Robbie Thompson has only been with Supernatural since the seventh season, but he’s proven himself a solid writer on the show. I’ve even liked some of the unusual episodes he’s done, like “Bitten”. But he’s also developed a bit of a niche on the show as time has gone on. Just like Ben Edlund is often known as the guy with the “out there” episodes, Thompson has done well with “genre” episodes, particularly those involving Felicia Day.
In an interview with Day before her episode, she told me that Charlie is “a gift” of a role. I think Charlie is a gift to the show. Supernatural is a series that has often relied on secondary characters to flush out the small main cast. From season 1 (which introduced us to characters like John, Bobby and Meg) until now, we’ve met some memorable one-time characters who became something more, to both the Winchesters and to the audience. I think Charlie has justly earned her place in the annals of this series.
The Queen Returns
Charlie just so happened to be in Kansas this week and decided to track the boys. The trio were happily reunited (and planning to return to Moondoor for an upcoming festival – OBVIOUSLY) and Charlie got down to business: she had a case for the Winchesters. Naturally, the boys were rather surprised by her recent gung-ho attitude towards hunting given her desire to avoid these crazy situations in the past, but she’s devoted herself to research (and, obviously, she’s very good at it).
But there’s a few problems, chief among them the fact that Sam is quite ill after completely the Second Trial. The poor boy hasn’t seen a brush in days, his firing aim is off and he’s taken to wearing only one shirt (with NO buttons). Clearly the situation is DIRE!! And believe me, Dean notices and he refuses to let Sam back in the field until he can shoot straight.
So it’s a good thing Charlie is so happy to be part of the team, because she pairs up with Dean to investigate the case. Unfortunately, Sam refuses to let sleeping dogs lie and he slips in to the case when another body turns up, much to Dean’s frustration. Charlie gets a front row seat to the brotherly angst as Sam struggles to go about his daily life and Dean struggles to protect his brother. Fortunately, she knows a lot more about them now after having read Chuck’s books (apparently they’re on the internet, like all the good things are these days).
The Tragic Past
The nice thing about Charlie is that she’s far from a one-note character and no episode demonstrated this better than “Pac-Man Fever”. Thompson proved himself with the funny scenes this week, of which there were many, including, but not limited to, the clothing store “montage”, the Star Wars goodbye and the Sam punching Dean scene. But the unexpected Charlie background brought this episode to an entirely different level. It turns out that the secrecy surrounding Charlie’s past was a justifiable one. Her parents were involved in a car accident (which she believes is her fault) when she was 12 and her father passed away, but her mother lingers in a persistent vegetative state that she’ll never awaken from. Since then, Charlie’s lived her life on the fringes after getting on the authorities’ radar. Does this sound like anyone we know?
In many ways, the story of Charlie is similar to that of Sam and Dean. Even Dean draws this comparison. There’s the loss of a parent, the struggle to grow up faster than you should, and the guilt one feels over their inability to “let go” of a hopeless situation. But Felicia Day also made Charlie’s story her own with her quiet grief when Dean confronted her in the video game. Her quippy one-liners give way to a pain that is relatable and tragic, but she deals with it in her own way. Perhaps the best example of this was at the end when Dean asked if she was finally prepared to let her mother go and she agreed, but when questioned, Dean refused to let his issues “go”. And Charlie didn’t call him out on his light hypocrisy (which wasn’t really hypocrisy because of what happened after with Sam in the bunker), because, of course, Dean is the star of Supernatural and she is not. But also because I think Charlie can appreciate some of the differences in what each of them must “let go” of. Had Dean been willing to let go of things in his life before, that world saving she thanked him for might have turned out very differently. And Dean has often been far better at seeing things in others than in himself.
