S01.E10: Asylum

[DittyDotDot]

Sam and Dean investigate an abandoned sanitarium and discover that when the hospital was open, the patients held a revolt against the cruel and unusual experimental treatments carried out by the head doctor. Now the ghosts roam the halls, driving anyone who spends the night insane. While trying to rescue two lost teenagers, Sam is captured and turns against Dean.

[mertensia]

I like the episode and that ghosts are trying to be helpful. The disembodied hand on the girl is creepy.

[DittyDotDot]

I always forget how much I like this episode. I think all I remember is the Sam-under-the-influence monologue and forget a lot of the other stuff that's rather well-done. Firstly, Dean's rather snarky and funny throughout and Sam visiting that shrink is funny to me--his line about being on a road trip and doing lots of interesting things and meeting lots of interesting people always makes me smile. I think this episode has some nice balance to it and is sufficiently creepy to boot.

 

I am particularly fond of this episode's PiPs and probably some of the better guest actors they had on the show in S1. Kat was so funny when she told Gavin when it was over they were breaking up and her being able to use a shotgun, but not being exactly proficient was great. I also love Gavin's line "Dude, she kissed me!" in response to Sam's, "but she didn't hurt you?"  I think the part I find funniest is they have them split up like every horror movie cliché, but then have Dean tell them they need to heed the lessons that horror movies should have taught them--if something looks haunted, don't go in. Ha, ha, ha!

 

Overall, this one is fun and I like it.

 

 

ETA: or what mertensia said, but with far fewer words.

Edited June 16, 2014 by DittyDotDot

[amazinglybored]

One of the few Supernatural episodes that had me scared; it's the old asylum, they always get me. Good PiP's, really creepy ghost, the other ghosts trying to help and the setting.

[catrox14]

I love this episode.  It's creepy, and gross and man, do we learn a lot about Sam's anger issues with Dean. Shocking really. Yes induced but completely untrue? Eh.....probably not. Still can't believe he actually shot Dean.  Damn.

 

Also this which probably earns it about 13456299991 bonus points. Because....athletic!Dean (dayum Jensen!)

[AwesomO4000]

Still can't believe he actually shot Dean.  Damn.

 

I liked that the show went there. In the opening of the episode, the writers had a husband shooting a wife. If Sam hadn't fallen into the same pattern, to me it would've made it look like Sam was somehow special and immune to things that regular people weren't, and despite his psychic visions, I don't think the writers wanted Sam to look other than human.

 

It would have been dissapointing, cheesy, or both for me if the show had had Sam overcome the spirit's influence through some power of love or Sam having some special ability regular people didn't have. I knew when he didn't overcome it that Sam, even though psychic, was going to be a real and flawed character and it's part of what made Sam relatable to me.

[7kstar]

I liked that the show went there.

 

It would have been dissapointing, cheesy, or both for me if the show had had Sam overcome the spirit's influence through some power of love or Sam having some special ability regular people didn't have. I knew when he didn't overcome it that Sam, even though psychic, was going to be a real and flawed character and it's part of what made Sam relatable to me.

 

I just wish they had been bolder and instead of Sam going I didn't mean it, just have him say.  Hell ya, I'm angry and the ghost used that against me.  I'm angry that Jess is dead and as irrational as it sounds part of me blames you because you drugged me back into this life and now Jess is dead.  I loved her and I can't stop missing her, so I'm angry and that anger had to go somewhere.  I'm just sorry you got caught in the crossfire.  Because it rings so false that he didn't mean it.

[DittyDotDot]

I felt like it was a natural bit of conflict. Sam just lost his girlfriend and wants some satisfaction and Dean is willing to follow where ever their Dad send them, just because he said so...plus all that time cooped up in a car together. I felt like Dean understood what was going on.  He knew that some of what Sam said was what he thought--who doesn't have extreme negative thoughts about siblings or loved ones from time to time--but he also knew that not all of it was true or meant and that Sam was mostly coming from a place of frustration. It felt very natural to me given the circumstances--unlike the constant forced conflict of recent seasons.

[ElleryAnne]

Sam actually shooting Dean was so shocking to me the first time I saw it.  I think I felt personally betrayed in that moment.  In retrospect, I can see how it was the right choice, but it still felt like a gut-punch back then.  

