Welcome back People’s Choice Award winners! What has it been? A decade at least, since we were last here together? Sure feels that way. A pretty exciting time off, though for all Supernatural fans. Ruby 2.0, a.k.a. Mrs. Padalecki is now on twitter so be sure to follow her and say hi! Also, Dean Winchester’s doppelganger, Mr. Jensen Ackles is going to be a dad. Genetic perfection is always VERY exciting. OH, and there is the little matter of winning two PCA’s and having our boys get to accept one of them in person for a change. WE ARE SO COOL!
You know what else is cool? This episode. There was a little something for everyone. Including a bit lot of angel torture. Who doesn’t love a nice poker to forehead? Still can’t believe what they get away with on this show. Watching poor Semandriel get his head screwed into was NOT a good time had by all. Though, Crowley and Dr. Evil sure seemed to enjoy it. That headgear looked a billion times worse than anything my orthodontist every made me wear and I thought I was in hell. Apparently they were trying to get into his base angel programming and information the poor darling didn’t even know he had. I was so glad when he was rescued and then so unhappy when Cas couldn’t fight Naomi’s influence and stop from killing him. I don’t know about y’all, but I am not smoking what Naomi’s selling. The information was already compromised (through no fault of his own) and I really wish that darling little angel would have survived, and not just because Samandriel was trying to help Cas figure out the Naomi thing. Naomi is mean (scaring the crap out of Cas during the rescue mission was less than cute) and I sure hope either Cas or the Winchesters figure out quickly what is going on. Of course, the information that she was trying to protect was a bombshell, the existence of an Angel Tablet. It wasn’t terribly hard to guess that if there was one for leviathans and one for demons, there might me one for other creatures as well, but I can understand why that information is HUGE and would want to be kept on the down low. My biggest question: what happens if all of the demons and all of the angels are banished from the earth? Do Sam & Dean go on a couple’s cruise?
Of course, neither one of them has seemed much inclined to scuba with the other for the majority of this season so far. When we left off back in December (early December, not that I was counting) Sam and Dean were bickering about almost everything but mostly about Benny and Sam’s year off. After Benny killed Martin while trying to save himself and his Great, Great, (Great? IDK) Granddaughter, Dean called to explain to Sam what had happened and Sam hung up. These guys will not be teaching a communications class any time soon. The trend continued when Dean showed up at Sam’s motel room in Texas. Honestly, I wanted to smack them both. Why can’t they just LISTEN to each other for once? When Dean tells Sam that Benny is good, Sam should believe him, should trust that his brother knows a real monster and Sam should know better than to issue ultimatums. On the other hand, it had never occurred to me that the first thing Sam would picture after receiving that text, was Jessica burning on the ceiling. Shame on me. And shame on Dean for not thinking of that either. Poor Sam.
Thankfully, Cas was able to get them to “stow their crap” long enough to get the job done (I love it when Cas is bossy). Nothing gets me going quite like Winchesters fighting together on the side of good. At one point Sam even thanked Dean for having his back. That SHOULD be a thing that happens so often we don’t think about it but hearing it after all their recent BS really made my heart sing. Their fight didn’t end up doing a damn bit of good for Cas or Semandriel but I think it helped them realize what a huge amount of work they have on their plate and they can only shovel it down together. In the end, Sam gave up his life with Amelia and Dean let Benny go. I can’t say that I’m horribly sad to see the end of Amelia (I still can’t understand what Sam saw in her in the first place) but I am devastated by (a.k.a. sobbing over) the loss of Benny. I sure hope he can keep it together without Dean because he is a character that I seriously adore. And I know that saying goodbye was the right thing and the fair thing but that doesn’t make it the fun thing. The good news is that our favorite brothers have finally met and conversed on some common ground for the first time in a long time. There is a much larger conversation that still needs to happen but this is a good start and eases a little of the pain I was experiencing in my Winchester region.
