Supernatural - The Things They Carried - Review

Supernatural, “The Things They Carried,” was written by Jenny Klein and directed by John Badham. The episode marks the return of Cole (Travis Aaron Wade), but doesn’t advance the overall mytharc of the season. It felt very much like a season one monster-of-the-week episode. However, Badham’s fantastic direction made the monster – a mutant cousin of the Khan-worm from “And Then There Were None” – which could have been a bit lame, pretty scary.

The opening scene is particularly well shot. We get bursts of action and black screen and then see the victim tied up and hanging upside down from down a long hallway. We watch with her as her attacker comes towards her. It perfectly captured her terror. We see the monster slit her neck and then drink her blood. If you’re like me, you were immediately going through the catalogue of monsters in your own head, eliminating them…

Back at the bunker, we see that Sam (Jared Padalecki) is still researching the Mark of Cain, looking for answers. Dean (Jensen Ackles) appears and accuses him of looking at porn – ok erotica – in a nod to Sam’s more refined sensibilities. It’s a nice typical scene of the kind of humor and deflection the brothers have always used to get through the day. Dean has a case and wants to hunt. Sam can’t come up with a good excuse without bringing up the elephant in the room.

In the car, one of the two best brother scenes in the episode, Sam is once again researching the Mark. Dean finally calls him on it. Once again the Impala is the safe place that they can have this conversation. They may be living at the bunker, but the Impala is still home. Dean tells Sam that in any case, they eventually hit a wall. It’s time to face the truth, even if they don’t like it: “There’s no way around this. I’m gonna keep doing what we do as long as I can, and I’d like you to be there with me.” Sam knows his brother is right, but isn’t happy about it and really doesn’t want to simply give up. Ackles and Padalecki are both excellent in this scene.

This felt very much like season three to me. Dean’s time is running out and he just wants to hunt and he wants to do that with his brother. It’s perhaps a little less selfish on Dean’s part in this season as we know Sam is committed to hunting. It’s curious that Dean doesn’t seem to be having any side effects from the mark in this episode. It’s also fine that this is Dean’s plan, but the big but is what happens when Dean isn’t ok to keep hunting. What does that even mean? Will he go killing crazy? If he does, will there be any way to stop him? Are we just assuming he’s going to turn back into a demon?

When they get to Fayetteville, they find the death that brought them there has been solved by the local Sheriff (Russell Thomas). I loved him offering them cake, and Sam wisely declines – how often has the problem/monster been in the food?! Dean of course can’t resist and sneaks a fingerful of icing. I loved Ackles’ innocent face here. He can sometimes go over the top and here it’s very subtle.

As they leave the Sheriff, they go through the list – no bites, not a Rugaru; killed with a bowie, not a vampire; Molotov cocktail could be demon crazy. It was nice to see the boys working a case. Interviews with wives Beth (Helena Marie) and Jemma (Michelle Morgan) follow. Another thing I liked about this episode was that it quite subtly highlighted some of the hardships faced by veterans. Both women relate how their husbands struggle when returning from deployment and suspect PTSD for the irrational behavior. Beth also relates how Rick tried to get in to see a doctor at the VA and was put on a list to be on a list. We also get the footage from Cole’s contact at Military Intelligence. Somehow seeing the shaky, dark footage on that small screen helps to ramp up the claustrophobia and terror of a raid like that – horrifying even without a supernatural monster involved.

Naturally, it turns out that Cole just happens to be good friends with Kit (Richard de Klerk). He insists that they are not going to hunt his best friend. They warn him, however, that Kit might not be Kit anymore. The scene in the convenience store pretty much solidifies that for us and is quite horrifying. Kudos to the makeup and or CGI for the great effects on Kit’s deteriorating face!

Cole tries to hide Jemma’s tip about the cabin, but of course, the brothers are on to him. Cole getting Khan-wormed was necessary for the plot, but the three of them should have been able to take down Kit, so this scene is a bit lame. The problem could have been solved by having the brothers tail Cole to the cabin instead of arriving as a “team.” Regardless, it was necessary for Cole to be infected to really understand both what happened to Kit and more importantly his father. He can feel himself slipping away as the worm takes hold.