Since then, of course, there have been enough gut-punches that this one barely registers.

 

On the other hand, it provided a great moment for showing Dean being smart enough NOT to hand Sam a loaded weapon, and I've always loved that part.  I like Smart Dean.

 

This is an episode I didn't really like the first time around, but it's grown on me over the years.  I like the balance of humor and menace in the air as they're walking through the asylum, especially after they split up.  And I agree that the PiP's are pretty good in this one.  

 

In my mind, I tend to categorize episodes as Sam episodes and Dean episodes - not based automatically on what POV the show is giving me, but on what I take from it about the guys.  In spite of the insight we get into Sam and his anger issues, this one for me is firmly a Dean episode - mostly for his reaction to Sam shooting him.

[catrox14]

In my mind, I tend to categorize episodes as Sam episodes and Dean episodes - not based automatically on what POV the show is giving me, but on what I take from it about the guys.  In spite of the insight we get into Sam and his anger issues, this one for me is firmly a Dean episode - mostly for his reaction to Sam shooting him.

 

It's interesting that you bring up POV.  I think it's hard to know who is the POV character in this show for any given episode, because IMO it's constantly shifting.  I think there are Dean-centric and Sam-centric episodes but I have to say I think the show does well making it hard to know which it is.  I think it's a matter of what we take away from each episode.  I can't help but think it's intended to be ambigous at times. My takeaways are often Dean related but I put that down to Jensen being a more compelling actor for my tastes so I remember what he does more.  And jeez his face alone, tells stories that 100 words of dialogue doesn't.  That is not a slight on Jared who I think is a fine actor but he doesn't do the same kind of thing that Jensen does. 

[Binns]

I love this episode. It's creepy, and gross and man, do we learn a lot about Sam's anger issues with Dean. Shocking really. Yes induced but completely untrue? Eh.....probably not. Still can't believe he actually shot Dean. Damn.

Also this which probably earns it about 13456299991 bonus points. Because....athletic!Dean (dayum Jensen!)

This was a fine piece of acting. I watched it 4 or 5 times in a row...

[Binns]

Also, it ends with shirtless Dean. I'm down with that. I do really enjoy the characterization we get here. When I first watched this episode I remember being shocked at Sam shooting Dean...and I agree with the up thread post that it's good they didn't shy away from that.

[GirlyGeek]

This is one of my favorites and one episode I can turn on and enjoy no matter how many times I've seen it.
Sam actually shooting Dean (and then pulling the trigger on the unloaded gun) was a BIG shock to me the first time.  I am so glad they went there, of course, and the character growth and insight we got in this episode was great.

The first handful of episodes there was this underlying (or not so underlying at times) tension between the brothers as they found their footing with each other after being apart (and after growing up away from each other).  I mentioned it in another thread, but this episode brings that tension to the surface.  In a violent and ugly way, of course, but that's to be expected.

At first I didn't know how I felt about Sam saying 'I didn't mean it'.  It was a mix of feeling like that line was a cop out from the writers, like they didn't leave enough time in the episode to actually deal with the fallout of the episode.  And a mix of feeling like that's all that could be said at this point, and that Dean and Sam both knew the truth: Sam did mean a lot of it, maybe everything he said even.  But they weren't ready to talk about that, so they both accepted the rug sweeping.  

The PiP were great, the story was creepy.  The ghosts even freaked me out a little, and I don't get scared watching Supernatural.  But they were sufficiently creepy.  Gavin being 'scarred for life' from the ghost kiss is hilarious.

Dean's 'be a good soldier' mantra is still OTT to me. I mean, c'mon, you're 26 years old. Think for yourself a little (now I'm siding with Sam apparently, lol).  But I get it- there's baggage and damage and the guy needs some counseling, lol.  

Spoiler

Too bad he never gets it :(

Speaking of counseling, I love the scene with the therapists office and Sam.  Its such a contrast to the rest of the episode: brightly lit, Sam's one layer down, and his smiles are gorgeous.  We don't see that often in SPN, and yes Sam is playing a role here with the therapist, but its refreshing to see.  To me it feels like Sam is playing himself, college boy pre-Jess' death.  And that's kind of sad.

