Robin’s Rambles: Supernatural 9.16 – “Blade Runners”
Bunker – Cain and Abel, first bros, reads Sam on the computer. Dean can’t reach Crowley on the phone- did Crowley drunk-dial Dean?
Crowley is getting some? Human blood and sex? Food? He’s hungry.
Crowley is crying over an old movie. . .WTF?
Abaddon minion, Crowley’s bitch, reports that Crowley is off his game, speaking to Winchesters, into blood, food and sex.
Sam and Dean summon a demon–Snooki–Nicole–and demand Crowley info from her. What happens in he’ll stay in hell; she’s got nothing. Stuck in the devils trap, she tells them everyone wants to sign on with Abaddon because of what a wimp Crowley’s become. Despite promising otherwise, Sam exorcisms her.
Crowley’s girl brings him blood. He sends her flying for betraying him, going to Abbadon. She makes fun of him; he kills her. He injects himself with the blood and revels in the good feeling, surrounded by bodies of others he has killed.
Bunker – Sam wonders if Crowley found the blade and has double-crossed them. They could use the blade to kill Crowley, once they have it, the brothers realize. The latter calls; he needs their help. They learn about his addiction and lock him to a chair. You don’t know what it’s like to be human, cries Crowley, an absolutely hilarious line. He explains how he was double-crossed, but doesn’t know what Abaddon knows. They insist Crowley will kick it, cold turkey. The Mariana Trench did not contain the blade. Crowley is sentimentally staring at Sam, insisting after their time together in the church, he is bonded to him; they shared a moment. Sam says that is not so.
Outside, Crowley steals candy, acting like a spoiled child. Dean orders him to cut it out. They wait for a potential seller of the blade. Crowley smokes inside the guy and finds out where the blade is. Demons inhabit the guards at that location. A nice research assistant bringing them coffee dies, as do the guards. The possessed men killed each other. Nothing was stolen, but Sam and Dean realize Abaddon is closing in fast.
The first blade was never on display, the woman says, she removed it herself after it couldn’t be authenticated. She sold it to a buyer called Magnus. She hands only Dean the card. Men of Letters reference? They ask Crowley, who is incensed at their treatment and making him a junkie. He wants Scotch! It’s a rogue member tossed out on his ass. Crowley finds Busty Asian Beauties. They find a guy who created most of the warding off spells and was ejected from the Man of Letters. Cuthbert Sinclair! they call. The brothers disappear into a fortress hallway where they must dispense with vampires. Magnus sits across from them beside a fire. They explain they’re hunters. He was Henry’s mentor. They explain the problem with Abaddon and that they need the first blade. Dean shows him the necessary Mark of Cain. They must escape hell on earth, explains Sam. Loan us the blade, begs Dean. The blade is right behind you, says Magnus, snapping his fingers? To Dean’s horror, the blade–and Sam–disappear.
Sam is back with Crowley.
Magnus now has Dean and the blade. He wants Dean to stay and be his companion–he’s lonely. Didn’t that sound at all creepy? Dean asks–he wants to take the blade and go. There are no doors or windows for escape. Dean pulls a knife; Magnus makes it too hot to hold. He welcomes Dean to his collection.
Crowley suggests he and Moose get matching tattoos. He reminds him how useful he’s been to them. Sam asks him to shut the hell up.
Magnus is infuriating Dean, calling him way worse than the Men of Letters. He forces the blade into Dean’s grasp. The Mark of Cain glows red. Dean seems empowered, in pain. He drops the blade. Good, praises Magnus, next time, it’ll get easier, you’ll get used to the feelings, even welcome them.
Reading, Sam learns the only way to get back to Magnus and Dean is by spell, and he might need Crowley after all.
Anything we want to own or destroy is ours, exults Magnus. You gonna kill me? Asks Dean? Magnus touches his forehead, taking his will. You’ll be ready for whatever I have in mind, promises Magnus.
Sam and Crowley put together a spell that brings them back to Magnus’ portal. I’m growing on you, aren’t I? Crowley asks, after Sam tells him to shut the hell up.
Once inside, Sam puts a knife to Magnus’ throat and stabs him, but it turns out to be a shapeshifter, one of Magnus’ zoo. Dean is shackled to a column. Magnus shackles Sam to another and says he discarded him far too quickly–Sam will get Dean to see things his way–he’s going to make him suffer. He starts slicing into Sam’s face, Dean threatening him. Crowley comes lurking around a corner, meeting Dean’s eyes. Next thing we know, Dean is free, Magnus is about to kill Sam, and Dean has chopped off Magnus’ head with the blade. Dean holds the blade in a shaking hand, eyes glassy. Sam calls his name, trying to get him to drop the blade, but it almost seems impossible. Dean finally releases the blade. Crowley stares at the scene.
