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Supernatural
S2.E4
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IMDbPro

Children Shouldn't Play with Dead Things

  • Episode aired Oct 19, 2006
  • TV-14
  • 42m
IMDb RATING
7.8/10
6.8K
YOUR RATING
Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki in Supernatural (2005)
DramaFantasyHorrorMysteryThriller

Dean and Sam investigate the death of a young college student who died in a car accident, but whose grave is now surrounded by a circle of dead plants.Dean and Sam investigate the death of a young college student who died in a car accident, but whose grave is now surrounded by a circle of dead plants.Dean and Sam investigate the death of a young college student who died in a car accident, but whose grave is now surrounded by a circle of dead plants.

  • Director
    • Kim Manners
  • Writers
    • Eric Kripke
    • Raelle Tucker
    • Sera Gamble
  • Stars
    • Jared Padalecki
    • Jensen Ackles
    • Amara Zaragoza
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.8/10
    6.8K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Kim Manners
    • Writers
      • Eric Kripke
      • Raelle Tucker
      • Sera Gamble
    • Stars
      • Jared Padalecki
      • Jensen Ackles
      • Amara Zaragoza
    • 13User reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos9

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    Top cast7

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    Jared Padalecki
    Jared Padalecki
    • Sam Winchester
    Jensen Ackles
    Jensen Ackles
    • Dean Winchester
    Amara Zaragoza
    Amara Zaragoza
    • Angela Mason
    • (as Tamara Feldman)
    Christopher Jacot
    Christopher Jacot
    • Neil
    Serge Houde
    Serge Houde
    • Dr. Mason
    Jared Keeso
    Jared Keeso
    • Matt Harrison
    Leela Savasta
    Leela Savasta
    • Lindsey
    • Director
      • Kim Manners
    • Writers
      • Eric Kripke
      • Raelle Tucker
      • Sera Gamble
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews13

    7.86.7K
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    Featured reviews

    5morganna-7

    Summer Glau was not in this episode

    I just saw this episode and the part of Angela was not played by Summer Glau.

    I'm sure the woman who actually did play Angela would like to get credit for it, so it behooves y'all to find out who it really was.

    The woman playing Angela had a larger nose that protruded more from her face than Summer's does. Summer's nose is narrow and flatter.

    She also had a much narrower chin and jaw than Summer has.

    Her mouth was about as wide, but her lips were the wrong shape, and her smile was nothing like Summer's variety of smiles. Her lips didn't change shape the same way Summer's do when she smiles.

    Her face wasn't as round as Summer's was, and Summer has a flatter, almost eastern European cast in her face. Her eyes are slightly angled, giving her a very exotic look.

    Also, the voice was entirely different.

    This simply was not Summer Glau.

    What does it take to get this corrected?
    8shwetafabm

    Zombie

    Dean's got anger issues and no self respect... Monster of the week is ok The "its your grief counselors, we are here to hug" is why i love this show lol.
    1mrcheminee

    The worst episode till now

    Awwww, this is such a pity. Supernatural started as such a promising serial. Every episode with another horror story led by two solid characters, with not to much flaws in personality.

    Then this episode came. Despite their hunting history together all of a sudden Sam stops trusting on Deans hunters instinct even though the prove of something going on is right in front of him. Dean suddenly starts to confront people that do not know what he is talking about. That's really strange because last season he was actually very good at knowing when someone was lying or not. This kind of mistakes really ruins it for me, I'd like to see the characters in whom I invest a lot of time to grow, get stronger, get smarter, learn. Not to see them change into some empty puppets who just follow some poor script.

    For now I will still keep watching this serial, but I'm not really buying it anymore.
    7snwbatz

    Friend zoned.

