Robin’s Rambles – “How To Win Friends and Influence Monsters”
Looking through his binoculars, Sam remarks that he finds it weird that a national franchise like Biggerson’s would be getting their meat from wholesale Hong Kong knock-off. “Okay, it’s a little weird,” agrees Dean, not really caring one way or the other. “We’ll wait till they close up shop,” says Sam, “take a look around.” Gazing through the binoculars, Sam sees EDGAR! “No!” he says. “Leviathans,” says Dean, “son-of-a-bitch.” They see Brandon being herded out of a truck and into a building. “What the hell is going on?” asks Bobby.
“Put him with the others, if you don’t mind,” Edgar orders the man escorting Brandon. Edgar is greeted by none other than Dr. Gaines! “I’ve been so busy with this experiment, I didn’t even realize you were back,” says the doctor, “it’s big stuff.” “I’m back BECAUSE of the experiment,” says Edgar, “what’s happening; you said you were refining the formula?” “Yes,” says Gaines, “and it’s going great, “the absorption rate is up, lower concentrations. . .” “But it didn’t solve our issue with adverse reactions,” interrupts Edgar. “Well, no, not 100 percent,” admits Gaines. Viewing the people Gaines is planning to use for the experiment, Edgar orders, “Burn them!” “WHAT?” demands Gaines–“they represent crucial test data–where my other formula went wrong where my initial projections failed.” “Dick is coming,” says Edgar. That’s all Gaines needs to hear. He turns to his assistant: “Burn them.” (That is so cold!)
Bobby and Dean are sitting in the car. Sam reports to Bobby, “There’s nothing back here at all.” “They’re pretty dug in here,” says Bobby, “you finish circling and head on back.” To Dean he asks, “How’s your head?” “I think the Slammer’s pretty much wore off,” answers Dean, “between that and the 20 cups of coffee, I’m nicely tense and alarmed.” “I wasn’t talkin’ about that,” says Bobby. “Don’t go all Sigmund Freud on me,” protests Dean, “I just got drugged by a sandwich.” “I want to talk about your new party line,” says Bobby. “Party? I don’t even vote,” says Dean. “‘The world’s a suicide case, we save it, it just deals more pills.'” says Bobby. “I’m here, I’m on the case,” Dean reminds him, “what’s the problem?” “I’ve seen a lot of hunters live and die,” says Bobby, “and you’re starting to talk like one of the dead ones.” “No,” counters Dean, “I’m talkin’ the way a person talks when they’ve had it. When they can’t figure out why they used to think all of this mattered.” “Oh, you poor, sorry. . .you’re not a person,” says Bobby.” “Thanks,” says Dean wryly. “Come on now,” says Bobby, “you tried to hang it up and be a person with Lisa and Ben, and now here you are with a mean old coot and a van fulla guns–that ain’t person behavior, son. You’re a hunter, meanin’ whatever the job you’re doin’ today. Now, you get a case of the Anne Sexton, somethin’s gonna come up behind you and rip your fool head off! Now you find your REASONS to get back in the game–I don’t care if it’s love or spite or a 10 dollar bet–I’ve been to enough funerals, I mean it! You die before me and I’ll kill ya!” “We need to scrape some money together and get you a condo or somethin’,” says Dean, sipping his coffee. (LMAO!) Sam slides into the car between them. “Something’s up,” he says quietly. They see Dr. Gaines and Edgar greeting a third man. “Well I’ll be a squirrel in a house skirt,” says Bobby, “it’s Dick-friggin-Roman.” Dean asks who that is. A newscast on TV shows Roman on 1st Edition and an on-screen headline, THE RISE OF DICK. (SERIOUSLY!?) “That’s one of the top 50 most powerful men in America,” explains Sam to his brother. “It says here top 35 as of last month,” points out Dean, “now it all makes sense–remember when Crowley went on about hating Dick?–I thought he was just being general.” “If the Leviathans got to him,” says Bobby, “that means they were plannin’ on a much bigger board than we were thinkin’.” “So what, then?” asks Sam, “we can’t exactly outgun him.” “No, agrees Bobby, “but we got the drop on him. Means we got a chance to figure out what these guys are really doing here.” Bobby snaps together a satellite dish on loan from Frank’s “Big Brother” collection. will pick up vocal vibrations from window glass at half a mile. Time to figure out what these ugly bastards are up to.”
