9.05 episode reaction/review

[ash48]

Before I get into this I have to spend a moment geeking over the motel room. Firstly YAY so good do see a motel room again and double YAY because I ADORE the diamond theme. It's directly linked to the MoTW (snake - as he first appeared) and the name of the motel "Diamond Tim" could be in reference to Tim Friede, a man who injects himself with snake venom in order to become immune to it. He's even quoted as saying “what doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger”. I wonder if he might have even been the inspiration to this weeks MoTW story.



I swear those curtains look like snake skin. I have some more pics here on tumblr. Love the diamonds repeated on the bedspread, walls and room divider. I would love to think they chose this theme because of snake skin.

Also - prop reuse: bed head (such a popular item), lamp and I am sure that painting has been used before. (yay!)

Ok. ::koff::…now that I've got that out of my system.

This episode ticked enough boxes for me that it goes into the "very enjoyable" episode category. It ticked the biggest box of them all - SAM 'N DEAN, SAM 'N DEAN SAM 'N DEAN which pretty much makes up for anything it might have been lacking.

So much Sam and Dean screen time I actually felt spoiled. And they were so GOD DAMN ADORABLE together. THAT ENDING!! I almost thought Dean was going to lick Sam's face. *g* I will never not love concerned Dean and hurt!Sam (or hurt!Dean, concerned Sam). But I also loved the wonderful collection of Sam bitch faces and shit eating grins. Loved his pure, unadulterated fondness of Dean. Dean also seems weirdly content.

It's like they are prefect brothers at the moment. WHICH IS WHY IT HURTS SO MUCH!!

I swear they are doing this deliberately - showing us everything that works in their relationship (no arguing, working a case, snark, concern for each other, a comfortableness that they share so easily) just so it will KILL US EVEN MORE when it shatters into a million pieces when Sam finds out what's going on (and the longer it goes on the worse it's gonna get I reckon). And he's getting closer.

I could moan that it's taking too long or that Dean really should man up and tell Sam, but it's story telling and it's the major myth arc at the moment. I actually don't mind the bread crumbs - the little moments with Zeke. Dean is treading on very thin ice and, I don't know about you, but it makes me squirrrrrm. I'm not sure now if Sam knows for sure Dean is lying and he's just biding his time, or he's seriously slow at putting two and two together. I do hope they don't drag it out too much longer though.

I do like that we are still getting glimpses of him just wanting it to be over - for Sam to be fully healed and Zeke gone. In that opening scene it looked Dean was trying to talk directly to Zeke. As though he wants some indication that it's working and he'll be finished healing Sam.

In many ways this was a classic SPN episode. Not the full on angsty classic ones, but the rather silly (almost making fun of itself one). It had a weird MoTW, gore, blood splatter, motel room, funny moments, pop culture references (Game of Thrones mentioned again…), final in-car bro shot etc. At least Sam and Dean weren't totally out of character (like in Yellow Fever or Swap Meat) - there was enough of the real them to keep this episode work.

I did enjoy Dean's early dog moments. The fetch scene might just be one of my all time funniest moments in the show EVER. I seriously laughed out loud. It wore a little thin after a while, but *shrugs* I didn't mind. It was nice to see Jensen (and Jared for that matter) having some fun. And HA! Dogs are not man's best friend but rather have a "secret" reason for being here. Reminded me of the dolphins from The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy.

The only thing I didn't like so much was the animal voices. I'm not sure why, but I felt like they didn't quite hit the mark. I think they were meant to be funny, but I felt they lacked…something (quality of voice over maybe?). No biggie, but I did feel myself squirming a bit during some of those scenes.

I felt quite a pang during the cat scene. My cat passing is still raw and seeing that black and white one…*sniff* (I actually muttered…no, not cats...).

Curious that Kevin was mentioned in the opening but not Cas. Also…Kevin is the go-to "Bobby" guy now? I thought Garth was filling that role (I think it's a shame that Garth hasn't at least been mentioned this season. It's like he suddenly doesn't exist. I realise that he's not a focus at the moment, but it might not hurt to at least give him a nod).

I like that we had further acknowledgement about what Dean is thinking when it comes to Sam. His line…"he was possessed by something he couldn't control" was so telling (and quite possibly foreboding). I'm not sure if Dean's "trust me Sammy, you have nothing to worry about" was more for Sam or himself. Ack. So messed up!! I love it. :))

And now I leave you with these because I will never tire of bro touching...





