Hunted Review

Once again, the writers for “Supernatural” demonstrate how a focus on character can lead to the best plot twists. None of what happens in this episode would have the impact it has without the long, methodical psychological exploration that came before it. We needed to see Dean’s conflict and emotional strife so that this revelation about his father’s final request could be understood. In fact, Dean has been living with that duty long enough (and plainly enough) that it doesn’t feel like a revelation at all.

More to the point, the writers could have given Dean the full story, direct from his father, and he could have explained everything about the demon’s plans right then and there. Other shows have fallen into that kind of exposition trap, and it can be hard to avoid. Instead, the writers give the expected information by letting it come out naturally. The result is a massive complication in the world of the Brothers Winchester.

A number of things that could have been simple have become far more questionable. Up to this point, Dean had his suspicions about Sam and his supposed destiny, but he had good reasons to object to Sam’s assumption that he was inherently pre-disposed to an evil purpose. Since we’ve seen Sam do positive things and work for the side of the angels, usually with more compassion than his brother, it’s hard to think of him as a pawn of the demon.

This would naturally make Gordon the villain of the piece. In his initial appearance, he was seen as a hunter with a very cut-and-dry point of view on his craft: anything in league with the demons is fair game, regardless of good or bad intentions. Personal considerations don’t come into it. The audience, predisposed to Sam and Dean as the “good guys”, see Gordon and his actions in a negative light.

In a clever move, the writers introduced Ava, who comes across as a cute and spunky civilian with little or no predisposition for violence at all. Before long, you actually worry that she could be killed by Gordon, or more likely, dumped by her fiancé for running off to see Sam. This makes her the perfect plot device for communicating the true danger of the “demon pawns”. Seemingly normal and peaceful people can turn into killers, if they have that legacy hanging over their heads.

This means, in the long run, that Gordon might have been right. Sam may not intend harm, but he could be some kind of demonic sleeper agent. Sam may not be able to control himself when the time comes. Dean’s promise can now be seen as the curse that it is, paying off his emotional strife since the season premiere. The writers don’t need to communicate the implications, because they’ve been etched on Dean’s pained expression several times already.

Along the way, the writers also twist the knife for the Brother Winchester by leaving their support system in doubt. The Roadhouse may not be the safe haven they thought it could be, because Gordon got his information from someone there. For that matter, Ellen and Jo could be seen as “collaborators” if things get nasty. Jo’s presence out in the field as a hunter could lead to a reunion down the road, but it may not be pleasant if she’s come to the same conclusions as Gordon. All in all, the circumstances will force Dean into a corner if Sam begins to show signs of turning.

The episode ultimately tightens the screws on the Brothers Winchester while setting the stage for a massive plot bomb later in the series. While the war mentioned in this episode may not be coming just yet (there is a benefit to keeping it just off the horizon), Sam and Dean are caught in the middle. As sides are chosen, it will be increasingly harder for the brothers to stay out of the line of fire. And since the more they fight with other hunters, the less they hunt demons themselves, it should be an interesting balancing act.