Supernatural 4x17 "It's a Terrible Life" SPOILERS & discussion thread

[Othello]

Re: Supernatural 4x17 "It's a Terrible Life" SPOILERS & discussion thr

Well that wasn't what I was expecting at all. With the advance press implying this to be a comedy episode (which they do), I wasn't expecting basically a solid episode with them in character (just not their own).

With this being an identity episode it was very interesting that the roles were reversed. Sam was the one eager for his real life, the one who was pretty much a loner, who had a go nowhere job. Dean was the achiever, the Stanford guy, the one who resisted his true life.

While I was surprised by the episode, its quality was less then what I was hoping for. Sera is one of my favorite writers on the show (but especially for the truly depressing dramatic pieces), and this was good, but nothing that really stood out. Not counting Heaven & Hell (YUCK!!!) and to a degree I know What You Did Last Summer (Ewww, Jared you can do better. Just ask for volunteers you wont have trouble), this is closer in quality in my mind to the uneven Yellow Fever.

I do have to ask (since my affiliate never airs them) did we get previews for any new episodes or just for a rerun for next week (I think its a rerun)?

There is a really cool promo spot for next weeks episode on The CW site. TV Guide linked to it today. They do it in the "movie promo guy" voice and style.. look good..

 

[mswood]

Re: Supernatural 4x17 "It's a Terrible Life" SPOILERS & discussion thr

Yeah, I watched that this morning and I was going OMG!!!! WHy don't Dean and Sam show that much skin.....

 

[Iasius]

Re: Supernatural 4x17 "It's a Terrible Life" SPOILERS & discussion thr

Finally, I caught up with you guys.

I've been watching this show from the beginning over the last few weeks/months and I just finished watching this episode. I do admit to liking the more arc-centric episodes a bit more than more episodic episodes (hmm ...), but I've also liked this one. The brothers are so good at this, I don't mind when they don't focus on plot specifically and just let the characters shine. I can't wait to see how this season progresses.
I'm not one for too many words (Ie I don't typically "review" any episode/show, though I enjoy reading other people's reviews), but I'll add my voice to the chorus and say that Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki really turn this show into must-watch TV.
I've enjoyed reading your thoughts and speculations along the way. Thankfully many of the older threads weren't pruned.

 

[Dorian Thompson]

Re: Supernatural 4x17 "It's a Terrible Life" SPOILERS & discussion thr

Welcome, Iasius. Enjoy the ride from here on out and don't stop next week. I agree that the casting of Padalecki and Ackles elevated the material. You can't manufacture chemistry like that. Lightning in a bottle.

 

[Skywalker]

Re: Supernatural 4x17 "It's a Terrible Life" SPOILERS & discussion thr

I just realized one thing about this episode that kind of vexes me. Sam and Dean both spent three weeks working for Sandover. That means Zachariah let them just spend three weeks screwing around and not fighting demons or monsters while Lilith and her crew were out breaking seals to free Lucifer.

 

[Obiwanshinobi]

Re: Supernatural 4x17 "It's a Terrible Life" SPOILERS & discussion thr

I should have known by the title it was gonna be an angel, like in it's a wonderful life, did any notice their last names, smith and wesson? Haha

 

[Dorian Thompson]

Re: Supernatural 4x17 "It's a Terrible Life" SPOILERS & discussion thr

Maybe it was important enough to let the time lapse to get Dean back in the game? Dean was psychologically depleted. He needed the mental rest. He can't do his job if he collapses and ends up in a rubber room.

The CW promo monkeys made next week look like an entirely comedic episode, too, but it isn't.

 

[DS9Continuing]

Re: Supernatural 4x17 "It's a Terrible Life" SPOILERS & discussion thr

did any notice their last names, smith and wesson? Haha

Yeah, I caught that pretty early on. I also caught that Dean's fake mum and dad were Bob and Ellen, and that his sister was Jo (all from the road house of s2). And that Sam's fake girlfriend Madison was actually an animal hospital (cause she was, like, a werewolf).

Oh, and I also commented numerous times during the episode on both of the boys' ability to wear a shirt well.

I quite like when seemingly irrelevant monster-of-the-week episodes end up whacking you round the head with an unexpected major arc development. That was definitely a chilling last scene. And the gore was top-notch. Although, for some reeason, I noticed when it was stunt doubles much more this week than I usually do.

 

[Dorian Thompson]

Re: Supernatural 4x17 "It's a Terrible Life" SPOILERS & discussion thr

I like the alternate promo for next week's episode better. Boy, someone at the CW discovered that Jared Padalecki can give Ackles a run for his money in the sexuality department.

Lilith

 

[Skywalker]

Re: Supernatural 4x17 "It's a Terrible Life" SPOILERS & discussion thr

That's the promo I saw last night. I don't remember seeing anything comedic. Does the CW air different promos for different areas?

Oh yeah, another disappointing thing about this ep: no female eye candy for those of us who don't watch to gawk at the Winchester boys.

Okay, joking. Mostly.

 

[cb31]

Re: Supernatural 4x17 "It's a Terrible Life" SPOILERS & discussion thr

I don't think I've ever seen someone stick their head in a microwave before...creative way to die!

 

[Dorian Thompson]

Re: Supernatural 4x17 "It's a Terrible Life" SPOILERS & discussion thr

Okay, now I've seen the episode. Damn, Jared does rock a yellow shirt. Massive chest. He has taken the sexy crown from Dean. Too bad, so sad. They'll have to sort it out.

