Recap – “Like A Virgin”
Sam holds on for a few more seconds, pulls back, gives Dean a smile and then goes for Bobby next. The same quick, tight, bear hug. I half expected Bobby to pull what Sam did when cupid the serial hugger came after him in “My Bloody Valentine.” Give a stunned “no” but not fast enough to escape. Um, you know Bobby, I get you’re a bit spooked, but taking a heartfelt hug like a wooden statue isn’t helping here. Sam holds onto Bobby for a long enough time to Bobby and Dean to exchange confused glances. Oh no, they definitely weren’t expecting this. Bobby gives a half hearted “good to see you” and suddenly something clicks with Sam. How is Bobby alive? “I saw you…I felt Lucifer snap your neck.” Bobby sputters out “Cass” and now Sam is further gratefully shocked. “Cass is alive?” Dean, who’s really creeped out now, tells Sam Cass is fine. “Sam, are you okay?” A happily relieved Sam’s answer is awesome, because I don’t think he’s EVER said this in six seasons. “Actually, I’m starving.” When Sam wants to eat, he’s definitely not his usual self.
You could have watched this scene about six times compared to what it took for me to describe it BTW. It was that quick, but it still got me right there. Good job and giving us the hug we should have gotten in the season premiere.
Now here’s something you don’t see every…well…ever. Sam is chowing down on a sandwich like he hasn’t eaten in weeks. Oh wait! Now that Sam has gotten that issue worked out, Dean asks the delicate question. “So Sam, what’s the last thing you remember?” Sam ponders, the answer is given in flashes. He’s just overtaken Lucifer, he gives Dean his nonverbal goodbye, and he falls into Hell with Adam/Michael. “The field, then I fell.” At least that memory isn’t giving him any trauma. I still tear up when I see that. So, Dean wants to know after that. Don’t you know Dean? “I woke up in the panic room,” Sam answers calmly. Oh boy, Death really did one doozy of a wall.
“That’s it?” Bobby asks. Of course he’s standing against the kitchen cabinets playing distant observer. Any assurances he was giving Dean before are now gone. Bobby tries to press the issue further and Dean cuts him off with a “Let’s be glad.” Bobby looks at him like he’s nuts. “Who wants to remember all that Hell?” I’m sure Dean thinks he’s comforting Sam with that statement, but that just opens a door. “How long was I gone?” Sam asks. “About a year and a half,” Dean answers. Okay, Sammy ain’t so calm now. “What? I was downstairs, I don’t remember anything.” Dean might think this is good, but judging my Sam’s sudden onset of distress, this is not good. You know he’s going to poke at that wall, you know it!
“So how did I get back, was it Cass?” “Not exactly,” Dean says sheepishly. “Dean, what did you do?” A bothered Sam asks in Ricky Ricardo type fashion. Yeah Dean, how are you going to explain this one? I’m stunned, but he actually tells the truth for this one question. He mentions Death. “Death? The Horseman??” Sam is so not happy. Dean assures him he has leverage and it’s done. The slate’s wiped. “Well isn’t this just neat and clean,” Bobby says sarcastically in a low voice. Dean jumps on him that it is for once, but Sam’s suspicious look says it all. He should know by now when these guys are lying to him. He’s the master of lying after all. He gives Dean one more chance though. “Is there anything else I should know?” Dean says no, lying through his teeth, and offers Sam another beer. Sam goes back to eating and Bobby continues him uneasy stare down. Gee Bobby, that doesn’t create tension at all!
