I finished up disc two and watched 1.07 Hookman and 1.08 Bugs  the past couple days. Now, I’ll admit I wasn’t looking forward to either of them as much as 1.05 Bloody Mary and 1.06 Skin, but I was surprised.  A person who is open to speculating that nothing in S4 and S5 isn’t an exaggeration of what was set up in S1 can find support for such a view in these episodes.

posted in icine thread:

I started rewatching S1 over the weekend. I saw Bloody Mary this afternoon and was struck again by how there is absolutely NOTHING that can’t be traced back to the beginning of the story. Sam’s showdown with himself in the mirror when he summons the Bloody Mary monster was JUST LIKE him talking to himself in the cracked mirror during the Lucifer possession. OMG Indeed, there’s a whole scene of Sam insisting that Dean let him do it and later Dean showing up to free Sam only to be caught himself….

AND

I just watched “Skin” for the first time in forever. Man! I’d forgotten how clearly they had Dean self-identify as a “freak” with “issues” and advising Sam to be more like Dean (lie, don’t try to have friends, etc.) early on in the series. This is before Sam’s powers manifest – though I guess he would have had the premonitory dreams of Jessica’s death. Dean doesn’t know that yet.

PS – five years later and I STILL can’t watch the shedding scene. And I can’t help watching a blink too long so inevitably the pretty turns grotesque before I can turn away. Shudder There isn’t a shapeshifter episode I don’t think is excellent!

SO, Hookman reaction:

The fact that we have a preacher’s daughter channeling the Hookman monster to targets upsetting her is clearly revisited in 5.17 99 Problems’ Whore of Babylon monster. Of course, by S5, we never meet the reverend’s real daughter and only get the possessed version.

Back in the day, I remember posting that Sam wasn’t attracted to Lori as much as he was identifying with her. It’s more obvious than ever as she argues with her father about being an adult and able to live her own life. We listen to Lori angst to Sam that she is “cursed” and those around her die. She further goes on to talk about being taught about “avenging angels” punishing those who do wrong.

There are early signs of themes that will recur over and over (and over). If I noticed the REAP WITH JOY phrase on the church bulletin board before, I’d totally forgotten it. The message left by the Hookman on the dormitory wall is AREN’T YOU GLAD YOU DIDN’T TURN ON THE LIGHT? Angel light has proved to be less than a blessing, I’d say. The Hookman itself is controlled (not the correct term) through Lori’s cross necklace which was reforged from the original monster’s hook. (I have to believe Dean’s amulet from Sam will be revisited at some point.) The Hookman’s final destruction comes with sparks and ash.

Early on we see her friend, Taylor, advise that Lori is “allowed to have fun.” The fact that this is an echo itself of Dean talking to Sam in 1.05 Bloody Mary lends weight to seeing the boys’ issues making an appearance and then being played out in subsequent episodes. (I saw this happening consistently in S4 and S5.) One of Lori’s biggest issues is with her father and the next episode picks up with that. (Okay, I know, there’s hardly an episode without daddy issues.)

I’ve argued before that 1.08 Bugs is worthwhile and am now ready to expand my list. (Even the cringeworthy bugs themselves were simply laugh out loud funny to me this time.) I particularly enjoyed looking the young handsome editions of our boys. Sam’s hair was allowed to curl and Dean’s freckles and eyelashes were at full strength.

More recurring motifs: The flag was used big and bold on the wall outside the bar where Dean was hustling pool. The falg has been present in other early S1 episodes, but this stood out as an unexpected dramatic use.

There’s a bug zapper that is blue and which puts out sparks.  There are yellow flowers in the kitchen. There’s a reference to the bugs being a “biblical swarm” and the Native American insists on using Calvary instead of cavalry about a dozen times as he tells his story.

There  are also the blatant parallels between Sam and the kid, Matt. Both feel like a disappointment to their fathers. Dean even points out that they are “like peas in a pod.” Dean is called a liar by the Native American and goes on to insist to Matt that lying is called for.

That isn’t news, but THIS was to me. As the boys first arrive to start investigating,  they approach the sinkhole the utility worker was killed in. Dean manipulates Sam (chicken!) into volunteering to be the one to go into the hole. Sam is tethered to Dean and says, “Don’t drop me,” on his way in. Later, Dean reaches into a smaller hole and pulls out a skull.  That looks lame written out, but it really hit me as the practice version of the hellhole cage for Lucifer.

Anyway, I’m surprised to find layers for how to read even the “throwaway” episodes of season one. I mean, of course 1.12  Faith took on new meaning given the events of S4 and S5. Now… on to disc three. I’ve always enjoyed all four of those episodes.

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