SPN: 8x01 Reaction and Recap
Warnings: Uh, I use the crasser term for donkey once? And I’m an atrocious punner. No unaired spoilers. It's long, I went scene by scene.
I've never done one of these before, but hey, beginning of a season seems like a good place to start.
Okay.
I loved it. I REALLY REALLY loved. This. Premiere. From the first shot of mist filled Maine forest I was hooked, the episode story gave us resolutions and promises, and I LOVED THEM ALL.
Let's start from the beginning:
TITLE: I thought "We Need to Talk About Kevin" was rather boring and soap-drama-esque, until I looked it up: this is the title of a 2003 book by Lionel Shiver, adapted as both a film and a radio drama, which is, boiled down, a mother's look at her son, the peewee psycho killer. So, you know. Awesome.
ROAD SO FAR: "Saving People, Hunting Things. You know, the family business." It's THE quote! They used THE quote, guys! Did anyone else notice that when Bobby said "backside" talking about Purgatory, it showed the picture of the unicorn shooting rainbows out its ass? Hahahaha. Sneaky show is sneaky.
Also, background song is "Locomotive Breath" by Jethro Tull, came out in 1971. And it's awesome. On to first scene!
BEWARE THE BOOGIEDEAN:
We knew Dean was coming through the light (and can I say, I really liked that it was eerie light somewhere in the forest instead of showing a win-or-miss CGI portal?), there wasn't a lot of doubt about that, but think about this: Two kids in the woods, unexplainable phenomenon, shadow, the girl wants the man to check it out, he turns away and looks back and AHHH there's a guy? This, my friends, is a standard SPN Monster of the Week introduction, with Dean cast as monster! Yeeeeees. The implications make me happy. And the ACTING, Oh. The smoothness of Dean’s moves, the feral-ness in his interaction with the Camping Couple, the quick escape. THIS is Dean focused solely on survival; he didn't NOT care that he was scaring the Camping Couple, IT JUST WASN’T A FACTOR. He treated them like a possible threat, because to Dean EVERYTHING is a possible threat. CHILLS GUYS. I got chills.
Song while Dean's hitchhiking is "Man in the Wilderness", Stynx. Hahahaha. Appropriate.
BROTHER IN ARM:
When I first saw Dean favoring his arm I was thinking, yeah, you've been fighting for your life, permanent or recent injury, totally believable (and here's a neat trick, Dean showed NO discomfort until he was alone; no weakness. I'm in love with Survivalist Dean); the windmill, Dean's steps away, his "This better be you" comment, Dean's got insider info. And then he pulled up his sleeve, and I got my first official "What the hell" moment of the season! Big Glowing Abscess, guys. First thought was "I guess there are no Supernatural Antibiotics in Purgatory," because I'm a weirdo.
So, the glowy burning blood stuff falling on the bones was my least favorite shot this episode, which is saying something because it was okay. It just wasn’t the most convincing CG to me. Maybe it was because I was still in "what the hell." mode.
Okay. Ben. I knew there was a Ben, because SPN and its spoilers rule the internet, but I didn't know much other than the name. First thoughts, ACCENT. When he said "no thanks to you," I went "NOOOooo, Alistair Voice of Irritation", but "What took you so long?" soothed my fears. We haven't had this accent on this show! I like it.
I like that Dean was making sure all Ben's pieces were moving correctly, and his complete lack of response to the retractable teeth. Also, Ben has a gruff undercurrent of amity that sure makes it interesting; whether or not he's being entirely truthful (or in this case TOOTHful; *shot dead*) about keeping his nose clean. I know some people were thrown off by the hug, but coupled with Ben calling Dean "Brother", but it makes sense to me. Obviously Dean and Ben are in good standing, and when has Dean NOT categorized close (if not good) relationships in terms of family? Bobby he's called like a father, Cas like a brother, even Charlie was "the little sister I never wanted". Dean patterns his friend relations after family relations, so the hug goodbye made sense to me. Besides, they just got out of purgatory together, mutual jubilation is expected.
TLTLE CARD WINS EVERYTHING. I do like the simpler cards, but this was pretty cool looking. Twitchy Letters are win.
A HERMIT IN KERMIT:
The scene at Sam's house, in Kermit Texas. I liked how this was done. Quiet, understated, leaves a lot of questions. Him leaving, remorseful but without turning back, and her watching, and not stopping him, there’s more going on here. Color me intrigued.
