Supernatural packed a lot of good into what could have been a mediocre filler episode for number six, but with the Hellatus in only three more episodes we might end up appreciating this nice little breather. We’re sure to begin the ascent into “holy crap I have to wait five weeks?!!?!?” territory soon.
In an interesting turn of form, tonight Castiel summoned Dean to investigate a series of strange deaths in the Idaho town where he has taken up residence. Agent Lee Ermey (teehee) arrives on the scene and of course discovers that strange things are indeed afoot. Angelic shenanigins ensue when a Rit Zien arrives to save humanity from its suffering. But since noob angels know nothing of humanity’s many levels of emo, he doesn’t recognize the difference between suicidal grief and tween angst. So Ephraim starts a-smitin’ all willy nilly like, but since his class of angels were battlefield “rescue” whose purpose was quick and painless suffering, when he smites a human the result looks like a puce paint bomb exploded. It’s kind of horrifying. Meanwhile back at the Batcave, Sam and Kevin are trying to bribe Crowley into translating a translation (seriously) of the angel tablet. He informs Moose and Robin that The Metatron’s spell is unbreakable and the angels are now a New World Order that we all need to get used to. Let’s break it down!
The “ehn.”
- I’m obviously always open for discussion and reinterpretation, but I really feel like the bulk of tonight’s story could have been told in a different way. The Rit Zien felt like an MotW that didn’t really need to be. And while his methods of mercy were certainly worthy of the worst of Supernatural’s Big Bads, he felt kind of unneccessary. His sole purpose was to point out something viewers already knew. I would guess anyway. But we’ll get to that part.
The “super fun!!!!”
- You guys? Cas sang the theme to “The Greatest American Hero” as a lullabye. I knew within four words what it was and for reasons that are far too sad to mention in this review, that really hit me hard. But in a very sweet and nostalgic way, so I loved it.
- The corporate conversation between Crowley and Abaddon has, I believe, provided some insight as to how Crowley’s going to get his groove back. I’ve taken enough business classes (i.e. none) to know that Abaddon’s way of running the show isn’t going to work, and while she might be harvesting souls like lightning now her well will quickly run dry when greedy humans realize that Hell isn’t holding up her own end of the deal. And Mark Sheppard is just a freakin’ delight, so Crowley scenes are always in my list of favorites.
The AMAZING:
- I mentioned before that Ephraim seemed to be a device to show viewers how sad Castiel has become. Man, for my money this is one of the saddest episodes of Supernatural I have ever seen. Sadder than Jo, sadder than Dean’s anguished cries for Sam as he roasts, more than the Impala episode… sadder than Bobby, y’all. And no Rit Zien was needed to convey that point. The episode opened with Steve!Cas tending the coffee in a convenience store, homeless, friendless, and penniless with only the clothes on his back. Over the next 42 minutes we watched all hope for romance, heroism and grace reinstallation come and go just like Dean and Baby. The show closed with Steve!Cas tending the coffee, alone, penniless and homeless, with only the clothes on his back and as far as we know, no chance of ever getting his grace back. Maybe I can chalk it up to my melancholy mood, but holy shitballs that is depressing.
We’re left believing that Cas will forever remain Steve, and the worst part is that Dean didn’t even tell him the news. However. I don’t know about y’all but I have a sneaking suspicion that Crowley is a big ol’ fibber and that the spell does indeed have a remedy. And speaking of the King, in that last shot was he mainlining Tran Blood? For God’s sake WHY?
If you have any theories on that little tidbit, leave them in the comments below. Let us know what you thought of the episode, and where you think the season is heading. It’s always up in the air until we know there will be “next season,” but I think they’ve got one more in ’em.