Robin’s Rambles – “Like A Virgin”
Bobby and Dean are packing the Impala’s trunk, heading out on a hunt. Dean says he’s letting Sam sleep–until the latter shows up, wanting in on the case. “Whoa, you just got vertical,” protests Dean. “Exactly–I’m up, I’m good,” says Sam. “A few more days of crap Cable couldn’t hurt,” says Dean. “Right, because that’s what you did when you got back from hell,” says Sam. “All right, you, me and Bobby,” agrees Dean. Bobby sends the two of them on alone–“I forgot that idjit Rufus I said I’d work phones for him, so. . .” You sure?” asks Dean. Bobby is, and suggests they enjoy catching up. “What was that?” asks Sam, homing in on Bobby’s odd behavior. “One part age, three parts liquor,” says Dean.
On his cell in the car, Sam talks to local law enforcement, learning a college girl disappeared from her apartment on the 17th floor. Three days ago, another girl didn’t make it home from school. They didn’t know each other, but all who disappeared were young and female. They have no idea what would grab a girl from the sky. “So you never even tried, to go live a life, after,” says Sam, “you do remember you promised that, right?” “I remember,” says Dean. “So why didn’t you try?” asks Sam. “What makes you think I didn’t?” asks Dean. “Look at this,” says Sam, pointing to the Impala, “you’re exactly the same.” “You’re probably right,” says Dean, then, after a beat, adds, “I was with Lisa and Ben for a year. It didn’t work out.” He turns up the radio, “New Day Yesterday” by Jethro Tull appropriately playing. They pass a sign: Portland, 20.
Gorgeous in suits, they visit the sister of Penny, the dead girl from the plane. Since she has already spoken to the police and is tired, she doesn’t really want to talk to them, but Sam’s gentle demeanor and promise to make it quick soften her up and she lets them in. Dean’s grin shows how happy he is to have his “old” brother back. Penny was shy, not adventurous and was afraid of the plane; she only flew because of Stan, the pilot, with whom she was becoming serious. The sister wishes she had told her to stay home, they don’t even have Penny’s body to bury.
Hotel room – Dean brings Sam lunch (Big AZ). The other two girls baked cookies for the Lord, Sam reports. Dean asks if that’s code, but Sam says no, it means church choir, promise rings, church bake sales, the works. Yet Penny wasn’t even Christian, so. . . Dean reveals that he stole Penny’s diary. “You steal that from her room?” demands Sam. “I love that you even ask me that,” chortles Dean. “Why wouldn’t I?” asks Sam. (Aw, Sammy, if you only knew!) “No reason,” says Dean, “so, girl-nappings, what if it’s not about religion, what if it’s about. . .purity?” Sam: “You mean you think they’re all. . .” “. . .virgins, Sam,” finishes Dean. “Penny was 22,” Sam points out. “With a pink room,” says Dean, “and stuffed teddy bears.” With Sam still doubting, Dean reads from her diary, ‘I have decided to give Stan my most precious gift”.” Sam gulps. “Wow, that sounded really creepy coming out of your mouth,” he says. (LMAO!) “I think I delivered it,” says Dean. “You could have led with the diary, you know?” says Sam–“anyways, you’re right, fine–who would want virgins?” “Ya got me,” says Dean, “I prefer ladies with experience.” He smirks wickedly.
Night – Three girls walk together on a school campus. One separates from the other two Something flies overhead and comes after her. She runs from it, trying to escape, but she falls. It attacks her as she screams.
Editor’s comments: Come on, Cas, tell us how you REALLY feel! That Dean should have just killed Sam outright, huh? How that gave me sick chills in my tummy, and when he said Sam’s soul felt as if it had been skinned alive, I wanted to puke! If that wall fails, and Sam connects with that. . .I don’t even want to think about it!
Those HUGS! How heartbreaking that Bobby can’t really return his, that he’s already been through this and can’t bear to look at Sam! But compare these hugs to that calculated hug given by RoboSam back in September! Big diff!
But there is also a huge difference between the way Dean and Bobby are treating him, and Sam notices immediately. Bobby WISHES he could tell Sam everything, even knowing how dangerous it could be for him! He wants him to know what he did when he was soulless. I don’t know why. It’s as if Bobby wants THIS Sam to be punished for what soulless Sam did. Which really isn’t fair. This good/evil stuff isn’t black and white or cut and dried, is it?
