by Bob Teoh
via The AV Club
This week’s “Supernatural” has the Winchester Brothers teaming up with yet another special guest star, Garth, played by the hilarious DJ Qualls. The die-hard fans of the show might remember the character from his first appearance last season. This time, the incompetent Garth contacts the brother for help when the children of the owners of a local brewery are murdered.
Of course, with DJ Qualls in the line-up, the episode took a comedic turn as the hunters realize they are dealing with a Shojo, a Japanese spirit, and the only way to see it is by getting drunk. Chaos ensues as the trio race against time (and the influence of heavy alcohol) to kill the spirit before it takes its next victim.
As the Winchester brothers battle the Shojo, Dean begins to see signs that suggest Bobby, their mentor who died mid-season, has remained as a ghost and is secretly assisting them. Garth’s EMP meter lights up whenever it is placed next to Bobby’s old flask. While attempting to slay the Shojo, Dean has the sword knocked out of his hand, only to miraculously glide back into his grip. Though Dean desperately wants to believe that Bobby is with them, Sam convinces him that his minds are playing tricks on him. In the final scene of the episode, an apparition of Bobby appears after the brothers leave to confirm that he has not left them, but he is saddened by the brothers’ inability to see him.
Though the episode, with its absurd premise, started off as a kind of comic relief, it also reintroduces a recurring theme of the series–family. With the brothers losing so many loved ones this season, it is nice to see them slowly mending their broken family and achieve some form of happiness. The Winchesters seem to have a lot of fun with the occasionally obnoxious Garth, who temporarily fills the void of their lost comrades. With characters like Bobby and Castiel returning, the brothers are not alone in their battles.
“Supernatural” will take another short break before making that final push to the season finale. The promo for next episode reveals the brothers seeing Bobby for the first time since his death, and it would be interesting to see how they cope with this revelation.
Bob Teoh is a staff writer. Email him at entertainment@nyunews.com.
