Long Distance Call: A Supernatural Episode Review

[sylvia_bond]

 You can read my review of the Supernatural episode "Long Distance Call" at pinkraygun.com. Thank you!

An excerpt:

However, Wardrobe needs to realize that Sam is now a strapping tall lad with pecs out to there and shoulders as wide as an axe handle. We’ve seen the pictures. He can pound nails with his neck. He can decapitate a vampire man with a piece of wire and his bare hands. To pretend otherwise is to attempt to ignore the changes that Sam has gone through. To expect the audience to ignore the changes as well is to do us a disservice. We’re not blind. Oh, we’d happily go blind staring at Sam’s physique, yes indeed. But we’re not blind. (Plus, if Show wants Sam to look young and harmless? Then they need to bring back The Bangs. Get Makeup involved and check out pics of Season One. Now there, you got you some classic Samhair. With bangs.)

Hands, in pockets:

Comments

[sheafleur.livejournal.com]

He needs to do way more peeping out from behind his hair.

[ckll.livejournal.com]

Soon, Sam is tied up, which means it must be Thursday!
Hahha!
I really enjoyed reading your review again. I like you see these camera angles details and show us so many interesting things.
Dean has a blind faith, Sam is the only one who can save him...and him...and him :)

[pie_andcoffee]

whee! *runs to read*

[runedgirl.livejournal.com]

I was waiting for your commentary, Sylvia, and you (as always) don't disappoint. We ended up feeling not-quite-right about this episode too, mostly for the reasons you've noted. It's almost as if the boys felt it as well, and ended up with their hands in their pockets in the universal 'umm...not quite sure what to do here' gesture as a result. However, because I adore Show and am always determined to try to give it every benefit of the doubt (and I didn't happen to be in a bad mood last Thrusday...) I'm clinging to the hypothesis that Sam's out-of-character behavior in leaving Dean there alone, the flatness of his affect, his not-Sam-ness, was perhaps a result of him just being overwhelmed with it all. He hasn't taken refuge in protective denial or its opposite, protective bravado, this whole time. He's felt it, let himself go there -- hell, couldn't help but go there after Mystery Spot. And he's worn down, now that the end is coming way too fast. He's demoralized and emotionally exhausted and he just wants it to stop. And I think maybe that's why he leaves, why he just needs to feel like he's doing something, why he needs the little bit of feeling of control it will give him to figure this *out* and not just rely on the faith he's used before, that he's not sure he can even grab hold of anymore.

This episode struck me as so *sad*, Sam demoralized, so achingly quiet, even his voice, like he just can't *do* it anymore. And Dean so desperate, his emotions finally forcing themselves through all those barriers, and then he reaches out for the only person he would ever let help him (Sam, duh, but I know you knew that) and Sam can't even go there with him, not right at that moment. It just about broke my heart. It's as though the boys, as complementary as they are, when one switched roles the other had to shift of necessity, just to maintain that symbiotic balance they've got going on so prettily.

On a more practical note, I think the writers strike really hurt this last bit of the season. Essentially trying to wrap a gigantic emotional story line like Dean's deal in three episodes (Ghostfacers was pre-strike, so that doesn't really count) is almost impossible. So I think we, the loyal viewers, are all feeling that frustration and wanting/needing so much more from these few episodes than is maybe possible.

Or is this just me being really really good at rationalizing? I hope not. I don't think so. Is it Thursday yet???

Lynsey

[ala-tariel.livejournal.com]

I love these words:

The sheets are pale (a light spring green that always seems to signify hope), and he’s sleeping on his back, safe in the knowledge that he can trust Dean to watch over him.

They're just awww.....

In this episode, in my book, Sam is very cute. Even with black suits. The show tried to make a more mature Sam with the rental Chevy, but it just didn't work. I wonder as well why this time Sammy got his own car. He was in the same town as his brother after all.

But I guess, it's because they went to different ways in the investigation. And apparently, Sam had enough money to rental a car. :))

All in all, as usual, I like your review. Honestly, this episode is better than Ghostfacers.

♥ you!

