Supernatural: S08E21 - The Great Escapist.

Since last weeks episode was a putrid piece of garbage, this episode can be utter shit and still be better, lucky you!

So Crowley has caught Kevin in a massive illusion...thing to get him to translate his half of the tablet and learn what the Brothers have already learnt. The brothers get a message from Kevin telling them he is dead, which throws them into a fit of desperation as to where to go next. Thankfully plot contrivances lead them right to Metatron's door, who not only saves Kevin but allows all the pieces to fall into place.

Remember how Castiel was riding a bus last time we saw him? Yeah I don't know what that is about either. He now has a new tactic for evading capture which is actually really very clever and very ingenious on the writers part. Sadly as this is a forty minute show so his plan fails almost as soon as it's introduced but at least they served us some impressive imagery when they finally put a stop to it.

Been a while since we've had a magic gun, huh? If nothing else, Season 8 should be the season remembered for clever use of bullets. Whether it's melting down an angel blade or carving in a Devil's Trap, bullets sure have a lot of versatility when you mix in a little ingenuity. And yes, I could complain about all the continuity errors all this strikes up but fuck it, I've been starved of a good episode for so long now, just let me enjoy it!

And hell, it sure makes up for it for at least addressing some past issues. Considering Sam and Dean have travelled to different dimensions, died repeatedly, became the houses for the two most important angels and got wrapped up in many the nefarious plot, there seems to be little that recognises this in their characters. Sure both Sam and Dean are older and harder than they were in the early days, but considering all they have been through the changes to their characters over eight seasons has felt minor and so it really was enjoyable to have Sam address and confront so much that should define both their lives and the world around them, things which the show for the most part treats like an unimportant story because it happened in earlier seasons. There is no point widening the scope of your story if you aren't going to have any cause and effect.

As an aside, is anyone else annoyed by the revolving door of angel characters? When Sam listed off the fates of the four most important Angels, all of which had taken place over one or two seasons, it really made me notice just how disposable angels had become in this show. This wouldn't be such an issue if they just admitted that they are a rip-off of Agent Smith but they bother to give the angels characterisations, then kill them off moments later.

Like this episode an angel called Ion is introduced, he is so disillusioned with his race that he sells himself to Crowley. That is a really interesting character arc! Oh, he's dead as well? Never mind... See my point? I can't say I was bowled over by Metatron but it'd be nice if he does join the Winchester's to finally add someone new to the cast that doesn't die in the same episode they are introduced in.

The Great Escapist really strikes that classic Supernatural balance of badass and hilarity, the angels for example provide a lot of darkness to the episode and a whole lot of a badassitude. Meanwhile however the scenes involving Crowley and Sam and Dean were largely hilarious and since neither aspect really fumbled, it all worked as a cohesive whole. Maybe I've been starved of a good episode for so long that my standards have just plummeted but I really loved this episode. Also am I the only person with a massive crush on Naomi? Something about the fact she can wear a power suit and still be very so very terrifying rubs me up the right now, I dunno, I guess I am weird.

Pros;

• Castiel's plan was really cool.
• Finally some addressing of continuity!
• Ion actually managed to be pretty cool in his like five minutes of screentime. 
• This really just felt like one of the classic episodes of Supernatural, back when everything wasn't shit.
• Lots of imagination.
• Angel killing bullets!

Cons;

• Lots of contrivances. 
• Although the continuity issues aren't screaming in your face like normal, there are quite a few things that become very questionable if you think on them even for a moment.
• Revolving angel door.  

Think About It!

-Locke

What would you rate, 'The Great Escapist'?