Stubborn Sammy
Some Supernatural fans were questioning the placement of what looked like such a one-off episode so close to the end of the season. Frankly, I was pleasantly surprised by how much of the mythology was dealt with in the background. Getting past Sam’s side-effects of the trials is clearly a huge issue. And I think it’s important for the fans to understand that this is escalating beyond coughing up blood or having strangely glowing arms. Whatever is happening to Sam, it looks like it could kill him before he ever gets to Trial #3. And Dean knows it too. The good news is that Dean is beyond trying to convince Sam to give up on the trials, now he’s just focused on keeping Sam out of the field unless he’s in fighting shape, which is, frankly, the best plan for everyone involved.
Charlie reminds us all that sitting on the sidelines isn’t something that Sam – or any Winchester, for that matter – does. She’s read Chuck’s books, so she knows that Sam will keep going no matter what. Sometimes this stubbornness has gotten him into trouble (see: season 4). Frankly, I don’t think there’s much harm in Sam sitting a case out in order to rest up. But I think Sam views that as “giving up” and they’re far too close to the end now to back down.
Dean’s admonishments for Sam to take care of himself are nothing new. Neither, frankly, is his desire to protect his brother. But talking to Charlie about letting go also seemed to lead Dean to trusting that his brother could decide when he’s had enough. Instead of insisting that Sam continue to rest, Dean suggests they find Kevin.
Carver has made a point time and again to say that he wants to show that the boys are maturing this season. To be honest, there have been several decisions that haven’t shown that and I don’t think they should be swept under the rug. But when it comes down to it – to the big decisions – I think they are. Dean was prepared to let Sam go back to Amelia at the mid-way point of the season, but Sam chose to stay with his brother. Sam is and always will be stubborn, but he’s not struggling to go on for kicks or to annoy his brother, he’s doing it because he needs to. And Dean is prepared to accept that Sam knows what he’s doing, like he did at the end of season 5. Of course, that ended with Sam going to Hell, so let’s hope the same thing doesn’t happen here.
“Pac-Man Fever” could have been a silly episode, but it wasn’t. Charlie’s return was fun, her unexpected history resulted in some terrific emotional scenes, and the brotherly moments (particularly the shoutouts to their pasts via Chuck’s books) all made it so much more. I wouldn’t say that it’s up to the sheer brilliance of “Changing Channels” but, much like that episode, we got some deeper mythology elements mixed in with our comedy and some tragedy mixed in with our quips. And Day is a gift to this show. I don’t think Charlie will ever be ridding shotgun in the Impala, but if she wants to come back a couple of times each season, I say we let her.
Next week begins the first of three mythology-heavy episodes that end with the season finale on May 15 (read some spoilers here, if you dare). Castiel returns, Kevin resurfaces and the world will finally meet the mysterious Metatron! Click here for a preview or watch a sneak peek here.
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It was a good episode and of course Felicia Day was wonderful as Charlie. Dean and Charlie scenes were amazing and I think it was really good for each of those characters to have one another at this moment in time. It was time for Charlie to face her fears and no one knows how to do that better than the Winchesters. Dean is dealing with so much right now and his greatest fear (the loss of his brother) is so very possible considering Sam’s currently state. They had each other to lean on at this time and it built on their relationships with each other and strengthened and deepened each character. I loved that Sam acknowledged Charlie’s innate abilities when he called her a Woman of Letters. And I teared up when she told Dean that she loved him and his simple smile and hug and “I know” just overwhelmed me for a moment. It was such a sweet and honest moment. It was an episode that could have been really silly, and fun, but instead we got something so much more.
I enjoyed your review. I agree this episode showed more sides of Charlie – I thought it was obvious that she wasn’t just a perfect creature who saved the day, as some have often claimed she does. She needed Sam and Dean, as they need her. I absolutely adore her relationship with Dean, and how much they care about each other. That she told him she loved him floored me, and his response, which was both comedic and a way to stop her from getting too emotional, yet also a way to show her he loved her too, was perfect. This side of Dean, this caring and understanding, strong but not harsh, is what I love most about him.
I could have done without some of the winks and in-jokes to the past but compared to past Robbie Thompson episodes I didn’t mind them too much. I’m also glad that compared to previous Thompson episodes, they kept more continuity (Cas, shown through Charlie’s mentions and Dean’s slightly wistful reaction; and then Kevin).
