After School Special

So, an episode where the case of the week takes the Winchesters to one of their old schools? With promises of revelations about their teenage years? A lot of potential there. And the pre-title sequence sets the Monster-of-the-Week as something that seems to be after vengeance against bullies, a subject that many people can relate to. The success of the episode, however, rests on not just how interesting the past and the present story lines are – it depends on how meaningful the connection between them is.

The past gives us rather good insight on why Sam was not in the family business at the start of Season 1 and why Dean is, well, Dean. And the casting of young Sam and young Dean is excellent. Colin Ford and Brock Kelly should not go unemployed as actors. However, the fact that Dean Morgan doesn't appear at all, *even* briefly, whether he was available or not, does really hamper the sequences set in the past.

The present gives us a pretty brutal case and the writers have been creative when coming up with the monster too. Most monsters in Supernatural the viewer cannot relate to, but you may find yourself actually rooting for this monster. Also, the Winchesters' cover roles are funny, and a welcome change to their most common roles as FBI agents with names of rock/hard rock/metal musicians. Finally, there needs to be a reason why the monster has not become active *until* now, and the writers come up with a plausible reason that follows the rules established by the series.

The connection between the past and the present is meaningful in more ways than one. It fleshes out Sam and Dean, but also shows us how one *really* should consider the repercussions of one's actions – they might have a *much* longer and larger effect than one might at first think. The problem is, this is a lesson familiar from so many movies and TV shows that it really does not offer anything new. Also, the pacing of the episode as a whole is not that great and the climax comes too soon. So, this is a good, 7/10, episode but not a great one.

Glad to be back to an episode that isn't about the angel/demon story arc.

Dean and Sam travel to Fairfax, Indiana, to investigate a murder case in the Truman High School where the teenager killer April Dawkins claims to be possessed in the moment she killed her schoolmate Taylor. While the Winchester brothers check the school and follow a wrong lead, they recall through flashbacks of their past in the same high-school. In 1997, Dean flirted with the sexy Amanda Heckerling and Sam befriended the bullied Barry Cook and defended him against the bully Dirk MacGregor.

"After School Special" is a nice and funny episode of Supernatural. The story of the young Dean and Sam helps to build both characters and the theme bullying could not be more updated. The actors Collin Ford and Brock Kelly have good performances and give credibility to the youthfulness of the Winchester brothers. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "Especial: Depois da Escola" ("Special: After School")

There aren't many things that trigger me to write a review usually, but the casting of (especially) Brock Kelly as a young Dean was a stroke of brilliance by whoever did the casting.

The mannerisms, tone of voice and facial expressions are absolutely spot on. I guess Brock watched every episode up 'till then because he totally embodies Jensen.

Colin Ford as the young Sam did a pretty good job too, though Sam has less obvious mannerisms to copy. Those that he does have - being somewhat shy at first but with a tough core when it comes down to it - are flawlessly translated by Colin though.

I think this episode illustrates well how their dad's absence formed their characters.

The underlaying message was great, done well. The lives of the guys when young was shown and the casting was impeccable It had its funny moments with Dean too. I love the ghosts in spn, i wasn't completely into this one but it was fine. The only little problem i have with almost all the spn episodes is the fight scene, it just doesn't thrill me at times.