Bobby is outside in the yard fixing what looks like his Chevelle, hoisted up on a platform. Dean shows up with two beers. Bobby asks how Sam is doing. “He’s good, really good. Better than I could have hoped.” Bobby only gives a skeptical, “Hmm, hmm.” “Why the poop face?” Gee Dean, do you have to ask? Bobby comes over and makes it clear. “I’m glad he’s better, I really am, but that kid went straight up Menedez on me not 10 days ago and now it’s just all erased? Sorry, I’m having a bit of a hard time even looking at him.” Dean defends it wasn’t Sam, but Bobby thinks it wasn’t all Sam, but it was him. Dean asks if Bobby wants to tell Sam everything and Bobby knows that isn’t good either. “I just wish I could, that’s all.” Dean reminds that if they start throwing all that crap at him it could crack the wall. Little do you realize Dean, the wall is probably already cracking.
Bobby agrees, but doesn’t like it. Time for another awesome Dean Winchester line. “As far as I’m concerned, it’s a gift horse. And I’m not looking for teeth. I’m sending Death a damned fruit basket.” Oh Dean, we laugh, and your desperation is endearing, but you do know this is going to backfire. I’m sure he does, but he’s going to live in the moment. I think he has to or he’ll go insane. Bobby makes it clear Sam will find out, just in case Dean is getting a little too delusional. “One way or another someone will tell him or he’ll figure it out on his own, he’s not dumb.” Dean wants to leave it alone. Bobby reluctantly agrees and goes back to fixing the car. “But you better prep for the B side, ’cause when Sam realizes we’re shining him, it ain’t going to be cute.” Actually, if it involves puppy dog eyes, it might be. Tragically cute.
Bobby and Dean are loading up the Impala. Sam’s still asleep and Dean decides to call him later. Tell me Dean, leaving Sam at Bobby’s alone, is that really a wise move? How much to you want to bet he starts remembering things and snooping around? No matter, for Sam comes up behind them. Dean explains there’s a thing in Oregon and Sam decides he wants to go. Dean doesn’t like it, for Sam just got “vertical.” “A few more days of crap cable couldn’t hurt.” I’m surprised Bobby even has cable. Have you seen his TV’s? They look like they were invented before cable jacks were put on TVs.
Sam isn’t taking this. “Right, because that’s what you did when you got back from Hell.” It’s still bizarre to hear Sam be so matter-of-fact about that. It’s almost like they’re swapping old Hell stories as if it was the varsity football team or something. Dean agrees and then Bobby makes a quick exit. He “forgot” about promising Rufus he’d work the phones. Amazing how the presence of a ginormo that makes your skin crawl jogs that memory, eh Bobby? No matter, for my fan girl is looking for Sam and Dean alone time. Even Sam realizes Bobby’s actions are suspicious. “What was that?” Sam asks. “One part age, three parts liquor,” Dean says. Good answer!
In the list of classic rock acts I really hate, Jethro Tull easily makes the list. However, when this bluesy tune of theirs becomes the road music for re-souled Sam and Dean’s first trip out in the Impala, I have to admit, brilliant choice. It sets the mood so perfectly. Phil Sgriccia didn’t go for the normal Impala confessional here. He went for something radically different. The blues song, shooting Sam and Dean from the back instead of the front, the darkness, and just something about the way this is shot gives it more of a gritty crime drama feel than the usual talk. I love it.
At first Sam is on the cell phone and the joy of working the case again is apparent. He’s sharing with fascination his info about missing women. Yeah, that sounds like a barrel full of laughs. There’s no connection between the women, just young and female, just like the plane crash girl. Dean’s trying to figure out how a girl could disappear out of the sky. There’s a pause and Sam takes his opportunity. Not unusual since this is usually the setting they say these things. “So you never even tried, huh?” Dean doesn’t follow. “To go live a life after. You do remember you promised that, right?” Dean remembers. Sam wants to know why he didn’t try, Dean counters by asking why he thinks he didn’t. “Because look at you, look at this. You’re exactly the same.” “Yeah, you’re probably right,” Dean answers, but oh there’s some edge in that answer. Sam is poking at the bear. Sam is disappointed in that answer. After a pause Dean confesses. “I was with them for a year, Lisa and Ben.” Sam finds that interesting. “So then what?” “It didn’t work out.” Dean turns up the music, conversation over. Sam realizes he’s hit a sore subject but leaves it alone. Just another clue for that wall.
