Thoughts on Supernatural 10.06: “Ask Jeeves”

 

On the heels of the 200^th episodes, a touching, endearing tribute to this amazing series; I truly had no idea what to expect of this 10×06. Having now watched Ask Jeeves the only word that comes to mind is: awesome. It was funny, teasingly dramatic, classic and even managed to pull back around into a teaser of the overall plot of the season by the end again. The episode was full of excellent jokes and was a unique brand of humour and mystery style in which for Supernatural to dabble – and they did so very well.

Starting with mini, individualized coffees the boys were able to learn a little more about our beloved Bobby and peak behind the bejeweled curtain of the upper crusted elite. More and more there are throwbacks to earlier seasons, including the idea that the boys are keeping Bobby’s old phones charged up and active (or at least the numbers forwarded) and checking in. We’ve seen them do this with John’s, so it just makes sense. And why not learn a little more about Bobby why we’re at it too – he’s got a rich history to plunder, let’s explore. This episode certainly took advantage to the full limits on that point!

What fun Sam was in this episode. Truly, if ever there was a case that gave them both a break and a way to ease back into hunting, this was it. Both boys had perfect reactions to women, but perhaps my favourite moments belong to Sam. First, an honourable mention to Sam playing cards with the ladies and their protests as he has to leave the table.

The favourite moment goes to Sam playing sexy to settle between the two women on the sofa and test the “silver” knives against them.

Second favourite moment along these lines of course belongs to the moment Beverly tries to seduce Sam upstairs in the hallway saying that a “young buck” like him could likely do a lot in ten minutes.

 

Yes, there were certainly a lot of key moments packed into this too-short episode.

 

Creeping through the halls, searching for cold spots and peering all suspect-like at suits of armor – only in the Winchester world would this be an average day. Dean had his work cut out for him too. While Sam was busy distracting the WASP club, Dean was discovering the secret attic and revealing ongoing affairs between Amber and Dash (he hunts pheasants). Again, great fun had throughout. Dean’s reaction to the ladies was more inviting of course and then eye-rolling when it came to Dash and Amber (“Let me guess, you got bored last Christmas?”). But his best fun came from teasing Sam about his exploits.

Vengeful tag-teaming ghosts? Money-grubbing trophy wife? Or something else entirely? As killers go there were lots of theories in this episodes and a ton of fun hunting through them with Sam and Dean (and watching Sam dodge the detective too). The various nods to Clue throughout the episode have to be acknowledged – they were just too brilliantly done in this entertaining installment of Supernatural. Dean with a wrench, Sam with a knife. A candlestick. A pipe. It was such fun to watch and laugh along.

 

It would also be remiss not to acknowledge the reveal of the Shifter – two Philips, one dead with Sam and one very much alive chatting to Dean. Hmm – whatever could it be?! Obviously a shift, yes, but still in keeping with the Clue theme – who, what and where will it be next?

The reveal of the bad guy in this episode took an unexpected but classic turn. It’s nice when the MOTW is a classic back guy, in particular one of the original baddies from the early mythology that’s fairly simply to defeat. What’s especially unique about the Shifter is it usually has a psychology about it, where other MOTW can be driven by simply bloodlust, the shifters Sam and Dean face are typically motivated by something more complex and you often feel for them by the end.

 

In this case, Olivia had a connection to Bobby – he killed her father and let her live at the behest of her mother, Bunny on the condition she be kept locked away. A cruel act of mercy that came back to bite Sam and Dean, as it turned out.

Dean off’d the Shifter with great enthusiasm at the end, no doubt. There certainly were extra shots fired where they weren’t necessary and this left Sam understandably concerned for his brother. Dean, on the other hand, was absolutely not going to talk about it. Hmm. I’m not sure what to think about this. We know that the Mark pushes Dean towards violence, yes, and I’m inclined to think Dean doesn’t want to talk about it at all because he just can’t deal with what he did while demonized – at least not yet. Sam – I’m with you, concern is needed. Control might be tenuous and will slip further. Hmmm.

This was a great episode – it was fun and light for the most part and still integrated reasonable plot points. *Claps hands* Ask Jeeves will definitely make my top favourite episodes list for those non-dramatic, enjoyable Supernatural episodes (it’s not a short list anymore). Well acted by all involved, it executed not only the humour but the referential style of the overall style exceedingly well in addition to some great sets and just the perfect soundtrack.

I am enjoying these more classic episodes – I know I’ve said that before, but it’s true. The easier pace of the season so far is welcome. I imagine we’re gearing up to a big, rip-your-heart-out fall finale, so for the moment, I’ll take light and easy where it comes.

What did you think? How concerned should Sam be? Will Dean lose control and need to be pulled back by his brother in a parallel a la Sam/Lucifer in Swan Song?

Finally – who is ready for Girls Girls Girls?!?