Recap – “Clap Your Hands If You Believe”
Sam leaves but hippie chick is still interested and follows him. “I’d like to help, if I can.” Sam is interested, but looks at her like she’s another piece of meat instead of a woman with knowledge. She smiles at him, he smiles back, gives her a “let’s hook up” look and you can so predict what’s happening next. I’m already chuckling.
Sure enough, back to the corn, which is rustling in the wind. In one area. Dean emerges from a white light firing away, frantic and waving his knife and gun. The view from inside the dark motel room (again a huge bravo for these creative shots) shows Dean’s silhouette passing by. He opens the door, turns on the light, and then freezes, not sure if he can take another shock. You got it, Sam and hippie chick are naked in bed together, right in the middle of…oh what euphemism should I use? Let’s just say that Sam was doing his own version of alien probing. I can only guess a big guy like that would have one impressive probe. Sorry, I’ll stop there.
Anyway, Sam and hippie chick seem rather confused by why they’re being interrupted until a surprised Sam looks over at the incredulous man by the door. “Dean!” “Oh, that’s Dean,” hippie chick says to Sam, very pleased to hear that. “Sam, they brought your brother back.” Both are all smiles. Dean is speechless. If this is Sam “faking it until he makes it” I’m loving it. I know it’s only going to get better too.
The now clothed hippie chick picks up her belongings while Sam throws on a yummy black t-shirt (yes, I watched that small bit in slo-mo several times) all while a deflated Dean stands by the door. Hippie chick is still all smiles. “It’s alright Sam, I so totally understand. You need time as a family.” Dean looks like he wants to strangle her but refrains. Hippie chick though pushes her luck. “But it’s just…what was it like?” She’s treating it like Dean got to meet his lifelong idol or something. Dean clearly wants to kill her now and Sam with the slightly messed up hair (yes I notice these things) seems confused by Dean’s reaction. “They were grabby incandescent douchebags, goodnight.” She gets it. “Too soon.” She leaves.
Dean, closes the door and then leans against it exhaustively, his back turned from Sam (another perfect shot). Sam is really confused now. “You’re upset,” he notices. Yeah, good call Sam! Dean isn’t going to pussy foot around with Pinocchio here. “I was abducted, and you were banging Patchouli.” “I didn’t think she smell that bad,” Sam answers, totally missing the reference. “I was abducted by aliens!” Dean reiterates. Sam claims he was looking into it, but Dean can’t see how since he was gone for an hour. All Sam needs is the time off his cell phone (a Blackberry Sam, really? Shouldn’t you have an Android or iPhone by now?) 4:07. Dean was gone all night. Sam is fascinated. “UFO time slip.” Glad to see he’s getting something out of this.
“That actually falls in line with a lot of abduction stories,” a bare footed Sam (yes I notice those things too) says fetching a drink for Dean. Dean, who is a bit stunned by losing that much time, goes to sit on the edge of the bed, but quickly realizes he’s about to sit on the bed that Sam and hippie chick just tainted. He stops himself and goes over to his unmade bed. Hee, nice touch.
Sam comes over, hands Dean a drink which he downs instantly. Sam pours him another. An enthusiastic Sam sits on his “tainted” bed asking Dean what happened, pretending to care. Dean doesn’t know where to begin. “There was this um, God help me Sam there was the bright white light…” He can’t go on. So Sam in a totally off gesture of sympathy puts his hand on Dean’s leg. “It’s okay, safe room.” This is better than pure sympathetic Sam! Dean looks like he’s ready to snap, so Sam pulls his hand away.
Dean goes on. Suddenly he was in a different place, there were beings that were too bright to look at. “I could feel them pulling me toward this sort of…table.” “Probing table!” Sam blurts in fascination. “God, don’t say that out loud!” Dean yells. Sam is confused. Yes, lack of a soul probably doesn’t catch when someone’s manliness is jeopardized.
So what did Dean do? “I went crazy. I started hacking and slashing and firing…” Suddenly Dean gets a burst of pride. “They actually seemed surprised. I don’t think anyone’s ever done that before.” Dean stands up and now he’s really beaming. “I had a close encounter Sam, and I won.” Sam instantly jumps to, “You should take a shower.” Dean agrees, kind of on the verge of losing it. “I should take a shower. I’m going to take a shower now.” He quickly goes into the bathroom. A perplexed Sam starts thinking about this.
It should be noted this week marks the return of the totally outrageous motel room. For one, it’s another one of those mural rooms. This time its a thick dark forest. There are corn cobs for a room divider, chairs that have this ugly leaf pattern that blends in perfectly with the mural, and the green bed spreads with black knots I swear have been used in another episode before. Somewhere in season two I think. I’ll have to go back and check to see what episode it is. Someday. Whatever it is, they are so delightfully tacky they deserve a comeback.
Sam and Dean are in a diner and Dean is still hung up on the alien thing. Did you even go to bed Dean? We know Sam did, but not the sleeping kind. He asks Sam if aliens are real what’s next, Hobbits? Hey, I do actually believe those are real. Sam isn’t paying attention, for he’s throwing suggestive looks at the hot waitress. She’s his type, brunette. Dean is aghast. “You just gave her the silent ‘how are you doing?'” Sam denies, but he so did. Which is the segue to the next great bit. I’m just going to type out the transcript of this. It’s precious.
Dean: Our reality is collapsing around us and you’re trying to pick up our waitress?
Sam: Okay, look, brings up a question. Say you’ve got a soul, and you’re on a case and your brother gets abducted by aliens.
Dean: Then you do everything you can to get him back.
Sam: Right, you do, but what if there are no more leads for the night? I mean are you just supposed to sit there in the dark and suffer, even though there’s nothing that can be done at the moment?
Dean: Yes!
Sam: What?
Dean: Yes. You sit in the dark and you feel the loss.
Sam: Absolutely. But couldn’t I do all that and have sex with the hippie chick?
Dean: No.
Sam: It would be in the dark.
Dean: No, you couldn’t because you would be suffering and you just can’t turn that off for the night.
(Waitress comes by with the check, Sam gives her another suggestive look and Dean looks like he’s ready to flip out. Sam stops).
Sam: Why not?
Dean: Because if you had a soul, your soul wouldn’t let you.
Sam: So you’re saying, having a soul equals suffering.
Dean: Yes, that’s what I’m saying.
Sam: Like, the million times you almost called Lisa. So you’re saying suffering is a good thing.
Dean: I’m saying it’s the only game in town.
(Dean gets up and Sam looks confused)
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!