(Hmm, I wonder if it's purely coincidence that Dean has had his hands on Cas, Charlie and now Sam's face recently. Maybe as Cas and Charlie were actually dead when he did that in the other episodes, him doing it here was to mirror him thinking Sam might be dead. I dunno, just seems like a thing. Or, as I do, I'm just over thinking it. ;)

Comments

[cassiopeia7.livejournal.com]

I swear they are doing this deliberately - showing us everything that works in their relationship (no arguing, working a case, snark, concern for each other, a comfortableness that they share so easily) just so it will KILL US EVEN MORE when it shatters into a million pieces when Sam finds out what's going on (and the longer it goes on the worse it's gonna get I reckon). And he's getting closer…

This times a million. They're fattening us up for the kill. And it's gonna HURT.

Dean is treading on very thin ice and, I don't know about you, but it makes me squirrrrrm. I'm not sure now if Sam knows for sure Dean is lying and he's just biding his time, or he's seriously slow at putting two and two together.

Sam definitely suspects, but maybe . . . he's still giving big brother the benefit of the doubt? Because Sam's no dummy and wouldn't be THAT slow at solving any puzzle. Maybe Zeke is erasing just enough of his memory that he's actually not sure? IDK.

The only thing I didn't like so much was the animal voices. I'm not sure why, but I felt like they didn't quite hit the mark. I think they were meant to be funny, but I felt they lacked…something (quality of voice over maybe?). No biggie, but I did feel myself squirming a bit during some of those scenes.

Agreed. They were OTT cartoony, too "comedic" and bad-Disney-like and just didn't fit with the animals or the show. Someone definitely dropped the ball there. (The thing that bugged me the most was the Colonel's voice -- he sounded like a New York "punk" rather than the Oklahoma dog that he was. Definitely bugged by the voices, and after taking a hint from Amber1960, I checked out Jared's livetweets from last night. HE didn't care for the voices, either. :(

His line…"he was possessed by something he couldn't control" was so telling (and quite possibly foreboding). I'm not sure if Dean's "trust me Sammy, you have nothing to worry about" was more for Sam or himself.

I got chills over that line. (And Dean is totally reassuring himself -- either that he's done the right thing, or that everything will work out all right -- but it's definitely for himself.)

I will never tire of bro touching...

You and me both, bb, you and me both. :)

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Hey darlin!

I actually ended up not liking the Colonel that much because of his voice. I didn't feel that sorry for him in the end (maybe that was the point perhaps?). And yeah - a matching accent to where he was from would have been much better. Oh and Jared actually said he didn't like them? Good call. They weren't great unfortunately.

Sam taking so long to figure out that something is wrong is weird. It's either they just don't want him to know yet OR Zeke is erasing just enough to not let him suspect. The latter is sooooo creepy. Zeke could be doing ANYTHING in there!!

And yeah…Dean need to reassured for sure. And maybe he's trying to "warn" Zeke- it WILL be all right (or else!)
xx

[counteragent.livejournal.com]

Yup, this is how I felt about the ep--started off cute and wore too thin for me. The additional animal voices weren't needed, I thought, although LOL to Dean drawing his weapon on the pigeon.

But the brother moments were enough to keep me interested--felt old school.

Also Sam is dumb LOL.

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Yeah - I was keen on them opening up to having other animal voices (especially as there didn't seem to be any difference on how they sounded). They could have easily kept it to just dogs.

Sam is dumb. But Sam isn't dumb. So Sam being dumb is WORRYING! (either because the writers are writing him dumb or because Zeke is making it so! Argh!)

[galathea-snb.livejournal.com]

It's like they are prefect brothers at the moment. WHICH IS WHY IT HURTS SO MUCH!!
I have not seen the episode yet, but I wanted to say that I agree with this. Their relationship is so relaxed and close lately, and I really kills me knowing that there is this huge secret hanging over them that will destroy everything. /sigh

Those gifs make me very, very happy! :)

[ash48.livejournal.com]

It's curious that this seems to be working the other way around this season. Their relationship starts off in a great place and is heading toward a not very good place at all. (I think it might be the first season where it starts off this positively…)

And those gifs will be my happy place (well, that whole scene really…)

xx

[borgmama1of5.livejournal.com]

I think Sam is tired of having the other shoe drop so he is disregarding his suspicions because Dean, even though he's said some odd things, keeps telling him everything's fine. In other words, trusting Dean more than his gut feeling.

