Supernatural: A Letter to the Creator
Dear Eric Kripke: We need to talk. We know that you’ve been lauded for your cliffhangers, your fake-outs, your sadistic penchant for drawing out a surprise over a hiatus. We’re thinking a bout Sam sitting up and saying “Dad?” into the phone just before the winter hiatus last year, and the seriously traumatic Metallicar accident at the end of last season. Both brilliant “Oh my god!” moments.
But you’re starting to get a little too dependent on these moments. And here’s the thing – when most of your audience is saying “The bastard is going to mention the Big Bad Secret, and then cut to black without telling us what it is,” it’s not that much of a surprise. It’s just annoying. If you want to surprise us next time, actually follow through on one of the things you’re promising. Trust us: Do that, and the next sound you’ll hear is all our jaws hitting the floor.
On to the rest of the episode: Those brotherly moments killed us! When Sam told Dean “I’m infected, just give me the gun, and I’ll do it myself,” we melted. That was the moment Sam became a real hunter for us. And Dean’s refusal to leave, divesting himself of his most prized possessions – the Metallicar and the weapons stash – just killed us. Dean’s admission that he was tired, that he didn’t want to go on without Sam, had us, um, suddenly realizing we had something in our eyes. Damn allergies. Sniffle.
Finally, the episode overall: We watched with friends, and the opinion was divided. There was the group that thought it was creepy and ominous, that the unseen threat of infected, crazed neighbors who could turn on you at any time was scary as hell. Their comments ran along the lines of “Oh my god, anything could happen! Eeep!”
Then there was the group that thought the episode was kind of slow. They wanted overt violence, zombie riots and the occasional evisceration. Their comments went something like “They kept talking about explosions and making bombs, but nothing really happened? What the hell!”
What did you think? Creepy, or slow? High-tension, or boring? Were the brotherly moments satisfying or maudlin? Share!
Oh, and a quick note about fan-created stuff: No links today, since we have so much to digest from this episode. But we’ll be linking to some of your excellent suggestions over the hiatus and beyond. So keep sending those suggestions for comics, snarky writing, YouTube videos and other great examples of Supernatural fan art to cwsource@gmail.com!
Comments
Hey, just saying how much I love supernatural, especially because, Dean, is beautiful.
Posted by: jessica | December 11, 2007 4:32 PM
I love supernatural! If the creator reads these post I have something I would like to say to him and the writers, besides you did an awesome job, and that's Please bring back Missouri the lady that helped Dean and Sam clean house in season one. She was so hillarious, and I love that woman to death. She's such a great actress. Also please don't forget Jo! ;) Love the series and can't wait for Oct. 4th. LONG LIVE SUPERNATURAL!!!!
Posted by: Justin | September 24, 2007 1:25 AM
my name is jake i love supernatural its like my favorate show i watch it every week and im a big fan of u both but i sort of like deans character more because he is a bit more funny.my sister thinks the show is scary but i dont i think it is heaps mad.my favorate episode is the last one.the one coming up in two weeks looks sweet to.
Posted by: JAKE | April 9, 2007 5:59 PM
I've just been staying at home not getting anything done. I've basically been doing nothing worth mentioning. My life's been pretty unremarkable these days. Eh.
Posted by: Sten32286 | January 16, 2007 6:09 PM
you should keep doing what you are doing of making them sad and good moments of supernatural i am a big fan of the show i think of what you are doing is great it's funny i watch it every thusdays so keep doing what you are doing because i am one of your fans.
Posted by: malaka samuel | January 5, 2007 1:41 PM
I've just been staying at home waiting for something to happen. Whatever. Not much on my mind lately. I guess it doesn't bother me.
Posted by: TramadoL19795 | December 21, 2006 9:38 AM
That was creepy. Not because of the virus, but because of the feeling that something is coming. Something much more evil and dangerous that ever before. The atmosphere of the show is strong.
Anyway, I didn't like Duane becoming a new evil guy. I just don't like the actor. Meg was a lot cooler, and when she made her 'call' my hair stood on an end. When Duane did it, I was like "What the hell? Meg has a copyright on things like this!".
Posted by: Silence | December 16, 2006 9:32 AM
Awesome show but I miss the father, he was cool. Since that demon told Dean he was suffering in death I hope they can bring him back some time.
Posted by: Jim | December 13, 2006 12:39 PM
I have no references for this, but wasn't there a schedule change during the summer that meant everything got bumped back a week? I'm thinking (hoping) that originally this episode was intended to air back to back with the next one, and that the big pre-hiatus cliffhanger was going to happen at the end of that one, and that they were forced to re-shuffle things around because of the sched change. I'm hoping, coz as a cliffhanger, that was pretty lame, and I'm much happier if I can blame it on the PTB instead of a moment of clunky writing. :)
Also, please stop giving everything away in the promos!!! It drives me crazy that I know exactly whats going to happen from the ads!
