While far from perfect, Supernatural has badly needed an episode like Friday's "How To Win Friends and Influence Monsters." It reignited interest in the Leviathan storyline by giving us a cool glimpse at their research facility (complete with dead grandmas), featured some classic banter between the brothers and Bobby courtesy of Supernatural's wittiest scribe Ben Edlund, and HOLY SMOKES BOBBY!
Let's start with the last bit first. I just knew the episode would end with Bobby's life in the balance after he got separated from Sam and Dean during that very confusing final scramble and escape from LeviaCorp. He'd had a few too many serious and deep hombre-a-hombre conversations with both brothers. It's been a while since we've had a traumatic character death on Supernatural (I'm not convinced Castiel is gone for good), so the time is right for someone to go. But Bobby? I just don't see it happening. The producers have way too much respect for Bobby to send him off unceremoniously like that. That guy, more than anyone else on the series, needs a hero's exit. Taking a slug in the head from a dick in a suit is NOT a satisfactory departure for the man who weaned the Winchesters from his teat of hunting knowledge.
But if Bobby DID die, it sure would make for an interesting second half of the season. Imagine Sam and Dean with the fire of revenge in their eyes as they sought to end the Leviathans! "This is for Bobby!" they'd say as they force-fed Dick a borax shake. Still, you gotta think that if Bobby's gonna go, he's gonna go out in style. Ellen and Jo went out in style, and Bobby isn't going to take his last breath under the knife at a hospital, unless he has a ton of dynamite strapped to his chest and the doctors are Leviathans.
It was good to get another peek at the Leviathans' plan, even though we still don't know what they're doing. We faced a similar slow burn last season, when we barely knew what was going on halfway through the season. And what do we know now? That the Leviathans, under Dick Roman, have hatched some plan to sedate Americans into complacency by feeding them tainted sandwiches. Oookay. To what end? I don't know. One problem: This story isn't too far off from the Season 5 demon plan of messing with flu shots to spread the Croatoan virus. What ever happened to good old-fashioned nationwide bloodshed by monsters?
Dick Roman isn't exactly a frightening villain as far as Supernatural Big Bads go. He's more like a social commentary on the current state of things today, a 1%-er in a slick suit who's buzzed on crisp Chardonnay and fancy cheese. The method of administering the Leviathans' plan (through Biggerson's tasty Turducken Slammer sandwiches) is also a bit soapbox-y, essentially generalizing that all Americans are fat and love to eat fast food. Hey! Only 98 percent of us do! And do you blame us? KFC just added BACON to its Famous Bowl. Bacon! Anyway, the scheme isn't the most original idea, nor does it carry the proper weight behind it to make it really effective, but this is Season 7, what are you expecting? Supernatural's writers seem more interested in having fun this season than anything else, which isn't necessarily a bad thing.
However, one unfortunate side effect is the lack of bite from the bad guys. The idea of the Leviathans is much scarier than the Leviathans themselves. Did you see Bobby take down that hyper-thyroid bodyguard Leviathan with one blow? Was there ever a moment that the Leviathans seemed to be really into killing Sam, Dean, or Bobby? Did they ever move at a pace faster than a brisk jog? If I'm going to be scared of these guys, I need to see a little more roughing up of the Winchesters and less snobbery. They just don't seem like they can be bothered.
A few quick thoughts on the beginning of the episode: Things started off with some real zingers and kookiness that only Edlund could've written. "Camping High Season Harshed By Human Burrito" as a headline? Edlund. Dean's response to "Do you want to look like a hostess?" Edlund. That Bambi talk when they were hunting? Edlund. And it's a good thing Edlund's word's were all over the place, because the opening meandered a bit too much and the focus just wasn't there. Heck, I think I reviewed this episode with little mention of the first half, as it seemed like 22 minutes of "stuff that happened" was stretched out to reach the 44-minute mark for broadcast.
But in the end, "How To Win Friends And Influence Monsters" jump-started the Leviathan storyline, and we were handed a real whopper of a cliffhanger with the sight of a bullet hole in Bobby's hat. It wasn't the prettiest way of getting things done, but it did serve as a springboard for the midseason finale. Now let's see if Supernatural can stick the landing.
Notes:
– Grey-green snot erupting out of a Turducken sandwich just in time for Thanksgiving? Thanks, Supernatural!
– I may be the only one, but I was sad to see Dr. Leviathan back. That said, I was glad to see him eat himself to death. And he did it with style in a Red Lobster bib. That's cool.
– The Supernatural graphics department could probably spend a little more time on its Photoshop efforts. Dick's YouTube montage stills looked like a three-minute job or a preschool project. Was that intentional?
Supernatural Season 7 Power Rankings
"How To Win Friends And Influence People" was a bit topsy-turvy and almost felt like two half-episodes in one. Though Ben Edlund's trademark snaps were in full effect, most of the story wasn't. I'm hoping that the purpose of the episode was to set things up for the rest of the season.