A few other notes and quotes:
- “Katmandu” is not my FAVORITE Bob Segar song but it was a good beat for our Season GR8 “The Road So Far.”
- I love that Dean fell asleep holding his beer and then spilt it on himself when Cas surprised him. I can’t believe we’ve never seen that before.
- Always great to see Busty Asian Beauties. It’s okay to be nostalgic about Busty Asian Beauties, right? Dean is adorable trying to hide it. Like Cas doesn’t know about Dean’s hobbies.
- So Dean made it from Texas to Montana in one day and Sam has just been hanging out in the motel watching Dung Beetles on the Discovery Channel. Okay.
- Sunday School was a long time ago for me. I may need to read up on the Burning bush.
- HOLY CRAP SAM HAS HIS SHIRT OFF. IN BED. AFTER SEX. Miracles do happen.
- Cas said “derelicts.” One of my favorite words ever. Please tell me I wasn’t the only one who thought of Zoolander and a “you can derelick my balls,” comment from Dean.
- Poor Kevin with his headphones on. “Your mom is so hot.” Dean has so many problems. I love him.
- “I can’t enjoy a world I need to save, Dean.” I think Dean understands Kevin more than Kevin realizes.
- This is the 2nd time this season Dean has waved at a demon while Sam took them out. And then he said it wasn’t his most original work. Awesome show is awesome.
- If there are anti-angel symbols keeping Cas out, how is Samandriel in? I don’t get it. Am I missing a long standing rule, here? Help is appreciated.
- That zoom in on Crowley’s face as the Angel Tablet existence was revealed was very, “DUHN DUHN DUHN!!!”
- Neither Sam or Dean got themselves knocked out through the entire fight and were SO BAD ASS. Very proud right now.
- Anyone else curious about what Dr. Evil may have known? I am glad Dean took him out but I want to know EVERYTHING.
I don’t know about you guys but I feel a pretty big sense of relief going into next week, knowing that the boys aren’t at each other’s throats. And next week is going to be EPIC. Felicia Day is back as Charlie and there will be Winchesters in Medieval costumes. Just the thought of sword play will get me through the next seven days.
Don’t forget to blow up my comments with everything you loved and hated about tonight’s epic return! You guys know how much I love it. And congrats again, to all of us on the awards!
Erin prefers to spend her days watching CW shows while drinking wine and tweeting (
Loved the recap. I’m in agreement with just about everything you wrote. Thanks
I loved everything about what I just read. Cas bless you. Especially for the Zoolander reference. XD
Your recap was awesome. Season 8 is not being broadcast in South Africa yet, so I rely on people like you to keep me up to date. No way I could be patient enough to wait, I need to know what is going on with the boys NOW!
Thanks for the giggles.
Enjoyed your review. I was actually sad for both Benny & Amelia. For Benny because I think he needs Dean to stay on track. For Amelia, because she chose Sam & went to an empty motel room, which is just heartbreaking. I wasn’t particularly sold on the Amelia/Sam love story (due to the lack of chemistry early on), but she had grown on me during the last couple of episodes.
Regarding the angel proofing… I think the angel proofing would work both ways… to keep angels out, but to also keep the angel they have trapped inside. Maybe?
So glad that Sam did not show up at that hotel room with Amelia. And so sad that Dean said goodbye to Benny. Though I have a feeling both of those goodbyes won’t last forever.
I was all ready to like Amelia when she came on the show but she’s made that really difficult. I mean, how can someone’s life be that much like a soap opera? I’m still hoping that there’s some supernatural twist to that relationship. It’d make me feel a lot better. I mean, she slept with Sam in last night’s episode while her husband who she recently thought died in war was traveling. And the husband seemed like a good guy!
Okay. Apparently I just needed to rant about that for a bit.
The final scene was really nice, and probably something we all needed. Though, I still have a small amount of hope that Sam can “stow his crap” when it comes to Benny and then they can all be friends.
