"Slash Fiction" isn't a term I generally like to see in an episode title for one of my favorite shows. But there it was as the name of Friday's new episode of Supernatural, and if you know anything about some of the series' more "creative" fans, you probably aren't surprised. The phrase refers to fan-written work that features two same-sex characters getting it on, and it's a hot topic for some Supernatural fans because some people just love the thought of Sam and Dean satisfying their sexual desires together on a lone Kansas highway while "Carry On My Wayward Son" plays in the background. All I can say is, at least Wincest is better than some of the Castiel Crabclaw stuff I've had the misfortune of reading.
In a bit of false advertising, Sam and Dean didn't become butt buddies in "Slash Fiction," but the episode did open up the world of the Leviathans and expose their weaknesses. Oh, and it featured, like, a billion beheadings, which didn't hurt. But on the negative side, "Slash Fiction" was a bit uneven, story-wise, and some of its humor missed its mark and poked fun at Air Supply. This will be no making fun of Air Supply on my watch!
Things kicked off with a pair of Leviathans who'd shapeshifted into Sam and Dean doing what many Supernatural fangirls have already done: scouring a hotel room the pair had stayed in for old hair. The bad guys' plan was to run rampant around the country, pulling off bank heists and restaurant robberies (dialogue provided by Pulp Fiction!) so that the feds would go after the Winchesters and make their lives miserable. In the first scene, the imposters held up a bank and viciously slaughtered the captives; the plan didn't make the best of sense, but no one's ever said the Leviathans are smart. The real Sam and Dean didn't find themselves in many close calls, despite never trying on fake mustaches or getting their hair cut, so the premise lost some sting when they still managed to drive around the country without facing much difficulty from the Pigs.
So let's examine the Leviathans' plan further: Were they trying to get Sam and Dean killed, or simply arrested, thus keeping them out of the way? Did they really need to commit crimes in the same places and in the same order as Sam and Dean's early hunts from Season 1, instead of, oh I don't know, just causing random chaos? After murdering a dozen or so people in a bank vault, did it really make sense to keep committing crimes instead of letting the police do their work? Plus, what would've happened if the Feds tried to stop the Leviathans? Would they've shot 'em up, thus blowing the Leviathans' cover and exposing the secret that there are freakin' monsters from Purgatory running around? I may be nitpicking, but these Leviathans are arrogant and incredibly sloppy. The concepts of the episode were great, but the explanations were not. I like the idea that Leviathans take over people and assume their lives, but I'm beginning to think these monsters are borderline morons.
At least we now know how to kill them, thanks to Sheriff Mills' clumsiness while doing Bobby's chores. Silicon Borate, or Borax, is a common household cleaner that dissolves the Leviathans. And don't forget to cut the head off, put it in a box, and give it to your new squeeze to dispose of, as Bobby did with the sexy sheriff. Helpful hint: Borax also works on ants! I'm guessing that's no coincidence, as the hivemind mentality of the Leviathans is definitely reminiscent of picnic pests.
Sam and Dean were eventually captured by Saul Tigh from Battlestar Galactica (Michael Hogan, in a criminally underused role), and it wasn't until he saw a pair of Leviathans eating one of his deputies that he believed the brothers' story and released them. In the ensuing chaos, Sam and Dean encountered their brother's Leviathan counterpart, and this led to the best part of the episode that didn't involve a lot of space being created between somebody's head and shoulders by an axe. Taking over Dean's body not only gave the Leviathan Jensen Ackles's abs and soap-opera good looks, but also Dean's memories, knowledge, and dirty little secrets. The Leviathan couldn't help but tell Sam that Dean killed Amy (Sam's first kiss from a few episodes back), and Sam made a frowny face because that totally sucks, dude. It was a cool way to get Dean's secret out, and the episode ended with the two splitting up and going their separate ways, as is required of them at least once per season. It's always a bummer when the bros turn their backs on each other. This is anything but slash fiction! I want my money back!
Notes
– It's great to see Supernatural get a lot of use out of its computer-generated beheading technology. There was one last week, and a few more this week! And how cool is it that Dean got to cut his own head off?
– From reading what some fans have said, apparently I'm the only one who thinks Dean lip-synching soft rock isn't funny anymore. But I will agree with Dean that Air Supply is awesome. I also had zero interest in Frank Devereaux, Bobby's buddy who helped Sam and Dean get new identities while never once suggesting that they wear sunglasses or a hat.
– We met the head Leviathan, or the one we think is the head Leviathan: a Christian Bale impersonator named Dick Roman who is a high-ranking corporate somebody. Crowley tried to ally with him, but Leviathans and demons don't mix, and Dick told him to bugger off.
Supernatural Season 7 Power Rankings
I'm sure a lot of you will be pretty upset that I think "Shut Up, Dr. Phil" is the season's best episode to date, but I have to stand by it. It was goofy and gory, two things I think Supernatural does best when it isn't taking itself too seriously. "Slash Fiction" was one of the better episodes this season, but let's be honest here: We're all still waiting for the first great episode of Season 7 to surface.
1. "Shut Up, Dr. Phil" (Episode 5)
A pair of witches needed some couples counseling in a gory fun-fest that guest-starred Charisma Carpenter and James Marsters.
2. "Meet the New Boss" (Episode 1)
Castiel got all righteous on those who didn't respect The Good Word, and it was great.
3. "Slash Fiction" (Episode 6)
Two Leviathans disguised themselves as Sam and Dean and took off on a cross-country shootin' spree!
4. "Hell, Cruel World" (Episode 2)
The Leviathans set up a buffet at a hospital after spreading into the water supply.
5. "The Girl Next Door" (Episode 3)
Via flashback, we saw Sam's first kiss... with a monster! Then Dean killed her.
6. "Defending Your Life" (Episode 4)
Dean went on trial before Osiris because of the guilt he carries. Jo came back to blow him up!
Follow TV.com writer Tim Surette on Twitter: @TimAtTVDotCom
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