jsyk - sam is judging you for reading picture books.
The opening? Great! I love seeing the MOL Bunker and it stands to reason seeing a bit of its history is always going to be received well. And I loved our intro to Dorothy and the idea of the world of Oz being more than a fairytale.
Crowley. I like the notion that he's stuck there stewing for so long. I was worried when Sam didn't pull the false wall/shelves thing back. He just walked out and shut the doors. I've always been an advocate for the don't even engage in conversation method when it comes to holding King of Hell bastard demon types prisoner. Mark has perfected the delivery of "Bollocks" in such a satisfying manner.
The way they dealt with the Cas leaving scene at the end of last episode was satisfactory as well. No complaints there and I like that they're both keen to try and help Cas as much as possible. Dean's explanation managed to ring true enough to satisfy Sam as well which was good. I didn't feel it was a reach to think Sam would accept that.
So 1950's computer huh? That was cool but the VFX of the binding spell solution climbing the walls was better! :) Oh Dean you're such a handy man - shame you didn't stop to check what had fallen over.
Back to 1935 and Dorothy is pretty kick ass. I don't mind her at all. The witch does look a little creepy and I'm kinda glad her tongue is missing. I think the vintage feel and black and white does help the story.
Enter Charlie. So far I've really liked Charlie. She's been pretty useful, provided some good outsider POV on the boys, SHE'S QUEER REPRESENTATIONAL (yeah don't even get me started on that fandom clusterfuck) and she has had some good storylines (I liked her best in the Dick Roman story and in the Pac Man Fever). I don't however buy the whole "I've read some stuff so I'm a hunter now" etc etc...apart from some mad gun skills (and sharp heel handling) there's very little she can do on the front lines of hunting apart from be a target and get hurt. Seems a little OOC of her to throw herself in the line of danger without any assistance from two strapping men named Sam and Dean.
So 1950's computer - can just be plugged into 2013 tablet and TADAAAAAAA!!!! Show I have to say this is one of the BIGGEST, MOST GINORMOUSLY RIDICULOUS handwave moments you've had in a long time. Hubby, being super IT guy, next to me watching it was just completely disappointed. Palm slapping forehead kind of frustration came to the forefront. She may be a superhacker but even Charlie would need to take a few days to get that done - at least Sam and Dean would be getting up and doing other stuff it would be taking that long. Oy yoi yoi. SMH.
However that said, the little exchange of looks between the brothers before Sam tackles the whole Charlie being an irresponsible twit and hunting on her own subject was very endearing. Luckily I'm distracted by that with the reference to the Carver Edlund books and the Amazon line. That was pretty good. I like the acknowledgement too of the fact that once stuff is on the internet - it's there for ever. Like some paleolithic shit stain on the communal cave walls. Oh and Jared's playing of the Becky Winchester response was PERFECT!! That gave me a laugh. He did that really well. I chortled. Then Dean's "You're being lame" look was priceless.
We now get to the Slumber Party and GoT watchathon scene. I was interested to read that this dialogue regarding the reading of books was swapped by the guys, initially had Dean saying the part of "Yes Sam I read books". To be honest I felt this exchange fell flat. Firstly I can see why Robbie initially had Dean saying it because in the past Dean has definitely surprised Sam with his reading range. But then when Dean gestures to the TV as if to say why would you read the books? Sam gets snarky "Yes Dean. I like to read books.... etc" I felt this line fell especially flat. Sam knows Dean totally reads books - fairly heavy books too. The whole "You know the ones without pictures?" was patronising and ill-placed. I can see Dean thinking what a waste when you can just watch the story on screen. But that's as far it went for me. If Sam's line had been something like "Yes Dean, I like to read books - besides everyone knows the book is always better." Which could have sparked off some movie/book pop culture referencing inspired bickering making Charlie step in with a punchy line to end it. That would have worked for me.
I liked the bickering re the calling it "Home" thing. I immediately picked up on Sam's reticence to do so and it was no leap at all to figure out why. If I was him I'd be fairly tiptoeing on eggshells as well to try and avoid any kind of jinx on the MOL Bunker being a safe haven for him. It made a nice contrast to Dean's refreshingly honest nesting tendencies. Then we get the Sam and Charlie exchange about her expectations around hunting. I'm not going into that suffice to say I didn't really see her as being that - idealistic?? Not sure that's the right word but anyway. Moving on.
So back to 1935 - I really thought Jenkins' death was a bit of a waste. I mean I understand that a character in that scenario has to die in order to convey the seriousness of the situation re the Wicked Witch. BUT....it just didn't feel like a "well earned" death. It lessened the drama so to speak for me. Flick through to 2013 again and there Dorothy falls out the giant "ball-sac like pod" (Cast and crew words - not mine). Then the scene ends with Sam telling Dorothy to help the smartest person in the room. Ahem. Sam Winchester that would be you young man!!! ;D I know I know - my jarpad love is showing.
So we see Charlie and Dorothy do some girl-power bonding which is just fine. Moving on to the Crowley scene - again I loved Mark's delivery. But boys...come on. Even I would have thought to check out that screwed up bit of paper. Witch is voiceless. Paper. Crayon. Hello?? Could have saved themselves from unnecessary risk. I get jumpy when they let Crowley do anything....makes me nervous just having him in the bunker!