Posted by: Anonymous | December 12, 2006 8:11 PM
I loved it. I frick'in loved it. I will admit I got VERY teary near the end. Ok, I bawled I sobbed, I admit it. Even though there was not as much action as I thought it would be I enjoyed the peek inside Dean's real feelings about hunting and Sam. So sad! Dean really scared me in this episode when he shoved Sam and ALMOST shot that guy. I really thought I would finally hear the secret about Sam. I read somwhere that the boys will meet up with Gorden again I wonder when. I being a Ellen\Jo\Ash\roadhouse fan hope to see more of them in the furture. CAn't wait till next eppisode!!
Posted by: mj | December 11, 2006 9:00 PM
I love a cliffhanger as much as the next guy, but geez, don't put in your promos that the secret will be revealed and then it isn't!
Completely awesome show and I echo everyone's comments on the brother's relationship, the humor, the terrific guest stars and moving the story arc forward more.
10/10 for me - with Jared and Jensen and the talents of Kripke, Singer, Manners and Shiban around, this is high quality network TV.
Posted by: Janine | December 11, 2006 11:46 AM
Intense is the first word that comes to mind when I think about this episode. For me the intensity of this episode never came down, even for a second...from Sam hesitating to shoot the younger Tanner brother to Dean killing that lady, to almost killing Jake Tanner, to staying with Sam and admitting how tired he was...OMG!!!! Especially that last scene that I mention, with Sam and Dean alone in the clinic...that moment was so heartbreaking, the look on both their faces...it tore my heart out and I loved it!!! I will say I almost felt a little disappointed in the end when it seemed like everything just disappeared for no reason...I should've known better, no way Krikpe and Co. would ever take an easy out like that; nope, of course not, they of course up the ante by introducing another one of the demon's children...man I didn't even suspect for a second that Jake was possessed...I actually can't wait to see more of him as a baddie. But the ending....ahhh...a part of me is ready to break something just to relieve some frustration, I really want to know what the secret is...but I am willing to wait...so just in case anyone is thinking of spoiling me...PLEASE DON'T!!! Can't wait until SN comes back in January!!!!
Posted by: A. Hui | December 11, 2006 9:06 AM
EXCITING NEWS!!!! SUPERNATURAL SEASON 2 EPISODES ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOADING (LEGALLY) ON iTUNES!!! k that's it =)
Posted by: kelsey | December 10, 2006 9:32 PM
Great episode. The humor "you have a neighbor called Mr. Rogers?" "Not anymore" LOL, and that was only one line. God I just love Dean's lines. That being said, this episode clinched it a lot for me. I found it rewarding not only in the creepy, what can happen, especially since the legend is tied to something that actually happened more than 500 yrs ago, but also because we saw the raw emotional Dean, the dark dangerous Dean, the heroic stance of Sam in wanting to have his brother leave him and finish himself off. Bringing to mind the part in the episode Faith, where Dean was dying and told his brother Sam would be leaving without him, in which Sam replied "I'm not going to leave you". Heh. Sam wanted Dean to leave him in Croatoan, and Dean pretty much said the same thing, though thinking it in a more permanent case.
This season has been great so far and I can only hope that it keeps delivering for a few more seasons, because I can't see myself getting sick and tired of the Brothers Winchesters anytime soon.
Posted by: hermitme | December 10, 2006 11:57 AM
I love this show and every episode they have had so far I just hope the station doesnt do to this show what they do to every other good one ...End it!!! I dont think I can handle another good show going off the air This show and one tree hill are my favs and to tell ya the truth I love the suspense when it comes to the secret and I prefer they dont tell it right away
Posted by: Jess | December 10, 2006 2:53 AM
Dean and Sam have now officially become my favorite characters ever. Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki play the brothers and their relationship with such intelligence and depth...so impressive.
The Impala also holds a place of honour on my favorite characters list. Dean pulling that half-donut was just about the hottest thing ever.
I really can't tell you how much I'm loving this show and the direction it's taken this season. Really. Just awesome.
I can't wait for the hiatus to be over.
