User Reviews

MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD --- I recently finished watching the first season of Supernatural and, overall, I'm impressed. There are been a few things that have bugged me and some episodes that didn't necessarily work, but those instances have been rare. This particular episode, known as "Provenance", is a particular favorite of mine. In this one-off episode, Sam and Dean investigate a series of deaths that appear to be related to an unusual painting. It seems that each time someone takes ownership of the painting, they have their throats slit in the night. The painting depicts a family from roughly around the turn of the century. The story goes that the Father in the painting was a barber who went mad and killed himself and his family with a straight razor. But as Sam and Den eventually discover, it's not the Father who's come back for murder – it's the adopted daughter. And for me, that's what makes this episode so especially creepy – there aren't many images that frighten me like a murderous little girl, complete with frilly dress, welding a razor in one hand and dragging a doll behind her in the other. Spooky! It's a smartly written little story filled with wonderful atmosphere. The special effects, the cinematography (especially when the little girl makes her presence known), and the lighting are all as good as you'll find in any big budget movie. "Provenance" is a very entertaining, leave-the-lights-on-when-you-go-to-bed kind of episode.

So the writers finally focus on Sam and decide to give him more to do than just follow Dean around and complain about not having a normal life. Jared was given a good opportunity and he sure nailed it. "Provenance" is when Sam found that he can move on with his life (though he is not ready yet) after Jessica's death and can find some nice girl again that can blow his mind. Sarah a sophisticated college girl who works with her father in his auction house was a perfect choice for Sam on the writers behalf. And I wish they brought her back on the show. She was on of the prettiest girls on the show with an accepting attitude for what the boys do and she sure was fearless enough to follow them on a hunt. The kind of girl that don't embarrass her date in a fancy restaurant. Sam found himself attached to the girl but he still can't get over Jessica's death, he can't have any relationship again at this point of his life and he certainly can't risk losing some one again. Meanwhile Dean is concerned for his brother, he thinks that Sam was taking life way too seriously and that he should allow himself to enjoy it every now and then, so Dean tries to fix him with some girl at a bar and later when he sees that Sam is attracted to Sarah he tries to push him on going on a date with her.

"Provenance" is a creepy episode with some nice moments within. I loved Sam's reaction when he was introducing Dean to Sarah, while Dean was shamelessly stuffing his mouth with the "mini quiche". Their reaction when they entered the motel room was very funny. It was awesome when Dean pretended to lose his wallet in the auction house to trick Sam into going back to see Sarah again. I laughed so hard at Sam's "Oh, my God" expression when he saw the painting; he and his brother just burned not a few hours earlier, intact again. Hilarious when Dean was trying to break the glass at the cemetery not aware of having a gun in his hand. (AH! Dean, please get another lighter) AND, you really should see the final scene.

On the other side,That girl was super creepy. And did I say I hate antique dolls? Well I do. The painting, How can people buy a painting that looked like that? (OK I will say what Dean says "People are crazy").

Please don't skip this one.

This is one of the show's best monster of the week episodes. The creepy moving, painting is especially cool and I like how they bring Jessica back into the story. Sam's guilt and sorrow over her death continue to haunt him and drive his quest to find her killer. This isn't a vital episode for the story arc, but it is one of the season's best episodes and you really shouldn't skip it.

"Provenance" revolves around a haunted painting. It's of a creepy family who were killed in 1912, supposedly by the father. After a couple buys the painting at a charity auction, they are quickly found brutally murdered. Sam & Dean head to the auction house to investigate. While they're there the meet the owners attractive daughter, Sarah, who immediately sets her sights on Sam. Sam's attracted to her, too. But he feels guilty because of Jessica. Dean feels that it's his responsibility as a caring, older brother to pimp Sam out to Sarah. In the meantime, they destroy the painting, but it regenerates itself.

Sam & Dean do some more investigating and discover that the painting moves and changes position. They think that the spirit is tied to it. But even after salting and burning the bones of the father in the painting, the killings continue. Sarah is confused about the brothers' story that the painting is evil, but she helps them investigate. She and Sam continue to grow closer. More research reveals that it's really the evil little girl in the painting that doing the killing. She attacks Sam & Sarah. Dean has to burn the last remains of the girl, which happens to be a doll with the little girl's hair on it. With the painting exorcised, Sam & Dean leave town. But before he goes Sam kisses Sarah good-bye.

There are some good parts to this episode. I enjoy watching Dean trying to fix Sam up with Sarah. He's trying to make Sam happy and get him past his guilt over Jessica, but he's just so clumsy at his match making attempts that I have to laugh. From pretending to loose his wallet at the auction house so Sam would have to go back and see Sarah, to switching the car radio to a love song when Sam walks Sarah away, he's just so cute. And I like Sam's reaction to trying to fight the evil little girl. He can't find any salt in the house to use as a weapon, causing him to label the homeowners "low sodium freaks." It cracks me up. Also, the ghost in this episode is really creepy. The way the painting changes, objects disappearing and the coming back, people's positions changing... It's all just really scary and fun.

On a side note, I think this is one of the more unique hotel rooms that the boys stay in. I enjoy seeing what sort of seedy establishment they'll pick each week. Every episode it seems like they have a new temporary "home" and I kind of see it as a metaphor for the bleak and thankless nature of of Dean & Sam's life on the road. They don't have a real home, (except the Impala,) so the hotels all look sort of like the same place to them. The decorations are different, but they choose the same sort of establishment again and again in an effort to create some stability and predictability in their crazy world. It's interesting, especially when the decor goes a little nutty. This room and the one in season three's "Dream a Little Dream of Me" are probably my favorites.

On the down side, Sarah was the best of all the boys' girlfriends. I'm sad that Sam left her and I'd like to see her come back.

My favorite part of the episode: Sam's stunned reaction to the painting being back at the auction house all un-burned. "Oh My God!" It just makes me laugh every time.

The first 'Superalnatural' show I ever saw and I was blown away. I love the writing for 'Providence'. The cars in the parking lot compared to the 67 beast of a car. Dean thinks the gallery owner is a waiter. The girl's attraction to Sam is perfect. A real date conversation. Dean is right Sam should have married her. The eyelash scene is great. The sub-plots blended in with the Killer painting story, which keeps the viewer anticipating for more.. The ending is great with a strong plot twist. 10 out of 10. Providence has a scene of style. I can not wait for next season. There is a passion with this show, great directing, and acting.

Nice girl, very pretty and so interested in him. The only one who really gets so involved in getting so much more than laid. But Sam is a little dumb that he won't even cares. It made me cry and very sad. Please, may the rest of the series be more positive in this kind of situation.