I love that SmartDean! was smart enough to not hand over a loaded weapon.  I do wonder when he unloaded it, but  :hand wave:  Dean was also  in full snark mode and had some great lines this ep with his 'all work and no play' and his 'my man Jack' and Haley Joel, etc etc.  Good brother banter amidst all the tension.

[Diane]

I really like this episode.  It's sufficiently creepy and I love the banter between the brothers.  The counseling session is just sad. This one is in my top picks of season 1.

[catrox14]

This re-watch is reminding me of how much I dislike the first half of s1. I really do not rewatch s1 very often because I end up just wanting to give Sam repeated flicks to the back of his head. I admire his occasional bravery but he's so damn inconsistent with his goals in s1 that I just think WTF Sam. If you don't want to hunt then just go find John or go back to college. And I think, dammit, Dean  accept that Sam REALLY doesn't want to hunt with you and only wants to find John and just go your separate ways.

I will say that I think JP's acting is much better in this episode than previous episodes. I think it's because he's dropping the whisper speaking from the most part. Thank goodness. Although this is where we see him start to show Sam's dark side.

And really honestly. Sam said he was "method acting" when he shoved Dean but IMO he had some shit going on that was well before they went into the Asylum.

 I'm supposed to really like Sam. That I'm supposed to see him as the child that was not understood and who's family held disdain for eduction and intellect, which I do NOT believe at all was the case.  Yes I get that there is no show if Sam goes back to college but what I am also finding is that I just really don't find these guys to be good for each other at all. And boy does this episode drive that point home.

Sam is largely humorless. He's angry or fake nice with victims( sorry but I think it's not genuine compassion to me. It's being nice to get the information he needs and he doesn't really connect with the victims. And I think that is reasonable and believable given what Sam has been through re Jessica.  But what I just cannot understand is Sam's attitude towards Dean. If the show is trying to get me to like Sam, well, this episode does not help at all. 

Sam: "Road Trip with my brother"

Shrink: So that was fun?

Sam, dripping with sarcasm: "Loads".

IMO he went in there with a poor attitude about Dean already and the shrink just tapped into that. I don't think the shrink made Sam feel that Dean is weak and cowtows to John and is too controlling of Sam.

Not really feeling the "banter" in this episode. I'm seeing  severe cracks in their relationship. They don't see their lives in the same way. They don't see John the same way. I think they do love each other because they are brothers and they will protect each other because that's what they do...but I don't think they truly like or respect each other.

And IMO Dean as much as he wants to think it was just the shrink's influence IMO his coldness towards Sam at the end is realistic and appreciated.

Edited June 7, 2016 by catrox14

[AwesomO4000]

This episode was written by the same writer as "Phantom Traveler" and in my opinion, it shows, because as you say, within the lighter banter, there is other darker stuff. As I said in the "Phantom Traveler" thread, I wasn't sorry that these were the only episodes that this writer did.

12 minutes ago, catrox14 said:

If you don't want to hunt then just go find John or go back to college.

Hee. In the very next episode, Sam takes your advice...

Spoiler

but ends up changing his mind.

[auntvi]

2 hours ago, catrox14 said:

but what I am also finding is that I just really don't find these guys to be good for each other at all. And boy does this episode drive that point home.

That's what I'm struggling with. I'd be thrilled if the writers allowed just a little bit of understanding & respect between the two.  Brotherly angst is interesting, it's drama, but I just need a few rays of sunshine every once in a while. 

I'm sorry for getting meta. I'll move this if anyone wants.

