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I found this episode to be quite boring compared to the last couple of weeks. It seemed like a filler episode rather than one that would in any way enhance the current story arc or add to Sam and Dean's characters. The monster of the week would have been better if their had been more of it and less Bela and her scams, the old lady with the hots for Sam was just silly and the continual dumbing down of Dean is really starting to grate. About the only thing worth watching was Jared and Jensen in tuxes!

As for Bela, she did nothing but annoy me and like many people I feel her character would have been better off as a one or two episode guest star rather than a recurring regular. It's just as well I usually record the episodes to watch later, that way I can skip her scenes and concentrate on Sam and Dean, which is what I really watch the show for. I did get a laugh out of the 'angry sex' line, although that was more because of Dean's reaction (and Jensen's superb physical acting) and not because of who said it. I do hope that Kripke and Co. take a leaf out of their own books and phase Bela out the way they did Jo last season. Ruby is not so bad and has grown on me more than I thought she would, but the addition of Bela is obviously something that was forced upon them and does not work at all.

I loved the show.... Bela is awsome i hope they put her and ruby in alot more episodes... Dean and Sam just need those two coz its to funny too watch...

Anyways cant wait till 'the writers strike' is over... why r they on strike anyways

I don't get anyone who says Bela adds anything to this show. There's no point in supporting below par work just because you think it helps the show some way. Anyone objective would say that actress is poor, this show deserves better.

Just watch 'Faith' or 'Devil's Trap' or 'What Is and What Never Should Be' and then watch the dreck that was 'Red Sky'. The contrast in quality is astonishing. It's a different and much inferior show now. Everything subtle has been removed and everything broad and obvious and crass has been added and the show is in trouble. It's not scary anymore either.

I won't always blame the writers from now on - at the Chicago Con Jensen said he was the one to come up with the idea of putting fifteen caramels in his mouth instead of two caramels in 'Tall Tales' - that was one of the first examples of the humor being way overdone.
I want Dean back as a hero I recognize as well as Sam his brother. The dumbing-down of Supernatural has got to be the most disappointing thing to happen on TV, on a par with the cancellation of 'Firefly'.

For pity's sake - no more eps like this one.

I just watched this ep and UGH!!! Horrible epsiode and Bela is a big mistake. I don't like that Dean is being dumbed down either, I can hardly relate to the character at all this season. SPN is becoming like a hundred other shows insted of its own self. I can't bear to see it go down the pan like this. Bela nd Ruby have Got To Go!

Negative feedback is just as helpful to Kripke as positive feedback. He cares about his show and the fans. If the fans are not happy, he wants to know and will make adjustments.

Expanding on my previous post: I want to mention that I like Lauren, her portrayal of the character and her acting skills surpass Katie's. Originally I thought I would be more accepting of Bela over Ruby. Thought I would like Bela in a love-to-hate fashion. Was beginning to during Bad Day at Black Rock. Unfortunately, now I see all she can be is an annoyance, which isn't intruiging. There isn't much this character can add to a story. Each episode she's present, will be a repeat with a different monster-of-the-week. Bela's presence will make each episode predicatable and it will get old - fast.

In addition, Sam and Dean are not fools, both are clever and intelligent in different respects. They now know Bela, what she's after ($), that she doesn't give a hoot about human life, and she'll shoot someone for a paycheck. Therefore, from here on, how will Bela be able to pull the wool over Sam & Dean's eyes again and again and again and again? She won't therefore making the character unnecessary and forced into storylines. That is what I realized while watching Red Sky at Morning.

I now understand why Kripke originally created Bela as a one-episode character as opposed to a regular-recurring character.

I'm going to have to stop reading the other comments because the negativity makes me sad. I loved Supernatural in Season 1, I loved Supernatural in Season 2, and I love Supernatural in Season 3. I don't love every episode equally, and yep, there have been a few stinkers, but I always find something to love in each episode.

As for this Red Sky ... sheesh, I really liked it! I enjoyed having Bela around and LOVED Sam's and Dean's reactions to her. She drives them crazy! I don't like her character but I don't think we're supposed to. She's there to annoy the boys and she's doing that admirably.

I have no problem with Dean's portrayal this season. So he's a pig with an IQ that keeps him out of mensa ... is that really such a departure from the first two seasons?? And who cares, anyway? He's hilarious!

I'm disappointed that so many posters have such negative comments. Poor Kripke! Don't worry Eric. I think you're doing a great job and I know some people who are just starting to watch this season and they're enjoying it!

