‘Supernatural’ Recap: ‘The Heroes’ Journey’

Written by Juanita ‘Obi-Juan’ Bonner

THIS IS THE EMERGENCY SPOILER ALERT SYSTEM. YOU ARE ADVISED TO READ AT YOUR OWN RISK.

We’ve all had those days where it seems the entire world is out to get you. As frustrating as this can be, learning to laugh at yourself can lighten the mood and get you through. One of the reasons fans love the Supernaturalverse is because they apply this same theory, much to our delight, on and off screen. And after last week’s heart wrenching and revelatory episode ‘The Trap’, the cast, crew and writers knew the fans needed a hug! To answer the call, ‘The Heroes’ Journey’ took us to the opposite end of the spectrum in so many charming ways that this time, my tears were that of laughter and joy throughout. Giving us more cameos, the return of Garth Fitzgerald IV (DJ Qualls), a Monster Fight Club (NICE!!) and constant comedy was just what the doctor ordered, am I right?? But before we begin, I’d like to point out that as a fan of many genres, I try to avoid previews, articles, posts, or anything else that drops hints of what’s to come. So much so that I’ve even written an article on spoiler etiquette. Of course, one could argue, Supernatural is known for placing lighthearted episodes in between very heavy ones. Having said that, if any of you knew, based on said hints, that this week’s episode had a comedic take, I can honestly tell you that I did not!! And, I truly believe that not knowing made this episode even more enjoyable for sure. **Big grin** So, before you can say “normal-people problems” three times fast, let’s all breath in a dose of laughing gas and discuss…
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After the Monster Fight Club intro, which I must say, is shocking that in almost 15 years, we haven’t seen one of these already (RIGHT??), we jump directly into waves of laughter. The coming scenes toggle between Sam (Jared Padalecki) cooking at the bunker and Dean (Jensen Ackles) picking up provisions at the store, amongst other things… beer… lots of beer (LOL)!! Each of them fight an uphill battle of issues and the writers take care to mix in history with current events. Sam, who’s usually the cook of the two, is burning food (and himself) while breaking dishes as he struggles to keep a grip on things. And Dean, ever the sweets lover, has tooth pain biting into a candy bar while the credit card, set up by the beloved expert hacker Charlie Bradbury (Felicia Day) over five years ago, is declined. Teddy (Jacob Machin), the store clerk, even takes the open candy bar out of Dean’s hand as he pulls everything else away and it’s hilarious!! “Thanks Teddy!” As he hastily leaves the store, Dean is almost taken out by a skateboarder then realizes Baby has a ticket on her windshield. Ironically, while Dean strolls through the store in the beginning, the viewer can see a traffic cop outside placing said ticket (LOL).

Back at the bunker, as Sam races to meet Dean, he almost slips (LOL) and by now, it’s clear to Dean, AND US, that something isn’t right. To add to this, Sam, the health nut, starts sneezing (LOL)!! Taking a distressed call from Garth, Sam and Dean hit the road to help. On the drive Dean proposes they are cursed. In disbelief, Sam tries to rationalize, but when Baby, yes, Dean’s prized possession, breaks down (LOL!!), it’s undeniable that things are… well, weird!!  

It’s wonderful to catch up with Garth and his wife Bess (Sarah Smyth), who now have three kids, including two twin boys named Sam and Castiel (Misha Collins). Seeing Dean’s face as he realizes this is priceless. Especially after hearing the first boy’s name is Sam and watching Dean assume the second must be named after him (LOL!!). And speaking of Cas, while Sam and Dean are driving to Garth’s place, the writers make sure to let us know that Cas is currently in heaven seeking help with God (Rob Benedict). I can only imagine how swimmingly that’s going (insert eyeroll here)! With even more fun to be had, Sam, “The Giant,” (LMFAO!!) goes through agony drinking Bess’s cayenne pepper cure all while Dean gets the full treatment for his 17 cavities (LOL!!) from Garth, the now accomplished Dentist. I mean. Garth was going to dental school before he killed the Tooth Fairy and became a hunter. Again, a legit character history reference. And, Werewolf teeth… DUH (LOL)! On top of this, we the fans, get to dive into Dean’s laughing gas dream, in black and white no less (AWESOME!!), where we see another talent of Jensen’s – tap dancing (insert a very large emoji with heart eyes here!!). Then later, with both of the boys feeling better, Garth asks, “Who did you guys piss off?” as they discuss being the heroes of God’s story. Garth admits he’s perfectly happy being the, so meta, “guest star” of Sam and Dean’s lives. At the same time, in a delightful full circle moment, I remember that Supernatural seasons 1-5 are an excellent representation of Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey (Very cool!). Garth then says the boys aren’t cursed. They’re frighteningly normal (LOL!). So normal that Sam’s famous puppy dog eyes don’t work on Bess’s brother Brad (Jesse Hutch) who also plays Crewcut in 9.02: ‘Devil May Care’. 