Dr. Gaines shows Dick a normal family under their surveillance eating his infamous sandwich. “The food additive that I’ve introduced into the Turducken has a near 100% rate of effectiveness,” Gaines explains, “once the subject tries it, they crave more within a few hours. With the very first dose, it starts to work on their DNA, slowing their metabolism, causing weight gain and dampening their emotional range, which makes them perfectly complacent. As you can see, they have yet to notice that Grandma is no longer with us. (She is there, dead.) True, if you leave out a cooked patty for more than an hour, it reverts back to a somewhat unappealing state, but, I’ve had yet to have a case of leftovers.” “You know what I love?–besides handball and a really crisp Chardonnay?” asks Dick–“I love progress–and I know progress comes from collaboration and that’s what makes moments like this so thrilling.” “I am so glad to hear you say that,” says Gaines. “Now what can you tell me about your failures?” asks Dick. (Wow, sounds like my former employer, the US Postal Service!) “My. . .?” asks Gaines, confused. “The ones that went off the rails,” prods Dick, “after they ate your little treats?” “They’ve been very instructive,” blathers Gaines. “No,” says Dick, “see, I asked for complacency, not complacency and a .03% margin of hyper-adrenalyzed cannibalism.” “I will have this under control,” promises Gaines shakily. Dick holds up the newspaper headline CAMPING HIGH SEASON HARSHED BY HUMAN BURRITO and reminds Gaines how much he hates their little forays making it into the papers. “Again,” says Dick, “collaboration, progress! I want to turn this mistake into a big, fat teachable moment!” (BIG SMILE!) “Will you help me with that?” Gaines: BIG FAKE SMILE IN RETURN: “Yes, of course!”
Dean and Sam, seated in the car, report that it’s all dead on their end–what about him? Same here, Bobby says at first, then he spies movement–second floor, meeting room.
In this room, Bobby watching every move, Dick is telling Gaines he wants to shut down his project completely. “How can I use this mistake to communicate to all your co-workers?” asks Dick. “Listen, sir, I will do anything, give anything to make this right,” swears Gaines. “I know you will,” says Dick menacingly. The young lady associate who had been with Dick from the get-go opens up a briefcase and takes out a white bib. Gaines is horrified. “You’re. . .BIBBING me?” he asks in terror as she ties a simple lobster bib around his neck. “Do you know what you can give us, Doctor?” asks Dick–“your example. Now, Doc, it’s time.” “Now I have officially seen it all,” says Bobby. “What is it?” asks Sam. “He’s making the doctor. . .eat himself,” says Bobby. “WHAT?” asks Dean. Before Bobby can elaborate, however, a man in a white uniform punches him into unconsciousness and presumably drags him away.
Dismayed, Dean and Sam find Bobby missing from his hiding place. “Dean, there are at least four Leviathan out there,” says Sam, “we don’t know how to kill ONE.” Seeing a truck from Acme Industrial Cleaning driving in, Dean says, “It’ll be quite a shock when we walk through the front door then, won’t it?”
Dick’s assistant is going over appointments with him, then presenting him with an acquisition from Sotheby’s that arrived this afternoon. He indicates for her to take away the black bloody lobster bib; she does. Bobby is just coming to in a chair seated beside him. “You’re not tied up,” says Dick, “why waste the effort, we both know you’re not gonna get past me–how’s your head?” “So you got Dick Roman,” says Bobby. “We can have whoever we want,” says the other man, “we could have you, for example–IF you were worth the effort.” “Now you’re hurtin’ my feelins’,” says Bobby. “It’s a hard world, Bob,” says Dick, “an us eat dog world.” “What ya got there?” asks Bobby. He shows Bobby two pearl-handled guns in a case. “Winning bid at auction,” says Roman, admiring them– “beautiful!–known for their peerless setting. I imagine you appreciate guns.” “I’d appreciate one right about now,” says Bobby. (Go, Bobby!) “Oooo!” chuckles Dick, slipping bullets into one of the guns, “I mean the machine, the idea!–this is one of your species’ most inspired inventions, I mean it, I really think you guys have spunk, you’re like a planet of just the cutest little engines that could, but, like the late, great actual Dick Roman used to say to the whores he used to kick out of the Presidential suite, ‘You don’t quite hack it, Sugar.'” “Let’s just cut to the chase,” says Bobby, irritated, “I clearly ain’t worth the extra time I’m gettin’ here.” “I’m gonna eat you, Bob,” says Dick, making it sound almost sensuous, “but I like my meals prepared. Besides, holding onto you could pay big dividends; I bet your friends are on their way to rescue the damsel.” “They’re too smart,” counters Bobby, “they know they don’t have the numbers. It’d be suicide. I’ve run my race. Could die worse.”
Sam and Dean, bearing huge containers of the Leviathan’s favorite cleaning mixture, Pure Clean, burst in spraying it at them, burning them everywhere it touches, sending them to their knees in pure agony.