For me where I do feel like the show is "maligning" Dean is in the constant put-downs by other characters. Especially when compared to the constant elevation of Sam. It's gotten especially bad this year for some reason. This reads to me as Kripke saying, no, no, no, Sam is the character you're supposed to be rooting for. Let me tell you why. Again.

justme I just read this and I can't agree more. This is exactly on reason this season it not working so well for me. In order to make Sam the hero, they feel they need to downgrade and deminish Dean. How sad that Kripke cannot see what great characters both are and how much Dean brings to the show. It's sad that only Sam is allowed to become more heroic this season while Dean, though finally shown as a competent, quick thinking and great hunter he is (well this was before Red Sky) is downgraded to sidekick in order to make room for the Kingly Sam.

If the writers would learn to write compelling for both character and make them equally awesome, this show might actually survive this year.

Last night's episode could have improved a lot with less Bela and more ghost ship. Bela always getting the upperhand is not something I want to watch nor enjoy watching and Bela as a character comes off cliche and flat. Kripke would have done better and saved the money spent on her to use for the classic rock which was apparently sacrificed so Bela and Ruby could make their debut.

I say Bela adds something new, she puts more humour into the show.

And I don't really think they really showed the softer side , i personally think they showed how selfish she was.

But anyway, I like her character, the actress did a great job portraying Bela, shows she's a person that can effectively get people annoyed.

Well, the reaction of most of fandom to this one is pretty predictable. Obviously Sam isn't the anti-christ, Bela is. *eyeroll* Might this just be because she and Dean have awesome chemistry and she is fully human so there's a chance they might hook up at some point?

I thought this was an entertaining if rather insubstantial episode. The Sam/Gert scenes were cute if a little overdone. And Dean and Bela were good together, it was a shame they didn't let Dean banter back though, I can't think why the writer made that decision.

Like other posters, I'm upset that this episode continued the dumbing down of Dean. He never seemed particularly dim before this season and now it's as if every episode has to make the point that he's stupider than Sam. I get it Kripke, Sam is awesome, but does Dean really need to be diminished for us to see that?

I thoroughly enjoyed this episode. For one, the guys were in tuxes. Yeah, I'm that shallow, but come on! Boys in tuxes!! The whole Sam being hit on relentlessly by the older woman was hilarious: watching his discomfort was wonderful! *laughs*

Bela has started to grow on me, and I know I'm in the minority by saying this. I still think her accent is a little over the top, but she is a wonderful foil for Dean. Their snark was fun to watch and made for a decent counter-balance for the angst the brothers are experiencing.

Probably the only thing that bothered me is the fact that they have not dealt with the issue of Sam killing two innocents... wait, I take that back. THREE innocents, since even the crossroads demon was possessing a human body. I wonder if Sam is stonewalling Dean on that subject, too, and that's why they aren't talking about it? Sam has become a secretive guy this season, and that worries me to no end. Another question I have: when are we going to learn more about why all of Mary's friends died? That seems like a pretty big deal! When is Sam going to tell Dean? IS he going to?

This is definitely the best season yet!

Wow I really like Bela too. Her and Dean are really hot together.

Why is everyone so mean to girls on Supernatural?

This episode was pretty good, however I agree with the poster that said Bela
was more of a distracting annoyance. I would have rathered seen more of the ghost ship and the hunt, and less of her. Which is disappointing, because out of the two new female characters, I thought she'd be the one i'd like more. I do like the actress.
She wouldn't be bad as a guest character for one or two episodes, but anymore than that would be pushing it for me. She feels more forced into the storyline, than anything.

I didn't really like that fact she got the hand away from Dean. He should have seen that coming, and honestly I don't even know how she would have done it. The fact that they didn't show her doing it, just makes me think, they didn't show it, because it was practically impossible.

And I have no interest in seeing this character redeemed in any way. It's been done and redone.
If she's evil and self serving, just keep her that way. This is not a character I would
feel sorry for, no matter what sob story they rolled out.

I don't hate Bela at this point, but this is for sure a character I would have to see in very small doses.

Loved the episode!!! Love the Show!!! Love Bela!!! Can't wait til next week!!!

I loved this episode!

I want to point something out:

In the lead for Favorite Bela-related quote is:
Dean: "can i shoot her"
Sam: "not in public"

By a large margin.

Hmmm............
Coincidence?

I think that's all I need to say about last nights episode.

Unfortunately, Red Sky at Morning is joining No Exit on my short list of the episodes I won't be rewatching. I agree with the poster who compared the two, as Bela's involvement was quite clearly the focus here. I just don't see how she fits into Supernatural and honestly, knowing she could pop up at any moment is ruining my enjoyment of my favorite show.

