(S03E03) And with that, the fine folks over at Supernatural HQ have gone 3 for 3. This week there weren't any strange creatures or escaped demons causing trouble for the boys, but that didn't stop them from having a very entertaining adventure. We got a little comedy, the much anticipated return of an old foe, and the introduction of another interesting new character. What's not to like?
Ok, I do have one small complaint with this episode, so let's get that one out of the way first. I would have preferred that they didn't have our pal Gordon (Sterling K. Brown) in the opening. I get that it's supposed to lay the groundwork for what's to come, but it kind of blew the surprise of having him pop back up. I know, that's really picking at the nit, which goes to show just how good the rest of the episode really was.
Since we're already talking about Gordon... I was so happy to see him back. That is a great character and I'm very much looking forward to his inevitable escape from prison. It really does make for a great showdown once he catches up with Sam and Dean. Because, as he told Kubric twice, "Sam Winchester must die." There is just no way that meeting can go down without a fight. It's also interesting how the opening of the gate played right into his theory about Sam. More fuel for the Sam-hunting fire. They really did get a lot of mileage out of Gordon in very limited screen time.
Initially I wasn't sure about his little buddy Kubric (Michael Massee). He's growing on me though, and I think his whole "I'm on a mission from God." delusion could actually pay off with some interesting angles as we move along. It's a nice bit of casting as well. Michale Massee has been in a ton of stuff, and this kind of character is right in his wheelhouse. I look for him to travel down an increasingly crazy path, with Gordon humoring him as long as it works to his advantage, as we saw in his less than impressed reaction when Kubric told him that his mission is what brought him on board. Creedy (Jon Van Ness) does come across as a little more expendable. Once Gordon is back in action, I would look for bad times to befall Creedy.
Also this week, we continue to learn more about John. His storage unit full of hunting spoils was a bit convenient, but in thinking about it, it made pretty good sense. Being at the job for as long as he was, it stands to reason that he would amass a goodly amount of spiritual flotsam and jetsam. I was left with a question regarding the break in though, why just the rabbit's foot? Both the thieves, and Bela, passed up a whole shed full of potential profits. With the thieves, the gunshot wound may have been motivation to move quickly. Why Bela didn't request any other artifacts puzzles me though. Possibly because she knows the dangers and isn't willing to warehouse the stuff herself.
Ah yes, the lovely and talented Bela (Lauren Cohan). She's like Dean, if Dean were a really hot girl with a questionable moral center. She certainly is an interesting addition to the story. My guess is we'll see this situation play out again in the future, where the boys need an artifact but Bela has designs on selling it. It's all very reminiscent of Angel needing the Axis Of Pythia and fighting with Gwen to get it, which is a good thing I think. If you are going to echo plots from another show, Angel is a good one to work with. But here's hoping that Bela has a little more staying power than Gwen did. Also, I can't help but be curious how a meeting between Ruby and Bela is going to play out. It should be fun. And, of course, Dean won't be forgetting about that $46,000 any time soon.
As to the rabbit's foot, it was a solid plot to drive the hour. I think the bigger picture stuff overshadowed it, because that's the real treat to Supernatural, but there was a lot of fun to be had with the story. While the fight scene where Sam actually picked up the foot was well done, the real fun came in watching Sam struggle with his new found bad luck. Just randomly falling down, knocking things over, the hotel fire, it was all very funny. For me though, the best of those bits was the sheepish look on Sam's face as he confessed to Dean, "I lost my shoe."
There was also a quick little bit at the beginning of the show that caught my attention. When the boys were driving the car and Dean asked Sam if he was feeling ok. I took that as another reference back to the yellow eyed demon's question about whether or not this is 100% grade-a Sammy that Dean brought back. The fact that they keep hinting at that idea leads me to believe that at some point this season we are going to get some very dark Sam stuff, and that holds a lot of potential.
So, wrapping up, high marks all around. The Supernatural team is laying some pretty heavy groundwork at this point, but it seems to be heading in a very good direction. Ruby, Gordon, Bela, and add in the expanded role of Bobby and we really have something to look forward to.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-19-2007 @ 8:13AM
radwimp said...
Wow, I loved this episode. It was so bizarre and quirky.
I'm really glad to see Gordon back too, he's one of my favourite side characters. I always liked when the show introduced other hunters, I wish there was a bit more of that. Kubric and Creedy were quite the duo though.
And the show is 2 for 2 in making me like the new female additions, Bela's appearance was done well. I think I'll like her a lot.
"I'm Batman"
"Yeah... you're Batman."
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10-19-2007 @ 8:26PM
Evocatus said...
This was the best supernatural episode to date
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10-19-2007 @ 11:20AM
Christine said...
I really loved this episode - great character moments, more of the boys interacting, hysterically funny, Gordon, Bela, the fight scenes, etc. So far I am very impressed with this season. I hope this keeps up all year.
After seeing some more of other hunters, I have to agree with Bela's assessment of hunters as a group though. They're all a bit, if not totally, crazy.
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10-19-2007 @ 2:32PM
Kate said...
I have to say I actually found Bela a bit annoying. I hope they use her sparingly.
I'm a lot more interested in Ruby actually, and I'm quite pleased where they are going with her character. I was worried when I heard that these two girls were being cast that they were just going to be a couple of pretty barbie dolls for the boys to smooch on, but so far that doesn't seem to be the case.
I know Kripke said they weren't introduced as romantic foils but that he wasn't ruling anything out, but I'm hard pressed to see where there could be a romantic storyline with either character. I can't see even Dean hooking up with a demon or a girl who was apparently perfectly willing to kill Sam for monetary gain.