The scenes in the cabin between Dean and Cole were great. Wade is really excellent in these scenes. His commitment to get back to his wife and kid – and his upside-down mortgage – make is seem unlikely that we will see him again, but who knows? It seems a bit contrived that Cole would come into contact with more monsters. However, I loved him calling Dean, Dean-o and Sam, Sammy-boy. Frankly, I found him a much more likeable southern lad than Garth, perhaps because he wasn’t simply supposed to be a huge joke.

Cole suddenly has insight into the brothers’ lives. He comments that day in and day out they chase monsters and nobody knows what they do. At least he got a medal. He says, “I tried to kill you and look at you saving me now.” We’ve heard this before, but it’s even more poignant coming from Cole. I loved the scene of Dean trying to electrocute the worm out of Cole. Dean is clearly not enjoying hurting him. I also liked the banter between the two – “You say that like it’s just another Tuesday.” “Oh Buddy, it’s only Monday.” This seemed like a nice nod to the show’s move to Wednesday nights, and made me wonder if it was originally scheduled to shift to Monday – but then it wouldn’t make sense to say it’s only Wednesday…

Dean can’t watch as he electrocutes Cole, so he misses him passing out/his heart stopping, and then frantically tries to revive him. It’s Dean that refuses to continue. The Mark clearly doesn't seem to be driving Dean here. I liked Dean and Cole problem solving their next move. They determine that rapid dehydration may drive out the worm. Sam’s comment that everything has a weakness was also telling. Sam’s motivation to save as many people as possible and his inevitable disappointment also felt like a throwback to previous seasons.

There’s another great shot of Jemma following the flower petals to her husband drinking out of the flower vase. It’s a nice horrifying twist on following flower petals to a romantic tryst – thank you John Badham! Sam is then left to explain about monsters to Jemma – again a throwback to so many early season scenes.

As it gets worse, there’s another great scene between Dean and Cole as Cole muses that this is what his dad must have felt like, and he tells Dean to kill him if it comes to it. Dean tells him that’s giving up and that he’s got to fight harder – good advice for Dean himself. When Cole asks him to tie him to a chair because all he can think about is “slicing your wrists and drinking you like a fountain. Guess that makes me a monster,” Dean looks utterly stricken. Both Wade and Ackles are simply excellent in this scene as well. Clearly, Dean is afraid that he is looking at his own future when the Mark makes him a monster again.

The final fight scenes between Sam and Kit and Dean and Cole are nicely cut together. Ultimately, Dean saves Cole, but Sam can’t save Kit. I thought the final scene with Kit in Jemma’s arms a bit confusing – you have to look closely to see the small caliber bullet wound in his forehead through all the gore already on his face and there is no blood on her as she cradles him against her. I’m assuming that Sam had to shoot him, but it’s not entirely clear.

The final scene of the episode is a good one. Sam apologizes to Cole for not being able to save his friend. Cole gets it now. He thanks Dean for saving him, but hopes he’ll never see them again. Perhaps this will calm the fans who are worried Wade is being groomed for the inevitable try at another spin off for the show. Dean tells Sam not to blame himself over Kit. Sam replies, “Can’t help it. Feels crappy. I tried… I just couldn’t save this one.” Dean replies, “You can do everything right, and sometimes the guy still dies.” Dean is clearly trying to prepare Sam for Dean’s own inevitable (to him) demise – just as he did at the end of season three.

I thought this was a good episode, if not great, with some very good performances. The direction was spot on. It was another nice return to the formula that made the show a fan favorite to begin with. I have to admit that Cole as a character really did grow on me here, but it will likely feel very contrived if they try to bring him back. What did you think of the episode? As a side note, I apologize for the lateness of this review due to illness.

About the Author - Lisa Macklem

I do interviews and write articles for the site in addition to reviewing a number of shows, including Supernatural, Arrow, Agents of Shield, The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, Forever, Defiance, Bitten, Glee, and a few others! Highlights of this past year include covering San Diego Comic Con as press and a set visit to Bitten. When I'm not writing about television shows, I'm often writing about entertainment and media law in my capacity as a legal scholar. I also work in theatre when the opportunity arises. I'm an avid runner and rider, currently training in dressage.