Supernatural (TV Series) Taxi Driver (2013) User Reviews

Rushed, but overall a good episode

[chelsea-mills · 10/10 · 27 April 2013]

The episode premise was very good and interesting, and, like mentioned before, this episode had its good and bad moments, but the positive did outweigh the negative.

The biggest negative seemed to be that the episode was rushed. I would have been a nice two- parter episode and replaced one of the weaker "Monster of the Week" episodes. The beginning in particular felt rushed, but the process of acquiring the information has been done a hundred times, and it does seem redundant after awhile, so perhaps the fact that it was done in 5 minutes isn't a bad thing.

However, we haven't seen Hell or Purgatory too much, so these parts should have been extended. Sadly, they were not. I would complain about Hell not being scary, but the show does have to deal with not only being TV-appropriate, but budget issues. Additionally, although Supernatural can be gory at times, it hasn't been too scary or disturbing since earlier seasons (and even then it was pretty lightweight), so a realistic portrayal of Hell probably wouldn't have appealed to a large portion of the audience (my opinion anyways)

Also, I feel like Supernatural got a new editor or editing software or something? I know it sounds stupid but their special effects seem to have not necessarily improved but they do have a different feel to them this season.

Manages to tie things together well

[CubsandCulture · 10/10 · 7 September 2020]

This is one of the most plot driven and transitory episodes that happens in the season. It largely exist to end character storyline-i.e. Benny-while forwarding the central narrative-i.e. the trials-while giving some fan service-i.e. Bobby without a story in itself to tell. I would not give the script high marks for originality but I do give it high marks for a smoothness and ease of which it blends together all these threads into a whole that works. I especially think the Benny story wrapped up in a satisfactory manner.

Very entertaining, had me hooked

[shwetafabm · 9/10 · 26 June 2020]

I liked the first trial and this one too. While the first was more of a motw this one has a lot of series plot in it. With a lot happening and some tragic news. I like how it connected. I did not like the repear tho... How is he shown so powerless, pretty much human, makes no sense that he would even work for the boys also wasn't a fan of the potrayal of hell, Dean's hell was so scary. But all in all this was the most excitement and character filled episode.

Back to Normal

[danajs24 · 9/10 · 3 September 2016]

Back to the excellence that I have come to expect from Supernatural. Just main story line, not a side adventure, with Sam going to hell to free Bobby (awesome) and send him to his rightful place in heaven. Something that bugged me a bit about this is that they couldn't figure out how to get in or out of purgatory for half a season, and then they figured it out twice in an episode with the freelancing reaper and then bailing Sam back out. Crowley caught Kevin finally, so that could be the very end of him thankfully, but has put a stop on the trial train that Sam is on. Further, I don't think this trial thing is going to work, as they would never put the kabosh on Crowley, as he's like the second best character in the series behind Dean at this point.

I have so much to say

[nyue_ · 8/10 · 5 November 2023]

Before I go into this I want to say it's not a bad episode. Actually when looking at it from the entertaining and getting hooked perspective, it's rather the opposite. But plotwise there is so much wrong with this episode. I overlooked a lot in the past but this time it's really bothering me.

First: why the hell is Bobby in hell? That is not how it works. The base of all that humans in hell action is a contract, otherwise demons have no business even touching your soul. It's simply not possible as what we know about in supernatural so far. They can't just put you in hell because they want to. I mean what about the whole righteous man in hell agreeing to torture souls to trick him into breaking the first seal plotline? Like why would they make such a hussle to get John and Dean by doing a contract into hell if they could just kill them and snatch their soul like crowley did with Bobby? And don't come at me because he's the ''King of Hell'' like yeah he voluntered to be the new leader or took the free spot by force after Lucifer got kicked into that cage but that's about it. After everything he's still a simple demon, nothing more nothing less. Doesn't make sense.

Second: the portal or door between hell and purgatory... There is a freaking door you can just casually walk thorugh?? I mean why get through the hussle to relive a hunter, letting him catch 500 alphas, torture them, make a contract with an angel and whatever else he did back then when he just could have used a goddamn door to get into purgatory? It makes everything that happended so far just pointless.

