CubsandCulture Review of As Time Goes By

Supernatural: As Time Goes By (2013) Season 8, Episode 12

One of the most consequential later season episodes. It works but shifts the feel of the show

[10/10 · 2 September 2020]

The introduction of the Men of Letters as both a chunk of mythology and the Bunker (formally introduced here, substantially next episode) as a location is one of the largest shifts in the show. It is probably the most consequential decision Carver made during his time as a showrunner. I ultimately like the direction the show went with this stuff but it is worth pointing out. Up until this point the show had very much a drifter, on the road vibe. It was strongest in the first few seasons but it was present throughout the seasons until this development. The Bunker really became a standing set, central location for the show and a ton of episodes play out within its walls. It makes the later sessions feel more contained as if the boys have settled down. (Which in a sense they did). They tried this base of operations thing before-the Roadhouse in Season 2, Bobby's junk yard on and off in seasons 3-6-but they never stuck and were never used as extensively as the Bunker. (It might be a budget thing) Furthermore, the Men of Letters, an occult secret society, ends up giving the show a Lovecraftian vibe and the lore has become less folklore, urban legends and more Old Ones Mythos. So as the stories have gotten more cosmic as the location of the stories have gotten more domestic. It is an interesting irony.

With all that being said this a wonderful episode. It introduces or extends a ton of concepts in the show logically and effortlessly. Henry is a wonderful character; the upstairs, downstairs clash with the brothers fits. Abaddon is a great femme fatale. She more than holds her own with the other antagonists ala Lilith, Yellow-Eyes, etc.

This has everything that makes the show great while helping to reinvent, revive the show's tone and in a sense premise.