Because of the way this scene is shot, the angle of the profiles from the back, the emotional context of their conversation is so much more powerful. It brings out in Dean’s bravado the hidden lingering pain and regret Dean feels over his split with Lisa. It even hints part of him resents Sam for pulling them apart, but he also knows it wasn’t really Sam. That doesn’t change the bitterness. Sam’s looks hint he’s sensing that bitterness and is curious why Dean isn’t telling him the truth. He might even suspect it has something to do with him. If anything, he senses something bad happened and wants to know the truth. Just when I don’t think this show can wow me anymore, they come up with a simple gem like this. So much is told with so little.
What a pity Alice, I do love these recaps you write, but I understand you have a lot to do, so I’m gonna enjoy this one and you were not the only one to have fan moments of applauding or lauging a lot during the episode, I was right there with you…
Not to mention “the hug” Gosh, I wanted that hug for so long, I can’t tell you….
As usual your review is amazing.
Take care,
Clarice ; }
Sad! But I get why you don’t want to to them anylonger. They are lovely long so they must take a not nearly as lovely longer time to write.
I’ve wondered about the boys and their alcohol soaked organs as well. But then, haven’t they both died/been healed by Cas? I’m guessing (cuz I want it to be true) that the healing involved the inner damage as well. Fresh start! Longer for the boys to live!
I was wondering about how Sam would see the appearance of his new wardrobe and phone as well. Not to mention if Dean was able to delete all RoboSams number off. I’m playing pretend that Dean ‘splained as “You were asleep for a while. Thought I’d pick you up some stuff.”
Oh, and a side not on the journal scene. LOVE how far back Sam is sitting on the bed and his feet STILL touch the ground. AW! Gigantor!
I find it interesting that the Colt wasn’t brought up as a weapon of choice against the dragons. Dean said (lied?) to the Dr. that the sword was the only weapon they have, but they’ve gotta have some left over bullets from that bunch Crowley gave them. Right? Or maybe he didn’t want to waste the Colt on things that aren’t demons?
One last thing on the ep (sorry, feeling gabby) soon as Dr. Visyak made her comment about the most important artifact Dean’s touched, the thought of the Horseman rings jumped to mind.
Ok, done. Thanks for the recap Alice! Love reading them.
Awe, Alice, I understand where you are coming from but I will definitely be one of the few who will miss these recaps.
Now, as for the castles/mansions. There are actually quite a few of these kinds of places around the province. There are 2 here in Victoria in particular. Hatley Castle that many of you will know from X-Men, and Craigdarroch Castle. Both owned by the same family. Folks who got rich from coal. Over on the mainland, similar scenario, coal, lumber, pick a natural resource.
As for Sam’s clothes and cell phone, well for the cell at least, I don’t think it’s odd that Dean would have kept it around an charged up. How long did the boys keep John’s cell phones around? I would think the reason would have been the same for Dean.
And finally, the virgins. One WAS trying to open the trap door when the dragon arrived with broken arm girl. So while they were whimpering (and yes, I think it would have been nice if they weren’t quite so whiny – this is TV after all and we don’t need it to be THAT realistic – show a little back bone, will ya?) at least one of them was trying to break them out. Course they were not good on the stealth mode and Mr. Dragon hear them and heat sealed them in.
Ah well. Fun episode, great to have the brothers back together. Definitely an episode for re-watching!
Thanks again for having done all these amazing recaps Alice. Maybe come summer hellatus you could do them “special edition” for specific episodes. 🙂
Just wanted you to know, there are quite a few of us ‘lurkers’ out here who absolutely love your recaps. Understand of course if you need a break, but you will be missed 🙂
Thanks! I know there are lurkers, but being the site owner I get statistics on number of hits per article. Out of all our articles, my recaps statistically get the worst number of hits on a routine basis. These recaps take 15-20 hours per week to write. I’ve been doing them for 3 years, probably because I love writing them. However, I just can’t devote that time anymore for something that just isn’t catching on for a greater number of people. I do appreciate those that followed these and maybe I can come up with something that still goes over the key scenes in the same way but doesn’t cover the whole episode. We’ll see!