*sigh* This week had such an awesome hunt idea - only to be wasted as an excuse to have an episode revolving around Bela. I would liked to have seen the actual hunt explored and discussed, instead it was about her and her issues. I can't remember how many times I thought 'I don't care!' last night, every time she opened her mouth.

One of my least favorite episodes of the season, no question.

Nice to see I'm alone here. Can't love em all, I suppose.

Honestly, I didn't like the use of Bela in this episode. Her presence was a distracting annoyance. Both Sam and Dean are going through some major internal emotions and are hiding information from each other. (Sam regarding Mary and the YED and Dean regarding the possibility that Sam isn't-quite-right). Dean has to live with "what will happen to sam when i'm gone? i won't be able to watch over him, protect him anylonger. what if he did come back wrong? did I do the right thing?" What about the little voice in Sam's head: "dean's all i have. he's done more for me than anyone. i have to save him but i don't know how. what do i do? i can't just let him die. why doesn't he seem to care? why won't he fight for his life?" With Bela there, these issues were crammed in - sloppily.

This episode was also too predictable. How did Sam and Dean not see that Bela was using them to steal the hand for her own personal gain? She knew the location of the hand. They know she's a mercenary. This isn't just dumbing down Dean, but Sam as well.

As for her killing one of her family members. Well, if Kripke intended for this character to be some greedy self serving cold mercenary, I hope he keeps her that way. Hopefully we don't get some bela sob story which in-turn will give the character a warm soul. That's too cliche.

To date my favorite female Supernatural characters are: Meg, Ellen and Kat (Asylum episode). Ruby has the intrigue, unfortunately the casting wasn't on target. Too bad because there is so much promise for that character.

Ok, now about Jensen in the tux - hotdamn!

And I just have to add: Sam and the sugar momma were hilarious.

I have to apologize for the negativity. I just watched the episode and learned, as always, that I should give something a fair shot before putting it down..it was a pretty good episode and I liked Bela in it.
So...uh...my bad.

I wish they would STOP already with the "Dean is dumb, but sexy" schtick. We get that EK thinks Dean is a loser, and that Sam is Our Hero, but enough beating us over the head with it, please and thank you.

What about focusing on the fact that Sam KILLED a PERSON, last week or how about the two sailor brothers and how it ended up that one turned on the other to give Sam and Dean a bit of perspective on their own, currently strained, relationship? As immie pointed out would have made much better devices to build an episode around than...*sigh* Bela.

Bela (aka Tweddle-hum) is ok. But that's ALL she is. I really don't care about her back story. I don't care that a heart of gold (or a family tragedy) lurks within her heaving bosom.

Slinky, 'mysterious' pouty Ruby (aka Tweddle-ho)? The same, but more so. Unless something changes about the WAY these characters are presented, I will NOT like them, not even in a 'love to hate them' way. And I have nothing against the actresses. Their lines and the direction they're being given results in their performances being less nuanced and engaging than say... (ok, you know it's coming doncha :D ?) Jeffrey Dean Morgan's John.

For the past two seasons, I have been obsessed with Supernatural. But after last week's episode and the trailer for this week's, I find myself really not liking how this season is turning out. I didn't even watch last night, and from what I'm hearing, I was correct in my assumption that it would be all about Bela.
I have no problem with new cast, but ever since Sin City I have become less and less interested with SPN. It's sad for me, because I've been so devoted to the show, but I guess nothing good can last forever. I'm really hoping the writers pull through and next week will be spectacular. I don't WANT to stop watching. But I won't put myself through an hour of what used to be a wonderful show and what now is just boring and silly.

Okay, I think I've figure out my main problem with this episode and it's going to make my list of least favourite episodes - the way the unnecessarily used Bela's character in this episode.

Now, I find Bela's character to be interesting and the fact that she killed one of her own family members is intriguing, but did we really need an entire episode dedicated to revealing that? (Which is what I felt like the purpose of this episode was.) What about focusing on the fact that Sam KILLED a PERSON, last week or how about the two sailor brothers and how it ended up that one turned on the other to give Sam and Dean a bit of perspective on their own, currently strained, relationship? That would have made for a much better story, IMO, than, "Here's a hint to why Bela is the way she is, along with a small tid-bit on Sam and Dean and their situation." If the writers choose to bring her character back, they are going to have to be very careful as how they fit her into the storyline - make sure that Sam and Dean are the main focus and Bela's story is secondary not the other way around.

