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Info:
  • TV Series: Supernatural
  • Episode: Death Takes a Holiday
  • Starring: Jared Padalecki, Jensen Ackles, Jim Beaver, Genevieve Cortese, Misha Collins
  • Written By: Jeremy Carver
  • Directed By: James L. Conway
  • Network: CW
  • Series:

Supernatural: Death Takes a Holiday

Sam and Dean take a walk on the Ghostly Side.

By Stephen Lackey     March 13, 2009


Two Reapers take a Siesta on Supernatural: Death Takes a Holiday(2009).
© CW

 

It’s been a really long time since Supernatural placed any focus on the season’s main story. The single story episodes have been entertaining, but the time has come and gone that the main story deserved some love. This week, the show does set the stage for further developments in the story. Admittedly, the previews for next week’s episode look even more exciting than this episode but that doesn’t mean this episode is boring, not at all. At first glance, this episode seems to be another story of the week but it in fact ends up tying into the greater story.
 
Sam and Dean start the episode off tense after the events of the previous episode where the Siren made Sam say some fairly disparaging things about Dean’s skills as a hunter and how Sam would do a better job if Dean weren’t around. Sam insists that he didn’t mean it and that it was all the Siren’s fault. The only problem is that Dean was also taken controlled by the Siren so he believes that Sam, at least in part, meant what he said. A quick distraction is the case of the week, a town where no one seems to be able to die. A cancer patient on his death bed walks out of the hospital and a shooting victim doesn’t even bleed. The solution seems to reside in the last person to die in the town – a young boy. To say the least, the ultimate tactic Sam and Dean come up with to investigate the odd goings on in the town is unique. Seems like someone on the writing staff of Supernatural has been reading some old Dr. Strange Comics.
 
As the investigation continues, Dean is confronted with the Reaper who was meant to take him and Sam is confronted with the possibility that his power may be the death of him and others even though he’s been using it for good. The death of an innocent person who just tries to help them causes quite an emotional impact at the end of the episode. For the most part, the drama of this episode is solid and riveting. It’s not especially creepy though and even one particular special effect is just goofy. Why is it that when ghosts teleport “Nightcrawler” style, that they flicker out like a television being turned off? The episode is so subtly riveting that this little complaint stands out as cheesy. This episode has to lose a few points for the lack of the series’ signature hard rock too! Seriously, this episode was a solid installment and it appears to be the setup for some exciting things to come.
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darkheart00 3/13/2009 5:11:15 PM

Great episode but yeah, there are a few things that Dean is all about, his car, his rock tapes, women and his leather jacket.  A couple of those were oddly missing.

The ghost flicker doesn't bother me though. Seems like a few movies have played around with the same thing the last couple of years.

I did laugh out loud at the "dicks with wings" comment though, funny stuff.

egoist 3/13/2009 8:59:34 PM

This show is consistently the best show on right now. Glad to see a return to the mainline in this one. The build up to the final conflict is back in full swing. Sammy is a baaaaadasss mofo!

I was cool with the flicker thing as well. The funny part about the astral projection, was the fact you could see their breath coming out of their mouths when they were walking down main st.

Nice tip of the hat to Ghost and Sixth Sense. At least they acknowledge who they "borrow" source material from.
 

 

ponyboy76 3/14/2009 5:44:00 AM

This is one of the only shows on TV, besides Lost, 24 and BSG, that is consistently awesome.  One of the best things on this show to me, is the writing. The dialogue is always top notch, funny, engaging and makes you appreciate the who even more. Heroes should take notes.
This episode made me really question why Castiel picked Dean to pull out of Hell and what they actually have in store for him and Sam.
That scene at the cemetery with them talking about how they are so not normal and how he`s not "Joe the Plumber" was hilarious.

Bryzarro 3/14/2009 6:26:08 AM

Loved this episode and I LOVE this show!!!  It's great how they always manage to tied in past people/spirits/reapers for continuity.  It would be so easy not to but look at these guys work they do it so well.  And catching Alistaire.  Can't wait to see where this goes.  Sammy has an addiction I think this is why they brought Deano out of Hell.  He may be the only one who can stop Sam if what I'm thinking will be happening soon.

jedi4sshield 3/15/2009 10:31:50 PM

Seriously this show hasnt disappointed yet. Unlike some show that comes before it ahem...smallville, sucks. Cough cough. Um this show kicks serious butt. Humor, action, dark stuff and real results (like people actually dying). This is a recipe that hasnt let me down yet. Sam and Dean rule.

bloodyl 3/18/2009 2:12:49 PM

great recap! yay, supernatural's on tomorrow! nobody better disturb me! :-)

for cool discussion about the show, check out the CW's podcast!

http://pod08.prospero.com/supernat

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