Discussion of 2.06 "No Exit" - Aired 11/2/06 (CW-US)

[prydain]

Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) investigate the brutal slayings of blond women from an apartment building and discover the demon responsible is the ghost of the first serial murderer, H. H. Holmes.

Meanwhile, defying her mother's (guest star Samantha Ferris) wishes, Jo (guest star Alana Tal) follows the Winchesters on their hunt and ends up getting captured by the ghost and buried alive.

Matt Witten wrote the episode directed by Kim Manners.

Source (http://www.cwtv.com)

Putting this up now so I won't forget on Thursday. I just read about H.H. Holmes on Wikipedia, sounds like an interesting story.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H.H._Holmes

[N4H]

Just read that wiki article. Now that's scary.

[goldenboy]

Man, his bio reads just like a treatment for a horror movie. I was always curious about that "The Devil in the White City" book..

[prydain]

This episode was really, really awesome. Unfortunately it was not as scary or intense as the previews made it seem (go figure, eh?) but it was still enjoyable and WAS a little creepy. It was a lot closer to The X-Files feel than it has been, I think.

The H.H. Holmes plot was interesting, but I felt like more could have been done with it. To make it more atmospheric and creepy they could have shown more of the guy torturing people and stuff, perhaps.

I really liked Jo and Ellen in this episode...Jo and Dean worked very well together I thought. And Jo became even more likeable as Alona Tal continues to get a feel for her character. Even though I knew why Ellen was upset before Jo told dean I thought all of that was very well played and all the emotional stuff felt more real than it usually does.

I'd rate it a 9/10.

[Angels baby101]

hmm i read the article on H.H. Holmes very interesting indeed... Gotta love a good serial killer (ok that came out weirder then in my head)

The episode was really good i thought.. Though like Pry wasn't as creepy as the previews supposedly made it sound.. Even though the promo's didn't really make it too creepy either... But eh... I agree i really liked the relationship between Dean and Jo in the episode... had some funny moments. Also agree that they could have showed the guy torturing the girls a bit more... Thats just me though lol...

[Vilandra]

See now I didn't like this one. Though usually I like bringing in historical things into the show, there was something about this one. First, I am so tired of the serial killer Saw-esque episodes of every show on the planet. I half watched this one on Wednesday night too (whatever that show with Mandy Patinkin is). Get a new idea already!

Second, for some reason I had a problem with the suspension of disbelief on this one. And I usually don't have a problem with that ever. But I just kept thinking that there were holes in the premise of it.

And why wouldn't the concrete move the salt and break the circle?

[goldenboy]

How did they create that elaborate salt trap in the first place, lol.

Whatever. I wanted to see the boys wandering around that giant creepy house of horrors in Chicago that HH Holmes created. We got black goo and dirty fingers coming through grates. It's starting to sink in that I'm not the target demo for this show, heh.

It does make a difference, having female regulars...that's a good thing I think.

[Vilandra]

Yeah an episode set in the murder house would have been cooler lol

[historylover]

See, I was also disappointed in it. I was on the fence about Jo originally, but now, I've moved solidly into the "I hate her" camp.

Most of my problems came from

1) Alona Tal and Jensen Ackles have no chemistry. And, Jo and Dean are being set up as love interests. I just don't see it. And, it's really not anyone's fault. Either you do have chemistry, or you don't. And, there's no point in forcing it if there's no chemistry.
2) I'm a Dean girl, but I really didn't care much for the Dean/Jo show. Where was Sam? I love the brotherly dynamic, but you don't have it when one brother is sorely missing!

But, I didn't mind the climax. The pouring of the concrete was a smart idea. The goal is to block the entrance way, so nothing gets in and out. It doesn't have to completely fill up the sewer pipes. It just has to fill up the entrance to block anything. It doesn't even have to go as far as the salt line, because I don't think even the truck would have that much concrete to go that far into the tunnel.

Kat

[Karma]

I really liked this episode. I'm glad it was a Dean/Jo orientated episode. I think I'm turning into a big fan of theirs, but I did find myself missing Sam a bit.

