One thing this episode does show that is similarly shown in The Rapture is Dean’s continued wish to help people. His suggestion is to get Adam to safety [Bobby’s] and then come back and kill whatever it is that’s after him. Sam wants to use Adam as bait as well as train him. To Sam the very fact that Adam is a Winchester means he’s cursed so might as well accept it and train the boy. Even John didn’t want that.
Another element that sets this episode out as significant is a theme that was blatantly offered in Blood Lust, what is evil? What is a monster? How are these defined? Are ghouls monsters when all they do is eat the decaying flesh of the dead? Are vampires that suck cows dry instead of humans evil? It makes me wonder which came first, the demons or the hunters? John became a hunter because a demon killed Mary. Ghoul Adam killed the real Adam because John Winchester killed his father, what came first, the chicken or the egg?
Notable tidbit: At the end as Sam and Dean are watching Adam’s corpse burn Sam suggests they call in a favor with Cas; Dean’s response is straight out of Death Takes a Holiday: “No, Adam’s in a better place.” Now who’s lying to whom?
Having seen this episode four times now and put the above thoughts into it, it elevates this episode much higher, and Andrew Dabb and Daniel Loflin rank much higher in my appreciation of them as writers. They wove some incredibly dense elements into this script.
The Rapture:
I can go on and on about timelines and how they distract, however, having covered that in my review – and I think earlier in this piece, I’ll give it a rest. (Didn’t stop me from mentioning it though). It’s not my favorite episode of the season, probably doesn’t even make the top five *stops to think, nope, it doesn’t* still, given the direction that Season 5 is going to go it’s a great episode and I give credit to the CW for declaring Season 5 on the books in time for the writers to weave elements here that likely will pay off even more in Season 5. Misha has stated he’ll view Castiel differently having been given the opportunity to create Jimmy, it enriches the character and for that I appreciate it.
This also built along what I’d suspected after JTS, all that blood loss was going to be a problem for blood sucking Sam and here Jared once again gets to strut out some aspects of his character that had to be interesting for him to explore.
I saw the demon/neighbor a mile away but didn’t see demon/Amelia until right when she slapped her child, sheesh, must have been popping popcorn or something. Castiel did not have it easy for most of the season and it gets harder for him after this. I have no idea what happened to him in heaven and I’m hoping there’s something coming that explains that, what do you threaten an angel with after all? He already refused Uriel, and while getting snatched out of his ‘vessel’ spelled trouble for Jimmy and his family, just what did go on up there?
My favorite part of this episode, Dean fishing and his reaction to finding himself fishing, it’s subtle but there’s an awareness of the absurdity of the situation and then a relaxation into the enjoyment, too bad he doesn’t get to bask in the quiet.
When the Levee Breaks:
When Sera Gamble says she’s looking for a more intense word than intense, be afraid, especially if you’re Jared. Sera put him through the wringer on this one, thank you, and he delivered. Sam is such a closed off character, despite his constant cajoling of Dean to open up, so it’s not surprising that when – well, the levee breaks, all bets are off. Sam pities himself, comforts himself, bashes himself and finally convinces himself that he is what he always hoped to not be, a monster. Too bad it’s all in your head, also too bad you forced Dean’s hand. It’s not all Sam’s fault – I blame Ruby – but what do you do when there is no handbook to check and get directions from? What do you do when the sage advice dries up, when the best Bobby can do is come up to Sam outside with a shotgun and beg him to let them help him. Really, Bobby, what were you intending with the shotgun? A taser, that might have worked.
Sam is not a character that is used to expressing what’s going on inside of him, we see his inner most thoughts through flashbacks, hallucinations, vengeful spirits (Bloody Mary) accusing him, but not from him opening up and expressing his thoughts. He gave it a go in Metamorphosis so I’m holding out hope for more to come in Season 5. There’s a lot that’s pent up inside this boy.
Lucifer Rising:
From Lazarus to Lucifer in 22 episodes, one brother started the breaking of the seals, the other one completed it. Both brothers wanted to stop Lilith without truly understanding the nature of the beast. It’s similar to what we heard Sam say in Time is on My Side, “We’re both trying to do the same thing here.” Yes, you are, problem is someone else is holding key cards and without those you know not what you are doing. The Trickster is/was right, each brother is the other’s weakness and the demons and angels did a great job of distracting and burdening and shadowboxing with the brothers until neither knew which way was up. Both were so caught up in who and what they became from May to September that neither was able to help the other.
There’s a lot of muck that will need to be slogged through, for both brother. Dean said some things, Sam did some things, Sam said some things, Dean did some things, most importantly, Bobby lived and no matter what Jim Beaver’s little cryptic hints do or do not mean for Bobby in Season 5, I have a strong feeling that he’ll be there to help put the brothers back together. The only other constant in their lives is the Impala and as long as all the writers have gotten it out of their system to have an episode without the beloved third character there’s a chance for some rebonding and brotherly moments.
Eric Kripke directed his second episode of the series and I hope he directs one in Season 5, his direction is excellent. Props all the way around to the set designers and props folks for motel rooms and panic rooms, not to mention green rooms. We’ve got more of Bobby’s house and now there’s Chuck’s house for a scene or two. Warehouses and torture chambers have been fascinating with lighting and fans, there’s been books and wardrobes dark tunnels and crypts to explore. I don’t know who researches all the hex symbols and what not that gets painted and chalked on barns and funeral homes but they’ve come a long way from Hell House.
I have no idea what is to come in Season 5, aside from the spoilers – erh, teasers I’ve read, but I’m very, very happy there is only slightly over a week to go.
Season 4 was fabulous, bring on Season 5.
Thanks for reading.
Elle2
Thanks for the lovely recap Elle2, I am now truely all set for season 5!
Great sum up, and the first line of the second paragraph of Criss Angel says a lot: there really isn’t an episode you can miss, for even if it isn’t a heavy contribution to the mytharc story-wise, there is always grist for the brothers’ relationship. Even the “clunkers” like Family Remains aren’t bad at all precisely because of that.
As for Porky’s 2, I’m probably reading too much into it, but I see that as the choice of Dean’s defense mechanisms, if you will. *We* know he’s about family and Sam does too, even if they slog through such sentiments without delicacy or consistent openness, but of course surface Dean is going to pick a ‘guy’ flick. How many times was douche said this season? 😎
Hi, Ash and Randal,
Thanks for the comments. I’m glad I did these season recaps. It really is necessary to look at the season as a whole to understand where things are going and then to piece together threads from four years is a lot of fun. Looking forward to how we go forward in just TWO days!!!!!
Randal…as for how many times douche was said…I have no idea. It was a lot, a lot and it’s already in Sympathy for the Devil so obviously ’tis going to continue. That’s all right though…hope they bring back fugly every now and again.
😉
Good overview Elle2.
You’re quite right … Even the weaker episodes have something to contribute when you lay them end to end ( and everyone feel free to insert your own ” I know who I’d like to lay end to end ffnar-ffnar ” comment here … )