Supernatural: Back with a Vengeance!
Supernatural hit another one out of the park this episode. We loved everything about it, from the title (how can you not adore a Judy Blume shout-out?) and the opening montage (set to Billy Squier's Lonely is the Night -- perfect!) to the closing moments. And so much happened in between!
The world's Hunters have saved a hell of a lot of people -- but it's the ones they couldn't save that haunt them. That turns exceedingly, and fatally, literal when the spirits of those who died despite the Hunters' efforts come back to earth. And they're pissed. These spirits shout accusations and then eviscerate the people they blame for their deaths. It's not pretty.
Of course, Sam, Dean and Bobby have plenty of dead people they feel guilty about. Sam is visited by Agent Henrickson, who tells Sam he knows that the boys never wanted this to happen to him -- and then proceeds to beat the crap out of Sam. We're amazed Sam kept all his teeth. Those boys have incredible bruise resistance! Dean is haunted by Meg -- not demon Meg, but the girl the demon took over. She can't understand why the boys didn't try harder to save her, and she blames them for both her death and her little sister's suicide. Bobby gets the scariest visitors of all-- a pair of creepy, laughing, horrific little girls who trill and giggle and accuse Bobby of letting them get eaten by a monster. Eeek!
There's more!
The guys fend off the spirits, and then we discover reason number 109879 why Bobby is awesome: He has a spiritual panic room. That's right -- Bobby built a cast-iron, salt-encrusted, completely impregnable safe room and stocked it with weapons, food and water, other supplies, and a Bo Derek poster (Hee!) The boys are in awe. So are we!
Bobby figures out the spirits have been raised by a specific spell, and that they need to break that spell if they want to live. That won't be easy -- supplies are scattered throughout the house, and boy, those spirits are mad. Meg, Henrickson, Roland (the mandroid-spotting schlub/hero from "Nightshifter"), and those creepy, creepy girls throw all their rage at the boys and Bobby. We're not sure what hurt more -- those spirit hands thrust into their chests, or the accusations they can't deny. Sam seems to get over the guilt first -- he shoots Meg in the face. Dean agrees with Henrickson that it IS his fault, and he DIDN'T deserve to be pulled out of hell -- but Sam arrives and shoots Hendrickson full of salt before he can do too much physical damage.
Then it's a siege in the living room, as Bobby tries to complete the spell and the guys try to fend off the angry spirits. It looks like all is lost when the guys run out of ammunition, the spirits break the salt line and Meg shoves her hand through bobby's back, causing him to drop the bowl he's making his spirit-breaking potion in. But Dean catches it and throws it in the fire, banishing the angry dead.
That's not the end of it, of course -- what the guys just survived was the Raising of the Witnesses, which is a sign of the apocalypse. Yes, that apocalypse. This is almost more than Dean can handle -- he just barely got to the point where he could concede that Castiel is an angel, and he's not ready to give in on God. But Castiel appears to him and tells him that Lilith is breaking the 66 seals that bind Lucifer to Hell. Those pissed-off spirits constituted one of those seals. It seems that Dean was brought back, at least in part, to try to keep Lucifer in Hell and to prevent the apocalypse. When he wakes up, Dean asks Sam if he's comfortable with the whole god/angel concept. When Sam says yes, Dean asks if that means he also believes in the devil. Why do you ask? Sam says. We have a feeling he'll find out soon enough!
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Comments
I loved the episode. They really have been knocking it out of the park so far this season and I really hope it continues. Jared and Jensen's acting is great as always .. but, am wishing that they had more time on-screen TOGETHER!
Bobby's panic room was awesome and I just loved the Supernatural take on Bill Cosby's "I brought you into this world and I can take you out" line from 'The Cosby Show.'
Posted by: Candymaize | October 1, 2008 5:29 PM
Just when I thought nothing could be great after Lazarus Rising... This episode was amazing as well. Sam felt more Sam again, Bobby was awesome indeed and I loved the whole 'panic room' conversation between those three guys.
The idea of old 'friends' coming back to haunt hunters 'cause they couldn't save them is brilliant. Seriously, one of the smartest ideas in the entire series if you ask me. There's so much darkness and guilt in hunters past, it's intriguing to explore. It also was such a clever way to bring back our favorites like Henricksen, Ron and Meg.
Nicki Aycox blew me away as usually. I adored her as a dangerous demon many seasons ago but she sold herself as a hurt ghost of a nice girl as well. I loved the scenes between Meg and Dean. She hit the nerve with him and poor Dean really seems to think he's no hero that he clearly is *sigh* Hopefully Meg also made Sam think about what she said about our so called friendly demon Ruby and the bodies that she keeps stealing.
At the end when Sam and Dean were shooting, shooting, shooting was made of action. It was awesome, it was what a demonic war should look like (yeah they were spirits but whatever).
And I swear, Kripke is having too much fun with this 'almost killing Bobby' thing that he's got going on.
Dean, Sam and even Bobby revealing and voicing their thoughts on angels and God were interesting to watch. Bobby is wise as he knows there's no point arguing religion.
Castiel didn't seem as intrigued by the humans as he did the last time we saw him. He was serious and when he threatened Dean, he was scary. Misha Collins and Jensen Ackles are too incredible for words.