Hearing the commotion, Dick advises Bobby to stay in his chair and goes out to investigate the ruckus, tucking his new toy in the back of his pants as leaves. Bobby immediately rises from the chair, looks through the desk drawers and finds and loads the other gun as quickly as he can. He also finds some important-looking maps and other documents. “OK, you sons-of-bitches, he whispers, “let’s see what you’re up to–you’re comin’ with me.” He tries to escape, but Dick’s female assistant stops him, sending him sprawling to the floor. He drops the paperwork but not the gun, and shoots her in the face. She rises with no more than an ugly splotch on her forehead.
Sam, out of cleaner, backs away from Dick, whose handsome face is now a mess of rapidly-fading chemical burns. “Sam, that is NOT how we communicate from a place of yes,” says Dick, adding, “that was bracing; where did you kids find this stuff?” Bobby shoots Dick in the back; Dick turns around. “HEY!” he says– “that’s mine!” Dean tosses more of the caustic fluid at Dick, enough to allow them to run. “Will you stop it with that stuff?” demands Dick, smoke rising from his face. Bobby slashes one Leviathan in the face with a hook, enabling him to join the brothers in the van. Dick fires three parting gunshots, however. “Son-of-a-bitch!” snaps Dean, speeding away–“that almost took your freakin’ head off!” “Hey, Bobby, your hat,” says Sam, passing it to the back seat. There’s no response–but there is a huge bullet hole in Bobby’s cap. Alarmed, they both turn to look in the back seat. “Bobby?” cries Sam–“oh, God, Bobby! Bobby!” “BOBBY!!! screams Dean.
Ed. Note: That’s some cliffhanger to leave us hanging on for the Thanksgiving break, huh? We’ve always known the close relationship Bobby shares with the Winchester brothers, but it was really solidified in this episode. We would really hate to see him lost to Sam and Dean, who love and need him so much. He Remember when Dean was all set to write Sam off, let him go? Bobby swept all his books off the desk, onto the floor and essentially told Dean, “BOO HOO, family is supposed to give you trouble and break your heart, not bake you an apple pie!” He convinced Dean to go after him, even though he had stuck by Ruby over Sam. He also stuck by Sam even after the latter tried to kill him, remember? Bobby also had his disagreements with John, too, bad enough to involve a shotgun, or so we heard. No matter what, Bobby stuck by Sam and Dean after John’s passing, even though we saw how difficult a weekend in the life of Bobby could be and how the brothers expected him to drop everything anytime they called.
So now Bobby appears to have been mortally shot in the head. Or maybe only his stupid old hat was shot? We won’t know until our return from Thanksgiving break. (From Alice – It looked pretty bad in the preview.)
Some fans aren’t big on Bobby, I know that, but I happen to be one of those who adores him, love Jim Beaver, the phenomenal actor/writer who portrays him, and would hate to see his salty, funny, gruff character leave SUPERNATURAL.
As for this episode, I liked it very much. SUPERNATURAL managed to take me away from all the BS in my life and give me an hour or pleasure watching the goofy antics of Ranger Rick, Daffy Dean, Papa Bobby, Earnest Sam, Evil Edgar and the nasty Leviathans. Hearing stories of Bobby taking Sam and Dean hunting (but hearing how the little boys refused to shoot Bambi or his mother brought a smile to my face). There was action, pathos, humor and revelation, all f which make for a terrific episode of our show. I give it an 8.
1. Who saved the gal coming out of the law firm from the Leviathan? I’m so curious! (From Alice – That was Edgar the Leviathan. He was covering up the rogue test case, aka the waiter from Biggersons).
2. I got really teary-eyed over mention of Bobby taking the brothers out hunting; how did you feel?
3. What did you think about the punishment they gave the doctor? I remember bibbing being mentioned in an earlier episode and wondered what it meant. Performing cannibalism on oneself, how gross. Leave it to Edlund to come up with that!
4. Do you think the way Dean feels about hunting is the REAL reason for his drinking? He just doesn’t want to hunt anymore? This isn’t the first time he’s expressed unhappiness over the job. Just because he doesn’t want “normal” with Lisa doesn’t mean he wants to be a hunter.
5. Sam easily confessed to Bobby the truth about his life with Lucifer—that he sees him and is dealing with that. What did you think about his confession and Bobby’s reaction?
6. Do you think we’ve lost Bobby for good this time? How would you feel about it if it were true – no more Bobby as someone to turn to for help or as a father figure. It would really bother me. A lot.
7. I thought this ep had some great black humor and interaction between Bobby and the boys, which is why I gave it an 8. It might go higher after another viewing or two. Your grade?
8. What did you think of Dean’s behavior under the influence of the crazy sandwich? I found it kind of irritating. I can’t explain why, but it just bothered me. It wasn’t funny so much as grating, and the fact that he didn’t care about things made me angry.
