That was part of my curiosity, Amy. Also, even if they had read the preceding 3 episodes, Jared hadn't acted "all wrong" yet. I probably won't be able to rewatch the brothers until tomorrow.

I haven't read much chatter here or elsewhere about Jensen's directing.

I haven't read much chatter here or elsewhere about Jensen's directing.

I honestly don't have much eye for the differences when it comes to series TV. Like, I can see how a Scorsese film is Scorsese, or Fincher, or whatever, but with TV no one gets to deviate too much, you know?

I just love knowing Jensen *did* it and his costars were so proud and complimentary of the job he did. Because, um, I have a ginormous crush on JA. In case you hadn't noticed. ::insert winking emoticon here::

I haven't read much chatter here or elsewhere about Jensen's directing.

sumi had included this factoid in the spoiler thread, so some of you may have missed it:

Cool info (from Ausiello):

Longtime voice actor Alan Ackles (a.k.a. Jensen’s pa) has a cameo as a newscaster. We’ll hear the elder Ackles’ voice during a news story that’s playing on TV at Bobby’s house. How much do we love Jensen for throwing a little work his dad’s way?

How much do we love Jensen for throwing a little work his dad’s way?

::melts into gooey puddle::

::melts:: What a good boy.

eta - thanks for posting that Morgana. I'm trying to stay spoiler free, so I'm afraid to searching out discussion without someone else "clearing" it.

I think it was right at the beginning of the episode, during a news story about weird weather -- how it had been really stormy one day, and then calm the next. But I may be misremembering.

It was the very first shot of the episode. Was that his dad playing the newscaster, too, or did they just use his voice? If the former, that would explain why the camera lingered on the TV for so long. I thought it was a little odd.

thanks for posting that Morgana

You're welcome, but I just re-posted it; sumi actually found it first.

There were at least a couple of Manners homages--Crowley looking up into the devil's trap--same shot as Meg in Devil's Trap, for one. And in one interview or another, Jensen said he wanted to "use what he'd learned from Kim", the implication very strongly "make Kim proud."

As far as directing goes, I think he did a good out of the gate job. Pacing was brisk but not too brisk, and funny. Shot selection seemed solid, blocking was effective, and line deliveries were good.

My biggest problem with the ep was with the writers. They made Dean go OOC so Bobby could justifiably rant at him. I think Dean's initial concern (Sam is not Sam) is a good one, but the bit where he calls Bobby selfish? Stuck out for me. Dean didn't seem that far gone that he'd be on that sort of crack. Bobby is not and has never been characterised as selfish.