Starting with Sam. … It was spoiled in the preview last week, but the revelation that he is missing his soul works very well. It’s a prize the boys have no choice but to go after, and that sets up the latest conflict with Crowley (Mark Sheppard) beautifully. They’re also doing a great job showcasing that lack of soul now that we’re all in on the secret. The complete lack of remorse or embarrassment when Sam was caught lying to Dean (again), was both amusing and chilling. I think we can believe that he wants to be on Dean’s side in all of this. Unfortunately, he still can’t be trusted. His own selfish, or misguided, motivations may trump that arrangement at any moment. It makes for a fascinating dynamic.
As for Samuel, this was the revelation I’ve been waiting for since the season premiere. It wasn’t exactly what I expected, but it was still very good. I thought Samuel would at least think he was fighting the good fight. Instead, we learn that he’s known all along that he’s in league with the newly minted king of Hell. The obvious question quickly becomes, “Why?” What could Crowley possibly be holding over, or offering, Samuel. I lean toward holding over because Samuel strikes me as the type that wouldn’t sell out to Crowley for his own personal gain. Anyone want to bet it has something to do with his daughter?
As great as Sam and Samuel’s stories were though, my favorite part of the episode came from the alpha vampire. It was a great performance from Rick Worthy. Quiet and subdued, yet still believable as the monster of monsters. I loved his line, “When your kind first huddled around the fire, I was the thing in the dark.” And his so-calm confidence that he would soon be standing ankle deep in Sam and Dean’s blood. That’s a big time big bad right there.
We did finally get that Winchester vs Campbell battle I was looking for. Although, it was a much quicker version than anticipated. When Dean discovered that Samuel had captured the alpha it really looked like it was going to be on. Sam’s admission that he was the one keeping Dean in the dark defused much of that situation, but the run in at the torture-dome had all the makings of the start of a killer family feud arc.
Alas, it was not to be. Demon Christian (Corin Nemec) giving way to the always acerbic Crowley turned everything on its ear. I suppose we should have seen that one coming. It turns out that the decision not to take care of Crowley when they had the chance was a costly one. Now we move forward with the quest to save Sam’s soul, and stop Crowley from building a Walmart in purgatory. This should be fun.
Clacked by Brett Love 
on Nov 06, 2010 @ 12:13 EST5EDT
Can I just say… what the hell???? This was an awesome episode. I love Corin Nemec so I wish he wouldn’t have had to be a demon but oh well… anyway…
I think Gwen is an undercover angel. Being that she was there when everything went down and just taking it all in, could she be reporting to Cass?
I also think Samuel is trying to save Mary and John, Ash said in an episode that he cannot find them in heaven, could they be in purgatory? I also find it interesting that Samuel was raised by Crowley, does this mean he was also in hell and not in heaven as he tried to imply by saying he was “pulled down” in the premier?
One more question I had was when the Alpha Vamp was talking to Dean, he said that everyone had a mother, who could that have been?
I understand why Dean has become “bossy” Dean and has tried to take control of the situation. He has been lied to too many times and now he wants some answers. I am glad that Sam is willing to fall into line with that also, could there be at least some residual feelings for his brother even without a soul?
On more comment. We need a comedy episode here soon. Although I love where the storyline is going, it is getting WAY to dark to watch every week. How about another weekend at Bobby’s?
Don’t want to spoil anything but check the synopsis to episode 9.
609 Clap Your Hands If You Believe
While Sam and Dean are investigating a UFO sighting, Dean is abducted from a crop circle. However, when he awakens, he discovers he isn’t dealing with aliens, but fairies! Unfortunately, only Dean can see the fairy that keeps attacking him which makes tracing and stopping them difficult. The brothers become even more perplexed when Sam’s investigation leads them to a world full of elves, gnomes and a leprechaun.
Great episode, so grampa is in for something, at first i went for sammy’s soul, but now i’m more in the “revive my daughter camp”, and i agree with deb in were his daughter may be (tha’s why he join team to find purgatory). Nice episode as always.