Mr. Fizzles Needs a Promotion
Before we get to the Bobby shocker, let’s talk about the episode as a whole. I thought it was a funny, light-hearted episode, just the thing that we needed after the dramatic return of Castiel last week. DJ Qualls is a welcome addition to the cast. He may have first appeared during an episode that many fans didn’t like (“Season 7, Time for a Wedding”), but even then he made an impression that, for me, wasn’t affected by the episode.
His character is amusing, from his choice in music to his ridiculous swagger to the fact that gets drunk off of a single beer. But it was his inventive choice of interrogation tactics that cemented his place in my heart. When he whipped out the sock puppet, Mr. Fizzles, to help interrogate a young girl who accidentally took a sip of vodka and saw the Shojo, I was full-out laughing. Like Dean said, he definitely grows on you, even if I – like Bobby – am shocked that he’s managed to stay alive for this long in a dangerous gig like hunting.
Jim Beaver is Kind of a Lying Liar Who Lies…But Awesomely
Now, let’s get onto the meat of this week’s Supernatural. First, I liked the continuity linking it back to last week’s episode at the beginning. Dean conclusively confirmed that Meg has taken a job at the mental hospital as part of a deal with the Winchesters, because he was checking in with her about Castiel’s condition. They boys may have left him there, but they haven’t forgotten about their angelic friend. Since we know Misha Collins will be returning towards the end of the season, I have no doubt that Castiel’s importance to the storyline will emerge. Whatever the solution may be to his Lucifer problem, I can’t wait to see him again. Meanwhile, Sam seems to be getting better, although he seriously needs to stop getting knocked out, because his Lucifer hallucinations might be gone, but I’m worried that his brain will be completely smashed soon. But I am thrilled to see him back in the game.
Then, we come to Bobby. Back when a group of us got together to write a midseason review for Supernatural, I put forward the notion that having Bobby return as a ghost wouldn’t, in any way, cheapen his death. The enormity of his sacrifice (and his beautiful swan song episode, “Death’s Door”) would remain as wonderful and emotional as it was, whatever his choice was. Some people may feel differently, and that’s their prerogative, but I was thrilled to see Jim Beaver in his baseball cap again. I was also shocked. To the best of my knowledge, Jim Beaver has managed to keep his reappearance hidden (unless I missed a memo), even going so far as to deny that he’s returned to film any other episodes of Supernatural. So this was a terrific, and genuine, surprise. I actually screamed when he first appeared on the screen again. It’s honestly not often that I don’t get wind of spoilers – or that a secret such as this remains hidden in this fandom – so I heap praise on the writers/producers/cast of the show for this surprise (even if many of us hoped it was coming).
The bottom line is this: Bobby chose to remain behind. The boys did salt and burn his body but, for whatever reason, he has been able to stick around. Clearly Bobby is able to stick around because of ties to specific objects, like the flask, which, frankly, was an option Dean should have put forward himself given all of his experience hunting ghosts. Or perhaps it was the deal the reaper gave him that allowed him this special privilege. Whatever the reason, Bobby is back, and he’s here to stay. Some Supernatural fans may be complaining, but I couldn’t be more thrilled.
Looking back on the season at this point affords us a perspective we couldn’t really see at the beginning. Season 7 has been about stripping the Winchesters of their allies, that we knew. The boys needed to be in a desperate place, without the familiar comforts they had known. But the truth is that the Winchesters can’t wage the final battle alone, so some of their old tools need to be reintroduced. If they can figure out a way to help Castiel, I believe he’ll be integral to the plot to defeat the leviathans. If they can figure out a way to communicate with Bobby, I think he’ll be another ally as well, whether he remains a ghost or gets resurrected. The truth is, the Winchesters have never truly faced a significant enemy alone. Some of their final acts may have been done only by the boys, but they’ve always gotten help in their crucial hours of need, whether it’s been from their father, Bobby, Chuck or Castiel.
The Winchesters’ support system needs to come back together to take down this season’s big bad. Now that Bobby and Castiel have returned, can we please get the Impala back? How much more conspicuous could the car be than two attractive men (whose faces were all over the news), who always travel together, with one of them being extremely tall? As if the car is going to make them more recognizable. Come on. Give it back to us, Supernatural! All of the important pieces are back on the chess board besides that one!
