Alice’s Full Recap: “Supernatural” 8.20, “Pac-Man Fever”
This is how you do emotional moments! They slowed down the action at the perfect time to deliver the ideal emotional impact, using the moving score to sell the drama was well. Plus, didn’t Dean look really hot standing in that hallway in uniform? Gee, what is wrong with me? Suddenly I’m trying to figure out why there aren’t any tissues nearby. Show hasn’t done this to me in a while.
Dean wakes up back at the warehouse, where Sam is waiting on faithful watch. Sam pulls him up with worry, wanting to know what happened and if he’s okay. Dean says he’s okay and goes straight to Charlie with worry. She’s awake and she’s devastated. She looks at Dean like her whole world just fell apart and now Dean is feeling very guilty. “I’m sorry,” she tells her with regret. “I had to.” She rises and isn’t sure what else to do but throw herself into Dean’s arms. Sam is perplexed by the whole situation, but he’ll just have to accept these two are having a big moment right now. Dean holds onto Charlie tightly, all too understanding the crushing pain of losing someone. Just beautiful. My sleeve is now a mess.
Outside the MOL hideout and our three intrepid heroes are coming out of the bunker. Sickly Sam is carrying her bag. Sam and Charlie walk together, while Dean walks behind. “Thanks for saving our bacon,” Charlie tells Sam. “Anytime your highness,” Sam replies. She smiles again, because she’ll never get tired of that. “You know you’re going to be okay, right?” she says to Sam. Aww, here she is after facing a shattering blow personally and she’s encouraging Sam. It’s so sweet how the these three are just watching out for each other. “Those books portray you as one tough customer. If anyone can get through the trials Sam, it’s you.” Sam thanks her and then gives her a semi-cheesy but endearing compliment. “You know you should really come back sometime and look through our archives. You really are a woman of letters.” “I like the sound of that,” she answers and gives him a parting hug. I like the sound of that too. Sam needs an assistant, one with an attention to detail anyway. He takes his leave, so Dean and Charlie can have some alone time.
“Well, thanks for stopping by Charlie. Always wanted to get Tron-ed.” Yeah Dean, that’s sort of an understatement. So what’s next? She’s going back to the hospital. “I got to let go, right?” Dean nods in approval. “What about you, are you going to let go?” She asks, and I’m very sure we all know the answer to that! “Never.” I don’t know whether to feel sad or glad for Sammy! Glad I think. Charlie approves. “That’s my boys.” Then she blurts out, “I love you.” “I know,” Dean answers. You see what Han Solo started? That works every single time I hear it, no matter what the TV show or film. After all, Charlie used it in “LARP and The Real Girl” too. Dean gives her a big hug, but a supportive, big brother type hug. He kisses her at the top of the head and she walks away, headed to the yellow Gremlin parked way far away. I’m not sure what happened to prime parking in front of the hideout, but it does make for a nice landscape.
Dean goes back into the cave and there’s Sam at the table, ready for Dean to rip him a new one. Sam stands up, starts to defend himself and he doesn’t get to far before Dean just pulls him into a giant bear hug! Sam is stunned at first, and then he reciprocates. “What do you say we find our prophet,” Dean says, and then walks away to get to work. Sam remains standing in the same spot in the library, unsure what to say or do. Aww boys, I didn’t see that coming! All these brotherly hugs are just making me so damn happy!
Final scene, and it’s a tear jerker. I manage to track down tissues this time. Charlie is at the hospital signing a piece of paper and handing it over to the nurse Dean talked to earlier. She’s told to take all the time she needs with her Mom. So Charlie stands there, and I love how the camera moves almost full circle from behind Charlie all the way to her mother’s beside. That’s a common Robert Singer trick and it’s beautiful. It really sells the somber tone of the scene while Charlie struggles with saying goodbye.
Charlie takes a long emotional pause with her mother, and Felicia Day is just killing us here. We can feel the overwhelming sadness, and she’s doing it alone. She takes a seat next to her mother and pulls a book out of her bag while wiping away a tear. “One last time, okay?” Then she starts from the beginning of “The Hobbit.” The camera pulls away as she continues to read about the shire. It ends with “It was a hobbit hole, and that means comfort.” *wibble*
What a sweet ending. We don’t usually get that on this show. The last one I can think of like this was “The Song Remains The Same.” I’m kind of speechless now. Thank you Robbie Thompson and Robert Singer. That was amazing. That’s a recap folks.
