Supernatural 6.12
“Like A Virgin” Review
By Ella M. Nite
So, this is my first attempt at reviewing a show … ever. So let’s clear a few things up before we get started. I have no area of expertise on filmmaking or television. Technically, I am in no way, shape or form qualified to be making judgement calls on shows and I’m not going to pretend I do. I am just a viewer who loves the show. The thoughts and opinions I have are my own, and are not meant to offend.
Okay, now that that is cleared up. Let’s get started …
Opening Sequence … it’s great to have a road so far for this episode. It’s such a turning point and it has been so long since we had new episodes, we really needed the refresher. Plus, let’s face it – any Supernatural episode which begins with classic rock is sure to be epic.
Airplane of doom … I love flying. Flying in rough weather doesn’t really bother me. (On a side-note I hate landing, because my ears feel like they are being stabbed with an ice-pick). So I always find it hard to relate to shows where someone is terrified of flying. However, if my pilot was snatched and the plane was nose-diving to the ground … that is when I would start to panic. My first thought when the window was broken was, wouldn’t the pressure have changed when that happened? But never mind that, because something so much more important is happening over at Bobby’s …
Sam awakes … it is amazing how one little “Dean” is enough to convey to the audience that Sammy is back. With the return of the soul, it’s like a light switch was turned on for the boys. Dean has a huge weight lifted off his shoulders. This is highlighted in the episode with a lot more humour and smiles from Dean than we have seen all season. Actually, just compare the first scene of Dean anxiously waiting for Sam to wake up to the scene at the kitchen table where they learn Sam remembers nothing of the past year and a half. The change in Dean is amazing. As for Sam … the difference is a complete one-eighty. Now would be a good time to also mention that I loved, especially now that Soul!Sam is back, that I loved how Sam without his soul was still very Sam-like. It’s like Sam without his soul was only a little bit different, just enough that Bobby has a hard time adjusting.
Bobby’s grudge … I was a bit nervous about how that would be handled. I had been spoiled by early reviews which hinted that Bobby wasn’t about to forgive and forget. So I was extremely happy to see that it was handled in such a way that was very true to Bobby’s character. He still loves Sam, he’s just trying to deal with everything and he needs time. Dean and Bobby’s little argument about what to tell Sam was wonderful – it really showed the valid points of both sides of the argument. You don’t want to do anything that might crack the wall, but at the same time it is inevitable that Sam would eventually be told he had been back for over a year walking around soulless.
Riding around in the car … I cringed for Dean when Sam mentioned Lisa and Ben.
Dragons … So the monster of the week was dragons. They were taking virgins, gathering them up to eventually sacrifice them to open the door of purgatory and let out the alpha-mother (who I think it is safe to assume is the new big bad for this season). I liked Supernatural’s take on dragons. The people-bat-dragon things were interesting, especially since both Bobby and Sam thought they were not real and it was something we had never done before.
Dean and the sword … was pretty funny. It felt a tiny bit dragged out, but overall I liked it. It was nice that Dean, as much as he is a great guy, is not exactly chivalrous and was denied by the sword. The highlight of that part for me was definitely the explosives and when he turned back to the lady with the broken sword and asked if she had insurance.
Sam and Castiel … as soon as Castiel arrived I knew Sam was about to find out he had been soulless. It was also believable that Castiel would arrive as soon as Sam started to pray for him. After all, Castiel had left earlier thinking Sam might never wake up. Though I could have slapped Sam over the head for denying Castiel a hug – if Castiel actually wants to hug you, you let him hug you. This is the first time (I think) Castiel actually tries to hug someone and he gets denied. Also, when Sam realises he was soulless was heartbreaking. After months of no emotions, to see Sam so vulnerable was heartbreaking.
The rescue … Virgins? Safe. Gold? Now belongs to Dean (and he wonders why the sword wouldn’t budge for him). Dragons? Slayed … well … one was. The other met up with other creepy dragon-bat-man to open a door to purgatory and let their mother out. By the way, did anyone else keep yelling at Bobby and Sam to stop touching the freaking human-skin paper? I think THAT was the most disturbing thing of the whole episode. I mean, even after they knew – they still kept touching it. Urgh!
Sam apologizes … That dialogue shared between Sam and Dean was amazing. I think Sam will have a heard time trying to make amends for the things his body did. He really has no idea how bad things got … but then again, neither do we. I also loved Dean flat out telling him about the wall. If there is any way to prevent Sam from scratching at it – honesty is probably the best deterrent. It’s safe to assume it’ll crack eventually, but it is nice to see characters make smart moves and this was one of them. Plus, it’s refreshing to see the two brothers so close and honest with each other.
Things I didn’t like –
This is a bit nit-picking on my part, but there were a couple of ‘over-view shots’ which confused me. Like when Bobby answers the phone and we (the audience) are looking down at him. Then again later in the show. Maybe it’s just me, but it was really jarring and it brought me out of the story and thinking – why the hell am I looking down at this? But that was it really, I liked or loved everything else.
Favourite moments –
The brotherly hug … the stark difference between this one and the one from the season premiere go to show the amazing talent of Jared and Jensen. Plus, after everything those two had been through, they needed a hug.
Castiel letting it slip. I kept freaking out at everything Sam did, thinking that he was going to suddenly remember being soulless. When he opened his cell phone to call Bobby I thought for sure he was going to find Samuel Campbell’s phone number. When he was on the computer I thought he would – I don’t know – stumble onto an article or something. So when Castiel let the cat out of the bag, I breathed a sigh or relief, because at least Castiel cares about him and would let him in on the secret a lot more gently then it could have been.
The little moments between the brothers are finally back. The humour and pop-culture references, and one-liners, and quirky comments, and side-smirks … it’s all back and I LOVE it.
The first thought when the show ended …
What the hell are they going to do to the girls in the van?
The preview for next week …
Poor Sammy … this is not going to go well.
Rating: 10/10
Written while …
Listening to: Bad Company by Bad Company
Watching: Supernatural 6.12 online to refresh my memory
Eating/Drinking: Water … wow, that’s boring.
Located: In the study, curled up on my favourite chair.
February 5th 2011
So, review #1 done! What did you think?
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