Oh, how the tides have turned on our Winchesters. Dean has become the keeper of secrets, Sam is now the moral voice of condescension. And also Garth. Lots of Garth, which is awesome.
I don’t know about the fandom as a whole, but at eight episodes in I am ready for a Monster of the Week with a heapin’ helpin’ of the funny, which is exactly what I got this week. Our boys are tracking down an item that links its carrier to the specter of an unknown soldier. The specter inhabits a victim and then magnifies a molehill of a grudge into a mountain of anger. I suspected early on that the brothers would come to blows via the specter, but by act three of the show I raised an eyebrow and commended the show for throwing me a curve ball. But then came act four and the eyebrow went back down as something I have been waiting 8.25 seasons for finally happened; Sam and Dean beat the crap out of each other. There were feelings and headbutts, and it was awesome. Some laundry was aired, some resolutions were had.
The show seems to be lovingly setting up Garth as a recurring character, and I am four thousand percent OK with that. DJ Qualls is a great comedic actor and tonight allowed me my first belly laugh since, well, probably since his last appearance. Garth has very literally assumed Bobby’s role as Hunter Consultant, and, perhaps surprising Sam and Dean, is wearing his new hat quite well. I like the idea of a constant on the show that not only assists but also moderates the brothers.
And now comes the time when we must address Sam’s flashbacks. I understand that the story would have been far too much for one episode. I understand that the story must be told, not only so the viewer knows the degree of the relationship, but also so we know how much it hurt when Sam chose to leave in the manner he did. But those flashbacks are becoming almost parodic at this point. It’s become like the running joke in “Spaced” and I keep expecting to hear a tinkly piano every time Sam’s eyes go all misty.
There was an interesting montage that traced the story of the aforementioned item. It was stylish and effective but I can’t decide if it upset the flow of the episode. There was also an incredibly interesting choreography choice in one of the fight scenes that made for one of the most simplistically cool punches I have ever seen.
I leave you with these final thoughts: Is Soundgarden considered classic rock now? And hu-WOW was that not some heavy handed foreshadowing at the end? I mean, wow. Not a complaint – this episode falls into the category of “I’d show this one to friends to convince them that the show is awesome.”