Baby

I have worried that Supernatural would get stuck in a rut where all the episodes were completely based on the season story arc and they would leave behind all the Monster of the Week episodes. I especially had trouble with season 10 for this reason.

This episode was outstanding. It actually got me excited about the show again. It was nice to have an episode that wasn't completely about Rowena. The way this episode was shot, the action scenes and the humor were all done very nicely.

If you have found yourself lacking the excitement Supernatural used to give you, watch this episode. You'll be glad you did.

Love it. This episode epitomizes this show. Its the best episode of the whole series. When im in a bad mood and dont know what to watch. Season 11 episode 4 is my all time go to...

Not only is this the best episode of all the series but it is one of the best hours in television of the last 30 years. Whether you are new to the series or have watched every episode repeatedly "Baby" lands perfectly as an encapsulation of the show's vibe, ethos and heart. And it does so by combining a great concept with an even more better realization. It is everything a fan of the show can ever want from an episode.

Supernatural combines a family melodrama-two brothers with a strained relationship filled with secrets-with a experimental take on legends, folklore and mythology. This is precisely what the script does in its purest form. By limiting the perspective to Impala's literal point of view the writer is forced to break up the script into radically different sequences. There is the use of French scenes (i.e. the scene changing by the entrance, exit of characters) compressed time changes, vision etc. to keep the plot moving while keeping the Impala involved. None of this feels forced and makes intelligent use in a lot of implied things the Winchesters must have done, i.e. sleep in the car, over the years. Thompson also manages to work in every call back you would expect-i.e. the legos, army men, but also "Goodnight jerk" while having it feel organic. John's cameo is quite emotional and the various mythos forwarding bits (monsters fighting the darkness) are subtle enough to make this feel like the very early monster of the week standalones. Even the monster are inventive and the humor is just *perfect* for what the episode does.

On the script level the best bit of business is how Thompson finds a way to give the Impala a secret vis-a-vis the valet and how that secret works into the climax of the episode. But as good as the script is it is the direction that makes this episode so special.

Wright's technical direction is among the best I have seen in the television format. Keeping an hour within a car is hard; not only did Wright find ways to keep the shots fresh and interesting but the overall vibe of the episode personifies the Impala. Supernatural-especially in the first few years-is really a show with two characters but the Impala has a good of a case as Bobby, Crowley, Cas etc. as being the third character. Wright sells this completely. Baby comes alive like she has never been before. This lessened in the later years but Supernatural is primary a road show and "Baby" is the most on the road the show has ever been.

Wright makes the most out the script's character interludes; the "Night Moves" sequence is pure mood and joy for the fans of the show. Jared and Jensen are give such natural, comfortable performances that only come about from playing the same characters for more than a decade. Season 11 overall has the show in notable decline but this masterpiece only comes about after years of crew, cast honing the show.

This episode was just great. I won't write any spoilers so this will be spoiler free. This episode takes place in the view of "Baby" Dean and Sam's car. And it was just great. Each episode has action pact fights but this was way more chill. This episode made me think of the first few seasons when they just hunted monsters. This episode had great dialogue between the brothers and I loved every second of it. You may think it's going to be boring because it's always in the car but it isn't. This is what I missed and I love they did it again. Best episode of the season and one of the better Supernatural episodes ever. It's a must watch.

...but I could tell right away this episode was really different.

Realistic, gritty, even terrifying in its economical storytelling style and very different from the other episodes I've managed to catch before.

Outstanding!

I was actually reminded (for some reason) of some of the early film noir movies I've seen that showed all of the action from the criminals point of view.

More like this would be welcome. More invention and character work, less over the top effects.