Things I did like about this episode were Gordon appearing and more Bobby of course. I also liked John's storage locker. I'm thinking that a lot of that stuff could come in handy for the boys later on. :-)
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10-19-2007 @ 6:21PM
mklopez said...
I'm going to disagree with you in just one point... the funniest moment of the episode, a least for me, was when Dean rescued Sam after getting the rabbit foot back. His cockiness, knowing that he could just not be touched was perfect... and that little bit at the end: "I'm Batman!", was the first time I have LOL'ed at the TV this season!
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10-19-2007 @ 6:23PM
Helena said...
"For me though, the best of those bits was the sheepish look on Sam's face as he confessed to Dean, "I lost my shoe."
I couldn't agree more!! I still laugh when I think about it. It was hysterical! Not really sure I like Bela yet, maybe she'll grow on me.
The whole Kubric/Gordon thing is going to make things even more interesting! Can't wait to see what else this season brings!
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10-19-2007 @ 7:24PM
Kevinc said...
The episode was good, but the ending was terrible. Why can Sam and Dean destroy the foot, and all their father could do is lock it up? Stupid. And they should have to move all the stuff in the locker now too.
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10-19-2007 @ 8:54PM
Nabby said...
Great review, Brett, of a terrific episode.
Love the way they bring comedy into the mix, and our two lead actors are showing themselves to be adept comedic performers. Sam's mournful " I lost my shoe" confession was perfect, as was Dean's look of goofy delight at winning the "millionth customer" prize.
Right now, Supernatural is looking like "can't miss" tv.
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10-20-2007 @ 6:15AM
MrC said...
Ben Edlund delivered yet another very fun episode. I like his balance of comic relief (Sam as a slapstick fall-down artist was pretty darn cool) and cool stories.
Much like the Hollywood episode last season, this one was roundly enjoyed.
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10-20-2007 @ 7:52AM
sikemi said...
I loved this episode! I thought Bela was great! and she has a british accent -i'm a brit lol-
"I lost my shoe" Sam's face! Aww lol the funniest thing for me was
"I'm batman!" And Gordon...o.O
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10-20-2007 @ 1:29PM
tdf said...
Loved this episode, I continue to be impressed with the way Supernatural balances comedy, plot-of-the-week and an ongoing story.
Loved all of the rabbit's foot scenes, especially the first with the ricocheting bullets, and then Dean's with his "I'm Batman!" line.
I'm sure we've not seen the last of Bela either.
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10-21-2007 @ 3:18AM
Parasail Pete said...
I'll have to chime in on the "loved it" chorus. One of my favorite epiosdes of this series. I'm a sucker for comedy-thrillers and beautiful brunette British babes. My needs are simple.
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10-21-2007 @ 12:38PM
Derek said...
I have never disliked a character as rapidly as I disliked this Bela person.
Everything about her grated on me from her smirk to her accent to well pretty much everything.
I'd prefer to never see her again but barring that I'd settle for one more guest appearance just so the character can be killed off.
And she pales in comparison to Gwen Raiden who was an awesome character that was criminally underused on ANGEL.
I am glad that Gordon is back though...he's a great villain.
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10-21-2007 @ 9:42PM
nattyff said...
great episode, SP is geting better and better as the season continues. Why last week we didn't have a review?? that has a great episode too!!!
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10-21-2007 @ 10:23PM
Brett said...
nattyff, there was a review last week. You can find it here:
http://www.tvsquad.com/2007/10/12/supernatural-the-kids-are-alright/
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10-22-2007 @ 12:37PM
claudiusturner said...
actually one of the things that bugged me was how the "ownership" of the foot worked. As Bela never touched it to get the "good" luck. Why did Sam start getting the "bad" luck? The thief at the start of the show had good luck even when he wasn't touching it until Sam grabbed it and the "ownership" transfered.
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10-23-2007 @ 12:53PM
Candy Man said...
To the writers of the show...AMAZING JOB WITH THIS SEASON! After last season limped along, this season has gotten off with a bang with every episode being interesting and fun, and extra kudoos for not letting the show sit still but rather keep everything moving foward.
It was obvious that the point of this episode was to reintroduce Gordon, but they created an incredibly fun sub plot of the rabbit's foot to carry the rest of it and what a great and fun storyline it was. A brilliant idea executed with perfection. Gags like this are what this show needs and showcase perfectly what it can do. The freedom of this show is that since all things are supernatural they can deal with so many more situations like these to keep it going. The rabbits foot and Bloody Mary worked, I hope they keep going with things like that.
My only complaint is does every new female character have to be some super hottie?!! It''s like in thier world there are only ghosts, monsters and really hot chicks. I love a good looking woman but can there be a little more variety in this area.....basically can we be a little less "CW" with those casting choices please?
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10-23-2007 @ 6:55PM
nattyff said...
thanks for last weeks review!!!, las week i coudn't find it, so weard.... LOL
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10-23-2007 @ 11:12PM
Alex S. said...
This episode housed the best of this show's appeal. Aaah, the wisecracking, the pop culture references, the enemies, the slapstick comedy, and visiting elements from the Winchesters' past. Really great.
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12-04-2007 @ 5:56AM
Anonymous said...
My fave bit is when Sam ends up losing his shoe and shoots back the cutest sadest look and says "I lost my shoe". Lol awwwwww :D Also when Dean says "Im Batman" lol. I don't really like that Bela character. I prefer Gordon rather than her. Just my opinion anyway...
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