"Dead In The Water" is an "on the fence" episode for me. There is plenty of good, but there is also plenty of bad. This is the debut for the series of Kim Manners as director and Sera Gamble and Raelle Tucker as writers. Even though this is the creative team that has taken the show to amazing heights, it's obvious here that everyone was still trying to find their stride. Even Jensen and Jared didn't have the same chemistry. If "Wendigo" felt like an X-Files episode, "Dead In The Water" WAS an X-Files episode. It had the same exact feel down to the pacing, suspense, somber tone, moodiness of the main characters and of course, the mysterious creature in the lake. The same lake used in a couple X-Files episodes. I imagine this is where all the rip off accusations started happening.
Beyond that though, this Dean centered episode gave his character some deeper layers that is so well done. If we had gotten the macho bit again by the third episode, I'm sure viewers would have started to write off him off as a shallow pretty boy. Instead, Dean takes a personal interest and connects with a boy, Lucas, who's deeply traumatized by witnessing his dad's death. Something Dean can relate. He even opens up to Lucas, telling him how he lost his mother when he was young, was scared and afraid to talk about it. Even Sam's thrown back by that confession. To me, that's one of Dean's best moments in the entire series.
There is some good guest acting too, for Amy Acker (Andrea) and Nico McEown (Lucas) really steal the show. Of course no one else does, including some really bad performances by the adults trying to cover up their murder of a classmate years ago. There's some great creep factor to this episode too, especially the bathtub scene. Has it been done before? Sure. I still love it though and got pretty freaked out. Far more than the drowning in the kitchen sink or the Jaws recreation in the lake.
Beyond that though, this Dean centered episode gave his character some deeper layers that is so well done. If we had gotten the macho bit again by the third episode, I'm sure viewers would have started to write off him off as a shallow pretty boy. Instead, Dean takes a personal interest and connects with a boy, Lucas, who's deeply traumatized by witnessing his dad's death. Something Dean can relate. He even opens up to Lucas, telling him how he lost his mother when he was young, was scared and afraid to talk about it. Even Sam's thrown back by that confession. To me, that's one of Dean's best moments in the entire series.
There is some good guest acting too, for Amy Acker (Andrea) and Nico McEown (Lucas) really steal the show. Of course no one else does, including some really bad performances by the adults trying to cover up their murder of a classmate years ago. There's some great creep factor to this episode too, especially the bathtub scene. Has it been done before? Sure. I still love it though and got pretty freaked out. Far more than the drowning in the kitchen sink or the Jaws recreation in the lake.
By putting Jensen Ackles in a lake and having him emerge in dramatic slo-mo, shaking off the water and gasping for air all while rescuing Lucas from drowning, the episode can't lose. This is why Kim Manners is a genius. This is all anyone remembers of this episode and probably always will. That one shot redeems any weaknesses up to this point. Like Sam being wallpaper. Like the weak cover up by the clueless sheriff and no one in the town really caring about the drowning victims. Like the lack any great brotherly moments. Like me trying to figure out who was Mulder and who was Scully.
My overall grade is a B. Despite all the goodness with Dean's character development, I honestly don't like the story. This isn't an episode I like watching repeatedly because I get kind of bored. It also fails to be unique, something that changes by the next episode.
Comments
This was another one I liked, basically for the same reasons you had given. The acting by Amy Acker, Nico McEown and of course Jensen and Jared. Also loved Dean’s connection with the Lucas character.
The look on Dean and Andrea’s face when Dean first surface with Lucas in his arms.
I thought for sure Lucas had drowned.
Thanks again Alice, these mini reviews are great.
The image of Dean surfacing with the boy in his arms is pure television gold. It was still being used 4 years later, in the opener for Are You There, God? It's Me Dean Winchester.
The bit that bothers me most in this episode is digging up the drowned boy's bike - it's about 3 inches down in loosely packed soil in which it has obviously only just been placed. I have a garden that was completely neglected for 40 years, so I know all about digging in undisturbed soil, and that wasn't remotely close.
Thanks for another mini-recap. Love those (she said for the umpteenth time).
I’m right on your planet with the intriguing and endearing Dean-moments, his bonding with Lucas. I was amazed at how great Jensen is with kids, he has been that throughout the show. And the manner in which he establishes that careful contact with the boy is very thoughtful and gentle, as it should be done with a child that tormented.
This episode also offers some terrific horror moments, like Sam trying to pull Andrea out of the bathtub, the dead boy emerging from the lake, even the drawings of Lucas scared me. You knew right away, something was rotten here, and that kept you on your toes.
Yes, of course, Dean rescuing Lucas from drowning was a classy Kim-Manners-mom ent…
I can’t help it, though, after watching the gag reel of that season, I always see Jensen jumping into Jared’s arms at the explosion (how strong is that man, come on, Jensen is not a kid! and he catches him as if he was nothing else but). Whenever that scene comes up, I wait for that.
Best, Jas
The way Dean was with Lucas showed the inner goodness and kindness that Dean has and seldom puts on display.
Loved that Sam discovered those things he never knew about his brother's inner strengths and compassion. Loved all Dean's talks with Lucas. (I read somewhere that Jensen said that this episode was the one that showed him what Dean was all about and helped him with his characterization).
The scene in the lake was breathtaking as Dean broke surface with Lucas in his arms. What a joy was felt when knowing he had been saved.
Also heart warming when Lucas and his mom brought lunch out to the boys and she kissed Dean. The look on his face was.....was.... ..geez! I can't think of a word. I felt so gratified that there was someone able to show appreciation for what the boys had done for them.
Yes, this is one of my favourite episodes, but then again, there is not one of season one that I dislike.
Not a one!
I was deeply traumatised by this one, as a child I always felt wild swimming was a bad idea ... The worst things you met in the local pool were industrial strength chlorine solutions, other peoples verruca plasters and a few soggy wasps, but once you jumped into the river anything could be down there, from shopping trollys ( still got the scar ) to the Loch Ness Monster and pissed-off dead people with a vengeful agenda and very long arms ...