Supernatural, Season 15, episode 3

Posted on October 24, 2019 by sheila

Have at it.

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18 Responses to Supernatural, Season 15, episode 3

  1. Sarah says:
    October 25, 2019 at 12:09 am

    Welp, the eternal question: will they stay dead? Ketch, Rowena, and Belphegor/Jack?

    Over on Tumblr, I am seeing beautiful gif sets drawing parallels from Rowena’s swan dive tonight to Sam and Adam!Michael’s tumble into the Cage in Swan Song, and it has depressed me almost as much as these three interminable episodes of recycled plots, creatures, characters, and emotion. And only ONE location! (Not counting the brief ending in the bunker. I don’t gaf about the bunker.)

    My cold, black heart was pleased with Dean and Cas’s breakup. That’ll probably last at least another episode. THERE ARE NO STAKES ANYMORE. I’m bereft.

    Reply
  2. Aslan'sOwn says:
    October 25, 2019 at 12:13 am

    This season hasn’t really grabbed me: the ghosts seems kind of silly and the apocalypse a bit lame (so it was funny that Dean called it a sloppy-ass apocalypse). I was intrigued that Rowena said, “It has to be you” which immediately made me think of Ruby saying, “It had to be you,” after Sam killed Lilith. Her saying “It has to be this way” once again brings up the theme of destiny and free will: Billie’s book said Sam would kill her. But then, Billie’s book said Dean would end up in the ocean trapped in a box with Michael, yet they defied that prophecy. “Whatever you do, you will always end up here,” said Lucifer once. Rowena accepted her fate (and saved the world); Sam convinced Dean to fight his apparent doom.

    As far as cinematography, I loved the way light was used to light up Rowena in the crypt and Castiel in Lilith’s chamber. I liked the dim softness of Sam’s bedroom, the richness of the whiskey glass and the books, and the solid resignation of Dean’s stance at the end. He wasn’t swinging a punch; his anger was held in, but he wasn’t backing down, and his words to Castiel made me gasp, as did Cas’s decision to leave. (I actually respect that the show is making Dean hold on to his anger: his dogged stubbornness reminds me of John but his anger also highlights the idol his mother has been to him all his life. He is not letting her death go lightly. )

    Reply
    • Fortune says:
      October 25, 2019 at 1:35 am

      //(so it was funny that Dean called it a sloppy-ass apocalypse)//
      When I heard that I thought THANK YOU, DEAN, for saying what we’re all thinking. This is what the show is giving us in its final season?

      Reply
      • Jessie says:
        October 25, 2019 at 3:51 am

        you know, I’m half with you guys, it’s sort-of fun that Dean’s angrily speaking the truth and the show’s traded in this kind of self-commentary ever since Chuck came in, but now that this season is so meta-meta (and the sloppy critique so accurate) it peeves me; like Dabb-etc want to have their lazy writing cake and eat it too. Who needs to write good material when you can just say that the writer-God you’re writing is just a shitty writer? Who cares if it’s excruciating to watch — it’s a funny self-deprecating joke! Aren’t they actually so very clever?

        Reply
  3. Elaine says:
    October 25, 2019 at 1:09 am

    Dean Winchester in a henley having a broment with Sam. I’m still processing the rest, and will undoubtedly have more thoughts once I’ve integrated everything else. At the moment, all I can remember was Dean Winchester in a henley.

    Please forgive my shallow objectification of DEAN. IN. A. HENLEY.

    Reply
  4. Fortune says:
    October 25, 2019 at 1:34 am

    I didn’t hate this one! Things actually happened, unlike last week. I was glad to see Ketch and Rowena go, although they’ve both died before so who knows. I felt the same way I felt when Crowley and Metatron died, which was not much of anything because I don’t know how to forgive characters who gleefully murder others (but that’s my problem).

    I saw a lot of complaints on Twitter about “mean” Dean, but I’m happy that the show is allowing the conflict between Cas and Dean to drag out, even if Cas killing Belphegor was the first time in his life that Cas has ever made a smart decision (at least in my opinion). And Cas, Dean has continued to trust you even after you broke the wall in Sam’s head, let in the Leviathans, were duped by Metatron, freed Lucifer from the Cage, and stole the Colt. Just give him time. I’m hoping of course that we won’t have to see Cas for a while, but that means we probably will.