Woods – Crowley praises his contribution to their mission, grumbles at their getting trussed up, his derring-do, muscle from Moose. They arrive to find that someone ransacked the Impala–but not the trunk. Dean is furious. They keyed his car in Enochian, a message from Abaddon for Crowley to be very afraid. Sam reminds Dean that now that they have the blade, they can get rid of Crowley. Unfortunately, Crowley pins them to the Impala, snags the blade and tells them HE will hang onto it until they locate Abaddon and destroy her. He can’t trust Moose, either. Defeated, released, Sam and Dean fall against the car, stare at the ground and curse their bad luck.
1. I’m glad they didn’t kill Crowley. Every episode with him is so much fun. Right?
2. Now that we’ve seen the affect of the Mark of Cain on Dean, I’m scared for him. That was creepy. What did you think?
3. What was Magnus’ deal? He was an odd MOW. Was he just a power-mad, overgrown child who wanted Dean to play with him?
4. How funny was Crowley tonight? He had me LOL at least three times tonight! Sex, sappy TV and drugs in the form of blood from the blood bank!
5. The brothers didn’t do a very good job of keeping the blade safe if they were planning to kill Crowley. They left it on the ground, out in the open. I’m just sayin’.
6. I thought this a pretty good episode. I give it an 8.
[b]1. I’m glad they didn’t kill Crowley. Every episode with him is so much fun. Right?[/b] Totally. Crowley can stay as long as they want.
[b]2. Now that we’ve seen the affect of the Mark of Cain on Dean, I’m scared for him. That was creepy. What did you think?[/b] The Mark of Cain is very creepy. I’m scared not only for Dean, but for anyone he comes across when he has the Mark and the First Blade.
[b]3. What was Magnus’ deal? He was an odd MOW. Was he just a power-mad, overgrown child who wanted Dean to play with him?[/b] I don’t know what his deal was, but he was killed off too quickly, IMHO. He was interesting and could have been a source of information and supplies as well as being an opponent. I was far more interested in him than in Bartholomew, or Malachi or the faceless angel factions that are running around. Give Sam and Dean an antagonist that isn’t an angel, or so hugely powerful that they have to be depowered in order to believe Sam and Dean can defeat them.
[b]4. How funny was Crowley tonight? He had me LOL at least three times tonight! Sex, sappy TV and drugs in the form of blood from the blood bank!
[/b] Love Crowley. Love his little crush(?) fascination with Sam. Crowley has always made me laugh, even when being completely menacing.
[b]5. The brothers didn’t do a very good job of keeping the blade safe if they were planning to kill Crowley. They left it on the ground, out in the open. I’m just sayin’.[/b] Sam and Dean were dumbed down in several ways this episode. They didn’t even look around the mansion. The guy was a collector, he probably has tons of useful stuff, but they just leave. I guess they could come back, but I would have liked a statement to that effect. I also wonder about the zoo. What else is in there? Isn’t pretty awful to leave them in there to starve? Or worse, have the creatures start reading the spells and get out? In Hollywood Babylon Sam was able to recognize the Enochian Spell that brought the ghosts to the set. In Trial and Error Sam and Dean were able to READ the Enochian verse that had to be chanted after each trial. Now Crowley has to tell them that the words on the car are Enochian? Really?
I did like a lot of the episode. In fact considering the writers I was pleasantly surprised. It does seem to be kicking off the last part of the season.
Because the mark of Cain storyline is only supposed to grow and grow up to the season finale, it’s gonna be hugely revolved around mark of cain, and I can’t help but think that Dean is going to go darkside in the last episode and let the mark of Cain take over him.
In this episode, the first time Dean held the first blade, we saw him shake and struggle with it, but he was able to let go and throw the blade to the ground. The second time, however, he couldn’t just let go. It was clear that inside him there was anger building up and building up and the first blade was only making it worse and making him feel more powerful. If it wasn’t for Sam calling out Dean’s name, he might have not snapped out of it.
So imagine how Dean is gonna feel when he kills Abaddon (somewhere between 9×21-9×23 maybe?). Imagine the power and the anger surging through his veins. He almost lost control from killing a human, imagine how he’s gonna feel once he kills a [i]knight of hell[/i]. The first time that Dean held the blade and couldn’t control it, Magnus said to him that soon he would get used to it (which we saw the second time he held the blade). The more Dean kills with the blade, the more he even holds it, the closer he’s going to get to the darkside. Sam was able to get to him this time (after numerous attempts), but he might not be able to break through the thick veil that is going to build up with every killing/interaction with the blade.
