Born Under a Bad Sign

"Born Under a Bad Sign" 2x14

Synopsis:

Sam is missing and Dean is frantic to find him. A phone call from Sam leads Dean to his blood covered brother who has no memory of what he has done over the last week, the brothers retrace Sam's steps only to discover Sam has murdered a hunter. They return to the motel where a distraught Sam begs his brother to kill him but Dean refuses. Sam escapes and tries to kill Jo Harvelle. Dean reveals Sam is possessed by a demon. A fight leads Sam to Bobby Singer’s where Dean joins Bobby in driving the demon Meg from Sam’s body. CW Promo for Supernatural "Born Under a Bad Sign" 

Review:

J. Miller Tobin directed and Cathryn Humphris wrote this episode which is a character arc storyline that centers on Sam rather than a monster of the week (MOTW) story.  The episode opens with a frantic Dean calling Ellen (Harvelle) revealing that Sam is missing. This immediately hooks you with excitement, intrigue and concern for Sam’s well-being. I enjoy this type of storytelling that starts at the middle of the story and slowly unwinds what has occurred which then leads into the climax of the story.

To me, one of the more interesting things about Supernatural sets are the motels. These are cheap, fleabag motels the boys stay in. The sets could be made generic and reused again later but Jerry Wanek and his team design each one to be unique which is such a beautiful treat for the viewer.  

I have a sudden urge to go fishing - how about you?

 As the story unravels, you discover Sam has done some terrible things. If you pay close attention you are given a clue that Sam is not himself. In the video that reveals Sam killed the hunter Steve Wandell, Sam uses a knife held in his left hand to slice the hunter's throat. Later, Sam has Jo Harvelle tied up and holds a knife to her throat as he begs Dean to shoot him. Sam once again holds the knife in his left hand. Sam is not left-handed. Dean refuses to shoot Sam even though Jo's life is on the line. Instead he throws holy water on Sam revealing he is possessed by a demon.

Evil!Sam is scary

This episode was foreshadowing what Evil!Sam with demon blood could be like. It gave Jared a chance to spread his acting chops (did I just make up a metaphor??) and he played evil so well. He was terrifying, unpredictable and still cute as hell. 

Evil!Sam still has adorable dimples

 


Another interesting parallel is how similar the dialogue between Sam and Dean in the motel room and that of Sam and Madison in the episode 2x17 "Heart".

In "Born Under a Bad Sign" Sam begs Dean to kill him.

SAM: I don't wanna hurt anyone else. I don't wanna hurt you.

DEAN: (looks down, at the gun SAM is handing him.)
You won't. Whatever this is, you can fight it.

SAM: (tearing up)No. I can't. Not forever. Here, you gotta do it. 

DEAN: You know, I've tried to hard to keep you safe.

SAM: (nodding) I know.

DEAN: (shakes his head no.) I can't. I'd rather die.

In "Heart", Madison has turned into a werewolf again. With no hope of a cure, she begs Sam to kill her.

MADISON: Sam, I don’t wanna hurt anyone else. I don’t wanna hurt you. (She picks up the gun and brings it to him.)

SAM: Put that down.

MADISON: I can’t do it myself. I need you to help me.

SAM: Madison, no.

MADISON: Sam… I’m a monster.

SAM: You don’t have to be. We could find a way, all right? I can. I’m gonna save you.

MADISON: (crying harder) You tried. I know you tried. But this is all there is left. Help me, Sam. I want you to do it. I want it to be you.

SAM: I can’t. 

Of course, Sam is possessed by a demon when he begs Dean to kill him but the parallel it draws on is that Sam believes he is becoming a monster. That whatever is happening to him makes him just like the things they hunt and Sam wants to have hope that he can fight it and beat it. That's why it is such a poignant moment when, after Bobby and Dean have exorcised Sam and the boys are having their broment in Baby, Dean says "Sam, when Dad told me I might have to kill you, it was only if I couldn't save you. Now if it's the last thing I do I'm gonna save you." What a great line! Who wouldn't want someone fighting for them like that? Their bond is stronger than any evil and it came through loud and clear in that statement. 

I'm not crying! You're crying.

As for things that didn't work for me, the shaky camera style. This was a nauseating trend in cinematography that I hope has seen its last days. This is that style that has the camera in a constant state of motion so no matter what is going on in the scene, the camera is jiggling. I loathe it! Thankfully it was only used in a few scenes in the episode.

Also, what happened to the demon Meg after she smoked out of Sam? We don't hear from her again until season 4 which is disturbing to think about.

And why was the binding link that was burned into Sam never used again? And why is there no scar from that burn? You'd think as many cuts, stabs, burns and stitches these boys have had they would have more scars like Oliver Queen does in Arrow. Of course, with all the blows to the head they've suffered (Sam in particular seems to be subjected to repeated head blows) they should have permanent brain damage by now.

Overall, I enjoyed this episode. I thought it was well written, well-acted and while it doesn't progress the character arc forward any, it does remind the viewer that there is still this dark pall to the boys' lives that will come to a head later.