Thompson knows how to pace an episode in a way no one else on the writing staff does, aside from Ben Edlund. The show has a certain momentum when he’s writing that I don’t feel with certain other writers.
This was a nice balance of all the main characters and had some of the strong emotional moments, without seeming maudlin or manipulative. That reminds me of what I love most about the show. We care about these people because we know them and understand them.
I really loved Charlie from the past episodes and I still do. I adore Felicia Day. But, this week’s episode is nowhere close to being on my top 20 list. Last time when we saw Charlie, she was a real person to me, who like any real person did not appreciate being dragged into Supernatural mess. This time she goes out searching for a case? I like it that they gave Charlie a background story but, I didn’t like it that Charlie got all mushy over Dean. Their friendship earlier was perfect but now she is really taking up a sister-like position in his life. And I don’t like that. Dean can only have Sam as a sibling. Giving him another sibling-like-character is ruining things for me. But, it’s just my opinion. I liked the episode but I don’t know why, I felt that it was short. Now, I know that the ep was it’s usual length. Maybe it’s just me getting anxious about the finale. The title ‘Sacrifice’ and Jared’s tweet about getting inspiration from the song ‘Funeral’ are really making me nervous. And I just can’t wait to see how the return of all the guest stars will fit into the game. It’s gonna be an exciting three weeks. I can feel it.
Oh, and also, I’d really like to know what Charlie’s real name is.
I very much disagree that Dean only needs one sibling – forgot Adam? Who Dean risked getting trapped with Michael for? The show is and will always be, Dean and Sam, but both of them having a surrogate sister who shows up once or twice a season rounds out both characters, and we have to have some lighter moments to leaven out all the darkness and pain. In past seasons, Bobby became a surrogate father to the boys, and Castiel became important to both Dean and Sam which gave their story many more places to go. I for one am happy to have more complex, rich characters (who happen to be female) around the boys Who Don’t Die.
I haven’t loved an episode so much since before S6. I just loved every second to my eternal shock!
Everything was like old style SPN that cared about the brothers and keeping true to characterization and continuity! And BOTH brothers had important parts to play, and Charlie was a compliment to them both, not a Mary Sue at all this time.
I have been so angry with Carver and the writers, but last night Robbie Thompson proved to me that great SPN can still be written. So now they have NO EXCUSE AT ALL!! They need to try harder to get it right. I had zero trust they would succeed in these mytharc episodes to come, but Thompson gave me 1% hope back.
This ep did a really great job of adding further layers to an already great character. SPN is good at introducing supporting characters who are relatable and makes the audience care, with varying results on follow-through to a satisfying arc, but I think Charlie’s character is among the most promising. I hope she sticks with the show a long time. I also loved her interaction with Sam and Dean and the way the Winchesters’ family unit is expanding. Despite Dean’s insistence back in “Larp and the real Girl” that they can’t afford attachments, season 8 has has a lot about different kinds of relationships and bonds and why they matter so much.
With Dean I don’t see it as hypocrisy or a by-product of him being the lead and Charlie being a supporting, it’s characteristic of Dean to have blind spots about himself and he’s hardest on himself, which either means he projects that towards others in a harsh way, or it can mean he offers the advice and compassion towards others he denies himself. While I’m fatigued with too much replay of Sam with something wrong and caretaking Dean, in this ep I felt they were on more equal footing despite Sam’s illness, Sam’s determination to shoulder this weight and his insistence that it not fall entirely on Dean.
Loved the whole ep, it was funny with a lot of action and emotion. Also with the weight of Castiel’s storyline, and how deeply he’s been drawn into the family unit, it’s nice to have the reminders he’s on Dean’s mind and a presence even in his absence, and I got a kick out of the lines the ep drew between Castiel and Charlie
I absolutely agree and am now hoping, that with an early renewal, that Carver will take control and make sure that there is more consistency with the quality of the episodes. I don’t expect every episode to be great but there will never be a good excuse for an episode like “Man’s Best Friend With Benefits” which wasn’t only bad, but insulting and offensive. This episode went back to basics with entertaining characters, believable and relatable story lines, and well written dialogue. Congrats to Robbie Thompson and I am so looking forward to the final three episodes.