The figure outside: WHO IS IT. They have YED's Collar of Doom. Not fun, Sam girl, you should run. There’s this trend with Sam girls, you see.
IMPALA, GUYS. SHE'S BACK! IT'S SUPERNATURAL AGAIN!
Also, she is very shiny in Whitefish, Montana. Sam’s taking care of her, Awww.
The aggressive testing of Sam, loved it, because there was no underlying implications about trust or otherwise. The way it went down was almost like a meeting ritual, especially Dean's reaction to Sam refusing to test him. First "Sammy" of the season, given when Dean thinks Sam's being naive. Too soon to tell but... Dean's always categorized Sam as the damaged soldier that messes up, Sammy as Dean's kid brother. This exchange makes me wonder if Dean's Purgatory time has given him more of a respect for Sam the adult and less wishing for the kid he was. Also, Dean's seeing Sam being stupid not testing him, and does it for him because he cares, and as soon as he feels proper procedure has been taken he relaxes, all smiles.
Have I said that I'm in love with Survivalist Dean?
Aw, Cas. Whatever happened, we can count on being messy and coming to light in a messy way. Poor Castiel.
"I said I saw enough, Sam." Assertive Dean is Assertive! I mean, Dean lays lines all the time with Sam, but he's got this tone that Sam takes as permission to walk all over them. This was stone, and Sam recognized that. Iiiiiiinteresting.
And then the bomb got dropped into Winchester Land; Sam quit hunting. Dean seems a bit harsh here, but think about it; Sam gave up the one thing Dean still had, the thing he's built himself around for... a year (I'm not convinced it was just a year; time in hell was wonky, and Dean didn't exactly say a year, he made a joke. Dean making jokes usually means secrets and emotional pain. Guh, this show...). Also, Sam’s been pretty unhappy this whole time. I’m suspicious of his happy ever after.
And Sam didn’t look for him. I’m not touching this; I thought they both have a point. And Dean’s “deep abiding love” comment, besides the fact that it’s just pure awesomeness (and that Dean is mad when he says it), how long has it been since Dean, or either boy actually, have verbally acknowledged this?
Sam's painful "Welcome back," to himself. Okay, I've heard some fans not liking how mellow Sam was through this whole thing but I’m not getting that; of course he's glad Dean's not dead, but he's been free of the Winchester Ball of Love and Pain for the first time ever, really; as much as we love it, the Winchester Bros. relationship is NOT the healthiest thing, and Sam is seeing himself being dragged back into that. He's still got that unrelenting love/need/responsibility or he wouldn't have dropped his life for Dean, but he's got a healthy dose of dread to, because he sees the pain coming. Also, there’s something going on here, hmm.
THROW THE DOG A PHONE:
Okay, this was probably my favorite scene in the whole episode. Starting with Dean's refusal of food, all the things this subtly indicates. Wait, THAT'S why I'm loving this so, the subtly is back.
When you don't eat regularly for a long time (or even not too long, two weeks is all it takes really) scheduled, everyday feeding is not what you or your body is used to. To me Dean's very matter of fact not hungry, while Sam seems… I’m not sure how he’s taking this, but he’s taking it somehow. Though given Dean’s more rigid and on edge body language this episode, who knows.
Okay, Kevin's calls. I think this is a good time to remember Sam didn't hear Kevin and ignore him, he stopped hunting without taking Kevin into consideration. He left Kevin high and dry, he left Dean high and dry, but he had no idea how to help Kevin, no resources, and a VERY slim chance he was still alive, and nothing at all to indicate Dean wasn’t six feet under.
Now, Dean really holds Sam’s feet to the fire here, about Kevin. When Sam tries to stem the flow of heartbreaking messages, “I get it,” Dean doesn’t listen, rubbing Sam’s nose in his mess. I don’t think Dean’s doing it to be maliciously though, I think he’s doing this for the same reason people do this to dogs that wee-wee on the carpet; so that they won’t do it again.
Also, Dean’s level voice, throwing the phone at Sam, Sam’s flinch? Dean’s anger isn’t exploding all over, but this is something he wouldn’t do in the past. We’ve seen that Dean has control over his anger in high emotion times before (knocking over the lamp in “Metamorphosis” as opposed to hitting Sam again once more) but we’ve never seen him use it, especially the physical part of it, so deliberately, or be so calm after a physical display. And I think it’s getting what Dean wants to get across to Sam across very well.
I think the aggressive monster test, the Ben hug, and the throwing the phone, could all be pointing towards a more physical Dean in better situations and worse.
