Let Speculate: “Party On, Garth”
Warning! If you haven’t seen “Party On, Garth” yet, read no further! There will be a huge spoiler in this article! HUGE, I say!
Okay, if you’re still reading, I’ll assume you’ve seen the episode, and you’re also really excited about BOBBY!!!! BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!
Yeah, I’m super psyched he’s back. Well, as long as he doesn’t end up a vengeful spirit, I’m super psyched he’s back. Huge, gigantic props to the cast, crew, the CW, everyone involved for not letting that leak because it was so worth the surprise. And Bobby being the ghost totally ruined this theory I had, but I’m so okay with it. And for kicks, I’m going to tell you what that theory was because I think it was kind of cool, and because this is my article, I can do it! Yeah! Article dictatorship! Come see the violence inherent in the system! Help, help, I’m being repressed!
The Ghost Bobby Alternative Theory
Okay, so, last week, Jim Michaels Tweeted that the ghost wasn’t Bobby, and that got me thinking about who it could be instead, because it seemed clear that SOMEONE was trying to help Dean out. So I thought maybe it was Michael. Yes, THE Michael. My theory went something like this: when Cass went to the cage to get Sam out, he somehow opened a link between Lucifer and his vessel. Since Sam already said yes to Lucifer, Lucifer was able to manifest himself to Sam and torture him. He wasn’t able to reclaim Sam as a vessel because it was just a link to Lucifer, not the real deal. In addition, Cass also opened a link between Michael and his vessel, Dean. But since Dean never said yes to Michael, never fulfilled his vessel potential, Michael wasn’t able to manifest himself to Dean. He could only circle Dean like a ghost, and he focused his energies on helping Dean however he could in the hopes of getting into his good graces, maybe convincing him to say yes. Dean says yes, Michael takes out the Leviathans. Of course, that’s been squashed now, but what do you think?
Welcome Home, Bobby
Seriously, I’m so happy he’s back. The show just isn’t the same without Bobby. But now the question is, what’s next for Bobby? He definitely saw more of Dick Roman’s plans than he was able to pass on to Sam and Dean, so hopefully he’ll be able to do that. Oh, and judging by the preview for the next new episode (not airing till April 20th, damn it!) the boys will actually be able to see him next episode, so I’m looking forward to hearing why Bobby couldn’t respond to any of Sam’s summonings. Is he tethered to the flask and can only go so far away from it, hence why he couldn’t answer Sam when Dean wasn’t around? Here’s how I hope their meeting plays out next episode: “You can see me?” *hugs all around* “A talking board? Ya idjit.”
So what’s next for Bobby? I think he’s got a big role to play in stopping the Leviathans, for starters. I mean, he can probably see all sorts of stuff humans can. Dean could just drop off the flask in Dick Roman’s office, and presto! Inside information! I also have a feeling that Bobby might be able to help with the Hallucifer situation, too, but I’m not sure how yet. I guess he knows Cass is back if he’s been following Dean around, so maybe he’s going to help look into things on that front.
Aside from the huge Bobby reveal, that was a solid, fun episode. Let’s move on to some highlights, shall we?
Bits and Pieces
I really liked Garth the first time around, so I was happy to see him again. DJ Qualls was great, and really fun. Garth!
Drunk Dean spitting out that liquor was really funny. I laughed. A lot.
Mr. Fizzles, master interrogator.
So, Meg is reporting to Dean, huh? I wonder how accurate those are. And as a former Lucifer supporter, who’s to say she’s not helping him torture Cass?
Trying to contact Bobby behind Dean’s back was actually kind of smart of Sam. He knew Dean wouldn’t be objective about the whole thing. Hell, even I wouldn’t have been objective about the whole thing. His question to Dean about whether he could even get drunk anymore was rough, though, wasn’t it? Valid, but passive-aggressive.
Going to a sushi chef for help with the Japanese translation and sword blessing was really resourceful. Of course, Bobby would have been able to do that! Bobby!
Using “Garth” as a verb was great. “I Garthed her!” Yeah, I bet you did!
