by Sarah James WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for previous episodes of Supernatural.
“What do you think our legacy is gonna be? When we’re gone, after all the stuff we’ve done, do you think folks will remember us a hundred years from now?” – Dean WinchesterThere’s not a whole lot to say about last week’s episode of Supernatural. Filler episodes can be a hit or miss, and this one definitely missed the mark. The local legend monster the Winchesters were chasing throughout the episode could have been potentially interesting if it wasn’t so predictable. A plot like this may have worked in earlier seasons, but at this point in the series, each episode has a pretty distinct layout. For example, the monster of “The Memory Remains” was shown within the first three minutes of the episode; this never happens in the world of Supernatural. The reveal of the monster always goes down around the climax of the story, not at the beginning. Because of this, it was pretty clear right off the bat that the monster was fake (that and the fact that one of the shots makes it clear that the monster is a costume). I’m always looking for something new in a Supernatural episode, and this one fell flat. There is a reference to the fan-favorite line, “Saving people, hunting things, the family business,” which is definitely interesting, but not enough to save the lackluster plot. The previous week’s episode left the Winchesters in a sticky spot with the British Men of Letters. Dr. Hess, the leader of the British Men of Letters, made it explicitly clear that Sam and Dean are now targets. However, in “The Memory Remains” the fallout of those events is treated with campiness, and glossed over in a way that is pretty unsatisfying. The British Men of Letters have quickly switched from interesting characters and potential allies, to scum that are only getting in the Winchesters’ way. Their role in the remainder of the season should be interesting, but honestly, it may also be too much. Sam and Dean already have Lucifer’s child to worry about; their English enemies may cause chaos for the season’s narrative. However, the last ten minutes of the episode were slightly redeeming. In a moment of poignancy, Dean calls back to the Season Five finale, “Swan Song,” and asks questions about the future of the two brothers. This moment felt more like a question to the audience about the future of the show; what legacy will Supernatural leave when it’s gone? Even though a thirteenth season has been confirmed for the show, fans have speculated that next season may be the last. How many stories can Sam and Dean keep telling? For any long time fan of the show, the last ten minutes of “The Memory Remains” will make you smile. And that’s the only time this episode will make you feel anything. All images from Pixels Talk
