I’m unspoiled. I’m harmless though even I can’t decide how crazy I am for thinking the things I think about the show.

So. Who is Gary and why do we care what he wants?

Seriously. What information were we given about this 17 year old kid horning in on our Winchester duo? Hmmph.

Well, Sam Gary is a smart kid taking advanced placement classes. He’s on his way toward a full ride to Stanford MIT and to becoming a lawyer an engineer. He’s a frustrated virgin geek ordering girly-drinks. (I’d guess this is how Dean saw his teen brother.) He crashed the Impala! Family expectations are weighing on Gary and he’s ready to rebel. He plays at blood drinking witchcraft to feel powerful.

At the same time, Dean Gary appreciates burgers, booze, and Busty Asian Beauties. He takes pleasure in a good hunt and wants the classic rock louder! He’s game for becoming a casual pickup though finds he may be in over his head. He has family approval as long as he toes the line. His younger sibling warns that there will be fallout when the folks find out about his demon-dealing witchcraft.

Seriously. (Again.) Is there anything about the Gary character that doesn’t scream Dean-like and Sammy-esque? Perhaps there’s that his involvement with witchcraft and satanic dealings is as part of a trio? He has one friend involved with witchcraft in order to be close to him. Another friend pays with his life for being involved. But, ahh, the show has been throwing a third player into many of the stories and situations for some time now. Famously, the boys are given an actual brother in Jump the Shark. The tragic magicians of Criss Angel (a turning point episode for Sam) came in a brotherly set of three.

I still haven’t settled for sure on how to think of that third entity that’s become part of the story. One theory I’ve had is that it is a construct or manifestation of the bond between the boys — at times more influenced by selfishness and at others by self-sacrifice. Another (more likely?) idea is that there really is an outside influence (trickster-angel-demon-whatever) trying to reach an understanding with the Winchesters.

Gary and Dean worked together to protect each other more than once. In the haunted basement, the ghost attacks Gary first and only once he’s gotten around to pointing the gun at Dean. Could the spirit have being acting to pull off another nick-of-time rescue of our boy? We did have a misunderstood spirit recently in 5.09 The Real Ghostbusters. Dean immediately goes to Gary (thinking him Sam of course) and is attacked himself only when he moves to complete the ghost-disposal.

Later, we get the tag-team demon exorcism. There’s no way that should have been anyone but Sam and Dean protecting and supporting each other to banish evil. So, (since one more leap for me can’t make a difference at this point), I’m using that as more fuel to my Gary = Dean + Sam speculations.

Then there’s Sam and Dean to notice. The criss-crossing of their attitudes has been coming since Sam told Dean in season three that he had to become more like Dean. I found it impossible to ignore during season four when Dean is given memories of attending Stanford and Sam gets in the casual sex game. In the new episode, Dean is now openly desirous of a normal family life. We’ve seen into Dean’s subconscious enough over the years to not be surprised at this desire. Sam is openly contemptuous about normal family life sucking ass. Of course, he’s been saying that to some degree since his resurrection, I believe. If the swap situation was to test his sincerity, he never displayed anything like being tempted or regretful at having to pass on that. His entire focus seemed to be on getting back to his life with Dean.

Reverse! (Do it?) Reverse! (That’s where we are!) Reverse! (Undo it?!) This is a clear illustration of the possibility for misunderstandings in a word. ‘Reverse’ also calls to mind the many mirror images in the episode. The show has certainly practiced many ways to bring that motif into the story over the years, and don’t miss any chances here.

Bob Seger’s “Rock & Roll Never Forgets” couldn’t have been better chosen if there really is a message being sent to Dean still on his way back from hell. The lyrics include “Come back baby/ Rock and roll never forgets” which I think has been the point since Dean woke in that grave. Just last week Dean was near incapacitated by the wraith-induced crazy. (I didn’t spot any similar reminder of Sam’s ‘rage.’)

So you’re a little bit older and a lot less bolder
Than you used to be

Did the white-out screen as Sam and Gary were switching back remind anyone of the door opening at the end of 4.22 Lucifer Rising? Have they used the complete white-out any other time?

More about other elements after I rewatch and get hold of screencaps… I’m hopeful that someone will beat me to the punch discussing all the red, white, and blue throughout the episode. Patriot Burger? Come on!  ;)

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