Supernatural: Who Wouldn't Want to Swap Meat with Sam?
We do want to call foul on one aspect -- no way would Dean have taken so long to twig to the fact that Sam wasn't himself. Hell, no way should Gary have survived backing the Metallicar into a dumpster! We're sure the collective hate from a gazillion fans should have dissolved him on the spot!
Still, we loved the parallel story of Gary-in-Sam (henceforth known a Gam) reveling in his new freedom, while Sam-in-Gary (let's call him Sary) experiences the some of the downsides of a close nuclear family. Gam was loving every minute of his new life -- flexing in the mirror, picking up chicks, cranking the tunes and even vanquishing ghosts. Sary, meanwhile, was afflicted with an overbearing father, gluten allergies, asthma, and a seriously dorky fast-food uniform. We almost can't blame Gary for wanting to make the switch... except he had more nefarious motives than just strutting around with a fiiiiiiiine meat suit.
There's more -- read on!
We have to admit, the Satanist kids twist took us by surprise -- as did the news that there's a bounty on Dean's head. Upon reflection, it makes sense: If Michael can't get a meat suit, he'll have trouble fighting Lucifer. Still, the thought of an all-points-demonic-bulletin going out to anyone who dabbles in the black arts makes us worry for poor Dean.
We weren't worried for Trevor -- and were almost glad when he got his richly deserved comeuppance. He had no idea of the stakes he was playing with! If Nora's possessor demon had just called in the news to Lucifer, the devil would have had that fine meat suit, Sam would have been bodiless, and humanity would have been out of luck.
So we were thrilled that Gam finally figured out that perhaps consorting with demons -- or making deals with the actual, honest-to-god Devil -- was a bad idea. That tag-team exorcism of Nora was just what the doctor ordered. But Gary -- "My bad"? Really? You kicked someone out of his own body and into your scrawny frame, arranged to have bruises appear in some very uncomfortable places, and possibly gave him a case of the who-knows-what after that tryst with the dominatrix. "My bad" not only isn't going to cut it, it's downright insulting. We still think some punishment of the non-pleasurable kind should have been doled out for what he did!
What's your take on the ep? We're you liking the body-switching hijinks, or were you too distracted by the thought that Dean would have killed Sam for scratching his car? Talk about it in the comments!
Comments
I loved this episode. but i cant get over how easily Gary was forgiven!! and Nora did such a good job!
Posted by: Nandini Patel | February 10, 2010 5:19 PM
jared was sooooo funny - he should get the comedy stuff more often. i laughed my a.. off!
Posted by: malany | February 6, 2010 4:39 PM
While I agree that it took Dean way longer than it should have to suss out Sam's OOC behavior, this ep had so many fine points to enjoy--Gam with Crystal: I would love to have "the sex" with you! Dean and Gary tag-team exorcism of Nora (and wasn't that actress splendid as both demon and teen)? Sary's search of Gary's room and his virgin/frustrated virgin/satan worshiping SOB or whatever. Dean's lust for their former babysitter. Sam and his salad. Anyone think maybe John and Donna had a bit of thing? I did! Except for Dean not catching on to Gam's weird behavior sooner, this was an OK ep. Love, Robin, Editor, SUPERNATURAL, www.moogi.com
Posted by: Robin Vogel | January 31, 2010 3:25 PM
It took Dean less than 24 hours to figure it out. There was no shapeshifter in town and he probably never heard of a body swap happening before so there was no reason for him to automatically assume it was someone else in Sam's ginormous body. There is also the fact that Gary knew things that Sam would know (about the case) and the fact that Sam's behavior for the past year and a half has been inconsistent and eratic and Dean probably doesn't know what to expect from him at this point. Anyway Dean knew something was off (Jensen did an amazing job selling that) but wanted to be sure before he started accusing Sam of not being himself, which in the past has gotten him verbally reamed out, punched, choked and rejected. All in all I think he figured it out pretty quickly. Sadly the clencher was when Gary said Dean was a "good guy". That's how Dean knows his family members aren't themselves because they normally don't say anything nice or complementary to or about him.
Posted by: Con | January 30, 2010 12:25 PM
The beginning cracked me up. But I too had a problem with the fact that it took freakin' FOREVER for Dean to catch on.
I kept thinking, I know Dean doesn't want to BE a clue (Yellow Fever) .. but when is he going to GET a clue!
I know they delayed Dean figuring it out in order to keep it going on longer (because some of the stuff we wouldn't have seen Gam do if Dean had caught on sooner), and I'm sure a couple different reasons can be floated for "why" took so long - eg, his desire that he & Sam be more alike/have more in common than just hunting .. or, that he feels like he doesn't really "know" Sam after all the Ruby/demon blood stuff ..) Anyway...
I did enjoy the episode, even though I can't say it was "the best," in part just because there was some great stuff for Jared in it.
(I really like when one or both of them get to step out of the usual Sam or Dean stuff .. I like that it shows some of their range differently than what we normally get to see.)
Posted by: CandyMaize | January 29, 2010 7:17 PM