Wheee, episode two! To quote Dean from this episode, the hits just keep on coming. More angst for Winchesters, more end of the world saga, more fans left curled up in a ball at the end trying to recover from all the drama and distress. In other words, another classic.

It all begins with another musical montage, but instead of the seriously awesome "Lonely Is The Night" we got in "Are You There God It's Me Dean Winchester," we get a pretty lame "Long Long Way From Home" from Foreigner. Okay, really lame. The song really worked in "After School Special" but not as a prologue for the end of days. Wrong, wrong, wrong. I'll just end with that and move on.

One thing I do like is when the "Now" segment gets right to the Winchester saga and doesn't try to tease with the monster of the week. It starts with Bobby in a wheelchair, somberly looking out the window, while Sam stands in the doorway with concern. Oh, did I mention Phil Sgriccia is directing this? This means we're gonna get some pretty unique shots, like Bobby looking sad in the foreground while Sam watches in the background. Not unique for this show, but it's still really awesome in terms of emotional impact.




Dean arrives and mentions it's been three days now for Bobby. "We need to cheer him up. Maybe I'll give him a backrub." Sam isn't laughing because it's sinking in for him that Bobby might not bounce back this time. Dean looks at Sam with an "are you sure?" and Sam's return glare confirms it. Dean sadly accepts. These guys have gotten so good at nonverbal communication what they do is often better than words. I'll be transcribing a lot of non-verbal exchanges in this one. Sam changes the subject by asking what Dean's got in the large yellow envelope he's holding. It seems Dean went to radiology and got himself a chest x-ray. "Needless to say, the doctors are baffled." Sam pulls out the picture and whoa! That's more than just some little sigil. That's apocryphal graffiti on every single inch. "Holy crap!" Sam exclaims as he examines the x-ray with eyes bulging out of his head. "Yeah, well Cas carved you one too," Dean mentions just for those two or three people that didn't catch on that Castiel did that to both of them last week.


 
Sam gets a call. It's Castiel. Sam tells him where they are and the next shot has Castiel walking towards them. "Cell phone, really?" Dean asks. "Since when do you need to reach out and touch someone?" While that's a clever line Dean, I think you know why. Castiel will point it out anyway. They're hidden from all angels, including him. "Enough foreplay," Bobby says interrupting. "Get over here and lay your damn hands on."

The shot goes to Sam, Castiel, and Dean looking at Bobby with concern. Of course this is the part where I start giggling profusely because this is the scene Misha told us about at Comic Con. The scene where he has to walk in between Sam and Dean to go to talk Bobby and Jared kept grabbing his ass and tripping him out of camera view to get him to screw up. Okay, back to the serious stuff. Oh, hold on... I hope that makes the gag reel.

Anyway, Castiel can't heal Bobby. He's cut off from Heaven and some things he can do, some things he can't. Bobby is not taking this news well. "You're telling me you lost your mojo just in time to get me stuck in this trap for the rest of my life?" Castiel says he's sorry, Bobby tells him to shove it up his ass. Uh, Bobby, he could get that power back someday. Don't burn bridges.

Dean lightens the mood. "Well at least he's talking now." "I heard that!" Bobby shouts back. Well good, he's not deaf. Castiel gets things moving, since he doesn't have much time. Dean's plan to kill Lucifer, it's foolish. It won't work. He thinks he has the solution. There is someone strong enough to fight Lucifer other than Michael. Sam asks who. Oh come on Sam, even I know the answer by now. The one resurrected him and put Sam and Dean on that airplane. G-o-d. Ring a bell? Castiel is going to find God. Well, I suppose he does have better connections, but still…hefty order. I smell a George Burns joke coming in the future.

Title sequence. Good teaser!

Back to the room where they've all gone in and Dean has closed the door. Yeah, this might be better served as a private conversation, even though everything leading prior has been for all ears. Castiel theorizes that since God isn't in Heaven, he must be somewhere. Dean thinks the plan is harebrained and we know so because he breaks out a joke. "Try New Mexico, I hear he's on a tortilla." Castiel looks puzzled by the advice. "No, he's not on any flatbread." Oh, I hope Castiel isn't too humanized. I absolutely love those reactions that only an angel that doesn't get humanity can do. Then Dean calls him "Chuckles". That must be Dean's code word for "no sense of humor." I love it when he uses that.

