Episode Title: “Road Trip”
Writer: Andrew Dabb
Director: Robert Singer
Previously on “Supernatural”
As “Supernatural” returns from its mid-season break, Robert Singer steps in as director of his second episode this season. The first, “Slumber Party,” was a unique take on L. Frank Baum’s “The Wizard of OZ,” leaving most critics lukewarm. However, I loved it. It was fresh, which is something that “Supernatural’s” mythology has always been, even if the Wicked Witch was way too powerful.
The larger tone of the show has been stagnant. Does having a base of operations really limit the stories coming out of the writer’s room? Regardless, “Holy Terror” was an episode that got the show back on track, and at a high cost in the case of Kevin Tran (Osric Chau). At this point, I hope that “Supernatural” has got its case of the stand-alones out of their system.
“Road Trip” is a sort of return to form kind of episode, one that seeks to make relevant use of Crowley (Mark Sheppard) for once, and recover subplots that were abandoned. To a character on the show, having a demon on hand seems like a handy object. To the viewer, it’s called an unused subplot.With Gadreel also revealed in Sam’s (Jared Padalecki) body at the end of the last episode, it’s most likely that Castiel (Misha Collins) and Crowley will begin to play a greater role in the show.
Picking up where the last episode’s emotional high left off, Dean feels the weight of Kevin’s death. A beautiful montage with what sounds like Bob Seger playing in the background; an homage to season six’s first episode “Exile on Main Street.” Kevin is treated to a hunter’s death, burning on a pyre like the Greeks of old, Bobby (Jim Beaver), and John Winchester.
“Road Trip” is a unique episode, while feeling very ordinary. In essence, it’s a “monster of the week” story, only, the monster is Sam. Well, the monster is within him. Sure, they’ve played this card before, but they’ve never fully worn it out. The angel possessing Sam also occupies a bit of a gray are himself; the good in the angel Gadreel tends to scratch at the walls. He clearly wants to be in heaven, but the choices he makes come with a heavy guilt. As it stands, Sam/Gadreel is acting as the muscle for Metatron (Curtis Armstrong), eliminating targets Metatron deems necessary. We also get more of Gadreel’s back story in this episode. When Sam/Gadreel is finally captured, Crowley and company devise a plan to reach Sam’s consciousness by using the same techniques that were employed on the angel Alfie last season. Upon hearing the name Gadreel, Castiel informs us that he’s responsible for letting Lucifer into the Garden of Eden at the beginning of time, and until the Fall, was kept in a Heavenly prison.
Dean and Castiel are relying heavily on Crowley in this episode. Crowley still feel stagnant at times, like he’s barely needed. But the comedy that Crowley injects into the episode provides a great balance. Whether he’s calling “shotgun” on a ride-a-long, or calling Dean’s (Jensen Ackles) Impala a fallacy, the writers expose the best parts of the character, even if he’s not utilized in the best manner. When he does matter, Mark Sheppard reminds us just how great he is in the role of Crowley. Like Sam, he’s operating in areas of gray here. Even when Crowley has a choice, he chooses to help. Until last season, Crowley has had very little character development. Granted, it’s hard to make a character that heavily favors one side more relatable. Since Jeremy Carver has taken over as showrunner, we’ve seen a ton of developments. Crowley helps the Winchester’s more than he has in previous episodes. It’s earned him more than just a few measly guest spots; I’d love to see him as a regular in the future.
Speaking of unused subplots, “Supernatural” finally addresses the Abaddon (Alaina Huffman) problem as her role is reprised. In Crowley’s absence, she’s taken over his duties in hell, though not much else is revealed. The writers have squandered a strong female antagonist in Alaina Huffman, but “Road Trip” is an episode, that underneath asks for forgiveness for its sins. From its fans, its characters, everyone. It also forges new beginnings; for Crowley, it’s to take back the domain that was taken from him. For Sam and Dean, it’s damage control between each other. It’s no surprise that the brothers split at the end of the episode. This isn’t the first time they’ve done so, but it feels so deserved at this point, especially when you consider Sam’s readiness to die in “I Think I’m Going to Like It Here,” only to have it snatched away at the hands of a deceiving angel. In “Supernatural’s” history to date, it’s hard to blame either side. We may have made it here, but this show has always been about two brothers who share the same destiny. Of course they’ll be reunited later this season.
“Road Trip” is an episode that fans have been waiting for all season long. It balances its subplots well, revisiting ones that have been loose and on the ground since episode two, while moving the story forward. With Gadreel out of Sam’s body, Tahmoh Penikett is able to reprise his role on the show.
A big gaping hole still exists in the larger angel infested world. “Supernatural” dropped the ball early on with the angels, and they haven’t recovered yet. With the focus lifted from Sam, maybe the angels can come to the forefront and play a bigger role in the season long arc of the show.
For the first time since the premiere episode of season nine, I can start to see where the individual plots are beginning to draw together, and if I’m correct, it will lead to a giant angel/demon clash. The way that Jeremy Carver and the writing team bring those plots together will carry the bulk of the remainder of the season. “Supernatural” is showing promise again, let’s hope it can keep it up until the end.
