Supernatural – Metamorphosis - Give Me My Remote : Give Me My Remote

Supernatural – Metamorphosis

October 10, 2008 by  

Pay attention to the title kiddies, because while this may be a descriptor of what was to come in last night’s episode, it is surely also a hint at what’s to come over the course of the season where Sam is concerned. Last night we saw Sam using his Jedi mind trick powers against a demon again, with New Ruby by his side. More importantly, Dean saw it too and he was completely pissed off that Sam’s been lying to him (and that Castiel may be on to something). The mythology of the show wasn’t necessarily advanced last night, however Dean and Sam were both caught up on some pretty major items. More on that later.The Big Bad this week was completely disgusting – I hope nobody had just eaten when they sat down to watch! I love to picture the smiles of glee on Kripke & Co.’s faces when they try to out-gore themselves each week. Last night we were introduced to Jack Montgomery, a man who is never full and seems to increasingly crave meat. A friend/fellow hunter named Travis who had been tracking Montgomery tipped off the boys. He asked them to check the guy out and let him know if anything strange was afoot. Well, wouldn’t ya know it – Sam and Dean spot him gorging himself on leftover chicken, and then when that was done, raw ground beef right from the refrigerator. Now I don’t consider myself to be a squeamish person, but watching that guy mow down on raw hamburger was pretty sickening (in a good way).

Travis informs the guys that Jack is the son of a Rugaru that Travis killed years ago, and he’s been tracking Jack ever since because he knows that the Rugaru gene is hereditary. First off, I have to commend the way that the word “Rugaru” itself became a running joke in the show, because it sounds ridiculous. Every time someone heard it for the first time, someone else would comment on the fact that it sounds made up. I love that self-awareness that Supernatural always has – they know the kinds of things that the audience thinks about and laughs at, and they use it to their advantage. Anyhow, the big dilemma is that the Rugaru traditionally begins with incessant cravings for all food, but eventually they all end up wanting the same thing: long pig. I have never heard that term before, but I can assure you that I’ll forever remember that it means human flesh. The dilemma comes into play because Jack has yet to eat human flesh and so his condition is manageable, but once he does, his progression into the Rugaru will be fairly immediate and irreversible.

Sam and Dean are on opposite sides of the argument over whether to kill Jack, as Dean (and Travis) think that the change is inevitable and they don’t want to risk other people’s lives. Sam however, and not surprisingly given his demon-ish qualities, thinks that Jack deserves the chance to choose not to go to the dark side. In the end the discussion doesn’t matter because Jack proves Travis right by eating him. Gross (again, in a good way!). Ultimately, the boys are forced to kill Jack when he’s proven himself beyond repair and it’s Sam who lights the fire that does him in.

Sam and Dean both learned a lot in this episode, even if it was nothing that we, the audience, didn’t already know. Dean learns about Sam’s involvement with New Ruby and also that he’s using his newfound power for good (his argument makes a lot of sense to me – he has these powers now so why not use them to help innocents?). Sam in turn learns what Dean saw on his time-warp to 1973, including the deal that Mary made to save John’s life. He also learns of Castiel’s instructions to Dean and vows to never use his powers again. Mind you, this is not because of Castiel, but because he doesn’t want to. I think that seeing Jack Montgomery’s transition against his own will scared Sam. He really doesn’t know where his road is leading, and he’s now got a pretty good reason to leave it unexplored for now.

I am such a big fan of this show and this year it has gone beyond even the most ardent fan’s expectations. There is a renewed sense of excitement for the show both with old fans and new, as the ratings seem to have spiked this year. Kripke and the rest of the SN crew are on the top of their game and I can’t wait to see how the rest of season four plays out, and especially since I get to do so along with all of you at GMMR!

— posted by Nicole

Nicole is a lawyer by day and will be GMMR’s resident Supernatural and Privileged expert this year. She lives just outside of Toronto, and as such, you’ll have to forgive Canadian spellings and maybe the occasional “eh” when they pop up in her reviews. Nicole is still in mourning over the loss of Arrested Development and desperately hoping that the movie happens soon. While she’s a lover of music and movies, television is near and dear to her heart and she’s really excited to be a part of the GMMR team!

Filed under Supernatural

Comments

6 Responses to “Supernatural – Metamorphosis”

  1. John on October 10th, 2008 4:42 pm

    I enjoyed the episode, but I wish they had been subtler in the parellels between Jack ans Sam.

  2. Patty on October 10th, 2008 4:45 pm

    I watched this epi again at lunch and love fighting brothers! And the horror on Dean’s face when he realizes that New Ruby is New Ruby. I could see him vomit in his throat a little.

    Best line : Man Burger Helper or the Hungry Hungry Hippo line.

    I have my own ideas as to where all this is leading and can’t wait to see where Kripke and friends go with it as I am sure I have no idea what I am thinking in most cases!

  3. Nicole on October 10th, 2008 5:29 pm

    Patty, I forgot to mention the fighting Winchesters and the punch scene! How could I leave that out?? I loved that scene. I also loved the Manburger Helper line – cracked me right up. Also, the scene where the busted in on that girl with the intent of saving her…high-larious.

  4. Nicole on October 10th, 2008 5:29 pm

    Patty, I forgot to mention the fighting Winchesters and the punch scene! How could I leave that out?? I loved that scene. I also loved the Manburger Helper line – cracked me right up. Also, the scene where the busted in on that girl with the intent of saving her…high-larious.

  5. SB on October 13th, 2008 10:55 am

    I didn’t love it quite as much as last week, but I agree that the story was advanced and I sort of love the monster of the week thing, and this was a good way to do that and make it believable.

  6. Harold on October 16th, 2008 1:48 am

    I liked this episode a lot but of course I like pretty much all of the episodes a lot! I think where they might have gotten the name Rugaru from, it was probably made up from the word Ragu the spaghetti sauce because this is something you eat and its red in color akin to blood, and I know writers can get inspired by almost anything, for all I know the whole episode may been inspired from Ragu spaghetti sauce !