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. "The Mentalists" (Episode 7)
More standalone fun as the brothers investigated murders in a town full of psychics.
3. "Meet the New Boss" (Episode 1)
Castiel got all righteous on those who didn't respect The Good Word, and it was great.
4. "Slash Fiction" (Episode 6)
Two Leviathans disguised themselves as Sam and Dean and took off on a cross-country shootin' spree!
5. "Hell, Cruel World" (Episode 2)
The Leviathans set up a buffet at a hospital after spreading into the water supply.
6. "How To Win Friends And Influence Monsters" (Episode 9)
Hyperadrenalized cannibals and stoner sandwiches! Dick Roman's plan was sort of unveiled! And Bobby got shot!
7. "The Girl Next Door" (Episode 3)
Via flashback, we saw Sam's first kiss... with a monster! Then Dean killed her.
8. "Defending Your Life" (Episode 4)
Dean went on trial before Osiris because of the guilt he carries. Jo came back to blow him up!
9. "Season 7, Time for a Wedding" (Episode 8)
Too. Much. Becky. Larson.
Follow TV.com writer Tim Surette on Twitter: @TimAtTVDotCom
O, how I NEEDED a Ben Edlund penned episode!!! His wit and writing is what makes Supernatural banter the best.
If Bobby dies.......I am going to lose it. As you said, Jo and Ellen went out with a bang, and if the writers are going to kill of Bobby they'd better do MUCH better then a shot to the head.
I thought Dr. Leviathan being 'bibbed' was effing fantastic. I love that we didn't know exactly what it meant until we saw just the bib on the floor covered in blood. WIN.
As for Dick's YouTube video, I took it as being intentionally ridiculous.... I mean for the majority of the video the words "THE RISE OF DICK" were displayed at the bottom of the screen. Also, I don't necessarily mind the villain being a commentary on today's society... but if they are going to play it that way they need to go all out. Dick needs to think of and treat Sam and Dean like tiny little insects waiting to be squashed, barely worth a second glance. After all the gooey monsters from last season it is actually nice to see a villain who knows about the finer things in life, suits, chardonnay, and cheese.moreless
It hurts me to say this because 1) this has been one of my favorite shows for years and 2) I was one hoping it would come back for a seventh season, but maybe Supernatural should have stuck with Kripke's original plan because the overall quality has definitely and noticeably declined.
That said, this episode was just okay in my opinion, it had some humor but Dean being inflicted by another temporary problem has been done several times. And I really, really hope they don't kill Bobby, I mean, he is the only ally left.
Other than Bobby being shot (NO!!!), I enjoyed this light-hearted show; Dean being so chilled was hilarious, as well as Sam and Bobby's reactions to Dean's new behavior. I laughed so hard when Dean said: "If I wasn't so chilled right now, I'd puke"!
Freaking Sandwich!!!
They better have the hand of God come down and resurrect Bobby. He's the only man on the show.
I'm also not buying this Dick as vilain. Seriously... naming the vilain of the show Dick. Everytime i see him on screen i just want to laugh! The Leviathans need to become really scary fast and Edgar must become the badass vilain, He is much more scarier than the other guy! And don't think that Bobby's is going to die. As you said he deserves a better way of dieing so i don't think that the writers would kill him like this, But they did send Castiel out by making him walk into a lake so we'll never know.... (losing hope on Castiel's return)
I'm just watching this show because of what it was once. I will watch until the end but it isn't the same anymore.
Was a solid episode even though the first half could have had better focus like you said. I really hope Bobby doesn't die.
Was good no doubt !
thanks to whoever writes the description for the next episode, we all know that Bobby didn`t die and he will be fit and running in the next episode!
Thank you!
I don't know, I found this episode to be very hodge-podge....and I'm a big Edlund fan as well. The dialogue in the beginning was great, BUT:
the Jersey devil--mutant stoner sandwiches--weirdo zombies--Leviathans, fast food chains, and corporate America--the "Dr." who somehow ate his own entire body (how exactly does that work, logistically? ...seriously, think about it)
Umm.. wtf?!?!
Also, killing off Bobby (especially in this manner) would be show suicide. Supernatural can't survive without Bobby and Cas. Come on, now!!
One last note, this Dick villain just isn't working for me. The Leviathans (with all their potential) aren't very scary, but rather they're just becoming annoying. and the whole (viral) idea seemed like a bad Croatoan ripoff---Those episodes were intense and scary. This was everything but...
I didnt like the episode much cause it was about Leviathans and i hate them,they look very fake and they say they are so powerful but i honestly cant see it,i mean the boys had no problem getting away with not much effort.And am pretty sure Bobby is not dead,he cant be.Dick's YouTube montage stills looked like a three-minute job or a preschool project.Totally i was like wtf!!Am sad to say that spn has dissapointed me this season....
