Supernatural, 4x13, “Afterschool Special”

Episode Title: After School Special
Writers: Andrew Dabb and Danial Loflin
Director: Adam Kane

Originally Aired: 01/29/2009
Grade: B+

First of all, I only learned of Kim Manner’s death a couple of days ago, because I stay pretty far away from the Supernatural online community these days. I’ve always liked him and found him oddly comforting in the DVD special features, and I know he was an integral part of the crew, so I’m quite sad. Condolences to his family, friends, and coworkers, though they will never see this.

Now for the episode, which I didn’t think was that bad, though I’m in the minority on that front. I probably liked it so much because I like WeeWinchester episodes, and I completely adore LilSam. The casting for TeenDean was insanely good, as well—the actor actually did a pretty decent job of mimicking Jensen-as-Dean’s inflections and mannerisms. I’m actually curious as to whether he just worked with Jensen to do this, or if the guy actually watches the show, because it was almost uncanny at times.

The characterization of the WeeWinchester’s was a bit on the shallow side. TeenDean’s pretty much boiled down to wanting to beat up anyone who hurt Sam and being a womanizer at a young age. LilSam was basically Saint Sammy, who was somehow fucking awesome at the hand-to-hand fighting, despite the fact that PresentSam totally sucks at it. Still, the actors themselves were charming (especially LilSam and his wee bitchfaces, yay!).

I really didn’t have a problem with Dean’s insecure “I’m a hero” moment. It doesn’t make him pathetic. It means he had issues back then about being an unsung hero, issues that he’s since gotten over. Given the kind of lives that those boys led, and the kind of hardass father John was, I really don’t even see how it reflects poorly on Dean or doesn’t make sense. And of course, I’m responding to fangirl bitching here rather than what I saw in the actual episode.

And in the same vein, I got a kick out of Dean getting dressed down a bit by the pretty girl whose pants he was trying to get into. Yes, Dean, some of them are actually pretty and have brains and can actually see below the surface of your bravado. Dean’s attitude toward women, quite frankly, sucks. I do think some of it is bravado, because he’s playing off his brother in most scenes, and that’s just how dudes talk to each other (except Sam doesn’t, because he’s all enlightened and shit), but it’s not all bravado. He’s a love ‘em and leave ‘em sort, and he very rarely seems to treat women as anything more than sex objects. I don’t really hold it against him, because given the nomadic lifestyle he’s led and the lack of a mother at a young age, it makes sense. He’s never really had the opportunity to get close to a single woman (besides maybe Cassie, and the less said about her, the better) or see them as more than a way to relieve some stress through sex. It’s a part of him that I generally accept, because he’s not really in a position to work on his sharing and caring issues with the ladies, and he has plenty of other good qualities.

I have to say, though, my favorite moment in the episode came near the beginning, when Sam asked April about seeing black smoke, and she responded, “What, are you crazy?” It was a cheap joke, but Padalecki completely nailed the reaction shot—completely stunned, followed by, “Wait, you drowned a girl in a toilet and think you were possessed, and you’re asking me if—no, no, so not worth it, she’s just a kid.” Hee.