Supernatural - Houses of the Holy (spoilers)

In a recent interview, Supernatural Executive Story Editor, Sera Gamble says she jokingly describes the premise of Supernatural as "the epic love story of Sam and Dean." She might just be saying this to tease show creator Eric Kripke, but I think it's one of the most accuracte descriptions of the show out there.

Love doesn't just mean romantic/sexual feelings between two people. Love is something that encompasses many forms amd types of relationships. Why deny the fact that Sam and Dean Winchester, as brothers, love each other very much and that they are on a journey of discovering and testing what that love means and where it's boundries, if any exist, are.

Once again the writers of Supernatural, most specificly Sera Gamble take the backdrop of 'the hunt' to bring forth a story that reveals more to us about the complex nature of Sam and Dean Winchester and their connection to each other as brothers and warriors in the battle.

I think the most compelling thing that this episode brings to the table is something that we have seen alot of this season..and that is how much Dean believes in Sam. The one thing I have noticed and really admire the skills of the writers in presenting it to us in such a subtle way, not to mention the incredible acting talent of Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki, is that Dean is, when you come right down to it, not a leader, he is a follower. The subtle way that you see that while on the surface Dean seems to be the alpha male, it's actually Sam that is. Sam is the leader because Dean desperately needs something to believe in and to follow that he can see and know for sure has a tangible presence. For years the thing he believed in was their father, but that belief was rocked to it's foundations when John Winchester made a deal with a demon to trade his life, not really for Dean's but for a means to have Dean there to look after Sam.

I found The House of The Holy to be more than just a good vs evil issue or 'is there really a God' issue. I found it to be more of a metaphor about the changing relationship between Dean and Sam. About leadership and redemption. The 'angel' in this story was giving those who had led less than good lives the chance to redeem themselves by hunting down and killing real evil...which is a perfect allegory for what has happened with Dean and his father. John Winchester to whom Dean followed and hero worshipped his whole life gave (in Dean's own opinion of himself) his less than perfect son Dean a chance at 'redemption' by saving him from death to be there to protect and follow (in Dean's own opinion) John's perfect son Sam.

The ending car chase scene, the scene where Dean is doing, without question, what Sam wants him to do. Following the man Sam says is bad to keep him from killing that girl and Dean witnessing a 'devine intervention' was so well written. It was a revelation to Dean that there is something higher than what he can see. That there is something more to who he is than someone to be a follower.

That the angel turned out to be what Dean thought it might be, which was a vengeful spirit, was well written too. Not once did it take away from the idea of a higher power, but it brought home that man has to be careful with the powers he is given or assumes he has been given. That Sam has to be careful with whatever it is the Demon wants him for..that Sam himself might, all on his own, become the one to use it incorrectly without any influence from the demon at all. That he has to be careful not to become something he is not ready to be yet or should never be in the first place, especially not without someone there to balance him. Not without Dean there.

Very good episode, very well written and acted. Rock on Supernatural!