Supernatural “Bad Boys” 

Dean gets a blast from the past when an old friend calls him up and needs his help. And while the investigation unfolds, we learn even more about the oldest Winchester brother via some really great childhood flashbacks, the first since season seven’s “Death Door” and “The Girl Next Door” — which were from Bobby and Sam’s perspectives, respectively.

This is one of those episodes that went by so quickly. Before I knew it, the boys were driving away in the Impala. I couldn’t believe it. As you might guess, I love “Bad Boys.” If I didn’t know better, I could have sworn I was watching a season one episode. And since Adam Glass is the one who wrote it, that’s quite a feat considering he didn’t join the show until season six. Love his old school touches:

-Someone from the boys’ past needs help. The Winchesters jump in the Impala and head off to do what they do best.

-Even the deaths feel old school. The killer tractor (so glad it wasn’t a killer ghost truck) spears that cranky old dude but good. Ruth, the woman who works in the shelter, supernaturally drowns in the bathtub. Did that remind anyone of “Dead in the Water?” Because that’s what it reminded me of.

-The EMF makes a welcome appearance. So do old faithfuls salt and iron. All the better to fight a plain old — non-demon, non-fallen angel, non-Leviathan — ghost with. Sam and Dean even get slammed into walls. Good times.

-Dean makes a connection with a kid. Remember Lucas and Michael from the first season? I still want the show to find a way to re-introduce those two into the Supernatural universe. One of them could have become a hunter based on their experience with the Winchesters, right? Or one could need their help again. In this one, I love how Dean takes up for Timmy. He fights his bullies. He teaches him how to properly shake hands. And he encourages him to confront his mom.

-There’s a pop culture reference or two like “Casper” and “Damien.”

-Dean defends John just like he used to in season one.

-Dean even says “Sammy” at one point.

-At the end when Timmy’s able to stand up to his ghostly mother so she can let go of him, it reminds me of “Home” and when Mary goes bye bye.

-In the final Young Dean scene, they even play the amazing music cue of doom (that’s what I like to call it). I think it was introduced in the very first flashback episode in season one, “Something Wicked.” I could be wrong on this fact, however.

-Dean’s old girlfriend even gives him a kiss on the cheek at the end of the hour. I don’t know. That reminds me of season one as well.

-Sam and Dean have to dig up a grave and burn a body. And when that doesn’t work they try to burn something that belongs to the MOTW. So season one.

Other favorite aspects of “Bad Boys”

-Do you remember when we first witnessed Colin Ford as a Young Sam Winchester? Everyone was in awe of how great a Sam he was. It was perfect casting. I’ve never felt like we got the perfect Young Dean. Everyone who has played him has been great, but they’ve never been perfect. Dylan Everett [Degrassi: The Next Generation] is the one. He has Jensen down. I mean, he captured Dean Winchester cold. He breaks my heart just like Jensen does on a weekly basis. They need to do some more flashbacks so we can see this kid again. What a good find.

-I love it when the boys learn something new about each other. I especially love it when Sam learns something new about Dean. Dean Winchester, the wrestling champ? Wow. Who knew? Stealing food may have been a bad thing to do. But it gave him the best “normal” experience ever.

-We learn a Young Dean and a Young Robin (his first kiss) are both in similar situations. They are expected to go into the family business. I’d like to say learning Dean isn’t into hunting is out of character. But It makes sense. When it’s forced on you, you don’t want anything to do with it, no matter what it is. And I fully think he could have become a great rock star/mechanic, don’t you? Dean comes to love hunting in his own right. Now he can’t think of doing anything else. Robin says the same thing happened to her. She loves owning that diner.

-The scene that rips my heart out is when we find out Dean has to ditch Robin and forego the dance. He looks so nice in his tie and everything. But Big Daddy Winchester won’t wait a few hours and let Dean have his evening. There’s a hunt and it needs to be taken care of now. The way Dylan plays it, is incredible. He has me in tears. Dean had never been to a dance before.

-The line that rips my heart out: “Sometimes you got to do what’s best for you, even if it’s gonna hurt the ones you love.” 

Guest Star Goodness

Blake Gibbons played Sonny, the guy who runs the shelter. It was so good to see him on Supernatural. He was a natural fit and I truly hope we get to see Sonny again someday. Over the years, Gibbons’ has been in a ton of different shows, but I will always know him as Coleman from General Hospital.

That was Erin Karpluk who played Adult Robin. She was the lead in the Canadian series, Being Erica, which aired on SoapNet here in America.

Random Thoughts

-That first death of the episode? I had to close my eyes for it.

-My TV sucks. What color shirt is Jared wearing in the bunker? Is it brown? Whatever color shirt is, Jared looks awesome in it.

-Sonny calls Dean “D-Dawg.” That’s kind of awesome.

-On Dean’s old bed, the first name that Sam rips off is “Kevin P.” I’m assuming that is a nod to Kevin Parks, a first assistant director for Supernatural. However, in this episode, he’s the director, the one calling the shots. He does a great job handling all the flashbacks and big scares. 

-I love the relationship between Sonny and a Young Dean. The ex- con was kind, compassionate, protective and was a positive male figure in Dean’s life. He even said he was proud of the 16 year old. The look on the kid’s face — it’s like he had never heard those words before. Heartbreaking.

The scene where Robin doesn’t remember Dean is so uncomfortable  to watch. I felt so bad for him. Thankfully, she actually does remember him. She’s just hurt he had to take off.

-Dean does a nice job of not telling Sam much about what went on back then. Sam has to learn some of it on his own. I actually wish he and Sonny could have had a longer conversation. But that’s just me.

-I could yell at BDW right now. Sonny gets the charges on Dean dropped. But Sonny can’t get a hold of John so Dean has to stay at the boys’ home longer than he should. It ends up being good for him. But, still, what John did isn’t anywhere near the vicinity of cool.

-After Timmy lets go of his mom, he runs to Dean for an awe-inducing hug. So cute.

-Sam thanking Dean for always being there and having his back is nice. Of course Dean responds with a deflection. Would it have killed him to be a little more open with Sam?

-What this season one-esque episode is missing is more rock ‘n roll. And the Impala scenes don’t look so green screen-y like they did back in the day.

Please check out Orlando Jones‘ tweets about “Bad Boys.” They are awesome. He even hashtags his tweets as #SuperSleepy. See? Supernatural and Sleepy Hollow can exist in the same universe. In a perfect world, a crossover would happen. FOX and the CW need to talk. In the meantime, you guys should definitely check out Sleepy Hollow. It’s my favorite new show of the season.

Supernatural airs Tuesdays at 9/8c on the CW.