Buffalo, NY - A man walks out of a bar toward his car, asking, "Did he eat? You gave him a bath, right? Dd you take him to the park? Did he give me a peepee and poopoo? Good. Tell him Daddy loves him, be home soon." As thunder crashes and lightning flashes, we become aware we are seeing him through a creature's eyes. He climbs into his car, rustles through his gloves compartment and suddenly finds himself face to face with the creature, who has leaped onto his windshield. "What the--?" he cries,... read more Buffalo, NY - A man walks out of a bar toward his car, asking, "Did he eat? You gave him a bath, right? Dd you take him to the park? Did he give me a peepee and poopoo? Good. Tell him Daddy loves him, be home soon." As thunder crashes and lightning flashes, we become aware we are seeing him through a creature's eyes. He climbs into his car, rustles through his gloves compartment and suddenly finds himself face to face with the creature, who has leaped onto his windshield. "What the--?" he cries, but that's all he's able to get out before the creature breaks through the glass and splashes his blood on the driver's side window, finishing him off as he thrashes and cries out. read less

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As Sam sits eating at an outside table at Fat Mac's Rib Shack, Dean worriedly consults with Bobby on the phone, begging him to keep digging. "If Crowley thinks--" "If Crowley thinks WHAT, Dean?" asks the demon, who has appeared at his elbow and says, "Is that Bobby Singer? Give him a kiss from me." Dean tells Bobby he'll call him back. Crowley sits beside Sam at the picnic table. Sam drops his fork into his food, unable to eat anymore. "Good news, boys," the demon says, "I've got a job for you. ... read more As Sam sits eating at an outside table at Fat Mac's Rib Shack, Dean worriedly consults with Bobby on the phone, begging him to keep digging. "If Crowley thinks--" "If Crowley thinks WHAT, Dean?" asks the demon, who has appeared at his elbow and says, "Is that Bobby Singer? Give him a kiss from me." Dean tells Bobby he'll call him back. Crowley sits beside Sam at the picnic table. Sam drops his fork into his food, unable to eat anymore. "Good news, boys," the demon says, "I've got a job for you. Dean sits across from Crowley and says, "I'm gonna say this once--shove your job up your ass." "Is that any way to talk to your boss?" asks Crowley. "You're not my boss, dick bag!" spits back Dean. Crowley reminds him they've been through this--"Quit clutching your pearls, you've been working for me for quite some time, Sam here, longer." "We didn't know," Sam reminds him. "Like that makes a difference to you," snarls Crowley, "you'd sell your brother for a dollar right now, if you really needed the soda--look, I'm sending you--" "No," says Dean." "Beg pardon?" asks Crowley. "I've done some shady stuff in my time, but I am not doin' this," insists Dean, "no." "Ten quid says you will," says Crowley, and presses a finger to the top of Sam's hand, causing him to cry out in pain, leaving a third degree burn the size of a silver dollar. Sam grabs his injured hand with the other, still gasping in agony. "You like pain, Sam?" asks Crowley as Dean looks on in anger and concern as Sam's wound bubbles, "you like hell? Stop thinking of this like some kind of deal, this is a hostage situation, you arrogant little thug! I OWN your brother, do you understand me?" The demon snaps his fingers and Sam's burn disappears. "C'mon, Dean, smile," urges Crowley, "it's not that bad. You bag me a live Alpha and I'll give you Sammy's soul back with a cherry on top." "What, Alpha vamp not good enough for you?" asks Sam. (Wasn't that Samuel's catch?) "Best mind where you poke your nose," advises Crowley, "if you want to keep it." He tosses Dean the newspaper and says, "Your merry little hike up the food chain starts here. Businessman, found dead in his car, chest ripped open, heart missing--sounds like?" "Werewolf," says Sam, checking the article. "No, it's not a full moon," says Dean. "Werewolves turning on the full moon," says Crowley, "so '09." "He's right," says Sam, "Samuel and I ganked one on the half moon six months ago. Things have been out of whack a while now, I guess." "Yeah I guess," says Dean, exchanging a significant look with his brother. "So it's settled then," says Crowley, "you bag the howler, bring it home to Papa." He looks from one brother to the other. "See you soon, boys." And he's gone. Dean puts one hand to his head, food untouched.

