And our Supernatural rewatch continues…
The third episode of Supernatural’s second season is hard hitting, thanks to not only Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles’ acting skills, but several very talented (and well known now if they weren’t then) guest stars. Amber Benson was already a fan favorite from her time on Buffy, and Ty Olsson would become a Supernatural fan favorite when he returns to team up with Dean in Purgatory as Benny. And of course the amazing Sterling K. Brown as Gordon Walker makes this episode powerful – it’s not surprising that he’s gone on to more mainstream fame on This Is Us.
As I’ve said many many many times, someone really needs to buy Supernatural’s casting agency a fruit basket. A really big one.
This episode is written by Sera Gamble and directed by Robert Singer, who both have been integral to Supernatural and went on to become showrunners. No wonder it’s so damn good.
These early episodes are enriched so much by the music cues, and this one is no exception. The recap gives us ‘Wheel in the Sky’ with strikingly appropriate lyrics for what the brothers are experiencing. “The wheel in the sky keeps on turning, I don’t know where I’ll be tomorrow…”
We revisit John’s funeral, and Sam’s question to Dean – did he say anything to you?
And Dean’s stoic ‘no’, followed by his breakdown at the Impala’s expense. It still hurts.
And then we’re off – to Red Lodge, Montana.
A woman runs through the woods, falling down and then scrambling up, desperate and terrified. She finally hides behind a tree, and of course we’re all rooting for her, thinking a monster is after her. She finally thinks she’s eluded it and looks around the tree – and a large knife slices her head clean off.
Oof. Little do we know, she’s a vampire – but our first instincts turn out to be right. What was hunting her was the real monster.
Cut to our boys, and one of the most iconic Supernatural songs ever, AC/DC’s ‘Back In Black’. The car roars down the road, Dean behind the wheel, enjoying his (now restored to her full beauty) baby. By this time, the show knew how much the fandom loved what we at the time called “the Metallicar” and lingers on her shiny chrome and sleek black exterior. We know what Dean sees in her; we see it too.
And Sam, though he loves to tease his brother about it, loves and values that car almost as much. She’s home, after all.
Dean: Wooh, listen to her purr!
Sam makes a face, trying for grumpy but a smile trying to break through.
Sam: You know, if you two wanna get a room, just let me know.
Dean hears it for the affectionate nudge that it is and plays along.
Dean: Aw, don’t listen to him, baby, he doesn’t understand us.