[pie_andcoffee]

hey there -
i just tried to comment but it doesn't look as if it took it? maybe it was too long - i see now i have to put it in 2 comment windows here at LJ!! anyway, i didn't even finish but here is what i had so far (under my susannaheanes username). take it or leave it!

love, s.

comments as i read thru:

1. i think the hands-in-pockets thing is becuz they want to punch something. to me it showed tension and angst and omg wtf amigonnadonao? punching didn't actually make sense, and also - if they started hitting something the tension was so high they might not stop.

in conclusion: hands-in-pockets worked for me. i'm just sayin'.

2. Dean does research on the laptop while Sam lounges... umm, yeah. this episode was all about role reversal. also, Sam is pretty sure this is NOT the gig he wants to be investigating, and he's resentful and recalcitrant. ok, he's pouty. but it looks good on him, so yeah.

3. The room does not contain the usual disarray that I’m used to seeing. Budget cuts for props, maybe? I believe metaphorically this is supposed to show at this point, they're running out of time, running on empty, living stripped down lives. I know when I am in a hurry and thinking about everything except the necessities, I'm just as likely to leave my purse, current projects, and even my shoes in the car and go out and get them later when I need them, IF I even have time to attend to them. It would not be unlikely, since the boys have so little anyway, I can see them leaving everything except maybe a change of underwear in the car. Also, maybe do not need to prep or clean guns or equipment from the last hunt (already done? didn't use?). Anyway, it didn't appear off to me until you mentioned it, but I re-watched a few scenes and this is the impression I got: stripped down, desperate, at a loss for what to do, running on empty, running out of time.

4. Maybe Sam’s reticence to believe comes out of the fact that he’s all out of hope and can barely breathe in and out. At any rate, he can’t take it and goes off to help the chick. Dean is furious. And hurt. The woefully sad piano chords build while Dean goes and sits in a chair to try and push the hurt back inside.
My, my. You really DIDN'T like this episode, did you? LOL. But consider: Don't you think Sam is hurting, too? It is apparent that he has no idea how to help Dean, and he's nursing the fact that yet again, Dean has kept something significant from him: Ruby ain't helping, she lied, and he doesn't have a back-up plan. He's devastated. The fact that he goes off to help Lainie instead to me is analogous to what some of us do every day: nose to the grindstone, we go to work and do what little good we know how to do, in spite of the fact that we know the world is going to hell in a hand-basket. But we shoulder on, and sometimes we eventually look up and the answer is there. Sam is hoping for something to drop into his brain, or out of the sky, and otherwise, is marking time doing what he believes he CAN do: help a civilian.

5. Sam would never never, never, EVER leave Dean. He did, though, in 3.09. Remember? It was to go do what he thought he knew how to do, what he believed would work in that instance. He's lost. He believes he can do his brother absolutely no good. Has no idea what use he is to his brother anymore. People who feel that way DO tend to slink off & angst or bury themselves in something that can make them forget for awhile: for Sam, it's work and drink. For Dean, it's sex, work, and drink. Dean's done it. Sam's doing it now. See? Complete role reversal. Show is telling us this in a MAJOR way. Stay tuned....

(cont'd below)

[janglyjewels.livejournal.com]

I love your recaps and this one is awesome! I did want to mention something. Sam's brown and shabby jacket has been around since first season's Skin. I love that jacket!

Also, I think Sam's leaving Dean to go help the chick was actually his way of helping Dean. If he could find out what or who was calling the chick, it would help him with Dean's phone problem.

[serena64.livejournal.com]

I agree with your comments - Sam and Dean just didn't feel quite in character and there were too many situations that just felt like cheap plot devices. The one that really got to me was Dean staying in the motel room to wait for the call - it's a mobile phone dude. Emphasis on the mobile!

Thanks for the review. It's good to have a moan with someone who can still see past any slightly "off" bits to the awesomeness that is Sam and Dean.

[keks80.livejournal.com]

I have to say I liked Long Distance Call way more than Ghostfacers, but I, too, thought some things seemed off.


