Swap Meat

Satanic teen or not? Fun episode, cute bits too, I liked Gary

"Swap Meat," the twelfth episode of Supernatural's fifth season, created by Andrew Dabb and Daniel Loflin and directed by Robert Singer, is a captivating installment that masterfully blends humor, suspense, and supernatural intrigue. This episode stands out for its exploration of a body-swapping plot, where Gary, a nerdy teenager, uses witchcraft to switch bodies with Sam (Jared Padalecki), allowing him to experience life as the younger Winchester brother. Initially, Gary's plan is to kill Dean (Jensen Ackles) to collect a demonic bounty, but he soon becomes enamored with Sam's life and hesitates to carry out his original intention.

The narrative begins with a humorous scene where Gary, now in Sam's body, is introduced to Dean, who remains oblivious to the switch. As Gary navigates Sam's life, he is drawn to the excitement and danger of being a hunter, while the real Sam, trapped in Gary's body, struggles to adjust to his new surroundings. The episode's use of suspense and mystery keeps viewers engaged as they piece together the events leading to the final confrontation with a demon possessing Nora, a friend of Gary's. Notable is the comedic timing of Dean's interactions with Gary-as-Sam, particularly when he notices Sam's unusual behavior, such as eating junk food and talking about video games.

Robert Singer's direction skillfully captures both the comedic elements of the episode and the suspenseful elements of the supernatural threats. The cinematography enhances the tension, particularly during scenes where Sam-in-Gary's-body confronts his new family and friends, creating an atmosphere of desperation and confusion. Notable is the use of lighting to highlight the artificial nature of the body-swapped reality, reflecting the twisted reality of Gary's actions. However, some critics argue that the pacing could be improved, particularly in scenes where the narrative jumps between different plot points.

Jared Padalecki delivers a compelling performance as Sam, showcasing his emotional depth as he grapples with the idea of being trapped in Gary's life. Colton James, as Gary in Sam's body, effectively portrays the teenager's excitement and confusion, adding a fresh dynamic to the narrative. Jensen Ackles effectively portrays Dean's growing suspicion and frustration with Sam's behavior, adding emotional depth to their interactions as they navigate the complexities of their family legacy and the supernatural threats they face. The chemistry between the brothers remains a highlight, even in their swapped bodies, adding emotional depth to their interactions.

"Swap Meat" explores issues of identity and deception, raising questions about how individuals cope with their roles in life and the consequences of their actions. The episode highlights the tension between Gary's desire for excitement and Sam's frustration with being trapped, mirroring broader cultural debates about the nature of identity and personal fulfillment. Gary's character 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 family and loyalty, as Sam and Dean struggle to maintain their bond amidst supernatural forces that challenge their worldview.

"Swap Meat" stands out as a memorable episode of Supernatural, effectively combining elements of humor with meaningful character development and thematic depth. Its exploration of identity and deception makes it a compelling watch, inviting viewers to reflect on their own experiences with role-playing and deception. By intertwining these elements with suspenseful storytelling, "Swap Meat" enriches the series' ongoing narrative, setting the stage for future conflicts and character growth. However, some viewers might find the handling of the body-swapping plot to be somewhat predictable, detracting from the overall impact of the episode.

This episode makes no sense. Unlike a shapeshifter, Gary the witch has zero insight into Sam's mind when he takes his body, so everything from his posture to the way he talks should give him away (and indeed, he says all kinds of things that Sam would never say in a million years, like "biz-atches"). If Dean were a civilian, he might shrug off Sam's sudden massive change in personality, preferences, & abilities for a day or so, but he's not. The second Gary picked up a gun, it should've been obvious that this nerdy, sheltered, 17-year-old civilian had never held a firearm, and all *sorts* of alarm bells should've been ringing in Dean's head. Even a halfway competent hunter should've caught Gary right off the bat.

I enjoy the silly episodes as much as anyone, but I watch the show for Sam & Dean. The Winchester brothers are smart guys with good instincts who live out of each other's pockets & know each other better than anyone. If we're just going to throw everything we know about these characters out the window for the sake of a cheap joke, we're not really watching Sam & Dean anymore.

(Also, frankly, Gary was definitely old enough to know that what he was ultimately planning was evil. It was annoying to watch the show treat his actions -- and seemingly lack of remorse -- so lightly. If Gary could've been tried in a court of law, the charge would've been attempted murder in the first degree.)

There's only 2 or 3 episodes in the whole 327-episode run that I tell people to skip. This is one of them.

Sure the basic premise of Sam and Gary switching bodies results in a few very funny scenes. "I would love to have the sex with you" is a classic line of the series. But the episode is one of those case within a case stories that shortchanges both. These two really are tonally discordant and they don't fit. More pressing I don't think the writers handle Gary well. The resolution to his story feels to slight and pat. It feels like a cheat that Sam and Dean only warned him.

In Massachusetts, the seventeen year-old nerd Gary uses witchcraft to swap body with Sam. Gary has lots of fun having sex with the sexy Crystal and following Dean that is hunting the witch Maggie Briggs.

Meanwhile Sam is trapped to the body of the teenager and trying to find how Gary had succeeded in the black magic and also trying to communicate with Dean. When Sam meets Gary's friends Trevor and Nora, he discovers that the intention of the teenagers that are playing a deadly game with the witchcraft.

"Body Switch" is one of the funniest episodes of "Supernatural". The witty happiness of Gary being older and doing things that he could never imagine and the despair of Sam sharing the life of Gary's family are hilarious. My vote is nine.

Title (Brazil): "Troca de Corpos" ("Bodies Swap")