A lot of people like this episode, and while it's not my favorite, I do think that it has a very atmospheric quality. Personally, I like the mythology arc episodes better than the monsters-of-the-week, but if you're looking a scary horror film-like episode to watch with the lights out, this might be a good choice. This is also the episode where the John finally calls the boys. And their problems in this episode (especically Sam's continuing feelings of frustration over fighting evil instead of just devoting all their energy to finding John and Dean's insecurities about Sam's commitment to their partnership) drive a lot of the action in "Scarecrow." All in all, if you're watching on DVD you should probably give "Asylum" a shot.
"Asylum" revolves around a haunted insane asylum. People keep breaking in, getting possessed and going crazy. They are consumed by rages that lead them to kill the people around them. John contacts the boys, text messaging them coordinates of the institution. Sam is getting increasingly frustrated with John, something that will come to a head in the next episode "Scarecrow." For now though, he takes out his frustration on Dean, and his brother's tendency to blindly follow John's orders and take the lead on jobs.
The boys investigate and it turns out that the old doctor in charge of the asylum was evil and like to do experiment on his patients. They rioted and killed him. But his spirit still haunts the place. The ghosts of the patients try to warn people, but the doctor infect visitors with a killing rage. Sam & Dean save a teenage couple, Kat & Gavin, who break in to the asylum on a date. (She voted for a movie.) The doctor's spirit goes after Sam & Dean. It fakes a phone call, pretending to be Dean trapped in the asylum basement. It gets Sam alone then infects Sam. Dean goes after Sam, but Sam is blinded by rage and shoots his brother with a rock salt gun. Dean manages to knock him out and salt & burns the doctors bones. Sam is cured and tries to apologize to Dean. Dean says it's fine, but he's obviously still hurt. The boys go back to the hotel where they get a phone call from John.
There are some good things about this episode. I like the fact that Sam is still trying to find his place in the world of Hunting. He's adamant that Dean isn't his boss, he's conflicted when he tells the psychiatrist about Dean & their never ending road trip. But, he's willing to rush off into danger to help his brother when he gets that phone call and, when he gets into trouble, his first instinct is to call out for Dean assistance. They're still working on their partnership, but it's clear that Sam & Dean make a good team. When Sam's not possessed, anyway... I also like teenagers in peril, this episode. Kat is the one who has to man the shotgun. And when Sam says that they can't panic, Gavin's response is "Why the h*ll not?" They have more personality than a lot of the monster-of-the-week victims. Also, the ghosts in this episode are pretty creepy looking. They sort of "fast-forward" their way around, and blink in and out. Very cool.
On the down side, it kinna makes me sad that Sam pulled that trigger. Granted he was all possessed & crazy, and the gun was empty anyway, but still... It hurts Dean that his brother could do that.
My favorite part of the episode: Dean's helpful lecture to Kat, "Haven't you ever seen a horror movie? Next time pay attention! If someplace is haunted, don't go in." It just makes me laugh.
"Asylum" revolves around a haunted insane asylum. People keep breaking in, getting possessed and going crazy. They are consumed by rages that lead them to kill the people around them. John contacts the boys, text messaging them coordinates of the institution. Sam is getting increasingly frustrated with John, something that will come to a head in the next episode "Scarecrow." For now though, he takes out his frustration on Dean, and his brother's tendency to blindly follow John's orders and take the lead on jobs.
The boys investigate and it turns out that the old doctor in charge of the asylum was evil and like to do experiment on his patients. They rioted and killed him. But his spirit still haunts the place. The ghosts of the patients try to warn people, but the doctor infect visitors with a killing rage. Sam & Dean save a teenage couple, Kat & Gavin, who break in to the asylum on a date. (She voted for a movie.) The doctor's spirit goes after Sam & Dean. It fakes a phone call, pretending to be Dean trapped in the asylum basement. It gets Sam alone then infects Sam. Dean goes after Sam, but Sam is blinded by rage and shoots his brother with a rock salt gun. Dean manages to knock him out and salt & burns the doctors bones. Sam is cured and tries to apologize to Dean. Dean says it's fine, but he's obviously still hurt. The boys go back to the hotel where they get a phone call from John.
There are some good things about this episode. I like the fact that Sam is still trying to find his place in the world of Hunting. He's adamant that Dean isn't his boss, he's conflicted when he tells the psychiatrist about Dean & their never ending road trip. But, he's willing to rush off into danger to help his brother when he gets that phone call and, when he gets into trouble, his first instinct is to call out for Dean assistance. They're still working on their partnership, but it's clear that Sam & Dean make a good team. When Sam's not possessed, anyway... I also like teenagers in peril, this episode. Kat is the one who has to man the shotgun. And when Sam says that they can't panic, Gavin's response is "Why the h*ll not?" They have more personality than a lot of the monster-of-the-week victims. Also, the ghosts in this episode are pretty creepy looking. They sort of "fast-forward" their way around, and blink in and out. Very cool.
On the down side, it kinna makes me sad that Sam pulled that trigger. Granted he was all possessed & crazy, and the gun was empty anyway, but still... It hurts Dean that his brother could do that.
My favorite part of the episode: Dean's helpful lecture to Kat, "Haven't you ever seen a horror movie? Next time pay attention! If someplace is haunted, don't go in." It just makes me laugh.