I think they do have chemistry. The tension between them is really hotting up and I liked how they kept the little joke going about Dean being scared of Jo's mum...lol...I also liked how the pair bonded over the loss of their father's. That was sweet and I can see Dean really opening up to her later about that

The scary parts were really well done in this episode, I thought (or maybe I'm just easily scared :)). The shots of the victims in their coffin type prisons gave a really good insight into how little they could see and that made it all the more frightening.

One of my favourite episodes!!

[prydain]

I think Dean and Jo have chemistry, too.

[teentitan]

Wow reading what you guys posted is really confusing? It's a tv show! If you want to see torture go see a Saw movie or any other slasher movie out there.
During the show I thought we were going to see a Jo/Dean relationship, especially when they were talking about their fathers. But when Ellen yelled at Dean on the phone that "Your not the first Winchester not to keep your promise" that really caught my attention.
The end of the show really made the whole episode great. One father lived the other died. Jo storms away from Dean. Now Sam and Dean have to find out what hunt killed Ellens husband and what went wrong by asking Ellen. If Dean is afraid of her now I can't wait to see if his jeans get a little darker from wetting himself. lol Plus Jo wanting to be a hunter is far from over with Ellen. Also will Jo trust Dean at all?
This was a great show because now I am really wanting to know is their going to be an episode about the hunt John and Ellen's husband went on and the hunt failed are the boys going to finish the job to gain Ellen's trust and maybe get a little respect back for John in Ellen's mind?
I am finding that season 1 was the scary monster, creepy events to hook the viewers. And now season 2 is more story driven because the show has the fans. Really folks just how much gore and torture can you watch before it gets boring and you end up turning the show off?
Don't know about you guys but I'll take a good weekly story that builds to a big ending over watching useless gore just to schock me. Like I said if I want gore I'll go to a movie.
Oh and the salt was in a tarp that surrounded the opening so when the boys shot the rope all the salt fell to the floor circling Mr. Creepy and the concrete was only meant to stop rain water from getting into the opening that would melt the salt and let Mr. Creepy out.

[historylover]

You know, that's true. I'm not a big fan of blood and gore. I tend to go more for suspense.

I like the character-based stories. Just gore, gore, gore would get very old very fast.

Kat

[prydain]

Yes but lots of suspense AND a little gore would be even better.

[Sin]

I think this was a good episode. I do wish there was more with Sam but that was probably just my girly, wishful thinking. The 'relationship' with Dean and Jo seemed quited forced but I think it will probably grow on me the more I see it. The whole ghost story did seem a bit over-shadowed by the Jo/Dean thing, which was a little annoying, but overall it wasnt a bad episode.

[prydain]

Lots of people have been complaining about the lack of bickering between Dean and Sam, but I personally think those scenes are usually too forced and fake...a few will be funny but others just make me roll my eyes. Mostly because of Jared. Their pranks in "Hell House" got more annoying than anything...they just always overact it. In this episode there was only one little joke like that, towards the beginning. It was effective, and it was enough.

What's even worse is the highly emotional scenes, the fights between John and Sam were always cringeworthy...JDM and JP just cannot act well enough to pull those off.

[Angels baby101]

I mean i kinda wish there was a bit more interaction between Sam and Dean i mean i too miss sam... lol but i also miss the gore... lol dont get me wrong i like the nice clean episodes too but it wouldn't hurt for alittle more gore... expecially when its previewed to supposedly be that way..

[Rose Tyler]

I did get a shock when we saw the eye but thats as far as scare factor. I like the sound of this H H Holmes character, sounds like something I need to do some reading on.

[Vilandra]

You are obsessed! lol

I think he was part of the research I was doing I'll see if I can find any of it for ya ;)

[Rose Tyler]

lol I know I can't help it, I put it down for my need to understand why people do things. It goes the extra length when dealing with serial killers ;)

Ta hon!

[historylover]

OK, I keep forgetting to post my episode breakdowns. I apologize. Shortly after the episode airs on Thursday, I'll post it here. I promise.

So, I'm going to post the "No Exit" breakdown now. And, I'll be better at posting, starting on Thursday.

Hope you enjoy.

OK, girl. Get out of the house. Now!!!!

That's just so wrong. Ewwwww.... OK, I jumped at the eye.