This episode sums up a lot of my problem with Sam.
Maybe he needs to actually realize that not everything revolves around him. That maybe sometimes it shouldn’t be about what he wants but what’s good for the group and not just Sam.
So what if Sam wants to hunt. If he’s too weak to stand does it sound like a good idea? In that condition he’s a liability whether he wants to admit it or not. Did he not stop to think for one minute that in that condition he could be a danger to everyone? That maybe having his hands full with an inexperienced hunter Dean didn’t need an additional worry about whether or not Sam is going to pass out.
On any other show I would think it might be a lesson for Sam in humility but, of course, on Samnatural, St. Sickly Sam gets to save the day despite barely being able to stay awake.
It’s why I don’t care about his sickness or what its doing to him. In the end it really won’t matter because it will never really slow him down. It’s getting to the point where I no longer care anything about whats wrong with Sam.
I was excited about the episode before I watched it and it did not dissappoint! Definitely one of my favorite episodes of the season. It made good use of both Sam and Dean too – I know people were worried about the “benched Sam” comment. I love how Dean and Charlie connect, I think they have a lot in common and I like where their relationship is. Absolutely no complaints from me about this episode. Robbie Thompson wrote another great one!
@Dot – yeah, I don’t really think it was hypocrisy either, especially given what he did with Sam after he went back into the bunker (which is why I clarified that). And it wasn’t just a “he’s the star” thing and I hope I explained it properly. It was really more of “Dean is harder on himself” thing as you said and the fact that sometimes there’s a difference between the types of letting go that Charlie and Dean needed to do.
@Bennyfan – yes, Sam going into the field while he is ill is clearly not a good idea (for his own health and if he’s a liability to others). But considering Dean and Charlie would have probably been killed by the second djinn had Sam not been present, I think it was a good thing he was around and insisted on accompanying Dean. A weakened hunter in this case seemed better than no other hunter at all.
My favorite episode of the season! @Clarissa, you hoped I was enjoying the show. I am – I think it’s great – and this episode showcases why: great dialog, honest emotion, funny without being flippant, and sad without being hopeless.
I disagree, though, with your feeling that Dean was hypocritical in not letting go the way that Charlie had let her mother go. Sam being in the position that Charlie’s mom was in is obviously Dean’s worst fear, but Dean seems to use that fear to push him to take care of Sam when he needs it the most. It doesn’t hold him back the way Charlie’s feelings about her mom did. Sam isn’t brain dead and on life support (yet? Someone pointed out that the brothers generally only hug when one of them is either about to die or just back from death so this could be yet more foreshadowing?). Given the differences in their states, it didn’t seem hypocritical to me for Dean not to let go.
I agree with @BennyFan – I know Sam is stubborn, but I don’t see why he can’t understand that him on the front lines fighting, in his current state, puts other people in danger, and that there’s also dignity in doing the background work. If this season is about the brothers gaining maturity, I am not seeing it yet in Sam. Three episodes to go, though. Also, I couldn’t agree more with @PeterJ about Charlie and her relationship with Dean. I love Felicia Day in general, and Charlie is a fantastic character!
Thanks for another great review!
Ack – and while I was writing that, others said basically the same things and there were replies/clarifications. No need to restate them. Sorry!
@Dee – I’m glad you’re enjoying the show! I thought the episode was great. It was more emotional than I thought it would be, but it also felt like a nice enough break before what’s sure to be 3 emotional and mythology-heavy episodes. I had hoped I explained the whole “hypocrisy” mention. In the moment, it seemed like he was hoping she’d do something he wasn’t willing to do, but it didn’t turn out that way when he went to see Sam afterwards, which is why I stressed that it wasn’t really hypocritical. Especially since Dean letting go of things might have resulted in disaster ten times over at this point. Yes, they were definitely in a different situation (Sam and Charlie’s mom) and my use of the word was more a commentary on their cute interaction in the end when she smiled instead of calling him out on his negative response.