Alice Jester is the founder, editor-in-chief, head writer, programmer, web designer, site administrator, marketer, and moderator for The Winchester Family Business. She is a 30 year IT applications and database expert with a penchant for creative and freelance writing in her spare (ha!!) time. That’s on top of being a wife, mother of two active kids, and four loving (aka needy) pets.
Alice, I absolutely did not have time to read this at work today, but as soon as I started I couldn’t stop! So, who cares if I have to stay back 30 minutes to get my work done, it was worth it! And why do these stupid people keep asking me work questions, can’t they see I’m busy SQUEEing all over the place! Gah.
Now, important points. Sam IS hot when sick and bedheaded, it’s a fact, so I’m not sure why you’re worried about yourself! Also, tight top and v-neck and can I add (as seen in your screen cap) that tight top hugs so nice it clings, enhancing a bit of “perky”. Now do you feel better? Obviously, my problems are worse!
And the yellow tie. I gasped when I saw your screen cap from WIAWSNB! Nice! But boy howdy, does Sam wear that suit better these days.
The Winchesters were epically distracting in this one…in ALL the right ways.
Right…I must get back to work. Thankfully this episode is on TV here is Aussie tonight, so I can watch it again. Not that I haven’t watched it a handful of times already! It’s kinda been on high rotation!
Thanks for taking the time to do this re-cap! So much fun. You know you’re going to have to do more of these, right?
Glad you liked it Amy!
I did these recaps for every episode from season three all the way to mid season six. I also went back and did some retro recaps for seasons one and two. I don’t know how, but I did! Finally, I couldn’t keep up anymore. We were a much smaller site back then, so I wasn’t spending anywhere near the time on admin duties, moderating comments and playing editor to a staff of writers for not only here but TV For The Rest of Us. Since the recaps had the lowest amount of hits/interest than any of the other articles, it was pretty easy to decide what was getting cut from my schedule!
This one took three days to write. It takes another half a day to get all the screencaps together. However, I hope to go back and do some retro recaps during the hiatus. I know I have a half finished one from The French Mistake that I should complete. I’ll entertain any requests too.
Just popping in to say that despite being new, I’ve gone and hunted down every single recap of yours in the past one year 😆 Love them all, Alice, and this one is no exception.
Hi Alice
this was so fun to read, thank you!
One thing: you had included the fact supported by Jared’s tweet on how his parents were present in that one crime scene shot.
So I was also hoping you had mentioned another part of the episode based on another of Jared’s tweets that still has me wondering. See, I had found his tweets the next day, AFTER I had watched; so the one where he said, “I wasn’t on set when Jensen was looking at me” was a scene I couldn’t place. I asked him to be more specific but got no reply. I knew I wouldn’t but thought it wouldn’t hurt to try…
In anycase, can you or anyone else, point out which scene it was? I would appreciate it.
[quote] So I was also hoping you had mentioned another part of the episode based on another of Jared’s tweets that still has me wondering. See, I had found his tweets the next day, AFTER I had watched; so the one where he said, “I wasn’t on set when Jensen was looking at me” was a scene I couldn’t place. [/quote]
Hi Mer:
I think the scene Jared was referring to was the hospital bed scene in the video game dream – Sam and Dean are never in the same shot. When Dean pulls back the curtain, I’m pretty sure he’s looking at nothing – the shot of Sam in the bed was inserted later in the editing. Hope that helps… 🙂
Yep, that’s right. He was referring to that. He said that by not having to be there to film that scene, he got a long weekend out of it to be with family.
thank you, both of you. Now I can relax;-)
Thanks Alice for a very funny and informative recap.
I’ve watched this episode about 5 times already and I’m still not bored with it. I totally missed the tie call back and a few others as well. Thanks to your ency***** Um, big book knowledge I’ll hopefully spot them on the next (yes really) viewing.
If I’d known that you stopped writing these recaps partly because of low volume feedback, I would have commented more often.
Thanks again. Looking forward to the next recap.
Glad you enjoyed it! I’ll probably do a few more of these during summer hiatus, just for fun. I’m not sure why, but these types of recaps were never popular. Probably because it’s like reading a novel. It’s not for those with short attention span or lack of time.
