Recaps of supernatural-related TV episodes, including the CW’s Supernatural.
Meet Bobby Singer
Bobby Singer (Jim Beaver) is the only character besides Sam and Dean to have appeared in every season of Supernatural. Jim Beaver will return to the series again during season 11. Bobby was a Winchester family friend who evolved into a father figure to the brothers after John’s death. Bobby was also a skilled hunter in his own right and an invaluable resource for the hunter community. So why not take a moment to remember Bobby Singer?
Sad angel, trying to repair that which he has left behind
“The Things We Left Behind” touches on serious themes as Supernatural reaches its mid-season finale. The undercurrent of this episode lies in how our families shape who we are. Though the importance of family in determining who we are and what we choose to do is one of the main themes of Supernatural generally, this episode takes it further by exploring how personal choices affect members of our family. We begin to see reflection on the consequences of actions taken by Castiel and Dean. Rowena’s impact on Crowley and the legacy it has borne starts to become more evident as well. There are things that our characters may have thought, or hoped, they had left behind, but this episode reveals what they still carry with them and what might not be so easily forgotten.
In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues. They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. —Mark XVI, 17–18
The seventh episode of Constantine takes us to rural Appalachia, where one may find not only corn-on-a-stick, but in some corners, charismatic Christian ministers who still display their faith through the practice of laying on of hands, speaking in tongues, and snake handling.
A Pentecostal minister in Kentucky refuses to heed his sister’s warnings, and chooses to use a venomous rattler in the snake-handling portion of his sermon. Their church’s congregation has been dwindling since the former minister, their father, died, and he wants to put on a good show. OF COURSE the snake bites him in the middle of his spectacle, and he dies nearly instantly. As his sister tries to resuscitate him, a fiery feather appears in the dead minister’s hand, and he awakens. Stuffing the feather in his pocket, he leaps to his feet as the congregation gasps and cheers. A man missing part of a leg rushes down the aisle on crutches, and the minister lays hands on him. The man’s missing leg grows back, just like that. It is a miracle! Continue reading
Welcome to the Minnesota-Dakotas Sheriff Retreat
Sam and Dean Winchester have not always had good relations with the authorities. The Winchesters’ dealings with the law enforcement community have had mixed results. In thepilot episode of Supernatural, Sam and Dean pose as Federal Marshals and while talking to the local deputy, Deans makes the comment, “Well, that is exactly the kind of crack police work I’d expect out of you guys.” Dean is later arrested by the same Deputy. In “Nightshifter” (S02E12) Dean complains about the interference of police:
Dean: “Friggin’ cops.”
Sam: “They’re just doing their job.”
Dean: “No, they’re doing OUR job, only they don’t know it so they suck at it.”
A plan to rescue Beth and Carol from Grady Hospital is in place. During last week’s episode, “Crossed,” Rick, Daryl, Tryeese, Noah, and Sasha had captured three hospital cops in order to negotiate for Beth and Carol’s release, though Sasha foolishly let Officer Lawson get away. Michonne, Carl, Father Gabriel, and Judith were left at the church, which seemed fairly secure until Father Gabriel decided to saw out some floorboards and escape the church. Amongst GREATM we saw the beginnings of some forgiveness for Eugene, who did wake up. Uncertainties remain: where will GREATM go, and will they remain six-strong? One thing we have learned from Season 5 of The Walking Dead that stays with us, is that in the post-apocalyptic world, you are not safe.
“You are not safe. No matter how many people are around, or how clear the area looks. No matter what anyone says, no matter what you think. You are not safe. It only takes one second. One second, and it’s over. Never let your guard down, ever.” – Rick Grimes, “Strangers” (S05E02)
Although NBC announced last week that they will be halting production of Constantine after the filming of the 13th episode, we haven’t yet given up the ghost. The show has not officially been canceled, and is still being promoted (stars Matt Ryan and Angélica Celaya chatted with Al Roker during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade). There is also an online petition to keep the show on the air. Ironically, while the decision to halt production was made after only four episodes had aired, the show had a big bump in viewership the following week, and is doing better than most other programs in the occult detective vein, including Sleepy Hollow and Supernatural. In the sixth episode, “Rage of Caliban,” we learn a tiny bit more backstory about both Chas Chandler and John. No Zed this week (she is at an apparently really long art class), but the angel Manny makes a few appearances. Continue reading
“Girls, Girls, Girls” had a few really good moments, though it is probably one of the weakest episodes so far in what has been an outstanding Season 10. Some of the best parts were a revelation (who knew we would become so attached to Hannah?), while other great moments were less of a surprise because of the consistently strong characters on Supernatural (you can always count on Crowley). There were several separate storylines occurring, which is not unusual on Supernatural since Mark Sheppard and Misha Collins have both become season regulars. The multiple storylines worked mainly because the narrative with Castiel and Hannah was so compelling. The scenes with Castiel and Hannah were also beautifully filmed, which we appreciate in a series with sequences that often take place in dimly lit rooms, dark alleys, the Impala, Hell, or purgatory. Even when Sam and Dean have visited Heaven the scenes were generally dark both in terms of content and images. Seeing the angels Castiel and Hannah in a beautiful, natural environment just feels right, a heaven on earth, as it were, and is a nice contrast with the demon Crowley in the gloomy, prison-like atmosphere of administrative Hell. “Girls, Girls, Girls” places Sam and Dean squarely into their traditional hunter roles.
The Supernatural Fox Sisters 