Supernatural, Episode 287 “Unfinished Business” Broadcast on April 26, 2018
Written by Meredith Glynn
Directed by Richard Speight, Jr.
THEN: Gabriel is shown to have been killed several times, but always returns. Sam thinks he could be an ally because “he hates the angels and demon stuff as much as we do.” Unfortunately, Gabriel says he won’t help the Winchesters stop Lucifer. “I can’t kill my brother.” Gabriel is eventually captured by Asmodeus and tortured. Daily. When he gets out he incinerates the demon. Sam and Castiel, who witness this killing, ask the archangel to help them save the world again, but the freed angel vanishes. Dean doesn’t take this news well.
NOW: Central City, Colorado. Night. In a back alley, a bearded man drinks from his brown bagged bottle until a mysterious tune stops him in his tracks. Gabriel appears after calling the man’s name: Fenrir Odinsbane. The man knows the angel. The trickster is there to finish something honorably. The two battle, but not before Fenrir shows he’s not human. Their encounter finishes and Gabriel pulls out a list with three names on it. He crosses out the first name and walks away. The opening title sequence then begins.
This was a good episode. Gabriel is a fun character and seeing him back in action is entertaining. The opening fight with Fenrir is solid, with the effects used on Fenrir strong. How Gabriel and the Winchesters meet was funny. Throughout the episode writer Meredith Glynn really gets the most out of Gabriel, who’s not exactly in peak condition. Sam and Dean’s interactions with Gabriel are also good, with Sam wanting to help and Dean having no time for side missions, seeing as how Michael could appear from the Apocalypse Dimension at any time. Speaking of this colorless dimension, Jack and Mary Winchester get a good chunk of the episode, with Jack thinking he can help her and the surviving band of humans. His justifications for his conclusions and actions are good; he has every reason to think he’s correct. He elects to go somewhere he shouldn’t and someone is discovered at this location. Without spoiling things, this character has always been enjoyable and this individual gets the most emotional scenes of the episode. What this character does is the highlight of this storyline and changes a person’s perspective. Back in the real world, where Sam, Dean, and Gabriel go is neat, with Gabriel revealing much of his backstory. The big bad of the episode (Thank you, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, because that’s how the villain is referred to) has a terrific look, great story, and a solid battle with one of the heroic trio. The ending is never really in doubt, but how it gets to the climax is fun. The coda of the episode is a necessary conversation between the brothers, ending with a great silent focus on Dean who reflects on what’s been said. There are several moments in this episode where the visuals tell the story silently, and director Richard Speight, Jr., who also plays Gabriel, is to be congratulated.
The good: A golden musical instrument, the travelling shot to the fortress, Dean enjoying a story way too much, a carrot prop that was hilarious, great music before entering an elevator for two different parties, great music inside said elevator, lollipops as props were also hilarious, neat lighting to set a scene after the final commercial break, a character getting some perspective changing moments, and the silent focus on Dean as he considers what he’s been told.
Fun lines: “Here, boy,” “Bonus,” “Cool,” “Raspberries,” “Hi, handsome,” “I call that art,” “This is so stupid,” “I’m sorry!”, “Big bros, right?”, and the outstanding line before the climax of the last action scene.
The bad: This was a fairly predictable story. With Gabriel involved, it’s not surprising that the Winchesters will team up with him to do something that will get violent. It’s fun, but not really stunning. This storyline also really outshines the story in the Apocalypse Dimension. It’s not bad, just not surprising.
The final line: Predictable fun, with Gabriel being an entertaining character. There are some solid action scenes, some neat revelations, and some very funny lines and reactions. However, there’s nothing that stands out. It’s fun, but not deep. Overall grade: B
Share this:
