Re: Supernatural 3x12 "Jus in Bello" SPOILERS
This was the best episode of the season. This was an episode for me that finally showed that SN could be well-plotted. It effectively pulled together various threads and elements the show established over the course of the series.
I enjoyed seeing Bela however briefly. And I liked how she was used to bring Hendriccson into the mix. It was definitely the kind of self-serving wreckless act that Bela has been shown to engage in.
I liked the teamwork among everyone during the seige realizing they're in this dangerous situation. The show was quite effective in conveying a very tense, frightening standoff.
This was probably Ruby's best episode. I loved the way she just strutted into the precinct and didn't pull any punches in her assessment of the situation and what had to be done. For now, it does appear she really has no ulterior motive. She simply wants to stop the bad guys.
And I really enjoyed the plan that the guys came up with--to let the army in but then to seal them then using the PA to deliver the incantation to drive them out of those they possessed.
In fact, I liked all the players involved which made the moment where Natalie, the deputy, and Hendriccson was brutally killed all the more shocking and devastating.
We finally meet the new power rising up that was first revealed a few episodes back. Not reading spoilers I figured it was Peter Deluise's FBI character. I never assumed it would be a female let alone a little girl but I like that idea. She reminded me of Charlotte from Blade. Creepy that this ruthless power is in a little girl's body. I'm also curious why her eyes are white.
Liked the continuity flourishes--In "Sin City" it was pointed out that Dean needed to read the incantation to exorcise a demon but Sam had it committed to memory so it made sense he'd be the one to recite it in both instances in the episode, there was the same camera shot of Hendriccson dunked in the water with cross afloat as in "Maginificent Seven", made sense Ruby was aware of a spell to destroy demons given that we recently learned she had been a witch when she was human.
The visuals stood out more than they usually do. I liked the one where the army of black smoke descends upon the police station like a maelstrom enveloping it.
I also appreciated the little moments--Natalie averting her eyes when the subject of virgins came up or when she told the deputy that she was going to be having lots of sex after the seige was over(that was an example of effective humor), Dean/Hendriccson scene etc.
The title is also very appropriate since means justice in war. It rejects the notion that anything goes and the doctrine says you can't do anything necessary to achieve a victory such as endanger civilians.
Overall I thought this was a really strong episode and the ominous note the episode has me interested in what happens next. I'd give the episode an A-.