Mostly I just want to know WHATS HAPPENING TO CASTIEL???
okay. Why was everything about this episode so sad?
Benny: running out of blood, doesnt have Dean’s support anymore.
Amelia: Sam called her “the girl he loved” And then she showed up and he didn’t. It was heartbreaking.
Samandriel: Tortured a LOT and then died. NOO.
Castiel: Forced to kill the one angel he hoped to save. Cas doesn’t need this on top of everything else, he was already suicidal. WHYY!?
Sam and Dean: they both looks miserable at the end. I felt so bad for them… but I hope they made this decision to focus on the job so that they can at least work together to save Castiel soon.
I just want someone to be happy or get to be in love for like 5 minutes without feeling guilty.
I liked this episode. I think what happened to Benny and Amelia pretty unfair, but I understand Sam’s and Dean’s reason, they have the saving the world and helping Cas in first place and they want to concentrate on it, but I have a feeling this won’t be the last we see of Amelia and Benny. I was so sad because of Samandriel, I take longer to like characters this much, but Samandriel was a exception, he was good and sweet and there weren’t wings(I’m in denial), maybe he’s still alive! I din’t had a full opinion in Naomi, but my opinion now is clear, she needs to die, she made Cas kill Samandriel against his will and Cas is already feeling so guilty, how will this leave him? I loved the destiel moments in the episode, on a other note and I hope the boys don’t forget Cas in the episodes he’s gone.
“SAM HAD HIS SHIRT OFF”…. I laughed so hard when I read this… because I thought exactly the same thing! I won’t lie but I did hit the pause button for a bit. Nice job Sammy.
I loved the episode. It was incredibly sad…I HATE that that Samandriel (Alfie) died…and that poor, poor Castiel was the one who killed him. My only consolation is that the brainwashing might block the fact that he really wanted to save him. Looking forward the the violent death of Naomi. I had almost hoped that Cas was going to “snap” out of it…right before he killed Alfie. All that torture for nothing? ugh. Least favorite event of this ep.
I can’t say that I am sorry to see Amelia go. I agree, I could never warm up to her. I hate that Sam had to lose yet another person he cared about; but she had to go. Is it catty to say that I hated her hair?
Dean and Benny. Sigh. That broke my heart too. Benny is trying so desperately to stay “sober”….and Dean is the only person that could help him. I don’t know if I will even be able to watch the confrontation that Im sure will be coming to ahead at some point between them (or Sam, since he is so sure Benny will kill again). I feel it wouldn’t be fair… Benny did reach out for help. As always, Dean ticked my funny bone: You Saw Nothing!.. and then trying to block the screen with his hand? priceless.
Great recap!
Lots to think about in this ep, I just this second finished it and RAN to read your review
I’m happy with what happened with the boys, after reading everone’s tweets the last few days I really didn’t expect to be, I thought I’d be angry at one or the other. And I am a little, at both of them. But knowing they both (yet again) have given up something/someone they love for the cause makes me so sad for them both. Dean acting like the mum/dad, willing to give up things for Sam gives him yet another thing to tear himself up over…letting Benny down…but seeing him not want to click beers with Sam at the end tells me there’s a little more angsting ahead before he gets oevr feeling mad at Sam for making him feel he had to do that. I really liked Amelia, her scene’s with Sam in this ep were brilliant…both of them were great. And yes. how normal, to see a topless person in bed after sex!
Thanks for the recap and review Erin!
!), so I’ll try and outline a few of the things that bothered me:
I said I would come comment when I managed to wrap my brain cells around why I had quite a negative reaction to this episode, and well, 2 re-watches and a great deal of angsting later, and I’m still at a loss! I don’t really have deep and meaningful thoughts about TV shows (I have to deal with too much of that in my job, fyi, I have a really serious job) and tend to have emotional reactions instead. As you saw on twitter my initial response fell somewhere in between abject misery, anger, and utter confusion. I have since read a few comments and meta that was helpful in working out some of the problems I had with this episode (and boy do I have a lot of problems – but this probably isn’t the space for THAT discussion
In the words of Kevin Tran “what is happening!” aka ambiguity 101: I found the brothers motivations through most of this episode completely obscure. Whether it was the writing, the direction, or the editing I have no idea, but I was at a total loss as to why various things were happening.