But the episode was great. I agree about Sam’s condition being a liability, but I also think that he was clearly instrumental in saving Charlie and Dean’s lives while they were in the “dream”, so it’s a good thing he was so stubborn. I know the Winchesters are stubborn and will continue to fight even when sick or injured. Honestly, my biggest concern is more about what’s happening to Sam than how he’ll fare out in the field right now, because I’m convinced he’ll try to save everyone he can until he literally cannot stand any longer.
@Clarissa – thanks for the clarification! That makes sense. It’s really interesting to me that this was a theme of the ep. One criticism fans have had about Dean–and I’ve had it as well–is the lack of follow through addressing his deeply ingrained issues. But I feel season 8 is digging in more to look at Dean’s issues. Also ITA about Sam and why his refusal to be benched wasn’t a liability. Yes, it’s a risk, but then there’s the risks of not having Sam being in the field. One thing we’ve seen a lot, with the Winchesters and with their extended family members, is how these characters have to depend on each other in bad circumstances or when they aren’t at full strength or despite tensions or mistrust and long odds, but when it gets down to it, they do their utmost to have each other’s backs.
Since this is a tv show they didn’t need to add the 2nd Djinn just so Sam could save the day or they could have had Dean break Charlie and him out before the other Djinn found them. He seemed to be added just so we could see how heroic sickly suffering Sam is.
But for me, Sam is seriously starting to come across as a Mary Sue from bad Limp Sam fan fiction. It doesn’t matter how weak, sick, or even if he’s dying, he’ll come charging in to make things right. To sick to stand no problem. Dying, piece of cake. Now he’ll save humanity when he’s too sick to get out of bed. I guess Dean will bake cookies in celebration.
It just makes Sam look worse because as I said its getting to the point where Im starting to find it laughable because the show seems incapable of letting Sam sit on the sidelines even when its ridiculous that he’s hunting, like with this ep. Plus, when I see Sam find all this strength to help Charlie and complete strangers I find myself asking where was it when his own brother needed his help.
If the show wants me to like Sam. Make him human, humble him a little and stop having every character tell me how awesome he is.
The final trial holds zero interest because I’m sure Sam will suffer more than anyone else in human history as he heroically and bravely and stoically saves humanity all by himself because he has to do this solo. After 8 seasons sickly suffering Sam is getting seriously cringe worthy.
Hopefully Cas is up to something interesting because my fast forward button will be getting a work out.
Hope
@BennyFan – your description of the situation with Sam seems to be an overexaggeration just to prove your point. I get it, you don’t like Sam (or maybe you just don’t like season 8 Sam, it’s difficult to tell considering how much you seem to dislike him in all of your recent comments).
But Dean’s not just sitting around baking cookies, alright? Give me a break. The guy was in the middle of the action last night and he saved Charlie’s life. He’s juggling a lot of different balls right now between worrying about both Cas and Sam and trying to find Kevin and keeping everyone going. Dean makes a couple of burgers and you assume that the only thing he’s doing is cooking for the rest of the season. He got Sam out of Purgatory. Yes, unfortunately Benny had to sacrifice himself for it (although he technically could have escaped) and it sucks, but Dean enacted a plan to ensure Sam survived that trial. You’re making a gross exaggeration and it’s becoming stale because it’s not the truth. He’s doing A LOT OF STUFF. Chances are he’s going to save Sam’s life and ensure the third trial gets done. That’s not making cookies, that’s helping to close the gates of hell. If you think Sam could actually accomplish these trials without Dean (especially trials 2 and 3), then you haven’t been watching the same show I have.
