Let's Speculate: When You Wish Upon A Fairy
Saturday, 20 November 2010 00:05 | Last Updated on Saturday, 20 November 2010 00:09 | Written by Ardeospina | 
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Warning!!!! If you haven’t seen the latest episode of “Supernatural” and the preview for next week, do not read this! There is going to be plot-based speculation and discussion! You’ve been officially warned!
Well, that was a corker! Ben Edlund wins at life, doesn’t he? That was a much-needed break from all the intensity we’ve had for pretty much the entire season. Since this outing was generally lighthearted, there isn’t too much to speculate about. Or is there?
Soulless Sam as Comedy Relief
I wasn’t too sure how they could make Sam work in a comedic episode since it’s been so flipping tragic to watch him being all robotic (not the good kind) and not caring about Dean. But I thought it worked pretty well here. I mean, don’t get me wrong. It was still rather disconcerting to see Sam so flippant about the fact that Dean had been abducted, but we all know by now that he couldn’t help himself. Still, it kind of hurt, I’m not gonna lie. But having Dean trying to teach Sam how to act was rather amusing. Dean is totally Jiminy Cricket. I just wish Samocchio’s nose grew when he lied, too.
Second Thoughts
Well, the patented last conversation of doom was really true to form this week. Sam’s back to lying to Dean and is also having second thoughts about getting his soul back. Oh, Sam. Come on now! Really? If he can’t feel anything, supposedly, why does he care either way? He’d rather feel nothing? But isn’t preferring to feel nothing still feeling something? My head hurts.
If A Leprechaun Makes You an Offer, Make Sure You See the Pot of Gold First
Maureen Ryan theorized about this in her column last week, and it the leprechaun’s offer here seemed to at least hint at the idea that maybe Sam and Dean are going to end up making a deal with monsters of some sort to enlist their help getting Sam’s soul back. That could make for a very interesting turn of events. You could have heaven and hell fighting over purgatory and Winchesters and monsters trying to fend both sides off. And then it would be SUPER AWKWARD when everything was over, Sam has his soul back, and it’s time to go hunting again. “Oh, hey shapeshifter Bob. Didn’t you help me get my soul back?” “I sure did, Sam.” “Huh. Thanks for that.” “You’re welcome.” “But I can’t let you rob banks and kill people, so...”
So yeah, not too much to talk about after this episode, but that’s kind of a good thing right now. We just have two weeks to go nuts thinking about that promo for the next new episode. Hell’s prison? Holy crap! That sounds pretty damn cool.
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Comments
It was wonderful to have something to laugh about again. And there was music. Major Tom - a good piece and so fitting at that moment.
Wasn't much on Sam's second thought but all in all I am glad they didn't leave us with a worrysom ep for 2 weeks.
This was a typical crazy Edlundian - thank you Ben.
But somehow not as bloody as I expected.
Diane
I loved the story (I´m only picky about details and logic if I don´t enjoy the whole thing), the fun poked at UFOs and the subculture surrounding sightings of them. I also loved how the cliched nutty elderly lady, owner of the small cups, turned out to be the one in possession of the hard facts needed by the brothers to get out of their mess.
I loved the humour in the entire episode in general and especially the brilliantly acted, funny, well-timed scenes between the brothers, and I loved how it wasn´t just humour for the sake of it, but also used to illustrate the state and nature of their relationship.
I also enjoyed that we are now seeing Sam´s POV as well, and how his approach to things does have its merits at times - when tempered a little.
Again, his attitude sometimes reminds me of that of a small child who, without any preconception, will ask: Yes, but why? I remember when my son was little and would ask me a question like that, I used to stop and think, yes, really, why? A lot of good questions get asked that way, and I remember learning quite a lot about myself and life in general in those days.
Enjoyable as this episode was to me, it throws a dispiriting light on Dean´s current state of mind: Suffering is the only game in town? Come on, Dean, it´s not that bad, even with your kind of life. And you wonder why Sam isn´t in a hurry to get back to that?
Dean is seriously depressed. He has always been a live-in-the-moment guy, which is great at times, but his moments now seem to be just black. He is stuck and can´t get out. And Sam, the way he is now, is no help to him.
Dean in his good old fashion, manages to push it down and push it down most of the time, but, at the moment at least, his general outlook on life seems to be bleak. It hurt to hear him say that, and so matter-of-factly.
So Sam is having second thoughts?
I´m not bothered by him lying again, after all Dean made it very clear that he couldn´t really handle all of what SoullessSam encompasses, and his "fake it till you make it" was clear. So Sam, I think, is pretending to want it, hoping (can he hope?) that the rest will follow.
That´s the most he can manage at the moment.
As for the second thoughts:
The situation in a way appears to me like a shadow of Swan Song at the end: There, Sam had to make a difficult decision, and he managed to make it with the help of Dean, Dean´s love palpable to him and his own felt memories of their bond.
Now, he has a depressed Dean who barely has the strength to more or less accept this new Sam and live with him.
He can´t really help Sam at the moment, and Sam can´t do it on his own the way things are now, his memories are just that, no feelings behind them, and the present is showing him through Dean that feelings suck, because they make you suffer all the time.
So, before Sam truly wants his soul back, something will have to happen, and I´m sure it will.
The last scene somehow illustrated that, not just the dialogue, but the entire setup.
They both sit on the Impala, there´s beer, so you expect them to both have some, and talk.
Only they don´t, Sam´s not having beer. It´s like "what´s wrong with this picture"? It looks familiar, but something is off. Another similar scene comes to mind, after Sex and Violence, they have their drinks leaning against the Impala, but there´s soda in the bottles, and that fact alone described what was happening: everything looked to be fine, "we are good", but on the inside it was wrong.
So, taken to this episode, does that mean they are still not on the same page? Sam not mirroring Dean, is that just the instinctive reaction missing(the way people mirror each other subconsciously in close conversation) or is it more of a Sam does not want what Dean wants?
One last stray thought that´s not only related to this episode. Is it just me or does Sam - of all the creatures we have met - most closely resemble the angels?
I think this one scene in this episode set me off about that: Sam asking Dean "You´re upset?" in this wondering guessing ways, I was so reminded of Cas in that moment.
It´s not just that, like them, he doesn´t sleep. It´s more his approach to feelings, the way he studies them to try and comprehend what´s behind them. And he is facing the same question Cas faced in S4 - illustrated, among other things by discussions held with Anna and with Dean on separate occasions : why would anyone want to have feelings, if they are so painful? Isn´t peace of mind so much better?
So why is Sam resembling the angels? Does that have any significance relating to the story? I´m wondering about that.
Their mindsets seem to be really similar.
Anyway, loved this episode! *confused Dean face*..."Nipples??"
I still believe this is Sam though, I´m quite sure actually, not because of the way things present themselves, that would leave it wide open for "Sam" being an angel or someone/something else. I just don´t think Sera and the team would give us half a season without Sam being there at all. Sam with a major part missing is already pushing it, but no Sam at all? I just can´t believe they would do that - unless they can get it across that Sam was somehow there and "part of it" as well, in spite of being an angel´s muppet.
Also, from what came across from Michael´s personality, this is not him - doesn´t mean he is not involved somehow, though.
Yes, the nipples....this entire scene sent me on the floor laughing. "I´m not supposed to laugh, am I?"
Yume & Kellymom - Ever since we found out that Sam doesn't sleep, I thought "angel" though I can't figure out how or what that means. I also don't necessarily believe that Crowley is in charge or control of Sam's soul.
Also, did Sam take that book? It could come in handy if they need to call on a leprechaun some day?! I'm still giggling every once in a while when I think about "Nipples??"
But still done speculating, for now. I am HOPING we get Samsoul back before the end of the season. Even hoping for it back before hellatus. I'll be happy to wait through that as long as I know Sammy will be back on the other side. The ep was great, but ya, I still miss our puppy dog eyed boy. And that was the first, and let's hope the only, time that I hid behind my hands when shirtless Sam came on screen! That was just soooo awkward!
Yume, thanks for pointing out the similarities between Sam and the angels. I'd not connected that before and now my brain juices are going.
I enjoyed this episode thoroughly and had to pause just too laugh! (talk about scaring the cat!)
