Preview and Episode Discussion: "Like A Virgin" (6.12)
Thursday, 03 February 2011 23:34 | Last Updated on Friday, 04 February 2011 00:04 | Written by Sablegreen | 
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Preview of “Like a Virgin” (6.12)
(Spoiler alert!)
This Friday's episode of Supernatural (preempted from last Friday) is destined to be a series classic based on all the advanced reviews of the show. While every review agrees they can’t divulge too much about the Sam stuff, what they can reveal is fantastic. First and foremost, they all agree that the Dean and Sam of earlier years are back. The interaction between the brothers now is very different from those we saw in the first half of the season. The best of Dean and Sam's brotherly dynamics is in play. Many agree the boys are most like the brothers of season two, though ‘Sam’ of season one has been suggested as well. Regardless, the loving brotherly relationship has been something fans have been wanting for two years, and according Sera Gamble’s interview with Mo Ryan, the brothers’ relationship will be “puppy dogs and rainbows” from now on. Let’s hope it's true!
But let’s start at the beginning. The episode starts with a two-minute "Road So Far" montage set to classic rock music which reminds you of everything that's happened so far this year. Reviews also report there are several excellent music cues in the episode, including a piece that seems very magical and medieval in tone.
“Like A Virgin” picks up immediately where “Appointment in Samarra” left off. It is minutes after Death has returned Sam’s soul and Dean and Bobby are awaiting Sam’s fate. Cass responds to Dean’s call, and confirms Sam’s soul is back in place, however, Cass restates he objection to Sam being re-souled, and has more warnings for Dean about the condition Sam’s soul is in.
If you’ve seen the promos, you know Sam is back on his feet in plenty of time to help slay the virgin-stealing dragons, although once awake, Sam has no memories of his time on earth without his soul. Jared Padalecki turns in a wonderful performance that is a great change from Robo!Sam, especially if soulless!Sam was not your thing to begin with.
By all reports, the emotional reunion of the boys is a scene we have all been waiting for since the first episode of the season. (I, personally, am hoping for a brotherly hug beyond any brotherly hug we have ever seen in the series’ 5 years!) There will be quite a few tender moments of hugging, camaraderie, and special chats between the boys once Sam wakes up, including a classic impala chat more towards the end of the episode. Sam and Dean do appear to be on the same page -- at least momentarily.
But there is also some residual tension, at least on Bobby’s end, for the way Sam treated him. He is glad to have Sam back, but it’s not everyday you forget and forgive someone you love holding a knife to you. Seems the relationship between Bobby and Sam has suffered seriously, but not irreparably.
And who would have thought that Bobby was a Harry Potter fan! But yea, he it! Apparently he really does read everything. And there are a lot of other one-liners that keep the episode from getting to ‘dark and dreary’, according to one reviewer. Here are some of the ones we will be treated to on Friday (compliments of Danielle Turchiano’s review - LA TV Insider Examiner.)
“Just because it kills your liver don’t mean it ain’t medicine.” – Bobby Singer
“I’m sending Death a damn fruit basket!” – Dean Winchester
“What was that?” [Re: Bobby’s attitude] – Sam Winchester
“One part age, one part liquor.” – Dean Winchester
“Nobody’s judging anybody here…but should you really be wearing that ring?” – Dean Winchester
“What kind of thing likes virgins and gold?” – Sam Winchester
“P. Diddy?” – Dean Winchester
Castiel and Sam also share a scene together. It’s a big one by all reports which includes an awkward and very funny moment as Cass tries to show his true feelings about Sam's return. It was also revealed that while Cass is only in the show a short time, he plays a crucial role in the episode overall.
And, oh, the comedy! All of the reviews raved about the comical parts of the episode. A scene with Dean will make us laugh out loud. Basically, Dean fights a stone which is all part of Dean’s quest to acquire the dragon-slaying sword. TVOvermind reports Kim Johnston Ulrich makes a guest appearance as Dr. Visyak, a ‘sassy female medieval expert’ who is a professor on all things dragon, and apparently has a history with Bobby. She does some awesome facial expressions during Dean’s fight with the rock. By all reports this scene is comedic to the max, and Jensen does a superb job with it.
Also Dean does a 40min commentary on virgins which is something none of us want to miss. In one of the trailers we see Dean telling Sam about the missing virgins and the way he said ‘virgins’ was so much like the old Dean, it gave me goose bumps. Yes…seems old Dean is back, and what a welcome return.