Thank you for reading these! I do appreciate the comment.
Love your recaps Alice. Too bad we won’t see them any more. I will miss that.
Aw, I read your recap everytime but didn`t comment.
What a pity, I will miss it very much. Awww!
Hi Alice what a recap! Loved it!
You know, in the part of the almost hug of Sam and Castiel, I have a different theory, I think Sam didn’t hug Cass cause he was trying to avoid Cass’s eyes, because Cass can read people’s minds looking them in to their eyes (like when Cass told Dean on [b]4.01[/b] “you don’t think you deserved to be saved” or when Cass read the Cupid’s mind on [b]5.14[/b].
I think that’s why Sam didn’t want to hug Cass for to avoid his eyes and manipulate him and ask him for the truth.
wow you really drop a bomb in the end. 🙁
Why you say that your recap don’t generate a lot of interest?, if you say that for the comments, well maybe is because you post your recap the day that the new episode is going to be aired and we are kind of anxious for the new episode, but I always read it and I usually don’t comment cause I think my English sucks and my writing too (I always had problems writing essays)… I like more the recaps that the reviews, they are really funny, you always have me giggling and laughing, you write in your recaps a lot of details (that other people doesn’t write) and are really interesting, and the way you express yourself in your writing… your recaps are [b]perfect[/b].
I was sad when I read you were not going to write more recaps, but then I remembered all the times that I was thinking: how she have time to do all this? I mean writing the review, the recap, adding things to the site, fixing it, and writing other articles, how she manage to do all this and having a job and a family and, its wow… Hey!, do you have some kind of device for to stop the time or something? 🙂
Alice, thank you so much for all this, your articles, the site, your time… Thanks
Alice, sorry to contradict you but
‘killing the evil creature has always been Dean’s number one priority’
is not a true statement. We all know that Dean’s number one priority is and always will be keeping his Sammy safe and sound(souled). 😆
This episode felt like it would fit prefectly into the first season, with all the brotherly love, John’s Journal, the forgetable MOTW (racist truck).
Sorry that you feel that these recaps aren’t appreciated. I look forward to them, but I can understand the frustration of putting in all the work and no one is reading them.
Thanks for all the hard work.
Thanks again Alice for another great recap.
I was so sad to read that this is no longer going to be a regular feature around here, I know I am not the only one to feel this way.
There are many articles on each episode now, but your recaps were really different and something special, I loved `re-watching` through your eyes. You always made me laugh and, on a few occasions, cry at the memory of a scene.
I understand that they were very time consuming, you only have to read one to see this, but I am hoping you maybe could still indulge us sometimes. Perhaps you could treat this like Jas does the Open Couch, write if an episode particularly inspires you, or maybe do a retro one like the recent IMTOD.
Whatever you decide you know you have our support and thanks for all the hard work, Love Ju
Hi Alice – I loved this recap! Agree with all of it and fangirled and laughed along with it.
I’m going to miss your recaps so much, as I look forward to them more than anything else on this site. Your feelings and thoughts along with the screencaps I enjoy immensely. (even though I really liked Lucky the skinwalker, lol)
Never could figure out how you could live your life with a family and a job and still have time to make this great site for all of us fans. Thank you for all of that and I do hope some episode inspires you to create another recap for us.
I found this site for the first time a few weeks ago, while going crazy waiting for hiatus to be over. Since then I have gone through and read as many of your recaps as I could, I absolutely love them. They saved my sanity waiting for the show to come back. I guess since this is the last one, I should take the time to say thank you for writing such awesome, entertaining recaps. I’ve enjoyed them immensely.