Garth, while sweet, is not exactly the best hunter ever. I bet he’s still alive because all the ghosts and spirits are like, “Rawr! I’m going to kill you! Except you’re kind of adorable. Aw, look at that widdle Garth. What a cutie. I just can’t be mad at you. Here, let’s be friends.” And then Garth casually kills them.
Okay, well, we’ve got some time to kill before the next episode, unfortunately. But what did you think of this one? What about my crazy Michael theory? Wouldn’t that have been something to see? Who else is super happy that Bobby is back?
I usually don’t read anything until I write up my thoughts but I can’t help myself! BOBBBBBY!!! Ok, when the camera pulled back and panned left to include him in frame, I literally screamed, then I screamed his name, then I burst into tears, then when Dean came in and couldn’t see him, I bawled my eyes out! What a rollercoaster 2 minutes! Oh I’m so glad he’s back, even in this current form. I want him to be corporeal again though. I can’t wait to see the next ep so that the boys can see him!
Ok…that’s all I wanted to say for now…just BOBBBBBY! Yay.
😀 😀 😀 😀 😀
me too!! I actually screamed and started cryiing and laughing and calling his name all at once!!!! it was so fantastic to see him again… I’m soooooooo glad he’s back… SPN is not just the same without him
I did exactly what you did, screamed, screamed Bobby, cried and then missed all the following dialogue. Didn’t care. It’s Bobby! Yay! Happy happy!
Bobby!Bobby!Bobby!.Yeah BOBBY!!!. I LOVE HIM. SO HAPPY TO SEE HIM. They did a magnificent job of keeping this underwraps. I think Jim HAD to know at Burcon. He was being all sly and disgruntled. Hah HAH.
I really like Garth. And I actually that the
“Can you even get drunk?” was really funny.
And Sam insisted on talking about something. How long has it been? Well Slice Girls but it wasn’t quite the same. Since he was berating him. And Dean saying “We’ll talk about this later.” That made me happy for some unknown reason.
YAY BOBBY!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2 THINGS…. GOD i’m soooooo happy bobby’s back!!! jESUS CHRIST i CRIED A LOT!!!!!
SECOND, i LOVED THE huge SURPRISE!!! i CAN’T BELIEVE EHOW THEY COULD KEEP IT LOCKED!!!!
BOOOOOOOBBBBBBBBBBYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!! you little boy!!! I missed ya sooo badly!!!!
**DOLPHIN NOISES**
OMG, I am so CRAZY happy about this episode! It was GREAT! It had some great brother moments, including “I miss these talks” and Dean asking Sam how his custard was. Hey, it turns out Sam *IS* still working thru the affects of his memories and is now able to do so, because of Cas’s help. So much for never hearing about that again!
And it was so FUNNY! I swear, I’m still laughing and all the drunk moments and the Taxi, and the sword, and the hot tub!
And then the amazing shock- Bobby! He is here! In fact, he’s BEEN here all along- shocked, amazed, thrilled, not sure I have the adequate words for all the FEELS!
BOBBY BOBBY BOBBY 😀 I so missed him glad he’s back in whatever form just hasn’t been the same without him. Once we got to the first commercial loved the episode. Started out really slow (maybe I should stop reading synopsis so I don’t know anything about the episode. Garth loved him Dean drunk yummy Sam and Dean fighting scary monster awesome can’t believe they all kept that big secret
[quote]Okay, so, last week, Jim Michaels Tweeted that the ghost wasn’t Bobby, and that got me thinking about who it could be instead, because it seemed clear that SOMEONE was trying to help Dean out. So I thought maybe it was Michael. Yes, THE Michael. My theory went something like this: when Cass went to the cage to get Sam out, he somehow opened a link between Lucifer and his vessel. Since Sam already said yes to Lucifer, Lucifer was able to manifest himself to Sam and torture him. He wasn’t able to reclaim Sam as a vessel because it was just a link to Lucifer, not the real deal. In addition, Cass also opened a link between Michael and his vessel, Dean. But since Dean never said yes to Michael, never fulfilled his vessel potential, Michael wasn’t able to manifest himself to Dean. He could only circle Dean like a ghost, and he focused his energies on helping Dean however he could in the hopes of getting into his good graces, maybe convincing him to say yes. Dean says yes, Michael takes out the Leviathans. Of course, that’s been squashed now, but what do you think?[/quote]
I seriously love your theory with only one exception. I want Dean and Sam to be the one who takes out the Leviathan.