Dean gets to his point though, and it's not pretty. "Even if there is a God, he's either dead, and that's the generous theory, or he's up and kicking and doesn't give a rat ass about any of us." Castiel looks mad. Dean goes on ranting like he normally does. They're at the end of days there and God is probably somewhere drinking booze out of a coconut. Now Castiel has had enough, and even tells Dean "enough." This isn't a theological issue, it's strategic. Dean calls it a pipe dream, and good thing for him Castiel doesn't send him zooming into the wall. Instead, he says something better! He gets into Dean's face and flashes those commanding angel eyes of his. "I killed two angels this week, my brothers. I'm hunted, I rebelled, and I did all of it for you. And you failed. You and your brother destroyed the world and I lost everything for nothing. So keep your opinions to yourself." Whoo! I absolutely love the cadence of that last line. He's an angel on the edge!

 

Dean takes this all in with some guilt, so Bobby keeps the conversation moving asking if he came there for something. Yes, an amulet. A very rare and powerful amulet. It burns hot in God's presence. Bobby doesn't have one and come on, everyone watching already knows which one he wants. After all, the boards for four years have been harping on Kripke and company to explain the significance of Dean's amulet. This is long overdue and has been sitting on the writers white board for some time.

Castiel turns to Dean with those oh so special angel eyes, and Dean's shocked to find it's his amulet. Castiel even asks nicely, "May I borrow it?" Dean's quick reaction is predictable, no. So, Castiel stops being polite. "Dean, give it to me." Dean looks horrified like he's about to give up his best friend, which essentially he is since it's one of his two greatest possessions, but one more long look at the seriousness of Castiel's face and he agrees. He takes it off his neck, gazes at it in the palm of his hand, and before handing it to Cas instructs, "don't lose it." Castiel takes it from him and Dean is not happy. "Well great, now I feel naked." Hmm, Dean naked. That vision in my mind is so powerful I don't even notice Castiel flying away. I snap out of it during Bobby's parting words. "When you find God, tell him to send legs!"

Next scene is Rufus Turner, yes Rufus Turner from season three's "Time Is On My Side," with an automatic weapon firing against someone. He helps a wounded teenager while they duck behind a car and then calls Bobby. They're in River Pass, Colorado. Bobby tries to get more info, but the sound of guns going off is a good enough message for him. The phone cuts dead. Next scene is the Impala showing up in River Pass, and I'm sorry, there's no quick way to get from anywhere in Ohio to Colorado by car. They could have been there in 24 hours if they drove straight. The time lapses in this show!

 

Phil Sgriccia instantly wins director for the year for his next amazing shot. They arrive and the middle section of the bridge has collapsed. The visual of Dean, Sam, and the Impala from the POV of the fallen part of the bridge looking up is mind blowing! This WILL be my desktop wallpaper. There's no cell phone signal, so all they can do is hike from there. The starting strains of "Spirit In the Sky" come on, and I'm screaming as I pull out my list of classic rock songs I wish they'd use on this show. Number one can now be scratched off the list, and it's used in the most perfect way. Sam and Dean stroll into town, shotguns in hand, examining the abandoned vehicles and war like setting all to the bouncy music. Let's sing along.

When I die and they lay me to rest
Gonna go to the place that's the best
When I lay me down to die
Goin' up to the spirit in the sky
Goin' up to the spirit in the sky
That's where I'm gonna go when I die
When I die and they lay me to rest
Gonna go to the place that's the best

Prepare yourself you know it's a must
Gotta have a friend in Jesus
So you know that when you die
He's gonna recommend you

To the spirit in the sky... They find the car that's playing said music on the radio and Sam turns it off. I notice that many of the abandoned cars are Fords. Oh, but now my eyes REALLY bulge out of my head with the glory shot of a really sweet 65 cherry red mustang fastback. First the picture, then the song, and then this? Kripke and company to love me!!! I love how Dean whistles in appreciation. Oh how I wish there was time for him to take it for a spin. A pretty car like that deserves a pretty boy.

