Asylum

"Asylum," the tenth episode of Supernatural's first season, created by Eric Kripke and directed by Guy Norman Bee, is a standout installment that delves into the themes of fear, trauma, and the haunting legacy of mental illness. Set against the backdrop of a decrepit asylum, this episode effectively combines horror elements with emotional depth, further developing the Winchester brothers' characters.

The episode begins with a group of teenagers who dare each other to spend the night in an abandoned asylum known for its dark history. The chilling atmosphere is established early on, as they encounter supernatural occurrences that hint at the asylum's tragic past. Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean Winchester (Jensen Ackles) arrive to investigate after hearing about strange happenings linked to the asylum. They soon discover that the spirits of former patients haunt the building, driven mad by their traumatic experiences.

Guy Norman Bee's direction captures both the eerie ambiance of the asylum and the emotional turmoil faced by the characters. The cinematography by Serge Ladouceur enhances the suspenseful moments, using dim lighting and shadowy corners to create a sense of dread. Notable scenes include Sam and Dean exploring the dark hallways, where they encounter ghostly apparitions that reveal the asylum's horrific past. The pacing is well-executed, allowing for tension to build while also providing moments of character reflection.

Jensen Ackles delivers a compelling performance as Dean, showcasing his protective instincts toward Sam while grappling with his own fears. Jared Padalecki effectively portrays Sam's determination to uncover the truth behind the asylum's hauntings while confronting his own vulnerabilities. The chemistry between the brothers remains a highlight, adding emotional weight to their interactions as they face supernatural threats together.

Thematically, "Asylum" explores issues of mental health and trauma, emphasizing how past experiences can linger and manifest in haunting ways. The episode raises questions about how society treats those with mental illness and reflects on the stigma associated with it. The spirits of the patients serve as a poignant reminder of their suffering, making it clear that their stories deserve to be heard.

"Asylum" stands out as a powerful exploration of fear and trauma within Supernatural, combining horror elements with meaningful character development. Its ability to address complex themes while delivering suspenseful storytelling makes it a memorable episode in the series. By intertwining supernatural horror with real-world issues surrounding mental health, "Asylum" invites viewers to reflect on their own perceptions of fear and empathy in relation to those who suffer from unseen battles.

I read some good comments about this show through various sources, so thought I would give it a chance. A big plus to "Supernatural" is that it comes from a lot of really kick a$# people from "The X-Files," my all-time favorite addiction. The pilot wasn't great, but as I've learned you have to keep watching a few episodes. Now I'm absolutely hooked. "Skin" was really good. Reminded me a bit of "Tooms" from X-Files. "Asylum" was one of the best! It's a bit like "Session 9" but scarier. I am a hardcore horror fan, and this one had me very nervous. "Scarecrow" is a bit "Jeepers Creepers" but excellent. You can tell that the writers of this show love horror and you get a lot of great in-jokes. In "Asylum" you get some references to "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," and in a previous episode, maybe "Home," Dean mentions that his brother has the ability to "shine," a reference to "The Shining." What makes this show so exceptional is that the writing is typically good; some twists on some familiar story lines and great character development. I adore Dean. He's probably my new favorite TV character - a witty, smart aleck who's all rebel. Love this show. I hope they keep on getting better!

Already ever since the first episode turned out terrific, I've been waiting for the "Supernatural"-team to do an episode set in an old-fashioned mental asylum, as they form the absolute greatest location to enact a creepy and atmospheric horror story! Luckily I didn't even had to wait that long, since installment n° 10 takes Sam & Dean to a little town in Illinois where mysterious things are going on in the closed down and abandoned Roosevelt sanitarium. Following a strange mobile text message from their father, which causes some disagreement between the two brothers, they investigate the case of a police officer who killed his wife and then committed suicide after having set foot in the asylum. It is said that the former patients' restless spirits still wander around in the dark corridors and drive to insanity everyone who dares to spend the night. Sam & Dean discover that the walls of the asylum are hiding far darker secrets, as the old head doctor subjected the patients to all kinds of crazed medical experiments. The asylum setting is outstanding and instantly reminded me of all the sinister madhouses used in old-fashioned British horror productions, like "Dark Places" and "Don't Look in the Basement". The script even provides the asylum with a typically delightful – albeit a little clichéd – background including deadly riots and medical staff members that are far more deranged than the actual patients. "Asylum" is a downright splendid entry in the even more splendid "Supernatural" series that, as confirmed by the other reviewers around here, only gets better with each episode. There are a handful of extremely efficient jump-moments in the script and the special effects are creepy and convincing, as always. Each episode also contains more and more references towards older horror classic, which is surely something the fans of the genre appreciate. Dean particularly seems to be fond of Jack Nicholson in "The Shining" and "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest" in this episode, while Sam mentions "The Amityville Horror".

In Rockford, Illinois, while investigating possible trespassers in the South Wing of the Roosevelt Hospital, two policemen find a group of teenagers drinking in the place. One of the policeman drives insane and kills his wife, committing suicide immediately after. Dean receives a message in his cellular with the coordinates of the asylum, and drives with Sam to the place. The brothers disclose that the patients riot against the director, Dr. Ellicott, who conducted painful and cruel experiments with the patients and his body has never been found. Further, that there is a local legend that any person that spend the night in the asylum, the spirits drive he or she crazy. Together with Kat and Gavin, a young couple that is trapped in the Asylum, Dean and Sam spend the night in the cellar of the South Wing trying to find the hidden body of Dr. Ellicott to burn it and destroy the fiend.

"Asylum" is another scary episode of "Supernatural", where the two brothers help a young couple. There are many jokes with famous movies and characters along the story, in a good balance of horror and comedy. My vote is nine.

Title (Brazil): "Asilo" (" Asylum")

Like another reviewer said, it reminds of session 9 on its premise, which is one of the best horror movies, its ok for a tv setting, plus we see the boys getting more personal and also some of their tricks. Dean just looks super cute in these eps, so weird since he is 27 in it, i also noticed that the girls are kinda similar, maybe to remind of the mother i think they are done well tho which maybe is surprising me since what i remember from watching spn years back was its lack of female potrayal.