Wow... Great episode!

I agree with everyone here: Colin Ford is a phenomenal Young Sam. He really did a great job not only playing older than his actual years, but playing Sammy as a boy with an old soul.

I think within the context of a younger, more shallow and thoughtless Dean, Brock Kelly did well. It sure reinforced the idea that, with the exception of his one girlfriend in Route 666 (and a one-night-stand with an angel), Dean never connects with anyone on an emotional level. Except Sam. It also emphasized that even though the brothers are more than four years apart, they were best friends and confidantes. It sure drew out how much the two have lost a lot over the years - including themselves, and to some extent, each other.

This episode really brought back the Sam I first saw - the Sam on the cusp of making a life for himself. Sam's reaction to his teacher's question at the end of the episode was heartbreaking.

Terrific episode from start to finish!

I really enjoyed it too. Colin Ford? Excellent job. What a heartbreaking story.

And I have to admit that I was surprised at the two non-Kim Manners people they dedicated the show to - this show is having some sad times.

I can't help wonder if Colin has been watching game tapes, or if he's just acting Sam the way he's written and directed.

It does seem like Ford uses at least embryonic mannerisms, especially postures, that we've become familiar with in adult Sam.

I thought Brock Kelly (really? we're shading into Tab Hunter and Rip Torn territory here, nu?) had the voice down phenomenally well in some scenes--to the point I wondered if Ackles VO'd the scene. But he did come across much older than I'd have expected Dean to be, given how young Sam seemed to be. Of all four Weechester actors, Ford is far and away the nearest approximation to how his character is played by the adult actor.

ETA: The fight scene was excellently done. Ford had none of the childish flailing and over-zealous but ineffective walloping that most children have. He absolutely sold every blow he landed. I believed wee Sam could take the bully twice his size, making every punch count.

K-Bug is W&P'ing with me in chat. I have her hooked!!! Do I get a flask of holy water or something?

eta - I absolutely agree with Beverly's note about the fight scene. He was efficient and effective. No wasted moves.

It's true - you could tell that Sam had been trained.

I thought Brock Kelly looked close enough, but after the first scene, his voice was utterly wrong, something about the accent, which read to me as too New York rather than Kansas or Texas. Also his facial mannerisms were off.

I liked the ep, not least because we got something new at the end, and the boys' character moments were better interwoven into the plot.

But Amanda's take-down of Dean in the hallway was just a little anvilicious and unlikely.

Mostly, I'm happy they didn't demonize John any more than they have already.

In honor of K-Bug and you, Suzi, I quote an old tagline--

We can all share the toaster. I wish we could get one that burns sigils and runes into the toast. - Amy

But Amanda's take-down of Dean in the hallway was just a little anvilicious and unlikely.

And yet, I still found it kind of awesome.

Okay, I have just discovered the best thing that will ever be said about this episode, courtesy of hellopoe:

Last but not least, how pissed were those two actresses who read for the parts of "girl making out with Dean Winchester in the mop closet" [...] only to find out it was...the OTHER Dean Winchester? HAHAHAHA OH BUMMER.

Last but not least, how pissed were those two actresses who read for the parts of "girl making out with Dean Winchester in the mop closet" [...] only to find out it was...the OTHER Dean Winchester? HAHAHAHA OH BUMMER.

Oh, I didn't think about that. That's just cruel. Those poor girls. Hopefully the sides didn't say Dean.

Also, hopefully this satisfied those that were wanting more Sam. They certainly got their Sam heavy episode. Which was enjoyable because Colin Ford is just so darn good. Jared really sold the ending too. He was so trying to believe what he was saying.

I got to the point where I saw Brock Kelly as a young Dean. Even his outbursts really were in character because current Dean is regularly SO inappropriate.