Carmen in season1 coes to mind, as does Alona Tal's Jo, whom I love but always thought Jared had more charisma with. Same goes with Ellen; Dean had a more substantial relationship with her still I felt more depth in the few scene in season two between her and Sam. And that was from just two or three scenes the two of them were allowed to have. After season 3, Sam's just not been in the story like in earlier season so it's had to tell.

It may be that the lack of sparks are just more evident since it's always Dean who interacts most with the co-stars on the show too. Sam is pretty much in the background ever since season 2 when it comes to having a storyline with co-stars. Lucky and Ruby being the exceptions. With every other character, Sam is mostly reduced to reacting not interacting.

Well I agree with you that Jensen and Jared have fantastic chemistry, and my personal favorite scenes are between the two of them, I TOTALLY disagree that Jensen isn't equally capable or equally effective as Jared is with other co-stars. Jensen and Jeffrey Dean Morgan had stellar chemistry and besides Jensen and Jared, Jensen and JDM's scenes together are among my all-time favorites. Jensen was superb with Samantha Smith in WIAWSNB and also in his scenes with the actress who plays young Mary in ITB. I think it was Jensen's performance in particular, and how well he knows Dean, that elevated the scenes between Dean and young Mary in ITB.

More recently, I loved the intensity between Jensen and Kurt Fuller (RIP, Zach!), and I'm still a bit miffed at Sera for killing off Henrickson, because Jensen and CMW had awesome chemistry. Oh, and Jensen does also have great chemistry with himself (hee!), and shown by his outstanding performance in The End.

So I think both Jensen and Jared are equally capable of performing effectively with other co-stars, besides each other. I really enjoyed both actor's performances in this episode.

LOL! Yes, this was one of my favorite scenes as well. I did appreciate that these writers picked up on the inner "fanboy" in Dean (i.e. Hollywood Babylon and Changing Channels) with his quotes from Army of Darkness. His speech to the gods was an ode to Ash and I loved it! Sam's reaction was great too.

Heh. I agree with this. I like the concept of this episode, but I felt it was poorly executed. I understand they were going for more of an "Army of Darkness" mixed with "American Gods" but it just didn't quite get there, although I love the reveal of Dean being a Bruce Campbell fan… of course he is!

“I did like that when Sam and Dean enter the hotel, they are dripping with rain.”

Mmmm, yes! I very much approve of wet!boys. That wet look especially brought out Jensen’s beautiful doe-eyes.

“And I did like that Dean notices that Sam was uptight, and encourages him to unpucker and try to relax for once. And best of all, that Dean reiterated that he still was keeping the faith and wasn’t giving up. (He does this with some marvelous eye contact, making sure that Sam understands exactly what he’s saying.)”

Yep, I agree with you. Dean does notice Sam is on-edge and notices that he hasn’t slept much. Dean was very aware of Sam’s state of mind here and it’s completely in-character for Dean to acknowledge the situation (yes, things are getting desperate) but also by trying to lighten the mood a little, especially since Dean is fully aware that his own behavior caused Sam to be concerned about him a few weeks (IIRC?) ago. The more Dean gets back to displaying his “normal” pie-loving/flirty ways, the more at-ease Sam will be as a result in Dean's mind.

“And I think Dean is playing up the little kid aspect of his nature in order to entertain and distract Sam, allowing Sam his slightly disapproving governess role. It makes them feel comfortable and safe, thus ignoring all the warning signs appearing around them.”

EXACTLY! I just love Dean’s glee at getting a chocolate on his pillow. Dean can find such joy out of these little things in life, which most people simply disregard, like a chocolate on his pillow, or pie. *smishes him*

“Inside the hotel, Sam fumbles with dealing with the gods on his own, which is atypical of him; usually he can make a conversation with just about anybody.”

Hee! Poor Sammy. See, that’s why I loved Dean channeling Ash during his BS speech to the gods. When all else fails, just quote Army of Darkness… works every time! And for as much as the dialog was clunky in this episode, I loved the interaction between Dean and Gabriel. I really enjoyed their little talk in the Impala, although I fear that Dean’s words (“can’t or *won’t*?”) will come back to haunt him. Jensen and Richard play off of each other very nicely and it makes me sad that Richard won’t be around next season. Oh and I LOVE that photo you’ve chosen of Jensen during that scene. He looks so YOUNG there!