I loved reading your novel. Please write more!
That was a fun recap, Alice!
Thanks.
(And I’m right there with you on the Vneck and bedhead look for Sam, but you knew that, right? 😳 )
Please do more of these, I wasn’t around for your previous ones, but I’ll be heading back to the archives to find a few when I have a spare minute – hour – day.
🙂
I’m happy I could entertain.
You’ll find a full set of recaps for seasons three, four, and five, and up to “Mannequin 3: The Reckoning” for season six. There’s a few for season one and two, like “Home,” “Salvation,” “Devil’s Trap,” “In My Time of Dying,” “Born Under A Bad Sign,” “What Is And What Should Never Be,” and the two “All Hell Breaks Loose” episodes. Just go to the episode guides and anything that says “Recap” is mine.
Alice – Thanks… that was a lot of fun to read. Sounds like you had fun writing it too.
Thanks! Yes, it was fun. My family kept interrupting that fun, but it was fun.
Alice, that was a fabulous recap! As I am fairly new to the site, this was the first long recap of yours that I’ve read, and I love it.. a little critique, and little plot, a little BTS, and a little squee…. what more could a Supernatural fan want? Love the Smith’s reference also, I wonder if anyone else got that? I was a huge Smith’s fan back in the day.
I’m sure few did, but who knows? I swear, anytime I see anyone in a coma, suddenly “Girlfriend In A Coma” starts ringing in my head. It’s serious, it’s serious… 😆
I love it when at least one person gets an obscure reference I throw in, so you’ve made my day!
Hi Alice:
I’m thrilled you were able to recap this episode because beyond the story itself, there were so many moments (deep and shallow 😉 ) to enjoy. It was a great read – thank you!
Another trivia point, although I can’t take credit for this one – one of the SPN crew members sent out a tweet suggesting we look at the byline on the front page of the newspaper Dean picks up: It’s written by D. Scully 😆
Gotta love the crew’s attention to detail!
Ooh, great catch! Thanks for mentioning. I do try to be thorough, but it’s hard to get everything.
Thanks, Alice, for taking the time to do this fun and informative recap. Nothing to add except my appreciation.
Hi Alice, this was so much fun to read. Where reviewers just tell you what happened in the episode is not much fun but seeing what you got out of the episode is great. Thanks for all the work – and the screencaps, oh the screencaps …. (sorry where was I?)
This episode was not what I was expecting and was so much better for it. I definitely feel that the trailers were messing with the fans that didn’t want to see Sam benched and isolated from the other characters for the episode (hah, you think you’re so funny don’tcha guys 😉 ) I am glad they decreased the geek level of Charlie and made her more human since it appears we will be seeing more of her in future episodes.
Oh, and while the Star Wars references are starting to get old (for me) there can never be too many Smiths references in any review 😀 keep it up.
(EDIT: Heh, someone got there ahead of me on girlfriend in a coma …)
What a treat Alice. I can understand how it would take you a long time to write this, but Thank You. This was such a special episode, the last 10 minutes I don’t think I did anything but wipe my eyes. You are right when you say the show has not done this to us in a long time. I always look forward to your reviews, and this one was sure worth the wait!
Alice-that was a lot of fun to read, I laughed a lot. Very intertaining. Love the fact that your recap with your thoughts gives new light to episodes.
If you do some recaps how about one for Season 6 when Dean is a Vampire. He is so hot in that.
Also, in Season 8, the episode with the Gollum. That actor brought such great presence to the gollum character.
Anyway, keep writing.
It’s you lucky day, I did one when Dean was a Vampire. I at least had the first half (and beyond) of season six covered.
[url]https://www.thewinchesterfamilybusiness.com/articles/60-season-six/12615-recap-qlive-free-and-twihardq.html[/url]
Consider a recap for “Everybody Hates Hitler” next on my list. That’s still my favorite ep of the season so far.
I would definitely read a recap for Everybody Hates Hitler. It’s still my favourite ep of the season, too!
