I haven't yet written about Supernatural's winter return, "Sam, Interrupted," because I can't think of anything to say. As episodes go, it was alright, but retuning to the Monster of the Week formula made the show seems like it was . . . biding its time? in a mid-season rut? unsure how to handle the myth arc as we head toward the season/series finale?

The first season of the show was entirely formulaic, and it's really grown since then, deepening both the show's overarching mythos and the characters. For the most part, the developments have been great: Sam edging away from student on a revenge quest to fully committed hunter and Dean cracking under the weight of the world (as the episode was sure to remind us) to reveal a functionally alcoholic narcissist beneath (and props to the episode for putting the alcoholism into words); opening a Hell gate; Dean going to Hell; Dean coming back from Hell; unleashing Lucifer.

The episode had certainly had great moments: checking themselves into the hospital by telling the truth was brilliant, Sam drunk/stoned is always good for a laugh (remember when he made fun of Dean for being short?), and Dean trying to follow through on the job while thoroughly freaked out was excellent.  

But the episode's close, we're treated to another ho-hum chick flick moment in the rain: Dean represses, Sam's angry, and Dean has to ask Sam three times if he's with him. Is he? Yup, but I bet you already knew that. 

Next week's episode doesn't look any better with Sam switching bodies with some teen (not that I fault the teen on his Freaky Friday choice) and absolutely no Castiel or Bobby in sight. When Dean said that no one would save the world if he didn't, I thought, "Bobby's in a wheelchair not a coma." Does he genuinely believe that Sam, Cass, and Bobby wouldn't take care of it?