 

The search continues and suddenly "click!" A gun is pointed right at the boys. Sam and Dean turn around and are shocked. "Ellen?" Sam asks. You all remember, season two Ellen? Her greeting is hardly warm, for she's still suspicious. Dean asks her what's going on, but she responds by splashing holy water on him. "We're us," Dean insists. She puts the gun down and starts walking, letting them follow her into the church. She crosses the salt line, Sam and Dean cross the salt line, so Ellen is now relieved. She gives Dean a huge hug then slaps him for not calling. She had to find out they were alive from Rufus. Sam watches all this behind him taking her tongue lashing like the shameful boy he is. Come on Sam, enough being a background statue already! Dean's sorry. "Yeah, you better be! You better put me on speed dial kid." Dean gives her a polite "yes ma'am," and looks at her like he'll seriously do it. Dean turns to Sam like "what the hell was that all about?" and Sam shrugs. She cares about you two you morons. That's what.

 

They follow Ellen down to the basement asking her what's going on. More than she can handle alone. How many demons are there? "Pretty much the whole town minus the dead people and these guys." She turns and asks, "So this us it, right? End times?" "It seems like it," Sam says. So, you can't hug Ellen Sam, but you can deliver bad news? You need to lighten up dude.

Ellen takes them inside and there's a small and scared band of survivors in there. Yeah, they accept demons are real now. Dean gets the story from Ellen. Rufus called her. He was in town investigating omens. All of a sudden the whole town was possessed. Her and Jo were nearby. They're hunting together now. How sweet! Another family business takes off. Anyway, they got there and couldn't find Rufus and her and Jo got separated. She was out looking when she found them. Sam points out that they aren't safe there, but duh, Ellen already knows that. They tried to make a run for it once. There used to be twenty of them. If you look around the room, there's only half that now.

Sam wants to get everyone guns so they can band together and keep demons away. Dean doesn't like it, especially arming the pregnant lady, but he knows Sam is right. Dean comes up with the idea that they can get guns from a sporting goods store they passed by. Sam jumps in and volunteers himself and Dean to go. They leave and Dean stops Sam in the hall. He suggests Sam stays behind and gives the people "shotgun 101." Sam, pretty eager to get going, says Ellen can do that. Dean insists again, pointing out it would go a lot faster if he stayed and helped.

Sam doesn't understand the logic. "While you go get guns and salt and look for Jo and Rufus? That's stupid." Dean insists he can handle it and it all hits Sam. "You don't want me going out there, around demons." Dean denies it. "Fine, then let's go." They do. Uh oh, trouble's coming. Sam is leading the charge and says he'll get salt while Dean gets the guns. Dean doesn't think they should split up. Sam tersely says, "Dean its right there. Can we at least do this like professionals?" and goes his separate way. Do you think this is a setup for a "Dean is right" scenario?

Sam is in the store and starts loading up on cardboard canisters labelled "rock salt." Seriously? You can find that is a mini-mart? We're not talking garden variety table salt. Was this town always keeping emergency supplies in case of demon attack? I'll wipe that thought away now, because this scene gets really good. Two demons enter. Oh-nos! Sam crouches down but one guy comes his way. Sam notices his shotgun is sitting on top of some cans within reach. He goes for the shotgun, guy hears and Sam isn't fast enough. Sam is jumped, he wrestles with the guy, starts to latinate, but its not enough. He's forced to pull out the knife and take the guy out. Other guy attacks him next, but Sam has the knife through his throat pretty quickly. Whoa he's got some sharp skills.



So, time for the major drama that must result in this elaborate setup. Sam stands there and watches the blood pool on the floor, then slowly holds up the knife, gazing at the blood dripping off of it. It's calling to him. He puts a little dot on his thumb and examines it full circle, and we know it's taking every power of his being not to start sucking it up. Sam is freaked. Dean arrives and walks over just to witness one very bothered Sam standing over two demon corpses with loads of blood everywhere. Of course anyone paying attention knows those guys didn't spark, so they aren't demon corpses. Dean at first is really concerned but then after looking into disturbed Sam's eyes his gaze turns to mistrust. Oh come on Dean, quit being so judgemental. Your brother needs you!






