This episode was exactly what Singer and Dabb said it would be. It was for fans who have watched since day one, and that was it. As one of those fans, I was disappointed. I wanted more. I wish the writers would pay more attention to the rules of narratology and less to placating fans. Good storytelling will make fans happy even when it isn't what they think they want. Dead dad reappearing should do one of three things: provide a major reveal, solve a problem that cannot reasonably be solved another way, or give serious closure. The writers and fans have touted that last one, but for me it wasn't there. There were no in-depth discussions and no addressing of issues. Maybe it's because it comes a little late in their development. In many ways Sam and Dean have provided their own closure. They have come to terms with their upbringing and accepted their fathers shortcomings. For Dean's hearts desire to be a family reunion felt off to me. As Dean is self-sacrificing, I would expect his hearts desire to focus on someone other than himself, but I would have thought it would be Sam or Jack. Additionally, the premise of the story felt like lazy writing. They just happen to find a pearl that grants wishes, one they weren't even looking for?? Really??? And summoning John from 2003 robbed the episode of the one thing it could have done: finally solved the mystery of what happened to John. They also could have closed an old wound of Dean's, that feeling of inadequacy next to his father. I have always thought that Alastair lied regarding John being tortured and not breaking as Dean did. Though it has not been mentioned in a while, that is a wound that has never been closed. This ep could have established some canon, could have cleared up, clarified, or even rewritten a few things from the past. There was so much opportunity for this episode that was wasted. It was an excuse to bring back Jeffrey Dean Morgan instead of a valid reason. The episode did, however, have some good points. Seeing the boys interact with the town and getting a glimpse of the towns people's impression of them was interesting and added a new dynamic. I liked the kids, particularly Elliot. But my favorite moment was Dean and Marta, the woman at the post office. Seeing her respond to Dean when she didn't respond to Sam, and the look on Sam's face, was priceless. Nice to see Dean's still got it. Not a bad episode, but for the 300th, and the return of Jeffrey Dean Morgan, it could have been so much more.
Review of Lebanon