[b]2. I got really teary-eyed over mention of Bobby taking the brothers out hunting; how did you feel?[/b]
I did think it was touching. I know a few people feel like this is making John look like a bad father, but I actually think leaving the kids with Bobby was a far better thing than leaving them alone in both Something Wicked and A Very Supernatural Christmas. John wasn’t going to stop hunting, but he came to realize that his kids needed to be in a safe supervised place.
[b]3. What did you think about the punishment they gave the doctor? I remember bibbing being mentioned in an earlier episode and wondered what it meant. Performing cannibalism on oneself, how gross. Leave it to Edlund to come up with that![/b]
This is delightfully icky. I also wonder if the simple act of putting the bib on triggers the self-cannibalism or if Dick exerted some power.
[b]
4. Do you think the way Dean feels about hunting is the REAL reason for his drinking? He just doesn’t want to hunt anymore? This isn’t the first time he’s expressed unhappiness over the job. Just because he doesn’t want “normal†with Lisa doesn’t mean he wants to be a hunter.
[/b]
I really think Dean is just caving under the weight of all the years. Yes, I think he has lost his purpose for hunting, but I think the constant pressure of his life has him spiraling into depression.
[b]5. Sam easily confessed to Bobby the truth about his life with Lucifer—that he sees him and is dealing with that. What did you think about his confession and Bobby’s reaction?[/b]
It was a nice moment, but I really feel like the longer they have Sam coping so perfectly, the less chance that we will ever get a true Sam POV again. Sam comes back from Hell, hallucinates for a short while. His hallucinations strongly suggest he was sexually assaulted by Lucifer. Dean grounds Sam getting Sam to believe in Dean. Dean lies to Sam. Sam doesn’t break when stone one is undermined. Becky drugs and kidnaps Sam tying him to a bed in an almost rape situation. Sam stays calm and doesn’t lose it. If Sam is not cracking from these things why on earth would he ever crack? I’m really disappointed in the way Sam’s Hell experience has been swept under the rug.
[b]6. Do you think we’ve lost Bobby for good this time? How would you feel about it if it were true—no more Bobby as someone to turn to for help or as a father figure. It would really bother me. A lot.[/b]
I think we may lose Bobby, but not for good. I think he may be brain damaged so he doesn’t remember the plans he saw and so that he is not able to be a resource for the boys any more, but I’m hoping he won’t die. If he is incapacitated I hope that eventually he recovers with therapy (and may be help from Sheriff Jodie Mills)
[b]7. I thought this ep had some great black humor and interaction between Bobby and the boys, which is why I gave it an 8. It might go higher after another viewing or two. Your grade?[/b]
I’m not grading episode for a while. My aforementioned issues with the treatment of Sam and the extremely tight Dean POV, to the virtual exclusion of anything else is affecting my enjoyment of the series currently. I’m waiting to see how the season goes and then I hope can assess the episodes more fairly after some distance.
[b]8. What did you think of Dean’s behavior under the influence of the crazy sandwich? I found it kind of irritating. I can’t explain why, but it just bothered me. It wasn’t funny so much as grating, and the fact that he didn’t care about things made me angry.[/b]
At least Dean was talking about the things that bother him while under the influence. Oh, heck I don’t enjoy watching stoned, apathetic people so that part didn’t catch me.
Now I have a question for anyone.
The Doctor said that the sandwich meat change the DNA of anyone who ate it from the “first dose”. What does this mean for Dean? Has he been changed? It seems like an unfortunate line if he hasn’t. If he has been changed will it be in a positive way, allowing him to get over his depression, like a genetic Prozac? Or will it make him complacent and less effective in the hunt? Or was it an OOPS! line that will never play into the story again?
[quote]
Now I have a question for anyone.
The Doctor said that the sandwich meat change the DNA of anyone who ate it from the “first dose”. What does this mean for Dean? Has he been changed? It seems like an unfortunate line if he hasn’t. If he has been changed will it be in a positive way, allowing him to get over his depression, like a genetic Prozac? Or will it make him complacent and less effective in the hunt? Or was it an OOPS! line that will never play into the story again?[/quote]
Interesting thoughts. It would be great if this turns out to be something that can help Dean come out of his depression and find a new purpose to go on hunting or in combination with Bobby’s shooting, it will give him the fire that’s been missing lately. Could it slowly turn him into a monster? Who knows…But I don’t think it will make him complacent or less effective nor do I think it was an Oops line. Ben Edlund isn’t known for doing that.
Can you imagine if it does turn Dean into an actual monster? After all he already regards himself as one and it would definitely be a massive eye opener for someone who is as black and white as Dean is. Being put in the monsters shoes essentially? If that’s the way they’re headed then brilliant but I very much doubt it.
[b]1. Who saved the gal coming out of the law firm from the Leviathan? I’m so curious! (From Alice – That was Edgar the Leviathan. He was covering up the rogue test case, aka the waiter from Biggersons). [/b]
I agree with Alice. It was Edgar coming to clean up the Dr.’s mess.
