By John Keegan
Much like the previous episode, “Mystery Spot” takes a well-trodden plot device and takes it in an unexpected direction. In most cases, when the “Groundhog Day” concept is applied, the story rarely strays from the idea of following subtle clues to the eventual solution. Rarely does this lead to actual character development. “Supernatural”, however, tends to be the exception to the rule, and that remains the case in this episode.
The episode begins in a more comic fashion than expected, despite Sam’s heartfelt reaction to Dean’s death. The writers must have had a lot of fun repeatedly killing Dean, and Sammy’s increasingly weary reactions were priceless. In fact, I was surprised to discover that the episode was not written by Ben Edlund; it would appear that his sense of the absurd is rubbing off on the rest of the writing staff.
The tone of the episode changes dramatically when the cause of the “time loop” is discovered. Before that point, Sam found himself in a mental corner, unable to figure a way out, and Dean was actively trying to save himself as well. This connects well with the previous episode; earlier in the season, Dean may not have been so willing to make the effort. But then Sam finds inspiration, and the Trickster God (from “Tall Tales”) is exposed.
From there, the episode becomes a character study, focusing on Sam’s relentless pursuit of the Trickster after Dean’s seemingly final demise. Sam descends into some scary territory, willing to do anything and everything to find the Trickster, in hopes of restoring Dean or killing the Trickster in vengeance. It’s another look at the darkness within Sammy, and if nothing else, it is very reminiscent of John Winchester’s lifelong mission.
The Trickster claims to have started with the intention of getting some payback, but by the time Sam tracks him down, things have changed. The Trickster makes a rather good point. Sam is desperate to save Dean from his impending doom, and the demons know it. Sooner or later, they will take advantage of that. As I’ve mentioned previously, I’m relatively sure they already have; Ruby has positioned herself well for the role. This plays into the theory that Sam could be tempted to take on the mantle of Antichrist, urged on by Ruby and her fellow devoted Sam fans among the horde.
More generically, it means that Sam’s enemies and detractors among the demons know one way to shape his responses. All they have to do is target Dean, and they can either distract Sam from the mission or force him down a path that serves their interests. The Trickster proves the point that Ruby made to Dean in “Malleus Maleficarum”: Sam is not ready to stand on his own. It proves what has been apparent since John’s death; the Brothers Winchester can no longer conceive a world apart.