I really enjoyed the X-Files references and LOVED the Pinocchio stuff too. I picked up on the "Jiminy Cricket" vibe from Dean a few episodes ago! It really is fitting.
Dean really is depressed. So Sad. It's one thing to think you want something(someone) but another to have and to lose. Dean must feel so alone and yes, suffering is the only game in town for him. If the only thing Sam can acknowledge from his past memories is that having a soul was harder and "suffering is the only game in town" no wonder he is having second thoughts! I had a feeling that was coming! Oh dear.
If I ever banned from here (it’s possible), I’m giving you fair warning that I’m coming back under the name ‘Oberon’. That’s a cool name.
Dean in the prison station. As soon as he hears the guy is the DA, he just KEEPS ON DIGGING!!! Dean, lesson for tonight, know when you’ve said enough and then stop.
I think Dean is funniest when his masculinity is challenged. His sense of chivalry kicks in and he just flounders. I mean a teeny, tiny, glowing, naked lady… I bet that wasn’t in John’s diary. ‘She hit me’! I’d say Dean found it easier to be attacked by the vampire than to admit that. And he didn’t even hit her back (though the microwave is now second in line for most gruesome deaths, behind Bobby’s wood-chipper.)
Re. all the tie-ins with the X-Files, add the episode ‘Bad Blood’, where Ronnie the vampire can’t attack Mulder until he counts the sunflower seeds.
It seems a potential side effect of losing your soul is that it makes you horny as hell. Who knew! When this gets out, they’re going to be lining up to deal with Crowley.
I noticed the ‘angelic’ Sam insinuations too. Not just the not sleeping but the inappropriateness in social situations, taking things literally etc. Also, the learned behavior in pouring the whiskey, the hand on the knee and the ‘This is a saferoom’ are vintage Castiel when he was becoming more human. Doubt he’s an angel though. I dare say Castiel would have picked that up during his angelic cavity search.
Question, in the fairy ladies home, what was the dialogue when they were commenting on the decor. I can’t make it out. (There were quite a few instances in this episode I’d difficulty making out words)
‘My brother was abducted by aliens. I’ve had time to adjust’. ‘Did it happen when you were kids’ ‘No, like half an hour ago’. The whole matter of fact way this line was delivered just cracked me up (Reminds me of Sam, Interrupted, 'His name is Castiel, he wears a trenchcoat'.)
A few musings: Sam seems fairly certain his soul, regardless of who has it, is still in hell. I wonder how much thought he’s given to the state his soul will be in when it’s returned. I can’t think of a valid reason why Sam would voluntarily choose to get his soul back. He’s so unburdened and free now, whereas before he acted like the weight of the world was on his shoulders. Who wouldn’t want to be free from that? Maybe he’ll want it back because it’s what Dean wants. I dunno.....
It’s strange. Last week we had the same Sam, but the lack of soul seemed to turn him into a callous dick. In this episode, same Sam but the lack of soul makes him more neutral. Honestly, it’s like watching two completely different characters.
This (completely neutral) way is the way I’d expect someone with no soul to act, constantly having to have what is right and wrong, and why, explained to them.
It reminds me of an argument I had with my 5 year old niece in relation to why she shouldn’t go out in the road. Me: ‘Come off the road.’ Her: ‘Why?’ Me: ‘A car could come and knock you down’ Her:‘If a car comes I’ll get out of the way’ Me: ‘The car will be coming very fast, you won’t be able to get out of the way’ Her: ‘I can run fast and if I see a car coming I’ll get out of the way’ Me:‘It’s still dangerous’ Her:‘Why?’ This went on for about ten minutes (she won).
This reminds me of where Sam is at the moment. If you give him a valid enough argument, he’ll listen (ie with not making a deal). If you don’t, he won’t (checking out the waitress). He’s very childish and (in this episode) very innocent. He doesn’t have emotion so he can’t comprehend it in others. How many people here have heard a child say something really inappropriate to someone and then genuinely not understand why they’re being punished for it?
