‘Supernatural’ Recap: ‘Drag Me Away (From You)’

Written by Juanita ‘Obi-Juan’ Bonner

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 1516 of ‘Supernatural’. Also, to revisit Episode 1515, ‘Gimme Shelter’, click here.

As a child, for some ridiculous reason, my mother thought it would be okay for me to see The Shining (1980; Warner Bros.) in the theatre. I was only a few years older than the character Danny Torrance (Danny Lloyd) and watched in absolute horror as he navigated the film. I was so terrified that I left the theatre as Danny ran from his father (Jack Nicholson) into the snow filled maize. And though I don’t blame my mother now, at the time, I wouldn’t even speak to her immediately following. In her defense, I was already a horror fan at my young age. Plus, I’m not so sure really anyone was ready for just how truly frightening that movie was – and still is, right!?! I didn’t even see the full ending until I was a teenager and to this day, images of the film, consistently copied in pop culture references, still conjure up fear. I can only assume, based on my all too familiar feelings, that paying homage to this iconic film was the running theme of ‘Drag Me Away (From You)’ – sprouting one chilling tale. At the same time, writer Meghan Fitzmartin doesn’t let us forget that we’re nearing the end with a surprise visit from Death/Billie (Lisa Barry) while giving us some excellent past memories in the process. So, before you can say “This ain’t the freakin’ Goonies” …let’s get into it, shall we?
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Beyond all The Shining references, which I’ll get into in a minute, I want to address the absolute nostalgia I experienced while watching this episode. Because, whenever the writers take us back to Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) as kids, it fills me – and, I assume, most fans – with absolute joy for so many reasons. Flashbacks, in any genre, are designed to fill in gaps and enhance the existing story. While this is true here as well, in the Supernaturalverse, I argue, this is especially important, right? Fitzmartin purposely plops us between two previous flashback episodes picking up only a couple years after young Sam (Christian Michael Cooper) becomes privy to the monster world. Sam, having not yet been on a hunt, gives way for young Dean (Paxton Singleton), the protective big bro, to take center stage. This effortlessly ties into grown up Dean, who to this day, as yet another means of protection, continues to lie to Sam (insert eyeroll here!!). By the way, saying old Dean, rather than grown up Dean, just seems… mean (LOL!!). Especially considering the continuously hilarious jabs at his age this season (*wink*).
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All of the kids play their roles convincingly and the tie-ins are fantastic! Right down to Dean repeatedly teasing Sam about wanting to “be normal” and going to college. There’s even a reference to Sam’s imaginary friend which was simple, yet awesome!! I mean. You love Sully (Nate Torrence) too, right?? Plus, we see Dean’s Amulet again which I’m convinced will play a huge role before the end. Maybe in conjunction with the Interdimensional Geoscope back at The Bunker?? I was also crazy in love with the scene flips from old to young, specifically… seeing the boys getting in and out of the Impala. You? And Dean’s smooth-guy nature is perfect. Especially the vending machine scene. But what I really loved is seeing him, both young and old (LOL!), express TRUE fear! Because the monster of the week, with A LOT of help from the setting, was one of the scariest I’ve seen yet. Which brings me to my childhood…

We’re introduced to the story with the killing of adult Travis (Ryan Alexander McDonald) who also played the Trucker Demon in 9.11: 'First Born' – NICE! The setting is the Rooster’s Sunrise Motel. And in the beginning, the song ‘If I Didn’t Care’ (1946; The Ink Spots) plays in the background giving that ballroom music vibe spread throughout some of the most subtle mind twisting scenes in The Shining. There’s also a strong and purposeful emphasis on Room 214. That same kind of Room 237, don’t go in there feeling, is immediately apparent throughout. Beyond that, sharp corners and long hallway shots, with and without something at the end, inspire images of Danny riding his big wheel, no? And the colorful geometric patterns on the walls and floors of each room is beyond reminiscent to the floors in the famed Overlook Hotel (which was based off the Stanley Hotel) used in The Shining. Accomplishing both the mesmerizing and somewhat nauseating feeling I had as a child in the theatre all those years ago. Finally, the hallucinations created by our monster, similar to papa Torrance’s in The Shining, are spine tingling to say the least. Particularly during Dean’s hallway scene, am I right? As for the monster, though given a traditional witch-like appearance, she also carries a tinge of the old woman from Room 237 as well. Let’s take a closer look…

