Profile on “Supernatural” writer Robbie Thompson – Part 1
Most of all, while we are horrified by their monstrous behavior, we’re also given a moment to laugh. It gives us that breather before they “Pumpkin-and-Honeybunny’d a diner there.” That is horrific and chilling, reminding us that while these monsters may wear Sam and Dean’s charming faces, they are vicious and cruel monsters nonetheless and they will do horrible things to people not just because their boss, Dick Roman, orders it, but because it’s fun.
Is in their exchanges that we see the humanity that contrasts with the monster in Chet. Jody wants to thank Bobby any way she can—from cooking to making a sandwich to sprucing up the cabin—and true to Bobby’s nature he just won’t accept. There’s a gentleness between them. Gratitude is in every gesture of Jody’s, in the tone of her words and in her gentle smiles. Bobby is all gruff on the outside, but we can tell that he’s only brushing off her praise, especially in the line, “Just doing my job, which nobody pays me for.”
While Bobby exhausts everything he can on Chet, it is Jody’s mishap with soap that sets up one of the greatest moments for these characters. Bobby is stunned when soapy water drips from the ceiling, landing on Chet, who screams in agony. Once he rushes upstairs, he finds Jody wringing out a rag—and in a moment of spontaneity, Bobby takes his chance to thank Jody—by kissing her. Jody is surprised and almost pleased—and it leaves us the viewer as breathless as the Sheriff.
That doesn’t mean Bobby doesn’t get his own shot in. He tells Chet, “‘A man’s reach should exceed his grasp.'” Bobby has lived this long by understanding what that means. And while Chet may be able to declare it “lovely” and understand that Bobby still hopes for the world, he will never understand it—nor will any of the other Leviathans. They are so certain in their superiority, their strength that they don’t realize the peril they place themselves in until it is too late to stop the Winchesters in “Survival of the Fittest.”
Thompson’s debut episode captured so much of the show’s story, character, and tone. The episode’s success allowed him to claim a spot on the writing staff. About that, Thompson states, “They had a slot open and I was lucky enough to do get it. [sic]” I’d say, as fans, we were lucky, too.
In the second half of this profile, we’ll be looking at the rest of his episodes, and how he’s brought his own stamp to the show in the process.
Profile on “Supernatural” Writer Robbie Thompson, Part 2
Profile on “Supernatural” Writer Robbie Thompson, Part 3
Excellent job, Allison! I love Robbie as a [i]Supernatural[/i] writer, and you’ve captured why with precision! I look forward to part two …
Thank you, Mary. I really enjoyed writing this piece, and I feel it was very much a love letter to Robbie. I really enjoyed learning about his non-SPN work, and I hope that it enhanced your view of his episodes of the show as it did mine!
He is a great writer and really understands the vibes of Supernatural. Slash Fiction was one of the bright spots in the rather dismal S7. I also loved Pac-man Fever. I hope he gets to write a lot more episodes next season. Can’t wait for part 2
Thank you for the comment. I really enjoyed writing this piece. I would have to say out of all his episodes for the show I love “Pac Man Fever” the most. it’s funny, smart, emotionally powerful, and everything about Thompson’s writing that I love. I hope you’ll enjoy part two as much!
Robbie Thompson hit the ground running with his first episode and, like Jeremy Carver before him, he won my heart and loyalty because he does respect the show and the characters and the history. His episodes always resonate with truth amid the humor & horror, drama & brotherly moments. He manages to craft the script so tight that there are no wasted moments, only all the good stuff we want blended together in the perfect mix.
He hasn’t given us a lesser episode, instead always raising the bar and giving us what we expect from the Winchesters and yet surprising us in delightful ways with more than we ever dreamed of. He is the master!
Thanks for spotlighting his talent. I always get excited when I hear we are being blessed with another one of his scripts! Oh, and I would be remiss to fail to mention one of my fav things about Robbie! Like Ben Edlund before him, he knows how to dress our hero Dean! Yes, LARPing Dean is a fav! But that crown belongs on Robbie’s head too!
B.J.
Thank you for the comment! I am so glad you liked this first part so much. I was thinking about doing another Profile, and Robbie’s name kept coming up over and over again, so I had to do it. This profile wouldn’t be what it is without Robbie’s involvement via Twitter, and I am oh so grateful he took the time to talk to me more than once.
With Edlund now gone, Robbie is my favorite writer on the staff and I cannot wait to see what he brings for us in Season 9. I agree. Robbie does know how to dress Dean. We’ve had a couple great uniforms that make Dean real pretty. And one that makes him look silly!
We’ll get to “LARP and the Real Girl” in the third part of this Profile. I hope you’ll enjoy my take on that, too.
Great work! I do love Thompson writing. Slash Fiction is still a favorite. Well I really love all of his( beside Bitten-it just didn’t work for me), but Slash Fiction never fails to bring a smile and out and out laughed at the Air Supply lip sync. Golden!
I do appreciate that he took time to watch all the episodes. On this show I don’t know how you can write a episode without doing so but I think at least a couple have. It shows in Thompson writing.
Look forward to the next part!
Thanks for the comment! This was a fun one to write and talking about Slash Fiction always makes me happy, too.
I was really happy to hear he had watched the series in full, too. It makes his scripts all the richer for it!
Nice article, FarAwayEyes.
I’ve enjoyed most of his work, so I’ll forgive him for Bitten. 😉
Looking forward to Part 2!
Thanks for the comment! I hope you’ll enjoy part 2 as much.