There's Something About Mary

This wasn't a bad episode, it wasn't great but it definitely not the car crash everyone is making it out to be.

To all the Supernatural fans reading this and out there This is the episode you hate???

Where you for the last seasons finale? Season 11 Finale? That was the worst finale and episode in the history of the show. It was having the cast all gather around like Castiel and Crowley and then Amara and God are like we're all friends now, its OK and that's it. They hold hands and go away and that's the big conclusion to the season ha ha. No cliffhanger except for Mary unnecessarily showing up in that same white dress.

What is wrong with you people? I am so confused, you preferred that joke of an episode over this action paced one?

"There's Something About Mary," the twenty-first episode of Supernatural's twelfth season, directed by P. J. Pesce, is a harrowing, tightly-wound penultimate chapter that accelerates the season's central conflicts to a fever pitch. The episode is marked by a relentless sense of dread and loss, as the British Men of Letters (BMoL) escalate their campaign against American hunters, and Mary Winchester becomes their most tragic pawn. With a script that oscillates between psychological horror and action thriller, the episode stands out for its unflinching portrayal of manipulation, betrayal, and the devastating costs of war-both personal and communal.

The episode opens with a shocking and emotionally charged sequence: Mary Winchester, in a daze, murders fellow hunter Rick. The moment is rendered with a chilling ambiguity-was it real or a nightmare?-until Mary awakens, bloodied and traumatized, confirming the horror of her actions. This sets the tone for an hour that is as much about psychological torment as physical threat. Samantha Smith's performance as Mary is a highlight, capturing the terror and confusion of a woman whose agency is being systematically stripped away. Her subsequent scenes with Ketch and Toni Bevell, where she pleads for death rather than lose her will and endanger her sons, are among the most affecting of the season, blending raw vulnerability with a desperate, fading sense of self.

The BMoL's methods are depicted with a cold, clinical brutality. Toni's "treatment" of Mary is a disturbing blend of psychological reprogramming and emotional torture, designed to turn her into a weapon against her own kind. Elizabeth Blackmore's performance as Toni is pitch-perfect, embodying the character's chilling detachment and underlying malice. The dynamic between Mary and Ketch is equally compelling: David Haydn-Jones brings a nuanced menace to Ketch, whose moments of apparent tenderness are undercut by his unwavering loyalty to the BMoL and his own psychopathy. The scene in which Mary begs Ketch to kill her, believing she is beyond saving, is both heartbreaking and thematically rich, raising questions about autonomy, trauma, and the ethics of war.

Meanwhile, Sam and Dean are thrust into a desperate struggle for survival and retaliation. The episode's pacing is brisk, with the brothers quickly realizing that the BMoL are systematically eliminating American hunters. The murder of Eileen Leahy is particularly brutal and controversial; her death, orchestrated by a hellhound under Ketch's command, is abrupt and, for many fans, unsatisfyingly handled for such a beloved character. This choice underscores the ruthlessness of the BMoL but also highlights a recurring criticism of the show's treatment of its supporting cast. Still, the sense of mounting peril is palpable, as allies fall and the Winchesters are forced into hiding.

A standout sequence is the gunfight in the bunker, where Sam and Dean, working in near-silence and perfect sync, take down Lady Toni Bevell and several BMoL operatives. The choreography here is sharp and dynamic, with inventive use of the bunker's confined spaces and the brothers' signature teamwork. The scene is a testament to how far the Winchesters have come as hunters-communicating with glances, anticipating each other's moves, and using their environment to their advantage. The action is punctuated by moments of dark humor and tension, culminating in the capture of Toni, whose fate is left uncertain.

Yet, for all its action, the episode never loses sight of its emotional stakes. Mary's storyline is the true heart of the episode, her struggle against the erasure of her identity paralleling the broader battle for the soul of the hunter community. The script wisely gives space to her anguish and fear, and Samantha Smith's portrayal is both harrowing and dignified. The interplay between Mary and Ketch, with its undercurrents of twisted affection and control, adds complexity to what could have been a straightforward villain-hero dynamic.

Thematically, "There's Something About Mary" is a meditation on agency, loyalty, and the corrosive effects of institutional power. The BMoL, once presented as potential allies, are now revealed as the season's true antagonists, their polished façade crumbling to reveal a dog-eat-dog mentality and a willingness to destroy anyone who stands in their way. The episode's structure, alternating between Mary's captivity and the Winchesters' resistance, mirrors the fragmentation of the hunter network and the sense of isolation that pervades the hour.