The Impala speeds over the road. Sam notes that the vic is a real class act who owns slumlord apartments and homes. "So this is it," says Dean, "this is what you're going to do?" "What am I doing?" asks Sam. "Crowley-- he's so far up our asses, we're coughing sulfur," says Dean, "but you, you're just gonna work the case?" "He's got us by the short and curlies," points out Sam, "what else are we supposed to do?" "It's just, you know, man," says Dean, "I'm workin' for a demon now, I don't even know who you are, I just need a second to adjust." "Look," says Sam, "this is a crap situation, I get it, but Dean, I am still me, the same melon, same memories, I still like the same music, I still think about Susie Eiser--" "Biology class Susie Eiser?" asks Dean. "Can you blame me?" asks Sam. Dean's eyebrows say no. "I know you don't trust me," says Sam, "and I can't take back what I did, but I'm going to prove to you, I'm still your brother." Dean looks at him, and Sam gives him the puppy face we all know, love and trust--or do we?

Dressed in their hottest FBI attire, the brothers come upon the Buffalo coroner zipping a second victim into a body bag at the docks. Dean introduces them as Agents Holt and Wilson (football association). When the regular cop asks why the Feds were called in, Sam answers, "We're specialists--they call us in to answer the questions of mouth-breathing dick monkeys." (Was he channeling our favorite dead angel here?) Both Dean and the cop toss him a weird look. "So are you gonna walk us through this or. . .?" asks Sam. "Dock worker," answers the cop, "morning shift found him, chest ripped wide open." Like the body in the car, says Dean. Second one in two days, replies the cop. "Internal organs missing on both vics?" asks Sam--"like, their hearts?" "Looks like it, yeah," answers the cop, "how did you know?" Ignoring that question, Sam asks if this guy had any enemies. "Plenty," says the cop, "but I don't think it was a wolf or possibly cougar that had a beef with the guy--you do realize these were animal attacks?" "Out here?" asks Dean--"you think they came for the sailing?" The cop gives him a strange look.

Dean awakens from a sound sleep to find Sam has never gone to bed. "Good morning," greets Sam. "You didn't sleep," says Dean, "because you don't sleep." He rubs his eyes. "Right," says Sam. "That's not creepy at all," says Dean. "It's not like I can help it," says Sam, shrugging on his suit jacket, "so are you going to lie there starin' at me or do you wanna hear what I dug up?" Dean makes a gesture that could have meant anything. Sam says, "Werewolves are id gone wild, whoever they hate, they kill when they wolf out, so, I've been playing connect the victims. So I think I've found a common denominator." He tosses Dean his wallet and tells him, "Get the lead out." "Let me get dressed, OK, Robocop," says Dean.

They pull up in front of a brick house. Sam has tucked his gun, all ready to shoot, down the back of his pants. He knocks at the door, which is opened by a sweet-looking mom, Mandy, with her son in her arms. Sam asks for Cal Gerrigan--they have questions for him. Puzzled, she invites them in. She sends her son to his room (was that a toy soldier she handed him?) and apologizes for the mess, gathering toys and making room for them at the kitchen table. She offers them refreshments. Cal, her boyfriend, is asleep. "Mind tellin' him up and at 'em, he's got some guests," says Dean. She goes to do so, but Cal, clearly victim of a giant hangover, enters the kitchen, causing Lucky the dog to growl. She introduces him to Agents Holt and Wilson. Cal claims he was out late, but only had beer; Sam coldly asks, if that's all he drank, why is he sweating Vodka?--"and it looks to me like you slept in those clothes, am I right?" (Times like this I REALLY wish Sam had gone into law or Jared would get a job on one of the LAW AND ORDER shows; he's so good at interrogation!) Cal admits that's a yes. So, says Dean, you got blind drunk and blacked out, and I'm guessing that isn't the first time. Truthfully, says Sam, who knows what you've really been up to at night? Cal's girlfriend makes a sound and the two of them exchange glances. "What's this about?" asks Cal. "We're investigating the death of Ronald Gerrigan," says Sam. "My brother?" asks Cal, looking at Mandy again. She shrugs. "Sorry for your loss," says Dean, noting how little Cal seems to care. Cal thought that was an animal attack. "No love lost between the two of you, huh?" notes Sam icily. Cal admits they loved each other, but had their differences--Ron had a lot of problems, he was volatile. (Sound familiar?) Last time he was here you called the cops? asks Sam. Yeah, says Cal, last time he was here, he came in all messed up, he shoved Mandy, so yeah, I called the cops, I don't see what that's got to do with anything--" Sam interrupts: "Your landlord was found dead this week, were you aware of that?" "Saw it in the papers," says Cal, "why?" "You two were pretty far behind in your rent," says Sam, "right?--he had sent eviction papers?" Again, Cal and Mandy exchange looks. "I'm sorry," she says, "that was an animal attack." "Funny enough," says Sam, "yeah, both of them were." "So what in the hell did you think I had to do with them?" asks Cal irritably. "Just following procedure," says Dean, "had to ask. You two have a good day." The brothers leave. Mandy gives one more shrug.

