Supernatural – The Truth Is Out There

I’m amused by the unexpected bit of television synergy that lets me use the same post title twice in one week. Once for Castle, and now for Supernatural, after both shows took a swing at paying homage to The X-Files. And just like Castle, the Supernatural version spent quite a bit of time with tongue planted firmly in cheek. That was to be expected, given the writer.

There are a bunch of good writers that have penned episodes for the show, but my expectations always go up a bit when I see that Ben Edlund is the writer of record. He’s been responsible for a lot of great episodes, and he seems to have a particular aptitude for going a little nutty (“Hollywood Babylon,” “Ghostfacers,” “Monster Movie”).  It was clear right from the opening credits, which did a pretty solid job of mimicking the OG X-Files opening, that we were in for another one of those adventures.

The alien gag was actually spoiled in the previews, as we all already knew that the fairies were going to be the root of this particular evil, but I did still enjoy the moment of crushing realization it provided for Dean. Dejected that with the myriad of crazy creatures they have to deal with on a regular basis, now they have to add aliens to the mix. It also set the stage for a bunch of great lines. Another thing that is a particular talent of Edlund. A few of my favorites:

Sam (to the woman claiming fairies were responsible): If you want to add glitter to that glue you’re sniffing, that’s fine. But don’t dump your whackadoo all over us. We’d rather not step in it.

Sam (reasoning out which kind of encounter Dean might be having): I think the fourth kind is a butt thing.

Dean: (after visiting the fairy lady): Is it on me? I feel like I’ve got the crazy on me.

Sam (trying to make sense of what Dean saw while abducted): Probing table! And Dean’s response: God… don’t say that.

Dean (explaining what he saw): A little glowing… hot… naked lady. With nipples. And… she hit me.

Sam (continuing to struggle with his soul and priorities): Couldn’t I do all that, and have sex with a hippie chick?

Dean (to Sam, while being arrested): Fight the fairies! You fight those fairies!

And the number one quote of the night…

Sam: Dean? Did you service Oberon, king of the fairies?

Even without much in the way of  bigger picture revelations, the whole thing was a riot. The addition of Robert Picardo, as Wayne Whittaker, was also very good. He was solid as the baddie with all the power, and then the look on his face when Sam dropped the salt, and the game was won, was perfect. Wayne also opened the door for one of the bigger questions we might soon be dealing with. It’s reasonable to think he really could get Sam’s soul back, but Sam still refused. The reasoning — when has cutting a deal ever been a good idea — is sound, but that last little look as the episode closed offers another possibility. Is new Sam coming to the realization that he’ll be happier without getting the soul back?

Soulless Sam certainly provides more than a few difficulties for the duo, but I’m still having fun with the interplay that brings with it. This week was actually the best of that so far. I am still betting that Sam gets his soul back, but I’m not in a great hurry for us to get to that point. Finally, I also appreciated the casting of Devon Weigel as Sparrow (the hippie chick). Fans of angsty Canadian teen drama will remember her from Falcon Beach.

Clacked by Brett Love
on Nov 20, 2010 @ 14:55 EST5EDT