SPN 2x12: Night Shifter

[vaznetti]

So I almost have thoughts about the larger structure of the episode, but there's mostly just the usual mess of commentary under the cut.


AAAHHHHH!!!!! I loved this episode so much -- solid MOTW with references to earlier episodes, but a break from the Sam's destiny sweepstakes. I have wanted an episode like this for a while.

Also, "Bonnie to Your Clyde" will never not be funny and awesome.

So this was mostly about identity, wasn't it? The way everyone is shifting in and out of a set of identities -- Ronald is a hunter, or starting to become a hunter, but not really, and it gets him killed. And Sam and Dean, playing at being FBI at the start and bank security in the middle, and part of the SWAT team at the end -- with the real FBI and the real SWAT team getting closer and closer.

And Agent Hendrickson (was that his name) is a hunter too, in a way -- he's put together some of the pieces, but not all of them. Like Ronald, but it won't be Hendrickson who gets killed because he doesn't know quite enough, not today. And he knows that there's a monster in there, but he doesn't know what it is. I wonder what he'll make of the hostages' stories.

So it was all about lies and disguise, and I really love it when Sam lies, because he does it so well, and he justifies it so well. That whole scene with Ronald was eerie, and his justification to Dean -- Dean, who did see Ronald as a potential hunter, I think, or someone who was close to that. (But by the way, what has Sam done to his hair?)

And the episode pushed Sam and Dean even farther from what might support them -- first from the other hunters, who may now see Sam, at least, as a monster, and now to have the long arm of the law after them. Not that they were ever quite on the same side, but Dean's line about the police doing their job was telling -- he thought that they were doing the same job, more or less. Not any more. Or at least -- not he knows for sure that they don't think so.

I just loved the exchange between Sam and the girl in the vault.
"Who is that man?"
"He's my brother," and Sam is so reluctant when he says it. And her "He's so brave," response. Sam's expression there just killed me. Beautiful.

I did have a couple questions, like how was Dean and Sam wandering off on their own to look for the shapeshifter not the stupidest idea ever? Especially because it seems that shapeshifters are clearly much stronger than human beings, and thus could overpower Sam or Dean and become them. Which is what I thought was happening at various points in the episode.

I think my "Oh, Dean" response is back on line, because oh, Dean. He just destroyed me in that phone call with Hendrickson, when he realized just how screwed he is, and Sam. And note that it's OK for him to criticize John in a moment of stress or anger, but no one else (and by the way, thank you, Agent Hendrickson, for providing a little more information on their childhood). Sniffle. You tell him, Dean.

And when he hangs up the phone, and he knows just how bad it is, now.

The end was wonderful -- Sam taking out the members of the SWAT team (which, whatever, handwave!), and just the boots, when Dean looks up after killing the shape-shifter. And the way they escaped, for not at least, but seriously, they are so screwed.

And I loved this episode so much.


Also, a totally appropriate icon!

Comments

[rosekay.livejournal.com]

Sam's facial expressions throughout the episode were GOLDEN. He was totally playing Scully to Dean's Mulder in that first scene with Ron.

[ageofaquarius.livejournal.com]

As usual, you have much more to say than me. I loved this episode is all I got.

[hossgal.livejournal.com]

Mostly with the yah and ITA, but yes, identity, and how much who we are is what we believe ourselves to be - crazy, helping people, right in our convictions, the sons of a good man, lost, on the job, undefeated.

- hg

[musesfool.livejournal.com]

Wow, you're good at the immediate post-ep analysis. I'm still flailing from the awesome. But yes, identity and who we are v. how others see us, and the shifts between.

Plus, they have a nemesis now! I hope this Hendrickson guy shows up again.

[dotfic.livejournal.com]

So this was mostly about identity, wasn't it? The way everyone is shifting in and out of a set of identities -- Ronald is a hunter, or starting to become a hunter, but not really, and it gets him killed. And Sam and Dean, playing at being FBI at the start and bank security in the middle, and part of the SWAT team at the end -- with the real FBI and the real SWAT team getting closer and closer.

Yes! With all of Sam and Dean's costume changes?

Also, there's no such thing as ignorant and safe in the SPNverse. It's more disguise, in a way -- pretend to Ronald there's nothing strange going on.

[destina.livejournal.com]

And Agent Hendrickson (was that his name) is a hunter too, in a way -- he's put together some of the pieces, but not all of them. Like Ronald, but it won't be Hendrickson who gets killed because he doesn't know quite enough, not today. And he knows that there's a monster in there, but he doesn't know what it is. I wonder what he'll make of the hostages' stories.

There are a number of questions he needs to be asking, logical problems that would strike a true agent right away, that I'd like to see played out over the course of his hunt for Dean and Sam. If it happens, it'll be most interesting to see.

[sugareey.livejournal.com]

Hendrickson better come back or else. It's fun when there's a nemisis, besides the occasional evil things like demons and spirits. I mean really. It'll only take time before Dean gets pissed off enough to show him what he's got. Muhahahaha.

The boys never fail to amaze us. With their actions or their hotness.

[aliskye.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much! I loved this episode but when I had the phone call with my best-est friend :) afterward to recap, he didn't like it and I couldn't articulate why I did. I'm just going to direct him to your review and go: there...that's why! :)

You don't mind if I add you to my friend list, do you?