The biggies for me were:
(1) Dean saying goodbye to Benny, for good. I just don’t get why? Did Dean give up Benny because of the conflict with Sam? Was it so he could concentrate on ‘the job’ without distraction – like finding the word of God tablets or working out what’s up with Cas? Was it to protect Benny from Sam, or maybe protect Sam from Benny? Why? Why does it have to be forever and not just for the time being, or until those other things are sorted out? Especially when they were both so clearly upset about it. It doesn’t make sense to me. DEAN, YOUR LOGIC DOES NOT RESEMBLE OUR EARTH LOGIC!
(2) Castiel and the ‘keep out’ sigils; It was at least made clear to the audience that Castiel is being manipulated/controlled by Naomi, but I couldn’t work out if Sam and Dean were considering this as a possible explanation for his slightly odd behaviour. Were they actually concerned about him or just plain suspicious and distrustful? Either way shutting out a guy who was already suicidal and is now acting a bit odd (who has a history of mental illness albeit supernaturally induced mental illness) – not exactly the most supportive move ever guys! Sure put up sigils so you can talk about him in secret… but erm, won’t they also keep him out if he needs your help? Bit of a weird and abrupt turnaround, especially for Dean who was ripping up purgatory just to find the guy not so long ago. A couple of extra words of dialogue would have cleared that up nicely one way or the other, but instead I was left with an uncomfortable feeling that S&D are suspecting Bad!Cas and it could potentially linger for weeks if not months, since we already know Castiel isn’t in the next 5 or so episodes.
(3) Sam and Dean (oh brother not that old chestnut); the last shot of the brothers, what was that? Are we supposed to be happy? Are we supposed to be sad? Is this a step on the road to reconciliation or a step towards further dissolution? I have no idea. I probably would have hand-waved this normally, but tbh on top of everything else, I feel let down. I thought Carver was supposed to be doing character development, whereby the brothers would be re-positioned and given a more mature, less teen-angsty relationship in a re-populated SPN universe, but by the end of this episode I felt I’d been shoved back to somewhere in Season 7 (and I was not a huge fan of that season), with Sam and Dean all but isolated, and looking not very happy about it either. I was confused about why they would return to this!
Maybe Carver is playing the long game, maybe it will take the entire season to reach that mythical mystical place of angst-free brotherhood and hooray-we-can-have-friends-that-don’t-ALL-have-to-die-horribly. I don’t know. But as of this minute all I got from that episode was that TPTB are either not very good at their jobs and the ambiguity was all unintentional, or the weird cognitive dissonance and off-kilter feeling I was left with, was in fact purposeful, and part of Carver’s evil master plan (the much touted ‘it’s all about perception’) and actually it’s OUR perception he’s messing with (hey maybe we should try running the episode backwards, maybe there’s a secret message in there and everything will suddenly become clear) in which case, Jeremy Carver you are a wizard, and I beg your forbearance as I grovel at your feet!
Oh and one last thing (4) the raiders of the lost mytharc: All we actually got out of this episode was confirmation of the angel tablet (obvious) and confirmation that Naomi is involved in some nefarious scheme (also obvious). If the whole ‘tablets’ thing is the mytharc (and I say ‘if’ because I’m still holding out hope that there is more afoot than is apparent) why is it moving so painfully slowly? It doesn’t feel urgent to me at all.
Anyway, those are my ramble-y thoughts (mine, all mine, I don’t expect any one to agree). All in all I could sum it up like this: I JUST HAVE A LOT OF FEELINGS RIGHT NOW, OK!?!