Posted by: JustMe! | December 10, 2006 2:27 AM
omg this episode was AMAZING! i loved every minute of it. i mean not only was it creepy and scary with the whole infection thing and the creeepy small townspeople infecting/killing each other but the brotherly moments were just the best. both JA and JP should get awards i mean just that one scene when Sammy got infected and he wanted to kill himself to save Dean, but Dean wouldn't let him and instead stayed with him and would have died with him brought tears to my eyes. their acting was brillant in my opinion. they truely are the best brothers on tv right now.
and of coursee the episode had its funny moments. i was cracking up with the whole mr. rogers thing soo hilarous.
these episodes just keep getting better and better and i cannot wait for this stupid winter hiatus to be over so we can finally find out what the big secret is (even though i thought we would find out this episode but noo and when it went to black i was screaming at my tv pleasee Kripke no more cliffhangers! or at least dont trick us and make us think we are going to find out what happens and then don't)
one more thing thank you Roxanne for pointing out that it is Croatoan and not Croatian because I'm Croatian (its a country in Europe) and I definitly do not have a deadly virus that makes me violent and want to kill/infect people and when i read in my tv guide that the episode was called "Croatian" I was a bit offended
all in all awesome episode<33
Posted by: megan | December 10, 2006 12:18 AM
I think both actors were bloody fantastic, I loved the quiet 5 minutes the brothers had in that small room. No demons, nothing supernatural, no music(I miss that by the way!!!), just the two of them and the heart-wrenching confession. I simply loved it.
Back to the episode, Metallicar Mr Rogers Rulz and Meg 2.0 was unexpected. The ending was cool, I mean, I think everyone knew our dear Kripke would finish it this way:)
Posted by: Shasha | December 9, 2006 6:26 PM
It was a cool episode. Jared and Jensen looked GORGEOUS as usual, and their brotherly moments were soo cute..hm..i should find a place to audition for the next episode so i can be on the coolest show everrrrr and meet the hottest guys everrr! Rock on supernatural.
Posted by: Sana | December 9, 2006 6:10 PM
I entirely agree. I thought it was a low thing to do. We didn't need a "What is the secret" cliffhanger, we needed a "What will they do now that it's out" cliffhanger. I'm not going to kiss Kripke's behind for this one, it was a cheap trick.
The acting was great. No one sells being brothers like Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki, not even the Petrelli brothers on Heroes. It's because they come across not just as brothers who love each other as relatives but as best friends too. They are brothers but best friends as well.
Jensen needs to win something because he's terrific. You can really "feel" the weight Dean is carrying from everything and how hard he is trying to keep it together and how he keeps slipping. But he is still strong in his own way too, like when he was telling the former Marine no one was touching Sam. He's this young guy but he can more than stand up to anyone. He's a natural leader. And poor Sam, Jared was so good when Sam was crying and wanted Dean to leave.
Posted by: Emily | December 9, 2006 5:57 PM
Oh boys! they just keep ripping my heart out week after week. I think this has been Jared's best performance to date and Jensen, well, he just keeps blowing me away week after week.
I loved moody, claustrophobic feel while still keeping some of the humour that we've come to love. Dean's "Aaawk-ward" while completely inapproprite had me laughing out loud. Oh Dean you lovable sociopath you!Als the scene with Dean and The Sarge was hysterical and really well done. Too bad evil!Duane needed to call his evil!Daddy because I would have loved The Sarge to come back as a recurring character. So much better than the annyoying Roadhouse crew.
Speaking of evil!Duane I so did not see that coming.
I'm also starting to lean towards the idea that the doctor was also evil! because of the way evil! Duane just let her go.
The cliffhanger was a cheapshot but not a huge surprise. When does the evil!hiatus end anyway?
Posted by: fangirl | December 9, 2006 5:55 PM
man, i got so freakin' mad when the screen went black and dean was about to reveal the secret...i knew it was going to happen anyway..i just knew it...but i prayed to be wrong..but otherwise it was a kick ass episode, very very good...i just hope dean reveals the secret next episode, im dying to know it...but anyway, im looking forward to the next episode even though i've seen it already.
Posted by: Anonymous | December 9, 2006 10:15 AM
Kickass episode!!!!
I absolutely loved the scene between Dean and Sam when Sam was infected, talk about pulling at the heartstrings. Wasn't expecting Duane to be a demon, the humour was great. Not to mention it has made me really curious about the Roanoke colony which is huge because I zone out when it comes to anything slightly historical.
However I am currently in pursuit of Eric Kripke so that I can salt and burn him for that evil cliffie.
Posted by: Brie | December 9, 2006 6:51 AM
I KNEW IT ! I was pretty sure that we were not going to know the secret in this episode, but I kept hoping even at the end and the then screen went black... This is torture !!!
The part when Sam throught he was infected and ordered Dean to give him his gun and live... OMG Jared was awesome in that scene.