[b]2. I got really teary-eyed over mention of Bobby taking the brothers out hunting; how did you feel?[/b]
I’m always interested when things come up about the boys’ and Bobby’s past. I find it very interesting. It was good to find out that John didn’t leave the boys alone all the time when he went hunting or under the supervision of motel staff.
[b]3. What did you think about the punishment they gave the doctor? I remember bibbing being mentioned in an earlier episode and wondered what it meant. Performing cannibalism on oneself, how gross. Leave it to Edlund to come up with that![/b]
That was totally gross and disgusting and I loved it! 🙂 It’s been quite awhile since an episode had me feeling this way.
[b]4. Do you think the way Dean feels about hunting is the REAL reason for his drinking? He just doesn’t want to hunt anymore? This isn’t the first time he’s expressed unhappiness over the job. Just because he doesn’t want “normal†with Lisa doesn’t mean he wants to be a hunter.[/b]
I think it’s a big part of it, but we’re still not seeing the whole picture. There’s more that’s going to come out and I believe that the layers are being peeled back slowly. We just have to be patient in order to see all issues involved with Dean’s behavior. In addition, Dean is an extremely social person. He needs female companionship and I think that has been seriously lacking since Lisa has gone away.
[b]5. Sam easily confessed to Bobby the truth about his life with Lucifer—that he sees him and is dealing with that. What did you think about his confession and Bobby’s reaction?[/b]
I liked it and thought it made sense. However, just like Dean, I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop. There is more going on than Sam is letting us know about.
[b]6. Do you think we’ve lost Bobby for good this time? How would you feel about it if it were true—no more Bobby as someone to turn to for help or as a father figure. It would really bother me. A lot.
[/b]
Gosh, I hope not. I like Bobby and would be greatly upset with his demise, more than Castiel’s. I hope that this is a setup for Cas to return or even Crowley to help Bobby become whole again. The boys really need him. He’s the glue that helps them keep going. IMO
[b]7. I thought this ep had some great black humor and interaction between Bobby and the boys, which is why I gave it an 8. It might go higher after another viewing or two. Your grade?[/b]
I agree that it was an 8 or a close 9. I gained a lot of useful information concerning the Leviathans. The episode was entertaining and helped to advance the story. We also got some insight into what was going on with Sam and Dean.
[b]8. What did you think of Dean’s behavior under the influence of the crazy sandwich? I found it kind of irritating. I can’t explain why, but it just bothered me. It wasn’t funny so much as grating, and the fact that he didn’t care about things made me angry.[/b]
I actually liked it. Dean wasn’t so guarded about this thoughts and feelings as usual. We were able to get insight into what is going on with him. He really is hurting and totally in need of some type of help either from his brother or maybe a trained professional. I doubt he would seek the later. That seems something that Sam would do, but not Dean.
I really did like the episode. My heart dropped when I realized that Bobby had gotten shot. I sincerely hope that it turns out that he’s okay. If not, this event could have serious ramifications for both boys since Bobby is so important in the lives of both of them. In addition, I would be sad since I really liked this character. Not every character needs to find a bloody death on Supernatural.
[b]1. Who saved the gal coming out of the law firm from the Leviathan? [/b]
Yeah, it was the waiter. You could tell by all the pins on his suspenders.
[b]2. I got really teary-eyed over mention of Bobby taking the brothers out hunting; how did you feel?[/b]
I love Bobby. I do. But they are really putting Bobby in the forefront of the series this season, what with all the background and character development. I don’t want Bobby being John II. It was nice to see that there is a long history with Bobby, as was inferred in Supernatural Christmas.
[b]3. What did you think about the punishment they gave the doctor? I remember bibbing being mentioned in an earlier episode and wondered what it meant. Performing cannibalism on oneself, how gross. Leave it to Edlund to come up with that![/b]
You can always count on BE for the gross and quirky.
[b]4. Do you think the way Dean feels about hunting is the REAL reason for his drinking? He just doesn’t want to hunt anymore? This isn’t the first time he’s expressed unhappiness over the job. Just because he doesn’t want “normal†with Lisa doesn’t mean he wants to be a hunter.[/b]
Dean said way back in Croatoan that he was tired of hunting, and look how much has gone on since then. I am actually hoping that he is drinking because he is depressed and not because he has another big secret looming in the background.
[b]5. Sam easily confessed to Bobby the truth about his life with Lucifer—that he sees him and is dealing with that. What did you think about his confession and Bobby’s reaction?[/b]
I think Bobby secretly admires Sam as much as Dean does and shows it in his dialogue. I really liked the conversations with each brother individually. Bobby seems to know the right ‘Winchester language’ to use on each of the boys. I think Dean expects to be bitched at and takes it as it is meant.