Totally agree! Gr8 power huh: they eat people ... wow. Total disappointment.
Blah episode. Funny bits, gross parts, but overall not a good episode. And that's gonna be what? Twice in a season they left a cliffhanger with Bobby and a near death? Third time is the charm they say, so I have the feeling this is Bobby's final season =(...not now, in the final killing tons of leviathans and being awesome as he is.
I meant Dean and Sam
oh boy that episode was the lamest of them all....I mean slime sandwiches and self-eating monsters?..they need fresh new writers. I think the Dean should go head to head with the werewolf, the boggeyman or another high profile monster and they should make it last for a couple of episodes instead of jumpig from a danger to another all the time. it takes the seriouseness out of the situation.
I loved this episode. One of the best this season. I hope Gamble doesn't kill off Bobby! Stoner Dean was hilarious and it was nice to see him smiling without any regret.
-That sandwich snot made me wanna puke too. Dean's line was awesome!
-Damn, the doc eating himself was so cool. It showed us exactly how powerful and feared Roman was. "The rise of Dick" ROFL! Ben Edlund should have been the showrunner!
-I think it was intentional to show it like it was photoshopped.
What can i say about this ep. Dean being stoned through a food product was hillarious. It was the first time we seen him happy or tired looking. However, by the looks on Sam and Bobby faces they sure werent expecting what Dean said about why bother the saving the world again. Overall good epsiode
SPOILER ALERT! Well, it appears the old man won't die, as he features in the recap for next episode, which BTW will only air in two weeks! Damn, no Supernatural this friday (though it might be a good thing, given the pace of Season 7 so far).
Last but not least, better Bobby be alive. You just cannot kill him like this. I'll take a chance and say he will be in hospital or in a coma for a couple of episodes. There just can't be Supernatural without Bobby anymore.
Also, I'm trully disappointed about the Leviathans. I was expecting more gore, like the first couple of episodes of the season when all that mattered to them was eating humans and/or collecting humans to eat later. I guess the problem is not the Leviathans but Season 7 all around, it seems to me like the writers are not really sure how to handle the arc-story.
The Leviathans are a joke right now. The Dr. eating himself? Come on, it might be funny, but it's also stupid. Being ate by other Leviathans, maybe, eating himself with a lobster bib. Too silly, way too stupid.
Well, it's certainly an improvement after last week worst-episode-of-the-series-ever. But nowhere near to Slash Fiction, who a side The Mentalists and Meet the New Boss, top my chart for this season.
The only thing that really disappointed me about this episode was the fact that it was advertised as something it wasn't. I've been waiting for a nice, scary episode since season four's 'Family Remains' -and is it sad that we have to wait for one, since the show used to be scary as par for the course?- and I had been anticipating this episode for a whole week, only to be disappointed halfway through. Turns out it wasn't going to be a scary jaunt in the woods after the Jersey Devil, it was just exposition for the Leviathan plot. Not that it's a bad thing, I just wish they would have advertised it as such. A plus on this episode has got to be from Jensen. Watching that man eat is probably the best thing ever. It's become a running gag since season two and it never, ever gets old or unfunny. And yes, the "Rise of Dick" -and pretty much all the Dick jokes- were just HILARIOUS. A wonderful touch from Ben Edlund, and why out of Jeremy Carver, Sera Gamble and Julie Siege, he rules the writer's room.moreless
Oh, come on! Time for a wedding a funny episode. It's nowhere near the worst!
"The Rise Of Dick"
"Dick Is Coming"
anyone else find that hilarious or is it just sick minded me :P
No I saw that and laughed hysterically. Well played Supernatural. Well played.
Overall I enjoyed the episode. Dean stoned was hilarious. Sam dealing with Dean stoned, equally hilarious. But yea I pegged something happening to Bobby coming up here soon. And they practically put a sign out for it during the episode. But really who else is there to threaten and kill off.
As for the leviathan's plan. I think it is to turn humans into chattel. Human's are there food, they evidently don't like to work for it. So they are building some type of chemical to lull us into a near comatose state so they can eat us at will. At least that is what I am getting from the plot. Which if that really is it. It is kind of disappointing that creatures whom can't be killed and only really harmed by industrial solvent aren't more inventive.
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I loved this ep. S7 is on a roll for me. I loved last weeks too.
Bobby better not be dead. Especially like that. Not cool writers, not cool!
Ben Edlund should be the showrunner!
that scene when the weird goo was pouring out of the meat was priceless,
especially dean's expression
"dude, if i wasn't chilled right now, i'll puke"
First cupcakes, now chicken sandwiches. Is nothing sacred???? J/k I love supernatural gross-outs!