Supernatural, “Don’t You Forget About Me,” was written by Nancy Won and directed by Stefan Pleszczynski, who also directed the episode that introduced Alex (Katherine Ramdeen). Won also wrote “Thin Lizzie” and also wrote Being Human under Jeremy Carver and continues the tradition of mining Jericho on which she wrote with Robbie Thompson. It is always a joy to see Kim Rhodes return as Sheriff Mills, but I can’t help but feel they’ve now really relegated her to the “mom” role that she came from on The Suite Life of Zack and Cody. And while she’s terrific in that role, I prefer the aspect of her that is the tough as nails, super-smart cop.
Much has already been written about Jody stepping into the Bobby (Jim Beaver) role with Claire (Kathryn Newton), the blond older sibling, stepping into the Dean (Jensen Ackles) part of the equation and Alex, the brunette, younger sibling, stepping into the Sam (Jared Padalecki) part. It’s a little too on the nose for my taste, and while some feel it adds a woman’s perspective, to me it doesn’t feel like it does more than substitute one for the other with little added to the equation – at least hunting wise.
Nothing in this episode really jumps out as “bad” to me, I just was particularly captured by it – that one scene excepted. The opening scene shows two kids necking by a lake, clearly a make out spot. Claire suddenly drags the guy out and demands to know what he is, holding a sword to his throat. The camera lingers a little too long on his face. We get it. He’s just a horny teenager and Claire is having trouble adjusting…
Ackles and Padalecki do some of their best comedic work in the episode. Dean brings Sam “The Elivis.” It’s a double bacon cheeseburger with donuts instead of buns. Sam, the health nut, is disgusted, and Dean is disgusted – and hurt – that Sam is disgusted. Dean? Have you met your brother? It’s classic Winchester brothers, however, and highlights how different they are in many ways.
Naturally, it’s Dean that receives a call from Claire – remember, she’s the mini-Dean. Least we think why isn’t her “father” in on all this, we’ve already been told that Cas (Misha Collins) is nowhere to be found and neither is Amara (Emily Swallow) – so no mytharc this episode.
Cut to Jody picking Alex up from high school. Anybody else recognize the high school from “After School Special?” Her boyfriend, Henry (Jedidiah Goodacre) is a jock and she’s popular. She even gets along with her math teacher, Mr Phelps (Preston Vanderslice). She seems to have completely assimilated and adjusted well. Jody is pleased. It’s all too nice, right? We only learn it was Claire that called when both Jody and Alex are surprised to see the Impala in the driveway. Jody says, “I didn’t put up the bat signal.” I did love this Batman reference!
We are treated to the usual big hugs between Jody and the boys. It’s clear that Claire and Alex dislike each other – a lot. Claire is supposed to be attending college, but has been too busy hunting monsters that aren’t there. Was it just me or does Claire look like she should be the one in high school and Alex looks like she should have graduated from college a while ago? My foggy recollection had them closer to the same age… but perhaps Alex is catching up?
One of the best scenes in the entire episode was that awkward family dinner. Dean and Sam demonstrate how different their own lives are by the gusto with which they devour Jody’s home cooking. They get a run down on the case and what Claire’s been up to – finding a rabid German Shepard (werewolf) and a vampire – Councilwoman who was into erotic cosplay. I loved that Jody didn’t know what cosplay was and it was super embarrassing for everybody. Though on the other hand, did they never mention larping to her? Didn’t they mention Charlie?
Claire has a string of assaults. Alex wants to stop even talking about monsters and talk about real life, so Claire outs her about her plans with Henry, turning the conversation awkwardly to birth control. I adored Jody telling Dean and Sam to “Sit. Stay” which was ad libbed in the scene. Ackles face her is priceless! This isn’t the side of this conversation that either ever wanted to be on. It’s doubly hilarious when you consider that in real life, Ackles has a daughter…
Dean helps Jody with the dishes and says he thought that Alex would be the one with adjustment issues as she had even less of a normal childhood than Claire. Jody is full of self-doubt about being a mother to them. I have to say that this conversation really didn’t ring true to me. Are we to forget that Jody was a mother? Is it even that hard for one woman to talk to another woman?
Meanwhile, Sam talks to Claire. She confides in him that she feels like she “was late to the Jody-Alex show.” She feels like she is an outsider though she knows they aren’t trying to make her feel bad. Of course, by the end of the episode, they’ve all bonded. Sam tells her that she wouldn’t be the first hunter to use hunting to run away from something else. He tries to get her to at least consider attending college.
The next victim is Alex’s math teacher, who is left hanging upside down on the flagpole. Claire tries to join Jody and FBI Sam and Dean. Dean takes Claire aside and tells her that she owes Jody – respect if nothing else – because of what Jody has done for her. I loved Dean trying to give Henry the “stare” to put the fear of God into him and Henry not caring. Of course, I also remember when Dean wouldn’t have had a problem giving that stare…
Sam and Jody investigate the school custodian, Mr Wheeler, played by Ben Cotton who was also in “The Magnificent Seven” in season three. Sam is suspicious of him – and should be. Wheeler is determined to ruin Alex’s life because her nest turned him and ruined his life.
Jody and Claire are ambushed by Wheeler. Henry turns out to be a vampire too, and he takes Alex. Sam and Dean track them all to the old pool at the school. Alex offers to be a lure for them and a food source when they need it to save Jody and Claire. Wheeler bites Claire just as Sam arrives and Henry manages to whale on Sam with a two by four. I’m not sure what took Dean so long to get there, but it did allow Jody to free herself – though her bum knee got knocked out again by Wheeler. Alex gets free and punches Henry, while Claire beheads him. It was nice to see them bond a bit over this moment! Dean beheads Wheeler.
Claire and Alex make Jody breakfast as a small way to apologize and thank her. Jody tells Alex, “You were ready to give your life for us. That’s goodness. And that’s what’s so scary about family. It gives you so much to lose.” And isn’t that why we’re always both delighted and scared every time Kim Rhodes appears! Do NOT kill her, show! The Supernatural Family – the name the fans have been dubbed with – will riot!
Claire tells Dean that Jody is going to teach her about investigating. Maybe she’ll convince her to go into law enforcement at some point?! At least she’ll be able to make more informed decisions and be a better hunter.
Sam is laden down with leftovers as they leave. Alex is going back to school. She’s not giving up her quest for normal, and she says that she can’t be around hunting, so she may have to leave. Claire is just as determined not to give up hunting. I wonder if at some point the two will have to go on a road trip to find Jody… Spin off anyone? But let's not have Jody disappear permanently like John!
This wasn’t a bad episode, but it did fall a little flat for me. Which is a shame because I love Kim Rhodes. Newton continues not to impress me, however, so I wish their stories hadn’t been linked. What did you think of the episode? Favorite scene? Can anything beat that awkward family dinner? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
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, Agent Carter, The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, The X-Files, Defiance, Bitten, Killjoys, and a few others! I'm active on the Con scene when I have the time. 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.