[b]6. Do you think we’ve lost Bobby for good this time? How would you feel about it if it were true—no more Bobby as someone to turn to for help or as a father figure. It would really bother me. A lot.[/b]
I am undecided about this one. I love Bobby, but if they are going to keep pushing the John II thing and keep having the guys rely on him so heavily, then I’d be okay if he is killed off. Everything is supposed to be taken away from the Winchesters this season, but I don’t think the show is going to go so far as to kill off Bobby. I guess that means I’m leaning toward a prolonged recovery. I’m inclined to believe that Bobby’s incapacitation is the impetus that sets Dean on a path. Now, whether that path is dark, crazy Dean or determined hunter Dean, I don’t know. I’m hoping TPTB aren’t on the road to dragging Dean’s character down as far as they took Sam’s over the years. I want to like Sam again, but he hasn’t been redeemed in my eyes. I don’t know if I’ll ever like the character as much as I did in the early seasons. They just went too far with Sam over the years, and now I’m concerned that’s where they are taking Dean (what with all the parallelism these writers seem to be so fond of).
[b]7. I thought this ep had some great black humor and interaction between Bobby and the boys, which is why I gave it an 8. It might go higher after another viewing or two. Your grade?[/b]
I rated it an 8 for the brilliant dialogue, the callback to Bad Day at Blackrock (the tin foil duck as a take-out container…heh), and Dean got two SOBs in. I like an understated with quiet strength Sam. That is the strength in Jared’s acting, and I’d like to see more of that Sam. I’m not cracked up about a 2-part mid-season finale devoted to a support character, however. I had enough of a support character taking over the show last season and would prefer not to have a repeat of that. I’m not clear on what the purpose of the Levi’s experiment is. I’ve kind of lost interest in the Levi now that this episode revealed the whole theme of S7 is evil corporate America. I really like Edgar, but Dick Roman just isn’t as intimidating or fun as Zachariah as the evil in the corporate world.
[b]8. What did you think of Dean’s behavior under the influence of the crazy sandwich? I found it kind of irritating. I can’t explain why, but it just bothered me. It wasn’t funny so much as grating, and the fact that he didn’t care about things made me angry.[/b]
I prefer a dark, borderline on the edge, determined Dean; but in this case, the whole point was to reveal how far down Dean is. I liked stoned Dean, but what’s funnier to watch (in this case and Yellow Fever) is how tolerant Sam is of his brother and how he steps in to take charge (like grabbing the sandwich out of Dean’s hands and all the bitch faces). The best I’ve seen of Dean flying high was in Yellow Fever when he was drunk and talking to the little fresh-faced deputy. I loved that. Dean is a really happy drunk/stoned guy, so I didn’t find him irritating.
2. I got really teary-eyed over mention of Bobby taking the brothers out hunting; how did you feel?
Me too, and I loved that the little boys wouldn’t shoot Bambi.
3. What did you think about the punishment they gave the doctor? I remember bibbing being mentioned in an earlier episode and wondered what it meant. Performing cannibalism on oneself, how gross. Leave it to Edlund to come up with that!
A gross-out! Yuck! The gruesome stuff Ben comes up with! 😡
4. Do you think the way Dean feels about hunting is the REAL reason for his drinking? He just doesn’t want to hunt anymore? This isn’t the first time he’s expressed unhappiness over the job. Just because he doesn’t want “normal†with Lisa doesn’t mean he wants to be a hunter.
Don’t blame Dean for being discouraged. They’ve given all they have (literally) the last few years and gotten no thanks or long lasting rewards. Who wouldn’t be discouraged and despondent? I do think there must be something else we don’t know about going on there though.
5. Sam easily confessed to Bobby the truth about his life with Lucifer—that he sees him and is dealing with that. What did you think about his confession and Bobby’s reaction?
Aw, Sammy! So good to know you really do worry about your brother. I was beginning to wonder. Please try to show Dean that you do need him and appreciate him and that should cheer Dean up a bit. (and bring him some pie once in a while).
Sam is handling his Lucifer stuff very well, but I think that won’t last for the whole of the season. Loved Bobby’s reaction to both of the brothers, and how different those reactions were. He knows them so very well.
6. Do you think we’ve lost Bobby for good this time? How would you feel about it if it were true—no more Bobby as someone to turn to for help or as a father figure. It would really bother me. A lot.
I’ll be unbelievably upset if we really lose Bobby. Surely they wouldn’t let that happen. Bobby will be OK HE WILL HE WILL HE WILL! If they lose Bobby, Dean will be lost as well, and that can’t be as there would be no more show! 😥
7. I thought this ep had some great black humor and interaction between Bobby and the boys, which is why I gave it an 8. It might go higher after another viewing or two. Your grade?
