If last week was noir light, they made up for it in spades this week. There were a ton of awesome images in this episode. I mean, I could probably write a whole review on the alpha vamp montage alone. This episode was directed by Rod Hardy, who has an extensive TV directing resume, including stints on "The X-Files" and "Battlestar Galactica."
1.
We're in the teaser and it's already atmospheric and noir-ish. This image is pretty much the opening for every hardboiled detective novel ever. "It was a cool, moonlight night as he made his way down the alley with his moll at his side. He turned up his collar to keep out the chill, wondering yet again how she had convinced him to walk the city streets at this time of night. He had a case to solve, and his mind kept slipping back to the particulars, making him poor company at best." I mean, it just writes itself!
2.
This is a great shot over the Impala. I will never get tired of looking at the Impala. It's just so angular and gorgeous, and she just laps up the attention, doesn't she?
3.
Here's a cool through-the-window shot, with the blinds and the blind shadow on Sam's face. It's super noir. Seriously, this episode has more shots of characters with shadows on their faces than any this season so far, especially once Dean gets turned.
4.
This shot is awesome because it's almost exactly the same as the cover for "My Summer of Blood" Look!
That is so ridiculous! The vampire on this cover is even dressed like Dean and standing like him with his shoulders hunched down. Oh, man, that's good. Even when the show is taking itself seriously it can't take itself seriously!
5.
What a gorgeous shot of this journal. They make some amazing props for this show, and it's nice when they can show them off so spectacularly.
6.
In an episode with so much blue and darkness, this yellow lighting in the blood cooler really pops. Unless that's not a cooler at all but a warming container so the blood is warm when they drink it, a la True Blood.
7.
That whole yellow lighting in a bluish room thing I mentioned with the previous cap still holds true for this one! Plus, the ceiling of this place is really cool. It's very cathedral-esque.
8.
And now we come to the most amazing part of the episode, visually, for me. This alpha montage is insanely cool, so pardon me while I cap the hell out of it. Is that the alpha? A messenger? A Cylon? And where is that house? It looks so English, doesn't it?
9.
And more creepy little girls. Of course. This is a very creepy tea party for one, and we'll see why it's so creepy in a minute.
Comments
As for the vampire montage - Samuel mentioned how the trail of drained bodies moved from town to town. I think the vampires head into a town, nest enough to set up the recruitment drive. Then when they get the order they move to the next town.
Especially with the imagery in the montage of cell division, it is definitely a create-divide-a nd-conquer type plan.
Sam's been going through the motions since the premiere. It breaks my heart - even if he did something nearly unforgiveable in pursuit of a risky strategy.
I especially liked #5 (journal), #7 (ceiling), #10 (creepy doll with blood), #11 (weather vane), #13 (more creepy twin girls) and #16 (Sam) and #17 (Dean).
I seem to recall a shot of Dean in the vampire's den, with Boris' head at his feet, and Sam/Samuel in the background. That shot (if it exists and I'm not imagining it) - also stands out, for me.
I just love your vision. Thank you so much for this.
You’ve opened a whole new door for me when watching shows and movies.
Oh, I also wondered about that blood trail from the body to where Dean was sitting. CREEPY! Intense enough fight he thought himself back in hell, uh, working? Be at ease Dean, decapitation means death topside.
I don't realise how much I don't see when watching until I come on here and read your reports. They are so full of amazing observations, from the hilarious (Emily Fang) to the poignant (Dean in the final shot) and everything in between.
It really adds to my appreciation of the show to see these (for me) unnoticied gems.
Many thanks.
Early on I was completely taken aback by their talents, e.g. when they displayed the picture of a real Jack the Ripper victim in No Exit, making the episode more real than it would have been without these real-life connections!
Three cheers to you! Jas