[SueB]

Finally caught up with this one today.  Oy.  There is a TON of brotherly-tension in this one.  Sam is very aggressive towards Dean even before he gets infected. And Dean is all 'salute smartly and do what Dad says'.  Both need to bend here.  On the one hand,, I can see Dean's relief that their Dad is not dead in some ditch (you know I'm a Mom when I use 'dead in some ditch'... it's sounds like what I used to say to my kids about keeping me informed on their whereabouts when they were out and about on weekend nights in high school). But I can also see Sam's POV of 'WTF... if he can text he can call... seems sketchy'. Because it DOES seem sketchy.  He's not calling because he doesn't want to talk to you and answer your 1000 questions like "where the hell have you been????".  I mean, that's the conclusion. And it's really rude.  So, IA with Sam that their Dad is being exceptionally rude.  But it's just not within Dean to text back "call you asshole and I will".  Even if the phone number is unknown and it's an old style phone, couldn't you hit "reply"... or is that only with smart phones.  I can't remember.  Anyway, I get Dean's relief and Sam's irritation.  And if their Dad is sending them coordinates then someone's life is in danger. So following the lead is a better answer than just sitting in the motel room.  Still.... hard to be pragmatic when you are feeling so disregarded.

Once at the Asylum, I really felt bad for Dean when shit hit the fan.  Chest full of rock salt, possessed brother who actually pulled the trigger, psychopath ghost giving you an ghost-electric-shock-therapy and you gotta lite his bones on fire by yourself.  Dean had a very bad day.  

Oh, and thank you Jensen Ackles and Mr Director for the gratuitous belly shot/athleticism porn when Dean launched over the fence.  A+ move there.   

[catrox14]

5 minutes ago, SueB said:

Oh, and thank you Jensen Ackles and Mr Director for the gratuitous belly shot/athleticism porn when Dean launched over the fence.  A+ move there.

[DittyDotDot]

I love this episode. It's getting stinky in that car and both those guys are reaching their breaking point. Plus, creepy ghost hunt is always welcome on my screen.

BTW, should it amuse me so much how a future Two Face is so freaked out by being kissed by a ghost? ;)

25 minutes ago, SueB said:

Oh, and thank you Jensen Ackles and Mr Director for the gratuitous belly shot/athleticism porn when Dean launched over the fence.  A+ move there.   

You know this was directed by Guy Bee, right? Too bad we don't see him back on the show for a few more years!

[SueB]

I LOVE Guy Norman Bee. I wish he'd come back. 

[mertensia]

It doesn't seem sketchy- it IS sketchy. One note along the line of "sorry I had to ditch you; it's too dangerous to stay in touch" and throw in something bogus like he thinks it's the Feds after him and it would be good.

[bettername2come]

Thing that strikes me as weird on rewatch: Dr. Ellicott Jr. cutting a deal with Sam to talk about his father's murder where they never found the body if Sam will talk about his brotherly issues. Then again, there's clearly a lot that's not all right with the Ellicott family.

Things I like, because I'm enjoying making these lists:

1. Friendly ghosts are always a nice change of pace.

2. Dean giving horror movie based advice about not going into haunted places.

3. Girl from Animorphs is a good victim of the week. So is Nicholas D'Agosto. "You have to face it." "You face it!" "Dude, she kissed me! I'm scarred for life!" I liked that the girl was the one who could handle the shotgun. Even if she did almost shoot Dean.

4. "I had a crappy guidance counselor."

5. "See? That attitude, right there? That is why I always got the extra cookie."

6. Creepy ghost is creepy.

7. I've always thought Jared plays crazy well. And Rage!Sam pulls the trigger 4 times!

8. "Man, I'm not gonna give you a loaded pistol!"

9. John calls! While Sam is wearing a dog shirt I remember everyone making fun of on TWoP in 2005.

10. Anf of course, the climbing over the fence shown upthread. I miss the scaling of fences and such from the first season.

[The Companion]

I really enjoy the episodes that feel like love letters to traditional horror movies and this one definitely felt like that. The ghosts were suitably scary. The asylum was duly creepy. 

Speaking of horror movies, had nobody seen one? They must have said let's split up at least 3 times. Even putting aside horror movie lessons, I can't imagine that is police protocol.

[FlickChick]

9 hours ago, The Companion said:

I really enjoy the episodes that feel like love letters to traditional horror movies and this one definitely felt like that. The ghosts were suitably scary. The asylum was duly creepy. 

Speaking of horror movies, had nobody seen one? They must have said let's split up at least 3 times. Even putting aside horror movie lessons, I can't imagine that is police protocol.

That's known around here as "plot reasons" and you'll see a lot more of it. Sorry. 😞