I have to give this one a 10, to join up with my many other tens through the years. This episode had everything I love about the show (except for shooting Bobby!)
8. What did you think of Dean’s behavior under the influence of the crazy sandwich? I found it kind of irritating. I can’t explain why, but it just bothered me. It wasn’t funny so much as grating, and the fact that he didn’t care about things made me angry.
I thought the stoned Dean was entirely adorable and endearing. I wanted to give him hugz. And it let us know that he is grieving for Cas and has lost his zest for life and the hunting. Also I lmao at some of his remarks. Loved his snark! 😛
And as Ginger pointed out, this episode showed how protective Sammy is of his big brother, like when he grabbed the sandwich away from him. Loved to see that! 🙄
2. I got really teary-eyed over mention of Bobby taking the brothers out hunting; how did you feel?
I don’t know… I’m always leery of the insertion of other people too much into their early history. Why did John leave them alone at Christmas and with the shtriga when Uncle Bobby was just a stone’s throw away?
3. What did you think about the punishment they gave the doctor? I remember bibbing being mentioned in an earlier episode and wondered what it meant. Performing cannibalism on oneself, how gross. Leave it to Edlund to come up with that!
Heh! Totally gross.
4. Do you think the way Dean feels about hunting is the REAL reason for his drinking? He just doesn’t want to hunt anymore? This isn’t the first time he’s expressed unhappiness over the job. Just because he doesn’t want “normal†with Lisa doesn’t mean he wants to be a hunter.
No, I think he’s drinking because he was tortured for 30 years in Hell, became a torturer for 10 more, and had absolutely no time to process or move past it due to successive impending crises that he had to take care of.
5. Sam easily confessed to Bobby the truth about his life with Lucifer—that he sees him and is dealing with that. What did you think about his confession and Bobby’s reaction?
I think it makes sense, given where he’s at right now.
6. Do you think we’ve lost Bobby for good this time? How would you feel about it if it were true—no more Bobby as someone to turn to for help or as a father figure. It would really bother me. A lot.
I’d be cool with it. Like someone else said, he’s almost become John 2.0, and if we were gonna have that, I wish we’d have just kept John.
7. I thought this ep had some great black humor and interaction between Bobby and the boys, which is why I gave it an 8. It might go higher after another viewing or two. Your grade?
Eh, I don’t know. I thought the pacing was kind of bad, and there was a bit too much Bobby for my tastes. 6.
8. What did you think of Dean’s behavior under the influence of the crazy sandwich? I found it kind of irritating. I can’t explain why, but it just bothered me. It wasn’t funny so much as grating, and the fact that he didn’t care about things made me angry.
I thought it was fun. 🙂 I like it when they get a chance to play these kinds of things. 🙂
[b]2. I got really teary-eyed over mention of Bobby taking the brothers out hunting; how did you feel?[/b]
A bit ‘Meh’ to be honest. It merely reinforced that the brothers have known Bobby for a long time. Though perhaps it was these early hunts that stemmed Sam’s love of vegetables. And Dean, you’ve eaten more than your fair share of baby animals in your time, no point in getting all queasy about shooting Bambi.
In relation to the overall scene, I’m probably overly sensitive to situations that lessen John’s relationship with his sons so I was a bit ‘Ah for feck sake, here we go again’ at this bit as it seemed, to me, to indicate another aspect of their relationship where John was replaced by Bobby.
[b]3. What did you think about the punishment they gave the doctor? I remember bibbing being mentioned in an earlier episode and wondered what it meant. Performing cannibalism on oneself, how gross. Leave it to Edlund to come up with that! [/b]
Plenty gross. And now we know what kills the Leviathans (I’ve an image in my head of all those Leviathan heads at the bottom of the river chatting away to themselves). How did doc Leviathan manage to eat his own head, and his own mouth?
[b]4. Do you think the way Dean feels about hunting is the REAL reason for his drinking? He just doesn’t want to hunt anymore? [/b]
I think it’s more than that. There’s probably a bigger secret on the horizon.
This isn’t the first time Dean’s expressed discontent with the job. For a long time I’ve felt that he merely hunts because he feels he’s obliged to ie because it’s always affected his family. From as early back as Croatoan he said he was tired of it. Not much has really happened in the meantime that would make him change his mind about it. If anything, it’s gone from bad to worse.
Plus, I imagine if Dean said ‘Guys, I just don’t want to hunt any more’, Sam and Bobby would back him. They did both want to give him ‘normal’; Sam in 5.22 and Bobby by not telling him Sam was back.
Not only do I find Dean’s self-sacrificial behaviour worrying, but his willingness to take others with him adds another dimension to it. In 7.01 he was planning on strapping his brother into the car and drive off a cliff and now he’s questioning as to whether they should just let the whole world go. That’s cause for concern…..
