“Supernatural” Episode 10.13, “Halt and Catch Fire;” Starring Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki; Written by Eric Charmelo and Nicole Snyder; Directed by John F. Showalter.
“Supernatural” picked up the quality after a wobbly return from Hellatus, but as we head into the second break of the season I feel like there’s a definite loss of steam somewhere. Whether the leak is my problem or the show’s is up for debate.
We opened this week with yet another great rock tune, though this one is a much more modern classic. The Avett Brothers played in the background as two young adults cruised around in a pick up looking for some fast food. In the world of “Supernatural,” teenagers being offed by a non-corporeal entity can mean only one thing: old school horror. I am always down for 42 minutes of 80’s horror homage. And since Dean made a passing reference to that seminal 80’s gem “Shocker,” this episode automatically gets a smile from me.
There’s little plot to recap – it was a straight up “Supernatural” ghost story with a twist.The mystery played out for a few acts, but I’ve had an epiphany about this show: It rarely keeps its own secrets. There are few episodes where there’s a “gasp” moment and the audience has time to figure things out on their own. Usually the plot winds for a few acts and then right before, say, the penultimate commercial break, the show says “TADAAAA!!!” and shows you your card. That’s not really a complaint, mind you, and really it makes those gaspy episodes way more fun. But “Halt and Catch Fire” is a great example of the standard. There’s minor mystery and few false leads but then blammo, here’s the real Big Bad and also we don’t know how to kill it.
The show told the tale of four college students who were involved in an accident and subsequently stalked, via wi-fi (natch), by the vengeful spirit of their victim. Enh. It was a good watch, the guest stars were all capable performers, and the new twist on ghost-killin’ was a nice touch. One has to admit that after ten years, finding new ways to kill dead things is a talent in and of itself. But still. What was the term I coined last week? Ah yes – “voom.” There’s still a lack of voom.
There were definitely things I loved about the episode. Namely the return of Funny Dean. Ackles hasn’t really been able to flex his comedy chops a whole lot this season, but in “Halt and Catch Fire” he got to toss around a great goofy attitude and bounce his wonderful timing off the amazing Straight Man Sam. These two have really gotten their chemistry down to an effortless routine. And I definitely need some outtakes of that noodle scene on the Season Ten gag reel.
But there were also some things I didn’t love. The Mark Metaphor, mostly. ‘Cause we get it. Eeeeeeverybody gets it. Dean is struggling with the Mark, Sam is struggling with Dean’s struggle, Cas is riverboat gambling, apparently*, and they get a case involving a ghost that has to “let go and be at peace?” Echh. ECHH.
So, of course, by the end of the show Dean has decided to just roll with the punches. You know, the ones that massacre humans and make him go all meth-head violent. He’s going to live with the Mark, and if someone finds a cure then hooray. And that just seems like an easy out to me.
There is just a lack of zhuzh so far. And granted I am probably still comparing everything to that wowzer of a 200th episode and that’s a pretty damn high bar to leapfrog. But I feel like the show doesn’t know how to emote unless the brothers are deceiving and angsty and that’s a damn shame. And regarding the earlier “*” – Misha Collins has been promoted to series regular and his been on the show for like ten minutes this season and I have no idea what’s up with that. It feels like fan service and now the writers don’t know what to do with him.
But next week brings the return of Cain, played by the dynamic Timothy Omundson. You guys. I love that guy. He’s a great actor, and if previous appearances are any indication Cain is a great, formidable, insightful character. Even if I’m lukewarm on an episode, each week I’m excited to see the next one. So I guess that’s still a success, yeah?
Am I being too hard on the show, asking too much? I always say that “Supernatural” is pure escapism for me and that’s truth, but I’d rather end the hour with a little clapping and a “moving on” attitude than one of “well that was certainly an hour of television I just watched.” If you can help me put a new spin on this season to adjust my attitude, by all means leave a comment. And if you need commiserate, I’m here for you.