Markup View

Author: NightNymph

Mar 23rd 2012 at 12:06:47 AM

That is a good question, hobbitguy1420. It may depend on how important the bank robbery part is to the definition of the trope. The episode begins with a subversion: there is a live newscast showing a typical bank robbery/hostage situation. There is even one of those "breaking news" type things in the bottom corner saying "Bank Robbery," but soon after the stage is set, it is Dean (the hero) coming out of the bank saying "Don't shoot!" and releasing a hostage. The episode then reverts to "one day ago" and we see how we got to that point. Later as part of the flashback sequence, Dean and Sam are taken hostage in the bank (where they are pretending to be checking the functioning of the security cameras). But very soon they convince the hostage taker they are on his side - not to let the people go, but to help the hostage taker keep the people hostage so they can find the shapeshifter more easily. It is ultimately to save people in general, but that doesn't negate that they end up being the hostage takers to achieve that goal. And then the police and the FBI show up with the usual bank robbery/hostage trappings: the cutting of the power, the negotiating phone calls, the snipers, etc. all working against the heros who are wanted by the authorities. (Did I mention that this episode is awesome?)

So bottom line:
The begining of the episode makes it look like a Bank Robbery/ hostage situation is occurring, but when we see Dean releasing a hostage, that scenario becomes unlikely - Subversion

Unless it ends up that "Dean" is a shapeshifter (which could be possible on this show) - small potential for being played straight

Then the heros are for a while taken hostage in a bank (just not due to a bank robbery) - Played straight for a bit

But the heros talk the hostage taker down and join him in keeping everyone hostage while they search for the monster (the shapeshifter) that is among the hostages and can look like anyone - Subversion? or Heavy Playing with the Trope?

Not an Aversion because a good deal of the episode revolves around the hostage situation in the bank with all of the usual trappings as mentioned above. It even includes the FBI take over of the hostage situation cliche - Cop 1: "Ohhh Crap." Cop 2: "What?" Cop 1: "FBI's here." Cop 2: "Oh crap."

I'm not sure I was very helpful there. Can you make heads or tails of what fits best?