Supernatural Season 4, Episode 11 recap: When humans are the scariest monsters
Supernatural Season 4, Episode 11 is one of the scariest, darkest episodes of the whole series. What happens when the ghost isn’t actually a ghost?
When you ask Supernatural fans about scary episodes, many will mention “that one in Season 4 with the girl in the walls.” That’s Supernatural Season 4, Episode 11 and yes, it is one of the scariest episodes of all. It’s time to delve into “Family Remains,” a title that holds two meanings and I can’t wait to delve into that when I look back over the titles of the season.
The Winchesters believe they’re dealing with a vengeful spirit. What they actually reaffirm is Dean’s idea that humans are creepier and the biggest monsters of all. Demons, creatures, and monsters all make sense. Humans are just evil.
Heading off to the cast
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When Bill Gibson was murdered in a room that was locked from the inside, the Winchesters are sure they’re dealing with a spirit. It makes sense, but the two soon get far more than they bargained for.
Initially believing the house would be empty, they pull up to find a family moving in. The Carters are trying to rebuild their family after the death of the eldest son a year ago and Brian Carter’s brother, Ted, is helping the family move in. The Winchesters attempt to get the Carters out of the house, claiming asbestos and a gas leak, but Ted shares that the house is fine to move into.
While the Winchesters can’t get into the house, they visit the former housekeeper of Bill, who shares that Bill’s wife died in childbirth. Later, his daughter, Rebecca, hung herself in the attic. The two may have been cremated, but the Winchesters are sure one or both of these are the spirits in the house.
Danny Carter sees a young girl
Danny (guest star Dylan Minnette) sees a young girl in the house that night. She rolls a ball because she just wants to play and tells Danny that he is welcome to stay in the house. However, the adults will have to leave.
Meanwhile, his elder sister Kate feels something licking her hand while she’s in bed. This feels like one of those urban legends where the serial killer who killed the dog is lying under the bed, and sure enough, Kate assumes that it was the dog that licked her hand. Then the dog appears at the bedroom door and Kate screams.
Of course, the Winchesters were outside waiting for any signs of the ghost. They run in at the sound of the scream and attempt to get the family to get out of the house. Unfortunately, all the tires are slashed and the Winchesters find out all their weapons are gone.
Making a salt circle, everyone gets ready for a night in the house. That would work if it wasn’t for the “spirits” not being spirits at all. They’re human.
Regroup and reassess
Everyone gets back outside. Well, everyone except Danny. Ted and Dean go back in the house to find Danny, while Brian and Sam look around the grounds. Ted and Dean find a hidden door within the wall and it leads to a space under the floor. There are half-eaten rats everywhere and suddenly a girl sneaks up and kills Ted from behind.
Sam finds Rebecca’s diary, finding out that Bill raped his own daughter and impregnated her. After that, she hung herself. All the clues finally piece together.
In a hidden dumbwaiter, Dean finds the weapons and Danny bound beneath the floor. It’s all just in time, as Rebecca’s son attacks and Dean is forced to shoot him. Back outside, Rebecca’s daughter attacks Kate and her mom, Susan, but Brian gets to them in time and stabs the girl.
In the end, the monster-of-the-week episode offers some character growth for Dean. He realizes that these children turned into monsters because of the torture inflicted on them. This is something he became. But he became something much worse because he enjoyed inflicting the pain on the souls in Hell.
Next. Supernatural Season 4, Episode 10 recap: Heaven and Hell. dark
What did you think of Supernatural Season 4, Episode 11? Does it remain one of the scariest episodes for you? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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