The shot with Sam on the computer has a couple things I like. First, posturing; Dean’s not happy with Sam, but he’s still got his back completely turned to him. This is an indicator Dean’s mad, yes, but also in Dean’s current hyper-awareness, this is an indicator he doesn’t see Sam as a threat. Second, Smart!Sam, oh how I’ve missed you. Third, again, Dean holds Sam unrelentingly to things both boys have shied from in the past; he doesn’t let Sam assume they’re together, he asks “we?”, and makes Sam spell out the consequences of his actions and what he’s going to do to fix them to him.
It’s notable that the boys fall into much more amiable banter after this. “No visible signs of douchery,” “it smell like dog to you?” Hahaha is messing up the Impala while Dean’s gone a thing now? I think this is a thing now.
VENDING FOR HIMSELF:
Vending machine, Sam’s look, the kids, I liked all of this. And Survivalist Dean, him too. I like him too. I like how he’s just sort of staring at the easily accessible food.
There’ve been parallels drawn between Sam and Dean’s situation and that of military combatants for years, but I have to say, I don’t think Dean’s ever reminded me as much of a recently returned war vet then he does in this episode. BREAKING NEWS FOLKS: Jensen Ackles Rocks.
Flashback! I like the musical transition, and the saturation levels in the Purgatory shots. I also like that the character Dean’s hunting (like a PREDATOR, I LOVE this) is dressed in 100’s of years ago fashions; really puts in perspective time stuff, right? Also, the Human in Purgatory being kind of a legend monsters talk about is appealing to me.
Dean’s itch to keep moving is pretty cool, and not entirely because of Kevin. How many times do YOU think he’s got to stay in one place very long without being attacked?
Sam’s got a point (not saying I AGREE, but he has one), Que Sera Sera, that people being killed by the Supernatural (at least in this universe) is a part of life and it was still going to be the way of the world if Sam helped or not. Unlike previous seasons the whole world isn’t on his shoulders… I can buy him rationalizing small unending evil away, though I do believe rationalizing his choice is what this is. I don’t think he’s doing very well explaining this without sounding like a calloused snob though.
The idea that Purgatory is “Pure” is pretty cool in my book, especially given Purgatory mythology. I love me some mythology. Don’t really have anything to say about Ben in the flashback besides I still like his accent.
SCHOOLGHOULS AND BURGERS:
This is the first time we’ve seen a demon’s Phone Cup (haha, like Foam Cup only phone instead of- *shot again*) in a while! Continuity, yay. Other than that, nothing about this scene was really got me interested, though Kevin’s girl does do a pretty disturbing disturbing face.
Okay, this is one of my beefs for the episode; we come straight into the show from commercials, see Sam with a computer, see a dog, and go flashback. This one just didn’t seem as natural, and I think it was too close to the commercial, we didn’t get a chance to cue into “Sam” before we went to his memories.
Okay, Sam’s blow up about the dog, I liked it. Sam has anger issues since forever, though not as much last season. Yes the reaction seemed out of proportion, but it should, he wasn’t that upset because of the dog, he was venting because he lost his brother unexpectedly and he has nowhere left to turn and here’s something he can do something about. Sam’s plea, “help me, help this dog,” really strummed my heart strings. Also, when the doctor walks in Sam says “I did this.” Seeing this dog thing in the context of an awesome metaphor, OW SAM.
OKAY, Sam buying Dean a burger. Dean says it’s awesome BEFORE he knows it’s for him. It’s awesome that burgers exist, and that Sam gives it TO DEAN? I’m getting more and more Purgatory Culture vibes as this goes on; this is a big thing for Dean, FOOD is a big thing. Now Sam’s found food and not eating, deferring it to Dean (like Dean did with the first meal this episode?). Especially with the tension so far, I think Sam’s saying more than he realizes in Dean’s current language of choice. Or it could mean nothing. Haha.
Either way, “It’s a burger.” “it’s a treasure.” Awww.
And YAY more Smart!Sam. I missed Smart!Sam. And more brother stuff. This is feeling so much more early season and even though I liked later seasons more than most seemed to, I’m a happy camper.
KEVIN USES A WATERGUN!! How long have we been saying the Winchesters should have Holy-Water-guns, guys? YAY.
Kevin is cool, and intelligent. Everyone’s intelligent! I’m very happy with this. Also, Crowly surrounded by goats makes me much too amused.