Back at the church bunker and everyone is getting their weapons training. Dean works with a guy that looks like a soldier and guess what? The way he handles a weapon shows he is. Dean's impressed and asks where he served. Fallujah, two tours. The guy surmises that Dean has seen some action himself and asks where he served. "Hell," Dean says. Soldier asks where he really served. "No, seriously. Hell." I guess Dean wins the "worst place to be stationed" contest.

Dean sees a very despondent Sam sitting alone, staring off into space with those lost puppy eyes and decides to talk to him. There you go Dean, be the supportive big brother. Sam is bothered that he killed two teenagers back there. He knows he had no choice but, "I just wish I could save people like I used to." Dean has a harsh answer. "What, do you mean when you were all hopped up on demon blood?" Yeah, I guess that moral support thing was short lived. That isn't what Sam meant, but he can't explain now. Ellen is going out to find Jo. Might I take time to point out here that this is a clue that Dean doesn't know that Sam didn't need to demon blood to be powerful. That's probably why he's thinking Sam's reaction is pure junkie. In a way it is, but not because of blood addiction. No, something else is not quite right with Sammy.

Oh boy, another brotherly conflict! Sam offers to go with Ellen. Dean doesn't like that idea and takes him aside. He questions Sam's decision to go out there again and says he'll go. Sam tells him he'll go, and Dean asks why does it have to be him? At least Dean is being more straight forward this time. Sam doesn't take Dean's new candor well. "Oh, that's right, I forgot. You think I'll take one look at a demon and fall off the wagon, as if after everything I haven't learned my lesson." Dean fires back, "Well have you?" Sam gets really pissed and shoves Dean against the wall. "If you actually think-" and he stops himself, even though Dean is staring him down with irritation. He gives Dean an angry growl and leaves with Ellen. Um, that probably could have gone better, huh Dean? It's good to see Sam standing up for himself though and not cowering all the time like last episode. It's also really clear these guys can't work together anymore. So sad.



While walking through the streets of Fallujah, I mean River Pass, Ellen asks Sam what's up with him and Dean. It's hard not to notice. Oh, you don't know the half of it lady. She even asks if a girl came in between them. If you mean by girl a demon bitch whore, the answer is yes. Sam goes for the easier explanation, stresses of the job. Well, that one way of putting it. Sam switches focus and tells her it's kind of surprising that she and Jo are hunting together. Jo can't handle the life, but if she's going to do it anyway, Ellen might as well keep an eye on her. Aww, what a good mom. The personal conversation ends when Sam spots smoke coming from a chimney ahead.

He and Ellen investigate, and even though Sam sees the demon in the window, he wonders why demons would build a fire if they don't get cold. That won't be answered now, for they are ambushed. Jo is part of it and even pins Ellen against the wall. With black eyes she tells Ellen "Give me my Mom back you black-eyed bitch." Huh? Ellen punches Jo and Sam fights the other guy long enough to tell Ellen to run. She does but before Sam can shoot the guy, he's hit from behind. In his haze from the ground he sees Rufus with black eyes hovering over him. "Got you now you bastard." Sam passes out.

Oh boy! Here's something some of us more depraved individuals never get tired of seeing, Sam Winchester tied to a chair. Pausing the TiVo a minute…hmm. I'm sorry, what was that? A recap? Okay. Sam comes to and is promptly greeted by a black eyed Rufus and Jo who's holding one huge container of holy water. Sam struggles against the ropes and Rufus taunts he won't be getting out of those. Rufus stares Sam down with a cold, hard, black-eyed glare. "You're right where I want you, you evil son-of-a-bitch." Hey, I thought only Dean could say that! They punch him, toss water on him, and because Sera Gamble is sadistic, something even more punishing happens. They hold his head tight and shove tons of salt into his mouth while Rufus latinates. And Sera said there wasn't much more physical torture that could be done to the poor boy. Liar!

 

Meanwhile, back at the bunker, Dean is pacing while the reverend is praying. You know Dean wants to smack him. Wow, the restraint is amazing! There's a knock, he opens the door and only Ellen comes in. Dean is alarmed and asks where Sam is. Ellen just shakes her head. "They got him?" Pregnant woman #1 asks. Dean grabs the shotgun and tells everyone he'll be right back. Then he stops himself, has an intense inner conflict, then turns back grumbling. They need to get a plan together. Oh Dean, you're thinking of the townspeople first. You really are letting Sam go. That's a very grownup thing to do.

