“Red Meat” isn’t the usual fare for Supernatural. In Season 11, Episode 17 we get an adaptation of what’s become a Supernatural trope involving death and sacrifice. Sure, we’ve seen the Winchesters die many times before. We’ve even seen them die in a couple opening scenes. We’re no longer shocked when the Winchesters die or come back to life. Supernatural throws us a curveball by giving us an imitation of death and a failed attempt by Dean to play out his sacrificial role. It’s like a version of Romeo and Juliet in which everybody lives—except for the monsters. Continue reading
Monthly Archives: March 2016
Monster of the Week: Metatron
3Anyone who isn't dead or from another plane of existence would do well to cover their ears right about now. — Metatron, Dogma (1999)
Title card from Supernatural Season 9 Episode 18, “Meta Fiction.”
Metatron, the Chancellor of Heaven, is a mystical archangel who serves as the Voice of God. Metatron is both the largest and loftiest of the angels and the closest to God, being of even higher rank than Michael in ancient Judaic lore. Metatron is the Heavenly scribe, both recording the word of the Lord and transmitting it to anyone to whom God has directly spoken. As Heaven’s recording secretary, Metatron is said to be the only being ever to have been seen seated in the presence of the Almighty, and his name says as much, it being frequently translated as “He who sits behind the throne of Heaven.” Continue reading
The Walking Dead S06E15 Recap: East
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“East” takes us on a journey through the fields and woods outside of Alexandria as The Walking Dead provides continued conflict with the Saviors. As Morgan tells Rick, “You started something.” The Saviors aren’t going to take the attack on their compound lying down, and they’re closing in on Alexandria. The Walking Dead shows us that while inside Alexandria residents may find moments of safety and joy within the relationships they’ve built, life outside the walled community is still the Wild West, putting everything they have created in danger.
The Walking Dead S06E15 Review: East
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“East” begins with moments of quiet connection, but ends with a bang. After Carol’s showdown on the road, we see scenes of Rick and Morgan tracking Carol through the fields intercut with the story of Daryl’s conflict with Dwight. The Walking Dead builds the suspense for the Season 6 finale by putting several characters in jeopardy while leaving Alexandria at risk for attack.
Supernatural S11E16 Recap: Safe House
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In “Safe House” Supernatural brings back Bobby Singer (Jim Beaver) and Rufus Turner (Steven Williams) when the Winchester brothers find themselves working on the same case the “Grumpy Old Men of Letters” were involved with years earlier. There are some great parallel moments as it becomes clear the case is more complicated that it initially appears. Just as Sam and Dean take on the case because they’re at a standstill in their efforts to fight the Darkness, Bobby is in the midst trying to help the boys stop the Apocalypse. This makes Rufus’s reminder that “you can’t save everyone” that much more poignant. Continue reading
Monster of the Week: Bunnies
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If you think that bunnies can’t be monsters, you haven’t been paying close enough attention. Below are some film and TV sources of a few of the scariest hares we’ve heard of.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: If a centuries-old vengeance demon like Anya (Emma Caulfield) is deathly afraid of rabbits, perhaps there’s something to learn there. Anya wears a bunny costume for Halloween in Season 4 because she’s told that the idea is to dress as “something scary.” Buffy lore has retconned Anya’s leporiphobia into having some relation to the fact that she seems to have bred and raised rabbits back in the Middle Ages when she was human (see S07E05, “Selfless”), but we don’t think she needs a reason. Continue reading
Supernatural S11E16 Review: Safe House
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“Safe House” hails the return of Supernatural’s favorite father figure, Bobby Singer. We look forward to what has become Jim Beaver’s annual appearance in the series and appreciate the creative ways the writers find to integrate his character into the story. Supernatural gives us an episode full of mirrored moments as Sam and Dean investigate a case that Bobby and Rufus Turner (Steven Williams) were involved with years earlier. We’re reminded that the Winchesters have faced down an end-of-the-world scenario in the past, though it came at a great cost. As Rufus tells Bobby—the oldest rule in hunting is “you can’t save everyone.” Continue reading
Supernatural Season 11 Episode 16 Photos: Safe House
0The Walking Dead S06E14 Recap: Twice as Far
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The burden of the past weighs heavy on some in Alexandria, while others seek to start anew. In “Twice as Far,” Carol continues to think about the lives she’s already taken and whether she can continue as she has. Carol isn’t the only one struggling with past choices, as Daryl finds that no good deed goes unpunished. While these two warriors meditate on the consequences of their actions, Eugene and Denise seek to prove to themselves and others that they are also survivors. The Walking Dead packs a lot into “Twice as Far,” showing us how the characters we have grown to care about have been altered by internal and external forces. Continue reading
The Walking Dead S06E14 Review: Twice as Far
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In “Twice as Far,” The Walking Dead reminds us that you can never escape your past, but you can try to shape your own future. Daryl faces the consequences of his earlier choices, while Carol struggles to live with who she’s become. Rosita and Abraham find themselves in transition, while Eugene and Denise consciously strive to evolve. “Twice as Far” feels like a thoughtful character study with a slow pace, up until the end when it smacks us in the face. The Walking Dead continues to balance thoughtful character-driven scenes and gripping action sequences, along with occasional moments of humor and warmth.
The Supernatural Fox Sisters 