“Lucky finds his way to the Grand Ballroom, and the killing goes on. It’s bloody and messy as Lucky announces that “no one gives us the right; we take it,” which is yet another in the list of why organized religions tend to be destructive, rather than constructive.”

One of the many things about this episode that bothered me was how easily Lucifer took out the other gods. There were many things about this episode that bugged, but this was a big one. Meh. But I do adore Mark Pelligrino and showing so much regret when he killed Gabriel. [And it better not be foreshadowing anything to do with Dean and Sam... NO!].

“What I didn’t like was Gabe having to tell them because not only is he dead, we had to sit through an ep that was mostly gods and goddesses standing around and talking. I would rather have Sam and Dean doing their own research and finding out for themselves.”

Right? It seems like this episode was just filler until the very end and then Gabriel was the ultimate deus ex machina. *sigh* Oh well. I did enjoy the times when the brothers were working together. I enjoyed seeing Dean’s concern about Sam and his attempt to get Sam to take a little break from everything. I loved Dean channeling Bruce Campbell and totally BS’ing his way through that speech to the gods, showing his true terrified face to Sam (and I loved Sam’s “oh, what is my brother doing now?” reaction). Oh and also his “princess” reference to Kali, totally Bruce Campbell/Ash. And come on… she dissed THE IMPALA!

I also loved seeing Dean express great concern about saving the people in the freezer because that’s what Dean is all about. And I love that the writers have made this a continuous theme of Dean's character, especially significant to what motivates him this season.

But yeah, it was basically a filler episode just to tell us about the rings and re-caging Lucifer it seems. Love the review!

The first death was so well acted and so emotional that I don't think anything will top that one. I cried with Dean and my heart just bled for him. Jensen just acted his little heart out and I truly felt his pain. That was what I remembered mostly, until I re-watched the scene and realized how disturbingly authentic Jared made the death-scene. Those flickering eyes with the lack of focus, the blood dripping from the corner of his mouth and absolute limpness of his body was brutal to watch in the best of senses. It took my breath away on the second view.

I haven't seen a death-scene that tops it on TV to this day. It was brutal, yes, but most of all it was disturbingly realistic. When you've managed a performance like that – there's no way to make perfect better.

You know after thinking more about it, I do agree with you on #7. Dean is the 'master at covering up' his feelings. I know Dean and Sam are on the way to mending their relationship but Dean was at rock bottom…just last week…so I know he still has a way to go before he is 'himself' again. But I have to admit it was nice seeing him joke and flirt and get all excited about eating pie (even if it was all a facade).
Dean really and I mean REALLY loves PIE. I believe his mom must have made the best pies…when Dean was little.

Here's hoping this week's episode is stellar and not too terribly gross. Seriously, the last few minutes about made me hurl.

Joan

I really wish that I understood why the ghostfacer's clip was there? Ad for the webseries? Badly conceived idea?

Bobby or SA, I do not care. SA really has no mission in this story (if the writers don't have anything up their sleeves) other than being pretty. And there's already enough pretty as is. I'd rather have a good story next season instead of prettiness and nothing else.

I agree it makes little sense for Dean not to be protective especially when he sees how terrified his brother is at Lucifer's arrival. But Dean was OOC a lot in this episode and I could only excuse so much of it as trying to regain his game face and going a little over the top while trying.

We've seen him do that a few times in the past but never to this extent.

They could have gotten rid of Gabriel another way. It seemed their only goal was to kill Gabriel, but the way they did it was impersonal and didn't relate to the boys at all. And another thing! The reason Gabe wasn't invited? He's not a god! He's an angel! Lucky was invited by special consideration (or by Mercury to cash in on a favor or something), but really, everyone else there was a god. (And yes, Sam and Dean are gods of a sort!)

Pestilence was GROSS! I like Matt Frewer, but seriously, gross!

I'm sorry you had H1N1, and hope you are well recovered.