And if you hate one of the main characters and the general storyline so vehmently then why do you watch the show and continuously read and comment on articles about it? Why not just save yourself the headache and change the channel? No one is forcing you to watch the show. People fall out of love with shows all the time and they just stop watching them.
I watch because I like Cas.
I have a different definition of doing stuff. To me he’s not doing stuff in the myth episodes but worrying about Sam and cooking for him. I don’t consider sitting on the sidelines and asking people to help Sam action or being involved.
This episode was perfection to me:) Such a surprise too, after the (IMO) somewhat misleading promo. I thought Sam was going to *actually* be sidelined in bed most of the episode, and instead, there was a perfect division of action/storyline between all three characters. The mytharc was progressed, the stand-alone story was so compelling (I can’t tell you how much I relate to Charlie & her mom issues…yikes. Good stuff), and the humor and pathos were perfectly balanced.
As to some of the other comments here, goodness. I generally would think that if you hate either Sam OR Dean, you’re really just…watching the wrong show.
Great review!
@Kyline – I’m glad you liked the episode and thanks for the nice words about the review! I admit, I too was surprised by what happened, including Charlie’s backstory and the nice blend of humor and sadness, as well as Sam’s determination to be a part of what was happening. If this episode was any indication of what’s to come, I think we’re in for a terrific end of the season.
@Bennyfan – you’re more than welcome to like one character and dislike others, but that doesn’t mean you have to leave multiple comments disparaging characters that other fans *do* like. Or overexaggerating the actions that people are taking. You could have simply said “I would have prefered that Dean have more of a hands-on approach in helping Sam than asking other people to step in when he couldn’t”, as opposed to using extreme sarcasm like “Dean will just bake cookies while Sick Sammy saves the world”. One gets your point across far better and encourages legitimate discussion. The other doesn’t.
I wholeheartedly agree with your review. Nicely done. I thoroughly enjoyed this episode, and it reinforced a point I’ve been making for years. Colorful, well-drawn recurring characters help to peel back layers and enrich the characters of Sam and Dean. We need really good, regular supporting characters. I am so glad that Carver and Co. seem to be trying to repopulate the Winchester universe with characters such as Charlie. It was wonderful to see the Boys interact with her as the little sister they never knew they wanted. She brings such light, warmth, and humor to the show. She also brings a bit of a different dynamic because the Boys don’t relate to her the same way they relate to each other. It just shows a different kind of sibling-esque relationship. I must admit that this episode didn’t go in the direction I thought it would at all, and I am thrilled it didn’t. This is SO much better than what I imagined this episode would be.
Regarding Dean’s overpowering concern for Sam’s physical and mental health, that’s totally in character with who Dean is. I would be concerned if Dean were less concerned. But even more than that. It doesn’t matter how old Sam and Dean get or how much they go through, Sam is always going to be Dean’s little brother. He’s always going to want to protect him and take care of him. Speaking as an older sister, I know that’s not something you can just shut off because you’re both adults now. And I don’t think Dean is passive in this situation at all. There’s only so much he can do at this point. But I know for a fact that Sam could not have completed the 2nd trial without Dean and I have no doubt he won’t be able to complete the 3rd without Dean either. Charlie put it best when she said that there’s nothing the Winchesters can’t do when they work together.
@Bennyfan: You are absolutely the worst kind of Dean fan there is, and you give all of us a bad name. You want this show to be only about Dean and I think you’d prefer it if Sam stayed on the sidelines forever.
Don’t forget that this show is about Dean AND SAM. Both brothers have to be heroic, and HELLO, Dean killed 1 djinn and Sam killed 1. What are you complaining about? Not to mention, Dean saved Charlie, not Sam! What show are you watching? Would you rather Sam be killed off, and this be the Dean show? Well, that’s never gonna happen, because this show is about 2 brothers, and BOTH WILL GET THE SPOTLIGHT, EVENLY DOLED OUT.
God, I’m so annoyed with fans like you, bickering over which brother is better/getting more attention. They’re both gonna get attention, the creators are trying to balance this out, and when fans love one brother and dislike the other, then you’re no longer watching this show for the right reasons, and you should probably move on to something else.