So off they trot to the kitchen. I do love the idea of Dean being the domesticated one when it comes to the cooking and the cleaning. That kind of tickles me in fact. It's a neat unexpected quality. I totally dig Dorothy's journal too.
Time for some Sam and Dorothy bonding time now as they discuss the concept of what "home" is and of course off they go and separate. I've discovered that show is actually incredibly consistent with this tactic. Whenever the viewer feels that sticking together is the best idea show will inevitably choose that point to split up a successful duo or group. INEVITABLE.
Meanwhile back in Dean's room Charlie appreciate's Dean's porn stash whilst Dean goes through a box of stuff that makes me wonder what the hell he's thinking, let alone touching the stuff, never mind keeping a box of UNKNOWN, MORE THAN LIKELY INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS, MOL's ARTEFACTS in his own damn bedroom. Isn't the memory foam and the Samurai swords enough for pete's sake?
The witch stepping up at that moment actually made me roll my eyes, because to be frank I had been wondering about the somewhat laissez faire approach both the boys had been taking. IT'S A WITCH FELLAS. It's all very well now you have fancy poppy bullets but what were you doing before that? Why does Dean have to take the key so obviously out the box? Why can't he just look and then LEAVE? Oh right the story...so Charlie can throw herself in harms way. That whole scenario felt clunky and forced to me. I don't mind the idea that Charlie gets seriously hurt (even killed) trying to protect Dean. I do mind that it's not done in a smart way...this whole scene was just too paint by the numbers.
And then to the scene that grated my chops the most....
I understand that Dean was upset about Charlie. I get that he was desperate to save her. But I have to ask if he's not getting a little too comfortable with Samzekiel. Firstly to call on Zeke so blatantly - sure he beats himself up about it later but to me the slip up is a huge sign that he's getting way too comfortable. Why isn't he constantly thinking about how to tell Sam about him, or how long till Zeke can leave. Dean was written so appropriately distraught by the choice he faced in 9x01 and the decision he felt forced to make and he continues to show complete self-loathing over his decision later on. I know he wants Charlie back. But if he'd just taken a moment to think - he probably could have used this to his advantage.
Why not use this moment to explain to Sam who Zeke is. Sam sees Charlie lying there dead. Dean distraught. Dean telling Sam he's gotta let Zeke bring her back. Sam: Who is Zeke? Dean explains it all. Sam would be incredibly upset....but I'm positive he would see his way clear to thinking how to bring Charlie back. Have Sam be an active part of how to save Charlie rather than just an ignorant tool. He would have been forced to not reject Zeke in order to bring her back. He would have had to listen to Dean who would have told him about how Zeke had saved his life and Dean's life and the lives of other people. Perhaps an argument might be that he was pressed for time, the Witch has the key etc etc. But quite honestly they didn't seem all that urgent about the tasks prior to Charlie's death (or after she was back!). I find the time factor argument not a sufficient one to support his rather rash behaviour. Especially when you consider later on they're busy talking about their concept of home (after it's been seen the Witch can kill with one zap and now she has the key and is still around injured) - where's the urgency?? Boys - YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE HUNTING!!
Then to top it all off - he makes it all even less believable by making the answer for Sam's question when he's back, virtually unanswerable by openly telling him Charlie got zapped throwing herself in front of Dean. Sam's now been knocked out - how many times? - since the start of S9? I've lost count but it's way more than Sam would ever need to start being suspicious and subsequently grumpy about Dean's decidedly untenable answers. Why not take a moment to think exactly how this should be played - if it's sooo important that Sam doesn't know or that when he does know it's not because he's figured it out on his own - why not take a breath and come up with a semi-decent explanation. I'm hoping it's because that locomotive of coming clean is just building up unstoppable speed towards the revelation for Sam. Show is deliberately stacking on the tension in this regard.
So then we have that moment I refer to above as "Amateur Hour" and evidence that Sam and Dean have dropped their game somewhat as hunters. IE Conversation about home when all senses should be acutely centered on eliminating the danger instead.*Rolls eyes* HANDWAVE....again.
Moving on. Witchy pops up again...gets the jump once again and this time mind controls both the boys with her green eyed wonder powers. It's at this point I'm thinking - so now Sam has been moved into the trunk. Zeke is in the back seat and Miss Understood Defying Gravity is the kamikazi driver at the wheel. SMH. Surely an Angel (even fallen and injured) can take on a witch. Or not even take her on - I really felt Zeke would have been able to block her at the very least from completing the meld control thing. WHATEVER.
I tell you what was cool though. THAT GARAGE WAS AWESOME!
The cars alone had me drooling. The garage, Crowley's Wicked references, the first edition Wizard of Oz hardback, BABY looking so beautiful, ACDC and Sam's indirect verbal acquiescence that maybe he can just start calling the Bunker home plus the boys bathed-in-the-light-of-Oz level of pretty was enough to get me through. But boy oh boy this was a tough one. Certainly comes in 3rd in terms of enjoyment so far. 9x01 is still at #1 and 9x02 and 9x03 are equal 2nd. I liked both of those episodes just as much as each other.
I am unspoiled for next week except for the name - and just that alone makes me grin in anticipation :) Even more so the episode after that one!