Route 666

I thought it was a great episode- some people don't agree but I definitely didn't think it was the worst of the first season. Bugs has that title in the bag.

"Route 666," the thirteenth episode of Supernatural's first season, created by Eric Kripke and directed by Paul Shapiro, is a complex installment that delves into themes of love, loss, and redemption. This episode stands out for its character-driven narrative, particularly focusing on Dean Winchester's past relationship with Cassie Robinson.

The episode begins with a haunting scene featuring a black truck terrorizing a driver in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. The narrative shifts to Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean Winchester (Jensen Ackles) as they investigate a series of mysterious accidents linked to the truck. They soon discover that the truck is a vengeful spirit connected to Cassie's family history. Cassie, a woman from Dean's past, reaches out for help after her father's death, which seems linked to the supernatural occurrences.

Paul Shapiro's direction skillfully captures both the emotional depth of Dean's past and the suspenseful elements of the ghost truck. The cinematography enhances the tension, particularly during the chase scenes where the truck pursues Dean in the Impala. However, some critics argue that the plot has inconsistencies, such as the implausible retrieval of the truck from the lake, which detracts from the episode's overall impact2.

Jensen Ackles delivers a compelling performance as Dean, showcasing his vulnerability as he confronts his past with Cassie. Jared Padalecki effectively portrays Sam's curiosity and support for his brother's emotional journey. The chemistry between Dean and Cassie is notable, though some viewers find it lacking in positive chemistry2. The guest cast adds depth to the narrative, particularly in exploring the complex relationships and secrets within Cassie's family.

Thematically, "Route 666" explores issues of love, loss, and redemption. The episode raises questions about how past relationships can shape present identities and how unresolved emotions can linger. Dean's relationship with Cassie serves as a backdrop to explore his capacity for love and vulnerability beyond his usual bravado. The narrative also touches on themes of racial tension and small-town secrets, adding layers to the story.

"Route 666" is a character-driven episode that offers valuable insights into Dean's emotional depth while navigating a complex supernatural mystery. While it may have its flaws, particularly in plot consistency and some viewers' dissatisfaction with the Cassie-Dean dynamic, it remains an engaging watch due to its exploration of themes that resonate deeply within Supernatural. The episode's ability to balance emotional character development with suspenseful storytelling makes it a memorable installment in the series, even if it is not universally praised.

Apart from being a clever and well-marketed variation on the nowadays hugely popular horror genre and a splendid formula to attract potential new fans in general, I always somewhat considered "Supernatural" as a massively giant homage towards the genre through the decades. Although not always noticeable to younger viewers and/or people who only have an interest in more recent horror films, each and every single episode contains a few obvious and subtler references towards classic and influential titles. From that point of view, it was only a matter of time before the writers would pay tribute to the 'creepy vehicle without a driver' type of films, and even more specifically the 70's milestones "Duel" (Steven Spielberg's acclaimed debut) and "The Car". Being an avid fan of these two films, I enjoyed "Route 666" a lot even in spite of its flaws and shortcomings. The episode opens tense and atmospherically on a remote Missourian road, where a black man is hunted down and eventually killed by a menacing monster truck with seemingly no driver behind the wheel. The victim's daughter, Cassie, happens to be Dean's ex-girlfriend and she calls the Winchester Brothers in for help. The brothers can't prevent two more similar "accidents" before discovering the ghost-truck sudden presence relates all the way back to a racial dispute of the 60's, involving both of Cassie's parents as well as several more prominent inhabitants of the little town. Some of my fellow reviewers around here tend to label "Route 666" as one of the weaker entries in season one, mainly because the script is too preachy regarding racial issues and shows a different and more emotional side of Dean's character. He's usually the strong silent type, whereas here he's confronted with unfinished romantic affairs from the past here. To a certain level I agree with the racism debate, but it didn't bother me that much, really. The writers eventually had to give an explanation to the presence of the ghost truck, and racial conflict is an acceptable one as far as I'm concerned. Concerning Dean's emotional vulnerability, I can only state it's admirable to see how the writers continuously attempt to provide depth and detail to the main characters. Dean's behavior towards Cassie sheds a whole new light on him, in fact. Besides, what really counts in this episode is the wondrously sinister truck and its virulent attacks. It's an impressive and overpowering vehicle, producing blinding lights and grisly engine noises. In case you worshiped the brilliant aforementioned "Duel", you will definitely find some amusement in the compelling chase sequences depicted in "Route 666".

In a lonely road in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, a black man driving a car is chased and hit by a truck, falling off-road and dying. His daughter Cassie Robinson calls her former boyfriend Dean and asks him to investigate the mysterious accident. Sam and Dean see that three Afro-Americans and the Caucasian Major of the town were killed in weird accidents on the same road. When the truck threatens Cassie, her Caucasian mother Mrs. Robinson tells a tragic racist murder that happened thirty years ago, and the brothers realize that they have to fight against a hatred spirit in a ghost truck.

In this episode, Dean discloses his first and unique love to his brother, surprising Sam and showing that he has feelings, but also that his hunting wish is stronger than his love. The story is only reasonable, touching in the delicate theme of racism in an efficient manner and blending it with a supernatural event. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Rota 666" ("Route 666")

I like that the show is moving further and further away from the typical haunted house tropes and going into weirder places, which is what I was hoping since I began watching. It's not perfect by any means, but the concept is interesting enough to want to stick around to learn more about it, though it's still one of the weaker episodes of season one.

Also, I saw another review mention how the daughter couldn't have known how her father died, but it's obvious that the truck had been following him since before the incident, and she just speculated on the cause of death based on the dent on his vehicle.