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A new Big Bad to the Supernaturalverse, the Baba Yaga, as we discover, feeds on children. YIKES! But even more than that, she likes to play with her victims and having waited 20+ years, is hungry enough to enjoy some juicy adult revenge. WHOA!! However, it’s her ability to take on other people’s likeness and place her prey in a hallucinatory state while she traps them for feeding that’s creepy AF!! Not to mention her nest – filled with the bodies of missing children. Whose names, in true Supernaturalverse fashion, are taken from actual show crew members – NICE!! There’s also a pretty strong A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984; New Line Cinema) vibe at the abandoned cannery where this nest is located and I freaking loved it!! We learn the ring this creature wears is the source of her power. A common Supernaturalverse tactic made unique with the Baba Yaga lore as Sam states the ring is “technically, her heart.” WOW! And boy is she angry having been tied to the motel for all these years after young Dean separated her from her heart by chopping her fingers off. Her ending, with the final crushing of the ring is perfect. Green flames and all. Overall, a fitting monster to bring past and present together again, am I right!?!
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Having spent the majority of this episode on the hunt itself, Fitzmartin takes care to keep the arching story on track as Death appears to Dean during his food run. And I can’t forget to mention what he actually orders. Three burgers – one of them veggie. Presumably for Sam. This aside, I absolutely loved how Dean comedically – a beautiful sarcastic jab at Sam’s diet – says “Good for you,” when the waitress responds to his question about arugula or kale by saying they only have “iceberg and ranch.” LOL!!! The “Meat Man” was pleased! *BIG GRIN* As for Death, not so much. She delivers several bits of HEAVY news to Dean and scolds him in the process. God (Rob Benedict) is done with his, as Dean puts it, “Death Star level galactic genocide,” and is coming home… soon!! Death has also visited The Bunker and given Jack (Alexander Calvert) his final orders to complete “The last step in his transformation.” WHOA! Strange that Dean doesn’t even ask what said orders are, no? He does, however, question Jack’s dying as “Cosmic TNT,” and asks how she talked him into that one. By telling him the truth, she points out. Jack wants nothing more than the Winchesters’ forgiveness for killing Mary (Samantha Smith) and he believes that freeing them from Chuck’s “Hamster wheel” is the only way. Dean definitely doesn’t disagree as Billie says, “Was I wrong?” YIKES!! And with Amara on the hook, though I still question this, Billie – in reference to Sam’s moral dilemma with double crossing Amara – tells Dean to get his house in order. A huge moment of recognition as Dean still hasn’t even told Sam that he knows why Cas (Misha Collins) left and that Jack’s supposed to die too!! And to add to this little piece of news? According to God’s book in Death’s Library, her part in the story is done until the end. Wait… what?? Am I the only one not buying this? What the hell is Billie up to?? Manipulating Jack, that’s what!! She says it’s up to Dean now as he reluctantly responds, “One Messenger of God’s Destruction right here.” WOW!! This small scene had me laughing and completely uneasy in just a few minutes time. BRAVO!!

By the end, the monster is vanquished, but all’s not well as Dean comes clean to Sam on the drive home. Sam is as mad at Dean as we’ve ever seen him, right? I sat in tear filled silence as Dean tries to explain while Sam cuts him off at every turn. I mean. I wanted to love Dean for it since coming clean isn’t his strong suit. Plus, he did it back at the motel twice. Once to both Sam and Caitlin about not revealing the monster’s nest as a child and in the end to Caitlin about being scared – back then and now. WOW! But Sam is right!! About all of it! Right to question EVERYONE’S motives. Right to care what happens to Amara. And most of all, he’s right about just how bad it is to find out that Dean’s STILL lying to him. HOLY COW this scene was moving, ending as Sam turns to towards the window and says, “Just drive.” *SIGH*    

It’s hard to tell which scared me the most. The overall feel of the episode taking me back to childhood or the ending where Sam is finally done with Dean lying to him. And on such a grand scale!! Dean’s darkness, anger and pain allows him to stuff all this down. But Sam? Well… his “ethical questions” ALWAYS linger and now they’re not just about killing Amara anymore!! Wouldn’t you agree? And how about my predictions on Billie and Dean’s Amulet? Finally, what do you think Jack’s last step of transformation will involve? Let me know in the comments below or reach out to me @obi_juanita on Twitter and until next time… GO TEAM FREE WILL!!

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