About Bobby, see guys, I had posted my comment few moons ago that I am not really worried about Bobby. I don’t mind that he died because Death is not the end in Supernatural Universe. I already have a feeling that we will see Bobby again. This show is the only show that is against all odds.
So, I really am not surprised that Bobby’s back. I kinda expect it. 😀
There were tears streaming down my face at the end of this episode. And then for a second I thought that Dean could see Bobby and wondered whether we had been misled by the writers – before Dean picked up the flask and walked out again. Genius.
Oh My God. I literally scared both my cats off of my lap when Bobby was revealed in that hotel room. I think I actually screamed! I’m so happy that it was kept secret, what a reveal, although I think deep down we kind of all expected him to be the one haunting that flask. Now I can’t wait for both guys to be able to properly see him.
As for the episode, I thought it was a good filler, but it also let us see into both Dean’s & Sam’s psyches, so good one on Adam Glass. And Garth, what can you say about Garth, he is so darn adorkable (yes I’m stealing the word from “New Girl”). You’ve been Garthed! I’m going to start using that one.
[quote]Oh My God. I literally scared both my cats off of my lap when Bobby was revealed in that hotel room. I think I actually screamed! I’m so happy that it was kept secret, what a reveal, although I think deep down we kind of all expected him to be the one haunting that flask. Now I can’t wait for both guys to be able to properly see him.
As for the episode, I thought it was a good filler, but it also let us see into both Dean’s & Sam’s psyches, so good one on Adam Glass. And Garth, what can you say about Garth, he is so darn adorkable (yes I’m stealing the word from “New Girl”). You’ve been Garthed! I’m going to start using that one.[/quote]
I totally agree! I give major props to Mr. Glass- he definitely has my approval now.
I am very glad to see Bobby back, I just wish they would have let it be, and not tried to deceive fans so overtly.
I thought this was a good episode overall, and Garth, as Dean said, grows on you.
The sword blessing was brilliant, and the writing was sharp.
Ardeospina, how do I sum up my feelings about this episode in one word? Hmm, let me think.
I know. BOBBY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dean and Sam needed an outside sympathic (sorry Frank) hunter to look at the Bobby situation. Because they both wanted to believe but even though the signs were there, it still looked like a dead (sorry) end.
I agree with your theory about why Garth has survived so long. The monsters are just overwhelmed at his cuteness and he kills them before they realize he is a threat.
Back to Bobby, when Dean walked back into the room, Bobby’s face lit up the room, but Dean walked past him and picked up the flask. BALLS!!
I think that you are right, Bobby is attached to the flask, so when Sam used the ‘talking board’, there was no Dean, there was no flask, therefore there was no Bobby.
When the sword moved to Dean, that was the final straw, it had to be Bobby. Even though, when I saw Sam over Dean’s shoulder, I wondered if Sam’s powers had returned and that Sam had moved the sword to Dean.
But I am glad that next episode, Bobby is visible to his boys, because with five episodes left, somethings shouldn’t be dragged out.
I do not think that it is Micheal, because than we are just going backwards to the whole Micheal and Lucifer battle, and we have gotten past that.
I look forward to the next two weeks of discussion, but also the last five episodes.
BOBBY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 😀 😀 😀
Ok this was a super dooper episode. I can’t say anything negative about it at all. I especially LOVED LOVED LOVED the ending. I cried with happiness for ages and felt like a kid again being surprised with some good news.
What I don’t understand though is Dean not being able to see Bobby. He was a ghost and flickered, and usually Dean and Sam see ghosts when they flicker…doesn’t that mean they can be seen at that point?
