Alice’s Review – “Weekend at Bobby’s”

It’s strange that the best episode of season six so far has about five minutes of Sam and Dean in it but it also makes perfect sense.  Maybe that’s due to the fact that their story has been hard to watch. The brotherly rift is too uncomfortable, Sam is too damaged, the Campbells are too weird, Ben and Lisa are too much of a change. Bobby has always been the stable rock and putting the focus on him for once was the change of pace we desperately need. He’s getting on with his normal life which is pretty darned hectic. In between it all though, he’s not letting Crowley keep his soul. Lucky for him, he had more than the year Dean had in season three. Lucky for Bobby, he’s getting well earned payback for all those favors he’s done through the years. To use one overdone cliche, he gets by “with a little help from his friends”.   

I’m being harsh though, for season six hasn’t been bad.  In it’s execution, it’s been very good actually.  Even the stories of monsters acting strangely for both Sam and Dean and Rufus is very interesting.  However, we needed to come up for some air. Lucky for us, so did Jensen Ackles, who finally got his chance to step behind the camera. He couldn’t have gotten a better story. “Weekend at Bobby’s” is evenly paced (not too fast, not too slow), humorous, suspenseful, and loaded with character chemistry, the one thing that has been sorely missing from this season.  Jim Beaver, in his first full spotlight episode, delivers a major career gem here. 

Chemistry usually thrives when the characters are allowed to be themselves and that was so the case here. Strong directing and writing pushes that chemistry, usually through comfortable story telling. Kim Manners as a director was the master of great story telling and Jensen obviously has a role model there. There isn’t a lot of director’s tricks or fancy angles. He let the actors and strong dialogue work for themselves and boy did they. His job was to use the camera to bring out the most from the story and he did awesome.   

The character dynamics haven’t been this strong in a while, but it helps to bring together the perfect mix of established characters. We knew Bobby and Rufus were friends, in a cranky antagonistic sort of way, so enter the golden opportunity to bring that out more.  It is every bit as great as we thought it would be. Bobby won’t ask for help and Rufus won’t stop helping. Enter Sheriff Jodie Mills from “Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid”, another strong character who’s experiences with the irascible Bobby Singer are vague. Her protection of him now is endearing and it’s nice to see Bobby gain allies like this. Bobby also gets a new friend in the sweet neighbor Marcy, who must be a woman that adores mystery. Once she sees the other side of that mystery though, she has enough. “Story of my life,” Bobby says after she rescinds her offer that he come over for dinner. Sure, being sprayed by monster juices by her wood chipper is a good reason to be put off. We’re left to wonder how many times that’s happened to Bobby throughout the years.  

Even dastardly ole Crowley is brilliant in his scenes with Bobby, though his problems have multiplied hundred fold now that he’s the King of Hell. He’s not quite the terrifying evil we had seen before and combined with last week angels, demons, and humans all seem to be on even ground these days.  The best dynamic though exists between Bobby and Sam and Dean, for we finally get to see if from the other side. Bobby has his own problems and Sam and Dean are not the center of the universe. There are other worlds out there beside the one called Winchester. We learn Bobby has the patience of a saint too, especially when Dean calls twice for a quick answer and doesn’t stick around for more details, although he is excused the second time given Sam’s perilous tossing by monster. Bobby never gets a thank you, despite all the trouble that went into finding out information, including a break-in at the local library. Bobby’s rant at the brothers is long overdue and I do wonder if his point that their knowledge about each other calling Bobby to bitch will get them talking. Nah, that’s wishing too much. 

Continuity rules, and as with their other episodes writers Andrew Dabb and Daniel Loflin did their homework. Aside from the afore mentioned extensions of established characters, they did remember Dean’s fear of flying and Sam again got to make fun of it. There’s the crossroads demon in the black dress, Bobby’s interrogation being interrupted with some familiarity to “A Very Supernatural Christmas” (“Are you going to get that?”) credit to Ashke for that one), Rufus’ affinity for fine alcohol, Crowley realizing that other demons are pretty stupid (a depiction that was done quite a bit last season), and Crowley calling Sam “moose”. There’s also Marcy wearing a white nightgown, although I think that was done just because the red blood looks better spattered on it.  My absolute favorite though is Rufus finding Gavin MacLeod’s (the Love Boat captain?) ring at The Maritime Museum in Andover.  Sound familiar? Yes, the very same museum that Sam, Dean and Bela infiltrated in “Red Sky At Morning.” That’s a strange callback.  I’m sure I’ll find others for the recap.   

There are also numerous nuggets in this episode for the fans. I get to cross another item off my “Supernatural” wish list. How does Sera Gamble know what’s on it? Sam and Dean take an international road trip! To Scotland nonetheless! I’ve been to that part of northern Scotland before and it’s beautiful. The castle in the background though looks a lot like Doune Castle, where they filmed Monty Python and The Holy Grail. However the landscape doesn’t match, but only us ignorant Americans and Canadians wouldn’t know (right Suze?)  Ah well, Scotland is Scotland and it’s not Ohio for once.  We even get a scene with them driving on the left side of the road crammed into a European compact car. It certainly gives us the perfect picture how large the Impala really is. 

Other Random Notes

The hubby and I as you all probably know are computer people. We do that for a living. We found it laughable that Bobby is still using a Windows 3.1 PC and getting great pictures that fast over a modem. I get the sentiment that Bobby uses old things, but that was a bit ridiculous. Dean’s cell phone has more juice in it. 

As was mentioned in many other places (including Robin’s review on this site), the voice on the news report from Galveston was from Alan Ackles. Yep, the actor father of this episode’s rookie director and show’s star. 

So, Bobby has a theme song now! I can’t think of a better one that Kenny Rogers’ “The Gambler”. We know Dean’s is “Smoke on The Water”. What’s Sam’s you think?

Ooh, speaking of Sam, what was up with that exchange with him and Crowley in the graveyard? Dean threatens to burn the bones anyway and Sam stops him. What does that mean “A deal’s a deal”? What did you do Sam? The mystery deepens, although luckily it was the only one we had to ponder this week. I’m a bit mysteried out these days. 

Normally when reviewing and grading an episode, I give thorough attention to the perfect combination. I give high marks to the ones with the best blend of acting, writing, directing, set decoration, VFX, SFX, and even score. With “Weekend At Bobby’s”, that normal rule book is being thrown out the window. I’m giving it an A. Why? Because it made me feel good.

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Alice Jester

Alice Jester is the founder, editor-in-chief, head writer, programmer, web designer, site administrator, marketer, and moderator for The Winchester Family Business.  She is a 30 year IT applications and database expert with a penchant for creative and freelance writing in her spare (ha!!) time.  That’s on top of being a wife, mother of two active kids, and four loving (aka needy) pets.