As for the case and the MOTW, it’s a classic Supernatural tale with glimpses at a scary creature and girls who need rescuing. We learn a great deal more about the mythology of season, as promised by Sera Gamble, and are also introduced to a new villain who is ‘more formidable than those who have come before’. SCARY!
While waiting for Sam to wake, Bobby works on translating a really old manual, to figure out why the virgins are being taken. Dean makes a mention of Crowley and then holds a somewhat lingering gaze after finishing his thought. The moment leaves one reviewer to wonder “if when all is said and done there is a ritual somewhere that could unleash all of the previously vanquished demons back on Earth." EVEN MORE SCARY. Can’t imagine Lilith, Ruby, Alistair, and Azazel all back in the Winchester world!
All of the hints about Purgatory and the alphas start to come together. Obviously we don’t get all of the information yet, but we’re certainly are given more than what we’ve seen to date. As for the dragon, it’s an ‘original twist on a timeless legend. Basically, the coolest dragon ever.’
The official synopsis: DEATH RETURNS FOR A MEETING WITH DEAN — Dean and Bobby anxiously wait for Sam to wake up to see if Death was able to restore his soul without causing Sam to lose his mind. Meanwhile, Dean and Bobby investigate a disappearance of virgins and discover dragons are behind the kidnappings. Bobby sends Dean to a doctor who owns the only weapon in the world that can slay a dragon, but Dean must prove himself worthy enough to take it. CW Publicity
The CW promo videos for the episode are below.
All reviewers agree “Like a Virgin” is emotional, funny, action-packed, and full of lighthearted banter between the brothers with many pop culture references. Adam Glass gets a lot points from reviewers for his well-balanced script and director Phil Scriggia keeps the story moving along, with some very ingenious camera shots, including one of the boys from the back seat of the impala.
The episode seems to be a classic blend of Supernatural emotion and humor and definitely one episode you don’t want to miss.
Hope everyone, everywhere welcomes the boys back in style! It has been a long time coming.
Happy episode all! Come back and tell us what you think!
For all the latest Supernatural info and article links, follow The Winchester Family Business on Twitter at @WinFamBusiness
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Comments
I don’t think I’ve been this excited about something since before someone spilled the beans about Santa.
Thanks for gathering all these up and putting them in the one spot, Sablegreen. It makes the upcoming episode so much more concrete (and there’s less fear of it being whipped away like it was last week....)
C’moooon tomorrow morning. (Does anyone else feel they are wishing their lives away at this point?)
I can't wait for the epi either. The boys ‘back to normal’ has been the fans dream for two and a half years. Gamble should have done this from the start of s6. The bro vs bro theme needs to be left FAR behind!
Thanks for reading! I really like doing spoilers and I'm glad when others enjoy them too.
I'm with you Sablegreen. I'm thrilled they are back together and don't mind bumps along the way but worry when I read things that say "the brothers are on the same page...for now" Keep the for now out of here and keep the brothers back together again. It has been a long, very long time.
Thanks for keeping the spoilers up to date and making them fun to read. You're doing a fantastic job.
And they already made that mistake in season 5, when they reunited Sam and Dean after 2 episodes when they spend one season to create a rift between them.
I have a problem with the brothers' relationship being “puppy dogs and rainbows” from now on. I just don't buy that "from now on", so I'll watch this episode with... how could I explain it? Oh my poor English... I just hope it really IS from now on, I've been missing it for much too long.
But honestly, is that the best test for a "brave knight" that you've ever seen? That setup, from the professor smirking to Dean's cavalier attitude while grabbing the sword, it majorly wins.
The episode was great! So nice seeing Sam's puppy dog eyes again, and Dean wanting 'women of experience'. LOL. Hope the boys stay back on track now! Really want some good MOTW for the last half of this season!
Sam's back to being a nerd and Dean's back to his trademark humor. This episode rang of season 2 while respecting everything that's happened since and that thrills me beyond belief. The "Comic Con" line was probably my favorite of the night though the sheer number of pop culture references was hilarious. This episode is exactly why I love this show.
You know I actually thought I would be crying at the first when Sam woke up but it was when he was talking to Cas who spilled the beans on what had happened with him over the last year and half that had me screaming "NO! Don't tell him Cas!" and reaching for the tissues.
I'm sad that Sam once again feels he must justify actions that he had no control over (T1000 Sam was just NOT Sam) but I was so HAPPY to see his Puppy Dog eyes back in play and Dean's happy little smile when he realized Sam was using them.
