Elle does apologize for the lateness, but still she has some great things to say about last week’s episode, “The Real Ghostbusters.”
Also, I finally got my review to Blogcritics too. This one is completely different. It really ends up be a little analysis about the episode in relation to my visit to the Chicago Con this weekend. I figured that all the cutesy lines and funny stuff can be covered by the recap (whenever that happens).
http://blogcritics.org/video/article/tv-review-supernatural-the-real-ghostbusters1/#comments
So, let’s take one more look for once tomorrow night comes, this episode will be clearly in our “rear view mirrors.”
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Thoughts on “The Real Ghostbusters”
Okay, this is going to be short and sweet but I hope you won’t hold it against me as I have a feeling this week will be larger-than-life. [Sadly, I will not be able to watch it live (*sniffle*) as I will actually be in class this week. Unless we get a freak snow storm. It could happen. Really.]
So, since this was one of those episodes that people have mixed feelings on, I am going to only touch on what worked about this episode and leave out any of the holes. I’m going to do a bit of different format, but as I made my notes watching the episode, they are fairly organic reactions to the episode ups.
Here goes:
– I enjoy Fangirl Becky. I know many people don’t but she’s such a great caricature of the fan base – she has a little something for every fan, in my humble opinion. The actress is very funny; she pulls of the intense, deluded infatuation quite well. Her reaction to Hookman questioning why Sam and Dean can’t see Ruby is evil, in my opinion, was rather true to form: “If you don’t like the books, don’t read ’em!”
– The Q&A is my favourite part in this episode:
o Poor Chuck – guzzling water. Chuck is easily one of my favourite recurring characters and it was fabulous that he got not only his hero moment when he saved the crown from the creepy knife-wielding child but he also got to “steal” Becky from Sam. Oddly, I think they’re an appropriate couple – good for Chuck.
o The intense fan love of Supernatural is portrayed well – we have some nuts in the fan group but we love the show
o I believe I actually read something where this question about the bungee/why Sam and Dean lose their weapons always – perhaps it was a YouTube video of an actual con question – Sam and Dean’s consideration is funny, and I love that at the end they seriously consider it
– While the meta-moments were overflowing, two of the best ones were during Chuck’s Q&A
o “Frightened Little Boy; The Secret life of Dean” – how many fan fictions does this sum up in just eight short words.
o The Homoerotic subtext of Supernatural
o The Big Hunt
– Jared does a great job of looking at Becky like she’s a rapid dog who will snap at any moment – he’s practically climbing dean’s back to keep a distance from her while shooting her wary-frowning looks as Dean yells at Chuck about re-publishing books AND I love the synchronicity of though between the real Winchesters as Sam translates to Chuck that Dean is upset.
– The Big Hunt
o All the fake badges and obviously fake names
o “Terrifying Tale of Terror”
o First, there is the deadpan delivery as Sam reads “Dad’s journal” – Can anyone see John Winchester signing a letter “Love Dad?”
– I like that despite the spoofing happen, we do get some character moments here. Dean takes extra offense to this whole production – he doesn’t like the idea that his live is pre-determined or that people think it’s a book; trivial and a game because it’s very real for him – it really upsets him, interesting character glimpse – think it’s safe to say Dean is getting fed up period. I felt really bad for him as he described their life as a “river of crap that would send most people howling to the nut house”¦their pain is not for your amusement.” The expression on Dean’s face as he asks Barnes and Damien if it’s “real enough for them” is intensely heated.
– I liked the pseudo Hookman: “supernatural bringing you more creepy children”
o Sociopathic children are disturbing no matter what context – those episodes of Law and Order or CSI in which the children are the bad guys – uberdisturbing
– Sam’s reaction to Becky is how I imagine most celebrities react, at least internally, towards their nuttiest fans. Sometimes, I have to wonder what celebrities are thinking as women are sobbing in front of them and professing their undying love. Sam did a nice job placating Becky though – “I’ll just have to find a way to keep living, I guess” all with the violin music swelling in the background
– And while I know this has been mentioned many times already, it has to be said again – this is possibly the greatest Sam line ever: “No not really. We have guns and we’ll find you.”
– This is one of the best quotes, to me, because while it’s simple enough I think it really touches on why fans love the show – it’s about the boys and their relationship: “I’m not sure you get what the story’s about”¦to be Sam and Dean, to wake up every morning and save the world, to have a brother who would die for you, well who wouldn’t want that?” I laughed out loud when they are revealed to be lovers/”partners” and then Barnes lays his head on Damien’s shoulder to which Dean is somewhat disturbed by.
– In the end, the Fake Sam and Dean reminded Dean what he fights for – gave him a little perspective that he is one of the good guys – there are still people out there worth fighting for. Dean chilling in the sun leaning against the Impala considering what Damien and Barnes said – happy grin on his face.