The best moments of this episode was the continuing struggle between Sam and Dean and how their deep love and loyalty for each other is putting them at odds. Watch each ask the other to do the impossible was so saddening and J2 did a phenominal job of portraying all of the needed emotions to make my heart ache.

I also still like Bela. She's an interesting foil for the boys and I'm happy to hate her for her for being the worst kind of human being, since that's the reaction I believe we're supposed to have to her.

I think Cohan is still uneven in her performance in that she has trouble with exposition-heavy scenes but there have been some line deliveries that I thought were quite charming.

For example, when she says Sam's already halfway to the ball, and the way she adds "with his date." I thought she hit that with the perfect amount of smug, teasing malice. I thought the rest of that scene between her a Dean was also delightful. Both she and Jensen were perfect and just plain fun to watch. Also when she first comes to visit the boys, her "Oh Dear God..." had me laughing out loud. There are other times when I've seen a spark in the character that makes me like her despite myself.

But I think she's having trouble with some of the clunkier dialogue like when she's ranting at the boys about being serial killers or as I said earlier, some of the exposition. Certainly Cohan has a long way to go, but then so did Jared when he started so I'm willing to give her time.

Cassidy as Ruby on the other hand, I just find completely one-note. There's nothing playful or charming about her delivery. She's not scary or menacing either, just snotty. And her only purpose seems to be as a deux ex machina. As far as I'm concerned she can fulfill her plot purpose and then be gone for good.

"Honest to god, I don't see Dean being all that maligned. Yes, he hunted while Sam was in college -- with John, as John's foot soldier. He's not interested in the research or the book stuff as much as Sam is. That's not to say Dean can't do the research, can't think and know things, but I get the impression that he prefers to be in action-hero mode and let other people do the research."

See I've never had a huge problem with Dean not knowing the research stuff off the top of his head. This is how Supernatural gets it's exposition across and I reconciled myself to the fact that Sam was going to exposition-guy a long time ago.

For me where I do feel like the show is "maligning" Dean is in the constant put-downs by other characters. Especially when compared to the constant elevation of Sam. It's gotten especially bad this year for some reason. This reads to me as Kripke saying, no, no, no, Sam is the character you're supposed to be rooting for. Let me tell you why. Again.

It's a ploy I've seen on many other shows including Dawson's Creek and Smallville and it almost never works on me. All it does is make me resent that particular character and makes me more sympathetic to the less-favoured one.

Actually, I like the character of Bela so far. She's the best girl they've ever had on this show. She's so interesting and I love her accent. I like that she's not Itchy like a certain blonde demon slut. Plus there's more to Bela than meets the eye. I can't wait to see her again.

Honest to god, I don't see Dean being all that maligned. Yes, he hunted while Sam was in college -- with John, as John's foot soldier. He's not interested in the research or the book stuff as much as Sam is. That's not to say Dean can't do the research, can't think and know things, but I get the impression that he prefers to be in action-hero mode and let other people do the research.

As for the boys being pawns in Bela's con .. eh, it worked for me. She's interesting, and I'm ok with her sticking around at random intervals. I don't want her to become a third wheel, but she's fine in small doses.

I so like Bela/Lauren. As her role was larger in this episode (more interaction with Sam this time around) it was easier to see that Bela’s character is a good foil to both Dean & Sam and Lauren can hold her own with not only Jensen but with Jared as well.

This episode had a good mix of comedy, suspense and the coolest special effect when the spirit brothers were changed into water. Also the slow motion shot (with accompanying James Bondish music) to Dean’s first appearance in his tux was well done. That entire scene was one of my favs. of the ep. – definite chemistry there! Sam being a ‘boy-toy’ also hilarious!

Can’t wait for the ep. when Dean finally admits to Sam that he is scared s***less about going to Hell – that will be a powerful scene and you know he will eventually as he almost did before he said “I’m gonna shoot some craps” (again Jensen’s great skill at showing those subtle emotions came into play).

The episodes are just getting better and better. Can’t wait for next week!

For those fans going to the Supernatural Convention in Chicago this weekend - have fun!

Ciao, A.

I think the girl that plays Bela is a good actress, but I really don't like her character. I really hoped Dean would shoot her or she had drowned.... I rather like Ruby though....

Jensen in a tuxedo, there truly is justice in this world. When I first saw the promo pic of Dean in a tuxedo and driving the Impala I immediately thought of James Bond. Sean Connery James Bond, not Roger Moore.

