Supernatural: Castiel, Jimmy and Sam the Junkie
Misha blew us away as he morphed between bad-ass, otherworldly angel Castiel and hapless family man Jimmy Novak. Everything about him changed -- the set of his shoulders, the timbre of his voice, the fluidity or his movements, the aura of strength or vulnerability he projected, even the look in his eyes. When we saw him possessed -- or should that be inhabited? -- by Castiel for the first time, when his daughter called out to him, and he responded "I am not your father," we got chills. Bravo.
The reason we got this powerhouse performance is that Castiel was somehow ejected from Jimmy's body after some serious angel-on-angel ass-kicking. The boys are dismayed to find Cas has left the building, but Jimmy is glad he's gone. "Having an angel inside of you, it's kind of like being chained to a comet," Jimmy says. "I've been shot and stabbed and healed and my body's been dragged all over the earth. By some miracle, I'm out, and I'm done."
Not so fast -- Sam thinks that Jimmy is safest with them. Jimmy claims he doesn't remember anything he learned from Castiel, but Sam doesn't think the demons will buy that. But Jimmy sneaks away when Sam is getting a demon blood fix (more on that later) and makes it home. His wife, Amelia, is wary -- you were gone for a year! We thought you were dead! -- but she reluctantly lets him see his daughter, Claire, after he says that he was delusional, he got help, and he's better. "Better" includes declining to say grace before dinner for the first time ever.
The reunion is short-lived -- demons take over some neighbors and come for Jimmy. The boys rescue them, but there's a bit of trouble when Sam's hand mojo fails him. Fortunately, Dean has the demon-killing knife. They make their escape, and Sam again tells Jimmy he has to get away from his family:
Jimmy: How long? And don't give me that cross that bridge when we get to it crap.Wow. That was blunter than necessary, Sam. We're guessing demon-blood-withdrawal is a bitch.
Sam: Don't you get it? Forever. The demons will never stop, you can never be with your family. You either get as far away from them as possible, or you put a bullet in your head. That's how you keep your family safe. But there's no getting out and there's no going home.
Dean: Well, don't sugarcoat it, Sam.
Jimmy sees the logic and leaves with the boys. Too bad one of the demons possessed his wife. She takes the daughter hostage and tells Jimmy to give himself up. The boys and Jimmy return for her, and Jimmy screams at Castiel for abandoning him and his family when he promised he'd protect them. The boys are quickly captured by henchdemons, and DemonAmelia gloats, then shoots Jimmy in the gut. She instructs a henchdemon to kill Claire, But when they get to her, light pours from her eyes and she puts the angel whammy hand on them and casts them out. Castiel is in Claire! While CastiClaire is depossessing demons, Sam and Dean do their best to kick butt. Sam cuts one of the demons with the demon-killing knife... and then he gives into his addiction and sucks the blood right out of her neck, in full view of Dean. He stands up, blood smeared across his mouth and chin, and uses his hand-mojo to great effect. The secret is out...
CastiClaire tells Jimmy that his work is done -- he can now rest in the fields of the Lord, while Cas will continue using Claire. Jimmy begs Cas to take him back, let his daughter go. Castiel agrees. He's back in the body we know so well. We have our angel back, but Amelia and Claire have lost Jimmy for good. And Castiel has changed -- when Dean asks what Castiel wanted to tell him in that dream, Castiel isn't talking. "I learned my lesson while I was away, Dean. I serve heaven. I don't serve man, and I certainly don't serve you." Uh-oh.
But we're not done yet! Sam finally breaks the silence and tells Dean to hit him, yell at him, whatever he wants. When Dean refuses to react, Sam offers to explain himself:
Dean: Don't. I don't care.Oof. Has Dean really given up on Sam?
Sam: You don't care
Dean: What do you want me to say, that I'm disappointed? Yeah, I am. But mostly I'm just tired, man. I'm done. I'm just done.
Well, no -- because when they get to Bobby's, Bobby asks Sam to check out his demon-proof panic room. Sam wanders inside.
Sam: So, uh, what' the big demon problem?Dean and Bobby slam the door shut, locking him in. It's time for a little demon-blood detox, and we're not quite sure everyone will survive... What did you think? Were you as impressed by Misha as we were? Did you like the way the story flowed? Talk!
Bobby: You are. This is for your own good.
Comments
I loved this episod, one of my favorite episod. Misha is a great actor. I love Castiel. I'm sure he hasn't change. But he must obey. For the last episod I hope we'll see the true Cas.
Posted by: Viviane | May 14, 2009 4:41 AM
Misha Collins has done a swell job in his role. Hes been a total douchebag and thats what the role is calling for now. I liked his old demeanor near the begining when he actually tried to help dean more but i suppose if a role calls for it the role calls for it. I also think sam is kick ass. Epic story line and please god let him kick ass in this finale.