Outside, Sam notes, "So Cal's a prince." "He didn't even know where he was last night," says Dean. "Bag him now?" says Sam as they head toward a playground near where the Impala is parked. "No, we make sure," insists Dean. "REALLY?" asks Sam. "Before we hand him over to a lifetime of demon rape?--yeah, really," says Dean. They drive off. For the remainder of the night, they trail Cal to three scuzzy bars, one scuzzy strip club, a chili club joint, seven or eight night caps and now, scotches in the library. I'm gettin' cirrhosis just watchin' this. Other than that, we got squat." ""Let's just see," says Sam, watching Cal play pool. "Dude," says Dean, "sun's up, this guy's still on two legs--in theory. He ain't wolfin' out." "Well, not tonight, anyway," says Sam. They decide to head back and re-attack it in a couple of hours. Cal and a few others drunkenly close down the last place. Cal limps to his truck, starting it with a remote starter. Suddenly, Lucky is there. "What are you doin'?" Cal asks him. Lucky attacks, dragging Cal behind his truck. We hear the wet sound of Cal's bones cracking, and see through Lucky's eyes Cal's body, chest ripped open, heart surely gone. Then, however, we see a MAN, blood running down his chest, reflected in the driver's side windshield of Cal's truck. Standing next to Cal's mutilated body is a naked, blood-spattered man--could this be what Lucky turned into after killing Cal?

Mandy lies asleep in her bed. Lucky, now in man form, watches her. He has cleaned himself up. Turning back into dog form, he jumps on the bed and avidly snuggles with and kisses Mandy. Then he lies beside her, facing us, defying us to reveal his secret. read less

Mandy awakens. Lucky goes in for kisses, forcing her to push him away. "That's enough!" she says. Breathing heavily, Lucky lies down in Cal's spot on the bed. "Cal!" calls Mandy. When he doesn't respond, she mutters, "Typical." She pets and scratches the dog, saying, "Oh, Lucky, you are the only decent boyfriend I have ever had." When she goes in to take a shower, Lucky follows so he can ogle her naked body.

The brothers Winchester watch Cal being zipped into a body bag. "I might g... read more Mandy awakens. Lucky goes in for kisses, forcing her to push him away. "That's enough!" she says. Breathing heavily, Lucky lies down in Cal's spot on the bed. "Cal!" calls Mandy. When he doesn't respond, she mutters, "Typical." She pets and scratches the dog, saying, "Oh, Lucky, you are the only decent boyfriend I have ever had." When she goes in to take a shower, Lucky follows so he can ogle her naked body.

The brothers Winchester watch Cal being zipped into a body bag. "I might go out on a limb and say it's NOT Cal," says Dean. "Masterful deduction, Sherlock," huffs Sam. "Werewolf attack in daylight?--this whole thing is just weird, man," opines Sam. "Dogs and cats living together, mass hysteria," says Sam. (Line straight out of GHOSTBUSTERS.) "So you know this means we're down to one suspect, right? Mandy is right at the deep end of the vic pool--can you do it?--shove her in the trunk, serve her up to Crowley?" After a long hesitation, Dean says, "Yeah, Sam, I can do it." Sam walks away.

