TV episode review
US premiere 31 January 2008 (The CW)

Sam and Dean suspect a witches’ coven is at work in a neighbourhood. They investigate a bunch of housewives whose ‘book group’ could be more than it seems…

This is quite a nasty, nightmarish little episode with some highly disturbing effects sequences. Being concerned with witchcraft, it’s hard to avoid the comparison with Charmed. But at times it also feels a little like The Craft with housewives, which gives it some distinction.

Sam and Dean’s argumentative relationship comes to the fore in an impressive way, mostly focused around Ruby whose motives are still a little unclear, and there’s just enough arc development to add ongoing interest to an otherwise quite straightforward standalone episode. There is clearly a lot of focus on the character development here, with Sam feeling he’ll have to become more like Dean if he is to carry on alone in the future – and with Ruby backing him up, Dean has to face a few facts… Brigid Cherry

VERDICT: 8/10

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