9.05 Initial reaction is not what I expected! In a good way!

[caranfindel]

I'm writing my review before reading anyone else's (other than the counteragent poll) so after I start reading what everyone else thought, I'll probably change my mind and be ashamed of myself. But right now, I've got to say I absolutely loved 9.05! I'm so glad I had low expectations for this episode, because that made it so much better when I unwrapped this hour of unforeseen cracktastic fabulosity. They put me in the mood right at the beginning, with a "Then" sequence full of previous crack episodes (and is it just me, or was that one of the best "Then" sequences EVER???) and it just kept getting better and better.



Things I loved

• Costumed taxidermy mice! GoT mouse!


• Dean continuing to insist that Sam needs to rest.


• A nod to geographical realism, in that Oklahoma really is close to Kansas, instead of those episodes where they drive thousands of miles in a few hours.


• SNART.


• "Always knew I'd find the source of all evil at a vegan bakery."


• "You know how hunters are. They're selfish dicks who define themselves by what they kill." Hello, subtext!


• Dean hates people who wear sunglasses indoors. Ah, continuity, my old friend. How nice to see you again.


• "Doesn't look so bad." (drinks) "I was wrong."


• Dean playing fetch!!! \0/


• Dean yelling "hey you" at the mailman.


• Dean with his head out of the window of the Impala.


• Basically, Dean being a dog. Based on an accidental spoiler, I thought Dean was actually going to turn into a dog (hello, fanfic) and thank God they didn't go that way. I've got to tell you, Dean with doglike behavior really worked for me.


• Sam giving the little dog a belly rub.


• A nice, old fashioned monster of the week story that also reflects on the brothers' current situation. Grand story arc episodes are good but I miss this type and we don't get it as often as we used to.


• The monster's James-bond style "I'm going to tie you up, tell you my evil plan, and then kill you in some exotic manner instead of just shooting you in the head" moves.


• Wait, I get all this and then I also get bloody, injured, dazed Sam (even with a teeny bit of hair in his face) and panicky, face-pawing, "for the love of God, Sammy" Dean??? SOMEONE LOVES ME, PEOPLE. \0/ \0/

Things that were ridiculous

• The majestic mountains of Enid, Oklahoma, LOL.


• Dogs can read!


• Did Dean really mispronounce "pagan?"


• The poodle. No. Just no.


• The animals' voices were pretty awful (although, I hate to say this, but I think it was kind of a jerk move for Jared to Tweet that same opinion, and also to complain about the German Shepherd not being well-trained).


• Dean sure got tied up easily.


• A "whole pack" of dogs that consists of two or possibly three dogs? Come on, Show.

The Zeke situation


I love the way Show likes to give us a ridiculous comedy episode that seems to have nothing to do with the story arc, and then throw something important in there. At the beginning, we have Sam insisting that he feels perfectly wonderful, and Dean has a little moment of huh, yeah, that's interesting, he does seem to be better and yet that angel is still all up in his business. And at the end, we have Sam wondering why the monster would ask "what" he is (yes, Sam, that's a very good question, isn't it?). And of course Dean's suddenly self-aware explanation about someone possessed by something he couldn't control, and it's a matter of time before it completely took over and Dean, do you know what we call this? FORESHADOWING. I think I love the way they're stretching this out and not letting us forget or ignore what's going on (though, still, flashy are blue eyes NOT NECESSARY); just showing Dean's growing concern and Sam's occasional discovery of a clue.

Anyway. If your standards are higher than mine I'm sure you thought this episode was a trainwreck, but I'm still basking in the afterglow over here. I avoided the previews for next week, as usual, so please don't tell me what's coming!

Comments

[thursdaysisters.livejournal.com]

I think I would have enjoyed it more if I were a dog person (though the Belly Rub dog and "Bitch please" was pretty funny). But yeah, the whole "taking over" bit at the end, THAT won't end well.

[brightly-lit.livejournal.com]

Your reaction to this episode was essentially identical to mine (except I DID love that Dean gave the poodle the "how you doin'.") Especially

A nice, old fashioned monster of the week story that also reflects on the brothers' current situation.

The writers must be hearing my wishes!! And:

Wait, I get all this and then I also get bloody, injured, dazed Sam (even with a teeny bit of hair in his face) and panicky, face-pawing, "for the love of God, Sammy" Dean??? SOMEONE LOVES ME, PEOPLE.

YES YES YES!

And yeah, his mispronunciation of "pagan" threw me, too!

The animal voices WERE pretty awful, except the one that got its belly rubbed; that was pretty classic.

And can you believe they're making Destiel canon in the next episode?!? Me either!! Oh wait, that's right, no spoilers. ;-)

(JOKE! It's a joke.)

[caranfindel.livejournal.com]

And can you believe they're making Destiel canon in the next episode?!? Me either!! Oh wait, that's right, no spoilers. ;-)

Oh, you suck!!! LOL