(Well, I’d read a recap of anything SPN, but you know, that one in particular I’d really enjoy 🙂 )
Thank you, thank you and thank you again for this great recap. I’m one of the few that loved it when you did this. But, hey, I understand how long they take to write and prepare and how busy this site and TV for the Rest of Us keeps you. I read this at work, even though I didn’t really have time, but I couldn’t help myself, this site is like a drug! 😆
I’ve watched the episode everyday since it’s been on, I am so in love with it. I love Charlie so much, she is now a de-facto Winchester in my book. 😉 The part at the end really got to me bigtime. I was the only one of my siblings at my mother’s bedside when she passed, so I really got the emotions Charlie was going through. Knowing you have to let go, but just wanting that last little bit with your mom. Oh, here I go, tearing up just thinking about it. 😥
Okay, ending on a happy note here. Did anyone notice the caduceus on Dean’s uniform? Not only did his name tag read Winchester, but he was a doctor! 😀 Good for him. That is definitely a man that looks good in uniform. 😳 And don’t worry overmuch Alice, I also think sick Sam is very hot. I think it’s the mother in us all that would LOVE to take care of him for just one day…or more. 😳
Wonderful review. Now I need to rewatch, AGAIN! This episode is definitely going in my top 5, maybe top 3. And the hug at the end? Best ever. No return from death or MIA. Just purely for Love!!!!
Alice, I read this before work this morning and couldn’t wait to get home to tell you how much I enjoyed this. This one is really yours, right? 😀 Anyhow, really fun and lengthy read (I was a little late 🙂 )! I know your time is limited but I would love to see more of these. Maybe if you had less of those pesky emails :-* .
Oh yes, this one is mine. I do recall sacrificing the last three days of my life to get it done! It really is easier if I just put my name on someone else’s work. 🙂
Oh trust me, pesky emails is just the tip of the iceberg. 🙂
I loved this review and I love these types of reviews especially.. I usually look forward to your reviews and didn’t know you’d done some longer ones. I’m going to have to go back and read all your other revews as I’m kind of new here and this is the first full recap I’ve ever seen.
Just to let you know I love your recaps, and always don’t reply to them as when I reply to one review I feel redundant to waste your time with similar posts. :-*
Anyway, is it the hits or the posts that tell you if we are interested in the different articles?
I’m just saying I want to go on record that I love to read your long and rambling recaps with lots of pictures, even though not always commenting. 😛 🙂
Thanks.
No, the recaps got good replies. It was the number of hits (which I can track for each article). I was actually writing a regular review for Blogcritics and a recap every week. The review hits outdid the recap 4:1. It was just obvious what had to go.
Glad to know you read them! I’ll have to work them into the rotation a bit more in S9.
I think these type of recaps are great! Where they point out a lot of the little details I missed and all filled with excitement for the episode.
Sam does look extremely hot when he is sick perhaps that is why they keep making him all frail. Him in those scrubs last year about gave me palpitations.
Monty Python and the Holy Grail is one of my all time favorite movies. My family and I reference it all the time. Although my favorite line is to say,”Who are you who is so wise in the ways of science?” when someone says something particularly stupid. What’s hilarious is we quote that line from Princess Bride all the time too.
And I loved all the references to earlier seasons, especially the Carver Edlund stuff. I’ve often thought that Chuck would finish publishing, especially with Becky that for a while to egg him on. And for some reason I find the idea of Charlie knowing all the[i] intimate[/i] details of their lives hilarious. I don’t even know why. The only thing that could make me happier about that is if she finds out about Wincest or somehow tells Garth. I hate that we never got to see Bobby find out about it, although I might not have recover from seeing that. Although I do have one small bitch and I KNOW it was done this way for comedic effect, but it bothered me a tiny bit that it did look as if she only thanked Dean for saving the world. But she later said nothing “they can’t do together” so really it was a pretty minor thing that I will probably regret mentioning.
Charlie is a great addition to the show and that stuff with her mom was sweet and heartbreaking. And the episode gave great broments -new favorite word. So happy Robbie Thompson came to the show.
What a fabulous recap, Alice. Thank you for this. I’ve always loved your long recaps, I used to look forward to someone over at Supernatural TV (which was my message board home in those days) posting the link to them after each episode.
This episode really surprised me as, based on the trailer, I wasn’t expecting to like it so much. As it turned out I loved it. Really loved it. I’ve re-watched it a few times already, which is more than I can say for most of the other episodes this year so far.