Back to Sam, who's still getting the salt treatment and begging them to stop. Rufus and Jo stop, confused by why this isn't working. Sam quickly figures out something isn't right and as he pleads with them Jo throws more water on him, which isn't so bad since it helps wash away most of the salt. Suddenly Sam spots dude in a suit from the basement is hiding in the doorway, smiling and twisting his ring. Ah ha! It's our MOTW. Sam then looks up and sees he's under a devil's trap, which we know is old footage from Bobby's ceiling in season one. If you look at the ceiling earlier, it's divided by white beams. No way a large devil's trap like that would work. Oh come on, how can I not nitpick such things? Given budget issues, they're forgiven. The camera shows Sam from Rufus and Jo's perspective. His eyes are black.

Dean and Ellen are talking. Ellen is now having the same revelation as Sam, something isn't right. Jo called her a black eyed bitch. Holy water and salt roll right off these demons and Jo wouldn't get possessed. "My daughter may be an idiot, but she ain't stupid." Hee! I've been using that same saying about my 16 year old cat for years. What do you know, it works for children too! I gotta try that. Anyway, Jo wears an anti-possession charm. Ellen thinks the whole thing sounds weird. Dean admits the whole thing is off. "What's your instinct?" She asks. "My instinct?" Dean replies. "My instinct is to call Bobby and ask for help. Or Sam." Ellen ain't taking that. "Well tough. All you got is me and all I got is you. Let's figure it out." Dean goes with that and asks what specific omen Rufus came there for. Something about water.



Dean asks the reverend if he knows what she's talking about. The river ran polluted all of a sudden, the day before the demon thing started. Anything else? A big shooting star the same night. Dean takes those to be big signs and not random events. Good thing they're in a church basement, for that gives Dean easy access to a bible. Given what you're facing these days Dean, you might want to keep one of those on your person. It's a perfect reference manual. As he sorts through the bible, the solider asks if he thinks this is all coming from outer space. "This isn't X-Files pal." Yeah, I think Kripke has hit us over the head with that enough times. We know!

Dean finds what he's looking for in the bible. Guess what book? He reads the scripture and the reverend sooo knows it. Revelations 8:10. "You mean this is about the apocalypse?" The reverend exclaims in horror. "You could say," Dean responds. These specific omens, they're a prelude to the four horsemen. "Which one rides the red horse?" Dean asks. "War," the reverend answers. Remember that sweet cherry MUSTANG? That's a perfect modern day red horse. "It's the way I'd roll," Dean says. Yep, me too. Sorry, but I'll take that red mustang over the Impala anyday. Stop calling me heathen!

It all makes sense. If War's there, he's messing with their heads. Each side thinks they're fighting demons and there are no demons at all. They're just killing each other. That crafty bastard. The father is still trying to wrap his head around the fact that the apocalypse has begun, but at least Dean can get his plan together now.



Oh boy, one of my favorite scenes. It's time for the game, "Let's get into Sam Winchester's head." Frightening stuff. Dude in a suit enters the room where Sam is alone and I think we've figured out who he is. For Sam's benefit though, we'll find out anyway. Keep in mind, Sam is still securely tied to that chair, he's wet, the cut on his forehead is trickling blood, he has salt all over his chin and jacket and his hair is all messed up. Somehow, he's looking totally hot like that.


War, using the meatsuit of a local named Roger, decides to play guessing games. "I was in Germany, then in Germany, then in the Middle East. I was in Darfur when my beeper went off. I'm waiting to hook up with my siblings, I've got three. We're going to have so much fun together." Yep, Sam knows who he is. I figured both the Winchesters would be well versed in The Book of Revelation by now. "There aren't any demons in town, are there?" Sam asks. Nope, just frightened people. War points out he hasn't had to do too much. "Take out a bridge here, lay in a little hallucination there, sit back, pop some corn, watch the show." He calls humans vicious little animals and for whatever reason, Sam doesn't believe him. Seriously Sam? What planet have you been living on?