Posted by: Chris | May 14, 2009 12:57 AM
I totally agree with Kelly & Ruth. This episode was boooring. No offence Misha. but this show about Winchesters Boy. Not about some angel.
Posted by: Tehhi | May 4, 2009 11:54 AM
Dullest episode of this series ever. No offense to Misha he's not a bad actor but I couldn't care less about a seeming supporting character's story, when will the writers learn to do things in moderation three episodes to the end of the season climax and they WASTE ONE ON THIS?
Waste of an episode but addict Sam was a thing to behold. I can't wait to see the fallout next week.
Though locking him up is incredibly harsh when he hasn't hurt anyone yet.
Go Sam!
Posted by: Ruth | May 3, 2009 9:45 AM
I am totally in love with Castiel. i was so sad the way it turned out with Jimmy, and the new Cas :( i hope we get the old Cas back. but ive heard whispers, that the old Castiel does come back with a bang - And he gives dean some of his Angel mojo to make him stronger to stop lucifer...and as for Sam shame on you, we dont want you to be lucifers vessel!
Posted by: cassiel | May 2, 2009 6:10 PM
I thought the whole episode was fantastic!! Loved it. Misha was amazing. And I'm so glad Dean now knows how far off the range Sam really is. I ust hope this detox works. Because it will break my heart to have to watch my Dean fight Sam. Sam needs help, and finally he's gonna get it. Let's just hope it works cause if it doesn't I fear what Dean will have to do.
Posted by: Christi | May 2, 2009 5:40 PM
I really enjoyed the episode. I like seeing the story behind Castiel's possession of Jimmy. Misha kicked butt with his acting! Brilliantly done.
I loved how Sam's addiction is really showing through now, that he was suffering withdrawal. He thought he could control it, but he can't. He's become a junkie. Oh, Poor Sam!!!!
Loved the Dean and Bobby intervention at the end.
While many will not like the episode because it was essentially Sam and Dean lite, I don't mind because it meant that Jared and Jensen had the oppportunity for a little time off to recharge their batteries before the final two eps were filmed.
Posted by: Kim | May 2, 2009 5:34 PM
i loved this episode
just absolutely AWESOME!
and Misha is just gorgeous and very very talented! :D
can not wait for the next episode, looks mind-blowing!
Posted by: cecilia | May 2, 2009 11:37 AM
Misha Collins was fantastic! It was great to see the evolution of Jimmy from a religious nut to someone tired and willing to compromise to someone who sacrifices himself to save his family. Misha, even within the personality of Jimmy, was able to convey these changes. And when he goes from Jimmy to Castiel - amazing! Even his voice completely changes.
Posted by: Kathy | May 1, 2009 10:47 PM
I confesse that I was expecting more about this episode ,but in the end was very good. This wasn't the best of supernatural ,but isn't the worst.I was expecting this episode because of Cass.
I have to say that i'm amazzed with Misha Collins (since 4X01 (:.),I love the work that he is doing as Castiel ,no one would do better.On this episode ,on the moment that he is Jimmy we can such talent actor he is.The way that he change his voice ,his shoulder ,walk ,eyes, oh my god ...Misha ,congratulations for your job.
PS: Jared sucking blood in front of Dean was to much for me ,I feel that this is the end for the brothers. )=
Posted by: Bárbara | May 1, 2009 8:05 PM
i did NOT expect Dean to find out about Sam THAT WAY!!!
holy smoke ... the last two episodes are gonna rock and then its gonna to be a VERY LONG, LONG summer ;)
Posted by: Elaine | May 1, 2009 6:31 PM
i thought it was a hecka kick ass episode. besides i do like supernatural delving into how his vessel became posessed by castiel.
it was great to say the least. some minor parts of misha's performance was a little iffy but overall it was amazing. you guys were right! i loved how he changed his voice a bit and his posture too.
i love cas, but from a completely objective pov, i still think it was a great ep!! i cannot wait for the season finale!
Posted by: jessica | May 1, 2009 6:17 PM
I thought this episode was really boring, mostly because I don't like Misha's acting. He seems like a fun person, but his work is subpar. I don't care about any of his characters. Jimmy was nothing more than expected, and Castiel is duller than dirt and has been this entire season.
There feels like no point to this episode. Nothing happened here that couldn't have happened in a general monster of the week episode. There's no reason to devote an entire episode to Castiel/Misha except to make the fangirls happy. As someone who isn't a fan, this was just not the episode for me.
Posted by: Kelly | May 1, 2009 4:31 PM
I was so sad to see Castiel like this, I hope the old Cas comes back and that he is acting like that for a good reason.I really love Misha, he is such a good actor.
Posted by: Alexia | May 1, 2009 3:12 PM