Katie Holmes? I'm amused.

Guys, stay out of mother/daughter fights. It never ends good.

Awkward!

"It won't bite." "No, but your mother might." Dean's still scared of Ellen! Love it!

Jo's real name is Joanna Beth.

I'm wondering how Daddy dearest died.

I don't think so either.

Boyfriend Dean and Buddy Sam. OK, I'm starting to edge to "I hate Jo." Excuse me. Joanna Beth. Suits her.

Stick to research, sweetie.

"I think the jury's still out on that one." So far, Dean's not that impressed with Jo. This is promising.

Dean, I'd stick her with Sam.

"You know you're the spirit's type." You mean, blonde and stupid? Not that blondes are stupid, but she is!

"Yeah, but I'm a little twisted." Hee hee hee.

Dean really does wish he had a normal life!

Where's Sam in all this?

Dude, don't put your hand in something that you can't quite see. Eww....

I'd say something about reading with your lips moving, but then I realized, I do the same thing sometimes. Ooops.

Um... leave. Finally someone with a right idea. Too bad she can't leave.

OK, that's wrong on so many levels.

OK, obviously Jo ain't impressing me much. Maybe she'll decide she doesn't like the life.

Again, why is Sam not around? Why are these two just thrown together. I'm ducking anvils here, and I don't like it!

You haven't done anything to earn a story about John, Jo.

Nugget--Dean was a marksman at the age of 6 or 7. This will spawn hundreds of fics.

At least they're not being made to be half-siblings.

Steve McQueen? You know who Steve McQueen is? I'm not buying that.

Except you're not trained, Jo. That's what's wrong with it. You're a danger to yourself and to Sam and Dean!

"Where's the coffee?" Shout-out to sifi!

TWoP calls Jo "Killer Barbie." I'm amused.

Damn! That's a lot of people!

What? Does he offend your sensitive ears, princess?

I'm sorry, y'all, but I'm getting a kick out of the description of Holmes! This guy knew what he was doing!

No, Jo. You're not OK.

A hunter should never give a girly scream like that.

Dean wielding a pickax? That's hot!

Is this the episode where Jared actually had surgery on his broken hand? Because, where is he?

While commercials are going on, I will say this: I was willing to give Jo a chance. Now, I've decided. Don't like her. She's Killer Barbie. Sadly, I don't think Holmes is going to kill her.

What's Dean's ring?

Dean's so dead. Ellen is going to really kill him, allow him to become a ghost, then salt and burn his bones.

Ellen rocks out loud!

What did John promise Ellen? I'm very interested in that relationship!

Yay. Killer Barbie. Hope this will convince her to stay home next time!

OK, I'm claustrophobic. I'm about ready to burst out in tears too.

"I'm here to rescue you!" I laughed.

What the hell?

Hey! He messed up Jo's hair! He's going to pay for that!

I thought Holmes was buried two tons of concrete. Did I miss something? How'd they know to search there? I missed something...

OK, y'all. This so far is the worst episode this season. It beats "Route 666" because it really does have a creepy-ass bad!

Except, him pawing Jo is sick and wrong.

Where Dean's crawling would freak me out too. Again, claustrophobia.

Jo's bait! I love it!

She's going to decide hunting's not for her.

So, how do you get rid of a ghost when you can't salt and burn his bones?

Salt. Now, that's just cool.

Great. She is going to be a hunter. Just, don't tag along with our boys ever again, OK?

Hee hee hee. Dean ripped off a cement truck. I'd like to know how he learned to drive it, but I love it!

Dang commercials!

What's the deal with all the commercials? Smallville was plagued by tons of commercials, too!

Awkward car ride. Hee hee hee.

Whooo... Remind me not to get on Ellen's bad side.

"You're as Cold as Ice." I'm amused.

"This is going to be a long car drive."

Jo didn't do good, Dean.

"I'm alive!" "Not after I get through with you!" I love Ellen!

What about John?

Oh... John screwed up. Huh...

This is interesting.

Next week... Ooohhhh...

"My name is Dean Winchester. I did not kill anyone." Yippee!!!!

"Dean's a bad guy." I'm not going to like these cops! No matter if that is Linda Blair.

Kat