CLOSING THE GATES OF HELL FOREVER. Hello, plot! You’re looking lovely today!
Dean likes Kevin here. This Dean respects survivors, and we’ve seen that growing in Kevin since the first opportunity he had to be anything but plot mover. Also, Sam’s kind of desperate need to know where the tablet is is ringing warning bells in me.
HOPE DENERD:
Aaand the Kevin/Sam comparisons begin. “So… free will, that’s only for you?” Ooh, ouch. And Dean brings up Jess, it’s been a long time since that came up. It feels like a reset, you know? I’m seeing characters coming full circle all over the place.
This and Kevin and Sam’s not private conversation in the church? I just remembered why there’s breaks between seasons, it’s so our hearts can regenerate enough for SPN to dig them out with a rusty spoon again.
Another flashback (note that in this shot construction the placement of the brothers on screen is a near mirror of Dan’s second flashback fade out) And Amelia’s a bit mean. I don’t mind this, if someone hit a dog and shrugged it off on me after THEY hit it I wouldn’t be happy either, and Amelia doesn’t know about Sam, or what this means to him. On Sam’s side, remember the “I did this”? Sam doesn’t want comfort, he wants what Amelia’s giving him: you made a mess, now fix it. And this one at least, he can.
DEMONDING EXCORSIZE:
The attack was a bit abrupt, but I can’t see how they could have helped it, unless they made the attack straight out of Sam’s memory. I have a feeling there’s a cut scene here. But, picking nits.
Okay, now the flash the devil’s trap makes when it breaks is my favorite effect of the episode. I just really like that there’s a physical representation that it’s not working anymore, though it does bring the question of why this wasn’t happening other seasons. Maybe Kevin makes a different type of trap?
I love Dean’s Caveman weapon, and the fact that he still prefers it in the real world. I’m also wondering if it isn’t a powerful, demon killing thing like the knife.
Okay, when Sam stabs the demon, did it have vampire teeth for a second!? Or was it just the flash?
Brutal Dean Beat Down! And it’s DEAN who gets choked this week! I love that they’re still in sync enough that when Sam says “Dean!” Dean hears “Reach towards me so I can give you the demon knife”.
And then look who comes… Crowley-ng in *sustains more bullet wounds* with Channing, Kevin’s girl. Who’s black eyes the whole time… probably to keep Kevin aware what’s at stake.
So Crowley makes his offer, and Dean calls bull. And hey, is this an acknowledgement of why the Winchesters don’t worry about the hosts much anymore? Cool. Also, Crowley calls him Kev!
Aaand, Kevin trades him for her. I actually believed it until “Let me go get my stuff”. Kevin’s a good actor.
HOLY WATER BOOBYTRAP, BATMAN! Alright, that’s it. Kevin can stay.
I liked the slow-mo drive-by… so much was said with no words and the music was lovely. So much has been said ALL EPISODE with no words. This wasn’t senseless killing, it was a clear message and a reminder of what Crowley is under the mouth, and that made it more effectual in my opinion.
I know some people have issues with discrimination in the show and won’t like Channing’s death, but I just don’t see it. I think they do pretty good; Black, Asian, male, female, child, SPN treats them equally and kills them all. The girls don’t survive? This is Supernatural, y’all. NO ONE SURVIVES.
CALL HATING:
Kevin seems to be reacting to his girlfriend’s death in anger. More Kevin/Sam parallels. Poor Kevin, Sam’s life is not a fun life to have. And Dean’s “wrong number,” then calling it an automation? Good for you Sam’s worried about Kevin and in no place relationally to challenge you Dean that was weak.
Dean’s speech to Kevin hurt, even more because Sam, who’s gone through this, doesn’t disagree with him.
The call with Ben, hey look at all the unopened cans of worms! He’s at a funeral, AND DEAN CALLS HIM BENNY! And though Dean thinks they should keep separate until they adjust, he wants to keep in touch after that, and offering help… I’m wondering what falls on the HELP list with a vampire. Eep. And he’s telling Dean to keep his nose clean (I’m so glad Dean had to be human to get out of Purgatory, otherwise I’d be worried he’s a vamp) oooh, CHILLS.
So overall, Supernatural’s back guys, and it’s awesome. I am very excited to see where we go from here! I don’t know, I might make this reaction review a thing, not sure. If I do, hope for less phone puns, this was sad.
COMMENTS AND SPECULATION WELCOME, PLEASE NO HUGE SPOILERS. THANKS!