Before this episode I wasn’t a huge Charlie fan (liked her in the Dungeons and Dragons Tattoo episode but not so much in the Larping episode) but now her backstory has made her a much more human and 3 dimensional character. Her scene at the end with her mother was so heartbreaking I had to look away as, like for many other folk here, it brought back too many painful memories. Loved what Charlie said to Sam about him being able to complete the trials.
Most of all I LOVED the broments. 😆 I’m absolutely loving the brotherly relationship these days. The surprise hug at the end had me melting. It was just wonderful.
Too many great moments to list but I especially loved when Dean sent Sam ‘home’…awwww. Also loved Sam’s ‘I hate that thing. And I want one.’ 😆 ; Dean being desperate to get back to ‘Sammy’ and Sam panicking over Dean when Dean started to wake up.
And, yeah, Sick!Sam is extremely hot. It feels so wrong to be thinking it but I just can’t help it… 😳 The peaky, bedhead, wobbly, v-neck T-shirt look got me seriously giddy. 😆 The poor boy is looking so unwell, I want to gather him up and give him a great big cwtch (that’s a Welsh word for a loving protective cuddle, so quite innocent enough… 😆 )
Oh…that bedhead….it was glorious. 😆 Loved Dean’s clippers comment afterwards. Although if Dean dares get anywhere near Sam with those clippers he and I might fall out… 😛
Fabulous episode.
I love your recaps, Alice! You bring so much excitement and joy to them. I love all the little details you mention and the screen caps are great. I did not realize Sam reused his tie..from another of my fav episodes! Loving sick Sam and protective Dean. Loving the ‘little sister’ Charlie is becoming. I’ve said it before, but they just behave better around her! She reminds them of how important they are to each other. Thanks, and I agree that I’d love to see a recap of the episode with the Golem, Everybody Hates Hitler.
Hi Alice!
So glad you’re doing the recaps again. I’ve always enjoyed them! And you are definitely not alone thinking that Sick!Sam is hot. He so totally is! 🙂
I really liked this episode. Loving the relationship between the brothers again and I love Charlie. They better not kill her off!!’
Just one nitpick: you used the word “anecdote” for what Sam injects Charlie with. The word is actually “antidote.” I don’t usually correct people, but his actually changes the meaning of the sentence and it’s used quite a few times.
Anyway, that aside, keep up the good work and I can’t wait until Wednesday!
Crap! I actually typed right, but I have this autocorrect on my Mac that’s so damned annoying. It often gets words wrong. Thanks, I’ll change that.
Totally understandable! I’m a Mac girl myself and autocorrect drives me crazy! I was chatting with my brother once and mentioned that Mare Winningham was in a movie. What I didn’t realize is that autocorrect had translated that to more winning ham. It’s been a joke between us ever since.
I see complaints about auto correct all the time. Can’t you just turn it off? Or let it ask you?
Really want to know why Sam prefers a Mac…
Confused, l2b
I thought it was so cute that behind Dean there is a 50-star flag. In 1951, of course, there were only 48 states. But this is Charlie’s dream and she is dreaming incorrectly. Funny!
Great catch. I didn’t even notice that. I’m willing to bet that was a flaw in the video game that Charlie didn’t catch. A lot of foreign people program those games and wouldn’t know that.
Assuming we’re talking a video game here. Really, the issue lies with the set decorator. After all, they’re Canadian! 🙂
Awesome review Alice!
I love the stream-of-consciousness vibe (although I know the whole thing is carefully crafted!) and the extremely HOT, I mean enlightening screen caps!
As far as I’m concerned there can never be enough Monty Python and the Holy Grail references. I think at the Moondoor Mid-Year Jubilee they should call themselves the Knights That Go Neeee, or I guess in Supernatural parlance it could be the Knights That Go Deeeeeeean.
I should be going to bed but my brain is stuck in the endless loop of mashing together Supernatural, Monty Python and the Princess Bride.
I’m really waiting for an episode where the monster/villain says “Good night Winchesters… Sleep well.. I’ll most likely kill you in the morning.” It’s really inconceivable that the line hasn’t been used yet!
Sigh.. Such a great episode.. Maybe they could get Robbie Thompson to write 6 episodes next year. Who needs to eat or sleep?
One note I must add, I dearly loved the return of the smart Winchesters. I liked watching both brothers put the pieces together mentally, and both brothers be the manly man friend heroic action figures… Which may be a new favourite phrase.. “My manly man friend”
Okay, I’m rambling so it’s off to determine the flying velocity of an African swallow versus a European swallow.