Supernatural is now on hiatus until April 20. Before you moan, know that when the show returns, we’ll be treated to five new episodes in a run to end the season. And it looks like this new Bobby revelation isn’t going away anytime soon. When a case leads the brothers to a seriously haunted house, will they finally be able to see Bobby? Check out a promo for the April 20 episode.
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The promo looks so legit for the next episode. "You can see me?"
BOBBY!!!!! YAY!!!!! I'm more excited about him then even Cas. BOBBY!!!! I don't think it cheapens it at all. Maybe earlier in the year it might have. But we've seen how hard it is to get along without BOBBY!!!!!
This episode was absolutely awesome. The Shojo was definitely a call back to the good old creepiness that is Supernatural at the core. The writing was very well done, and I have to say, DJ Qualls made me enjoy the episode even more! But the ending was fantastic. They had us all thinking it was just a filler…LOLNO.
BOBBY!!
That was the most welcome surprise…ever!! This show has a tendency to kill a lot of interesting characters (John, Jo, Ellen, Ash, Rufus, Chuck, Ruby, Balthazar, Gabriel, Henricksen, Pamela, and many more), yet the most beloved of them all is Bobby. His return is the greatest gift the writers could have given me.
bobby=boring me to tears
I put this episode right down there with Time for a Wedding. Garth is a village idiot and I don't find his humor at all funny. I hate the character. Bobby as a ghost is the most predictably uninteresting thing the show could do (and I like Bobby – I was just hoping for some very lacking creativity this season). After watching the last two episodes, I am left wondering why I've even bothered watching this season. It's gone nowhere — except in a circle from taking everything away from the brothers to putting it all back in place. Well, there is still Jensen, so I'll finish up the season, but I'm not expecting anything better than what was given in S6.
@Clarissa- You weren't the only one who screamed! Followed by tears of joy. It's sometimes really painful to watch the previously on Supernatural when they recap everything and there's Bobby in most of the scenes. It's like why don't you just twist the knife a little more and then rub salt in the wounds to constantly remind me that Bobby isn't on here anymore! It's down right depressing. This was one of my favorite episodes this season because Garth made it enjoyable and I agree with Mary that it felt like a classic Supernatural story. And then they saved the best for last. I hope they find some way for Bobby to stick around.
7.18 "Party On, Garth" is the most terrific episode in season 7 until now. Garth and DJ Qualls show his all talents, and he got a place in Supernatural world. It's a good sign. The world is a place that everybody lives together, not lonely isolated island. Sam and Dean can meet new era with loving and communications with MANY others – long and constant relationships. This episode shows how the killing characters offs was terrible choice.
The story got a power to rise up. Once Adam Glass made a unbelievable episode at season 7, "Defending Your Life", we could read his headaches that talking about Sam and Dean's past without Cas and Bobby. He usually shows good writings with Sam and Dean plus more characters: Shifters and The Campbells, Crowley, Meg and Cas, Team Free Will and Eve… He is good at the dynamic in various angles and views. Good works, Adam Glass and DJ Qualls, thanks(oh, I shouldn't forget Debb & Lofflin). Your Garth is so unique and hilarious. I just wish some SPN producers won't make conspiracy to kill off you for shock. I mean it. I really expected Garth's appearance since 6.04 "Weekend at Bobby's".
And Sam and Dean talk about their loss about departed ones, the family. It's again Sam who understand father's death first but who wants consolation more than anyone. That's what he wanted, he can make friends easier than Dean, but he might have a more bigger hole in his heart than Dean. Sam's denial means he was hurt than anyone. We can see Dean talked about his loss to others(Frank, Elliot and Cas) but not Sam. Even from someday, the departed talked to Dean, not Sam. Not only Bobby, even Ellen, Now Sam has one more burden for Cas' sacrifice. That's what he should pass through: Sam should tell to his brother or anyone what he feels.
There is possibilities to rise up. Sam and Dean can connect to the world. They can love each other when they love and communicate with others in the world. And, most of all, there is a possibility for Team free Will to be united. Now it's back on the track. I just wish the SPN writers won't blow up the chance.