And at ChiCon the boys said the mid-season cliffhanger is going to be 'tragic' (Jensen's word!) so I would place money on that being the ep when Sam finds out.

[ash48.livejournal.com]

I really hope that there is a reason for Sam taking so long to even question what's going on. You could be right, maybe he's just trusting Dean and wants to block out any other possibility.

I can't imagine them dragging this out for another 5 episodes. I actually wonder if Sam finding out isn't going to be the cliffy, but rather what might happen 2 or three episodes after that. Will have to wait and see I suppose!

[spnmonster.livejournal.com]

Sam isn't dumb and they are making him dumb. Honestly, it kind of ruins the whole thing (and I had other issues but whatever).

The last conversation made zero sense. There's no way that Sam remembered the chef asking him what he was, but not remembering having his throat slashed or inexplicably waking up with blood all over him but no wound. That was stupid. And Sam does know Dean better than anyone, but an absolute stranger would have seen that Dean as lying.

I'm really hoping that Sam is just feeling to good and enjoying their relationship too much to have a confrontation until he has proof that something isn't kosher because, no, Sam isn't stupid. He's just letting Dean dig himself into a deeper hole.

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Sam isn't dumb and it really makes me hope that there's been some deeper thought put into that. 4 seasons ago I would have been confident that they would have done. Now? Not so much. I think they are just dragging it out and just not allowing Sam to connect the dots. Yet.

There's no way that Sam remembered the chef asking him what he was, but not remembering having his throat slashed

Hmmm….I know. Maybe zeke "wiped" the slash in Sam's mind when he fixed it, but not the words of the chef. Yeah..no…I dunno…(same with Sam waking up after Zeke fixed Charlie last week). I actually want it to be Zeke messing with his mind so it makes some sense, but at the same time I don't want that to be happening…

I think Sam IS really liking the relationship at the moment. He's also feeling healthy and positive so maybe he doesn't really want to question that. LIke…at all. He says it's the best he's felt so why examine that too hard. He might think Dean has done something but just doesn't want to break what's been fixed in him. He's finally feeling good…AND he trusts Dean. I'm sure he can't even imagine what Dean could have done (or what he could be lying about).

[eyestoowide.livejournal.com]

So much Sam and Dean screen time I actually felt spoiled. And they were so GOD DAMN ADORABLE together. THAT ENDING!! I almost thought Dean was going to lick Sam's face. *g* I will never not love concerned Dean and hurt!Sam (or hurt!Dean, concerned Sam). But I also loved the wonderful collection of Sam bitch faces and shit eating grins. Loved his pure, unadulterated fondness of Dean. Dean also seems weirdly content.

I had too many issues with the episode to enjoy it, but this ^^ actually makes me feel a little better about it, because I hate it when I don't like an episode. You're always so positive I swear it's contagious, so thanks for that! ♥

[ash48.livejournal.com]

There's no doubt the ep has issues but I will never not love seeing the boys together like this. We rarely see them being SO in tune with each other. I think we are in for a rough ride ahead, so I gotta embrace the bro!love while I can. :D

<33

[tebtosca.livejournal.com]

*points to icon*

OTP

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

Bwhahahha ruff ruff!!

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

"Reminded me of the dolphins from The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy." Damn I totally forgot to mention that in my post! That was exactly what I was thinking - yay! a shout out to Douglas Adams! (It must have been, right?)

I am liking all the face touching this season. *sigh*

It sounds like you are happier about the drawing out of the Zeke thing than I am, but other than that - spot on!

[ash48.livejournal.com]

a shout out to Douglas Adams! (It must have been, right?)

It sure felt like it! "So long and thanks for all the bones…"

Yummmm…face touching….

It sounds like you are happier about the drawing out of the Zeke thing than I am

I am only happy up until…now. Next week I want to see some meatier development. I don't want them to drag it out much longer. Or, if they are going to, I need to see a game chaining scenario. TBH I am hoping for something we can't even imagine happening soon...

