The improving Leviathan storyline takes a backseat in this week’s installment of Supernatural, appropriately titled “The Mentalists” for its story of psychics being murdered by a spirit. It’s been a long time since the show’s dealt with psychics, and unlike previous installments that dealt with real deals like Pamela Barnes (season 4) and Missouri Mosely (season 1), this episode is all about the phonies who apparently inhabit Lily Dale by the thousands. This was a totally standard episode of Supernatural that displayed some of the show’s biggest weaknesses while also continuing the rededication to continuity that we’ve seen this season. A rededication, I might add, that’s beginning to make me wonder if we might be watching the final season of Supernatural. Fans of Smallville will remember a similar sense of nostalgia in season 10 that helped bring things full circle. But maybe I’m looking too much into it.
Who knew killing monsters was so therapeutic?
If there’s one thing Supernatural has proven over its lifetime, it’s that nothing brings the Winchester brothers back together like working a case. It’s not because saving lives helps them both realize how precious life is or anything sappy like that. It’s because the brothers will inevitably meet someone who’s going through a similar situation and just happens to love opening up about their problems to complete strangers. I refer to this as the Grey’s Anatomy syndrome. It’s a crutch for writers who would otherwise have a hard time finding ways to get two gruff guys to talk about their problems. We have yet another example this week as the museum guide points out that sibling acts typically saw their relationship fall apart because they worked together and were around each other too much. He then adds, ironically, that the Campbell “brothers” never had that problem. This was a brilliant reference on many levels, first as a wink to why Sam and Dean always reconcile (their mother’s side being Campbells) and secondly as a nod to all the Supernatural fan fiction writers who get carried away with brother-on-brother love.
While the museum scene did come off as forced it also had some great hints at earlier seasons. There were the nods to Pamela and Missouri and then the real gem – the guide’s message to Dean from Ellen about telling someone what’s wrong with him or she’ll “kick his ass from beyond.” After seeing Jo in “Defending Your Life,” it was a nice to have Ellen mentioned in a way that wasn’t forced or contrived. She always was a mother figure for the Winchesters so it was appropriate to see her concerned about Dean’s wellbeing. The continuity wasn’t just present in that scene, however, as a woman recognized Sam and Dean from their murder rampage last episode. This was a great addition by the writers and proved that it really is going to be tougher for Sam and Dean to lay low this season.
Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right.
Sam and Dean are in their element when they’re forced to deal with normal people who have no idea that the stuff of nightmares actually exists. It’s the people who pretend to be experts that really force them out of their comfort zone. Think back to the Ghostfacers and the way those amateurs rattled their normally stoic demeanors. Here we have the Winchesters up against a town full of phonies and the writers have a lot of fun poking fun at mediums in the process. The deaths we get are gory and hilarious all at the same time. A séance that ends with a planchette in a psychic’s throat and a spoon bender who gets impaled on numerous forks, knives and spoons are examples that the show’s humor remains intact after seven seasons. The new age restaurant was also a nice touch, especially since it was used to point out Sam’s more open-minded tendencies.
It wasn’t too hard to nail the pawn shop owner as the bad guy after Camille’s death. I did enjoy the fight between him and Sam in the apartment, though, as the guy turned out to be a legit psychic and telepathically took the gun from Sam before getting a bullet in the chest. More than anything, this confrontation reminded me of Sam’s long gone psychic abilities and just how far we’ve come with his character. The latest obstacle in his evolution – dealing with the aftermath of sharing a Hell cell with Lucifer and Michael – has been fun to watch but sometimes I miss the days of the brothers dealing with Sam’s demon blood-powered abilities. In a season full of callbacks to years gone by, maybe they’ll touch on Sam’s time as a psychic demon slayer in a later episode.
A hint at the future in an episode with people who…claim to see the future.
I’ll be the first to admit that I didn’t see Lisa and Ben (remember them?) playing a significant role in Dean’s life after their first appearance in season 3’s “The Kids Are Alright.” Turns out Kripke had other plans for the mother and son when he made them Dean’s exit strategy at the end of season 5 (which was originally supposed to be the series finale). I got the feeling we might be seeing Melanie again from the foreshadowing during the restaurant scene at the end. With Lisa and Ben out of the picture and the end of the series not too far off (I can’t imagine more than eight seasons), it’s possible we could be seeing another exit strategy developing for Dean, who’s always secretly wanted a life of domesticated normalcy. Of course, that theory opens up a whole new can of worms: how do you think the series will end for Sam and Dean? Do they both make it out alive? I’d love to hear your thoughts below.
Line of the week
Chief Bramberg: It’s a toss-up between a ghost and some sort of ogre that only attacks Russians.
Next week on Supernatural
What the hell’s gotten into Sam?