As for Syd's comment, I agree with her to some extent. Dean might be a bit lax when it comes to research and lore, but he's by no means an idiot. I wish the writers would stop portraying him as one. He was perfectly capable of hunting the Supernatural while Sam was at college. . . what happened?

One of the best things about Season 3 is that it's getting scarier and a lot more physical. I don't support mindless violence, but the fight scenes in Season 1 were amazing. I'm glad more of this is being shown in Season 3.

As for Bela, I really like her. Her attitude about Supernatural hunters is refreshing (but it might get old real fast). I also like how she utilizes her brains in order to undermine her opponents. I find it a bit odd that I like Bela as much as I do. With the exception of Ellen I haven't really been fond with any of the supporting female characters. Especially Ruby - sorry Kripke, her character leaves a lot to be desired.

Parting comment: the special effects involved in merging the spirits at the end of the episode were brilliant. Supernatural is pretty decent when it comes to special effects, but that scene was exceptional; it blew me away. Kudos to the people who created that.

I'm sure there are details that I should be concerned about with this episode, like the plot, this new Bela character, Dean's deal, how Sam will save him, yadda, yadda, yadda. But what it comes down to, for me, is JENSEN ACKLES IN A TUX. He is simply the most divine and beautiful human being I've ever seen. Period. I'm sure that I should care about what actually happened in the episode, but honestly, since they've downgraded Dean's role to be big-brother sidekick to the show's HERO (oh, I remember the commentary in the Pilot episode Kripke), and has turned him into this idiot (HE doesn't know about the history of the hand, but SAM DOES??) it's become difficult to watch. Is the point just to show us how dumb he is, how smart Sam is, and how cool Bela is? Wow, I really hoped the show wouldn't stoop to this level. So, I just can't muster up enough energy to care about the plot or the mytharc. Bela is worthless. I could care less about her sob story. She stole the rabbit's foot from Sam (leaving him to die!) and shot him, why would either brother give her the time of day? It doesn't make any sense.

Sigh. I'm not sure what's going to happen to the show in light of the writer's strike, but I do know that Jensen's talent is being wasted this season in order to dumb-down Dean. I think Jensen is doing a fantastic job with what he's being given (meaning despite how Dean is being WRITTEN), I feel that his incredible talent is being wasted in order to make Dean one-dimensional. Dean is now being portrayed as some sort of sexist, homophobic, dim-witted loser. Now *I* personally don't think he's a sexist, homophobic, dim-witted loser, but the SHOW seems to enjoy portraying him as such. I don't get it. I really don't. I mean, I realize he's not the HERO of our story [we get it Kripke!] but still, he deserves to be treated with more respect. Or maybe we're supposed to think these are appealing traits? Or maybe Kripke & Co. actually think this IS who Dean is? [I guess so, based on Kripke's commentary during What is and What Should Never Be and how HE wanted to portray Dean. It's really too bad Raelle Tucker isn't around to protect Dean anymore].

P.S. Dear Sam: If you really want Dean to fight for his life, you might just want to finally tell him about all of those nasty little secrets you're keeping all to yourself. Don't you think that if he *knew* that you weren't really as "safe" as he thinks you are, that this would provide some motivation for him to stick around and want to live? I realize you'd LIKE him to realize his own worth, and good for you. We'd all like that. But he's dealing with an entire LIFETIME of emotional issues and he's not going to just get over them overnight. Give him a reason to want to live right now...even if that reason is YOU.

So...Jensen in a tux. I'll just have to be thankful for that.

This episode had so much potential, but IMO Bela's over involvement ruined the hunt. This episode (in a way) was reminiscent of No Exit.

Episode 2.06 No Exit: all about Jo's hunt. goes sour. needs the winchesters to bail her out.

Episode 3.06 Red Sky: all about Bela's con. goes sour. needs the winchesters to bail her out.

See the similarity? This episode was not about the hunt, but about Bela's con. For the middle half of the program, Sam and Dean became the supporting characters. They were just pawns in Bela's con. I'd rather watch Sam and Dean uncover the evidence themselves than have a cold hearted bitch hand it to them. Also, did you see how they're trying to show a softer side of Bela? please...don't pull a Spike (Buffy anyone?)

Sorry Kripke, this episode was a mistake. This was the first time I was tempted to changed the channel. Next time Lauren is in an episode, I'm not watching live. Bela does not fit into the Supernatural world.

Good thing this episode had enough humor to get me through.

Thankfully Gordon is back to wreak some havoc next week!!

Did anyone else think the Granny who had the hots for Sam looked an AWFUL lot like Sheen's mother (the great Holland Taylor)on Two & A Half Men? Only older and grayer.

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