“Live Free Or Twihard” was not what I was expecting. Seeing the title when I fired up my DVR to watch the show, I was guessing this was going to be another big comedy episode. Twilight, and the rest of the current vampire properties, are certainly an easy target for some ribbing. And we did get a bit of that, but this was ultimately a much more serious episode that has big ramifications coming as the season moves forward.
There’s really not a lot to say about the case of the week. We’ve seen the vampire bar, and the vampire sub-culture, done on a host of different shows over the past few years. The boys found a nest, and destroyed it. Yay team. The real fun comes from two big reveals that were part of the case.
First, the alpha vampire is building an army. The plan (to use cute boy vampires to recruit cute girl vampires to recruit cute boy vampires, etc.) is pretty brilliant, and awfully frightening. I’m more interested, however, in how this vampire army fits in with what we already know about the coming war. It would seem that alpha vamp (who really needs an actual name) is set to be another major player. Balthazar with his holy weapons, someone else with an army of monsters, and a vampire army.
It’s all very cool, with loads of potential, but still somewhat dwarfed by one curious look from Sam. That bit of the episode was very well done. On the first pass, when Sam paused while watching Dean be attacked, despite having just killed a vampire with no trouble at all, was very strange. It set a mood and the rest of the episode was full of tension as we waited for the other shoe to drop.
Samuel’s accusation about Sam letting Dean be turned heightened the suspicion. And then the big reveal in Dean’s flashback, that Dean actually knows Sam let him be turned, spun the whole thing on its ear. It made that last scene between the two of them very creepy. Dark Sam was one thing, but this new Sam is gaining almost a sinister air about him. His story promises to be very intriguing.
So, we have to guess just what the deal is. First, is this actually Sam? Is he really back, just changed in some way? Broken to the point that he’s singularly focused on this one goal, at the peril of others, even Dean? Or maybe, like Samuel, it is Sam but he’s working for whoever brought him back for reasons we are yet to learn? Is it really Sam, but possessed? Or, is this not Sam at all, an impostor? There are so many ways it could go. I like the idea of it really being Sam, with motivations we don’t understand. However it works out, the whole thing does have season six cruising along very well.
Clacked by Brett Love 
on Oct 23, 2010 @ 13:19 EST5EDT
I was even wondering if maybe Sam had a split personality somehow and he truly doesn’t know about his sinister side. I couldn’t decide if he was convincing enough when saying he’s got Dean’s back or when telling Samuel he didn’t remember discussing the cure. Maybe somehow his trip to Hell split him into his two selves?
My thought is Sam is somehow merged with Lucifer from when they both fell into the pit.
Samuel does seem to actually care which is interesting.
I loved loved loved this episode. I’m glad that when Dean was turned the reaction of Sam was highlighted enough to be noticed, yet still very subtle. Sometimes, hints like that are too subtle and only noticeable when watching a second time.
Watching that scene and then seeing the small Sam smirk … freaked me out. But, yes, I still loved it!
Season 4 has been my favorite season of Supernatural and so far this season has peaked my interest in the same way as that season. I think that is because of the mystery of what is going on with either Sam or Dean. The intrigue.
Also, Jared Padalecki had done a superb job this season.
I agree with brett, i was expecting an all LOL episode, and a lot of humor that only Supernatural can deliver, so it was really a nice surprise (but i admit i really wanted to see more comedy there… :)
These season has done a really nice job detouring from what we as viewers has come to expect of the show, not a easy task when the show is in it’s 6th season. I’m really intrigued for what may come in the future, i just love these show!!! :)
My favorite funny episode is Changing Channels. Especially with Sam as KITT.
I have been watching the re-runs from the Pilot on TNT. I am amazed at how different Sam and Dean are from then. Truly amazing how they have changed and kudos to the actors, directors and crews for the story line from then until now. I remember why I have loved this show from day one.
I had to have my daughter watch the Twilight references and we laughed, even though I have never watched the movies.
I had to rewind the scene with Sam smirking when the vamp was turning Dean. I couldn’t believe it. The only thing I could say was WTF???? Then when Dean realized it I had to gasp rewind it again.
My distrust has switched more from Samuel and the Campbells to Sam. When Samuel asked Sam about knowing about the cure, Sam lied and said he didn’t even though Samuel was sure they had discussed it. I am not sure if I believe that he truly didn’t know but if Debbie is correct and he has a split personality, that could explain it. Still don’t trust Samuel and the Campbells though.
Did anyone else think the vampire twins were freaky? Shades of “The Shining”. Also, I am getting tired of Lisa and Ben. I understand Dean needs someone to love but she seems so… I am not sure what the word is I am looking for.
In watching the episode again, I am reminded of the line John gave to Dean way back in season 2. If Dean couldn’t save him, he would have to kill him. Did John know way back then what was going to happen and this Sam is possessed or worse, has become the monster that has been talked about since we found out he was given demon blood?
There was another reference to “The Shining” at the very end. When they’re at the car, the sign painted on the building says it’s the Overlook.
I thought the Vampire Twins were freaky too! Even if they are my daughters :)! Their names are Olivia and Maia Matthes.
If they’re going back through the seasons, and using back story to create the future, Deb could be on to something. There has to be a reason John let Sam go live his life. Maybe he know what might happen if he was brought into the business? Maybe he was training Dean all those years to take care of the family, because he knew it would all come down to him.
Sam knows what he’s doing. He’s not the best liar. Padalecki plays it so well, with this almost believable innocent how-dare-you-accuse-me look, but you can read the truth in his eyes. The smirk, the outright lies to Samuel, telling Dean he’ll always have his back (as if Dean believed that)…it’s all going to play out into something pretty spectacular if the show remains true.
Oh yeah … those visions Dean saw. Could it be that the vamp twins symbolized Sam’s dual personality (or, like I said, that he’s Sam and Lucifer combined)?
I’m really loving the tension and unanswered questions so far this season. I wasn’t quite sure but I think Samuel asked Sam if he let Dean get turned so they could have an inside man to find that alpha vampire they’ve been hunting. Up to now, we’ve always thought that it was just Samuel hunting the alpha monsters, but Sam’s in on it too? That’s only if I heard the line correctly.
Who cares? I’m so freaking sick of ambiguously evil Sam and brotherly angst. I hope this is the last season.
I’m glad I’m not the only one. The whole “is Sam evil?” thing has been done to death. I was hoping we were going to get a season of the boys just hunting things with no stupid trust issues between the two brothers again. Seriously disappointed in the new season so far.
If it keeps on this path, I too hope it is the last season.
Vamp twins are just that — vamp twins. I don’t think those 2, and the black man have anything to do with what’s going on between Sam and Dean. I can’t wait until next week’s show.
I think that Sam is a demon. Because in Supernatural lore a demon is nothing more than a human soul that’s been twisted, shaped, & mutilated into a demon. That’s why God and Lucifer had a “spat.” Because he defiled a perfect human soul and turned it into a “henchman.”
I’m so shocked at Sammy’s reaction in the alley after that scene the rest of the episode was a blur, I felt so bad for Dean:( hopefully now that Dean knows for sure that’s not Sammy he can work on finding out the truth!checkout Supernatural Underground on Facebook hit the like button and join the conversation!
My first thought on Sam when he came back is that he has no soul. I think he lost his soul in the pit and that he can’t regain it until this war is over. He has a job to do and whoever he is holding it is forcing him to risk everything to get to the end so that he can be himself again. It’s just a theory but it could work.
Those Vampire twins were really creepy !
I think their names are Maia Matthes & Olivia Matthes ! :)
I’m sure they will get other creepy vampire roles !!!