All hail Edlund! So, are you thinking this was my chance to kick back and write a fun one for a change? It’s fun, but this episode was loaded with so much detail it makes for one busy recap. I do wonder if the script specifically instructed “make opening look exactly like The X-Files.” If not, the director John Showalter is a big fan. He nailed it.
(The full photo gallery for this episode can be found here. Plenty more photos than what can be seen in this recap.)
It all starts with the dark cornfield, the spooky score, and typewriter styled captioning to identify they are in Elwood, Indiana. What a perfect start! Plus, you’re not going to get more cliche for an alien abduction than two teenagers doing it in a cornfield on a blanket at night. The lovin’ is interrupted by a dark shadow in the corn. So, you’re a modern day teenager that’s seen enough slasher films, not to mention shows like “The X-Files.” What do you do? Get in the truck and get the fuck out of there, right? Why no, go into the corn and see what’s there. Yeah, that works. Nothing bad can happen.
Patrick goes into the corn, not listening at all to his paranoid girlfriend and sure enough, he gets zapped away by a bright light in the crop circle. Sorry dude, but you just begged them to take you. This is all done of course with a bit of suspense, aka the walking-through-the-corn-at-night suspense you saw on The X-Files. Girlfriend realizes Patrick is gone and stands square in the middle of the crop circle as the camera shows the overhead shot of the vast pattern. That’s quite a visual.
Yay, time for another gag opening! We haven’t had one of those in a while. I wouldn’t be surprised if they wanted to use the actual X-Files theme but couldn’t get it cleared. There’s the Supernatural logo done X-Files style, Sam and Dean staring at the stars from “Swan Song,” the hilarious alien abduction scene from “Tall Tales,” the drawing of the Wendigo from the ep of the same name, a sign from “The End,” the alien from “Tall Tales” and the howlingly funny alien slow dance shot. Then it gives opening credit, same X-Files font and style to Jared, Jensen, and Misha, who while part of the cast was sadly not in this episode. More shots of the guys doing their ghost hunting thing including the again hilarious CSI Miami entrance from “Changing Channels,” a “Created By Eric Kripke” acknowledgement followed by the absolutely perfect drive by of the Impala at night to “The Truth Is In There.” Bwah! I know somewhere Kim Manners is laughing right now.
Robert Picardo! How cool! I did watch seven seasons of “Star Trek Voyager” because my husband made me and while it wasn’t what I’d call my favorite show, Picardo’s character, The Doctor, was my favorite character. He was a holographic doctor that was forced to become the real ship’s doctor when the starship Voyager was stranded in the Delta quadrant with their actual doctor dead. It was quite a fascinating thing watching the development of a holographic being into a real person. Now he’s an alien chaser on “Supernatural.” Go figure.
It looks like he’s doing a documentary of some sort, proudly announcing that Elwood, Indiana has become a center of extra terrestrial activity. Next is the girlfriend from the teaser and she tells how there was a light and Patrick just vanished. Next is the girl we get to know as “hippie chick” later. She is all excited about this, for these entities have come to help push humanity to the next stage. What a classic Edlund line. Robert Picardo comes back and says his name is Wayne Whitaker Jr. He has recorded dozens of eyewitness accounts of strange lights in the sky and mysterious presences trying to make contact. In other words, he’s got bupkis. How many of those strange lights have ended up being spotlights from the opening of a mini mall? I love how they’ve got these alien chasing stories down pat. The next interviewee is the local sheriff who offers the real perspective here. Since “this whole damned circus has blown into town,” no one is dealing with the fact they’ve got four missing persons. Cornfield girlfriend demands to know what took “him.” Wayne Whitaker Jr seems to be brushing aside the missing people concern. “We are right in the middle of what we call a UFO flap. And I am as happy as a pig in shoes.” Ha! I’m sure that line was copied from a grandfather rambling on. What does that mean?
