The title of this episode "Shadow" has two meaning in this episode. First, there's the shadow monsters that try to kill the Winchester boys. But, there's also the fact that both boys continue to live in the shadow of their father and his quest. John and Sam are almost too much alike, as this episode shows. They both think that they can do things on their own and that their lives would somehow be easier if they could just "go their own way." In fact, all three Winchester's basically say as much this episode and they're all wrong. The Winchesters are stronger a group something that it will take them several more episodes to finally acknowledge. All in all this is an important episode for the season. It finally brings John & the boys together and it establishes Meg as a force to be reckoned with in the hunt for Mary's killer. You shouldn't miss this episode.
This episode revolves around Meg's return. The brothers head to Chicago to investigate a mysterious death. A woman has her heart ripped out inside her locked apartment. They also run into Meg, the "girl" from "Scarecrow." Of course, she's really a demon with a plan to kill the Winchesters. In fact, she lured them to town with a scheme to use them as bait for John. The brothers don't know what Meg is exactly, but they are suspicious of her sudden appearance. After finding out that several victims came from Lawrence, they call John.
Thinking that maybe Meg is connected to the demon who killed their mother, the boys are both excited and scared. Sam says that once they kill the demon, he and Dean can restart "normal" lives. Dean is shocked and angry that Sam would consider going back to college. He wants John, Sam, and himself to stay together. Sam insists that he can't live this life forever and that Dean must let him go his own way. Feelings are still strained between them as they head of to face Meg. She soon springs a trap of her own, capturing the boys. They have to work together to escape, Meg falls out a window, but lives.
John arrives and -after some tension from Sam- the boys are happy to see him. Unfortunately, the shadow monsters attack again. Sam kills them and the Winchesters escape. Sam wants to continue Hunting with John, but Dean says it's too dangerous. Feeling guilty that he lead his father into a trap, Dean says that they weaken John and John has to go his own way for now. Sam & Dean drive off in one direction and John goes in another.
There are some good parts of this episode. I like Sam & Dean dressed up the security guards. Dean's unhappy with the disguise. Disguises tend to make him feel uncomfortable and silly. (Except, when he gets to dress up in something so different than himself that he sees it as a joke, like priests or doctors. -see "Nightmare" and "Bloodlust." Or Firefighters. Dean likes Firefighters. -see "Devil's Trap" ) I think it might have something to do with the confident mask that Dean feels that he must keep in place all the time. In this episode, he can't admit that he's worried about facing the demon that might have killed Mary. And then, when Sam says that he still longs to return to school, Dean's first instinct is to cover his hurt and fear with indifference. Anyway, Dean's grumbling that the repairmen disguises remind him of a high-school drama club is cute. Especially, when it's revealed that Sammy once had a starring roll in "Our Town" when he was in school. Which is not only a nice choice of play for the show, considering the Winchesters rootless existence. But it also means that Dean must've gone to SEE Sam in the play, which is really kinna sweet.
I also love Meg. I think that she's one of the coolest villains on the show. Her interactions with the boys are just so fun. Also, the shadow monsters in this episode are just really creepy and cool. They're invisible, except for their shadows on the walls. And when the first woman dies it's when listening to her answering machine. The voice says something like, "Now, I know the last guy I introduced you to ripped out you're heart, but THIS one..." The the shadow monster rips out her heart. Yeah. I'll admit it. I laughed. Plus, I can never get enough of people calling poor Sammy a pervert. It's just funny.
Probably the most interesting scenes in "Shadow" are with John and the boys, though. Like I said, this episode sets-up the idea that the Winchesters are stronger as a team. Sam insists that he wants his old life back, but it's pretty obvious that -no matter what- he can never be a normal kid. He needs Dean to survive. John says that he has to find and kill Mary's killer alone. But, it becomes clear in later episodes that he needs his boys to succeed. And Dean just wants his family together. Hunting is the only life he knows. He, literally, has nothing but Sam & John. When Sam says that things can't be the way they once were, Dean is crushed. But, as the series goes along, it becomes clear that they're both right. Sam is correct and they can't go back to what the had before, but Dean is right in that they have to create some new life together. The Winchesters need each other if they're going to defeat their internal and external enemies.
On the down side, Meg's plan seems pretty complicated. Aren't there easier ways to trap John?
My favorite part of the episode: Dean discovering that Sam complained about him to Meg, "You've been b*tching about me to some chick?" It's just sounds exactly like something a real brother would say.
18 out of 21 found this helpful.
Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