Dean won’t discuss the details of what happened with Lisa and Ben; telling the truth means revealing that Sam allowed him to be turned into a vamp, and that’s what finally split up Lisa and him. So just saying they were together for a year and it didn’t work out was about all he COULD say. How can these two brothers find common ground when it’s littered with land mines?
I loved the purity/virgin discussion between Sam and Dean, and how it grossed Sam out when Dean read from Penny’s diary how she was going to give her most precious possession to Stan. Funny how SAM found a 22 year old virgin an oddity. Hilarious how Dean wants his women experienced. He just finds virginity odd.
The last scene was scary, too. Imagine having something fly out of the sky and just attack you! Of course, having something attack you while you’re flying IN the sky is even scarier.
Hospital – Dean and Sam visit Melissa and question her about the attack. “It looked like a giant bat,” she reveals. “It came right at me. It was huge. I swear.” While “the other man” didn’t believe her, Sam assures he does. She shows them two very long stitched-up rips down the back of her shoulder. “That’s how I got this,” she says. When she woke up, the thing was gone, along with her promise ring. “Nobody is judging anybody here,” says Dean, “but should you really be wearing that ring?” “Matt Barn didn’t count!” she cries. (Oops, sounds like some fooling around went a little too far!)
“So you think Batman tried to rape her?” asks Sam as they’re heading to the Impala in the hospital parking lot. “He does carry a lot of rage,” says Dean, “but he rejected her because she was already de-hymenated. I think it just goes to show that bein’ easy is all up-side.” “So what kinda thing likes virgins and gold?” asks Sam. “P-Diddy,” replies Dean. (LMAO!) “You know what’s comforting,” says Sam, “I died for a year, came back, and you’re still not funny.” “Shut up!” says Dean, climbing into the car–“I’m hilarious!”
As I said in response to Elle2’s article, this was a solid episode, but it didn’t send me back to my obsession days with SPN. The rock music and a blues song; loved that, but the montage scenes just reminded me of how disappointed I am with the direction this show has gone. Like a Virgin showed me many reminders about what I used to love about this show…but something is still ‘off’ and I think it is the intimacy that was formed between the brothers and the viewers that is lacking (and we haven’t had that in what? three years or four years now). So, no, I don’t feel back home, but there were enough reminders that I hope I can get there from here.
There again, the hug didn’t move me, because I don’t believe in the brothers’ bond right now. It’s been one-sided for four years now. Perhaps it will hold from this starting point, but from what I’ve read about future episodes, I am not counting on it. Let’s just say that Bobby and I are feeling about the same right now.
Besides the witty one-liners, the music (which I think added to the vintage feel of the episode) and reminders of the two characters I used to obsess over, I found some other funny things in this episode.
I’m still laughing at Gossip Girl Mother. Perhaps I’m supposed to be filled with apprehension for the brothers, but her acting was so bad, I laughed out loud.
As soon as I see my priest again, I’m going to let him know that you can drive to Purgatory. I think he’ll like knowing that, and may even find it useful.
Of course, I’m being flippant and these two things are not criticisms of the episode. It’s just that I think perhaps they didn’t have the budget to get into this type of metaphysical stuff, besides the fact that attempting to elevate the show to this level of fantasy appears to me to be the reason that there is a lack of intimacy in relationships now.
All that said, I am looking forward with reservation and a little trepidation to what the rest of the season holds for us.
Don’t take this to be all critical and without appreciation for Like a Virgin. There was so much to like in it. The three Js were awesome…and I thought particularly Jim Beaver this time around…perhaps because he mirrored my feelings right up to the end. He did seem very relaxed in his role this episode, didn’t he?
It’s all on Sera now. I wished I had more confidence in her, but my disappointment in S6 trumps confidence and hope in spite of this well-done episode.
I’m hoping I don’t offend anyone with my opinion, because it is only just how I am feeling about the show this season.
[quote]1. Did this episode please you as much as it did me? Or am I crazy? Do you feel like you’re back home again?
[/quote] Yes! we are back and Hallelujah I adored this episode.
[quote]2. Do you agree with Dean or Bobby? Should Sam be kept completely in the dark and be allowed to believe he was in hell for more than a year?[/quote] Mixed feelings here. Dean was right in principle, maintaining the wall is crucial and giving Sam any information that will make him want to scratch at the wall is dangerous. The fact is the year he spent soulless is behind that wall and if that part falls the rest may weaken. Bobby was right practically. Sam is smart, inquisitive and doesn’t give up. Giving him the information about the past year will keep him from scratching at the niggling thoughts that something has happened that he cant remember and may actually have Sam scratching at the wall because he doesn’t remember things. I think the point goes to Bobby, because Sam found out anyway.