[jessm78.livejournal.com]

Even though I didn't love this episode as much as I expected to, I did love all the bro stuff! And I'm totally with you on seeing a motel room again!! After they found the MOL bunker I feared we'd never see them in a motel room again, lol

Wasn't too thrilled with the animal voices myself. And the cat eating scene made me cringe a lot too. *HUGS* I can imagine how it would affect you so badly, hon. I definitely know how you feel. I was watching the SPN Anime series about a month after my previous dog died. Won't spoil if you haven't seen it, but there was a scene where a dog was beaten and killed in one of the episodes. I turned off the TV and cried my eyes out. It really does hurt.

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I was surprised how that scene was an instant reminder of my poor cat. The first one he picked up looked identical to mine. It was a pretty shocking scene anyway - and I get that this show is horror so I can accept it on that level. The chances are I wouldn't have worried too much about it if I hadn't recently lost my cat.

It was a relief to see a motel room again (and one with such a strong theme - they are my favourite).

Thanks so much for your thoughts. <33

[smithkingsley.livejournal.com]

That bit totally reminded me of Hitchhiker's too! /geek love

PERFECT GIFS ARE PERFECT ♥

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Heehee…geeks unite!

[katsheswims.livejournal.com]

Hmmm, I'm not sure that it's Kevin being the new Bobby, but that Kevin is in the bunker so he has access to all the books and files that are stored there, so Sam and Dean can call him now while on a case to get him to research/look things up.

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Hmmm..but I thought Kevin had left the bunker. Though maybe he still has access so he can get in to do the research…. Not sure about that one...

[killabeez.livejournal.com]

I think they were trying for Men in Black, but ended up with waaaaaaay too much of a good thing. The dog's interrupted line at the end also sounded like it was leading up to an MiB reference. If you just stripped out the voiceovers, it would have been a fairly cute episode.

I can only assume Zeke has totally scrambled Sam's brain at the moment. I'm a little freaked out at the way Dean brought up the possibility that Zeke will never be able to leave, and even MORE freaked out that Dean said "whoever you are" when he was trying to wake Sam up. The payoff for this better be good, is all I'm saying.

[ash48.livejournal.com]

I think if they didn't have the animal voices at all (or limited ones) it would have worked so much better. I was ready for the cute factor - and it never happened. Though Dean had a few cute moments…

I'm a little freaked out at the way Dean brought up the possibility that Zeke will never be able to leave

It made me wonder if Dean had only just considered that. (I hope not!! It should have been the FIRST thing he thought of when he allowed Zeke to do this.

The payoff for this better be good, is all I'm saying.

What worries me is that by the time we have the reveal fans would have thought of all the possible scenarios and the one the show comes up with will probably be a let down. But we shall see! They might just surprise us. :)

[hugemind.livejournal.com]

I discovered that depending on how it's done, I may have an issue with talking animals. I definitely agree that the voices were cartoony and an odd mash of stereotypes and that cutesy babytalk doggie-talk some people do, and hence a bit off-putting. But I was amused by the fact that the bellyrub!dog sounded a lot like Garth.

Dogs are not man's best friend but rather have a "secret" reason for being here. Reminded me of the dolphins from The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy.

It's been a long while since I read that but to me it's either the dolphins or the mice. :D

I'm not sure now if Sam knows for sure Dean is lying and he's just biding his time, or he's seriously slow at putting two and two together.

Maybe it's taking Sam this long to figure out what's going on because he simply can't believe that Dean would betray him that deeply. Dean being shifty, fine. Sam blacking out randomly, okay. Sam maybe not fully human, majorly bad vibes. So maybe he'll start really looking into it now.

[ash48.livejournal.com]

But I was amused by the fact that the bellyrub!dog sounded a lot like Garth.

Oooh, I hadn't picked that up. I wonder who actually did the voices…

It's been a long while since I read that but to me it's either the dolphins or the mice.

ooh yeah, it could be the mice…(maybe that's why there were actual mice in the episode. Their appearance didn't make a lot of sense to me).

Maybe it's taking Sam this long to figure out what's going on because he simply can't believe that Dean would betray him that deeply

Indeed. Though I did have another thought on that. Maybe Sam thinks his ability to heal himself (surely he noticed that) and the fact that he's losing time or things seem weird is to do with the after effects of the trials. The last he remembered from all that was that he was changing. There's no reason why Sam would think he's fully healed (especially when Dean keeps reminding him that he's not). If he thinks it's trial related then maybe he doesn't want to mention it to Dean - he kept that stuff from him before. It makes some sense in my head…;)

[gidgetgal9.livejournal.com]

You nailed it for me right down to the think that bothered me- the animal voices. :)

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Yep. Not good. ;( Shame really, as I think it would have been a much stronger episode either without them, or much much better.