Mandy has spent a sleepless night with Aidan, her sick son. She joins him on the sofa, planting his feet on her lap, checks his head for fever, and gives him a juice box. Lucky brings a squeaky toy over for the boy, delighting both mother and child. Wendy chortles how much Lucky loves him, petting the dog, who is playing tug of war with the toy, eventually tearing off its ear. "Oh oh," teases Wendy, "Lucky, look what you did!" Mandy finds Lucky in the living room, watching the morning news, which is about to have a feature about the recent killings. While putting on his leash, she notices blood on his leg where it meets his body. "Have you killed a bird again?" she asks--"bad dog!" (If only she really knew!)

Outside, Sam and Dean pull up when Mandy is talking to a neighbor, Lucky leashed by her side. Turns out they're the first to report Cal's death to her. She's devastated. "I know this isn't the best time, but we'd like you to come with us," says Sam. "Why?" she asks--"you think I have something to do with this?--with Cal?" "Of course not," soothes Dean, "we've just got a few questions, i's and t's, mostly." The dog is watching, listening. Mandy asks if they could do it later. "I'm afraid not," says Sam, implacable. She explains that her kid has the flu and she was up all night. Sam suggests a friend or neighbor watch him while she's gone. Realizing she'd said her son was up all night and she was with him that entire time, Dean asks to speak to her son. "Why?" asks Mandy. "Yeah," echoes Sam, "what difference does that make, Agent Holt?" "Trust me," says Dean, "it's important. Please?" he begs Mandy.

Leaving, Dean tells Sam, "It wasn't her." "You don't know that," insists Sam. "She's got an alibi," says Dean. "She's lying," says Sam. "You heard the kid, she's not lying," counters Dean. "She still had time to wolf out," says Sam, "last werewolf was in bed--with me--and she wolfed out." (Interesting how the soulless Sam still remembers that incident with so much passion.) "Don't make this personal," says Dean, "all I'm sayin' is between this and the daylight attack, somethin's not addin' up--I'm not just goin' to hand her over to Crowley until I find out what, you understand?" "OK, OK, I understand," promises Sam, "how about you go check out Cal's crime scene, see if we're missin' anything, I'll come back and keep an eye on Amanda." "Whoa whoa, how about YOU go and I'll stay here," says Dean. "I still know how to do my job," insists Sam, "I'm just gonna watch her, that's all--trust me." (As much as a used car salesman?) "Uh huh," says Dean. (Please see my former comment.) Sam gets into the shotgun seat of the Impala.

Watching through Mandy's window, Sam sees a naked man abruptly appear and stretch. Taking out a pair of binoculars, Sam looks more closely. He readies his gun as Lucky, now clothed, leaves the house. Lucky stops and sniffs the air. Seeing no one, he continues on. Hiding behind a wall in the playground, Sam takes aim at Lucky, who meets up with another man and has a conversation with him. Again, Sam takes aim. Near a fence, Lucky again catches a scent and stops, sniffing the air. Catching sight of Sam this time, he turns and runs. Sam is almost as nimble as Lucky, who, during the chase turns back into a dog (and let's face it, we're always comparing Sam to a puppy). Finding the man's discarded clothing, Sam realizes he's now chasing down the dog, but it doesn't deter him; he runs, fast, coming upon a van that apparently hit Lucky as he darted into the road. People have already loaded the dog into the van and are rushing him to a vet when Sam comes on the scene, calling, "Hey, mister, wait, that's my dog! It's my dog." Sam huffs out a deep breath, barely winded after that incredible run. read less

Dean pauses his phone on Lisa's number, but doesn't call her. He tosses the phone on the desk. His phone rings and he isn't happy to see who's calling. "Hey, it's me," says Sam. Dean reports he got bupkus here, but Sam's got plenty: "It ain't a werewolf, for one; it's a skin-walker, as in the family dog seriously needs a neuter, for one." "Wow," says Dean, "I haven't heard of a skin-walker in years, I'm actually a little rusty on the profile." "You and me both," admits Sam, "I just got the low-d... read more Dean pauses his phone on Lisa's number, but doesn't call her. He tosses the phone on the desk. His phone rings and he isn't happy to see who's calling. "Hey, it's me," says Sam. Dean reports he got bupkus here, but Sam's got plenty: "It ain't a werewolf, for one; it's a skin-walker, as in the family dog seriously needs a neuter, for one." "Wow," says Dean, "I haven't heard of a skin-walker in years, I'm actually a little rusty on the profile." "You and me both," admits Sam, "I just got the low-down from Bobby; they can change anywhere, anytime, skin-walkers affect you with a single bite, otherwise, they're basically a werewolf cousin--silver'll drop 'em, they chow hearts like Snausages--" "So what happened, did you catch him?" asks Dean. "Not exactly," says Sam, "but I have some idea of where he might be."