3. Do you agree that a girl of 22 should have given it up already? How do you feel about this whole purity thing? Apparently, the girl the dragons needed had to be virginal. Why do you think that is so?
[quote]4. How did what happened to that girl who was exchanged with the “Mother of All†make you feel? Did you feel her terror as she fell? What do you think happened to her down in Purgatory, if, indeed, that’s where she went? Do you get the impression that she’s going to be our next Big Bad? Did she give you a trickle of fear, or are you already missing Crowley?[/quote]
I will always miss Crowley. Give me snarky and witty and I’m happy. I felt the girl’s terror, but I don’t know how I feel about Mother as an adversary. I would love a kick a** female adversary, but Supernatural has let me down on this time and time again, so I’m going to have to wait and see.
[quote]5. How did you feel about the Sam/Dean hug? What about the Sam/Castiel hug that didn’t happen?[/quote]
I loved the Sam Dean hug. I find the fact that Sam stopped the Castiel hug interesting. I’d like to know why he did stop it exactly.
[quote]6. How about the HUMOR in this ep? Too much, not enough, thank God for the writers’ golden pens, what?[/quote]
Perfect balance of humor.
[quote]7. ROCK MUSIC! And Jethro Tull, my favorite band of all time!!!! Plus “Back in the Saddle Again,†a song I just love! How did you feel about the music?
[/quote]
I love the return of classic rock. Not knowing a lot of classic rock, the actual songs didn’t do much for me. I wish they had only played one and kept the music budget so we could have more classic songs in later episodes.
[quote]8. How did you feel about “Like a Virgin� I felt like a virgin, truly kissed by season six for the very first time. Sigh![/quote]
Loved the episode. All in all one of my favorites.
[quote]1. Did this episode please you as much as it did me? Or am I crazy? Do you feel like you’re back home again?[/quote]Oh yes, I am very delighted about the return of Sam and to see their interaction again. With the brothers I am “home” And I saw the lie of Dean as a try to protect Sam. But there was one scne I wished Dean would have told Sam. The moment where Sam gallops through John journal and says something about the skin walker. There was a momentand it felt like the right moment for me. I wish Dean would have told him.
[quote]2. Do you agree with Dean or Bobby? Should Sam be kept completely in the dark and be allowed to believe he was in hell for more than a year?[/quote]
I understand that Dean tried to protect Sam in not telling Sam. But I wish he would have told him later about his soulless time on earth. Sam found it out by his own and Bobbys behavior gave him the clue. That is not surprising when I think of Sam!
[quote]5. How did you feel about the Sam/Dean hug? What about the Sam/Castiel hug that didn’t happen?[/quote]
I loved this hug between the brothers.
And I loved the reaction of Sam when Castiel tried to hug him. Back then in “Swan Song” he didn`t even want to say some nice words to Sam. Awkward!
[quote]6. How about the HUMOR in this ep? Too much, not enough, thank God for the writers’ golden pens, what?[/quote]
well I loved the light hearted brotherly banter in this episode. I wished I would have seen more Sam waking up and struggling a bit. He is like a tumbler, and everybody is used to it. I would have liked to see him coming upstairs, not seeing Dean/Bobby. But maybe it was shown to bring out the difference between Bobbys reaction and Deans! The brotherly banter was the tip of the ice cake for me, loved it. And loved Sam asking Dean about the year..after. Consistent Sam`s character.
[quote] 7. ROCK MUSIC! And Jethro Tull, my favorite band of all time!!!! Plus “Back in the Saddle Again,†a song I just love! How did you feel about the music?
[/quote]
Loved the music of course, finally and so much Sam in the intro, loved this too!
I felt very bad for this girl before they threw her into the hole. But later when she came back I was a bit disappointed. This should be the new big bad? I don`t know about this. I liked the snarky demons, the torturing demons (Crowley and Alistair and of course YED and Lucifer)
About the virgins I don`t know but maybe they are more worthy for sacrifices, their souls are more pure (okay we know this is not so in real life, one has nothing to do with the other).
maybe with the purity the purgatory gets some fueling fire, I don`t know where the series is going with this.
Sam was a lot like a cleansed pure being. He was so light hearted and even wanted to eat, I was surprised about this. I don`t know if this could have a deper meaning because over the whole 5 1/2 years Sam wasn`t a joyful eater more the contrary. Its like a burden is heaved away, but …yes there is a but,..his soulless time will hit him utterly I am afraid!