I pretty much agree with everything in your review. Robbie Thompson is shaping up to be one of my favorite writers because of the way he writes dialog- witty and fast paced that comes off as natural.
To me, every character came off perfectly, and there was a good balance of Sam, Dean, Charlie with nods to mythology. I don’t see what problems other fans might have with how Sam or Dean is portrayed. It worked for me.
I haven’t been much of a Charlie fan at all. I thought she was a somewhat cheesy, too cutesy-bootsie addition to the cast of characters, but Robbie Thompson and Felicia Day’s acting really humanized her for me. Having a little sadness in the episode made the rest all the sweeter. The hug and kiss from Dean was heart tugging without being too sentimental. I was really happy with the show!
@Clarissa – you are right, Sam was instrumental in killing the second Djinn. Luckily he didn’t have to shoot it. ;) I think it’s big sister or the mother of two boys in me, but when Sam wouldn’t stay put, I was screaming “No!” in my head. Yeah, probably the mother part…the one that used to say, “I know you want to go out and play with your brother, but you don’t feel well and I don’t want you to make him sick too.” LOL at myself!
In any case, I loved this episode. Loved the brothers’ interactions, Charlie, the gun range, and the way Dean was with Charlie… I think it was the best of the season so far.
@Gina
I watch a show because there is some aspect that entertains me. I don’t believe its possible to watch TV wrong. I still like Cas and I still like Dean.
I never said I wanted to be all about Dean. If you read what I wrote you would see that I want to to have an equal part to Sam, especially in episodes that matter. Not just filler. I wanted to see the boys do the trials together. Not sure how that translates it to being all about Dean.
What I said was that I’d like to see some realistic consequences to Sam being sick, not that he should be sidelined forever. If he’s too weak to stand he shouldn’t be hunting.
Charlie/Felicia fits so easily in the dynamic of the show is amazing really. I really hope we’re going to see her often. As for Dean and what he came to terms with at the end of this ep I think was more the fact he was able to “let go” of his fear of losing Sam and go “throught the pain” of the last trial to try and see Sam get better instead of “hiding” and keep him on the sidelines, because he not going to get better until the trial are done ..
And with the hug I sort of saw an unspoken “I love you”/”I’m sorry”, being glad he, unlike Charlie to his mother, still gets the chance to say it to his brother.
I for one was glad Sam was not in bed the whole time sidelined while Dean and Charlie have their adventure. Sorry, Bennyfan, if that was what you wanted.
i like that charlie brings an element of fun while not having the story revolve around slapstick comedy and allows for those around her to be over the top at the same time.
anyways, what i really want to comment on is that, unlike season 7, season 8 has done a bang up job of slowly showing the damage sam is going through so it’s doesn’t come out of nowhere that he is like 10 mins away from dying of sleep deprivation or whatever 7.17 was. jared has been doing a bang up job with it so kudos to him. i’m really excited that while this is a “what’s wrong with sam” yet again it might actually lead somewhere and have a lasting presence on the show.
with that said i’m going into these last three episodes with cautious hope as far as dean is concerned. i’m not one who feels he has been “sidelined” but i am hoping that the finale is transitional for him and is the starting point for a larger story.
even more so if these are going to be the last two years of the show (this is all an assumption based purely on the fact that no other cw show has gone past the 10 yr mark and carver only said he had a “3 yr plan”)
I was surprised at how awesome this episode was. Sam and Dean’s characters were just very familiar and enjoyable to watch. They are not enjoyable to watch when they act like strangers and out of character (as in first half of season 8). I love shout outs to the past. I think the end showed a lot of maturity in both brothers when Sam admitted to Dean that Dean was right and Dean hugged Sam. Dean always wanting to take care of Sam is ingrained in him and I don’t ever want to see that change. I don’t care how old they get. Its endearing and its them and it makes me care about their characters even more. Oh, and Felicia Day is great.