I have been informed that the boys rent the suits and do not carry a bunch of them in the trunk of the Impala.

Was there some official statement that I missed? It sounds a lot more reasonable than them carrying around a bag with thousands of suits.


Back in the motel room, Dean does research on the laptop while Sam lounges sexily on one of the beds.

Watching that scene I was like 'Huh??? Why is Dean working the laptop???', because like you said, it is so out of character for Sam to hang around doing nothing and letting Dean do all the research.


bustyasianbeautys.com [...] Dean recommended the platinum membership

Bwahahaha!


the question as to why Sam has a rental car in the first place.

Does anybody have a good explanation why Sam uses a rental car? Because I still don't get it. But I really liked the licence plate of the car. It said EM(number)O(more numbers) and all I could see was EMO.


The boys go to the museum

I just love the guide. "And we are walking, we are walking, we are walking - and not touching - we are walking..." Teehee. Are museum guides really that annoying? I never had a guided tour, I usually wander through museums on my own.


if Show wants Sam to look young and harmless? Then they need to bring back The Bangs.

Totally. The bangs make him look about ten years younger. But. While I (like you and tons of other fangirls) really liked the bangs, I'm not sure Sam with bangs would work now. I'm afraid he has outgrown them in season two.


Dean tries to tell him what The Dad said. Sam is dubious [...] At any rate, he can’t take it and goes off to help the chick. Dean is furious. And hurt.

I was a little pissed, too. What the hell was Sam thinking, helping the chick rather than Dean?! And if he really had to go help the chick, why didn't he drag Dean along? The way Dean was reacting to the calls from The Dad and freaking out, you'd think Sam would hate to let him out of his sight. Uh, I think you already said that. *sheepish grin*


Soon, Sam is tied up, which means it must be Thursday!

Yay, tied up!Sam is always a good thing! My favorite tied up!Sam was in Skin, but I'm fine with any tied up!Sam.


At one point, Dean has bested the father, who is on the floor, and Dean kicks him in the ribs. Then again, and again and again. And then one more time after that, just for spite.

I was fearing a little for the father's life here because Dean was so out of it. I was very relieved that he managed to rein himself back in.


And heck, since Show is listening, I’ll suggest that next time they film the first aid scenes anyway and then add them to the “extras” section of the DVD collection.

Oh God, yes!!! I'd prefer a whole episode of first aid (What?! A fangirl can hope!) with Dean as the hurt one, please, but some extra scenes would make me just as happy.


Overall I liked the episode, which may have a lot to do with my willingness to cut the writers some slack after the strike, and with the fact that I live in Europe and am therefore happy with every episode I'm able to watch. Even a not-so-good/bad Supernatural episode is better than no Supernatural at all.

I'm sorry you were in a bad mood while watching it. Hope you're feeling better now!

thanks much

[(Anonymous)]

thats it, guy

[apgeeksout.livejournal.com]

This episode hurts in a very quiet kind of way. I can't point to a specific moment that does it, I guess it's more the mood of the whole thing. The fact that the boys spend most of the episode misunderstanding each other & just not knowing how to talk to each other. Not even in Winchester-code. Just, ow!

I have been informed that the boys rent the suits and do not carry a bunch of them in the trunk of the Impala.

And I still believe that is true, but there is a lovely little ficlet <a href="http://irnan.livejournal.com/24244.html>here</a> involving suits in the trunk that I suspect you'll enjoy. <i>I’d love for it to be a gas-guzzling 2008 Impala because the irony of that would be too delicious</i> I can't really tell either, but in my heart it's one of those bland personality-free new Impalas. <i>It’s brown and shabby and it’s meant to look old, as if we were meant to believe that it’s a jacket he’s always had. </i> Oh, but it <i>is</i> a coat he's always had! As I shamelessly yelled when I noticed it, "It's Sam's Carhart coat!!!", the one he wore all the time in season one & which I thought we'd had to give up in exchange for those shoulders. I ♥love♥ that coat! & I think Show is absolutely using it to make Sam seem younger, more vulnerable here. I approve most heartily!