As War cleverly points out, it doesn't take much to get people to kill one another, even in a town that last week was "Mayberry." They don't need much of a reason like seeing demons in your neighbors. "I mean you seen the Irish? They're all Irish." Sam gives him that "you're evil" type look. War notices that and guesses Sam thinks he's a monster. "I'm jello shots at a party. I just remove inhibitions." Sam does his tough guy "I'll kill you myself" routine. Oh Sam, that's an invitation for trouble. This guy can mess with your head, which he totally does. He calls Sam his poster boy. Sam wants to know what that means. Oh, why do you ask such questions? The answers are never pretty.

"You can't stop thinking about it, ever since you saw it dripping off the blade of that knife." Sam's eyes go wide, his face turns white in fright, and he gives the weakest "you're wrong" ever done. Give it up Sam! He's a horseman, he knows. War tells Sam to save his protests for his brother, since he can see inside his head. It's on one track, blood, blood, blood. Yeah, Sam often has trouble with that single minded focus thing. But it's more than that. It's his lust. Lust for power that is. (What were you thinking?) That lust for power that's always been inside him. He wants to be strong again, but not just strong, stronger than everybody. Sam quietly listens to this with spooked expression because War is soooo right. War then hits Sam hard with the final comment. "Good intentions, quick slide to Hell buddy boy. You feel bad now, just wait until you're thigh deep in warm corpses. Because my friend, I'm only just getting started."



You ever notice that things tend to sink down deeper into Sam when he's tied down and forced to listen? Dean should try that trick more often. Oh stop it you slashers! I don't mean it like that. Anyway, War is done talking. He puts on his glasses and announces, "Showtime for the meat suits." He turns his ring and blood trickles down his head. Sam watches him with trepidation. War knocks over the chair he was sitting on, falls to his knees and cries out in pain, making it look like Sam did it. He tells a charging in Rufus and Jo that the demons are coming to get them. Sam pleads with a raging Rufus and gets socked anyway. He's tied down. How could he have done that? Come on Rufus, think clearly.

Back to the church, where the offensive is taking shape. Roger arrives saying the demons are coming, and then looks at Dean and smiles. He turns the ring and suddenly Dean and Ellen have black eyes. They escape before soldier boy can shoot them down. Back with Rufus, he's wiring the windows with pipe bombs while Jo helps. She asks if this will hold off the demons. No, but it'll slow them down after it blows their limbs off. Jo very wisely points out that one of those demons could be Ellen. Rufus says nothing. Yep, that's the cruelty of the life babe.

 

Suddenly one of the charges goes off and a window blows out. The neighbors start firing on each other too, but I won't go into too much detail there. The real story is when Rufus goes to investigate, he's yanked through the window. It's Dean! He and Rufus fight in between the battle scenes, where Dean tries like mad to convince him War is doing this. Inside, Ellen jumps on Jo and they fight, and Ellen pulls the "Now you listen up Joanna Beth Harvelle" authority voice and it works. Jo doesn't see a demon anymore. You know, I buy that. I scare the Devil out of my children like that all the time. Outside, Dean finally gets through to Rufus with the horsemen story. Rufus suddenly buys it and Dean's eyes return to normal. Rufus asks, "You figure this out all by yourself genius?" Yes he did and we couldn't be prouder.

 

Dean and Rufus go inside, Ellen holds the shotgun up and asks if they're all on the same page. Jo and Dean stare at each other, but this time it's not awkward with Jo crushing on him. Dean simply says hello and she says hi back. How nice, Jo's grown up. Shots come their way and Dean asks where Sam is. He's upstairs. Yes Dean, now you can rescue him. Sam's still tied to the chair, missing all the action, and Dean comes in. They both tell each other War is behind this while Dean cuts Sam loose. They can't stop War, but they can get the thing that he's controlling people with. Sam tells him it's the ring. Off they go to find War.

Rufus goes to disable the snipers on his end while Ellen goes outside to help the basement survivors. Rufus takes out two shooters, but Ellen is overtaken by soldier dude. As they struggle, Sam and Dean find War headed for his Mustang. They grab him. Sam pulls out the knife. War points out he can be killed. Dean says they know and holds down War's hand on the Mustang (don't hurt the car!) while Sam quickly slices off some of War's fingers. They and the ring to fall to the ground. Blood spatters all over Sam's face. Considering all the blood and salt already over Sam, more just adds to the fact that the boy is in desperate need of a change of clothes and a shower.