    Thank God no more Party City ghosts, and I’m glad that the magic Rowena used actually came at a price.

    // Dean Winchester in a henley having a broment with Sam//
    Can’t believe I missed this! I am going back to rewatch this right now. Thank you Elaine!

    Over the past week I finished reading all the discussions on this site from Seasons 10-14, and it was so sad to see all the excitement and faith in the show just dramatically be upended in Season 12. I’m happy the discussions are still happening, though.

    Reply
    • Aslan's Own says:
      October 27, 2019 at 9:21 pm

      “I don’t know how to forgive characters who gleefully murder others” — I feel the same way. I’m all for redemption, but it should be true redemption: the killer should not just refrain from killing but also recognize the villainy of murdering people for pleasure/profit in the past.

      Thank you also for highlighting the numerous ways Cas has failed. I like that the show has flawed heroes and that it shows that family can forgive and broken bonds can be healed, but I don’t like it when people act like Cas is some poor, put-upon innocent.

      Reply
  5. Jessie says:
    October 25, 2019 at 3:46 am

    I feel pretty exhausted by this one overall. None of the emotional bits connected for me, so it all felt forced and the silly bits — intentional and unintentional — very silly. There were a few moments I enjoyed; Belphegor’s expressions and general attitude, mostly. Also I think it’s rude for the producers to have given the role of “Weepy Day Player (#1)” to the guy who’s first on the call sheet. They should probably have given that role to someone who still needs their SAG card, and written some scenes about Sam for that other guy over the last two episodes that touched on his connection to Rowena, any stuff (Lucifer) in their past they might have shared that would make her death resonate, maybe give him a bit of steel or a reason for feeling the loss so deeply, but I guess that’s why I’m not a famous tv writer.

    Maybe it doesn’t reflect well on me that I got rather pissy about the big emotional episode-ending scene being between Dean and Cas and the Winchester family theme, so I probably shouldn’t get too much into it lol. I suppose I’m glad they’re putting some energy into Cas scenes.

    Fingers crossed that’s the end of all the red-faced ghosts.

    Reply
  6. Carolynne says:
    October 25, 2019 at 10:13 am

    I actually liked this episode. Rowena at least gets to redeem herself much in the same way her son Crowley did. These characters needed to go but at least they got a decent send off. I was pretty shocked Ketch died the way he did seeming as he survived the last episode. It was kind of sudden. Not that I mourn him.
    I won’t bash this show unless it truly deserves it (I enjoy it too much) and this episode certainly made up for the last two. The acting was so much better too, but I do think Dean is still a little off key.
    You can disagree with me here but I think Cas was right in killing demon Jack. If he hadn’t they all would have had so much of a bigger problem on their hands. But I can also see were Dean is coming from. Cas has screwed up too many times and now he can no longer really trust him. This was a long time in coming, but as much as I’ve never been a big Cas fan (though a lot of fans are including my daughter) I still felt sorry for him.
    The cinematography was much better too, but I really didn’t like the cheesy special effects of the ghosts coming out of the fissure.
    The scenes between Sam and Rowena were, I think, beautifully done and some of the better script writing in this episode.

    Reply
  7. Michelle says:
    October 25, 2019 at 10:57 am

    I watched this episode after an almost 13 hour car trip from Tennessee to Florida so I was in such a state of numb exhaustion that not a whole lot actually sunk in. I’ll need to rewatch again.

    It was better for sure than the last episode. Of course an entire episode of Sam and Dean reading a phone book out loud would have been better than the last one….the phone book reading would have actually given us scenes with the brothers together.

    There was a lot visually that appealed to me. I think the director for the episode was the same one that directed The French Mistake. He hadn’t directed an episode in a long time and everybody was excited over his return.

    I think Ketch and Rowena are truly dead. I don’t post stuff from any interviews I read because of potential spoilers, but some things Dabb said recently in interviews makes me think that these were for real. I think we might possibly get a glimpse of Rowena again, but I think her character swooping in with her all too convenient magical escapes are done. I think that is going to be the point of this final season.

    Jared’s acting was phenomenal and moved me to far more emotion than I would have thought. The scene between them was very well done and Ruth was breathtakingly gorgeous visually.

