Yellow Fever

THEN: #4.1 - A Fantastic season opener and Mytharc super-booster. #4.2 - Good, but uneven follow-up with maybe one too many ingredients. #4.3 - Long overdue detailing of the show's Mythology done with style. #4.4 - Monster-of-the-Week, but a great one. #4.5 - *Another* Monster-of-the-Week, albeit also a Comedy/Weird One, that can't stand repeated viewings.

NOW: Surely the series would get back to the Mytharc after a two-episode digression? Well... this *is* a really funny episode, with none of the pacing problems that plagued the previous one. However, at the time of writing, 721 votes have given this episode an average of 9.0 and 508 voters have even gone as far as given this the full 10/10! Now, the science of statistics says to us that those 508 people are letting the fanboy/girl inside them cloud their judgment. And there are arguments to support support that.

While extremely funny, thanks to Jensen Ackles's considerable comic talents, it does not mean that this is a flawless, ie. a 10/10 episode. There are several problems. The biggest one is that *three* Monster-of-the-Week episodes in a row is too much when there is a *literally* apocalyptic Mytharc running in the background. "But what about the bit where...?" someone may be asking. It. Is. Not. Enough. Again, we can see from the opening credits that neither Misha Collins nor Genevieve Cortese make an appearance, and can draw our conclusions considering this episode's weight in the big picture from there. Also, this is the second overtly comedic episode in a row - something that should *never* be done unless the main category of the show is Comedy. Also, a Comedy Episode should remain a Comedy Episode from start to finish - otherwise it is just *incoherent*.

Viewed as a single episode, this episode works well enough to be a good 7/10 (there really isn't anything truly special here), but when considered as a part of Season 4 - and the episode itself reminds the viewers that it *is* a part of Season 4, just not as meaningful as it should be - the rating goes to 6/10, which is ironic, since this is the 6th episode of the season. The next one, fortunately, is a return to both form and the Mytharc.

Love this show. The characters and the storylines.

All your worst nightmares comes alive, and tries to kill you, but in the end Dean, Sam, Bobby and Castiel always saves the day along with a bunch of their friends.

Demons, clowns, vampires, werewolfs, ghosts and all others creeps you can think of.

God and heaven - the devil and hell.

The fight between good and bad never stops.

This episode isn't the best. More funny than scary actually, but it shows a side of Dean, we don't see much. And the end of the episode is absolut awesome:)

Remember to look under your bed before you go to slerp at night :D.

I've been watching Supernatural since 2007 (little late to the party), my husband got me hooked and this is my absolute favorite episode.

"Yellow Fever," the sixth episode of Supernatural's fourth season, created by Erik Kripke and directed by Philip Sgriccia, is a captivating installment that masterfully blends suspense, horror, and emotional depth. This episode stands out for its exploration of a mysterious illness known as "ghost sickness," which induces fear, paranoia, and ultimately death in its victims.

The narrative begins with a haunting scene where Dean (Jensen Ackles) is seen running for his life, only to be chased by a Yorkshire terrier, a comedic twist that sets the tone for the episode. The story unfolds as Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean investigate a series of bizarre deaths in Rock Ridge, Colorado, where victims die of heart attacks after experiencing intense fear and paranoia. As they delve deeper, they discover that the cause is a supernatural affliction known as ghost sickness, which Dean contracts after touching a corpse. The episode's use of suspense and mystery keeps viewers engaged as they piece together the events leading to the final confrontation with the buruburu, a spirit that infects victims with fear.

Philip Sgriccia's direction skillfully captures both the emotional depth of the characters and the suspenseful elements of the supernatural threats. The cinematography enhances the tension, particularly during scenes where Dean experiences hallucinations and fear-induced paranoia, creating an atmosphere of desperation and chaos. Notable is the use of lighting to highlight the dark nature of the events unfolding, reflecting the twisted reality of the buruburu's actions. However, some critics argue that the pacing could be improved, particularly in scenes where the narrative jumps between different plot points.

Jensen Ackles delivers a standout performance as Dean, showcasing his comedic timing as he navigates the absurd situations created by his fear-induced hallucinations. Jared Padalecki effectively portrays Sam's concern for Dean's well-being and his frustration with the case's bizarre nature. 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 guest cast, particularly Sheriff Al Britton, adds complexity to the narrative by presenting a character who is both eccentric and tragic.

Thematically, "Yellow Fever" explores issues of fear and vulnerability, raising questions about how individuals cope with their deepest fears and the consequences of their actions. The episode highlights the tension between Dean's bravado and his vulnerability to fear, mirroring broader cultural debates about the nature of courage and weakness. The buruburu serves as a metaphor for the external forces that can disrupt human lives, emphasizing the importance of empathy and understanding. The narrative also touches on themes of identity and control, as Sam and Dean struggle to maintain their sense of self amidst supernatural forces that challenge their worldview.

"Yellow Fever" stands out as a memorable episode of Supernatural, effectively combining elements of suspense with meaningful character development and thematic depth. Its exploration of fear and vulnerability makes it a compelling watch, inviting viewers to reflect on their own experiences with fear and resilience.

The show has ton a ghost stories. I would *guess* about a 1/3 of the episodes are centered around or feature ghosts. Given that mechanics of the show solves ghosts by finding and burning their remains and how they are caused by violent deaths these sort of episodes get all old fairly fast. Even when they work they all feel pretty much the same. There are few exceptions-"Road Kill" comes to mind-where the ghosts are deposed of or treated in a different manner. There are also a few episodes that are not focused on the ghost-"It's a Terrible Life" comes to mind-but they are used as a plot device. Few if any make it to this level of standing apart from the mass of others.

The ghost here and the ghost sickness is one of the most unique plots on the show. Add in that how the haunting is solved and on the basic plot level this is a different animal all together than say "Mannequin 3: The Reckoning."

I think a lot of the strength is also how well the episodes blends the elements of the series. Scaredy-cat Dean is hysterical. How Luther was killed is horrifying. The great tease around Sam's eyes and the ambiguity the "pain in my ass" hallucination is some great mythical arch that feels natural in the episode.

This is a very good episode.