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"On The Head Of A Pin"

Reaction Highlights Link: https://vimeo.com/389563337/8cc7b77079

Review After Reaction BEGINS AT: 42min 22seconds

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Episode Synopsis:

Someone or "something" is killing angels, so Uriel & Castiel order Dean to torture the recently captured Alastair for information as to who...but Sam doesn't think Dean is up for the task...

Files

Supernatural 4x16 On The Head Of A Pin

Comments

Master Oogway

I started to give ruby the benefit but making him a addict to her blood

Reggie B

am i crazy or is this reaction a day early? not that im complaining lol. looking forward to watching once my shift is over!

thereelrejects

Don’t worry haha, you’re not crazy. You can thank Funimation for all the early stream-alongs this week. I guess they didn’t receive their dub materials from their partners, sooo we’ll be back on that one next week 😅

Michele

Yay! Early!!

sam

Lucifer Gods Favourite formally known as The Light Bringer and his legion of Demons and Angel turncoats verses Sam guy who lies and drinks lots of demon blood, Dean who has little to no self esteem and keeps on crying and Castiel top general in Gods ranks who always get beaten up by everybody. Easy win for the boys.

Rue

Ben Edlund is one of my favorite SPN writers (he writes an amaaaazing Cas!) and this one is still well up there as one of my favorite episodes of the series, full stop. But yeah, Chris Heyerdahl was fricking brilliant and the epitome of creepy maniac as Alastair. Also! Sam didn't just banish Alastair back to Hell, he destroyed his demonic presence completely.

Toasted Toad

LOL Cut and paste? Me? How insulting! I can spew original pages of drivel each time, no problem. I do not plagiarise myself. 😂😂   Firstly, let me put it to rest now. Fifteen seasons and we've never yet seen an angel vanish. Not gonna happen. Lots of other cool fx, but not that. Secondly, Alistair is dead. Way dead. Like, totally dead. Alistair taunted Sam about sending him back to Hell, but Sam said "no, I'm stronger than that, now I can kill".  Aw Misha, bless! I don't think he had ever thrown a punch in his life before this. We do on occasion get some really good fights (Jensen does best), but generally we get violent rather than skilful. Anyway, I promised you I'd be more concise this time, so I'll just say great reaction to a fucking great episode. I was really looking forward to this one and I'm glad you enjoyed it. Toad.

Toasted Toad

Oh, and p.s. that's a wee bit of an exaggeration re Misha. Yes, 'tis true he was only going to be in 3 episodes, and yes, 'tis true that they liked him so much that they asked him back, but they certainly didn't say "stick around to the end".

Noar

This is so true! Ben Edlund was really great, some of his episodes are iconic.

Michele

This was a great Reaction. You guys didn't seem to miss anything. It's really satisfying to watch someone who is able to notice the little things that can actually mean a lot. While I would have been disappointed if you didn't like this episode, I wasn't worried. I figured you would. It is okay if you don't like an ep I do, but how dare you like an episode I don't!? Just kidding. This was one of those episodes that just swept me up and made me fall in love with this show even more than I already was. It was perfect in story telling and presentation. The show has multiple writers and directors, so you never know how they'll do when combined. With this one we got a perfect synergistic coming together of writer, director, editor, producers, etc. These are the episodes that feed us fans during those times when it's not as good. I do really like these contained episodes. I've used this term before, but it's a Meaty episode. That's my catch all term for eps like this that are so rich. It does feel like a longer episode too. Gotta love thaat. Don't worry. This isnt the only episode like this in this season, or future seasons. The reveal about Sam and him drinking demon blood was a huge shock for me originally. I didn't expect that at all. But it makes sense. The demon blood started it all when he was a baby and yellow eyes fed him his demon blood at 6 months old. Did it give him powers or enhance what he already had? So now the demon blood gives his abilities strength. I was worried about Sam using his powers because all the other kids who "flipped the switch" went bad. I didn't want Sam going bad. But Sam is a good guy and I held out hope that it would help him control any urges the blood might give him. But what about this flip? Dean had to torture in hell and hated that. I see Dean fighting the feelings that came up with torture. I think it scares him. Even if he may get pleasure out of it. Sam turns out to be a better torturer though. He was able to get Alistaire to spill his guts. And he didn't have to spend 30 years being tortured in hell to do it. I really loved it when Anna came to Cas's rescue. I love her. I was initially worried about the whole angel thing when this season started, but so far it's actually been pretty interesting. I like how the show is handling it. Putting it's own spin on angels, as it likes to do. So much good stuff in this episode and I could go on forever, but this has already been long enough. You'll hear a lot from others. I'm pretty sure there are other shows that would get a similar type of comment action. Buffy, Once Upon A Time are a few I know get a lot of comments on for other reactors. Consider yourselves lucky you don't get more than you do. It happens. Till next time.