And to be honest, Dean’s rather blasé comments in relation to letting the world go annoyed me. I kinda wanted to smack him upside the head and remind him of just what it had cost him, and Sam, to keep it there the first time round and ask him if he wanted all they’d sacrificed and suffered to be in vain.
[b]5. Sam easily confessed to Bobby the truth about his life with Lucifer—that he sees him and is dealing with that. What did you think about his confession and Bobby’s reaction?[/b]
Least it was acknowledged, and his making the best of a bad situation is quite refreshing, and something that has embodied Sam since he got his soul back. His ‘the only way is up’ attitude stands in stark contrast to Dean’s ‘it’ll only get worse’ one. Good to see the brothers balance each other out.
I do agree with percysowner though. The longer Sam is ‘fine’ the more difficult, I feel, it will be for the show to address his issues properly later on. They have a buttload yet to cover. We still don’t know what’s ailing Dean; the Leviathans must be dealt with, as must Castiel, Adam and Bobby’s relationship with Sheriff Mills. If they leave it (Sam) until late in the second half of the season, the impact of whatever will hit Sam will be considerably lessened.
Add to that, when Sam does break (or whatever), it could very easily turn into a case of viewers going ‘Well, he was fine for so long, what’s wrong with him now? Why can’t he just go back to what he was doing before in order to deal?’
Like Bobby said, Sam is ‘one deep little son of a bitch’. I only hope we get to explore this depth, and not just the surface ripples.
[b]6. Do you think we’ve lost Bobby for good this time? How would you feel about it if it were true—no more Bobby as someone to turn to for help or as a father figure. It would really bother me. A lot.[/b]
I think it’d be a lot riskier to kill off Bobby than it was to kill off Castiel (and I do think we’re going to see Castiel again). Killing off what is, in essence, the third main character would put a hell of a lot more pressure on JP and JA in terms of their work schedule. Not only that, Bobby serves as an anchor to the boys that they are rooted in mankind, not monsterhood or angeldom. Spending so much time surrounded by monsters and angels has to make them feel separate from the rest of their fellow man, Bobby serves to remind them of the human side of who they are.
[b]7. I thought this ep had some great black humor and interaction between Bobby and the boys, which is why I gave it an 8. It might go higher after another viewing or two. Your grade? [/b]
About the same, 7 or an 8. I don’t want to think about it too much for fear of it going down, as has been the case for the last 4 or 5 episodes.
[b]8. What did you think of Dean’s behavior under the influence of the crazy sandwich? I found it kind of irritating. I can’t explain why, but it just bothered me. It wasn’t funny so much as grating, and the fact that he didn’t care about things made me angry.
[/b]
Stoned Dean was amusing Dean but I think a bit longer with him would probably have turned him into ‘Can we gag him?’ Dean. I think I found it quite funny because we’d never really seen him in that guise before so, as they say, ‘What’s rare is wonderful’. Just keep it rare, Dean.
Thanks for this, Robin. Another six hours well spent for you (I hope!).
1. Who saved the gal coming out of the law firm from the Leviathan? I’m so curious!
* Yep, that was Edgar.
2. I got really teary-eyed over mention of Bobby taking the brothers out hunting; how did you feel?
* Anytime I hear about their childhood is good with me. And Bobby is so great with the both of them.
3. What did you think about the punishment they gave the doctor?
* Yuck, that was disgusting, and way harsh! Would not want to work for that guy.
4. Do you think the way Dean feels about hunting is the REAL reason for his drinking? He just doesn’t want to hunt anymore?
* You know, Dean is showing all the classic signs of someone going through a depression. I hope that with Bobby out of commission, it will light the fire under his (perfect) ass.
5. Sam easily confessed to Bobby the truth about his life with Lucifer—that he sees him and is dealing with that. What did you think about his confession and Bobby’s reaction?
* This is what Sam needs to tell Dean! Along with my response to question 4, I think that would get Dean out of his funk. Sam is dealing, but Dean is his stone and he needs to continue building on that.
6. Do you think we’ve lost Bobby for good this time?
* I will be uber-pissed off if Bobby Singer does not make it back! Bring Cas, Crowley, any supernatural being to help, but bring the guy back to the Winchesters.
7. I thought this ep had some great black humor and interaction between Bobby and the boys, which is why I gave it an 8. It might go higher after another viewing or two. Your grade?
* Oh, I definitely give it a 9. I’ve watched it 3 times already, and I will watch it again and again, ad infinitum.
8. What did you think of Dean’s behavior under the influence of the crazy sandwich?
* I’m sorry you didn’t find him funny. I thought he was cute, but yeah, I wouldn’t want him like that all the time. I’ve known so many people in my life that have been (notice the past tense) high on the easier drugs (read MJ) and it can be entertaining, but it gets old after a while.