Erie County Domestic Animal Hospital - Sam and Dean stop in front of Lucky's cage. "Hiya, Lucky!" greets Dean, kneeling--"bad dog! First things first." He slips the ammo out of his gun and shows it to the dog. "This is silver. Don't say I didn't warn ya." He shoves it back into the gun. Lucky looks at Sam, who's tossing a red ball back and forth between his hands. Dean tells the dog they can do it the easy or hard way. Dean looks at Sam with the ball in his hands with disapproval. "Soul or not, that's funny," insists Sam.

Hotel room - Lucky the man is now tied to a chair with silver and a rope. "You've got us stumped," says Sam, "why shack up with the family? Is it a kinky thing? Do you like to play with your food? Roll over, Lucky. Speak!" (I remember when Sam was the good cop and Dean the cruel cop. Sam is just being a real dick, isn't he? But I love him anyway.) "Go to hell," says Lucky. "Already been--didn't agree with me," says Sam, and suggests taking a silver knife and "start carvin' some dog until you behave?" "You do what you gotta do," says Lucky, scared but trying to be brave. "Hang on, Sam," cautions Dean, "you don't have to tell me why you're with the family, I get it." "Oh you do, do ya?" asks Lucky. "You killed every threat that came near them," says Dean, "you care about them in your own whackadoodle kind of way, it's obvious. What I wanna know is, who was that guy you were kibbitzing with--he a skin-walker, too?" After a long pause: "Look, I can't say anything," insists Lucky. "But if you don't," says Dean, "you're going to put the girl and the little boy in danger, and sooner or later all this CRAP is gonna come for them. We don't give a rat's ass about you, we wanna help THEM, that's our angle, that's it." "Yeah, that guy is whatever it is I am," confesses Lucky, "he's not the only one." "How many are you?" asks Sam. "About 30 in all," says Lucky, "we were kinda recruited." "RECRUITED?" repeats Sam. "Me, I was living on the streets," says Lucky, "they found me, they told me one small bite I'd be strong, I'd be fast." "Sniffin' people's butts, that's a real step up," says Dean sarcastically. "Well it was for me," says Lucky. "Where is this little Scooby Gang of yours?" asks Dean. "Everywhere," says Lucky, "we're out there finding families and once they take us in, we lay low--while we're waiting for the word. Once we're settled and we get the signal, then we all turn on our families. We change them, all in one night--30 becomes 150." "You're a sleeper cell," realizes Dean. "That's one way to say it," agrees Lucky. "So you're waiting for word from who?" asks Sam--"who organized you?" "There's a pack leader," says Lucky. "Your Alpha?" asks Sam eagerly. "What's an Alpha?" asks Lucky. "The first skin-walker," prods Sam, "the strongest." "He's plenty strong," says Lucky, "but I don't think so--I'm pretty sure there's guys like him in other towns, we're not the only pack out there." "Fantastic--you can help us stop him," says Dean. Lucky refuses. "Yes, you can," insists Dean. "You guys don't get it--no one can," says Lucky, "these guys who turned me, they're ruthless." Sam is holding the ball out, whistling at Lucky. Dean and Lucky look at Sam in disbelief. Sam tosses the ball away. "Sam, not helping," Dean says. "Fetch THIS, dick," says Lucky. Sam gazes at him, puzzled by his anger. "Listen to me," says Dean, kneeling in front of Lucky, "what are you gonna do to that family, really? You put your jaws right on that little boy's throat? Climb down, listen to him cry for his mom? I'm gonna guess that these were the only people in your pathetic life that have ever shown you any kindness. So it's either that--or you can stop it." Lucky's face works with emotion. What is he going to do?