– The ending with Chuck further answering questions/telling stories was a treat; particularly Sam and Dean miming suicide in the back. Also, it brought one of the other many delicious quotes: “The way I look at it, it’s really not jumping the shark if you never come back down” – oh Kripke.
Well, I know this episode wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea, though I did enjoy watching it. Following Changing Channels was going to be hard no matter what and I don’t mind a softball before next week, which, if tradition follows, will have a nice intense, mind-blowing quality to lead us in to the holiday Hellatus (a term both Jared and Jensen now have in their vocabulary). One more episode. Wow. 10 weeks in and only 12 more episodes left of season five. Actually, we aren’t that many months shy of the pinnacle one hundredth episode. Holy crow – one hundred episodes of Supernatural! That’s one hundred hours (roughly speaking) of eerie, dramatic, emotional, twisting, mind-boggling, paranormal stories about two [very attractive] bros in a classic 1967 Chevy Impala. What a ride it’s been.
Hi Elle.
I liked this approach, not focusing on the plotholes or negativities for I’ve read SO many negative responses to this ep that I wanna scream. And I really liked it, it had a real s1 vibe in it and I didn’t really find it offensive. But guess I’m easy to satisfy 🙂
And you’re right, there were so many great lines.
Oh, man, 100th eppie!!!It seems so… much lol
I mean. ofcourse I believed we would get there but now that we’re almost here, it still feels kinda surreal 😀 I can’t wait to see what they’re gonna go with it!
And the hellatus… what hellatus?? *whistles with shifty eyes* No, I’m not in denial 😉
But thanks Elle, you made good points.
Hey everyone…I’m finally back! Looks like I have tonnes of catching up to do to..
The Real Ghostbusters, in all honesty I really enjoyed this episode. You pretty much summed up what I liked about it, Elle. I also loved the row of Impalas and Dean asking Sam to do ‘the puppy dog thing’. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but Chuck and Becky actually look cute together.
If I know anything about this show, I’m going to have a box of tissues and a lot of chocolate next to me when I watch the next ep hahah.
I can’t believe we’re almost halfway through season 5! eeep!!!
Elle,
Great job on this. I like the ‘organic approach’ you took, basically giving us your reactions as you watched.
That said, you gave some great insight in your ‘organic reactions’ that once again cause mne to think and as is my norm, I’ll take others’ thoughts, mix them with my own and go back and watch the episode again. Never fear, I watch them all again and again.
I especially agree with you regarding all the ‘brother’ moments between Sam and Dean and how much in sync they were. Hooray!
I also agree that — while Becky is an annoying character — that is exactly how she is supposed to be so she annoys me only because she’s supposed to and thus I like the character (small bits though are best). She probably annoys me most ’cause while I can’t stand the fans that are that nuts, there is a secret part inside of me that is just dying to cut loose and be one of them…if only for a moment.
So, Jared and Jensen use Hellatus? For them I’m sure it’s a break that they’re well looking forward to (course for them the break is only a couple of weeks and likely isn’t for another month but then again…)
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Hope your DVR works well, or recorder or download or however you catch the episode.
Hi Elle, great recap. I did enjoy this because it was more of a MOTW epi than an arc epi, and I think for the November sweeps, that is what they wanted. Try to get ratings up for renewal. MOTW will always be a bigger draw because anyone can tune in and enjoy a supernatural show. They don’t have to know much about the myth arc to watch. I think we will see more of the next half too.
Glad you picked up on happy Dean. Yes…that was compliment from the fake duo. Something Dean especially needed to hear. That is something I really hope he shared with Sam.
Becky and Chuck are a pair, and I really loved how Becky stood up for the stories. She is quite a fan. Wonder if she will be back any more.
Great recap and virtually every episode has its ‘weak’ moments, but I really loved this one. There’s always a danger when you go meta, but it was handled with love (even Becky isn’t that bad when you give her a chance) and the closeout between Dean and the fakes beautifully summed up the heart of the show. Give it another chance, haters.
Great review Elle! I liked the way you did this one, and I agree with you on everything because it’s why I liked this episode too.
100 episodes? Already? It still feels like yesterday I saw episode 1 (maybe not yesterday but I did saw it a little while back 😉 ).
So… is it snowing already? 😈
Hi all,
thanks for the great comments! I’m glad you didn’t mind the format of this review, as it was different than usual.
So, no snow yet. Really, that’s okay. We are slated to have a green Christmas which is okay with me, considering we’ve had abnormally large amounts of snow the last few years.
I’ll just have to wait and watch my Supernatural tape tonight. *sigh*