Paper Moon

This is another sibling vs sibling ep. There are just too many used to tie up to the main plot of tge brothers. So when it is done there is no novelty to it. I didn't really care much for anything happening. Tho my fault i was looking at spn memes while watching this ep, only ep i have done the thing where you watch it terribly, so my rating might not be fair. I did like the bitten ep a lot actually.

99% of the series is nice to watch and makes a lot of fun. The demon and angel stories are the bigger pieces and I love every bit of it. It's what makes this series so attracting for me. I get there is other stuff to touch but it's always vampires or werewolves, sometimes shapeshifters, ghosts or djinns.

What's up with that? There is so much they could come up with as something new and exciting but it's always the same type of monster.

Some of these filler episodes are really fun and those with Charlie for example one of the best.

But I wouldn't mind if they focused solely on the main plots, as the other episodes are the weakest.

Pros: the former part was good but more like a blaire witch episode. Similar hand-cam work with good storytelling. This however follows on from the prequel, but is more episodic. Has a more film-type of setting with much better camera work, dialogue, monoluges, subtext, and acting. The episode connects on what Dean & Sam are already going through.

Their are some epic moments in this episode. The acting was very forfilling. Mainly at the following key moments: The diner scene, the car hancuff scene, and the phone booth conversation at the end. The facial expressions of the actors were grate here. Grate writing skills that show expression of the subtext: in contrast with Sam, Dean, and Kate's pasts. Very memorable moments.

Cons: The sad thing is Kate's story arc finishes after this episode. We dont get to see her again. Other than this, it was a grate sequel in nearly every way.

Overall: Some of the episode does have its goofyness. But that's Supernatural.... However i was fully satisfied on how much better it was than the prequel. Grate sideplot episode. Good writing from the writers.

Final grade: 7.9 out of 10.

I am a big fan of the prior season's "Bitten" and I am glad the show brought Kate back. This episode is the first really separate side story in this season given that is mostly about Kate's choices. In fact strictly speaking she is the protagonist in this story. While there is some parallelism to the Winchester-siblings fights!-it is mostly an anthology episode that I wish the later years did more of. (Season 1-3 managed to a lot of these of types but they have gotten rarer as the show has gone on). Kate is a great character and there is a touching pathos to the final couple of story beats here. Add in that the brothers finally try to lie to each other all the time to create drama and this is a refreshing change of pace.

"Paper Moon," the fourth episode of Supernatural's tenth season, directed by Jeannot Szwarc and written by Adam Glass, signals a deliberate return to the show's classic "monster of the week" formula after the emotional turbulence of the season's opening trilogy. The episode opens with a cold, atmospheric prologue set to Warren Zevon's "Werewolves of London," immediately establishing the werewolf theme and evoking a sense of nostalgia for earlier seasons. This musical choice, paired with the visual of a young blonde woman stalking her prey at a biker bar, sets the tone for an episode that is both self-contained and rich in subtext, using the supernatural as a mirror for the Winchesters' ongoing struggles.

The plot centers on the return of Kate, the werewolf first introduced in season eight's "Bitten." The Winchesters, still reeling from Dean's recent ordeal as a demon, are taking a break by a lakeside when they catch wind of a string of werewolf-related murders. Their investigation quickly leads them to Kate, who insists she is not responsible for the killings. Instead, she reveals that her younger sister, Tasha, was turned into a werewolf after a fatal accident, and is now the true culprit. This revelation introduces a moral dilemma that echoes the brothers' own dynamic: the desire to save a loved one from monstrous impulses, even at great personal cost.

Jeannot Szwarc's direction is subtle yet effective, employing wide, scenic shots of the outdoors to contrast the claustrophobic tension between Sam and Dean. The cinematography is striking, with postcard-like landscapes giving way to close-ups that capture the emotional distance still lingering between the brothers. The visual storytelling is particularly strong in scenes where the Winchesters surveil Kate and Tasha, using shadow and light to underscore the episode's themes of duality and hidden truths. The editing is measured, allowing the story to unfold at a contemplative pace that reflects the characters' cautious attempts at reconciliation.

The performances in "Paper Moon" are understated but impactful. Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki skillfully convey the residual unease between Dean and Sam, their dialogue laced with subtext about guilt, recovery, and the difficulty of moving forward. Ackles, in particular, brings a quiet intensity to Dean, who is determined to resume hunting as a means of atonement but remains haunted by his actions as a demon. Padalecki's Sam is watchful and wary, his concern for Dean manifesting in subtle glances and hesitant questions. Brit Sheridan, reprising her role as Kate, delivers a nuanced performance that balances vulnerability with steely resolve, making her character's tragic arc resonate.

The episode's script uses the werewolf metaphor to explore the Winchesters' own moral ambiguity. Kate's struggle to control her monstrous side and her ultimate decision to kill her sister rather than let her cause more harm parallels the brothers' ongoing battle with their own darkness. The dialogue is peppered with moments of honesty, as Dean confesses his embarrassment over his time as a demon and expresses a desire to "do the right thing" rather than dwell on his mistakes. These moments of candor are refreshing, marking a maturation in the brothers' relationship and a willingness to confront their issues directly rather than bury them beneath bravado or violence.

Despite its strengths, "Paper Moon" has been critiqued for its lack of narrative momentum compared to the season's earlier episodes. Some reviewers have described it as "filler," noting that the return to a procedural format interrupts the serialized arc that had been building. The absence of key supporting characters like Crowley and Castiel further isolates the episode, making it feel somewhat disconnected from the larger mythos. However, others argue that this breather is necessary, providing space for the characters to process recent events and reestablish their bond before the next crisis emerges.

The thematic resonance of the episode is heightened by its use of music and visual motifs. The title "Paper Moon" alludes to the fragility of the brothers' current peace and the illusory nature of normalcy in their lives. The final scene, in which Kate walks away alone after killing her sister, is poignant and evocative, mirroring the Winchesters' own sense of isolation and the burdens they carry. The episode's melancholy tone is underscored by its pacing and the lingering sense that, despite their efforts, Sam and Dean are still far from healed.

From a cultural perspective, "Paper Moon" exemplifies Supernatural's ability to blend horror tropes with character-driven drama. The episode revisits familiar territory-the tragic monster, the impossible choice-but does so with a self-awareness that acknowledges the show's history and the evolution of its protagonists. The werewolf storyline serves as both a literal and metaphorical exploration of addiction, control, and the limits of redemption, themes that have long defined the series.

In conclusion, "Paper Moon" may not advance the season's overarching plot in dramatic fashion, but it succeeds as a reflective, character-focused episode that allows the Winchesters-and the audience-to catch their breath. Through its careful direction, strong performances, and thoughtful script, the episode underscores the enduring complexity of Sam and Dean's relationship and the ongoing challenge of living with one's mistakes. While some may view it as a pause in the action, "Paper Moon" ultimately enriches the season by reminding viewers that healing is a process, not a destination, and that even in the world of Supernatural, the most compelling battles are often fought within.