The Winchesters Season 1 Episode 2 Review: Teach Your Children Well
The gang begins to find their groove in The Winchesters Season 1 Episode 2, “Teach Your Children Well.” The episode is a vast improvement from the pilot episode as the picture of what this show could become starts to take form.
It’s heading down a familiar path as a fun monster show with parental scars at the center.
This episode tackles the age-old dilemma of holding on too tight and completely cutting ties with a parental figure. This issue surfaces in several ways as Mary, John, Ada, Carlos, and Latika face the week’s demon.
This means the monster mother goes after wayward children, but on this episode, it’s all about the wayward sons. John is trying to find his path as a new monster hunter, and he thinks that means pushing away his mother.
Meanwhile, Mary keeps holding on to the path set by her father — though that may be the wrong direction. Unfortunately, John and Mary’s choices hurt them and their team.
Because Mary follows Samuel’s lead, she isn’t listening to others and puts the group in danger. John becomes a target for La Tunda because of his actions. It isn’t until they realize there needs to be a balance between holding on and letting go of their parents’ influences that things start to go right for them.
The show grounds this episode in the inevitable conflict between parent and child as they grow up.
Amid this crucial lesson, the new group starts to find its place. We get a better handle on these characters and their relationships.
The fire-and-ice relationship between Carlos and Mary is one of the best parts of The Winchesters.
His cheeky demeanor with her no-nonsense attitude works well. It’s also fun knowing that Carlos may still have a little bit of a crush on her, based on Latika and his conversation during the pilot.
Carlos has a thing for the dark and broody. This adds excitement to the show when they finally introduce a love interest for him. Hopefully, it’s someone as no-nonsense as Mary because that will be an enjoyable romance.
Latika also becomes more apparent as this geeky, sort of weird character with an obsession for monsters. She is another fun entry into this world. Hopefully, her layers will continue to grow as the season progresses.
Ada is still a mystery.
This episode doesn’t offer enough to build on what we know from the previous episode. Her most significant moment revolves around offering some comfort to Millie, which could lead to them becoming allies or more.
The chemistry between Mary and John feels much more natural on this episode. This helps demonstrate that the characters have had enough time together to establish their own flirty dynamic.
It’s going to make watching them go from flirty banter to soulmates much more enjoyable. Currently, The Winchesters paces its romance at the ideal speed. It’s a slow burner that’s not too slow.
The ’70s is the star of “Teach Your Children Well.” Of course, there are plenty of references to musicians and bands, but the episode goes further.
The main arc of this episode revolves around the conflict between the hippie generation and their more conservative parents. Then the use of nature with La Tunda ties back to the era and concept of the hippies.
It’s nice to see that The Winchesters isn’t just set in the ’70s but utilizes it to tell this story. That shouldn’t come as a surprise, but not every show incorporates the era into its story.
Episode 2 shows that the series has a lot of fun, mystery, intrigue, and monsters ahead.
Other Thoughts
- Speaking of the ’70s, I am not sure how accurate the costumes are, but I love them.
- The music plays a significant part in this episode. However, it is not overdone and is used to create some interesting musical moments.
- I hope the ending of each episode shows how this will tie into the season’s conclusion.
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What did you think of this episode of The Winchesters? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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The Winchesters airs Tuesdays at 8/7c on The CW.
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Jerrica Tisdale
Jerrica Tisdale is your favorite neighborhood pop culture junkie. She will annoy you with random TV and film facts, while complaining about whatever is the hottest new book. She has been a TV fan all her life but writing about it for over a decade. You may find her work all over the internet especially reality TV rants. She is a senior writer at Tell-Tale TV.