    This is actually a pretty decent episode. This is one of the more disliked episodes of Season 2 and I don't understand why. We all knew they would bring zombies into Supernatural. The idea of this girl who is brought back life and then seeks revenge on the people who hurt her has been used before but not zombie style. The only real issue I have with this episode is Dean. Throughout most of the episode he's just pissed off and wining. After a while it gets really annoying. But if you took that out this episode would actually pretty good.
    8fernandoschiavi

    This episode is a portrayal of the Winchester brothers' emotional struggles as they confront a zombie, Angela, who was brought back to life by her friend Neil

    "Children Shouldn't Play with Dead Things," the fourth episode of Supernatural's second season, created by Erik Kripke and directed by Kim Manners, is a compelling exploration of grief, family dynamics, and the supernatural. This episode stands out for its nuanced portrayal of the Winchester brothers' emotional struggles as they confront a zombie, Angela, who was brought back to life by her friend Neil.

    The narrative begins with a haunting scene where Angela, a college student, is killed in a tragic accident. Her friend Neil, driven by an unrequited love, uses a spell to resurrect her, unaware of the consequences. As Angela returns as a zombie, Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean Winchester (Jensen Ackles) arrive to investigate the strange occurrences surrounding her resurrection. The brothers soon discover that Angela's return has caused chaos, and they must find a way to stop her without harming Neil, who is desperate to hold onto his lost love.

    Kim Manners' direction skillfully captures both the emotional depth of the characters and the suspenseful elements of the zombie's attacks. The cinematography enhances the tension, particularly during scenes where the brothers confront Angela in her zombie form. Notable is the use of lighting to create an eerie atmosphere, reflecting the supernatural threats that loom over the characters. However, some critics argue that the pacing could be improved, particularly in the opening scenes where Angela's death is prolonged.

    Jensen Ackles delivers a standout performance as Dean, showcasing his emotional vulnerability as he grapples with his own near-death experience and the moral implications of bringing someone back from the dead. Jared Padalecki effectively portrays Sam's empathy for Neil's situation while also highlighting his concern for Dean's erratic behavior. The chemistry between the brothers remains a highlight, adding emotional depth to their interactions as they navigate the complexities of their family legacy and the supernatural threats they face.

    The episode explores issues of grief, loss, and the natural order of life and death. The episode raises questions about whether it is ever right to defy nature by bringing someone back from the dead, emphasizing the consequences of such actions. Angela's resurrection serves as a metaphor for the unnatural state of Dean's own existence, as he struggles to come to terms with being brought back to life by his father's deal with the demon. The narrative also touches on themes of love and sacrifice, as Neil's actions are driven by his love for Angela, mirroring the sacrifices made by the Winchester family.

    "Children Shouldn't Play with Dead Things" stands out as a memorable episode of Supernatural, effectively combining elements of horror with meaningful character development and thematic depth. Its exploration of grief and the supernatural makes it a compelling watch, inviting viewers to reflect on their own experiences with loss and the consequences of playing with forces beyond human control. By intertwining these elements with suspenseful storytelling, the episode enriches the series' ongoing narrative, setting the stage for future conflicts and character growth. The emotional resonance of the episode, particularly in its portrayal of the Winchester brothers' vulnerability, leaves a lasting impact on viewers, making it a pivotal moment in the series.

    Related interests

    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama
    Elijah Wood in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
    Fantasy
    Mia Farrow in Rosemary's Baby (1968)
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    Thriller

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The crew of Supernatural inherited the dead tree seen in the cemetery in season 2's episode "Children Shouldn't Play with Dead Things" from The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005) production. It's also the same dead tree that played prominently in the season 1 episode Scarecrow (2006).
    • Goofs
      (at around 29 mins) Sam and Dean talk in the car about ways to kill a zombie before a long shot of the Impala driving down a dark road. The person sitting in Sam's spot holding the flashlight is obviously not Jared Padalecki.
    • Quotes

      Dean Winchester: It takes two to... you know... have hardcore sex.

    • Crazy credits
      Have watched this episode numerous times over the years. The synopsis on TV always states, "Sam and Dean investigate a college student's (Summer Glau) murder." She is NOT in this episode.
    • Connections
      References Children Shouldn't Play with Dead Things (1972)
    • Soundtracks
      Sad Girl
      Written by Gaz Coombes, Danny Goffey, Mick Quinn and Rob Coombes

      Performed by Supergrass

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    Details

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    • Release date
      • October 19, 2006 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Production companies
      • Wonderland Sound and Vision
      • Warner Bros. Television
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 42m
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.78 : 1

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