Also, besides these obvious plotholes, there is something about the Benny arc I have to get off my chest: His whole story is just heartbreaking and tragic. From his past before purgatory, to him watching his girlfriend getting killed once again, having to leave his family and even Dean cutting him off until any sign of a home or even a point of living is gone to actually wishing back purgatory. The fact Dean even had to ask him for that favour to get his brother back and seeing them both almost tearing up during their talk right before the kill was breaking my heart. And all that for Sam to just leave him there because of 3 simple vampires? I get that Benny wanted to stay in the first place but from Sam's point of view? It's a portal for humans, it won't just go away. Why didn't he help Benny for a short minute in order to leave together? . If he still insisted to stay afterwards, well fine it is what it is, but just leaving? Usually I defend Sam but this was just a huge dick move here.

Second trial, here we come!

[Shane3182 · 7/10 · 3 April 2013]

Sam and Dean receive word from Kevin saying that he knows what the second trial is: they must rescue an innocent soul from hell. Now, we know that Sam is the one who has to do the trials, so Dean isn't able to go with him or help him on his journey to hell and back. Seems like an impossible task!

While Sam is off to hell, we have just as many conflicts occurring back on earth. Kevin being one of them; who is going a bit off the rails and claiming to be hearing /things/. Then we have the whole situation with Naomi, which is also an issue brought up in this episode, but ultimately leaves us with more questions than answers.

There is so much to love and a bit to dislike about this episode. Though I feel the good outweighs the bad.

As seen in the promo, our friend Benny is reintroduced, but the circumstances for his return is not known unless you watch the episode. I feel that saying why he returns would be giving away some major spoilers for this episode, so really I can't say much about Benny. However, there is one particular scene between Benny and Dean that I think was the greatest part of the entire episode, and held my interest even more than Sam visiting hell. Benny was one of the greatest parts of Taxi Driver, I honestly love his character much more after watching it.

And of course this episode wouldn't be complete without our wonderful angel. No, I'm not talking about Cas. I'm talking about the cruel angel who has been manipulating Castiel ever since he was pulled out of Purgatory, and has the actions and personality that is fit for a demon. THAT wonderful angel. I thought I had Naomi all figured out for the most part. This episode twists her character in a clever way that makes me questioning her true intentions, and certainly twists the way our main characters might see her. Could we have misunderstood her, or is this just an act? The first scene where this takes place is not as heavy or intense as I would have liked, but it is the main thing I am concerned about for all future episodes. I know this talk about Noami is incredibly vague, but just like Benny, I can't say much without spoiling the episode. Essentially, Naomi's time in this episode can be summed up as: What the hell is she doing? And why?

Naomi, Crowley, Kevin, and Benny were all positives in this episode. All of them contributed to the progression in plot, either directly or indirectly.

Now looking at some of the negatives: The beginning felt a little rushed. Acquiring the information about the second trial and how to even accomplish it was done in less than ten minutes, which felt like not enough. However, if they had extended those beginning scenes, I would probably be saying that the intro was dragged out and the actual doing of the second task was much too short. So, there is nothing to be done about that, since we do have a time frame to fit into.

The other negatives, in my opinion, were unfortunate because this entire episode really revolved around it. Hell. Yes, hell was honestly the biggest disappointment for me. A small portion is seen in the promo: a short clip of Sam walking down a hallway toward a cell where /somebody/ is being kept. This is honestly not how I imagined hell whatsoever. It did not seem evil or cruel enough. Perhaps there's different levels of hell, and what we saw in this episode was a lesser version of what we might expect. That's the only way I'll be able to convince myself that hell is truly supposed to be the worst place imaginable. Back in season 3 - when Dean is sent to hell - we see a very short glimpse of him in an endless void of near darkness full of chains. And in the middle of those chains we see Dean being held by hooks that were driven through his skin. Then in season 4, when Dean dreams of or remembers hell, we never actually see what happened. I loved that. Because what we are lead to believe is that in hell they experience pain and suffering beyond description. And not only could they obviously not show that on TV, but it also gives the impression that we CAN'T imagine what goes on down there. So, when Sam visits hell, let's just say I was a little disappointed. I expected the trial to be more difficult. Not for Sam to stroll down a hallway of cages.

I suppose it's a bit harsh to expect MY idea of Supernatural's hell to fit into the show nicely. It's a lose–lose situation. If we don't show Sam going into hell for the second trial, that would end up being very boring. But by showing a TV-appropriate version of hell ends up shattering some of the horrors and fears that we expected to be held within it.

