"In My Time of Dying" is basically the final part of the season one cliff hanger. It kicks of season two in such a bold and surprising way that, really, I think it's one of my favorite episodes of the series. I actually like season two better than season one, because of risks it takes in its storytelling. It deepens the mythology arc and the characters, really creating some incredible story lines. Season two is all about the brothers dealing with Sam's powers and John's death, both of which are factors in "In My Time of Dying." If you're going to watch the season, you really need to start with this episode.
"In My Time Dying" revolves around Dean nearly dying. After the car crash in "Devil's Trap," he's in a coma, but walking around outside of his body. John & Sam are okay, but are worried about Dean, who the doctors say won't wake up. Sam is convinced that they need to use some kind of supernatural hoo-doo to mojo him back. But John doesn't seem very focused on that. He insists that Sam go and get the Colt from the trunk on the crashed Impala. Meanwhile, a Reaper is after Dean, trying to get him to leave this plane. (Or something. She's not real specific on what exactly the plan is.) But she says that Dean must go with her or be stuck as an angry spirit forever. Dean is torn. He fears becoming the very thing he hunts. (see season three's "Maleus Malifacarum.") But he also doesn't want to leave Sam and John. What he doesn't know is that John is cutting a deal with the YED. He's tracing the Colt and his own life to save Dean. Dean wakes up, but John dies in his place.
There are some great parts to this episode. I like watching Sam & John shout at each other as they try and figure out the best way to help Dean. Without Dean there to play peacemaker, the two of them have a hard time communicating. Plus, it's interesting how much Sam identifies the Impala with Dean. He won't give up on fixing the Impala because it would like giving up on his brother. I also like the boys trying to communicate through the talking board. Dean mutters that he feels like he's a slumber party, but he sits there and tries it, which is cute. I'm not sure that the talking board is really doing anything in its own right, though. Sam had been "sensing" Dean for most of the episode. Using Dean's words and hearing him. I think the connection between the brothers was what was enabling them to talk, the talking board was just giving them a way to do it. And it's sweet that when Dean wakes up out of his body he's still more concerned about John and Sam than his own problems. He's the one who reacts with relief when the doctor says John is awake, Sam just wants to know how Dean is. And when he's almost taken by the Reaper, Dean takes the time to reassure Sam that he won't leave him. I'm not sure if Dean would've gone with the Reaper even after she told him he could go evil if he stayed. Not if it meant leaving Sammy, which fits in with season 3. It's interesting that the episode never shows his final choice, so it can be read either way. Finally, I just love the YED. He's so wonderfully evil.
The best, most heartbreaking parts of this episode come from the talks between John and Dean, though. At first, when Dean's a ghost, he's ranting at John for not trying to save him. John just sits silently by his bedside, as Dean paces around, furious that he's given everything to John and John isn't trying to save him now. But, as the episode goes on we see that John IS doing something to save his son. He's trading his life to save Dean's. When he talks to Dean for the last time, he starts to cry. Explaining that he put too much on Dean's shoulders and that he's always been so proud of the way Dean kept the family going. Dean instantly knows that something is wrong with his father, and asks what's going on. But John presses forward, telling Dean to watch out for Sammy. Dean automatically says that he will, but what he doesn't know yet what John means. (The full truth will come out in "Hunted.") But really John's telling Dean three separate things with that statement. 1)Protect Sam. 2)Dean should protect HIMSELF from Sam. 3)Dean should watch for changes in Sam. It's just great writing.
On the down side, I miss John. Also, I'm sorry that Dean doesn't remember any of his out-of-body experience after he wakes up. It would be nice if he could recall how John and Sam worked to save him. Also, if John knew how to summon the YED why didn't he try that when he first got the Colt? Also, I'm not sure how the idea of trapped spirits in this episode ties in with "Roadkill" later in the season.
My favorite part of the episode: Dean's a smashing a glass as a ghost and saying "Dude, I full on Swayzed that mother!" Perfect line.
"In My Time Dying" revolves around Dean nearly dying. After the car crash in "Devil's Trap," he's in a coma, but walking around outside of his body. John & Sam are okay, but are worried about Dean, who the doctors say won't wake up. Sam is convinced that they need to use some kind of supernatural hoo-doo to mojo him back. But John doesn't seem very focused on that. He insists that Sam go and get the Colt from the trunk on the crashed Impala. Meanwhile, a Reaper is after Dean, trying to get him to leave this plane. (Or something. She's not real specific on what exactly the plan is.) But she says that Dean must go with her or be stuck as an angry spirit forever. Dean is torn. He fears becoming the very thing he hunts. (see season three's "Maleus Malifacarum.") But he also doesn't want to leave Sam and John. What he doesn't know is that John is cutting a deal with the YED. He's tracing the Colt and his own life to save Dean. Dean wakes up, but John dies in his place.
There are some great parts to this episode. I like watching Sam & John shout at each other as they try and figure out the best way to help Dean. Without Dean there to play peacemaker, the two of them have a hard time communicating. Plus, it's interesting how much Sam identifies the Impala with Dean. He won't give up on fixing the Impala because it would like giving up on his brother. I also like the boys trying to communicate through the talking board. Dean mutters that he feels like he's a slumber party, but he sits there and tries it, which is cute. I'm not sure that the talking board is really doing anything in its own right, though. Sam had been "sensing" Dean for most of the episode. Using Dean's words and hearing him. I think the connection between the brothers was what was enabling them to talk, the talking board was just giving them a way to do it. And it's sweet that when Dean wakes up out of his body he's still more concerned about John and Sam than his own problems. He's the one who reacts with relief when the doctor says John is awake, Sam just wants to know how Dean is. And when he's almost taken by the Reaper, Dean takes the time to reassure Sam that he won't leave him. I'm not sure if Dean would've gone with the Reaper even after she told him he could go evil if he stayed. Not if it meant leaving Sammy, which fits in with season 3. It's interesting that the episode never shows his final choice, so it can be read either way. Finally, I just love the YED. He's so wonderfully evil.
The best, most heartbreaking parts of this episode come from the talks between John and Dean, though. At first, when Dean's a ghost, he's ranting at John for not trying to save him. John just sits silently by his bedside, as Dean paces around, furious that he's given everything to John and John isn't trying to save him now. But, as the episode goes on we see that John IS doing something to save his son. He's trading his life to save Dean's. When he talks to Dean for the last time, he starts to cry. Explaining that he put too much on Dean's shoulders and that he's always been so proud of the way Dean kept the family going. Dean instantly knows that something is wrong with his father, and asks what's going on. But John presses forward, telling Dean to watch out for Sammy. Dean automatically says that he will, but what he doesn't know yet what John means. (The full truth will come out in "Hunted.") But really John's telling Dean three separate things with that statement. 1)Protect Sam. 2)Dean should protect HIMSELF from Sam. 3)Dean should watch for changes in Sam. It's just great writing.
On the down side, I miss John. Also, I'm sorry that Dean doesn't remember any of his out-of-body experience after he wakes up. It would be nice if he could recall how John and Sam worked to save him. Also, if John knew how to summon the YED why didn't he try that when he first got the Colt? Also, I'm not sure how the idea of trapped spirits in this episode ties in with "Roadkill" later in the season.
My favorite part of the episode: Dean's a smashing a glass as a ghost and saying "Dude, I full on Swayzed that mother!" Perfect line.
