Supernatural 2.20: "What Is and What Never Should Be"

Written by Raelle Tucker
Directed by Eric Kripke

One of the staples of the genre is the “alternate reality” plot device. Characters are shown a version of reality that might have been, had different decisions been made. In many cases, this is just a chance for the writers to play; the events reveal little about the characters at the center of the experience. In other cases, the experiences are tailored directly to the characters, and the plot device is a means of exploring psychological and emotional issues in depth.

“Supernatural” has always placed character first, and so it’s no surprise that the more difficult path is taken in this episode. Dean runs into a D’Jinn, a being that feeds on the blood of victims, who are trapped within a fantasy world within their own mind. This is an interesting twist on the “genie” concept, and one that avoids the messiness of an entity able to affect reality on a massive scale. (“Tall Tales” worked on a similar principle.)

One would expect that the fantasy world would be nearly perfect, drawing the victim into a sense of contentment and happiness so profound that escape is never an option. However, if the purpose is to engage the victim in a convincing reality, it can’t be perfect. Dean’s fantasy is powerful in that it gives him a lot of what he wants: his mother alive, Sam in a happy life with Jess, a life with a gorgeous woman who understands him.

Yet in other aspects, things have gone wrong. John Winchester is still dead. Dean and Sam are estranged, more than they were when the series began. Dean’s history in his fantasy world is still questionable, which reveals something about Dean’s sense of self-worth. After all, his entire fantasy world is built out of his wishes, hopes, and fears.

It all comes down to the idea of sacrifice. Dean has been struggling with the cost of fighting evil since the beginning of the season. He still doesn’t quite understand how his life was worth the sacrifice made by his father, and the possibility of killing his brother to defeat the demon’s plans is always hanging over his head. The pain and suffering is beginning to take its toll, and even if he eventually does the right thing, that choice is a burden.

The intriguing possibility is that Dean might reach a point where the sacrifice required is too much. This has already been hinted at in “Born Under a Bad Sign”. Dean fought tooth and nail to avoid killing Sam, even when all the evidence pointed to Sam’s guilt. In that case, he was right, but what if there’s little or no hope of innocence? Would Dean be willing to sacrifice Sam, or would he be more likely to sacrifice himself? Even if the result is fairly predictable, the psychology behind that choice is not, and this episode is a sign that the writers will continue to follow that path.

Writing: 2/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 2/4

Final Rating: 8/10