[zubeneschamali.livejournal.com]

just so it will KILL US EVEN MORE when it shatters into a million pieces

That's why I can't enjoy the broments this season as much as I would like. Because they're based on shifting sand that's going to wash away the moment Sam finds out. And I know they're setting us up for that, so I can't get into it as much as I would like. :(

What I liked about dog!Dean was that he wasn't imitating a dog so much as doing the human interpretation of dog things. Like "Hey! You!" at the mailman instead of barking at him, or going over and picking up the piece of paper and bringing it back rather than going on all fours. It made things less awkward than I expected.

[counteragent.livejournal.com]

That's why I can't enjoy the broments this season as much as I would like. Because they're based on shifting sand that's going to wash away the moment Sam finds out.

Mmm, that's why I love them. It's so delicious that I can handwave Sam being a moron.

What I liked about dog!Dean was that he wasn't imitating a dog so much as doing the human interpretation of dog things. Totally! CUUUTE!

[growyourwings.livejournal.com]

I had the same Hitchhiker's Guide flash. And I agree with all else you said as well (as you continue to channel me, lol). I did a stream of consciousness comment thread over on my LJ as I watched. I had to pause to comment on how wonderful it was to see a motel room again. And the dog stuff was cute, until it wasn't, but it was still overall enjoyable. I could see Jensen and Jared having a fun time with it. Jensen's fetch scene was adorable.

[ash48.livejournal.com]

I've sometimes considered a stream of conscience post, but then I worry I'd miss too much of the episode…;)

The motel made me very happy. I often wish they'd make a comment about not being in their own beds or something like that. It must be weird knowing they have a home to go to now. I also liked that Sam seemed to be itching to get back on the road.

[alienat.livejournal.com]

I'm not a big fan of this supposed to be funny/silly episodes, but this one was okay. I even laughed a little. And I'm sure Jensen and Jared had an amazing time filming this. I can just imagine all these dog jokes on set. LOL

The ending broke my heart a little. Man, this is gonna hurt so much when it comes out. *pets them both* And the two gifs? *swoons* I was waiting for Dean to lick Sam's face. ;D

Sam not figuring out Dean's lying, or more IMO, him not wanting to figure it out, reminds a little of season 6 and Dean knowing that Sam was different but still holding onto a threat of hope for the first five or six episodes until he broke and got that spell out that would make Sam tell him the truth. So maybe we won't have to wait til mid-season finale. We'll see.

[ash48.livejournal.com]

I'm not a huge fan of the "comic" episode either. Sometimes they are great (French Mistake) and sometime awful (Yellow Fever), but this one managed to be ok. Some uncomfortable moments and scenes that fell flat, but mostly ok. And Dean's dog traits were rather hilarious.

So maybe we won't have to wait til mid-season finale.

Yeah. That's how I'm seeing it. That the truth will come out soon-ish and then there will be a few episodes of either Sam accepting it (or not) and THEN we'll get some sort of reveal about the true nature of Zeke. I think Zeke will be the major reveal, followed by both boys having to deal with it (with lots of bro angst to fill up the eps…;D)

xx

[novakev.livejournal.com]

I thought this episode was so fun! I laughed out loud at Dean's fetching, and his whimper face when Sam pointed it out, adorable.

The boys being together definitely made it the best in a long time.

Motel room, Zeke healing, loving the brother touching (and lots of little ones this season, joy!)

I agree on the animal voices too. But still a very enjoyable episode.

I

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Hey!

Dean was adorable at times (his wee face after being in the car…*g*)

It's interesting that even Jared thought the animal voices were poor. But aside from that it was pretty entertaining. :)

[sam-dean-lover.livejournal.com]

i wanted to like it but i got reminded a lot of Dr. Doolittle movie. could Sam know that Dean is lying to him? i hope so. these lies to me, are building up for that huge confrontation and i dont want to think the writers are making Sam dumb/and the Zeke thing is continuing on.