[quote]8. How did you feel about “Like a Virgin� I felt like a virgin, truly kissed by season six for the very first time. Sigh!
[/quote]
I loved it very much and I already watched it a few times. And after re-watching I truly started to enjoy it way more then the first time, because I read so much about the episode, I knew to much, and with the delay so much excitement was dragged away. Today I was really utterly touched by the brother scenes and especially Sam with his quest for the things he didn`t know. *gulp* and *sigh* I am very afraid and worried.
Thank you for writing this again. I waited for your rambles!!!
@ Junkerin
zippo = Feuerzeug
Thank you Robin for your detailed review. Because you even rewrite there dialog for me as a ESL it is sometimes hard to catch the hole meaning or fun in the show.
#1 I loved this epi. I rewatched it right a way (something I have never done before)
#2 Well I thought Dean was about to tell Sam in the motel room but could not make up his mind. Yes Sam must know (better to know than to remember)
#3 I go with the purity of the heard thing
#4 I fellt so for the girl. As for the mother, I don´t know. She didn´t have much time to angst me.
#5 I loved the hug between Sam and Dean. It felt sooooo goooood. As for Sam and Cas. I´m lost. Why didn´t Sam hug Cas? He should have! Cas is not the touchy guy and he wanted to give Sam a hug. I just don´t get it.
#6 OMG Dean was so good. I have to lought just remember the szene.
#7 Finaly the music is back I loved the On the road so far
To Pandora: thank you
Hi Robin
Thanks again for such a detailed recap.
1. Did this episode please you as much as it did me? Or am I crazy? Do you feel like you’re back home again?
This episode worked for me and I definately felt like I was home again. I really enjoyed having the brothers back.
2. Do you agree with Dean or Bobby? Should Sam be kept completely in the dark and be allowed to believe he was in hell for more than a year?
I would say Bobby is right but I feel baby steps are needed here. To tell Sam everything at once would be too much to absorbe and far too devasting. If he hears things in bits and pieces it will give him a chance to deal and work things through with each issue. This wall was only given 75% chance of holding. I think it’s better for Sam to be somewhat prepared instead of being hit with it all at once.
3. Do you agree that a girl of 22 should have given it up already? How do you feel about this whole purity thing? Apparently, the girl the dragons needed had to be virginal. Why do you think that is so?
I don’t see why there should be a age stamped on when one should give up their virginity. It should depend on who they are willing to give it up for. Sacrificing a virgin goes back centuries. I guess back then it ment purity. However in todays world just because someone is a virgin doesn’t make them automatically a pure person.
4. How did what happened to that girl who was exchanged with the “Mother of All†make you feel? Did you feel her terror as she fell? What do you think happened to her down in Purgatory, if, indeed, that’s where she went? Do you get the impression that she’s going to be our next Big Bad? Did she give you a trickle of fear, or are you already missing Crowley?
I believe this Mother of All is our next big bad. Not sure how I feel about her yet. Need to see a few more episodes to get a better impression.
5. How did you feel about the Sam/Dean hug? What about the Sam/Castiel hug that didn’t happen?
I loved the hug between Sam and Dean. It reminded me too of Mystery Spot with Sam going to Dean and enclosing him in a huge bear hug. As for Sam and Castiels hug I would have to agree with Yume theory.
6. How about the HUMOR in this ep? Too much, not enough, thank God for the writers’ golden pens, what?
I loved the humour. Dean and the Stone had me laughing.
7. ROCK MUSIC! And Jethro Tull, my favorite band of all time!!!! Plus “Back in the Saddle Again,†a song I just love! How did you feel about the music?
The music was good. After having the classic rock being so scarce these past few years, it’s always appreciated to have it when we can.
I don’t know what World of Warcraft is 😕 Should I? 😳 Should Dean?
BUT I loved this episode!
Thanks Robin for your review. And the transcript, as junkerin said, it helps a lot us ESL speakers.
All best!
Oh, thank you, Yume. Now I know why I don’t know anything about it 😛
i love sam and dean love each other no need other brother
who can help me see season 6 in indonesia i cannot see them. i do like sam and dean i like mistery spot also all ofthem
[b]I just want to watch sam and dean hug to show they care to each other, they are brothers. I hope supernatural writer’s don’t go to far from the bible, it’s not good especially the episode Heaven and Hell, I hope no romantic scenes like that again. This ìs Supernatural, for God sake, not teenage or romance movie, I give my oppinion, cause I really love sam and dean or jared and jensen[/b]