When Cain decided to give Dean the mark, it was right after he witnessed Dean take on 3 (or so) demons and kill them all in cold blood. After seeing [i]that[/i], Cain decided that Dean was worthy of the mark. He saw the anger and the pain and the murder in Dean that Cain also had in himself (which is why Cain said “you and I are much alike”). Dean and Cain have perfect parallels (“First born son, has one younger brother who Lucifer wants to overtake, can’t bear to see his younger brother go through such an ordeal and ends up sacrificing himself, joins the ranks of hell and does terrible things he will never forgive himself for, is finally able to sever his ties with hell because of C______”) and so who knows, maybe in the season finale Dean can’t control the anger and the power pumping through his veins and no one can get to him, and he ends up hurting the people he cares most about.
Thank you for reading this if you actually do ;u; I’ve been thinking about all this alot
Agree with everything you posted. This is such a great story and I can’t wait to see where it takes us. DarkDean is on the way and I couldn’t be happier. I also can’t wait to see if Cas has any info on the MOC and its side effects. And his reaction to Dean having the Mark of Cain. I just love this show.
(First born son, has one younger brother who Lucifer wants to overtake)
I have to disagree with this because we only have Cain’s word for it. He may have been lying. Maybe Cain is the one Lucifer was after and turned him and Abel was innocent.
The episode was okay. Not great, not terrible. Don’t trust Crowley, he has his own agenda.
[i]1. I’m glad they didn’t kill Crowley. Every episode with him is so much fun. Right?[/i] Agreed. I still think he was up to something. It was like he was trying to get on Sam’s good side. Maybe to control Dean. I’m just not sure.
[i]2. Now that we’ve seen the affect of the Mark of Cain on Dean, I’m scared for him. That was creepy. What did you think?[/i] Definitely creepy and scary and wonderful. Dean has so much darkness in him already the blade just seems so amplify that side. I believe Crowley didn’t get to close just to see what Dean would be like holding the blade. I think he knows more then he is letting on.
[i]3. What was Magnus’ deal? He was an odd MOW. Was he just a power-mad, overgrown child who wanted Dean to play with him?[/i] I think it was a little more creepy than that. He got the ultimate prize for his collection dropped in his lap and he was going to keep it hook or crook. Plus he wanted a companion. Not even going to go there.
[i]4. How funny was Crowley tonight? He had me LOL at least three times tonight! Sex, sappy TV and drugs in the form of blood from the blood bank![/i] I enjoyed him and I believe he is growing on Dean. Not a good thing. But he is not growing on Sam so that is definitely a good thing.
[i]5. The brothers didn’t do a very good job of keeping the blade safe if they were planning to kill Crowley. They left it on the ground, out in the open. I’m just sayin’.[/i] I don’t believe Dean was even aware of what was going on in that moment he was so focused on Baby. Sam had the blade in his hand and dropped it when Crowley pushed them against the car.
[i]6. I thought this a pretty good episode. I give it an 8.[/i] Slow in some places but kept me entertained. But when Dean and the blade came together I was all hell yeah. So I would give it a 9.
Thanks for your article.
I enjoyed the episode. Not as much as I enjoyed last week’s but still, yeah, great episode. Much of my enjoyment has been spoilt though by the news today over here in Great Britain that Supernatural has been dropped by the TV channel that has been airing it. No S9 on the telly over here for us. 🙁 Not unless another channel picks it up. *cries*
But, back to the episode… LOVED Crowley. He can stay for ever and ever. He’s definitely up to something. He certainly played the boys well in this episode. I love his fascination with Sam and the ‘Not Moose’ was just fabulous. 😀 Loved that they played a Velvet Underground song, when I heard that I just about fell off my chair. Awesome moment!
Loved it when Dean got all angry, panicky and all ‘I swear to God!’ when Magnus was threatening/cutting Sam. Very much looking forward to seeing where the MOC storyline goes and, based on the Ausiello spoiler this week, what’s ahead for Sam.
On the whole, it was a great episode. Lots of good lines and scenes. Lots of good Crowley stuff. Finally got the blade and then, predictably, lost it.
I am fairly certain Crowley played the Winchesters, he is all about self preservation. He knew the former hidden MOL guy was hidden and he had to get into the secret lair somehow and yet make the brothers think they were the ones figuring it all out and make them need his help to do it.
I enjoyed the bits as well. It was interesting to see Sam ask Dean if there was any reason to keep Crowley alive once the blade was discovered, like he was asking if Dean was hiding some other information. For some reason since the beginning of this season, Dean has kept Crowley alive while Sam has tried to understand why. I keep waiting for Sam to just kill the guy.
