Supernatural
Phantom
Traveler
Terror at 30000 feet! This week’s MOTW is a black,
particulate cloud, which after soaking into a person’s
eyes (making them look rather like Evil Willow Rosenberg)
compels them to suicidally cause plane crashes. Sam and
Dean must discover what their adversary is, and of course,
how to destroy it.
The
MOTW plots are becoming kind of formulaic here. Last week
was another vengeful ghost, this time acting through the
medium of water to attack its victims; and this week it’s
a demon, possessing hapless Redshirts and wreaking havoc.
Fortunately
we get a little more uber-arc and character development
in this episode. A man whose home the Brothers Winchester
had cleansed of a poltergeist calls them up and asks for
help with this plane crash problem. It’s the first
time they’ve been sought out, rather than gone looking
for trouble, and it gives the writers more options when
setting up the weekly Level Boss. It also appears that Papa
Winchester has gone totally underground, as we discover
that his voicemail now directs all callers to Dean. It had
previously been disconnected, so the new voicemail greeting
provides some proof that Pops is still alive, but no clues
as to where he’s gone or how to find him.
Character development is progressing nicely for Dean, thanks
mostly to tasty Mr. Ackles, though the writers are giving
him most of the meat. Either they’ve decided Sam’s
one-note obsession is enough to make him interesting, or
they just think he’s prettier with his brow knotted
in consternation.
Whatever
the writers are aiming for, I’m starting to get irritated
with Padalecki himself. He’s emoting so hard it looks
like he’s going to either burst into tears or bleed
from the ears. The boy really needs to chill and realize
that stoic pain is much more compelling – especially
in contrast to devil-may-care Dean.
Speaking of Dean, and my obvious hormonally based preferences
aside, Jensen Ackles hammed up Dean’s fear of flying
rather nicely, culminating in a moment of wide-eyed-staring
panic that brought to mind my reaction to my last cell phone
bill. The writers have been getting a little desperate with
their attempts at humor, and quite a bit of it is more reference-based
than sourced from any wellspring of wit.
For
instance - Dean, Sam and the guy who called them in are
walking through an airline maintenance bay, discussing how
they met:
The Guy (to Sam): Dean and your dad really helped
me out.
Sam: Yeah he told me, it was a Poltergeist?
Off-screen voice: Poltergeist! I love that movie!
Or,
slightly more subtle - from last week’s episode:
Dean: I’m Agent Ford this is Agent, uh, Hamil.
That
one earned a snerk from me, and I definitely appreciate
the attempts at humor. However the writers have a tin ear
for wit and it’s only via the deft skills of Jensen
Ackles and the occasional guest actor (last week’s
Amy Acker got in a few zingers) that their gags work.
Or maybe
I’m just spoiled. I saw Serenity
last weekend. Did you? If not, get your pert buttocks to
the nearest multiplex and plunk down your $10. It’s
worth it.
Next
week: Bloody Mary Bloody Mary Bloody Mary! No, I’m
totally serious!
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