A LITTLE disapointed about the end of the episode but the brotherly moment was great. But darn Kripke 5 weeks.
Posted by: laura | December 9, 2006 6:06 AM
Farrrr out!
I think I'm still recovering from the episode. An awesomely brilliant episode, but Kripke. COME ON!!! Dude, you're trying to kill us here, dammit! No fair!!!
*sigh*
All will be forgiven if we are treated to a stellar return episode and more of the amazing talent of JA and JP in your storylines.
Posted by: Mab | December 9, 2006 1:12 AM
I actually stood up and yelled profanities at my TV at the end of this one. Kripke you are an awful horrible person. If you weren't the brillance behind the brothers I'd have to take out a hit on you.:)
People actually thought this one was slow? I had the opposite reaction. I thought it was perfectly paced. Of course every momment with Sam and Dean were gems. Jensen and Jared never seem to hit a sour note.
I will miss the Marine. His scenes with Dean were priceless. Great timing and the comic overtones were great. To bad the boy "Meg" offed him.
I will be going into official withdrawal till after the holiday hiatus.
Posted by: Ohiochix | December 9, 2006 12:14 AM
This was a wonderful episode and i am quite sad that people didn't see it for what it was. Plenty of surprises for me... especially the bit where Duane was the Demon! I also kind of like the fact that he left us with a cliffhanger... it is becoming a trademark or Kripke. I like having to think about it... the thoughts running through my head and seeing the ruckus around the forums. It creates a great buz!
Jared and Jensen were superb with their acting. I am quite impressed with the boys!
Posted by: anneabell | December 8, 2006 10:20 PM
I really, really enjoyed this episode. I predicted that it was going to end the way that it did, but I was hoping that they wouldn't of done it that way. I was more annoyed & angry at how they ended it then anything else.
The scene between Dean & Sam when they were locked in that room after Dean gave his car away to Sarge was an awesome scene. Bravo & major, MAJOR kudos to Jensen AND Jared for that!
Posted by: Laura | December 8, 2006 9:50 PM
Someone give Jensen Ackles an award for being a kickass actor. Really now he just keeps geting better and better....
This episode embodied everything we love about Kripke (the torture loving man he is) and this show. Yes I wanna rip his hair out because who isnt dying to know whats going on but there is so much more to contend with.
Come on, I mean did anyone else see Meg 2.0 coming ???
Love you Eric (and Jensen.. hugs to Jared)but Eric so help my heart you cant keep jolting it like you have. GIVE US SOMETHING and no not just all these great brother scenes where Jensen blows away the competition, GIVE US SOMETHING.
Oh and P.S... can we get some Jeff Morgan... please... even if its a flashback.
Posted by: Roxanne | December 8, 2006 7:18 PM
I don't agree with the rant about the non revelation.
That's what keeps an audience watching.
This episode was very good and the brothers interaction was amazing.
Jared and Jensen are two incredible actors and their performance in this one was super.
Jared especially was wonderful, the scene when Sam was crying was fantastic.
BTW the episode is called Croatoan, not Croatian.
Posted by: Sally | December 8, 2006 3:50 PM
Great episode. So what if it was slow moving. The whole senario was a test on Sam by the yellow eyed demon. Makes you wonder if all of Sam's visions are being given to him by the YED. Hmmm. How many other "tests" have been bestowed upon Sam?
Once again, both Jared & Jensen did fabulous jobs and keep getting better with each episode. The brotherly chemistry between the two is amazing and is what makes this show work.
In my opinion, Jensen is very deserving of an emmy nom for his performances. I hope he is recognized when the time comes.
As for the nonreveal of the big secret. Kripke, if you're reading this, I must say you are a tease.
Also, if anyone has thought about this: in the "Home" episode of season 1, what did Mary apologize to Sam for? Does anyone think maybe Mary knew something?
Posted by: jas | December 8, 2006 1:32 PM
The episode itself was fine...(yes, I always enjoy the brother bits..but getting to be much of a muchness there...) not "Devil's Trap" wonderful and not "Bugs" awful.
And, I know I'm in the minority here... BUT I can't agree that a competent episode makes up for the lack of...I'm lookin' for a word here, and respect is the only one that comes to mind... respect for the audience. look...jerk my chain, surprise me, scare me, frustrate me, annoy me... I'm fine with that. But don't do all that, do repeats for 2 weeks, THEN tell me you're going to reveal the BIG SECRET, NOT do it and then vanish for another 3 weeks!
This does not make me look kindly upon you, Mr. Kripke, et al.
My OFT made point about the lack of John applies here...
