First of all, I have to say I LOVED this episode, but then I am personally acquainted with a bit of a Twihard. Of course, that's neither here nor there since that was just one very basic layer they trotted out to amplify the funny. What amused me most was that they've obviously read the text they're poking fun at. Some of the lines were so close to the actual phrasing used in the book...I don't even know.

Anyway, I'm much more intrigued by this concept of alphas and Samuel's collection thereof. Obviously, it's going to be a through-line this season as is the "Hunter Dynasty" element and how much of a elitist douchebag it makes of you and your kin. I didn't hate Samuel in this episode, but he still comes off as a bit of a dick. This is just a peripheral observation, though.

For me, the meat of the story is (as always) between Sam and Dean. And in this case, internal to Dean.

Dean: I'd say that becoming a monster is his worst nightmare, but I don't think it is anymore. It might have been back in S2, but things have changed a whole hell of a lot in the intervening years. He's been through hell and actually witnessed Sam turning into a monster himself, so becoming a vampire is probably low on his list of fears. It says something, at least to me, that he goes to say goodbye to Lisa and Ben. On the one hand, he cares enough about them to say goodbye, but on the other he doesn't care enough about them to stay the hell away. That's a dangerous place to be. He could have called Lisa to say goodbye. He could have written a letter like he did a little over a year ago when he was getting ready to become an angel condom. If anyone knows better, Dean knows better. And maybe it was simple arrogance on his part. Maybe he believed he could control the hunger (which he did do), but if he really cared about them and their welfare he would have stayed away. That theory kind of applies to all the interactions he and Lisa have now he's returned to hunting. She said it was okay, but unless Dean sat her down and talked for months about his past and his family and what he does, she has no idea what she's saying okay to. Dean does. If anyone deserves to be a little selfish, it's Dean, I get it. He needs the welcome of hearth and home so badly it's become a tangible thing, but sooner or later it's going to bite him in the ass. It speaks to just how damaged the relationship between him and Sam has become, that he even feels the need to maintain that connection with Lisa and Ben. He knows how it works, has even lectured Sam about hanging on to his friends.

DEAN: You’re kidding. You still keep in touch with your college buddies?

SAM: Why not?

DEAN: Well, what exactly do you tell ‘em? You know, about where you’ve been, what you’ve been doin’?

SAM: I tell ‘em I’m on a road trip with my big brother. I tell ‘em I needed some time off after Jess.

DEAN: Oh, so you lie to ‘em.

SAM: No. I just don’t tell ‘em….everything.

DEAN: Yeah, that’s called lying. I mean, hey, man, I get it, tellin’ the truth is far worse.

SAM: So, what am I supposed to do, just cut everybody out of my life? (DEAN shrugs.) You’re serious?

DEAN: Look, it sucks, but in a job like this, you can’t get close to people, period.

SAM: You’re kind of anti-social, you know that?

(Skin, 1x06)

Dean knows what a bad idea it is, but does it anyway. In my personal opinion, he does it because he's lost that home he had in Sam. Props to Jensen for making me feel it down to my bones when he realized that Sam let him get turned.

And also, Vamp!Dean is hotter than Hades, NGL.


Sam: Props to the Padapuppy too for being super creepy. I suppose that I should revise my 6x01 statement slightly. The one that said, "OMGWTFBBQ THAT'S NOT SAAAAAAM!" I think it's Sam in body, yes. But it's certainly not Sam in spirit. I've narrowed it down to one of two possibilities. Either Lucifer hijacked Sam's body, found his way out of the devil hole (box), and is trying to quietly wreak havoc. Or I think Sam made a deal to get out. Bear with me a second, if you will. If you're still reading this scattered, meandering mess. Supernatural as a show, much as I love her, is not always known for her subtlety. I don't think it's a mistake that they've been so anvilicious about the value and importance of the human soul. At this point, I think the more feasible option is that Sam sold/bartered/traded his soul to escape the hole (box). Sam, the true Sam, the real Sam, is not a dick. He would give over everything he is to keep his brother from becoming a monster. There's NO WAY he would stand there and watch some hairy dude vamp Dean up just for the sake of curiosity, not if he's really him. Ergo, OMG Y'ALL, THAT'S NOT REALLY SAM. TAKE A CHILL.

Regardless, it looks like we'll get something next week. Which is v.v. good. Love you Dean Bean, and I realize you like to give your Sammy the benefit of the doubt, but it sure as fuck took you long enough to really admit He Came Back Wrong (*has Buffy flashbacks*) even though he was not in Heaven.

Long story very short: Loved it, but not my favorite so far this season.