    Heading to a cruise ship so I’m going to have to cut my commentary off. I’m sure I’ll have more to think and say once I actually watch the episode again!

    Reply
  8. Jenna says:
    October 25, 2019 at 2:58 pm

    There was a lot that I liked about this episode! But that might be because I have a bet going with my co-worker over Destiel and this episode gave me a lot of hope that he’s gonna have to buy me lunch!

    I really liked that Ketch died, because he was the worst, and I really liked that Rowena died because it meant something, and it nicely mirrored Crowley’s death. I cannot help but notice that we are basically back at the beginning of Season 13 now based on support staff the boys have access to. Dead mom, check, dead questionable ally, check, “dead” Cas, check.

    All that being said, I wish the writers would figure out what they are doing with Sam, because as nice as it was that Rowena died, and she had better stay dead, I agree with many above that the Sam stuff was not landing. I feel like he used to be interesting, he used to make more unpopular choices, and now they just want him to be this, to borrow a phrase from Tumblr, “perfect cinnamon roll” of a character, and it is dull, dull, dull.

    Cas killing Belphagor was honestly so satisfying, and it looked like it hurt Cas to do that and I’m here for that kind of pain. Again though, Sam was left out of all that “Our son Jack is being possessed by a demon and I have feelings about it!” drama. As far as I could tell Sam barely even noticed! I mean Jack was kind of a big deal to Sam, and a giant mirror of Sam’s own struggle but yeah, let’s not dwell on his feelings. *eye roll*

    I am also just so GLAD that the dumb “ghost apocalypse” is over now and we can see what the actual fall out from pissing off God will be, but that being said I feel like Sam and Dean used to be a lot smarter about these things, instead of just complaining about “sloppy fan boys.” I agree with Jessie above that it was a bit too on the nose. More interesting choices could have been made!

    Reply
  9. sheila says:
    October 28, 2019 at 10:23 am

    The henley was wonderful.

    There was (typically) a missed opportunity when the most famous serial killer OF ALL TIME is literally right in front of them and Dean doesn’t tease Sam about it – or Sam doesn’t fanboy over Jack the Ripper.

    This is the kind of subtlety this new team is completely incapable of.

    // I mean Jack was kind of a big deal to Sam, and a giant mirror of Sam’s own struggle but yeah, let’s not dwell on his feelings. *eye roll* //

    Jenna – yes, and this too!

    They can do all the daytime ghosts they want as long as they maintain some kind of EMOTIONAL continuity – like, who is what to whom. They just cannot keep those balls in the air at the same time, apparently. It was like back at the end of Season 11 when Sam got fanboy over God – completely forgetting the entire backstory. The backstory of the characters isn’t IN them. (See: Dean’s “Mom was my hero” funeral speech. Say what?)

    It’s weird that they would choose some big GROUP thing (i.e. a whole town under siege) when they clearly don’t have the money to pull it off. The “group meeting” in the gym was like … there were 20 people there and the set didn’t look right.

    I know it’s unfair to compare – but i’m noticing a lot of people doing so so I’ll throw my hat into the ring: Think of how effective “The End” was. Or “Croatoan.” With very little production value – and tons of shadows – they got across an entire PLANET under siege. It CAN be done.

    It’s like they WANT to be a zippy-zappy-abra-cadabra fantasy show – but that’s not the DNA of the show – it doesn’t fit – and also your budget isn’t big enough.

    I am so sick of anonymous hunters. Let us get to KNOW them. are they three-dimensional? Do they have issues, personalities? I mean … Ellen. Jo. Gordon. Garth. These were PEOPLE.

    // I feel like he used to be interesting, he used to make more unpopular choices, and now they just want him to be this, to borrow a phrase from Tumblr, “perfect cinnamon roll” of a character, and it is dull, dull, dull. //

    What has happened to Sam’s character under this new regime has been catastrophic. He is concerned guy with wrinkled forehead.

    I am intrigued by what might happen with that “bullet” in his shoulder – and the flash-forwards of some kind of agony. But I’m wondering if they’re just going to do that because then it gives DEAN something to do. ??

