Recap – “Clap Your Hands If You Believe”
“We fairy folk are all about energy. And the human soul gives off a certain, perfume. Your soul is far away, but not out of reach.” Sam doesn’t believe this, so Wayne offers to get it back, for a price of course. “That’s adorable,” Sam answers. Isn’t that Lilith’s line? Anyway, Sam knows that he can’t since it’s in a cage with The Devil. Wayne says it’s Sam’s Devil, not his. “There’s no freaking way a leprechaun can do what angels cannot.” Sam’s getting kind of angry now.
“Angels,” Wayne says laughing and changing positions in the room. “I’m talking about real magic sonny, from my side of the fence. Gotta way of getting in back doors.” Okay, now look at this expression on Sam’s face. He’s really freaked out about this reveal. One would hope it’s because it’s finally a chance. However, could it be he’s upset that there is another way? That he was hoping his soul was locked down tight and could never be reached? It’s that question again. Does Sam really want it back? I still have my doubts, and that’s without seeing the closing scene.
“So you’re my blue fairy? You can make me a real boy again?” Sam asks, lowering the gun. Wayne sees he’s making progress. “When you wish upon a star.” Leave it up to Edlund to throw in a Disney reference when it comes to fairies. So, is Sam really thinking about doing it? Making the deal? He’s soulless right, why would he care about making a deal? Is it because he’s already made one with Crowley? It’s all quite maddening the possibilities they’re creating with this.
Anyway, it seems like Sam was just playing along. “Yeah, I got a wish.” He fires and it’s a direct hit. Wayne feels it, for it’s iron, but recovers quickly. “Painful, but not a deal breaker.” He disappears as Sam fires again. Next is Dean in his dark jail cell sitting alone on the bed, then he realizes he’s not alone. The red cap fairy is next to him. Uh oh. The red cap fairy slams him into the bars. Next Sam is getting the crap beat out of him by Wayne, who grabs Sam’s silver knife and it sizzles. Oh yeah, dark fairy. He continues to beat Sam quite good. Back to Dean getting his beating. Sam, Dean, Sam Dean, Sam.
Sam gets up and grabs the shotgun. Wayne knows he’s already taken his best shot. Sam agrees and drops the gun. “You’re right, I’m done shooting. So do me a favor and count this.” He opens up a rock salt shell and pours the salt onto the ground. Now Wayne is pissed but helpless. He throws down his stick, drops to the ground and starts counting the grains one by one. “Why didn’t I do that earlier?” Sam asks. Funny how the simplest solution is never the first one tried. That’s so true in my life.
Sam, we know the story from here. Sam goes to the book and reads the reversing spell. “You ass,” Wayne says, still counting the grains while this is happening. Dean naturally is near the end with the red cap fairy, who has bested him and is ready to stomp him to death. Sam finishes, red cap fairy disappears, the elves disappear, Wayne the Leprechaun disappears. Not bad for a guy that couldn’t see the fairies. Dean just collapses on the floor grateful.
This episode was going so well until this final scene. It’s an important scene, a necessary one, but still it bummed me out. I was hoping to come away from an episode without feeling that way. Only “Weekend at Bobby’s” hasn’t frustrated me. The shot is certainly gorgeous though, the Impala parked on a country road in the middle of nowhere near the cornfields. Mega points for cinematography here. Dean has the cooler out, he pulls out two beers, and Sam doesn’t want one? Oh, thanks show. He was drinking beers left and right earlier by himself but can’t have a beer with his brother? Thanks for the slap in the face reminder that things are still way off between these two.
They at least take their place side by side on the hood, so that’s something. Dean toasts the “tiniest DA” for dropping the charges. That was nice of him. “Little Big Man,” Sam jokes. Isn’t that a movie starring Dustin Hoffman? About General Custer? Bad joke. Dean cuts to the chase. “I was wondering something. You think Lucky Charms really could have returned soul to sender?” “Come on, it’s crazy to think. He did talk a good game though,” Sam answers. Dean still isn’t satisfied. “You said no, why?” Sam’s logic here makes perfect sense based on their history. “It’s a deal. When has a deal ever been a good thing?”
Dean is just trying to figure out how Sam’s thought process works. “Dude, I do still have all my brain cells. If anything, my brain works better now.” Yeah, but Dean still has every right to be suspicious. “Just making sure where your head’s at. That you’re not having second thoughts about getting your soul back.” They pause, and then Dean asks straight out. “You’re not, are you?” Sam answers no, but every single fiber of his troubled gaze says yes.
I know, we still need that reason why he doesn’t want his soul back, but I wonder if what Wayne told him spooked Sam at all. I also wonder if Dean was in that room would he have taken the chance. Sam’s right, deals have never been good, but they’ve done them anyway. I know they’re stuck working for Crowley because of a bad deal (maybe) but this was their first chance. Sam was pretty quick to act. Who knows, I could be reading way too much into it and Sam’s logic should clearly define his actions. Do I give Sam the benefit of the doubt? Considering how much he’s outright lied, no. It’s more maddening “wait and see.”
That’s a recap! Thank you Ben Edlund for some top notch and sorely needed comical relief.
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!