The sheriff insists it has nothing to do with UFOs or little green men whatsoever and then a crazy lady practically agrees with him, offering her theory. “Of course it’s not UFOs. It’s fairies.” We see she’s talking to Sam and Dean, who are playing reporters this time. Sam has a tiny notebook out and everything. Dean tactfully thanks her even though every bit of his expression thinks she’s nuts, but soulless Sam doesn’t need that filter! He gets to speak his mind. “What, flying saucers not insane enough for ya?” She asks what newspaper he’s writing for. I was waiting for the “Weekly World News” answer, but instead Sam goes on with his biting observation. “Okay, if you wanna add glitter to that glue you’re sniffing that’s fine but don’t dump your wackadoo all over us. We’d rather not step in it. The only thing you’re missing is a couple dozen cats, sister.” There are times I love Sam like this, like now, and times I don’t, like the rest. I like the biting humor. Most of the time he’s just plain mean though.
An embarrassed Dean of course apologizes for Sam, blaming it on a blood sugar thing. Sam doesn’t get why Dean did that. “You have to ask?” He sees Sam’s confused look. “Right, you do have to ask.” You see, I’m loving this here, but the inconsistencies. Sam hasn’t been this clueless the other weeks. Just an ass. Sam reiterates that this is all a big joke, they aren’t taking this UFO crap seriously. Dean agrees that “E.T. is made of rubber” but there are four legitimate vanishings in that town. Something is going on. Then Dean goes into personal coaching mode. “Sam, by the way, it’s not the lady’s fault she took the brown acid.” So? “Empathy man, empathy. I mean the old Sam would have given her some wussified dew-eyed crap.” You mean like this?
Sam, for those of us that are tuning in for the first time this season, reminds us that old Sam had a soul, or was a soul. Thanks for the recap. Dean gets to why they’re having this conversation. Sam doesn’t care. Yeah, we know. Trust me we know. Dean tells him he has to care, about everything. It’s the human thing to do. Sam points out the obvious. “I can’t care about what I don’t care about you know. What do you want me to do, fake it?” Yeah Dean, what do you want?
Dean answers yes, fake it until he makes it. So what was all that crap from last week about being honest, not pretending and all that? “You want to be a real boy Pinocchio, you’ve got to act the part.” So, let me get this straight, he wants Sam to be honest around him but fake it with everyone else? I hope that’s what he’s saying. I’d buy that. Sam is just frustrated. “I was faking it Dean. Ever since we got back on the road together I was picking every freaking word. It’s exhausting.” Dean gets that and goes another way. “Until we get you back on the soul train, I’ll be your conscience. Okay?” Sam eludes to him being his Jiminy Cricket. Dean tells him to shut up and calls him a freaking puppet. Sam gives a long annoyed look before climbing in the Impala. Yeah Sam, I’m confused myself.
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.
Your recap was a lot of fun, and so was the episode. I got a lot of laughs from roboSam in this one. He was so childlike and just a wee bit mean. Don’t like the mean uncaring Sam at all, but this one was amusing. And poor frustrated Dean was a hoot also. Poor baby! But I still hope to get the real Sam back sooner than later. This one can be just a funny guy, but the real one is beloved.
Jensen and Jared are just so awesomely good at the comedy together. Amazing! I bet they had a lot of fun doing this one.
Thank you Ben Edlund for clearing the depressing cloud for even a little time. Depressing back next episode I believe. 🙁
Loved Robert Picardo and like you Alice, he was my favourite character on “Voyager”.