And Dean sleeping on the floor while letting Sam sleep on the couch was sweet. I love little gestures like that.
This season kicks ass so far.
Posted by: WarriorGirl | September 29, 2008 12:24 PM
I liked this episode but was slightly disappointed that Ron didn't get in Sam's face a bit more. Sam with his superior attitude was completely dismissive of Ron and because of that he indirectly got him killed. What was worse was after his actions, Sam never questioned himself or seem to care about Ron's death (only Dean did). This has always bothered me and I was hoping it would be addressed in this episode.
I loved Meg's smackdown of Sam pertaining to his partnership with Ruby. But it didn't make up for Ron not getting a Sam apology.
Also loved Castiel's verbal smackdown of Dean. While I understand Dean being hesitant, confused, angry and mistrustful of Castiel, he was out of line with what he said. In fact we saw Dean rage at the concept of God in three different scenes, which I felt was a bit overkill. I hope that Dean does come to respect Castiel, God and himself.
Anyway overall a good episode, but not as good as the premiere. I give it a B.
Posted by: Con | September 29, 2008 12:18 PM
It took a couple episodes for people to like Meg. But that's because they weren't sure of her.
In the first eps, she seemed like just some girl (that we'd probably never see again) who Sam met hitchhiking, then bonded with in a bus station. She didn't have anything to do, really, but listen to Sam talk about his problems. Then, she tried to get Sam to go with her to California. (When we wanted him to go back to Dean.) So there just wasn't enough to be impressed by with Meg that first ep, and that was why many wrote her off as blah.
It wasn't until her second ep, when we got to see her in all her villainy glory, that she started to grow on many fans.
And I don't think there's anything wrong with that. Not every character is going to instantly appeal the audience. I remember not every fan liking Bobby (if you can imagine) in his first episode. But, now, most would agree with Dean that he's awesome.
Posted by: deejay | September 29, 2008 11:06 AM
This episode was great. I loved the way thesy choose to bring back Meg, Hendriksen or Ronald, and the talk between Meg and Dean was heartbreaking. I loved Bobby, he is awesome indeed but it's nice to hear the boys actually confirming that.Kripke promised us an amazing season and so far he did it. I can't wait for the next episode, hope it will be as great as the first two:)
Posted by: maviky | September 29, 2008 1:46 AM
I loved this episode! And I agree about Dean's compassion and remorse being very evident, while Sam shows less remorse. The Dean and Meg conversation broke my heart. Dean saying that he knows he's not a hero -- yes, Dean, you ARE!!
I really loved the scene with Dean and Castiel -- very powerful and emotional. Castiel certainly has a lot on his plate because Dean isn't going to make it easy. Dean has probably held on tightly to his skepticism about god and angels ever since his Mom died. I like that Dean is skeptical but I also like Castiel being a little tough with him. Jensen continues to blow me away with his acting, and Misha is quite good as well.
RE: this response in your poll--
"The guys discussing Dean's encounter with Castiel -- FINALLY, they're not keeping secrets!"
No, SAM is *still* keeping secrets. It doesn't surprise me at all that Dean told Sam about his encounter with Castiel. Dean isn't usually one to keep things from Sam, and then when he does (like the secret from S2), it eats away at him. Sam doesn't seem to have a problem keeping secrets, however, and that's really very disconcerting.
Posted by: Claire | September 27, 2008 7:53 PM
Yeah... but everybody hated Meg when she was on the show until early the end!
Which I think is Ironic=p
And WONDERFUL episode! I loved it!
Posted by: Anonymous | September 27, 2008 5:19 PM
I really liked this episode. I thought the dynamic of what is happening to Sam versus how Dean is feeling was coming more to light.
For instance, Sam's less remorseful than in previous seasons, hardened by losing his brother and by Ruby's training. I still don't like the character OR either actresses, but maybe (hopefully) that will change.
Dean meanwhile is showing so much remorse and dropping the sarcastic front, admitting that he doesn't think he deserved to be saved. I hope Castiel helps him see his worth. Btw, Castiel is AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: deeds | September 27, 2008 1:46 PM
you know the SPN fandom has gotten a bad rap for being hard on females introduced to this show... but seeing MEG again proves it aint just about the love for ours boys. when the bar is set that high in season 1 how can you expect us to settle for less!
she did an awesome job in 4.02 and i hope they can find another strong female to "play" with the Winchesters - cause thats just good TV!
Posted by: Elaine | September 27, 2008 1:24 PM
LOVE THIS EPISODE.... LOVE DEAN... :( HENRIKSEN AND MEG....
LOVE CASTIEL TOO
Posted by: Mahine | September 27, 2008 8:54 AM
lol i loooooooooved this episode sooo much! awesome awesome awesome writing, directing and acting! everyone outdid themselves! i couldn't even believe how rational they made the dialogue seem from meg and henrickson. couldn't have seen it written any better.
oh btw, if you could maybe tell the supernatural cast and crew, that i really do appreciate the amazing things they do to pull off such an awesome show. i love their work so much, that (because i am a leader in the band) chose the song 'carry on my wayward son' to play in front of the entire student body and high school staff, etc. i totally forgot to bring my video camera (curses!) which wasn't kool otherwise i'd try to send you a link through youtube or something.
<3 supernatural forever!!
Posted by: jessica t | September 26, 2008 9:06 PM