If I wanted to get nit picky, I agree that they have another secret stash of stuff, but doesn’t Crowley also know the spell to get in? I have wondered, since they have a bunker, why they haven’t moved all their libraries over to the bunker. They could have the Singer library, the Campbell library etc.
Also, one of my biggest nit picks is not the enochian scribble on the car (it might have been difficult to read in English) but that Sam was actually looking into the trunk of the car and he could have dropped the blade in and closed it…but noooo…
All-in-all, I enjoyed the episode alot. It had a good pace, laughs, frights, anxiety and obviously some great acting, fx and camera work, although after almost 9 years, I can recognize reused sets and locations which is kinda cool but also distracting.
I also loved the special affects (or effects?) in this episode. I agree that Crowely played the boys perfectly. Maybe Sam didn’t have any reason at the moment to think that Crowely was going to double cross them since Dean is the one that has to use the blade. So it is no good to Crowely without Dean. I do the same thing with sets and locations from past episodes. I assumed that they moved the libraries already we just didn’t see it. They need to move John’s locker. 🙂
1. I’m glad they didn’t kill Crowley. Every episode with him is so much fun. Right?
Crowley is Crowley. I think he is that sort of baddie that won’t die. Hard to explain. He is dangerous and sneaky. The sneakiness will keep him alive unlike Abaddon that wants to kill the world. Usually that gets more attention from the brothers. 😛
2. Now that we’ve seen the affect of the Mark of Cain on Dean, I’m scared for him. That was creepy. What did you think?
I like how subtle they showed it but still very ominous. It can go to many roads and I really want to know more about it. And they know they are teasing the viewers. Them bastardos. 😉
3. What was Magnus’ deal? He was an odd MOW. Was he just a power-mad, overgrown child who wanted Dean to play with him?
He was an interesting character and… Yes, there was a creepy factor. Little bit same that Crowley had for Sam. The boys reaction told a lot for both. I liked the alchemy magic and his house of rare magical things. I almost have a feeling that he didn’t actually die. That it was too easy. He used a spell that kept him young? Maybe he can’t die? At least I hope. It is wasted if a character that interesting dies after ten minutes.
4. How funny was Crowley tonight? He had me LOL at least three times tonight! Sex, sappy TV and drugs in the form of blood from the blood bank!
How the trio was acting together was awesome and like I said before, Crowley is Crowley.
5. The brothers didn’t do a very good job of keeping the blade safe if they were planning to kill Crowley. They left it on the ground, out in the open. I’m just sayin’.
Sam was holding it because Dean of course couldn’t. And I think he held it in his hand as he had all the time the thought to let Crowley have it. He was meaning to kill him but yeah. They were struck against the car and Sam dropped it. Bad luck mostly.
6. I thought this a pretty good episode. I give it an 8.
I give it a nine. I really liked it but ten is so hard to give. The brothers were both 10. Dean with MoC and I liked Sam playing with alchemy magic stuff and being annoyed to Crowley. All in all and exiting episode. Thumbs up!
1. Absolutely.
2. Definitely creepy. Freaking out for him.
3. Thinkin’ the guy was twisted. Maybe even like Lizzie from AMC’s TWD.
4. Crowley is always a riot. I particularly like the “Not Moose.” Shouldn’t Dean be “Squirrel” though?
5. Thinkin’ the both of them were a little shell-shocked over how it affected Dean, so Sam had it.
6. I give it an 8, too.
[b]1. I’m glad they didn’t kill Crowley. Every episode with him is so much fun. Right?[/b]
Yep, Crowley is too good a villain to kill off, at least for the time being.
[b]2. Now that we’ve seen the affect of the Mark of Cain on Dean, I’m scared for him. That was creepy. What did you think?[/b]
Agreed… I think it scared Dean too.
[b]3. What was Magnus’ deal? He was an odd MOW. Was he just a power-mad, overgrown child who wanted Dean to play with him?[/b]
Creepy and crazy… no wonder the MOL kicked him to the curb. Might have also been some deep seated resentment from his parents naming him Cuthbert Sinclair (no offense to any Cuthbert’s out there)
[b]4. How funny was Crowley tonight? He had me LOL at least three times tonight! Sex, sappy TV and drugs in the form of blood from the blood bank![/b]
Crowley was fantastic but I never thought he was as out of control as he was letting people believe.
[b]5. The brothers didn’t do a very good job of keeping the blade safe if they were planning to kill Crowley. They left it on the ground, out in the open. I’m just sayin’.[/b]
I’d have to rewatch but thought Sam had it, and got it knocked out of his hand when Crowley demon flicked and pinned them to the Impala.
[b]6. I thought this a pretty good episode. I give it an 8.[/b]
I’d give it an 8, too