Supernatural Review: Baby (Season 11 Episode 4)

Good times heal all wounds.

For longtime fans of Supernatural, “Baby” heals all of the wounds that have been felt for a very long time.

I’m amazed that after over a decade on the air, the writers of Supernatural can still manage to masterfully pull off such a lovely, high-concept episode, one that brings us back to the heart of why we love the Winchesters, and why we’ve stuck with them through every rough twist and turn. *cough* Leviathans. *cough*

What makes “Baby” such a series masterpiece? The answer is right in the title.

Sam and Dean have been driving around in their Chevy Impala since the very beginning of Supernatural. It’s seen them through endless monster-of-the-week cases. It’s been with them through every death and through every revival. The Chevy Impala, that Dean has always affectionately called, “Baby,” is a series regular in the same way that Jensen Ackles and Jared Padelecki are.

“Baby” is told completely from the point of view of, you guessed it, the beloved Chevy.

The direction of this episode is beautiful. Every camera angle reminds us that we are watching the Winchesters through the eyes of their faithful vehicle. In fact, the entire hour of television takes place in the front and back seats.

While that may sound very Cash Cab, the end result is another incredible standout episode for the long-running CW hit, joining the ranks of classic fan favorites, “Mystery Spot,” (Season 3), “Changing Channels,” (Season 5)  “The French Mistake,” (Season 6) and Season 10’s 200th episode, “Fan Fiction,” among others.

Sam and Dean are in close quarters, which means two things; classic rock and conversation.

It feels wonderful to watch the Winchesters have fun again. To be a fly on the window as we listen as they razz each other. To watch exuberant smiles spread across their faces as they sing along to the classic songs that were once the regular soundtrack of the series. And of course, the return of something we’ve not heard in a long while:

Sam: Goodnight, Jerk.
Dean: Goodnight, Bitch.

It also feel wonderful to see the payoff of change. Sam and Dean finally talk. Not just shop talk, though there is plenty of that. Sam finally confessed the infection he contracted in Season 11 Episode 1. He also finally told Dean about the visions, after a particularly interesting vision (more on that shortly). 

Baby is completely wrecked by the end of the episode, windows smashed, hood dented, and engine starting slowly. When all the action revolves around the car, it’s bound to be beaten up just a bit. 

But Baby soon purrs, just as she always does, and the Winchesters declare that wherever she is, is their home. They’ll no doubt have her repaired and running smoothly again soon.

Castiel’s contributions to, “Baby,” are small, but fun. His voice is on the opposite end of the telephone, as he researches for the Winchesters and tries to navigate a Netflix queue. And binge watches Orange is the New Black, apparently.

While Crowley isn’t a part of this story, nor Amara, the Darkness was still a major factor that ran throughout the hour.

The Darkness is a big villain. It’s possible that it’s the biggest threat that the Winchesters have ever faced, and that’s saying something when you consider how many trips to Hell they’ve each taken. They’ve faced Lucifer himself.

Yet every demon is afraid of the Darkness. The Angels fear the Darkness.

And Sam is still having those visions, this time, one of the Winchester’s father, John. John appeared to Sam in the Impala to warn him that the Darkness is coming. He also passed along a message of significance.

John: God helps those who help themselves.

Yes, it’s an old saying, but it’s relevant. Is God the one behind Sam’s visions? Is it the long absent Father in Heaven that is finally communicating to the Winchesters Himself? (Chuck, is that you?)

Dean doesn’t believe it is, but Sam is clearly not as convinced. Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure — the Winchesters are the only ones who will have the power to stop the Darkness.

What are your thoughts? Is Sam getting visions from God, or is this an elaborate scheme of the Darkness? Were you surprised that we saw the episode through the eyes of Baby? How exactly DOES Orange correlate to Black in a new way?

Sound off in the comments below!

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Supernatural airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on The CW.