Supernatural (TV Series) The Usual Suspects (2006) User Reviews

Troubles with the law

[zombiehigh18 · 9/10 · 3 November 2011]

On the "skin" episode, Dean; who was framed for murder, was declared dead by the police after the shape shifter was killed wearing his face.

But while He and Sam were investigating the murder of a lawyer and his wife, they are arrested by the police. The boys initially suspect it is the spirit Claire Becker a former drug dealer, but later they find out that she is a death omen warning the victims from Det. Peter Sheridan. Peter was involved with her in drug dealing before killing her alongside with everyone involved. Sam manages to escape custody and succeeds to unfold the mystery of the case and hence save Dean with the help of Peter's partner Det. Diana Ballard who was possibly next on Peter's hit list.

Linda Blair was a very welcome guest, I sure would like to see her again. I liked the Sam and Dean harmony, telling the same fake story while the brilliant flashbacks showed what really happened and their great escape plan was smart.

It was cute they both called their lawyer "Matlock". And I definitely like Dean's confession. But above all, The recap was terrific showing all the aliases they used throughout the past episodes.

"You know, Casper - the blood thirsty ghost."

[bensonmum2 · 8/10 · 29 June 2009]

"The Usual Suspects" isn't my favorite episode of Supernatural, but it's a darn good one. Sam and Dean find themselves in custody for a couple of murders they didn't commit. The brothers are convinced that a vengeful spirit committed the murders, but how do you tell that to the police? When Detective Diana Ballard (Linda Blair) has a run in with the ghost, she begins to believe the boys. With Dean locked-up, she works with Sam to solve the mystery and, hopefully, put a spirit to rest.

As soon as I saw Linda Blair pop up on the screen, I knew I was going to enjoy this episode. I mean come on – it's Linda Blair for goodness sake! What's not to like about that? Horror legend Linda Blair guest starring on the best horror television show to come down the pike in years – I loved it! Besides Blair, "The Usual Suspects" has a lot going for it – rock solid plot (even if it is terribly predictable), good special effects, and some nice humorous moments. Two things I really enjoyed were the way the story unfolded through flashback (i.e. the truth vs. Sam and Dean's story) and the little comments at the end referencing The Exorcist. Very cool. I've gotta give this one an 8/10. I'm really looking forward to sitting down with the rest of Season 2.

Offbeat episode, it's rather fun

[CubsandCulture · 10/10 · 8 September 2019]

The boys being on the edges of society is a theme that is explored a few times in the series. The Winchesters being outsiders, especially criminals, is theme of the series that plays like a B story to the ghost and ghouls. While there are hints of this before-i.e. "Skin"-this episode is the first one that is focused on the notion directly. The writing is amusing and Dean-as-rebel is a germane extension of his character. Add in the supernatural element being helpful-something of a protagonist-for once and this is an offbeat episode that stands up to a lot of the better one across the years. Blair has a nice guest turn and it is nice to see the show pay homage the greats of horror's past.

The plot is deceptively simple in this episode and a lot of tonalities are generated for the show as a whole.

Death Omen

[claudio_carvalho · 8/10 · 30 June 2008]

In Baltimore, Maryland, Sam and Dean are arrested by the local police while investigating the murders of the lawyer Tony Giles and his wife Karen by a spirit. Detective Peter Sheridan is convinced that Dean is guilty while his partner and lover Detective Diana Ballard is aware that they just have circumstantial evidences against the Winchester brothers. Dean decides to tell the truth about the case, i.e., that Tony had seen and was killed by a vengeful spirit that wants justice, but nobody believes on his words. However, when Det. Ballard also sees the ghost of a woman with a sliced throat, she wonders whether Sam and Dean might be telling the truth. Together with Sam, Det. Ballard identifies the ghost as the heroine addicted Claire Becker, and Sam realizes that she is a death omen.

"The Usual Suspects" is a great episode with the guest star Linda Blair in a sort of tribute to "The Exorcist". The beginning with Sam telling what happened while the flashbacks show what really happened is very funny. The story is engaging and reasonably resolved. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "Os Suspeitos Habituais" ("The Usual Suspects")

Sam & Dean get Arrested

[katierose295 · 8/10 · 21 March 2008]

This episode builds off of the season one episode, "Skin" where a shape shifter frames Dean for murder. This is actually a neat episode, in that it's constructed so a lot of it is in flashback. It opens with Dean in custody, Sam being arrested and the murders already in progress. Then the case has to unfold both forward and backwards. It's cool. Anyway, this isn't vital for the story arc this season, since they'll be another, more important law enforcement episode later ("Nightshifter.") But, "The Usual Suspects" a fun episode and I recommend that you give it a shot.

