Supernatural - Season 1, Episode 11: "Scarecrow"

Generally, you get through these episodes knowing that eventually, sometime later in the series, there is going to be some kind of reunion and demon-asskickery, courtesy of Sam, Dean, and absentee father, John. In "Scarecrow," however, we get close than ever to thinking that the time has come. And, in this one special instance, we want them to wait a little longer.

The episode begins with the brutal and creepy slaying of a young couple at the hands of a scarecrow. So, when the Winchester boys gets a phone call from John prompting them to go investigate, we resent Sam for fulfilling our previous wish of focusing on fulfilling their ultimate mission of finding their father. Sure, we want resolution, but that scarecrow thing looked just freaky enough to be willing to take the detour and find out what it's all about.

So, we eventually get a compromise, with the brothers breaking off on their own, Dean toward the scarecrow thing, and Sam, fed up with taking orders, embarking toward California in order to find John and exact revenge for his dead mom and girlfriend. We're anxious to see how both of these will resolve, but, as mentioned before, we're willing to put the John thing on hold until we get this orchard-bound monster sussed out.

Once we do (and I really should know better by now), we realize that it's really just another in the line of formulaic supernatural entities that get thrown at the boys for them to defeat. A promising opening does not make for a satisfying big baddie. But, we've still got Sam, right? While Dean's off fiddling with his strawman, Sam's going to find John once and for all. But wait, no, he has a change of heart when he can't get ahold of Dean on his cell phone. So, back he treks to the Indiana town just in time to save Dean's life and uphold the status quo.

Damn you, Supernatural for constantly making me hope that you're better than you are. You keep setting up the pins, buffing them up all prettily, and then throw gutter balls so that you never have to knock 'em down. There are a few one-liners ("I hope your freaking pie is worth it!"), as well as the introduction of a potential new multi-episode baddie (I hope) in Meg, Sam's sort of travelling companion, but, once again, I find myself wondering why I'm watching this show at all.

But I am, and I will, since I still have another load of dishes to do.

Rating: 3.25 stars