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Dean is lactose intolerant throwing up seven (yes, seven) of Bess’s grilled cheese sandwiches. Neither of them can pick a lock (LOL)! Oh, and they also, hysterically, can’t fight very well either!! Even with an arsenal from the trunk, at the abandoned warehouse turned fight club complete with a caged ring, the boys get captured. Quite easily I might add (LOL)! Once they’re locked up and told they will be the next main attraction, we are privy to my personal favorite, a “Monday Monster Mayhem” dark web commercial advertising a fight between a Vampire named Maul (Daryl Ducharme) and the famous Winchesters’. The best part? To introduce Sam and Dean, this commercial features their well-known Supernaturalverse mug shots from 2.19: ‘Folsom Prison Blues’ prompting me to yell, “Blue Steel!” (LMFAO!!). 

Locked up and set to face off in the cage with Maul, the basically helpless boys are saved by Garth just in the nick of time. This happens right before the Monster Fight Club Announcer (Joe Allard) introduces Sam and Dean to the ring. This Announcer also played Elf #1 in 6.09: ‘Clap Your Hands if You Believe…’ to which I say, “Fight the Fairies!” (LMFAO, again!!). When the Shapeshifter club owner Cutty (Danny Dworkis) goes to get the boys, they’re gone!! Garth, taking on the role of the hero even more, has set C4 bombs all over the warehouse. YES!!! The lone survivor, Maul, emerges knocking Garth unconscious. As Maul easily bests Sam and Dean in a Looney Tunes-like battle, Garth returns from behind to land a machete right through the top of Maul’s skull. WHOA!! “He got Garthed!” LOL! And let’s not forget Dean’s high-pitched voice as a result of a swift boot kick to his family jewels. OMC!!
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With everyone safe back at the house, the boys each hold one of Garth’s twins. Dean remarks that baby Cas is looking at him weird to which Sam responds, “So, kinda like the real Cas.” YES… LOL!!! When Garth sees the boys out for a final good-bye, he reveals a possible way for Sam and Dean to beat their newfound “normal.” By visiting a place in Barrow, Alaska he heard about for when your luck’s gone bad. And though they discuss that everything comes with a catch, considering Garth has been an intricate part of this tale overall, I can’t help but think, “HA… you didn’t see Garth coming, didja Chuck?!” With grilled cheese sandwiches in tow (LOL!) and more hugs from Garth (LOL!), the boys look back as they leave, revealing a glimpse of Garth and Bess through the living room window dancing happily. This rounds out what Garth says earlier that, “Sometimes things just work out.” Agreed Garth… AGREED!

For Sam and Dean, I guess we’ll just have to wait and see. But then I remember, Barrow, Alaska, now called Utqiagvik in real life, is where 30 Days of Night took place and it can only be accessed via plane. You know, one of Dean’s biggest fears! It’s also home to the indigenous Inuit tribe of the Iñupiat. This got me wondering about the next episode. Do we have even more comedy or maybe even some Shamanistic magic coming our way? Or will the series break away and give us an update on Cas, Jack and Billie? Regardless, I know I won’t be looking ahead with previews! For now, I’m thinking Alaska… Um, once they get Baby tuned up… AGAIN!! As she stalls, fade to black… and Dean yells, “Son of a bleep!” (LOL)!! A completely lighthearted and much needed episode, no major questions were answered and seriously, I was just fine with that!! You?? Let me know in the comments below or reach out to me @obi_juanita on Twitter and until next time…Go Team Free Will!!

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