Recap – “Clap Your Hands If You Believe”
Dean looks over a figurine of a pixie near crystal lady and says, “That’s her.” So, John Showalter grabs the ideal shot, showing the POV of the naked pixie figurine with Sam and Dean looking over at it. Dean is disturbed, Sam actually has his “not bad” face going. You know, that’s something that has been sorely lacking this season that they constantly did with other seasons, going for these quirky little shots that add some humor to the strange situation. I know there have been a lot of new directors and writers this year but I wish they’d have kept that going.
Dean gets that “tinkerbells” are fairies, but notices her figurines of the Santa Claus and the trolls. “That’s a garden gnome and that’s a goblin,” she clarifies. “But they’re all fairies?” Dean asks. “Yes. Fairy comes in many shapes and sizes.” Sam and Dean both nod at her like she’s crackers, but probably also acknowledge every bit of this situation is crackers. Then she goes on about the fairy realm. Sam takes that to mean another dimension. Yes, another reality. “Only those that have been there and returned to our world can see the fairy here.” Well that explains why Dean and see them but Sam can’t.
Dean goes on, even though every bit of this talk is completely troubling him. “Why are the fairies abducting people?” She isn’t sure about that, for there is much theory but little fact. Kind of like what they fight every day. She knows they only take first born sons. Well, that also explains why Dean was targeted. “Just like Rumplestiltskin did.” Sam and Dean don’t ask if he’s real, probably because the next bit is even crazier. “Personally I think they’re taken to Avalon to service Oberon, King of the Fairies.” Dean looks like he can’t take much more, Sam finds that revelation quite disturbing. Enter again inappropriate Robo-Sam. “Dean, did you service Oberon, King of the Fairies.” Bwah! Like Dean would admit that if it really happened. His sardonic look pretty much answers “no.”
Dean goes back to crystal lady instead of smacking the crap out of Sam. If fairies are real, what can they do about them. How can they… “Interact with them?” She asks excitedly. Dean smiles, “Yes, forcefully interact with them.” Notice he doesn’t use the word “hunt” like Sam did with the alien guy. One way to win favor is to leave a bowl of fresh cream. They like that. So does my cat lady. “And more forcefully?” Yet, another way to avoid the “hunt” term. Take notes Sam.
Now the folklore gets really wacky. They don’t like iron, and the dark fairy burns when touched with silver. This next one is the kicker though. “You can spill sugar or salt in front of them. No matter how powerful, the fairy must stoop to count each grain.” We know this show, right? The most whacked out answer usually ends up being the one that saves them. It takes just about everything Dean has to not flip out over all of this. He forces a smile. “Wow. A lot to absorb.”
He’s so ready to go but crystal lady insists they stay and finish their tea. They uncomfortably do, and Dean tries to compliment her on the decor. He can’t find the right word so Sam helps him out. “It’s like Sedona, Arizona took a crap in here.” No, Sam obviously hasn’t been taking notes. “Pewterific,” Dean says, finding his word. That must be good for crystal lady smiles. Dean repeats it and he and Sam finish drinking their tea with tiny little cups. Sam finishes his tea in no time and once again proves soullessness means no manners. “Do you have bigger cups?”
Oh, I just can’t take anymore! It’s one piece of outrageous crazy after another. Luckily, or unfortunately depending on your take, the episode takes a turn from here. It goes straight into unfolding the case mode and less focus on the outrageous. But first, Dean has to sum it all up as they walk back to the Impala. “Is it on me? I feel like I’ve got the crazy on me.” Sam isn’t getting the reference. “No. You did sit in some glitter though.” You’re not helping Sam. “Makes me want to believe in UFOs again.” They get to the car and just as Sam suggests they call Bobby for ideas, they catch Mr. Brennan the watchmaker in front of a nearby store loading cases of cream into his car. They have a lead!
The Impala drives on, and that shot is a reused one from “Changing Channels” when the Impala was the Kitpala. Hey, if it saves on budget so they can afford David Bowie, I’m cool with that. They are next outside Brennan’s Watchworks and see Brennan lock up after unloading his cream. Dean will go in and checkout the place since he actually can see fairies and Sam will follow Brennan. Oh that’s going to go well. “And no hippie chicks,” Dean adds. I guess he’s still mad about that. Sam is too focused on following Brennan to care.
Dean does his whole sneaking around and getting in through the back door thing and goes to check the noisy back room where it sounds like plenty of production is going on. Oh yeah, it’s happening, but by tiny little men. There are about four of them, working hard in the back room. There’s a bowl of cream nearby and one helps himself. Why is Dean surprised to see this? After this whole adventure, shouldn’t nothing surprise him anymore? Dean sneaks out undetected.
So, Dean calls Sam to update him? Shouldn’t he find Sam first, knowing that Sam will go talk to Brennan? Ah, that’s okay, what happens is good. Sam is doing what he did before, sitting in the bar watching Brennan and enjoying multiple beers. I wonder if having no soul means getting drunk doesn’t happen. I’m placing bets that’s true. Dean tells him how it’s “freaking full of Keeblers over here.” It’s like the story with “the shoe guy and all the elves.” That would be The Elves and The Shoemaker, Dean. New theory, Brennan made a deal with a bunch of fairies. “Let me get back to you,” Sam says. Oh no, he’s gonna do it his way now. This won’t be subtle.
Sure enough, Sam goes to talk to Brennan. He’s impressed by the quality of his watches. What he can’t figure out is how one man can put out so much product. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you have a bunch of elves working for you.” Brennan doesn’t answer and looks very guilty. So Sam lets his jerk mode loose. “Except I do know better and you have a bunch of elves working for you.” Brennan calls Sam insane, and then Sam pulls the moral card. Oh, that’s so the pot calling the kettle black. Sam asks how a father trades his son for a bunch of watches. “I mean I’m assuming you have a soul, so what’s your excuse?” Now that’s a good point. No bullshit Sam is crude, but he’s often right. Except when accusing mothers of being a werewolf. Brennan claims it’s not like that. So how was it? We’ll find out after seeing Dean’s next adventure.
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!