Dean wants to know when Adam finally met John. When he was twelve. His mother found an old number, called John, and he showed up pretty quick after that, driving all night. This is when Adam pauses to eat, and there’s no reaction from the silver. Dean puts away the gun, but he’s still pissed for he might have to accept this kid is telling the truth. Adam goes on, talking about how John would show up once a year, teaching him poker and pool, and bought him his first beer when he was fifteen. Then he mentions how John drove this sweet 67 Impala, and Dean loses it. He accuses Adam of lying, and just as Adam asks who he is Dean reveals the truth. “We’re John Winchester’s sons, that’s who, we are his sons.†Dean gives the angry stare down, Sam looks far more apologetic. Adam with those precious Winchester family dewy eyes of innocence is blown away. ”I’ve got brothers?” Aww, can we keep him? Please?
Dean accuses Adam of being a hunter, and give it up already Dean. Sam believes him. Dean leaves in a huff, but Sam stays, not following Dean’s command. Adam claims he can prove it and does in the next scene with one poorly photoshopped of a younger version of him and John at a baseball game. Dean is still livid. ”He took you to a freaking baseball game?” Jealous much Dean? Adam says John was around for a few of his birthdays, and Sam has a journal entry from September 29, 2004 that backs Adam up. Adam doesn’t get the anger, asking in a way that twists the knife, “Why, what did Dad do with you on your birthday?” Dean’s reaction is priceless, looking like he’s ready to kill the kid.
Sam, he of more believing mind and lacking resentment (for reasons we find out later), starts asking about Adam’s mother. She’s been gone three days. While Dean gets his answer of who was the last person to see her, he sees another badly photoshopped picture of Adam’s mother and John in a cheerful hug. He looks like he’s about to lose it, for reality is starting to set in. They go on asking questions, marking the long absent return of sympathetic Sam, finding out the cops searched the house and didn’t find anything. Adam gets a little weepy, for he knows his mother wouldn’t go anywhere without telling anybody. “It’s like she’s dropped off the face of the earth. He gets all pouty, and there’s no doubt his kid is a Winchester. So far, he’s taking after his big brother Sam.
Working the case manages to calm Dean a bit, especially when he inspects the bedroom. Adam is curious that Dean seems to know how what to look for. “You’re a mechanic.†“Yeah, that’s right,†Dean replies. Give it up Dean! Anyway, Adam wants to know what else he can tell him about Dad. Dean tells him he doesn’t want to know. Dean I get the intention, but this kid’s going to find out sooner or later. He’s a Winchester, so he won’t let things slide.
Sam is back after doing research, and man that’s fast. I can’t imagine by the conversation that Dean and Adam were having that they were bonding all afternoon. Sam found a newspaper article on a missing bodies case in 1990 with a photo of John hiding behind a tree. Way to conceal yourself there John. Bodies started disappearing again last month, so whatever it was before is likely back. Also, the local bartender is missing, Joe Barton.
They go to ask Adam about the man, who he hasn’t heard of, and Dean sees the scratches on the floor next to the bed. They pull the bed back and there’s a vent under the bed. In what’s absolutely classic Sam and Dean, they look at each other and go straight for Rock, Paper, Scissors. If this show is following continuity, Sam will win. Yep, he does, while a frustrated Dean softly complains, “Everytime.†Dean goes into the vent.
Dean crams into the small space and crawls, questioning why he didn’t throw paper. Because you always throw scissors Dean, which is why you always lose. Also, this episode is not claustrophobic friendly, so you have to admire Jensen for not losing it. He crawls, it’s dark, it’s creepy, it’s Phil Sgriccia messing with us, and after a small moment of suspense Dean looks around the corner, and sees a whole hair and blood. I don’t think that’s looking too good for Adam’s mom.
Dean is cleaning a shotgun, and there’s a knock on the door, signifying he’s in the sleazy motel room of the week. This time, in a rare gem, we get to see one of the hotel cards before they open the door. They’re staying at the “Kim Manor,†and it’s inviting them to “Join us for Happy Hour nightly in the Sonny Buono Lounge.†There’s a picture on it of a very young Kim Manners, cheesy mustache and all. Man, that has to be one really good inside joke. I’m really pissed because it was partially blocked by that rotten Gossip Girl popup promo. Shame on you CW!
Sam answers the door and Adam barges in. Now he’s pissed. Yep, that Winchester temper. He’s pretty much figured out Sam and Dean aren’t mechanics. Clue #1, they had to bail before the cops got there. Clue #2, he overhead the conversation about grave robberies. Clue #3, he sees Dean’s poorly hidden shotgun. He pulls a classic Sam Winchester move and emotionally pleads, “Please.†That’s enough for Sam, who reveals they’re hunters. Adam wants to know, so instead of chewing up screen time with the whole explanation, there’s an outside shot of the Impala before going back inside, hinting some time has passed. An old director’s trick, but still a good one.
Focus on Adam, who’s now pretty stunned. Hey Adam, you asked. Monsters are real. Yeah, that’s everyone’s reaction when they find out. Dean manages to clarify though that Godzilla’s just a movie. I think the lack of a giant monster destroying Tokyo proves that. Sam, whose sitting on the bed across from Adam while Dean broods in the background, points out they hunt these monsters and so did their dad. Yeah, but you boys look way hotter doing it. Adam accepts all this without argument, and Dean doesn’t think that’s the right reaction. Adam uses the “you’re my brothers†line, while the shot goes to him and Sam sitting across from one another with the most outrageous Minnesota river scene dominating the wall in the background, putting them smack in the middle of it. It’s Dean in the Kincade mural in “A Very Supernatural Christmas†all over again. I love it when the set designers get to go wild, this time literally.
I just love your photographic recaps Alice. The shots you choose just add a great dimension to the article.
Now, for the episode. I really liked this one. I also really liked Adam…well Ghoul Adam anyhow. We know the Ghoul had Adam’s memories but his personality is another matter. Maybe the real Adam would not be likeable at all. Oh well, I guess we’ll never know.
The one thing about this episode that has me scratching my head is why they bothered to lift the mattress off the frame. Earlier shots showed there was lots of room on the other side of the bed, why didn’t they just slide the bed over? It seems like such a silly thing to even notice but for some reason I noticed right away. Funny the things once notices.
I am really looking forward to your and Elle2’s thoughts on “The Rapture”.