Supernatural decided to meet the pop-culture juggernaut that is Twilight head on, but despite a couple comical one liners that hit the mark, this parody failed to make a lasting impression.

While fighting a vampire, Dean (Jensen Ackles) gets fed vampire blood, while Sam (Jared Padalecki) lurks in the shadows and seemingly allows it to happen. Apparently, Sam knows there is a cure for Deans vampirism and allegedly hopes Dean will lead them to the nest. This fact makes their grandfather (Mitch Pileggi) a bit uneasy, and in the end, Dean realizes Sams involvement.

Everyone keeps saying that Sam is different since he has returned, and this episode provides the strongest evidence so far that Sam is not right. Unfortunately, Padaleckis portrayal of Sam follows along with the same performance he has given for five seasons. There simply does not appear to be anything different about Sam. As viewers, I assume we are supposed to believe it because they keep saying it is so.

While the episode wasnt bad, it simply wasnt very memorable either. This season, Supernatural seems to be simply recycling story lines and old monsters, tagging one as an alpha, and somehow hoping that viewers will buy into it as a new concept. It isnt. The creative team behind Supernatural needs to twi-harder.

What Worked

Using the names Kristen and Robert were clearly references to Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson, the famed actors who play Bella and Edward Cullen, respectively, in the Twilight series.

Deans one liners have come back in full force. While chasing two vampires, Dean says, You go with Effron, I got Beiber. He also said, Oh God, Im Pattinson and referred to the "Twilight"-style vampires as douche-bags. Dean is clearly rounding into mid-season form.

What Didnt Work

Suddenly, a known cure for vampirism just conveniently pops up because one of the major characters has become a vampire. Isnt that just a little too contrived and too convenient? This is simple a deus ex machina that conveniently solves the problem, but shows little creativity or ingenuity.

The episode title, in vampire parlance, sucks. It is undoubtedly an amalgamation of two films: Live Free or Die Hard, which happens to be one of my favorite movies, and Twilight. Somehow, it fails to evoke the spirit of either one. Usually, Supernaturals episode titles are clever -- this one just fails to connect.

Giving Credit Where Credit Is Due

Supernatural stars Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles. Live Free Or Twi-Hard was written by Brett Matthews (II) and was directed by Rod Hardy.

Supernatural airs Fridays at 9 p.m. ET on The CW.