Four Torches (Out of Five)

Warning: This review contains spoilers for the “Abandon All Hope” episode of Supernatural.

Well, I guess this means that the string of “comic” episodes has come to an end, huh?

As regular readers know, I’m always yammering on about wanting them to get back to the “greater” story arc. And now they have, and here I am giving them only four torches. What gives?

It’s not that there was anything wrong with the episode. It’s just that the sum of its sometimes-interesting parts seemed somewhat less than a hit-it-out-of-the-ballpark whole.

Mostly, it all had a very familiar feel. I can point to past episodes where we’d seen before almost everything that happened here.

That said, credit must be given where credit is due. Killing two beloved reoccurring characters? That always takes guts, and it absolutely raises the season-long stakes. It was a typical “they-sacrifice-themselves-for-the-greater-good” killing of those characters, but still. It was touching and effective.

The story itself was reasonable able: use the Colt to kill Lucifer. Of course, it’s only the tenth episode of the season, so there was no way it was going to work (something that, to their credit, even the characters themselves seemed to sense).

But hey, they had to try.

The invisible hell-hounds were also very cool (and, no doubt, cost-effective!).

And there was one exchange that must be highlighted, right before they try to kill Lucifer.

Sam (to Dean): Last words?

Dean: I’m good.

Sam: Yeah, me too.

At first, it seems to be a typical Dean-ism — a flippant attempt to evade emotion.

But perhaps the exchange has another layer of meaning. Maybe Dean is saying, “I’m going to take Lucifer on, and hey, I am good, both at what I do and morally.”

And Sam is responding: “Yeah, I’m good too — now anyway, despite what I may have done in the past.”

Reading too much into it? Maybe, but it’s still fun to think about. The dialogue on this show is so good you can’t help but think about it.

Oh, and it must be said: this episode reminded me yet again how exceptionally well-cast this show is. It’s not just the leads who are terrific –  Meg, Ellen, Lucifer, and all the supporting cast are fantastic.

Well, damn. I’m a little sad now. I’m gonna miss Ellen and Jo (although, this being Supernatural, it seems pretty likely I’ll see them again soon…!).

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