Okay, all that virtual arm twisting has paid off. Upon request, I pulled out the season two DVDs (okay, I picked them up from their reserved spot next to the TV) and took on two of the most gut-wrenching episodes done on this show. "All Hell Breaks Loose" is right. 

Before I go on with the review though, I have a small follow-up from last week. My friends Lindsay and Heather at Support Supernatural are raising funds for The Humane Society and PETA. Their goal is to raise $500 for each organization and donate in the name of Jared Padalecki and his two rescue dogs, Harley and Sadie. So far they've collected $408. After that goal is met, they hope to raise more funds for Young Life on behalf of Jensen Ackles. There’s more info and a link on how to donate at their site. I wish you the best of luck, guys!

Okay, on with the review.

These episodes made their significant mark, escalating the mytharc to a whole new level. Part I was all about Sam and his test, Part II put Dean through his. Sam faced his evil destiny, and Dean, oh poor Dean, faced his worst nightmare. In the end, Dean came out as the most broken. Considering Sam’s ordeal resulted in death, Dean sank pretty low.

It all starts with the season-ending montage and for the record, I hate Boston. The use of “Don’t Look Back” here didn’t impress me one bit. The teaser did though, in a spectacular way. To the bad music we get a perfect brotherly squabble, Sam griping over Dean’s request for extra onions. And pie. Yeah, I shudder at that combination, too. Sam goes into the diner alone, and no time is wasted as static comes on the radio and everyone in the diner is gone. Wouldn't have Dean learned by now, especially after "Born Under A Bad Sign," that Sam getting food is trouble? Anyway, Dean jumps into action, and there’s an insane amount of water everywhere. It didn’t stop raining during the entire shoot, so this episode is a watery mess.

“Stand By Your Man” is on the jukebox, and I’m wondering if that’s the song I want my throat slashed to. Dean finds dead bodies, sulfur on the back door, and no Sam. We get the first of two dramatic shouts in the open air of “SAM!”, and I wonder how much prep Jensen put into that. He nailed it, both times.