I was bit put off that Purgatory is the new hell and now we have a spin off of Lillith running around loose. And it looks like Dragons are going to be the new "demons". And please please please tell me that the relationship between Sam and Bobby will be fixed quickly because that really hurt me to watch. Along with the scene where Sam and Cas almost hug ... Did Sam just feel that he was to "tainted" for Cas to touch him? Or was it something else? I'm really confused there.
All in all I'm glad that Sam is back and Dean seems to be returning to his normal self again. The heartfelt hug between the brother's, the conversations during their interviews - it was just like I'd been hoping for and I can't wait to re-watch tomorrow.
Intro Song is perfect - We're back in the saddle again!
LOL I loved that one and the "World of Warcraft" bit - I actually play WoW so I nearly fell out of my chair laughing over that one
The Brothers Are Back!
For the first time this season I felt like I was home.
I know we are in for some bumps and turns but the brothers’ relationship will prevail.
I hope Bobby starts feeling safe around Sam again. That was hard to watch.
I understand Bobby completely, but I really hope it doesn’t last too long.
So the new Baddie is Mommy Dearest.
This should be interesting.
I just wanted to say thank you for putting this together. I avoid spoilers so I waited until the episode aired before I read/watched everything you had here.
Cheers to everyone, Jas
And Dean fight with that rock?
Loved Bobby hope he will start to feel comfortable with Sam again, Dr. Visyak looked nice and would love to know what happen between her and Bobby.And Cas of course Sam would end up calling him to figure out what was going on! Dean should know better.
Liked the dragons too, it's a good twist on the usual ones.
And the new big bad is mummy dearest? This gives a whole new meaning to the alpha vamp 'we all have a mother' speech. This is going to be interesting.
Like the intro song said we're back in the saddle again! Yes!
When Sam goes to apologize to Dean for stuff he can't remember.. oh boy, not this again, it was bad enough that Sam took the whole blame for the apocalypse when he was trying so hard to stop it (hello, Cas? First seal? etc). Personally I hope Sam regains RoboSam's memories only because the latter had awesome interrogation skills, among other skills to be envied.
Scene of Sam and Cas, kind of strange for the following reasons:
1) Cas actually responded to Sam's prayer when he ignored RoboSam's for a year
2) Cas seemed so GLAD to see Sam when he has been against the re-souling idea from day one and rather leave Sam in the cage to suffer.
3) Cas trying to hug Sam. Has Cas ever done that?
4) Sam shy away from Cas' awkward attempt at affection.
Perhaps Sam's avoiding Cas' hug was because he was about to trick Cas into spilling the beans and was feeling guilty about it?
I quite agree with you there.
I did have the impression though that while Sam was really sorry for what happened, he was feeling rather responsible as opposed to guilty. Not the same thing at all.
I´m hoping they´ll mostly keep it this way. I can see Sam feeling responsible - it was a part of him acting after all - but I really hope he isn´t in for another guilt trip.
As for Sam avoiding Cas´s hug - that was really painful to watch for me - I think it was really because he was about to "play" him and didn´t want to make the hug into a part of it. Sam is a good liar, but he is also a very sincere person at heart who, I think, would have preferred to be straight with Cas. Showing him affection and then proceding to lie to him would have made the lie worse in a way.
Oh, and I really liked the episode, too.
I loved the brotherly parts and the touching and still unmushy way it was done. I loved the acting, especially the non-verbal parts that came across really wonderfully.
As for the villain arc, well, let´s see where they´ll go from here. Sounds intriguing. Could be good.
Sam even comments on his "non-hug" to Cas, when ignoring it alltogether would have been the less awkward choice, but, I´m guessing, he couldn´t bring himself to leave Cas completely hanging, so he basically tells him, "I do care for you, and I am happy to see you, it´s just.. - and then he never says what exactly it is that keeps him from hugging Cas. Thus my guess.
2) Cas was glad to see Sam ALIVE and WELL; he was sure that resouling him would affect him in irreparable ways, maybe permanent coma or insanity, but seeing that it isn't so he's more than happy, I suppose
3) That is reinforcing my idea that Cas is trying to be more "human" towards Sam and Dean, like Dean asked him to be; plus, Cas was always a bit awkward in human relationships, never knowing how to express feelings and emotions, and now he's SO happy, but he doesn't know hw to express it, so he goes on that little he knows of human expression of affection
4) Sam is shying away, IMO, exactly because he's not used to such expressions from Cas, and he knows how these expressions are awkward for Cas; maybe he's also embarassed thinking that their last encounter (the last he can remember, in Swan Song) wasn't exactly "friendly"...
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