Posted by: bev | December 8, 2006 1:28 PM
Yes you're pissed off, Heather, but you'll come back to find out the secret. *evil smile* That's the point. Frustrating or not, Kripke knows we'll come back for that secret reveal. Count me in as a lover of this episode. I didn't need some cheesy zombie riots. THEY WEREN'T ZOMBIES. This was a tightly coiled character study. The scenes between Dean and Sam were worth the price of admission.
Posted by: lilyflower | December 8, 2006 1:19 PM
I thought this episode was kickass! Don't get me wrong, the end of the episode had me screaming at the tv (I'm surprised the neighbors didn't call the cops), but the amazingness of the rest of the show definitely outweighed this.
A few points:
1. Dean is freaking scary sometimes (but still in an amazing way =] ). Sam's vision in the beginning had me totally cringing and slightly scared of Dean and what he's capable of. It also freaked me out when Sam's vision was coming true and Dean shoved him across the room. If this was my first Supernatural episode, my gosh would I be freaked out by Dean.
2. They had some really hillarious lines in this episode. The whole Mr. Rogers thing was soo funny. Another great line was the whole "banging Lindsay Lohan" thing. My favorite line in the episode, though, was when Sam was like, "This is the dumbest thing you've ever done," and Dean says, "I don’t know about that. Remember that waitress in Tampa? *shivers*" Which brings me to...
3. The scene between Dean and Sam when Sam was infected. I was pretty much sobbing the whole time. Over-protective, would-die-for-his-brother Dean definitely outweighs scary Dean for me. He point blank refused to leave Sam even though he thought he was going to die if he stayed there, and I just love him for that. And, like pretty much everyone else, I absolutely broke down when Sam said that he wanted to kill himself so Dean could get away.
4. Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki's amazing acting abilities (try saying that ten times fast!). I think I actually forgot that Sam and Dean are not real people/brothers up until now. They are outstanding at their characters and Jared has grown so much. The scene that I mentioned above was absolutely perfect with incredible acting by both. Jensen and Jared's talent and chemistry together is just amazing and makes every scene 100% believable.
Overall: amazing episode. Definitely one that I'm going to watch over and over again even though I might just die if I see that cliffhanger one more time.
Oh, I almost forgot...The little scene between Sam and Dean at the way beginning of the episode when they were going back and forth with "Fine!" just killed me. Such a brother moment! =)
Posted by: kelsey | December 8, 2006 12:48 PM
Hey I loved the episode and I mean Kripke does like to keep it draging but I mean that is what makes tv... tv right? I also loved everything but I hated when Duane only had to touch blood to talk to the yellow eyed demon. I mean HELLO! Meg aka the demon's daughter had to say a little prayer of sorts and I mean she was the YED aka yellowed eyed demon's blood. Also Kripke ur 32???!!! I mean good work You are a better writer than Mark Schawhn who is 40 lol sorry found that funny.
Also CW Source I know could email you this but on youtube under BambiScott there are Supernatural cross vers with One Tree Hill giving Sam and Dean girlfriends lol.
Posted by: Bambi | December 8, 2006 11:39 AM
All in all I though the episode was fantastic! I loved the brotherly moments, loved the look on Dean's face when he saw the roadblock and the guy tried to con him out of the car. I loved the scene between Dean and Sarge yelling in the street. I agree there was tension and I was on the edge of my seat but that was because I was waiting for the secret! From commercials we all knew that Sam got infected and I had the nurse pegged from the start. I didn't think it was slow moving though, I really did enjoy it even if it was a little predicatable.
My heart went out to Dean when he talked about quitting and wanting to have a normal life and the grand canyon. I want the poor brothers to have all that - but then there wouldn't be a show. I feel bad for them. However I feel worse for my b/f because I'm sure he's got bruises after the episode went to black before the secret was revealed. He was sitting a little close when I exploded with a big 'what!'. I mean their catch for the episode was to watch to find out the secret and they didn't even tell us! I was sooo mad. I've been waiting for two weeks for this episode and now I watch it, and it's great but I don't find out what I watched to find out. OOohh.. I'm still steaming. Now I have to wait until after the holidays? FANTASTIC!
I will say though that I didn't see the demon twist at the end... but when it happened I found myself going 'oh gawwd.. not another meg.'. So I guess we'll have to see how that pans out.
Posted by: Sarah | December 8, 2006 11:29 AM
Amen! I was so goddam pissed off. II checked the time (4 mins to go) and said to myself, "I would have rather saved this episode till after winter break, just to avoid the month-long daggum cliffhanger." Still a good show, just got me extremely irked at the end.
And yes, all the Dean & Sam interactions were just fantastic. *melts*
Posted by: Heather | December 8, 2006 11:17 AM