Supernatural: Devil's Trap

Dean: "I know my dad better than anyone. And you ain't him."

Wow. Terrific season finale, with an absolutely huge cliffhanger.

The main reason this episode worked so well was because it was all about the Winchesters. Having John possessed by the Ceiling Fire Demon just ramped up the original Winchester family conflict; I thought it was very powerful, especially when he got so physically close to Dean and Sam, right in their faces. If the Winchester brothers hadn't just spent months together bonding on the road, I bet Dean would have given John that gun without even thinking about it.

I really thought Dean and Sam were going to lose their father. There were even moments when I thought we might lose Sam. And just when I thought it was all over and the three of them were okay (bloody, battered, but okay) they pulled an Alias with that shocking car crash. All three of them were unconscious, injured, and at the mercy of that possessed driver. Cliffhanger. Wait until September to find out. Or possibly October.

Supernatural has had a great first season. There's a lot about this show that works. Dean and Sam both work for me, Dean more than Sam. I like them homeless, living out of a car. The middle America setting works, too. I like the "reluctant monster hunter" thing, although it's probably time for the "reluctant" on Sam's part to end. I love the disguises, too, when they masquerade as FBI agents or firemen or priests; great fun.

Bobby said that supernatural events – possessions, in particular – have increased recently, and that sounds like the writers may actually have a plan. I'm down with that. As I've already said several times, I think the writers should kill off John Winchester. He's a good character, but having him constantly in the background tends to make Dean and Sam act like children. Dean is more than ready to be Senior Monster Hunter, and this thing about Sam's "abilities" could be interesting. Give the boys their own niche. Niches are good.

And could they please do something with Sam's hair?

Bits and pieces:

— Another great rocking "previously on" set to something that sounded like "Fight the good fight."

— I really liked the character of Bobby, played by Jim Beaver from Deadwood. More Bobby, please. This show needs more good supporting characters.

— I expected that continuing character Meg would, well, continue. But no. I loved how they used the sign on the ceiling at Bobby's place. It was like a dramatic parallel to the ceiling fire stuff, like they were taking the fight to the demon's court. Which they did.

— The Ceiling Fire Demon revealed that he killed Mary and Jessica because they got in the way of his plans for Sam, and for all children like Sam. Sounds niche-like to me.

— The revelation that Meg's fall from that building had already destroyed her body was sad. In the space of five minutes, she went from despicable villain to broken little girl.

— We did get at least one major character death for certain, since the Impala was certainly a continuing character.

— This week's action took place in Jefferson City, Missouri. The brothers masqueraded as firemen, with hoses full of holy water. And possessed firefighters with axes? Scary touch.

— There's only one bullet left in the Colt.

Quotes:

Dean: "The last time we saw you, you did threaten to blast him full of buckshot. Got the shotgun and everything."
Bobby: "Yeah, well, what can I say. John just has that effect on people."
Yeah, I've noticed that, too.

Bobby: "You get a demon in one, they're trapped. Powerless. It's like a satanic roach motel."

Ceiling Fire Demon: "How would you feel if I killed your family? That's right, I forgot. I did."

Excellent. Four out of four stars,

Billie
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Billie Doux loves good television and spends way too much time writing about it.

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