Supernatural’s fifth episode takes us, briefly, to a happy place where we can forget all our angst and Cas’s puppy dog eyes, if only for 42 minutes. The Supernatural team does comedy very well and the episodes almost instantly become fan favorites, even though their endings usually come with a heavy dose of Dammit.
The show opened with a brief montage of some of our favorite moments from comedy past, letting us know from the title card that we should go ahead and prepare for some fluff. It’s always a nice respite during the season, and even though last week was a one-off break from the season arc the episode was still an emotional ride. Tonight? Well, Dean partakes in an Inuit spell that allows him to communicate with animals (it’s like Esperanto, apparently), so… heavy? Not so much. Hilarious? Oh god yes.
The only drawback to these episodes is the fact that they are pretty difficult to “review.” There is little to no plot development, it’s difficult to develop theories and read clues regarding the season as a whole, and usually the only reference to a bigger issue is in the last few minutes of the episode. None of this, mind you, is a complaint. In a show that can get as heavy as this one the laughter is twice as valuable. It was a bit odd to have two episodes in a row that avoided the Cas expulsion, but again – ‘s OK.
Sam and Dean travel to investigate the mysterious death of a taxidermist. During their antics as Agents Michaels and Deville (AWESOME), they meet vegan bakers, uncover a nasty plot by a dying man to ingest lots of brains so he can absorb animal powers, and make lots of new four legged friends (and one winged enemy). So instead of my usual analysis, I’m just going to go with sharing my favorite parts of an awesome episode.
- Leslie Jordan as the Yorkie with a crush on Sam. So THERE’S a sentence I never thought I’d type. I can’t find a definitive list of voice actors from the episode, but if that wasn’t Leslie Jordan I will eat my shoe.
- Dean totally made the baroo face you guys.
- Jensen Ackles, as I have mentioned ad nauseum, is a talented comedic perfomer. He’s just damn funny, and he played the animal crossover with a lighter touch that kept it in funny territory when it easily could have crossed over to absurd. Dean’s angry hail to the mailman cause what is probably my heariest Supernatural guffaw. Well, it’s actually a tie with the Yellow Fever episode. But still. That’s high praise.
- Again I must mention that I can’t find a definitive voice cast for the episode, but you guys I SWEAR TO GOD THAT WAS MARK HAMILL AS THE VOICE OF THE COLONEL. I will keep you updated. I tweeted him and asked which is a pretty bold move for me (and if he replies, just FYI, I will poop my pants).
And while a good time was had by all (except the Shaman, that is), the show is officially pushing my limits as far as Dean’s excuses. One more “wha’ happen’?!!?” upon a Zeke interference, and I will officially frown. Cowley hasn’t called it out and Sam is the smart one for cryin’ out loud. The flimsy explanations won’t satisfy Sam or viewers much longer.
Episode six promises to be a lovely combination of humor and sympathy, as we find Cas the Human clerkin’ it up in a convenience store like the rest of the norms. We also will meet a mysterious, mega-angel foe. Archangel, mayhap? I’m not very schooled on angelic choirs and heirarchy, so chime in below and let me know your theories on the next Big Bad!