A string of bank robbery's turned suicide bring the story to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This time, we see Sam and Dean impersonating FBI agents in order to get intel on the case. In particular, they begin investigating the case of a woman, Helena who emptied the display cases at the jewelry store where she worked and then shot the night guard when he caught her in the act. Of course, Dean uses his pretend cover to flirt with the woman working as a clerk while conducting his investigations. This case is unusual for the Winchesters, as there is no clear motive as to why a person would rob a store and then kill themselves. In addition, Helena and others like her were described as 'model employees' who were close to retirement.
Sam and Dean then go to visit Ronald Resnick, a guard who was on duty at Milwaukee National Trust when an employee, Juan, robbed the bank. Luckily, Ronald was hit unconscious and survived the attack. From the get-go, Ronald is a likable character. He is clearly intelligent, and has put together a map of the city where each robbery has occurred. However, Ronald has little knowledge of the supernatural, and therefore believes that the robbery's were committed by a robot-human creature he calls "The Mandroid". He hypothesizes that The Mandroid has taken up residence underground and is using the sewers to go from one location to the next. In addition, Ronald provides Sam and Dean with the security tapes of the robbery, which he copied before the police could confiscate them. On the video he points out a 'camera flare', which he describes as The Mandroid's laser eyes. Of course, Sam and Dean know this to be the retinal reaction that shapeshifter's have to video cameras.Very bluntly, Sam tells Ronald that he has an overactive imagination and supernatural creatures- Mandroid included- don't exist. This definitely seems uncharacteristic of Sam, who is usually compassionate and understanding. However, he reasons to Dean that he doesn't want an innocent man getting involved in a situation that he isn't capable of handling.
He's just a guy who stumbled onto something real. If he were to go up against this thing he'd get torn apart. Better to stay in the dark, and stay alive.Later on, we see Dean trying to get back on friendly terms with Ronald after Sam's speech. He tells Ronald that he believes him and tries to validate him by saying, 'there really is something in this bank'. In a way, Ronald's character is just like Sam and Dean. He is a man that has been able to connect the dots about a supernatural being, but no one believes him. This is likely the reason that Dean takes to him immediately and tells Sam he shouldn't have been so harsh- he see's a part of Ronald in himself.
According to the map of the city, there is one bank along the sewer line that hasn't yet been robbed, the City Bank of Milwaukee. The brother's go undercover as service technicians to make sure the security system is running smoothly. They watch the screens for any sign of a retinal reaction by an employee. Just as they find out the shapeshifter is a middle aged man, Ronald locks the bank and starts a hostage situation. In a twisted way, what Sam told Ronald drove him to this action. Ronald thought that no one believed him and thus to him, the only way to protect people inside the bank was to lock it down until he could find the supposed 'Mandroid'.
Then begins the long hunt of figuring out what person the shapeshifter is currently manifesting as. This part of the episode was well constructed, and viewers will find themselves on the edge of their seats as the shapeshifter's identity is ever-changing. Evidently, shapeshifter episodes are always fun to watch because of this and 'Nightshifter' is no exception.
Police and SWAT leader Robards soon come to the scene. We see them discussing what they believe to be a 'roberry' until Federal Agent, Victor Henriksen is called into the investigation. He tells the SWAT leader, "You have no idea what you're dealing with, do you? There is a monster in that bank, Robards". This is ironic for the audience, as Henriksen is referring to Sam and Dean and not the shapeshifter, the real monster actually inside of the bank. In the coming episodes, Henriksen is somewhat of an antagonist to Sam and Dean, though they do not come face to face until several months later. Despite that, he is a difficult character to dislike. Beneath his arrogant nature and funny quips, Henriksen is a good man who believes he is doing his duty by attempting to arrest Sam and Dean. Henriksen's character will be revealed in later episodes, where we come to understand more of his motivations.
Henriksen's conversation on the phone with Dean helps us to understand Dean's childhood and also why Henriksen holds the view of the Winchesters that he does.
VICTOR: It’s become my job to know about you, Dean. I’ve been looking for you for weeks. I know about the murder in St. Louis, I know about the Houdini act you pulled in Baltimore, I know about the desecration's and the thefts. I know about your dad.
DEAN: You don’t know crap about my dad.
VICTOR: Ex-Marine, raised his kids on the road, cheap motels, backwoods cabins? Real paramilitary survivalist type. I just can’t get a handle on what kind of whacko he was. White supremacist, Timmy McVeigh, tomato, tom-ah-to.
DEAN: You got no right talking about my dad like that. He was a hero.As well, this acknowledges the downsides to the hunting lifestyle. Sam and Dean have to break many laws in order to do their jobs correctly. It is also interesting to see Dean take the role of a son defending his father. Dean clearly loves and admires his father, despite the unconventional childhood that John gave him. This was a nice touch, especially since John passed away so recently at this point in Season 2. I think it is often difficult to relate to John's character because of how he treated Sam and Dean as they were growing up. However, Dean's speech helps us to see John through the eyes of his child.
Unfortunately, the cuddly, likable character of Ronald is killed off too soon for us to see him in any coming episodes. He is shot in the chest with a sniper and Dean must express his sentiments over Ronald's dead body, "Sorry, Ron. You did a real good job tracking this thing, you really did."
This episode is high up on my favourite list for several reasons. The organization of the scenes is done in a way that keeps the audience in suspense. The opening scene with the reporter showing Dean letting a man out of the bank provided a shock factor, as the audience quickly wants to know the circumstances that led to this situation. The bickering between Sam and Dean also provides intermittent comedic relief during an episode jam-packed with tension. For example, when a woman in the vault expresses that Sam's brother is 'so brave', all Sam can do is try not to roll his eyes in annoyance. Moreover, we are introduced to the personality of Victor Henriksen, who will play an important role in coming episodes. The ending scene is also a testament to the street smarts of Sam and Dean, who escape by knocking out two SWAT members, and smuggling themselves out of the bank in their uniforms. I would like to acknowledge this as one of the most bad-ass ending scenes to a Supernatural episode. Of course, the consequences of this episode will be carried on for the latter of Season 2, as Sam and Dean are now actively hunted fugitives.Details
Episode Writer: Ben Edlund
Episode Director: Phil Sgriccia
Air Date: January 25, 2007
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