This episode is like a two-edged blade: On first viewing, it seems to make fun out of the TV shows that *did* jump the shark: see the diner's name and the poster right beside the door inside the diner. The 'Jumping the Shark' trope is defined as a show seemingly changing significantly but soon proving its actually run out of ideas. It's obvious that Supernatural does *not* jump the shark with this episode, but at its end it also seems that this episode serves no purpose whatsoever, *especially* considering the "Then" recap containing so many Mytharc moments. What relevance does this, in the end, have regarding the Mytharc?
The cleverness of this episode is, however, also its weak point. The writers are placing very subtle hints in the episode, making sure that they are not inadvertently placing spoilers, all of which sadly means that the episode is likely to feel like a filler, or worse, a spectacularly wasted opportunity. In retrospect, one is likely to realize that this was not a wasted opportunity, but a trick. The problem is, in order for the trick to work in the long run, characters *have* to act stupidly and that is just plain bad writing.
Sam and Dean are the *best* Hunters in the world. They have found out enough - they should be able to figure out what is going on. The revelations in this episode. That, in the previous episode, Lilith said to Sam that she will not survive the Apocalypse. That, at the end of #4.16, Castiel said Dean is supposed to be the one who stops Lucifer. The whole Sam - Dean - John dynamic. At the very least, Sam and Dean should be asking questions. But the trick *demands* that they don't. That is the flaw.
What the writers have given us viewers to work with (supposing we *want* to try to work with what they've given us): Something that Zachariah said in the previous episode. Something neither Sam nor Dean heard, but if the viewer *really* starts to piece the puzzle together, they should be able to figure out what will happen. Weren't it for the flaws, the trick would have been brilliant. Now it all amounts to just a 7/10.
The cleverness of this episode is, however, also its weak point. The writers are placing very subtle hints in the episode, making sure that they are not inadvertently placing spoilers, all of which sadly means that the episode is likely to feel like a filler, or worse, a spectacularly wasted opportunity. In retrospect, one is likely to realize that this was not a wasted opportunity, but a trick. The problem is, in order for the trick to work in the long run, characters *have* to act stupidly and that is just plain bad writing.
Sam and Dean are the *best* Hunters in the world. They have found out enough - they should be able to figure out what is going on. The revelations in this episode. That, in the previous episode, Lilith said to Sam that she will not survive the Apocalypse. That, at the end of #4.16, Castiel said Dean is supposed to be the one who stops Lucifer. The whole Sam - Dean - John dynamic. At the very least, Sam and Dean should be asking questions. But the trick *demands* that they don't. That is the flaw.
What the writers have given us viewers to work with (supposing we *want* to try to work with what they've given us): Something that Zachariah said in the previous episode. Something neither Sam nor Dean heard, but if the viewer *really* starts to piece the puzzle together, they should be able to figure out what will happen. Weren't it for the flaws, the trick would have been brilliant. Now it all amounts to just a 7/10.