The townspeople all snap out of the killing rage as they aren't seeing demons anymore. This is especially good with Ellen, who was losing her knife fight until then. Dean picks up the bloody ring and they look around as War and the Mustang is gone. Congratulations River Pass, Colorado. You're the first town to find out the apocalypse has started. What are you that survived going to do now? I doubt the answer is Disney.

Aw crud, you're actually going to make me recap this next scene??? Seriously??? You're going to make me put under a microscope a scene that ripped my heart out the first twenty times I saw it? Fine, but I'm sending each and every one of you my therapy bills.

Ahem. Dean is seen playing with War's ring, which now has been all cleaned up and is glistening in the sunlight. They're sitting at a picnic table near a lake with the gorgeous fir tree lined mountains behind them. Suddenly I want to go to Colorado again. Or British Columbia. Hell, any state that has a freaking mountain. Someone tried to tell me that Southern Ohio has mountains. Those ARE NOT mountains. All I need is footage of this scene to prove my point.

 

Anyway Dean makes a funny. "Pit stop on Mount Doom?" Good one! Of course I wonder if that ring now has power or if its only something War can control. Keep that dangling plot point on the white board writers! Sam isn't laughing. Uh oh, he's got that "I've got something on my mind" look.



He pauses and then says "Dean" and Dean already wants to avoid the talk. Sam says its important. "I know you don't trust me (Dean rolls his eyes) just now I realize something. I don't trust me either." Now Dean raises an eyebrow, curious as to where this is going. "From the minute I saw that blood the only thought in my head…and I tell myself it's for the right reasons, my intentions are good and it feels true you know? But I think underneath I just miss the feeling. I know how messed up that sounds, which means I know how messed up I am. The thing is the problem's not the demon blood, not really. What I did I can't blame the blood or Ruby or anything. The problem's me, how far I'll go. There's something in me that scares the Hell out of me Dean. And in the last couple of days I caught another glimpse." This is the most heartfelt honesty we've gotten from Sam since season two and I'm ready to burst before the gut stabbing part gets here.



"So what are you saying?" Deans asks, ready for the punchline. "I'm in no shape to be hunting. I need to step back cause I'm dangerous. Maybe it's just best if we go our separate ways." Sam looks up slightly at Dean, waiting for some sort of argument or fight. Dean looks down, still avoiding that eye contact and says "Well I think you're right." Sam's a little surprised, since he was expecting a fight. Dean explains further. "Truth is I spend more time worrying about you than about doing the job right. I can't afford that you know. Not now." We see Sam's heart sink into his stomach while Dean says that. Sam gets a little emotional and again says "I'm sorry Dean." "I know you are Sam," Dean says. They nod at one another in very sad agreement.

Okay, we know that Dean is putting on a brave front, but inside this has to be ripping him to shreds. He's letting Sam go! This is huge in his world. While we fans know this is only temporary, both of these guys are facing the real possibility that they may never see each other again. Dean is obviously blocking all this from his mind so he can get through this. How much to you want to bet it's all going to hit him later in the Impala?

Speaking of the Impala...Sam gets up to leave, realizing it's better to just go now before this gets any weirder. Dean decides that for those of us that aren't crying yet, he's gonna get the rest of us. "Hey uh, do you, want to take the Impala?" HE DID WHAT?? He just offered the only thing he had left, since he's lost both the amulet and now Sam, to his brother??? His baby??? Sam of course doesn't accept, but the gesture itself is huge. Sam doesn't stick around to make this any worse, because I'm sure he's ready to lose it as well.



Okay, one more sucker punch just in case we hadn't had enough drama. Sam pauses and takes one more look at his brother. "Take care of yourself Dean." Dean can't even look Sam in the eye. "Yeah, you too Sammy." Sam walks away, gets his bag out of the back of the Impala and slowly drags his hand along the back of it before hitching a ride in a nearby truck. He climbs in, they go, and final shot is Dean watching the truck drive away. Excuse me.




This better result in one mother of a reconciliation! I can endure a couple episodes like this at least. I'm not sure how much more strife I can take next week. You know I'll be back anyway. Episode three now!