In the previous episode, after finding out about Dean killing Amy, the estranged Winchesters run into each other investigating the mysterious deaths of psychics in the town of Lily Dale. After taking down the psychic whose jealousy fueled him binding a ghost to do his killing, the brothers come to an understanding; though he doesn’t absolve Dean, Sam concedes that Dean’s actions were to do the right thing.
[Be warned, this recap contains spoilers!]
Drowning his troubles in his two favorite vices–alcohol and scantily clad women—Dean chats up a strip club dancer. He tries hard to flirt but she sees through the act. Something is seriously wrong with him and despite telling Sam in “The Mentalists” episode it had to do with lying to Sam, it’s far more. He’s carried a weight on his shoulders for years, the good soldier and big brother. Seeing death and then betrayal at the hands of his best friend, not to mention Sam’s fractured psyche has more than taken its toll on him. Before he can admit to anything, he’s off to an address he receives from a text. Suited up, he makes his way into a Vegas chapel only to have Sam rush him in place just in time to play best man for his little brother to marry…Becky?
For those who are keeping score, Becky Rosen was introduced back in season four’s “The Real Ghostbusters”. A fanatic of epic proportions, she followed the brothers’ exploits through the prophet Chuck’s books that chronicled the Winchesters life as hunters. From the beginning, her eyes were on Sam and wedded bliss was her biggest wish (yes, this is called foreshadowing).
Beyond miffed at his brother’s actions, Dean follows the happy couple to Becky’s abode in Delaware. It’s not long before we start to get a hint on some definite wrongness. After showing Sam off to a former high school tormentor, Becky runs into her friend Guy, who slips her a mysterious vial. Despite his charming smile and Wiccan cover, everything about Guy screams ‘predator’. Not the best or brightest, Becky is beyond clueless. When the newlyweds are having dinner, a splitting headache throws Sam out of his undying love persona, but Becky distracts him long enough to spike his wine and nearly forces it down his throat. Not long after, memories of their wedded bliss returns.
The next day, present in hand, Dean pays a visit to the married couple. His ulterior motive though is trying to talk some sense into his brother as well as help Dean work a case. A lottery winner and perpetual minor leaguer turned Big League star, both meet untimely endings that are too coincidental to be anything but the work of magic. Color him surprised when Becky, out of all people, is helping Sam go over the details. When Sam refuses to leave Becky and work with him, Dean calls Bobby for help only to be pointed towards Garth.
Unorthodox and looking nothing like a hunter, Garth is Dean’s temporary partner. After some idle getting to know you, the two go over the latest winner in the ‘my dreams have come true lotto’—a sales executive who gets promoted to CEO. Passing Sam and Becky on the way out, the two hunters are surprised when the new CEO admits he never wanted the job. When Dean saves her life, she admits to the deal she made. Everything about it speaks crossroads demon but, as Garth says, the timeline doesn’t add up. They don’t have too much time to ponder this because Sam’s number one fan is next on the hit list.
Though Becky spends most of the episode as the comic relief, clubbing Sam over the head with a waffle iron and tying him up when the love juice wears off again, things get serious when she approaches Guy for more juice and finds that he’s not the friendly Wiccan she thought. He reveals himself to be a crossroads demon and, for the small price of her soul, promises her twenty-five years (instead of the usual ten) with Sam before he comes to collect. Not wanting to end up alone, she’s torn over what to do. She has a heart-to-heart with Sam before making her way back to Guy, acting as if she will take the deal, before binding Guy in a devil’s trap.
When the hunters arrive, he’s all too happy to brag on the loophole he found—tasking another demon to do the killing. Said apprentice shows up, wreaking havoc on Garth and the brothers. Just when things look their worst, Becky comes in with a save, stabbing Guy’s apprentice with the demon blade. Gathering his senses, Sam tosses the knife to Dean, giving him the upper hand on Guy. Victory seems short-lived though when Crowley, the King of Hell, makes his return.
One of the best character actors out there, Mark Sheppard owns his role and every scene. He’s a pleasantly evil bastard who generally can’t be trusted though he sometimes shows that there is honor amongst thieves…or between the good guys and bad, take your pick. This time his standards coincide with the brothers’ aim, stopping these unsuspecting victims from being picked off prematurely. He lives for the deals but in no way approves of using loop holes to garner mistrust to those expecting to profit for ten years before paying the piper. “This isn’t Wall Street”, he explains to Guy, “This is Hell. We have a little something called integrity.” But he’s not all witty remarks. As much a fan of the Leviathan as the brothers’, Crowley promises to keep his horde off their back—something he’s been doing unbeknownst to Sam and Dean since the primordial predators hijacked Castiel—until they take out the latest threat.
Cleaning up a bit of the details, like this little thing called an annulment and giving a pep talk to Becky, Sam has his second serious conversation with Dean in as many episodes. In fact, this is a continuation of their last conversation. Sam has seen more than his fair share of disaster and admits that the damage suffered from his time in hell isn’t all hugs and puppies, though he’s learning to deal. He’s comfortable with himself, now more than ever, and wants to take responsibility for his own actions. With this new-found freedom, he remarks that Dean can now take the time to look after himself instead of worrying so much about Sam. Judging by his face, it doesn’t seem that Dean’s all too eager to take care of himself.
Though it’s primarily a standalone episode, this week’s ‘Supernatural’ works in blasts from the past as well as reminding the audience of the big picture and just how big the players are in this particular game. There is no love loss between Crowley and the Winchesters but his open disdain for the Leviathans has the Lord of the Hell, while not quite tossing his hat on the brothers’ side, leaning in their general direction. Does that mean he will end up fighting the good fight or is he a vulture awaiting for the time to strike the injured prey? Only time will tell, though various events have been known to make the strangest of bedfellows…
The Good:
- Crowley’s return was unexpected but always welcome. There’s never a scene he doesn’t own. In the context of the show’s arc, is he playing Switzerland or will he throw his hat in the ring and get his hands dirty fighting the Leviathan with the Winchesters?
The Bad:
- It sure seems that Guy is not for this world. A Jr. Crowley, Leslie Odom oozes a suave type of evil that begs to be explored just a little more. Sadly, bending the rules and making Crowley look bad sure seems to solidify him as a one-and-done character.
The Supernatural:
- Crossroads demons have always been a staple of the show. This show always does a fantastic job reminding viewers that things don’t happen in a bubble. The continuity from previous seasons is a reminder to the past as some of the finer story arcs involved these silver tongued devils.
If you missed the previous episode you can read our ‘Supernatural: The Mentalists’ recap to catch up.