Sorry Alice, but even another great recap from you, could not make me like this episode. I have read all the recaps, reviews and comments on this episode, and I have not changed my opinion. 🙁
But, it did have some funny moments. I liked Sam’s line to Whitaker, that he sucked at hunting ufo’s. I also smiled at Dean’s pride in escaping the aliens. Then there was tickerbell vs microwave oven. 😀
New math:
no soul + no sleep = no hangovers.
sorry Alice, Dean Winchester does not have ‘a bad day’. He does not run away from anyone, unless he has ‘yellow fever’. 😉
I remember seeing Robert Picardo on ‘China Beach’. The only ‘Star Trek’ I like is the original series. Never watched ‘Next Generation’, or any of the other branches. I like my ‘Star Trek’, the way I like my Coke: CLASSIC. 😆 😆
Alice, I loved this episode, and your recap brought it right back to me. A lot of funny stuff.
I can’t remember where I read this, but I thought they abducted first born sons to “serve AS” Oberon (so they would be servicing Titania), and I think that’s what Crystal lady said. But yes, Sam said “service” which I thought was funnier than if they said the same thing.
I think you’re right that Sam understands a lot more than he letting on, and he’s playing with Dean (but only so far…) He went for a whole year with no one really suspecting (even Bobby and Castiel) that there was anything wrong with him. I think he acts the part the people with him want him to play. So with Samuel, he’s the best hunter and family is important, just what Samuel wants. That act didn’t fly with Dean at all, and Sam doesn’t know what Dean expects from him, so he’s all over the map.
I don’t think the “no soul=no emotion” equation is right. Sam obviously feels some emotions, just not deep ones. I’m looking forward to getting closer to the “definition” of the soul, Supernatural style, because I don’t think they’ve told us everything yet.
Great recap, but still this episode fells like 90% of Season 06 just lackluster and a former shadow of Supernatural.
In a few days episode 10 will be aired and were are we now?
Exactly where Swan Song left us, Sam is back and somthing is wrong with him. Gee, now even the dumbest viewer must have gotten it, right?
Of course Dean is also totally OOC, but does anyone even care?
Inconstencies and sloppy writing that sums up Season 06 so far, and I’m loosing faith that this will ever change.
It has become an endless frustration to watch season 6, and I’m watching the show since the pilot aired.
No idea what is so funny to slowly destroy anthing that worked so well in the past five years, but someone down the line is getting kicks out of it, it seems.
Have fun Ms. Gamble, while ratings continue to drop.
I am abit mystified why Sera came up with this sl for Sam? again I feel at times has if Swan Song never happened and they just carried on with Sam in the wrong/bad/oh no what is Sam doing/ lying, betraying, he is mean to Dean sl they peddled for Two Seasons .Only this time lets but a different slant on it by having Sam have no soul but it is still the same thing being played out .
I am trying with this Season because I like Sera and what to give her a chance and this episode had its moments .
(comments deleted by Alice). For shame! Attacking other posters is the number one rule violation on this site. Let’s focus on the recap, shall we?
Alice, on this Thanksgiving weekend, I give thanks for your wonderfully, wickedly, witty recaps! They always give me a chuckle and a chance to relive the episode from a slightly different perspective. Which is a good thing, in my books!
Cheers, Rose 😉
Ooooh Alice, I love it when you narrate! Perfect timing on this recap. It staved off the withdrawal symptoms incurred during the Thanksgiving (which I don’t even get to celebrate!!!)
The more I see (or read about) it, the more I like it. It works well as a standalone, and as part of the larger storyline.
And only 5 more ‘sleeps’ to another episode! (whistles merrily)
Heh. I thought this was a classic. I could stand a lot more RoboSam played for laughs. I sort of hope we see the Doctorchaun again, too ( please, someone come up with a less crap nickname, and quick! ) as his backdoor skills could be handy when Crowley wriggles out of his end of the deal ( Come on, you KNOW he will weasle and welch, you just know! ) 😀
I enjoyed this ep,it brought some definitely needed light relief. But I still don’t get why Dean has been ignored in his character for this long – He’s sad, then he’s happy but confused about Sam, we get it ! (Sorry if the questions have already been answered, I’m in the UK) But I have to say, I like soulless Sam it is a bit refreshing!
But, I’m still very glad they kept Crowley – the best baddie since YED!