Discussion of 1.18 "Something Wicked" 4/06/06 (WB-US)

[prydain]

From TheWB (http://www.thewb.com):

Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) investigate a small town in Wisconsin where children are falling into comas for no apparent reason. The brothers discover that a witch is creeping into the bedrooms of the children and stealing their "life force." While battling the witch, Dean recalls a past mistake that almost cost Sam his life at the hands of the very same witch, an event which has fueled Dean's protectiveness over Sam and his blind obedience to his father (Jeffrey Dean Morgan).

Title reminds me of Macbeth, which we're reading right now.

"By the pricking of my thumbs,
something wicked this way comes."

lol

[historylover]

I'm the first one!

I loved it. I felt so sorry for Dean. No 9 year old should be put in that kind of position. Sheesh!

Kat

[Velvet Sky]

I know, I was like 'aw... poor Dean', through out a lot of the episode. It seems like Dean's 'soft' side appears most when around young kids. Like he almost finds it easier, or is unable to not be 'honest' with young kids. It's kind of a sweet and endearing quality to the character. :)

[goldenboy]

I did like the flashback stuff. The storylines directly related to their family/history are the best. I like that Dad was shown to be such a badass back then...seems like we've only seen him as kind of a poor schmoe, running scared...

The demon thing...not real scary.

[prydain]

Yep, definitely not scary. Entertaining though.

Even though the show's pretty good at characterization and everything, I really hope the writers look back and figure out their mistakes in season one, because they are definitely there - and work on them: if they want the show to be scary they should plan it out at least as well as the pilot. They advertise this as being the "scariest show on TV" and that's false advertising right now.

They also need to make the characters more relatable, even though they appear to be realistic brothers it's hard for me to get invested in them emotionally which keeps me from enjoying the show as much as I do other shows, such as Lost.

They also need to try to make us feel more sympathy for the victims...let us get to know them a tad better and make them seem like someone we know or something, so we might actually flinch when someone gets offed. That what makes scary movies scarier.

[goldenboy]

Yeah, I hear ya Prydain.

The X-Files occasionally approached scariness. Usually, it was when you couldn't quite see, understand what the actual threat was. It's the uncertainty factor that causes fear. This creature reminded me of a Buffy villain or something. Just letting it all hang out...S&D know what it is, the camera shows it plain as day.

Also, I was thinking...how do Sam and Dean gain strangers' trust so damn easily? A single mom who runs a motel...someone like that should be very skeptical, protective. I know this is an hour-long fantasy show, but...I've been spoiled by the new breed of serialized dramas. How could anyone possibly buy them as doctors? Like, CDC specialists? Interns, maybe. This ep felt more incredible than some others have. I know you just gotta turn your brain off and enjoy sometimes...I'll just shut up now, heh.

...on second thought, one more thing. I will say that the preview for the rest of the season looked exciting—like they're acually going to follow through on the arc, answer some of the questions, get some whoop ass goin on with the bad guys.

[Angels baby101]

I loved the whole flash backs to the past thing... No 9 year old should have to have that kind of responsibility... It was a pretty good episode... and the kids were so cute lol... i have to agree... How do these people trust them so easily? I mean really...lol... and i'm also with Goldenboy here... The previews for the rest of the season look very exciting lol... Cant wait till next weeks episode...

[historylover]

Yeah, Prydain. I agree. I thought the hand was creepy, but it would have been more scary if you weren't sure if that was the tree's shadow or a hand. It's what you don't see that's scarier. Look at Hitchcock movies.

The only time I really jumped was when the old woman woke up! I jumped about as far as Dean did! And, then I laughed at that, because I'm such a dork!

But, I loved this episode. I also spent most of the episode going, "Poor Dean." You can read my review of "Something Wicked" on the tv.com forums. I think I put down "Poor Dean," like 3 times!

Kat

[prydain]

I did love how the crucifix was simply upside down by accident, and the expression on Dean's face when he realized that, lol.

They could still be scary I think, even after we knew what the creature was, it's most just a matter of pacing and everything. For example, "Scarecrow" could have been quite scarier, even if we knew that the scarecrow was gonna come down and kill the people. In the teaser it just jumped off and they were dead seconds later - that's not acceptable if they want to call this a horror show. They could have made it a lot more intense and creepy, if not frightening, if they paced it right, had the victims' fear growing, etc.

Even though The Grudge, The Ring, or The Amityville Horror aren't very scary, one advantage they do have is they can give you a growing sense of dread and serious creepiness. Which can be better than just the "Boo!" brand of fear. I wish Supernatural would use this technique, it could do wonders.

I just feel like they don't really care. The pilot, IMO, was near perfect, it was really creepy, good special effects, decent pacing, and it had a small amount of gore and gross stuff (like Constance digging her hand in Sam's chest). Usually episodes get BETTER after the pilot, but IMO the show has yet to live up to the quality the pilot promised.

But hey, at least the show's fun to watch. I just wish I was getting what I came for.

[goldenboy]

I just feel like they don't really care. The pilot, IMO, was near perfect, it was really creepy, good special effects, decent pacing, and it had a small amount of gore and gross stuff (like Constance digging her hand in Sam's chest). Usually episodes get BETTER after the pilot, but IMO the show has yet to live up to the quality the pilot promised.

Just looking back at the episodes, I think Eric Kripke is the best of the writers. He's the creator right? Probably feels more invested in these characters than anyone. I think David Nutter's been the best director...

[kierens25]

I thought the episode was okay, but it could have been so much better. They put the whole "we love our baby brothers" on way too strongly. We get that they love their brothers, you don't have to mention it every two seconds. I did like the quote from Michael and Dean about doing anything for your little brother, though. I thought that was sweet. And Sam's facial expression was great.

I did not like the kid that played Mini!Dean. He was boring. I liked Michael though. He was an overprotective smart-ass...essentially a MiniDean.

I loved Dean in the hospital after Sammy told him the doctor was the one doing it. That was great. His whole "I'm so going to shoot your ass full of bullets you son-of-a-bitch" look going on with his mellow personality. It was perfect.

I can't wait until the season finale. Apparently it's going to be a cliffhanger so it better be a good one. Course most season finale's are cliffhangers, but that's totally not that point :).

I would have posted this sooner, but I've been a little busy. :D *Just realized how prydain knew yesterday was my birthday* It's on this site. *feels dumb now* hehe.