As Dean searches the Impala's trunk, Sam asks a good question: "How are we supposed to get near something that can smell us from 100 yards off?" "We don't," says Dean, showing him a rifle with a sight. "The pack leader--we're takin' him down?" asks Sam. "Yeah," says Dean, "you have a better idea?" Sam doesn't, but says Crowley isn't going to be too happy about that. Dean doesn't care--they let that thing live one second and it sends out its psychic dog whistle and boom! "On the other hand," says Sam, "it could lead us to an Alpha, and Crowley would give me my soul back." "You kidding?" asks Dean--"150 people turning into monsters, that's what you want?" "No, of course not," says Sam, "I'm just asking." "That's it," says Dean, like he's had it, "you say you're just folks, that you like baseball and apple pie and whatever, truth is, I don't know what you are--you're not Sam." "Dean, come on," protests the other man. Dean continues: "I mean it's your Gigantor body and maybe your brain, but it's not you, so just stop pretending, and do us both a favor." He takes out the rifle and walks away. Though Sam walks beside him, they have never been further apart.

Dean sits high up, in sniper position. Sam, beside him, suggests that Lucky, pacing in front of a one-story building below them, is nervous. Catching Lucky in his rifle sight, Dean says, "Wouldn't you be?" "I'd double- cross us," says Sam, "you've got to realize, that's his best bet if he wants to keep breathin'." "Nah, he'll go through with it," predicts Dean. "Why, because he loves that family?" asks Sam. "Yup," says Dean. "I'd double-cross us," says Sam. "Thanks, Dexter, it's reassuring," says Dean. "I'm just making conversation," says Sam. (AWFUL, AWFUL conversation!) A van pulls in. "Here we go," says Dean. Sam pops up beside Dean, binoculars to his eyes. Men climb out of the van. Behind Lucky, men open a garage door. "The big guy, the driver, that's the guy who left him in the bar," identifies Sam. "And there's The Boss," says Dean. "Take him out," urges Sam. "It's not clean," says Dean, looking through his scope, "we got one shot at this, literally." The men are gathered around Lucky, speaking to him. Mandy and her son are hustled out of the van. "Take the shot!" urges Sam. "I'm tryin!" cries Dean--"she's in the way!" "Take it anyway!" says Sam. (Even if it means killing Mandy and Aiden?) Dean shakes his head at his brother, then refocuses on the sight. He's unable to get a clean shot before all the men plus Mandy and Aiden go into the building and close the door behind them. "So, Plan B?" says Sam. "We got one?" asks Dean, incredulous. read less

In the warehouse, Mandy begs the men to let her son go. Lucky's friend tells him there's nothing he can do; the boss is pissed. "These murders you've been doing--you didn't ask for permission--now you're gonna screw up the whole damn plan! I tried to warn you." "I know, I'm sorry," says Lucky softly. "There's been a mistake," insists Mandy, "this has got nothing to do with us." Lucky's friend informs her this has EVERYTHING to do with her, then turns to Lucky and asks, "Are you with us or not?" ... read more In the warehouse, Mandy begs the men to let her son go. Lucky's friend tells him there's nothing he can do; the boss is pissed. "These murders you've been doing--you didn't ask for permission--now you're gonna screw up the whole damn plan! I tried to warn you." "I know, I'm sorry," says Lucky softly. "There's been a mistake," insists Mandy, "this has got nothing to do with us." Lucky's friend informs her this has EVERYTHING to do with her, then turns to Lucky and asks, "Are you with us or not?" "Of course I am," says Lucky. "Fine, prove it--turn them, now, both of them, while we watch, or I'll kill you all," orders Lucky's friend. Mandy mutters "Oh my God" and clutches her son tightly. The skin-walkers all smell something, but not in enough time; Sam bursts in and begins shooting, getting The Boss in the face, plus several others. Dean, hidden in a new spot with his rifle, shoots more while Mandy tries to hide and assures Aidan they'll be OK. Lucky accosts them, scaring Mandy, who cries, "Who are you, I don't even know you!" "Yes you do, trust me, I'm trying to help," he says, and pushes them along in his wake to safety. Dean sees their retreat through his sight.

One skin-walker hides from Sam.

