The Memory Remains

I think if you read between the lines of the story so far, the writers are building up to season 13 being a wrap up season. Little details like the carving of their names into the bunker table, which hearkens back to the same thing they did as children in the Impala, arguably bringing Mary Winchester back into the fray, the nod to JDM with 'Lucille' earlier in the season, the re-entrance of the colt and the link between John, Mary and Azazel, Sam's demon blood etc. More overtly, Dean and Sam pondering on their legacy. There will be a lot of loose ends to tie off, and just shy of 30 episodes in which to do it. Personally, I think it would be great if somehow Lucifer's baby was integral to the whole thing. It would be tedious to have a re- enactment of the whole Amara's accelerated development phase again, I think they should strive for something different. If it is morally wrong for the Nephilim to be killed as a baby, perhaps Sam, Dean, Mary, Crowley and Castiel could attempt to co-opt it over to the good side. (Difficult for Crowley to do admittedly, but he could still play some role). It might initially require the intervention of God and his sister Amara in some way, but then the main cast could cooperate to mould the Nephilim into an ethical being, along the lines of Kevin Lomax in DA. If his phenomenal power is primarily psychic, it would make for more nuanced plot lines and less special effects than were required with Amara.

On a side note, before the show ends production for good, maybe they could devote an episode or two to American politics and the batsh*t crazy stuff that went on at Bohemian Grove, as well as examining the Kennedys in some way. It would be a very difficult sell, given the public affection for that family. I don't know if BG and the Kennedys are related, but that would have to be ascertained. If doing so, perhaps wisest to leave it towards the end of S13, if at all. There is a lot of occultism that occurred there, some pretty sordid stuff. Whatever the incumbent C-i-C's faults are, and they are manifold, that type of w*nk is not one of them - in fact, the BG cabal conspired to elect HRC, and in thereby doing, their agenda failed massively.

The motw has some moments, the whole bmol are whatever. Thus season is giving us some good one liners tho.

This is one of season's 12 best episodes in large part because it could be readily inserted into seasons 1-5 with only a few relative minor elements edited out, i.e. Switch Ketch to Bobby, remove references to Mary, and the episode plays fine within the earlier seasons. It is a monster of the week episode and it provides a nice break from the tedium of this season's storyline. The script is good enough-it's a mixture of The Benders and any number of the pagan god episodes- that it would hold its own against most of the very good episodes of the early years. It isn't among the best episodes of the show but it is a fun compelling short horror film with just enough blood to be unnerving and enough gags to be funny.

Best of all Sgriccia's technical direction is exceptionally tight and it is the most unnerving episode in several years. The show became much more of a melodrama and fantasia as the years went on but every once in awhile the creators remembered that this show was meant to be a horror anthology. Exhibit #1.

Everyone needs to reconnect. To go back to basics/the beginning. To return to what was even if only to gaze wistfully from a distance because you really can't go back. Ask yourself, what is it all for and what did all my choices achieve? A very poignant and emotional end to the episode that really allowed you to look back with fondness, happiness, and sorrow.

It feels weird to have a MOW filler episode right in the middle of the seasons story arc but there you go.