Elle B.

Misha’s delivery of “Uriel’s the funniest angel in the garrison” never fails to crack me up. Lol I was so looking forward to your reaction to this episode and I’m so happy it came early! One of my top favorite episodes of the series. In fact it’s episodes like this that make me wish more people gave this show a chance! Great stuff guys and your discussion was excellent, I love seeing you guys get excited talking about things like this. And it’s one of the smaller details but I really love the scorch marks that the angel’s wings leave behind when they die. They do a great job on this show of working around their budget to bring these fantastical beings to life.

Jennifer Lundstrom

This is one of my ALL TIME favorite SPN episodes! So much story reveal! Dean starting the Apocalypse and Sam drinking demon blood are epic twists. And Christopher Heyerdahl's Alistair is by far my fave demon. Love how you described his mannerisms with the accent His line of "Lilith wouldn't kill seven angels... she'd kill a hundred... a THOUSAND!" is just so damn good and creepy. Loved both your reactions and analysis!

Toasted Toad

Yes, Cas’ one liners are always a treasure! 😂😂 Misha manages to deliver them so well. And I love the angel wings too. While I’m sure that the fx they use (showing only the shadows of the wings) are for budget reasons, I think they are actually far more effective than most big budget effects.

Laura Moore

Aw fuck! I can’t comment because so many spoilers and I’m awfull at spoiling shit. But it’s so so exciting to y’all get to the juicy shit! I know it’s probably impossible you guys to have time to watch any of your own reactions and discussions, but a lot of what y’all talked about wanting to see happen or more of during seasons 1 and 2 is finally coming into the show. I just remember watching since then and highly anticipating when you got to this bit of the show because I knew you would love every bit of it. Or even if you didn’t “love” it would appreciate the ballsiness of the story story telling. Seasons 1-5 really are kind of the perfect story arc. The more you watch the more even the first season will make sense

Jani Salminen

This is probably one of my all time favorite episodes from this show. It really dives deeper into the angel world. Also so many cool twists, such as Dean being the one who broke the first seal and Sam drinkin' up the demon blood. Also Dean pouring salt down Alastair's throat is always so gnarly to me, just ughh...

thereelrejects

Aw, really glad you enjoyed it! Things slip past us every now & again, but we try to keep a solid grip on as many of the important details as possible. And yes, of course lol, we MUST see eye to eye on these things!!!! 😝 But in seriousness, I think we're definitely with you on this one. Meaty's a great word for it! It felt contained, partly due to the setting, but I think mostly because we were 100% in the serial story for this one. Dealing with Angel business, Sam's dubious power, Dean's Hell trauma.. I wasn't totally sure about Anna in the first episode she showed up in, but it was cool to see her come back here. Decent mislead too. Really appreciate the way the show's been growing its world & mythology. I believe we were similarly iffy about the Angel angle at first, but like you said, the way they've really dived elbows deep in it I think is really cool. We've touched on this I think in a few of these comment sections (SPN is far-and-away our most consistently populated show both for views & comments haha), but it's really cool to see them approach this from the heavier, more harshly biblical side; Angels being the warriors of heaven more so than peaceful, comforting presence. Dug what they did with Uriel here and god, Cas's line about him being the funniest in the garrison was an IMMACULATE bit of deadpan. 😂 Definitely still worried about Sam haha. Him and Dean both on individual levels as well as brothers... They've both been through some heavier-than-heavy shit & they couldn't feel more far apart than they do at the moment. Sam drinking demon blood's definitely got me concerned, even if Ruby's truly benevolent. My guess is he has to channel it from the right place? Right now he seems wound up and angry under the surface, so that's my main worry. And y'know.. the both of them having to deal with the tension between doing what you have to & succumbing to bloodlust of one variety or another. Clearly there's nothing to talk about with this show lol. Either way, no worries for the length! Obviously the more compact, the quicker the reply, but it's really fun to see what everyone likes or doesn't & the fascinating lil details you guys throw our way. Either way, really glad you're enjoying. I hear we're in for a run of terrific episodes leading into the finale - can't wait to shoot the next one!!!

thereelrejects

Thank you so much!! Really means a lot, especially on the discussion side 😊can definitely see why this ranks among a lot of people's top episodes. Really contained to the serial aspects of the story and expanded on them in fascination (and HEAVY) ways. I'm still processing Dean jumpstarting the apocalypse and Sam on the blood diet. Gahh!! And I know I'd seen him somewhere before, but these couple episodes definitely made me learn Chris Heyerdahl's name. So good & as you said - SO creepy. As far as demons go, I think he's definitely a favorite. Recall liking the main Yellow-Eyes a lot too. Anyway, appreciate the love & we'll see ya for the next one!!!