Cheers!
Pragmatic Dreamer
[quote]I’m really waiting for an episode where the monster/villain says “Good night Winchesters… Sleep well.. I’ll most likely kill you in the morning.” It’s really inconceivable that the line hasn’t been used yet![/quote]
“Inconceivable!”
“You keep using that word, I do not think it means what you think it means.”
E, 😀 😆 Big Princess Bride fan here. 😆 😀
Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.
HELLO!…
Same here, I’m always quoting from that movie, it drives my work colleague nuts! 😆 Anytime I hear the word marriage, it gets me going. [i][b]Mawage is wot bwings us togeder tooday. Mawage, that bwessed awangment, that dweam wifin a dweam…[/b][/i] 😆
Sylvie, at my last job I did the same thing with The Holy Grail and people would look at me like I was crazy. I would say I couldn’t believe they hadn’t seen that movie and they said no body has seen that movie. One time I told them even my teenage nieces and nephews friends loved it and they swore I was making it up. So I picked up the phone and declared that I would call my sister’s house and give a quote and it wouldn’t even matter who answered the phone they would know what it was from and could finish the quote. My then 12 year old niece got it right immediately. My coworkers looked at me like I had committed some form of child abuse 😀 I had never been so proud. I took her ice cream after work.
Hi Kelly,
I would certainly fit in with your family. When I was a kid, it wasn’t Thanksgiving or Christmas if we didn’t do some kind of Monty Python sketch over the turkey.
Let’s just say our Grace was something along the lines of “Spam, spam, spam, spam.. Wonderful spam, spam, spam, spam….” I suspect you get the picture.
So with that in mind –
This parrot is dead. No it’s not. It’s resting… No, it’s not. It’s dead. It’s pushing up the daisies. It’s pining for the fjords! (Which come to think of it this sketch and the dead/not-dead is perfect for the Winchesters!)
I could go on all night, but again in the spirit of the Winchesters and the Princess Bride, “There’s a big difference between mostly dead and all dead”
Pragmatic Dreamer
Oh Sylvie, I really LOL when I read about mawage! I’m still laughing! I have the whole movie memorized too!
Have fun storming the castle!
chortling like a loon here…. 😀
Love your recap and of course I love this episode too!! It took my whole lunch hour, but who needs to eat, I’ll eat later…
I have a question. Robbie Thompson is the one who created the character Charlie? I used to watch Eureka! and when they introduced Felicia Day to the show, I thought it was a good move, now I’m thinking the same, and I hope she get more episodes next season.
By the way, I like him as a writer, he really does his homework, I understand that he not only check supernatural wiki, he also watch (or re-watches) old episodes from the characters he is writing and he keeps up with fans sites. That is why we are all please with his episodes. He brought back the little thing that makes us happy. Like the guys talking at the same time! I don’t know why, but listening to that and Dean saying Sammy, makes my heart melt. (Even more)
I finally had time to read your recap Alice… and it is wonderful! It’s so much fun to re-live the episode with your comments and insights. I do hope you get time to do some more in season 9. My suggestions for the hiatus would be LARP and the Real Girl and Everybody Hates Hitler 😀
If there is something wrong with you in regards to your thoughts about Sam, then I think there is something wrong with many more of us, lol. It doesn’t matter what he wears or how ill he looks, Sam is still smoking hot 😉
Although I have to say that my heart hurts a bit when I see him looking so ill… but then I just want to make him soup and look after him (like Dean is trying to do, lol).
I also needed a big box of tissues for this episode… Felicia Day did a great job with Charlie’s story… and this is one of my all-time favourite Supernatural episodes. Thanks for the recap 🙂
Fabulous recap Alice! I enjoy reading these so please do not stop writing them. I love the little extras you throw in that make us laugh or cry or call out some little detail that was missed by most. I rewatch this one all the time, but then who am I kidding. I rewatch all of them over and over until the next episode comes out. This one stands out as one of my favorites though. I love Charlie and the relationship she has with the guys. I love all the broments and glad they are writing more of those into the story lines. We can never get too many brotherly hugs. Now I am going to have to go back and see if I missed any of your other recaps. Thanks again Alice!!