Supernatural doesn’t deal with werewolves as often as you might think. In nine seasons, this week’s “Sharp Teeth” is only the third episode to focus on the iconic monsters. The others are some of the best episodes Supernatural has ever done: the emotional “Heart” (when Sam killed his girlfriend) and the documentary-style “Bitten.”
This episode brings back Garth, the Hunter played by D.J. Qualls, and he’s had quite the transformation in the last six months. There’s an important lesson about family, but Sam doesn’t get the memo because it ends with one of the more upsetting conversations Sam and Dean have had.
The Return of Garth
Garth, who has been MIA for six months, turns up in a hospital after being hit by a car and allegedly killing a cow. Independently, Sam and Dean show up to see how their old Hunter pal is doing. Things are understandably awkward between the brothers since they haven’t spoken in two weeks. As they catch up on what’s been going on (the leftover Grace in Sam and Dean getting the Mark of Cain), Garth flees.
Dean lies to his brother yet again to try and get him to leave, but it doesn’t work. They’re working this case together whether he likes it or not. And it’s a good thing they are, because when they find Garth he’s shacked up with a werewolf named Bess and he’s protecting her. Because Garth is a werewolf too.
My Wife Is a Werewolf
Garth tells the story of how he was bitten on a case and almost killed himself, but was saved by Bess and now they’re married. In fact, Garth married into a whole family of werewolves who pride themselves on family values and not eating humans. As an added twist on the mythology, Bess is a second-generation werewolf, meaning her mom was also one.
Dean has lunch with Garth’s new werewolf family, including Bess’ dad, Reverend Jim, and her stepmom Joy, a fourth-generation werewolf whose dad was the previous reverend. They all wear silver bullets around their necks to remind them that they’re not immortal. It’s all happy and shiny, so naturally Dean thinks something sinister is going on under the surface. Garth tries to tell him that everything is fine, but since Dean just lost Kevin, he’s extra protective of his friends.
Dean seems ready to move on and let Garth have his weird werewolf life, but he and Sam get a call from a local sheriff. There’s another animal carcass, but when they get there, the sheriff busts out his own claws. The brothers kill him quickly and discover his silver bullet necklace was “Ragnarok” written on it.
The Cult of Werewolves
Some quick research reveals that Ragnarok is related to Norse mythology and Fenris, a wolf deity that killed Odin. This town is home to a cult that worships Fenris and wants to kill all humans. However, Reverend Jim and Bess have nothing to do with it, and the reverend has actually tried to stop the cult.
Unfortunately, his wife Joy is a devoted member. She kidnaps Garth, Bess and Sam, hoping to kill her own stepdaughter and frame Sam, thus forcing Reverend Jim to abandon his message of peace and join the cult.
Luckily for Dean, Joy is a classic villain, giving an extended monologue about her plans which gives him time to show up, kill her other allies and, ultimately, kill her. Thank God for villain cliches.
Is Family Good or Bad?
In the end, Dean gives Garth a hug and tells him to stay with Bess and Reverend Jim and enjoy his new, weird and wacky family. It’s a sweet moment, but that feeling won’t last long.
The last scene features Sam and Dean finally talking about their issues, and it’s kind of upsetting. Dean sort of apologizes for everything he’s done, but he never actually says “I’m sorry.” He blames it on the fact that everything has changed and the world is a lot more complicated than when they started.
Sam responds by saying that he can’t trust Dean anymore after talking him out of closing the Gates of Hell and tricking him into being possessed by an angel. Dean is eager to let bygones be bygones, invoking the old “We’re family” line. But this time, “We’re brothers” isn’t enough for him anymore.
Sam gives Dean an ultimatum: They can work a few cases together, or… He doesn’t quite finish, but the implication seems to be: Hunters or Brothers, but not both. I’ve never seen two characters more in need of couples’ therapy. Or maybe Sam is just angry because he didn’t get to live happily ever after with his werewolf girlfriend like Garth does.
Next week on Supernatural: Sam and Dean go undercover at a weight-loss spa. And Sam is a personal trainer in shorts and a sleeveless shirt.
(Image courtesy of the CW)
Senior Writer, BuddyTV
John watches nearly every show on TV, but he specializes in sci-fi/fantasy like The Vampire Diaries, Supernatural and True Blood. However, he can also be found writing about everything from Survivor and Glee to One Tree Hill and Smallville.