thereelrejects

Hahaha well, we appreciate you keeping the spoilers to a minimum. 😝Definitely feeling the excitement for the rest of the season. Like, we always look forward to shooting the next episode, but this particular run seems especially, tangibly exciting. Plus just having all you guys' enthusiasm helps bolster that. Almost hard to believe we're nearly to the end of the fourth season. But so far, I think we're definitely loving it for the most part & much appreciating the ballsiness of the storytelling as well as their unique spin on classic horror lore. Can't wait to get on to the next!!

thereelrejects

I can see why! Really enjoying this take on Angels and Heaven, Hell, etc. I'm decently worried for Sam & Dean at the moment lol. Gnarly twists, nasty torture, and that percolating sense that maybe they're both in some way enjoying this and what the hell does that mean?!? The salt bit definitely got under my skin a bit. The way they both sold that + the nasty blood foam they've got coming out of Alistair's mouth at that moment.. SO fucked up. These boys need to have a heart-to-heart sooner than later!!

Vanished

I love this episode! I hope that one day you guys will release more than 1 episode a week because its that good!

Steve Rivera

I think everybody has already said everything there is to be said about how great this episode is. I'm glad you guys honed in on how this episode is both about the grays and also about doubts, whether in themselves or the grand scheme of things. Can't wait for next episode!

Reggie B

ill just say i think its so interesting that castiel sees sam using his powers but doesnt mention it to dean or even to sam. hmm. this episode is great obviously, but also has always been a little hard for me to watch.. in a good way, in that the torture is uncomfortable and creepy, but i think it's supposed to be lol. also, i hope people arent over hyping kripke's "magical five year plan." bc that's not what happened, i think he's said he had a vague idea of the overarching story and where he wanted to go season to season, but not some masterpiece, five year grand plan lol. dont want to be a buzzkill!! just want to temper this comment section a little ✌💕

thereelrejects

Not sure how soon that'd be, but it is a goal one'a these days haha. This one was a great one! Excited for the end of the season! 😋

thereelrejects

Yeah haha, this episode's got a lot of love. Definitely not hard to see why, tho. Always relish it when the show really dives into the characters and the more difficult parts of their world(s). Next one'll be up 'fore ya know it!

thereelrejects

Say, that's a good point! Not sure I completely registered at the time, buuuuut now it's got me thinking haha. He was the only one in that moment who could step up and make it happen, it seemed like. Talk about grey areas haha. I feel ya though; when it's hard to watch, but that's the point & so you appreciate it despite the harshness. They make you feel a lot of weird, complex stuff in this one. As always, I'm just.. so worried for Sam & Dean, both individually and as brothers 😅 And that's good to know re: Kripke. I think early on, we'd initially thought of it as a more rigid thing (kinda like people always said about Breaking Bad?), but now I get the sense it was more like a decent idea of where this could go for at least 5 seasons with room to adjust along the way? Either way, always appreciate a little tempering haha, you're not a buzzkill!

Everett (PixelMight) Baker

Christopher Heyerdahl as Alastair is amazing and he's also great on AMC Hell on Wheels. This episode is one of the best in the series.

Anonymous

This is probably my second favorite episode of this season behind Lazarus Rising. I will echo what’s been said above in that Ben Edmund truly writes some of the best episodes of the series. You always know you’re in for a treat when you see his name in screen. And I think he’s the writer that does Castiel’s character the most justice as well. Also, it’s a small thing but one of my favorite moments is when Castiel yes Dean he would give anything for him to not have to do this. It’s a little gut-wrenching for me. I think it really shows a depth to Castiel’s character and his connection with Dean as well as how much Cas is beginning to doubt his orders

Artverse

Fun Fact: Jensen actually let the guest actor, Christopher, choke him. They trusted each other enough to actually let that part of the scene be real.

BunkerGirl

I know I’m commenting to this reeeeally late, and don’t know if you’ll even see this… but this episode is one of my favorites. Jensen and Misha especially do such a phenomenal job acting in this one imho. It breaks my heart when Dean learns the truth about breaking the first seal. And we can really see and feel Cas’s struggle with wanting to be a “good soldier”, yet experiencing such doubts. I think this episode also does a phenomenal job of establishing the bond they share.. something Cas has never experienced with a human (and maybe not even with an angel.) And the fact that Dean opened up to him like that and showed such vulnerability at the end—something Dean very rarely does.. is telling. I loved it.

J J

Since nobody else touched on this, I just want to point out how impressive it is that John was able to hold for 100 years and maybe more in hell under Alastair's torture and remained unbroken. He was the first "righteous man", yet he never broke. Even Alastair respects him in a way, and that's saying a lot.