Supernatural season 1, episode 18 recap: Sam learns a childhood truth

Photo Credit: Supernatural/The CW/ Image Acquired from CW TV PR

Sam Winchester never realized he’d been attacked by a creature, until that creature comes backs.

Sometimes creatures will go dormant for years and decades at a time. The Wendigo was just one example, but in Supernatural season 1, episode 18, fans learn that there are others. Sam also learns that he was almost a victim of one of those sometimes dormant creatures, when on a case that John sends them to.

The Winchesters pose as CDC officials

Taking a break from the usual FBI or ranger credentials, the Winchesters take on CDC positions to speak to the Fitchburg local hospital’s doctor, Dr. Hydeker. He has a group of children who have compromised immune systems but no signs of other medical problems. No treatments are working and he just doesn’t know what to do.

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As Dean sees the children, he starts to get flashbacks. It’s even more unnerving for him gets to the home of the last victim to find an inhuman hand print on the window ledge outside. It reminds him of a creature from his past. At the motel room the flashbacks continue, as he sees two young boys, Asher and Michael.

Dean knows what they’re dealing with and why John sent them. It is a shtriga, like a witch and feeds on the souls of the victims. In research, Sam learns that the shtriga usually disguises itself as an old woman, so it’s not surprising that they find an elderly woman with an inverted cross in one of the rooms. She’s a red herring, though; just a harmless, blind old woman who demands her cross be put the right way round.

Sam figures out the truth

When Asher falls sick, Dean takes the mother to the hospital. It gives him chance to interview Dr. Hydeker again.

Meanwhile, Sam goes back to researching. He starts to track similar occurrences throughout the years, starting in the 1890s. He realizes that Dr. Hydeker was in each of the cases. He has to be the creature. The issue is Sam can’t find any lore on this creature or how to kill it.

Dean already knows, thanks to John’s knowledge. They need to be shot with consecrated iron rounds when they’re feeding. Sam pushes for more information about how John and Dean would know this and learns the truth about the shtriga that attacked him as a child. It’s likely the same shtriga, since John wasn’t able to kill it due to a mistake Dean made. Now Dean desperately wants to get it and make up for his mistake.

They need to lure a trap, but that means using Michael as bait. Sam doesn’t like the idea, but Michael wants to do this for his brother. Despite Dean sharing that he’s not sure Asher will get better, Michael takes the chance. So with CCTV set up in Michael’s room, Dean and Sam are able to watch for the shtriga to enter and feed on Michael.

The plan doesn’t quite work out, but the shtriga does start to feed on Sam. That gives Dean his chance to kill the creature. Asher and the other victims all recover. The sad thing for Michael is learning that monsters are real.

Next: Supernatural season 1, episode 17 recap: Hell House

Did you enjoy the flashbacks throughout the episode and learning more about the Winchesters? Share your thoughts on the Supernatural episode in the comments below.

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