this was a great show.

I loved this episode. One of the best of the season I think.

This episode was incredible. I had a tough time with the deaths because I can't stand to see one of my favorite characters die over and over and watching my favorite character suffer through those deaths was equally hard. However, I really liked the obsessive way that Sam pursued the trickster after Dean's death. He basically became his father with the military precision of his organization and house keeping to his refusal to communicate with anybody. He became a man with a mission. I loved this show because of all of the emotions it pulled out of me. I don't know if I have ever had so many emotional transitions during a 1 hour TV show. Incredible episode!

I was pretty excited to see the Trickster back again, but was kind of surprised at the direction the episode took. Back in October, I had been trying to imagine scenarios for how Dean could get out of his deal and the Trickster seemed like the only legitimate answer. He is a god after all. And he kind of took a shining to Dean. So now I don't know if he's gone forever or what. That being said, I thought the episode was just ok. With a few exceptions (Fresh Blood was great) I think the strike kind of derailed this season a bit...and its a shame because I love this show.

Travis Bickle is Taxi Driver guy.

I truly loved this episode. Tainted Tacos, and all the unusual deaths. But really you see Sam dealing with what his life could be without Dean. I totally agree that Dean is Sam's strength source, their brother bond is strong as this hunter life is all they've really ever known.

Neutralzone,

Travis Bickle is Robert De Niro's character in Taxi Driver. That much is clear. As far as what the "Travis Bickle in a dress." line means, that 's a little fuzzy. Perhaps the Trickster was implying that Sam didn't have the fortitude to make good on all his threats of vengeance. That deep down he's never going to be able to follow that path to the end. Maybe he's merely pointing out that Travis Bickle wouldn't have given him the big Winchester puppy dog eyes and said please. I'm not sure. For now, it looks like that is for him to know, and for us to wait to learn in a later episode.

I love the Trickster. I think he's a great character. He really throws a wrench into the works, and if you read up on Tricksters in general (try reading about Loki of Norse Myth, who I think our SPN Trickster is loosely based on) you know that that's what they do best. The primary thing you have to know about tricksters though is that they aren't on anybody's side except their own. However, they will occasionally work with others to achieve their own ends. And most tricksters do have a tendency to show others (whether it's fellow gods or humans) what their greatest weaknesses are. I don't actually think our Trickster was suggesting that Dean himself is Sam's greatest weakness, I think he was suggesting that the family behavior pattern of sacrificing one's life and even one's soul for each other is destructive and dangerous, and he's right. I think he was telling Sam that if it comes right down to it and he can't get Dean out of his disastrous deal, he needs to let him go and not try to sacrifice himself for Dean or it will cause big time trouble. Is the Trickster telling Sam this from the goodness of his heart? Of course not, he's definitely got some sort of personal angle on this whole thing that we can't see yet. But just because someone gives good advice doesn't mean they're giving it altruistically.

Who is Travis Bickell? When the Trickster was confronting Sam he called him Travis Bickell is a dress.

When I saw the promo for this show I said Oh No they are going to rip off Groundhog Day. But the episode was great!!! It is one of the reasons I watch and tape Lost.

Am I seriously the only one who thought this episode was absolutely corny? I mean, honestly what planet am I on?
Okay, first of all, what really irked me was the deaths. I mean, come on! Those are friggin cheap shots! Phony! Out of question! The deaths really didn't appeal to me. I actually preferred on-the-job deaths, something that is actually BELIEVEABLE. Something I wouldn't have to sit and watch and say, "My God, that was pure s***." The Trickster coming back was also what turned me off. I was expecting a far more serious episode and instead it was corny and practically forced. Having Bobby randomly show up wasn't necessary either, as much as I love Bobby to death.
I did in fact enjoy Sam having to live without Dean, since it shows us what would happen. We have a true glimpse of Sam's dark side now--all we have to know is which way will he sway, good or bad?
However, I was very disappointed.

This might be my favorite episode of Supernatural ever. I think it had a little of everything that makes the show great: ongoing inside references, some action, a lot of humor, excellent use of music, some drama, and bets of all the brothers acting like brothers. These two are the best brothers on TV in my experience. The exact right amount of vicious ribbing and total devotion.

Plus...the car. I even love the door creaks that car makes.