Now I'm annoyed at the people who were whining that Sam didn't get his "special moment" at the end. Of course he didn't get one. There's still a huge emotional rift between the brothers, made painfully obvious by Dean's bristling reaction to alt!Sam's idea that they fight ghosts together. Ouch. That was painful to watch. Painful but necessary.

Yes, we got a totally comedic preview in the OKC area according to my friend who was able to watch Thursday. Gotta protect us from the implication of sexual intercourse, I suppose. With Lilith. Damn, Sam, you are riding fast and loose with your soul, you man slut. Bad Sam. Bad, bad Sam.

 

[Batboy]

Re: Supernatural 4x17 "It's a Terrible Life" SPOILERS & discussion thr

Batboy greets the Supernatural fans. Batboy is briefly visiting while Batboy's Lair is under reconstruction, and Batboy thought Batboy would add Batboy's thoughts to the discussion, since Batboy rarely gets the chance to discuss Batboy's favorite show.

Batboy concurs with virtually everything here. Batboy has been fascinated by this particular season, as Batboy has rarely seen any medium so well planned from the beginning. Batboy did notice one thing in this episode that has not been touched on, which Batboy thinks will prove important down the road. Batboy noted that while both brothers' instincts were intact, Dean remembered nothing of Dean's real life. Zac wiped Dean clean. On the other hand, Sam, over the course of the three weeks, slowly if unconsciously began to remember Sam's life. This leads Batboy to believe that Sam is not entirely vulnerable to Angel Power at this point as a mere mortal would be. Batboy is not sure what significance this detail will have, but Batboy would bet a big jar of applesauce that this point is important.

 

[Dorian Thompson]

Re: Supernatural 4x17 "It's a Terrible Life" SPOILERS & discussion thr

Nice catch about Sam, batboy. Well, he is infused with that demonic blood he's getting from Ruby. Heaven knows what he's thinking with Lilith next week, but it's not doing his soul any good.

 

[Othello]

Re: Supernatural 4x17 "It's a Terrible Life" SPOILERS & discussion thr

I just realized one thing about this episode that kind of vexes me. Sam and Dean both spent three weeks working for Sandover. That means Zachariah let them just spend three weeks screwing around and not fighting demons or monsters while Lilith and her crew were out breaking seals to free Lucifer.

Had to. Dean completely broke down last episoe and was worthless. The one thing that bothered me about the episode is how the angel made shallow one night hookups an ok, admirable and fun thing to do. Now, personally, I don't mind em at all myself as long as everyone's on baord and hoenst abotut he situation.. LOL but I'm not an angel either!!

 

[Othello]

Re: Supernatural 4x17 "It's a Terrible Life" SPOILERS & discussion thr

I like the alternate promo for next week's episode better. Boy, someone at the CW discovered that Jared Padalecki can give Ackles a run for his money in the sexuality department.

Lilith

Women would SOOOOOO be my weakness!!! If I'm in Sam's shoes I'm all in with that hottie demon or not. Can imagine all the freaky stuff she has up her sleeve!!

 

[Othello]

Re: Supernatural 4x17 "It's a Terrible Life" SPOILERS & discussion thr

BTW- why do you think that was Lilith in that promo rather than some other demon acting as a proxy?

 

[Dorian Thompson]

Re: Supernatural 4x17 "It's a Terrible Life" SPOILERS & discussion thr

The voice over, which is Sam's voice, says "Lilith is close." I made an assumption since Ruby already has her own body. The girl is saying, "You can end it. All you have to do is agree to my terms." I don't know who could end it except Lilith.

 

[KeepOnTrekking]

Re: Supernatural 4x17 "It's a Terrible Life" SPOILERS & discussion thr

It was an ok episode. I went into it thinking that is was going to be another "What If?" story like the Christmas one the other year when the djinn got a hold of Dean. The angel twist at the end helped elevate it up some. I taped it and watched it Friday night. The really weird thing was that I almost quit my job on Friday like Sam and Dean did. Makes me wonder if I'm fighting a destiny of my own!!

 

[mswood]

Re: Supernatural 4x17 "It's a Terrible Life" SPOILERS & discussion thr

A few more points.

One thing that pissed me off in this episode is the Angel's attitude to Dean about whining. I absolutely understand that Dean needs to be functional, but the actual actually played it as if Den had no reason to have any reasons to have lost faith in himself. It just seemed wrong, and not the thing that would get Dean back in the saddle so to speak.

I mean since he has dealt with something that no mere mortal man has ever in existence dealt with, I think the 4 times he has cried and the one time he doubted his ability to stop Lucifer is how shall we point it..Logical, healthy and exceptionally well balanced. I have faith in the writers that it isn't the end of this storyline for him.

Point 2, Is Sam immune to the Angel's ability?

Since Dean also admits to having a feeling that its instinct, it makes since that Sam would have a greater one. But both would appear to have fallen to the angels ability. Since both never lost their ability or skills, they just lacked conscious knowledge of them, you would think Sam's psychic ability (which isn't gone just knowledge that he has it) would go back to its earliest most unconscious use, which was visions while he slept.

Now if theAngel tried to actually remove skills and abilities and Sam was still able to process his psychic boy abilities at their most base value then he would show more resistance, but I don't think thats what happened.

On my third viewing I do like the episode more (say a B-), I think my two initial viewings were influenced heavily on the promotions of the show as a comedy, and not a more standard monster of the week with a splash of myth arc.