I think Dean can see Bobby, but doesn’t want to believe that he is a ghost. He turned his head when he got to the door slightly looking back at ghost Bobby, and i’m sure he knew he was there, but just didn’t want to acknowledge it.
I thoroughly enjoyed this episode. I think Garth is a great character and I would love to see more of him. He may be a bit of a dork but he must be a good hunter, otherwise he would be dead by now.
It was good to see Sam literally chase Dean down and make him talk. I hope this continues for both of them.
As for Dean not seeing Bobby. Bobby being visible on the screen was for OUR benefit. The viewer now knows that Bobby is and has been with them all along. I think he flickered out of our view because the flask left the room and Bobby went with it. And thanks to the promo we know that Dean will see Bobby in the next episode.
Speaking of the promo; I am totally staying away from anything that even resembles a spoiler. Maybe that’s why I enjoyed this episode so much; the entire thing was brand new to me. While I was watching Born Again Identity it was 30 minutes into the show when I realized that everything from that point on would be new to me.
Is it just me or have there been more hiatus breaks than normal this year?
[quote]
Is it just me or have there been more hiatus breaks than normal this year?[/quote]
My understanding is that this one was due to the time off that they gave Jared due to the PadaBaby being born 🙂 so I’m okay with it.
That’s not true actually. Jared’s baby had no effect on the schedule whatsoever. He only missed 3 days of shooting and they rearranged schedules so he could make that up. Plus, he was only off last week! They were shooting episode 21 then. They are only up to episode 19 in the schedule.
There’s five episodes left and 7 weeks in the season left. There’s around 36 weeks in a season and this year 23 episodes (normally 22). In prior seasons, they took 8 week breaks over Christmas. This year, I believe it was only 5. They usually take 5 weeks off around March. They only took off 3 weeks this year. It’s either longer breaks or more shorter ones. This year, they’re trying the latter.
Hi Arde,
Yes. Yes. YES!!!! BBBBOOOOOBBBBYYYY is back!
I loved this episode. My emotions ran the whole gamut of “I laughed, I cried, I burnt the t-shirt!”
This was a very clever episode because it also showed so much of what was still going on in the brothers’ brains and just as importantly, their hearts.
Dean SO wants to believe Bobby is really with them. He is leaning towards that hope and possibility just like he leaned into the loving touch of his mom in WIAWSNB. I like Dean’s willingness to believe it could be Bobby. He’s kind of like Mulder – I want to believe.
I can understand Sam being rational, a la Scully, and saying they’re finally doing something normal. They’re grieving like regular folk and seeing their dead loved one everywhere.
I do kind of think it’s too bad he did the “talking board”(they’d have to pay rights to call it a Ouija board”) without Dean. I kind of understand why. He was so unsure of his own sanity. But I think it unintentionally made Dean worry even more about his instincts and hunter skills. Because from the moment that beer disappeared Dean was thinking/hoping/almost believing Bobby was around.
Now, on to theories…. Your link-to-Michael idea is neat. I actually believe that the whole Dean-as-Michael-vessel storyline is not dead. (I’m a broken record on this.) God!Cas mentioned Michael in his conversation with Crowley at the beginning of the season. Has to be significant.
I think the Three Amigos of Death + Michael +Bobby/Cas.. okay make that the Four Musketeers.. will have some role in bringing down the Leviathan.
Anyways, I always thought it suspicious that Jim Beaver was working on a movie that was also filming in BC (I get paid to be suspicious, or at least curious, so it’s like I never turn it off now). Nice to know my Spidey Sense was tingling for a reason!
I’m so excited for the rest of the season!
Pragmatic Dreamer 😛
It’s me again with one more thought..
One other absolutely wild thought.. What if Bobby was tied to Dean? I’m like 90% sure it’s the flask, but just ponder the story possibilities there! And I’m not suggesting he’s Dean’s dad. Maybe he gave him a blood transfusion once? (I know medically that Bobby’s blood would be long gone, but this is Supernatural!!)
Pragmatic Dreamer
I wonder by Dean couldn’t see Bobby O.o
OMG Bobby is back!!! I just can wait till April 20th (or 21th for me).