Altogether, despite any negatives I mention, this episode was enjoyable and I still carry high hopes for this season. Next episode seems to be an episodic and hopefully fun episode, but soon after that I imagine we will start addressing the real issues here, and get some more work done! We still have a third trial AND Naomi and Crowley to deal with... hopefully. Crossing fingers for an exciting and well thought-out conclusion to season 8.

Taxi Driver could have been better, but was still good! 7 / 10

Fast as Taxi, somehow "UnSupernatural"

[hp1993-739-947785 · 3/10 · 22 August 2013]

First of all I have to say that this episode was a big disappointment for me.

We just jump into the action. Kevin translated another part of the tablet, the trial is to deliver an innocent soul from Hell to Heaven. I can't get why Kevin was kept on the houseboat - it was not safe after all, I think that Sam and Dean could move him into the Man of Letters hideout (they brought there the Titan and his "family", didn't they? So why not Kevin, who needed more protection!)

Crowley in this episode acted like "desperate" Voldemort - talking to Kevin's head, speech "I am forever" and thinks not going as well as he pictured...Well I have to say that the King of Hell, who doesn't have control over his kingdom is a bad king. (How the Hell did Sam manage to go there not being spotted by Crowley?! He had to be informed by some demon, then he had to go to have a chat with Ajay...)

Now Sam in Purgatory - Cas and Crowley wanted to find the entrance to Purgatory for the whole sixth season? In this episode easier way was introduced...Mistake? (another thing that makes Crowley look stupid)

Sam in Hell...Why did they even have to show us - as it's said by someone here - the Hell was so great because it wasn't shown in the details - Dean being tortured in Hell is the best Hell ever! This episode just made his (and John's and others' suffering awkward - everything what they needed was a good man who would have entered Hell, took his soul into his arm and leave...nonsense!(Of course Alastair was a different class!) And what happened to the Crowley's Hell - people waiting in a row - waiting there forever? The Hell reminded me the bad scenery where Osiris had his "court" - cheap, TV like...(of course it's a TV show but SPN was known for their "movie-like" qualities!) In the end - the Hell wasn't Hell at all...And how did Sam manage to find Bobby so quickly? Millions of souls should suffer there...Very half-baked...

Kevin's mom death - was not shown...

Positive things - Benny's sacrifice. Good moment between Jensen and Ty; Bobby.

As far as I'm concerned, I have to say that the style of narration is not typical Supernatural-way, something odd is floating there...(and the mistakes of writers are more visible than ever...)

Not bad

[mm-39 · 7/10 · 13 April 2013]

Sam goes for his second trial. No matter how many times the viewer believes Bobby is out of the series Bobby is written back into another episode. Dean's vampire friend (Benny)character resonates for the Taxi driver episode. I will not ruin the story for you, but the few mention characters injected into the story makes for an exciting episode. Taxi drive has some plot twist, and fast pace directing. Taxi Driver is worth watching. I give Taxi Driver a seven out of ten. Not a bad episode, but entertaining. I wondered what will happen to Kevin? There is a few open ended questions after watch Taxi Driver. Will Dick Roman every come back?

Decent, but not quite there yet.

[m-47826 · 5/10 · 7 September 2022]

Season 8 is such a mess... The series mythology got boring, and I miss the old format, that was more about horror than fantasy. As run of the mill as Freaks and Geeks was. I enjoyed it. It brought back a character I liked, and was a better concept for a spin-off series, than the one they picked for next year. In Taxi Driver, it's the second time a good episode was ruined by some of its characters. I never liked Kevin Tran, but he was at his worst and most annoying there. Then you have Crowley, and he just makes me cringe. He's the worst vilain lately. With his cowardly ways and unfunny one liners, I get a headache thinking he's here to stay. And of course, there's Dean, who's so all high and mighty this season, it's insane. I genuinely thought I would like it, because the plot was good and Sam's journey into Purgatory and Hell, was gripping. But the writing don't follow and some twists are just too easy.

Rushed

[ugur_1907-859-851325 · 7/10 · 5 January 2020]

Nice story line but as mentioned by others pretty rushed episode..Like Sam going to hell and finding Bobby straight away..This could have been spread to 2 episodes, in my opinion for instance previous episode was unnecessary and could have been used.