a peaceful moment right before, absolutely well done.
Meg’s a big fighter and has been running around since the beginning. I think Crowley thinks he has her beat, but I don’t think Meg’s going to just lie down and take it, either. I also love Crowley because he’s just so crafty and evil. I just don’t think he’s a demon. He doesn’t change his eyes, EVER. Meg does. It makes me wonder just what he is, because you’re right, he’s much more powerful than he really ought to be for a supposed ex King of the Crossroads.
I think Cas will have to get back to warrior shape if he wants to survive—if he’s not been nabbed already. I have no doubt we’ll see him again, too.
Thanks again!
I thought this episode was great and can’t wait for season 8 to start!!
Thanks for your review. It’s always fun to read reviews and other fan’s comments and see how all of that matches up with your own thoughts.
I just read an awesome fanfic tag that would be a great way to start season 8 – check it out http://www.fanfiction.net/s/8137704/1/
I am surely hoping that Jeremy Carver will works some magic and the new season will start with a bang and just keep soaring!! I love these guys!! I just want them together, through thick and thin, good and bad, laughter and tears……but always together…….or at least trying to get back together!
I never saw Hunger Games nor read the book so I don’t know. But I guess Dean must prove that he is the fittest to survive there. He must stay alive. Hence Survival of the Fittest.
I once read a quote by John Winchester that said “Dean is so well trained that if you drop him in the middle of a dark forest with only a knife he’ll survive. Even without the knife.”
I don’t know from where that quote is or is it even canon. Maybe from the comic? But now I really wanna see that Daddy Winchester’s faith on his oldest son’s survival skill is proven right.
Oh Dean goes all primal and wild post purgatory is intriguing too.
I read an interview somewhere that Castiel will be a bridge for the brothers, flitting back and forth between them. I dunno if it’s true but isn’t that mean Castiel knows where purgatory is and can go in and out?
Considering Jensen will be directing the first episode season 8 that means Dean won’t have much airtime during the first episode. Maybe the episode is another Sam centric. That’s also interesting.
I doubt the premiere will be Sam-centric never really happens when Jensen directed the Girl Next Door it didnt affect that much his screen time.I would expect the same here.
[quote]I doubt the premiere will be Sam-centric never really happens when Jensen directed the Girl Next Door it didnt affect that much his screen time.I would expect the same here.[/quote]
Yeah . . . Jensen’s directing as never, IMO, impacted his screentime. Honestly, I’d be shocked if the premiere was Sam-centric. Luckily, we’ll see some of Sam in the premiere.
Jensen did say that he would enjoy challenging himself to not only directing an episode but also playing Dean in that episode when Dean had a lot to do-trying to challenge himself to act a lot and direct. This episode may be the one.
[quote]Jensen did say that he would enjoy challenging himself to not only directing an episode but also playing Dean in that episode when Dean had a lot to do-trying to challenge himself to act a lot and direct. This episode may be the one.[/quote]
But hasn’t he done that each time he’s directed? I’d think he’d have the hang of it by now.
Saw in another comment section that someone thought Crowley is a yellow eyed demon and that is why he doesn’t flash his eyes. Interesting.
As I understand it, it is not that John, Mary, Jo and Ellen aren’t in heaven. Mary was there because she was being used by Zacariah, John may have gone to heaven when he left hell and Jo and Ellen simply were not found by Ash with his computer/angel screen. Of course, he did not know they were dead at that point. So, their end residences are not really known.