"Supernatural" and "The Girl Next Door" Is Not Who You Expect!: A Television Review

*here be spoilers.

Director: Jensen Ackles.

Writers: Andrew Dabb and Daniel Loflin.

The Leviathans are apparently one step behind as the Winchesters are hiding out in "Supernatural's" latest, and they could perhaps be with “The Girl Next Door.” The villain they end up getting to know ends up being a creature from Asian and Indian folklore, a shape-changing fox spirit better known as a kitsune. Although these creatures are not traditionally known to attack humans (they prefer to eat tofu instead), these creatures are more known to be representations of romance.

Shades of Romeo and Juliet are hinted at in this episode, but instead, another story is told. This episode brings forward concerns about who has the right to bring balance to the force. Neutral entities, even if they have malevolent tendencies and strange food choices, apparently cannot be allowed to live at all. Although the brothers are said to be a nexus point for everything else to take place around, one of them wants to rewrite the rules and the other change it.

This episode is also filler to give the Leviathans time to expand their influence. For now, the brothers continue to recover and they remain uncertain in what to do next. While Sam goes out to fetch groceries, he spots the paper with a headline about a string of bizarre murders going on. That brings up memories of an old case, and he goes off on his own to investigate.

In what Sam finds, he has to wonder what is going on with an old flame, Amy (Jewel Staite, Firefly). She is doing the killings. When Sam tracks her down, he questions her about broken promises and she reveals that she is only doing it to keep her son alive. Even her cover of working in a morgue is fine, but she needs more, preferably fresh, bodies if her son is to heal. Her masquerade does not draw attention from the mortals and Sam decides to let her go.

Through a series of flashbacks, viewers are treated to what life was like when the Winchesters were a young unit, in their teenage years, with an overbearing father. The younger awkward Sam does not know how to talk to girls and falls for this mysterious girl in the library.

Ackles does a great job as a director in these flashback moments. The way it is positioned is a perfect contrast of what older Sam is like without those insecurities. And when he is back on screen, the challenges of acting and directing at the same time are pulled off with ease. Had he more control with the writing of this episode, maybe an explanation can be included to tell audiences where Bobby went when his home was ravaged. He arrives in a suit and tie to conveniently help the brothers escape from the Sioux Falls hospital.

Apparently the Leviathans have not taken control of the entire clinic when the brothers almost slip away. The team still does not know what to do as these sea dwellers infiltrate into positions of power and authority. They can even track down the Winchesters whenever they use their credit card now, which is an incredible plot hole. Just how do they know their alias and what cards do they use? Did the Winchesters lose their wallet?

Even while the main story-arc takes a break for the next few episodes, this episode is a return to the basics, where there is “a monster of the week” and family boundaries are tested. While Sam is okay to let Amy go like he did in the past, Dean does not. He plays the antihero and that is a touch unsettling.

Apparently all supernatural creatures that has done human injustice must die, Amy cannot be allowed to live, and Dean stabs her. He does not realize that her son witnesses the murder and this is only going to set up a future meeting of the two where the kid is going to get his revenge; that’s assuming if Dean even lives that long. But the Kill Bill reference is done to death. And just how long can Dean keep this secret from Sam?

The next episode, "Defending Your Life,” may reveal all. The Egyptian god Osiris is going to get the "Supernatural" treatment, whether the Scale of Justice is going to be used or not.

Overall: 7 out of 10.

The "Supernatural" at the CW:

The "Supernatural" Homepage

More from "Supernatural:"

"Supernatural's" Seas. 6 on DVD

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