Supernatural: The calm before the (apocalyptic) storm
Yes, Death chooses to spare Chicago because of its pizza. We support that impulse.
This week, Supernatural gave us two Horsemen, a miraculous healing, the humanization of Cas, the beginning of the zombie apocalypse, and a tempest that threatened to wipe out Chicago (which is where we are)... and it felt like the calm before the storm. What's more, there were laugh-out-loud lines and moments, lots of action, and plenty of tugging on the heartstrings. All in a hour, with commercials. How do they do that?
Behold, Pesti... well, that was quick
If we have one complaint about the episode, it's that Pestilence went way too quickly. Come on, it's Matt Frewer! He's fun! We loved his calm bedside manner that turned into screaming rage. We loved his delight at the horrible diseases he was spreading. We almost didn't mind the copious green vomit. (Did they get a couple of barrels of Nickelodeon slime cheap or something?)
Still, we have to admit we loved his demise. Cas found the guys ("I took a bus!") and was immediately felled by the same diseases that took out the Winchesters. Pestilence crowed with delight: "There's not a speck of angel in you, is there?" Cas responded by lunging at him and chopping off the ring finger. "Well, maybe just a speck," he replied. Hee!
And that happened in the first 20 minutes!
What about the last 40 minutes? Read on!
The plan
Of course, Pestilence left a little present for humanity -- the swine flu vaccine loaded up with the Croatoan virus, just ready to turn a whole bunch of folks into flesh-eating zombies. And there's the little matter of Death hanging out somewhere, ready to deal out, you know, death. And lots of it.
Fortunately, Bobby just happens to have a beat on where Death might be hanging out -- and it's in our fair city. Hey! (Although granted, we'd rather die in the storm of the millennium than be consumed by zombies. Perhaps that's just us.) How does he know?
That knowledge came courtesy of Crowley -- and yes, Bobby did sell his soul. That led to perhaps the funniest scene of the night:
Bobby: World's going to end. Seems stupid to get all precious about some little ... soul.
Dean: You sold your soul?
Crowley: More like pawned it. I fully intend to give it back.
Dean: Give it back now!
Sam: Did you kiss him?
Dean: Sam!
Sam (quietly): Just wondering.
Pause
Bobby: NO!
Crowley: Ahem.
[Crowley holds up his phone, which has a picture of Bobby kissing him. Bobby's eyes are closed, while Crowley is looking straight at the camera.]
Bobby: Why'd you take a picture?
Crowley: Why'd you have to use tongue?
We'll admit we had to pause there for a little while so we could regain our collective breath. Laughing takes a lot out of you, you know?
But Crowley provided more than just laughs -- he also gave Bobby the use of his legs back. Wow -- Bobby must be some kisser!
Separate ways
The boys split up -- Sam, Bobby and Cas decide to raid the warehouse containing the Croatoan-spiked vaccine, while Crowley and Dean go after Death. They're both successful -- Team Croatoan managed to stop the vaccine from leaving the warehouse, plus kill a whole bunch of demons and infectees while rescuing several civilians. Bobby is impressed at how ass-kicking Sam is at his job. We could have told you that, Bobby!
Meanwhile, Dean meets Death -- over Chicago-style stuffed pizza, which we tend to joke is a heart-attack on a plate, and apparently we were right -- and learns a few things he wasn't expecting. First, Death really doesn't give a crap about him, or the Apocalypse, or ... any of this. Second, he's pretty damn pissed about being Lucifer's tool: "I'm more powerful than you can process, and I'm enslaved to a bratty child having a tantrum." (We knew raising the dead in South Dakota felt too minor for Death's personal attention. Go, us!)
And therefore, Death is more than happy to turn over his own ring, and to give Dean the instructions for how to use the rings to put Lucifer back in his box. One catch: Dean has to agree to do whatever it takes to cage Lucifer, and that includes letting Sam jump in the box. Indeed, it's the only way this trap will work.
The big question
So, the Big Bad Horsemen are all vanquished, neutralized or on Team Winchester's side. Now what? Dean tells Bobby he was happy to lie to Death's face -- he has no intention of allowing Sam to welcome in the Devil. But Bobby surprises him: You know what? Maybe Sam can do this. He's stronger than we give him credit for. He's got a lot of darkness in him, but there's also an awful lot of good. Maybe he doesn't need to be protected from himself. Maybe we need to let him do his job. He'll fight the Devil, or die trying. "So I gotta ask, Dean," Bobby says. "What exactly are you afraid of? Losing? Or losing your brother?"
Good question. And presumably, we'll get the answer in the season finale next week.
We can't wait!
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Comments
I'm really worried about Cas. Is he human now? Isn't there any way he can regain his grace like Anna? :( I miss angel-Cass!!!!
Posted by: Rose | May 8, 2010 2:13 PM
The sharks are circling and Kripke's on water skis!
I'll retract this comment if Sam is unable to control Luci and they actually surprise me with another way for team free will to win! But they won't!
Posted by: Con | May 8, 2010 12:15 PM
Sh*t man, this episode kicks ass, zombies, two Horsemen, Bobby walking while Cas was shooting.
I was shocked when Cas lost his mojo, I thought he will become Hippie Future Cas for such. But then he smoked Pestilence (by the way, the opening with him, almost made me throw up) like nothing and that took some of the douth. Plus it was just plain awesome seeing him blast that zombie head off.
I also love it when Bobby (the character, I not refering to myself in the third preson) was able to walk again, I did not see that coming. I'm LOL about the would "Bobby making out with Crowley" thing, "Why'd you have to use tongue?".
Now about Crowley: my opinion about him being the Anti-Cas haven't change much. Such he gave Bobby legs, but he keeping Bobby's soul as insurance from any back-stabbing for the Winchester bros (Something Ruby should have done last season).
When Death first show up on-scene, it freaked me out big time. He looked like I though he would: tall, thin, pale; but I picture as more ... gothly. Sill why he killed that guy who bump into him, I was scare big time. I just hope that we won't see Death himself again anytime soon, because I think that if Dean break his promise he going to end up a pile of bones in the blink of a eye.
Two final notes: Next week final is going to be as epic as the movie Avatar, that right AS EPIC AS AVATAR. And that the whole "Sam taking over Satan long enough to lock him in" plan, is in my opinion have a maybe-less-than-10% change of successing, but we all know that.
Posted by: Bobby | May 7, 2010 8:58 PM
I'm afraid. Very afraid. For Sam.
For Adam.
For Castiel.
For BOBBY!
Strangely enough, I'm less afraid for Dean, and can't figure out why.
Posted by: Robin Vogel | May 7, 2010 6:23 PM