The episode is moody and claustrophobic, with P. J. Pesce's direction emphasizing tight close-ups and shadowy interiors to heighten the sense of entrapment. The editing is taut, maintaining a relentless pace while allowing moments of emotional resonance to land. The score is understated but effective, underscoring both the horror of Mary's ordeal and the adrenaline of the bunker showdown.

Not all elements land equally well. Some critics and fans have pointed out the cliché of Ketch leaving Sam, Dean, and Toni to die by asphyxiation in the bunker rather than simply killing them-a trope that strains credulity and undercuts the otherwise ruthless efficiency of the BMoL. Similarly, the abruptness of Eileen's death and the lack of closure for her character have been widely criticized as a missed opportunity for meaningful storytelling. Nonetheless, the episode's strengths-in performance, atmosphere, and thematic ambition-largely outweigh its weaknesses.

In conclusion, "There's Something About Mary" is a dark, emotionally charged episode that sets the stage for a climactic finale by pushing its characters to their breaking points. Through its unflinching depiction of psychological manipulation, betrayal, and resistance, the episode elevates the stakes not just for the Winchesters but for the entire hunter community. Samantha Smith's performance anchors the hour, transforming Mary Winchester from a supporting player into the tragic, embattled heart of the season. As the BMoL's true nature is finally revealed, the episode challenges viewers to consider the costs of war-on identity, loyalty, and the bonds of family. It is a brutal, necessary reckoning that leaves the audience both devastated and eager for resolution.

So done with Mary and her stupid decisions. She cares so much about her boys. Eye roll. Ummm, nope. She cares about looking like a badass. She sucks at that too. Useless. Wish she never came back. The British MOL needs to F off too. Ridiculous. Oh, so important...gag. Seriously F off. This is dragging on too much. I almost want the demon spawn to be born and just eradicate the annoying and stupid characters in this show. What is going on in this season?? For real? I fear that it is only going to get worse, more annoying and more soap opera vomitty...I'd rather see Bobby come back from the dead any day. Please bring him back!!!! He was amazing and like family to the boys. Better than their father and most definitely better than f'n Mary. Also, isn't she supposed to be young when she died?...she looks old and washed up...although maybe being dead for 30ish years would do that. Idk. She does not fit this role at all. She is supposed to be an amazing hunter? Can't tell she picked the wrong side and is lying to her family that she supposedly loves more than anything. She is terrible. Yeah, there's "something about Mary" alright...she is awful.

I know a lot of fans greatly dislike this episode because yet another woman character that the fans liked gets killed. That bothers me as well but only because of how often the trope is deployed. I never had the deeper connection to the character that others seemed to.

*My* problem with this episode is the central conceit of Mary being brain washed by BMOL is out of step with the show's vibe. It is the place where the BMOL stuff feels the most alien to the prior 11 seasons. In this universe possession is how a character turns against their family-not technology or psychology. The plot tension also is rather lax because we *know* the development is going to last about 2 episodes.

This is a good example of season 12 being so weak and too far a field from the rest of the show.

Not a bad episode, I was hoping for more. The last two episodes were superior in quality. This was more a setup episode to pave the way for a big season finale. We saw the Winchesters face off against the Men of Letters who sadly are resourceful and have the manpower. The British Men of Letters clearly showed us how the fine line between them and the evil they hunt is blurred. Crowley and them seem to have an arrangement for them to coexist. Not a lot happened that couldn't be conveyed in the first half. It was sad to see Mary in such a vulnerable state and a slave to the Men of Letters. Meanwhile Lucifer has broken off his lock and killed Crowley's vessel to take control of Hell once again.

One criticism I have is they need to solidify the lines between Crowley or Hell and the Winchesters. Lucifer said it perfectly when he said Crowley was cozy with them and the show needs a strong antagonist like they had in earlier seasons. Remember when Sam and Dean had difficulty with both Heaven and Hell during the apocalypse season? This uncertainty on all sides makes for great viewing.

Having said that this was still a decent episode on its own even if it was a setup episode. The show was building up in the last two episodes so this filler episode acted to spoil the shows momentum. We wanted to see more intense episodes that would explode in the season finale and we so that was the issue with this episode. I am surprised by the ratings this episode has received, at one point it had strong ratings and then had a huge drop. Over 200 people at this point have given it a 1 which shows maybe this episode polarized people but one can never tell. I hope the viewership is aware that Crowley is not dead, it was clear his soul is in a rat and he will return most likely to his original vessel. Lucifer is also back in action so the Winchesters have their hands full so things are not all bad and still shaping up to be interesting.