[ash48.livejournal.com]

I think Sam possibly knows that Dean is lying, but doesn't want to look too deep as to why. I also think that maybe Sam thinks he's changing because of the trials and may not want to talk too much about that. Not sure, but it's a theory I'm going with at the moment.

[el1ie.livejournal.com]

There were some great moments, but that's all it was to me, a few moments here and there that I'm not sure saved it.

I agree, the voices were bloody awful. worse was the fact that "The Colonel" didn't try to save his beloved master. Nope, no GSD is going to stand barking while a monster crushes it's human, actually no dog would. Then they compounded that by the ending where all the dogs apparently rip the wolf man to pieces - not nice, not nice at all show. Sadly after the tragic news of the little girl killed by her pet dog last night it was even harder to stomach, that's absolutely not on show, bad timing all around, but it still would have made me uncomfortable.

The cats! Jesus shit, if I was on set and saw someone handling my cat like that? Holding it up by it's skin with no support? Slapped that someone into next week!

All that took the edge off the fun parts, Jensen/Dean did a great job with the subtle dog mannerisms without taking it too far - poodle was a bit stupid, why they do that when 50% of those dogs are male and don't look anything different except for the bow and the pink lead I have no idea. Oh, wait, it was the secret Destiel shout out wasn't it? Silly me...

I'd still like Jensen to get something more than a dog story to showcase his talents - haven't been seeing much of them lately and that's a shame.

To be honest, I'm kind of tired of Sam getting knocked flat every week and Zeke popping out and curing either him or someone else, how much longer can they drag this out? The lies Dean has to come up with off screen, so Sam's neck fell in the offal bucket or something to get his clothes covered in blood? Hmmm...It's already building up to "The Argument" that builds up every year now, I'm pretty sure I'm going to be past caring when it happens this time. Fool me once...

[ash48.livejournal.com]

The Colonel not going to the aid of his master was just wrong (and such a strange decision). With all the barking it seems like that's exactly what he was going to do. And I, too, felt weird by all the dogs attacking the monster at the end. I was actually thinking…oh please do let them do that…

Oh, wait, it was the secret Destiel shout out wasn't it? Silly me…

Actually, from a few posts I saw I don't think the (all) Destiellers where too happy with it. Especially if…"they can make Dean/dog canon but not Dean/Cas" comment is anything to go by. (though how Dean merely looking at a dog (for a joke) makes that canon I'm not sure, but I'm over thinking about that stuff too hard. though I suppose they're saying that if Dean can fancy a dog, then it's a sure sign that he's going to be fancying an angel soon. Ok. I'm with it now. Perhaps…;)

I am DESPERATE to see Jensen pushed. If he can do something like he did in The End then we know exactly what he's capable of. We haven't seen it in a while - which is a shame.

And as much as I love me some hurt!Sam (surprise!) I too am getting tired of him dying just so Zeke can cure him. Not sure what's with that. (Though I am loving this story line too much to pick at it too much…*g*)

And I'm actually wondering if Sam does suspect something is wrong with him (I simply cannot buy that he didn't wonder how he was healed after the clash to the neck) - that in fact he is continuing to change after the trails. If he thinks he's becoming something "other" he may not want to share that with Dean. Hmmm…doesn't address Dean lying though and I'm sure Sam must be clued into that. I'll have to ponder that further.

xx

[snchick12.livejournal.com]

The thing I noticed was that I did not see you mention lol was that dean said cant remember it exactly but the things inside eventually took over meaning Zeke, foreshadowing or maybe dean knows this was a mistake to let an angel possess Sam who knows but I'm like why?!?? Lol poor Sam! He so knows something is up! loved this ep! Great job:)

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Oh yes, that's why I mentioned it in the last paragraph. :) It's totally foreshadowing I reckon. I think we are in for a situation where Zeke is there to stay… Maybe. ;)

And I think Sam knows something is up now too. He's just not sure exactly what. Poor boy…;(

[debbiel66.livejournal.com]

I also kept thinking about how much this would be without the voiceovers....just Jensen's reactions and our own imaginations. Can you imagine? The pigeon scene could have been hysterical, sans the bird voice. :)

But yeah, the brother scenes. I watched the Sammy-on-the-floor scene a half dozen times. May go back and watch it again. And yeah, I totally agree, tis time to let the cat (Zeke) out of the bag...too many animal puns, but man, I loved the Sam&Dean.