I think Bookdal, on an earlier topic, suggested that Sam was all id and ego and no super-ego. (I hadn’t time to acknowledge and reply, sorry) but I feel this is remarkably apt. Sams id wants what it wants; food, beer, sex, a spy in the vampire lair etc. His ego (the action part) will seek to satisfy that; buying food, hiring a hooker, letting Dean get turned etc. will seek to satisfy the id because the superego isn't there to say 'no'; fast food is bad for you so get a salad, paying for sex is inappropriate and letting your brother get turned will mean 10,000 different topics will be dedicated to that one act.
Strangely, if you take the superego as the old ‘angel and devil on your shoulder’ to help you dictate your actions, Sam has been sans angel and all devil for a good while now. Freud wouldn’t be surprised at how Sam is acting now because Lucifer and the demons have been on Sam’s shoulder since he was a kid. It's actually a credit to the guy he's not more fupped up.
Finally, Sam, you were as hot as hell using the old bit of Gaeilge, but you were shite at actually speaking it. I’m available for tuition if you need it (and you do....)
As for the Fairylady's house decor....Sam said it looked like Sedona, Arizona crapped in here? It sounded like Dean said "huborific"? but I've no idea if that's even a real word! I was still laughing at Jared's HUGE hands trying to drink from a teeny tiny tea cup! bwahahaha!
I can speak it fairly well but could only make out certain words, soilse (light), dunta (closed), agus (and), seo (here), siar (westwards), duinnse (to pave the way) etc etc. That’s my meagre translation of and I’m going to stop now in case I conjure up a leprechaun or something!
Different regions of Ireland have different dialects and phraseology so honestly, they could have been saying something completely different. I'd be speaking Munster Irish and I 'd have fierce difficulty understand what someone speaking Ulster Irish would be saying.
It makes doing exams in it an awful curse...
It had so many great lines and moments, it was nice to be able to laugh again.
With Dean being Jiminy (parent/teacher) and Sam being Pinocchio (child/student), soulless Sam was actually enjoyable. I do think Dean needs to tone down the negativity of having a soul if he wants Sam to get his soul back. However I can relate when being constantly asked questions and having to explain everything, it can get frustrating after awhile. One tends to tell the questioner to just accept the answer whether it’s appealing or not.
The X-Files shout out was great, with the UFO referencing and I loved the opening. I thought Castiel was going to be in this, but on the second watch I noticed they didn’t have starring Misha Collins, they just showed his name.
The micro-waving of the fairy however reminded me of Gremlins.
I see they tried to explain why Sam had showed emotions in previous episodes.
“I was faking it, ever since we got back on the road together, I was picking every word, it's exhausting!"
I have to say Sam is very quick on his feet then, because there were moments with his facial expressions and his reaction were so immediate, that to me, there was no way he had time to ‘pick his words’. But I will let that go and move on.
As to why Sam would care about having a soul or not, I think it’s based on the memories he has. The love, the relationship and devotion he had with Dean. Although he can’t feel it I would image he remembers how important it was to him.
Same with why Sam would hunt if he didn’t really care about humanity. I think there are two major factors that directed Sam in this. One being from his memories, hunting was pretty much his whole life and it would be the only thing Sam would know how to do.
Secondly there is Samuel’s involvement. We still haven’t been told how the two Sam’s met and how they started working together. But I believe with Samuel’s deal he probably was informed that Sam was brought back as well and to enlist him in his hunting mission.
I still don’t believe Crowley is working on his own on this and that he had the mojo to bring both Sam’s back to the living, but whoever he is working with they wanted a soulless Sam in the field since he would make a great soldier. With no guilt, no hesitation, just go in and get the job done.
The issue of Sam having sex, while Dean was missing, did bring out Sam’s lack of concern, but without any emotion I actually understood his reasons. Sam may not feel things on a emotional level but he still feels things on a physical one. So I would imagine he still gets physical urges that he would need to relieve. Plus with the man never being able to sleep, what better way to free up some spare time than with some physical exercise.
I still need to understand how sleeplessness is related to not having a soul. It is both physically and mentally impossible for a human to go without sleep for any extended time with out some kind of repercussions. I think there is more supernatural stuff going on than just this soulless thing.
It looks like the show is heading in the direction of deals being offered to the brothers for the return of Sam’s soul. Not sure how I feel about this, I’m so tired of this soulless storyline, but I guess I will have to see how they play this out.
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