^
Dorian
Monster Movie was the one episode that really didn't fit with season four. Especially when it aired out of order, it didn't fit the world that they were now in. And as such I shouldn't like it.
But I loved that episode, it was a very innocent, wonderful homage to various media (similar to Hollywood Babylon but in my opinion better).
But I do really love that episode. So there can be exceptions for me. Episode that really don't fit their season.
And while I have been critical of various moments of this season (usually character points) as a whole I really like this season. But in comparison to last season, this season has declined in quality. Doesn't mean I still don't love the show, but so far it isn't as great a show.
Lets compare
Lazarus Rising (4 stars) versus Sympathy for the Devil ( 3.5 stars). Lucifer Rising is the stronger more focused episode (This season's really could have been two episodes).
Are You There God? It's Me Dean Winchester (3 Stars), versus Good God, Y'All (3 Stars). I actually think I like this season just slightly more do to the great production of this episode and the strong character moments (but the first 10 really felt rushed).
In The Beginning (4 Stars) versus Free To Be You and Me (3 Stars). Not contest, In the Beginning is a classic. This season short changed two stories that each should have been full episodes.
Metamorphosis (3 stars) versus the End (3.5 stars almost 4). No contest, but I do give props for the great conflict between the brothers last season and how they reflected it in the A plot.
Monster Movie (3.5 Stars) versus Fallen Idol (2.5 Stars). Monster Movie ignores the character plight of the boys but still delivers a classic. Fallen Idols says all teh right things (and is better then I expected), but I felt the character moments were forced and rushed (though very happy they were there).
Yellow Fever (2.5 stars) versus I Believe Children Are Our Future (3.5 stars). Thats more like it, and while I harped (endlessly) about one character moment, I loved this episode. Yellow Fever was just filler, but that was how you tie your A plot to the situations of the characters (hell If you count the outtake raise it half a star).
It's a Great Pumpkin Sam Winchester (3.5 stars), versus The Curious Case of Dean Winchester (2.0-2.5 stars hasn't set in yet). I love last season episode, even though it started rather soft, but after the first 20 minutes its all 4 star material. This year's is the first misstep in my opinion of the season.
But lets be far, season 2 already had No Exit (Yikes), season 1 had Hook Man (plus the average episode wasn't nearly as good), season three already had Magnificent Seven and Red Sky at Morning (arguably the worst episode they have ever produced) and only one episode to this point that matches or exceeds the 3 episodes I rank as 3.5 Stars, Fresh Blood).
In fact when I grade on a ten point scale, only season 4 is averaging higher at this point, with season 1 and 3 not even close (though season 3 at this point episode 7 really starts to churn out some strong material).
When I just rewatched the story of the anti christ, I want to just give a shout out (because I don't think I originally did) to the great performance from the actress who played the boys birth mother. I don't think a single female role in the first season was played as well (and there are couple of roles I really liked in that first season Meg, the Sheriff, Missouri, Madison or the mother played by Amy Acker).
And I think I have been focusing on the parts I dislike more then normal because with this possible being the last season, I just want the show to be as perfect as it can be, not because I think its going down the toilet. Far from it. Hell even with this episode, I think some very, very minor changes would have improved it dramatically.