"The Usual Suspects" revolves around Sam & Dean being arrested for murder. While investigating a case, Dean is caught by the police standing over a dead woman. They think that she's been killed by a vengeful spirit. Just as he husband had days before. Dean & Sam are soon being interrogated by the cops, separated but sticking to their story of being "old family friends" of the victims. They're also trying to investigate their case. The name Dana Shulps keeps appearing on computers and other stuff at the scenes of the deaths. Dean finally figures out that the name is an anagram for Ashland, which happens to be the name of a street. Sam escapes to go investigate the address.

Meanwhile, the police woman investigating the case beings to see the spirit herself. Relucatantly buying into Dean's story that there a vengeful spirit at work. Dean sends her to Sam, and soon the two of them discover that the vengeful spirit is a missing woman who used to deal drugs. They find her body in a warehouse on Ashland street. (The extra letters the first part of the word "supply company.") Anyway, it turns out that the police woman's partner/boyfriend is behind all the killings. The ghost is really a death omen. The cop tries to kill Dean so Dean will take the blame for the murders, but Sam, the police woman and the ghost save the day. They police woman lets Dean & Sam go.

On a side note, I like Sam's continuing assertion that he and Dean are on a "road trip." It fits in with the characters being named for Sal Paradise and Dean Moriarity from "On the Road" by Jack Kerouac. A book about journey rather than destination and young men searching for a vision of the future on the back roads of America. It's cool.

There are some fun parts to this episode. I like Sam being questioned by the police. There's a voice over of him lying, while the action shows what's really going on. "She gave us the key!" he insists, while we see Dean picking a lock. And when the police woman questions his about his "road trip" with Dean, Sam declares that they just saw the second largest ball of string in America. "It was awesome." It's just hilarious. And the scene where Dean sits there bored and making clicking sounds with his tongue is just perfect. "Dude, really?" Sam finally snaps. Just a great little moment. It's also funny that both brothers call their Public Defender "Matlock." Yep, they really are brothers. And Dean's confession is hilarious, going something like "My name is Dean Winchester. I an Aquarius. I enjoy long walks on the beach and frisky women." Then he explains that it was a vengeful spirit who killed the women and the murder in St. Louis was committed by "shape shifter who just looked like me." Then he gives this completely smart-ass smile that cracks me up.

On the down side, the brothers are separated for a lot of this episode. I think they're always best in scenes together.

My favorite part of the episode: The brothers walking away at the end. Just something about the way Sam playfully shoves Dean is so cute.

One of the better episodes

[mm-39 · 9/10 · 21 September 2007]

This series has many clever hooks for the audience. Such hooks are the tribute to the 'Exorcist' with Blair, and a cute mention about her at the end of the show. I find supernatural does all sorts of tributes to horror movie. Red rum is mentioned with the Dana Schults deal, a tribute to the Shinning. The episode shows how smart the Winchester boy are with the police. Perfect how one brother helps the other. Sam this time plays the lead. Dean add the comic relief. A good mystery. I like how the bad cop is annoyed with Dean. I don't want to say more or I will ruin the show. The story has one mystery Dana Schults which really leads to another. 9 out of 10. One of the better ones for season two. Glad I bought the second season.

Funny Episode with a funny ending

[stronks1974 · 9/10 · 11 November 2006]

I saw this episode here in the Netherlands. It was pretty funny to see linda blair in a new type of roll. It is strange that sometimes the episodes opens with flashbacks that we did not see before. Maybe it is part of it and maybe it is just me. But it adds to the fact that many more episodes are coming...

*** Spoiler ***

In the end after blair shot her partner and Sam and Dean walk away.. They are saying.

Did you recognize her? She has something familiar on her....

No.. Not really

I am hungry and the strange thing is I am in the mood for peas (Which is a reference to The exorcist.... She spilled a lot of green beans there...

It was funny :)

Sorry for the misspelling

Peasoup!

[cellsite60 · 30 December 2020]

This was a really good episode, I mean Linda Blair, it's got to be good. Got some good laughs out of this one, especially the last scene has a nice and funny hommage to The Exorcist.

How did Sam escape

[nyc_teerobin · 10/10 · 30 July 2018]

I don't have a clue how Sam got out of the police station??? Am I slow lol

Tropey but fun

[shwetafabm · 8/10 · 24 May 2020]

It is hard to do horror, most good horror is psychological, the kill by numbers and random ghost is rarely scary so won't berate the eps for being tropey and predictable like this one is. It was fun and Dean is hilarious as usual plus we get to see a good amount of Sam and he is in the background. The lady who i can see is pretty famous but Haven't watched anything of hers, had a super cute charm.