I have a little theorie why Sam couldn´t contact Bobby via Talking Bord. How about this:
Bobby actully ansered but due Sams hallucitation he saw nothing.
Just my little speculation…. 😀
I actually have a crazy idea about Bobby and I know it’s far from what is going to happen I think, but I just thought since this is the place to speculate I could put my weird idea here anyway. I know it’s not about to happen at all and there is no way of this actually in any way might be in the cards, but I thought it could be cool. The “theory” has a lot of flaws, I’m saying it before, so don’t bash on me for saying that it’s all a bunch of bullshit, okay. 🙂
Oh and I also apologize for any mistakes in laguage since english isn’t my mother tongue. Please bear with me.
I mself think that Bobby is a ghost, but I would find my idea/option quite interesting as well. 😉 Because even though I love Jim Beaver and Bobby I thought the whole Bobby is a ghost idea a bit too easy and obvious. I like it a bit more mysterious.
So, here I go with my insane thoughts.
Well, I’ve been watching the promo for 7×19 on repeat because I needed to focus on Sam’s face when Dean says “Bobby!” and from what it looks like Sam seems to be seeing Bobby as well, BUT:
What if he actually doesn’t? What if it’s really just Dean? And Sam looks this freaked out, because he thinks what the hell is going on? Like in the way: is my brother going crazy? Or is it that I can’t trust my own judgement, because of all the mess the Lucifer hallucinations had caused and I’m starting to see Bobby just like I saw Lucifer? Am I going crazy again?
I know it’s crazy, but just imagine this for a brief moment. As far as I can tell this whole season has to some extent been about mental illnesses/the human psyche, etc. Now, let’s look at this scene from the promo. What if Dean actually is just that beyond exhausted/defeated [Jensen said in any interview that there will have to be some kind of breaking point with him this season – okay this might also be when he realizes that Bobby really is around and Sam and him have to kill him (someone mentioned this in the comments to one of the other reviews to POG and also pointed out that it might pick up the question how to deal with the “You kill the monster”-debate and I think this could very well be the way the writers could take it). This – Bobby dying a 2nd time and then by their hands… Wow, that would really and completely destroy Dean and would mean breaking point. So maybe this is where they’ll go but onto my weird ass theory] with all that’s been happening this season and most importantly Cas’s and Bobby’s Deaths – even though one of those is back now – that his grief actually manifests in Dean SEEING things (that aren’t there or happening – kinda like Sam points out the way it happens to “Normal people” who are grieving a loss) as in moving papers and all the weird things that happened that now seem to be explained through Bobby being a ghost.
But what if that is actually not the case? What if Dean is just really going crazy with grieving and literally starts SEEING Bobby in the way Sam saw Lucifer (again, I know this is so out of the cards to be happening but somehow I’d just love to see Jensen Ackles have the opportunity to show us an amazing “balls to the walls” crazy Dean – does this make me a bad person? :/ ) I mean hallucination like. Maybe Deans perception of the world is also very much influenced by his constant drinking that this might be a symptom of how bad it really has gotten… Like a real problem…
This is something I wonder about in general. How are they going to resolve this? It has been made such a point this season that they can’t just like make it go “poof” once Cas and maybe Bobbymight be back for good. Well they could, but I wouldn’t find that to be very satisfying. Will there be some kind of episode showing Dean completely wasted unable to hunt? I don’t know how they can resolve it since right now it honestly would be kind of weird if he could and would just stop even if things got better because it really has gotten kind of extreme.
Okay. Back to the Dean is going nuts just like Sam idea. This would mean the boys would come full circle and Sam would get to know first hand how it must have been for Dean to see him checking out when Lucifer was around.
I know this all doesn’t fit with the whole ending scene of 7×18, but for some reason I find Dean to go completely off the rails very interesting.
Okay, enough weird talk from my side. Someone write down an awesome idea/theory for what’s going to happen. All I can say it, no matter which way the writers go: I’m excited to see it.
Thanks so much for your theory, it’s so wonderfully interesting to read everyone’s opinions. Great stuff (;
That’s actually a very interesting theory.