[ash48.livejournal.com]

I think it would have worked without hearing the voices. In fact, it would have been even funnier I reckon - hearing only Dean's side of the conversation. In fact..yes - that's how it should have been. *nods*

And Sammy collapsed on the floor with his worried big bro being with him will always be worth watching…:))

[callistosh65.livejournal.com]

Yeah, the bro touching concern was awesome, was it not? I love that they kept it in, that we didn't see Sam groggily sitting up when Dean went back in. The premise did wear a little thin- and they could have gone to much goofier places with it, and really let Dean's inner pleasure hound out, so to speak :)) but I agree, that entire fetch scene was nothing short of brilliant.

And yeah, the animal voices were a little obvious and crudely done. But the Zeke angst is still building nicely - I am genuinely torn between milking it for all it's worth and letting the chips fall where they may when Sam finds out (I'm guessing the mid season finale cliffhanger maybe??)

[ash48.livejournal.com]

and really let Dean's inner pleasure hound out, so to speak

Ha! I would have totally accepted that. :D

I'm torn also about wanting Sam to find out NOW and letting it slowly drip out. I feel though that we'll get the Zeke reveal before the cliffy hiatus - I think there will be something else then (surely they can't keep Sam in the dark for another 5 episodes…). I think we'll probably get more about what Zeke is up to as the cliffy. Maybe..? We'll see…(yay!)
xx

[zebra363.livejournal.com]

Great review. The motel details sailed over my head as usual, so thanks for pointing them out.

I could moan that it's taking too long or that Dean really should man up and tell Sam, but it's story telling and it's the major myth arc at the moment.

I've accepted that a bit better this week!

I loved the Fetch scene. Such a great way to reveal Dean's new dog tendencies and so well acted! I'd like to know what % of viewers got it on Dean's first retrieval. It took me until the second. On the first I was thinking "maybe they need to write something on that bit of paper!"

Dean's "He was possessed by something he couldn't control. It was a matter of time before it completely took over" sounds very ominous to me!

Can't wait to do a group rewatch of this one. There's really quite a lot in it – it's funny but sad at the same time with all the focus on shelter dogs.

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Hey hun,

I was so happy to see a motel again. And when they were sitting next to those curtains all I could think of was how much they looked like a snake skin. Then I went into geek mode..;)

I'd like to know what % of viewers got it on Dean's first retrieval. It took me until the second.

Unfortunately I was spoiled for this ep so as soon as he did it I knew what he was doing. Though I think for those who had no idea what was going to happen it would have been even more delightful - and would need the second toss to figure it out. Such a great little moment.

Yay! Group re-watch! I'm looking forward to learning a few new things and then going back and looking for the hints. I do hope they've been clever and left us a few as the story progresses.

[galwithglasses.livejournal.com]

Motel room! Awesome red and yellow wallpaper at the restaurant too. Is it just me or did the evil!chef resemble the Hannibal guy in looks a bit? Maybe it was that he was going to eat Sam. At the end when Sam and Dean talked by the car, I felt like some of what Dean said was directed at Zeke. I thought with the line with something about not knowing what a crazy person would do was Dean talking about himself. I'm wondering if Dean is hoping Sam will put it together on his own because he doesn't think Zeke will let Sam hear it from him. I hope we're almost to the end of this part of the season. I hope I live through the heartbreak.

I agree with everyone else, the animal voices were awful. Too cartoonish or something. The only one who should have had a bronx accent should have been the pigeon. They were off enough to pull me out of the story.

Jensen did a great job with the oblivious fetch game.

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Is it just me or did the evil!chef resemble the Hannibal guy in looks a bit?

He did a bit! Shame we didn't get any Hannibal references.

I felt like some of what Dean said was directed at Zeke.

Yes. I did too. It seems very pointed. It would be interesting to think of Dean leaving Sam hints so he can work it out for himself. It's so hard to know what Zeke could be doing inside Sam. Surely Dean is considering this.

And the voices were bad. It's interesting seeing Jared's tweets. he said he imagined something different - so Jensen was reacting purely on somebody (probably not even an actor) saying those line, imagining they sounded like something else. I actually felt that disconnect between Jensen and the dog - that's probably why.

Jensen's gradual change to dog traits was well done. Shame they didn't rely on Jensen being able to carry it off without the actual voices. I think it would have been better.