    The scene between Cas and Dean was long overdue – and JA played the hell out of it. The choice – since season 8 – season 9 – to have Castiel be this weakened creature – does he have wings? I thought he had them back? What the hell IS he? This choice is so strange to me and if I WERE a Castiel fan I would be pissed and disappointed. He’s just a mopey guy who makes bad choices.

    It was good to see him in Hell make a strong choice – a scary choice and a violent choice. If he’s GOING to stick around, he has to DO something.

    I’ll read more of your comments, to see what everyone else is saying.

    There were things I liked, and “hooks” I felt in the material – and they killed off three regular characters in one episode!

    Here’s the thing, though – Belphebel or whatever his name is – he’s around for 3 episodes, and that’s it. Nothing was really explored. What he was doing with the character was interesting and entertaining – and I enjoyed it way more than Rowena flitting around and Ketch posturing with his natty blazer and tight pants. What he was doing was eccentric and new and Sam and Dean had reactions to it. And now hes gone. Bye!

    I’m frustrated. I’m sorry for my tone.

    How about Jensen as CLIFF BOOTH for Halloween? I am soooo satisfied by that.

    Reply
  10. jenny says:
    September 30, 2020 at 4:32 am

    This was better.

    I’ve liked Rowena not for what she brings strategically – that all pretty much sucks – but for the weird lumpy feelings between her and Sam, the trauma bond of Lucifer, the unwilling affection.

    I’ve always kind of seen Sam as the show’s ultimate object of desire, the piece everyone fights over, up until Amara – even the Mark of Cain felt like a rebound from Sam’s twin rejections of Dean and Crowley. (For me, Crowley’s arc ended when he wordlessly vanished after Sam thanked him for his help with the hellhound. Sealing the rift was just exit paperwork.)

    For me, more than any other change – more than bunkers or purple
    lights or guns – this loss of interest in Sam, in possessing Sam, in Sam’s loyalty, his love, his buy-in, his blood, his body, his soul, is what has hollowed the heart out of this show.* So Sam’s slow ~romance~ with Rowena felt like a quiet echo of what I loved most about Supernatural from the beginning. I love that Sam had to directly confront one of the key perennial dilemmas: save the world or save the person you love who is standing right in front of you. I love that he couldn’t just step back and let her make her own choice, but he had to sink the blade in himself. i love that it hurt him. I thought it ended beautifully.

    Cas is like a sore tooth to me. I thought he was brilliantly used through s6, but since then he’s been that piece of furniture you can’t get rid of but just doesn’t go. My probably #1 most unpopular opinion is that I liked Hannah, because not only was it nice to see an angel actually meaningfully wrestle with morality, but Hannah’s arc, and its opposite bookend of Claire, felt like a direct dialogue with the problems with the character of Castiel: if Cas cares about humanity, cares about God’s order to love and serve them, then the only honorable course of action for him is Hannah’s, to leave Earth and their bodies and their emotions to them. Failure to do that, to selfishly hang around, has the end result of the Novaks: an angel hanging on to a human body is a deadly parasite, is nothing more than a ghoul. But nothing ended up coming of it.

    So I liked Cas’s violent discomfort with Belphagor. I liked his anger at Sam and Dean for locking Jack in the box. I like that Dean is looking at the full impact of having this being who does not belong has had on him and on Sam and on the world. I don’t really think Cas is going to spend any time examining the parallels between Belphagor and himself, and I guess I don’t really want the last season to be a deep dive into the Problem of Cas. But if we’re going to be spending screentime on him, it would be nice if it was spent asking worthwhile questions rather than making innuendo and cute faces.

    Ketch is like a rock skipping the surface to me. 30 seconds after he’s left the screen, I’ve mainly forgotten he was there.

    I’m a bit exhausted by it all right now, though, by seeing hopeful signs and then watching them fizzle. Maybe that’s also part of the reason I liked the Rowena bits so well. They’re done, so I don’t have to worry about it going to pieces in an episode or two.

    *i read the show, at its heart, as Dean vs: Stanford, Azazel, Ruby, Lilith, Lucifer, the Campbells, insanity, Amelia, the Trials, Death, Gadreel, Sam, and sometimes even himself, for Sam. So it went, until there was no heart anymore. (and dogs, and kale, and dodge chargers, and hair metal, and and and)

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