Lucky has Mandy and Aidan lock themselves in an office, where she slips her son underneath a desk. Through the glass window in the door, she gazes at the stranger who saved them.

Stalking his prey, Sam finds a pile of clothing on the floor. A great Dane is on his heels, quietly stalking him. Behind Dean is a German Shepherd, snarling, about to pounce. Dean, who has had his gun thrust between the squared bars of a mail cage, is momentarily stuck, so he pulls out and instead uses the handgun in his other hand to shoot the animal. It reverts back to man in death, a bullet through his heart.

"You're protecting them?" demands Lucky's friend, "after what I did for you? I gave you your life back! But them--you're nothing to them. You're a dog!" Lucky punches him, hurting his hand. Mandy watches, horrified. "I was gonna turn 'em, but now I'm gonna kill 'em." He punches Lucky, who hits his head against the window in the office door where Mandy waits with her son. A dog leaps to attack Lucky. Sam shoots it in mid-air; it falls, turning back into a man. Lucky faces his ex-friend, turns to look at Mandy through the door, then morphs into a dog. "LUCKY?" squeaks Mandy, stunned. "So you think this is going to be a dog fight," says the other guy, "I've got a better idea." He shoots Lucky, who falls, whimpering, in pain. Mandy covers her mouth in horror. "Silver bullet, Lucky," chortles the other man, about to administer one to the heart, but Dean gets him first. Only Lucky remains alive. Sam checks his ammo and heads over to finish him off, too, but when he gets there, Lucky is gone. Only a blotch of blood remains, puzzling Sam, who exchanges a look with a freaked-out Mandy through the cracked glass of the door.

Hesitating, human Lucky knocks at Mandy's door. She peers at him unhappily through the half-closed door. He backs up, waving his arms in surrender. "Look, I'm not here to bother you," he says, "I just wanna say one thing. You and Aiden--you're the only family I've ever had, and I know that sounds. . .I know. . .I know what I am. It's just that no one's ever been so nice to me before, so. . .thank you." "Get away from this house, you psycho," orders Mandy, a disgusted expression on her face, "and if you ever, ever come near me or my son ever again, so help me. . ." "I know I probably deserve. . ." begins Lucky, but she closes the door in his face. Despondent, he leaves. When Mandy looks outside, all she sees is a pile of clothes on her patio and Lucky, the dog, padding off alone across the street, tail down. (This made me feel inexorably sad. Lucky would have been contented to remain their dog until the day he died. I doubt he would have been able to ever turn them, signal be damned.)

Sam and Dean bring their take-out food to a table. A woman jogging with her dog passes by. "I'll never look at a dog the same," says Dean--"makes you wonder, though, how many packs are out there--what if they're all just waitin' for the signal?" "So," says Sam, "you were right--I'm not your brother. I'm not Sam. All that blah blah blah about being the old me--crap. Like, Lisa and Ben, right--I've been acting like I care about them--but I don't. I couldn't care less." "Is this supposed to make me feel better?" asks Dean uneasily. "You wanted the real me," Sam reminds him, "this is it. I don't care about them; I don't really care about you, except that I need your help, and you're clearly not going to stick around for much longer unless I give it to you straight, so, I've done a lot worse than you know. I've killed innocent people in the line of duty, but I'm pretty sure it's not something the old me could have done. Maybe I SHOULD feel guilty, but I don't." "Sam, get to the punchline," says Dean, not about to laugh at THIS. "Look, I don't know if how I am is better or worse," says Sam, "it's different-- you get the job done and nothing really hurts. It's not the worst thing, but, I've been thinking, I was that other Sam for a really long time, and it was kinda harder, but there are also things about it I remember that-- let's just say I should probably go back to being him." Dean gazes at Sam for a long moment and says, "That's very interesting. It's a step." "So?" says Sam. "We do what we gotta do," says Dean, as though speaking to a stranger, "and we get my brother back." Sam nods. Dean's forehead is extremely crinkled. They're sitting at a picnic table by the water and have come to a decision that Dean only seems partially happy about.

I'm sure there is a buttload of symbolism here for those who are into that sort of thing. It reminds me of when Sam and Dean parted company because Sam felt he couldn't hunt anymore due to the demon blood problem. But there were mountains in the background then. Here, everything is flat. read less

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