WiC Watches: Supernatural season 15

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Episode 1510: “The Heroes’ Journey”

What happens when Sam and Dean are “downgraded” to the status of being regular people? In short, they become clumsier, far less formidable versions of themselves. “The Heroes’ Journey” is a funny instalment where, this time, the Winchesters need saving.

Easily my favorite episode of the season so far, the Winchesters had the opportunity to fly their comedic flag, which hasn’t been seen for a very long time. It was exactly the lighthearted interlude we needed at this juncture.

We also saw the return of Garth (DJ Qualls), the lovable hunter turned werewolf turned dentist, who’s as good-natured and unassuming as ever, and who still loves giving hugs that don’t end when they should.

The episode commenced with a type of caged monster fight club, where a werewolf and wraith are pulverizing each other while bloodthirsty spectators cheer. The scene’s violence was offset by soothing classical music and beautiful slow-motion sequences. It was an unusual, poetic combination — I was already invested.

For the episode’s first 17 minutes, the only question that kept coming to mind is, “Whaaaat is happening?” as hilarity ensued. Right off the bat, it was clear something very peculiar was going on. Anything that could possibly go wrong for Sam and Dean did.

While stocking up on beers and other “essentials,” Dean experiences pain when chomping on a chocolate bar, the credit card that Charlie hacked for them is declined, a skateboarder almost mows him down without so much as a backward glance and he’s given a ticket for parking in front of a fire hydrant. Ordinary folks wouldn’t balk at these occurrences, but Dean is taken by surprise, as was I. I couldn’t recall any times when he was affected by such mundane concerns, except when supernatural forces were toying with him.

Sam didn’t appear to be faring any better in the kitchen, where he destroys their dinner, burns his hands while picking up a pot that’s been boiling on the stove — how had he been handling hot pots before? — and catches a sudden cold.

Back at the bunker, Dean informs Sam of what’s happened. While in the throes of bewilderment, Garth phones to say he needs their help, so off they head in the reliable Chevy Impala. But baby inexplicably breaks down 10 miles from Garth’s house. Who knew cars needed their spark plugs changed? Well, it was news to Dean. He speculates they’ve been cursed, which Sam thinks is an overreaction. I, however, was inclined to agree with Dean that it was far more than just a “no good very bad day.”

Garth’s home environment was a heartwarming sight that depicted a traditional loving family unit consisting of mama, papa and baby werewolves. The only thing ruining their picture-perfect abode was his wife Bess’ bloodied cousin, Brad, recovering in a bedroom upstairs — he’s the werewolf who fought in the monster fight club.

Sam and Dean learn that Brad had been left for dead in a swamp and his wounds were inflicted by a wraith. No one could understand why a wraith would attack a werewolf. While waiting for him to regain consciousness, Bess gives Sam her father’s secret recipe for his cold. Without divulging what’s in the concoction, she mentions it’s mostly cayenne pepper, which soon reduces Sam to a writhing tearful mess on the floor. Garth’s daughter’s comment, “Mommy, the giant’s crying” had me in hysterics. Meanwhile, Garth was downstairs in his home dentist’s office fixing Dean’s 17 cavities which, frankly, was alarming.

Realizing something is awry, Garth asks who it is they angered, to which Sam replies, “God.” After explaining that Chuck had written them as heroes in his story but was now hellbent on forcing them to kill each other, Garth reflects on the hardships of being a hero, saying he’s glad to be a supporting character or special guest star. His important observation, though, is that the hero never “sweats the small stuff.” Essentially, Chuck has downgraded Sam and Dean, who are now being plagued by very normal people problems.

When Brad wakes up and they question how he got his wounds, he says he “fell down the stairs.” The first rule of fight club is…Sam assures him they won’t harm him, they just want answers and uses the trademark weapon in his arsenal: his sympathetic puppy dog stare. Brad ridicules it, questioning if that’s ever actually worked. How dare you, Brad!

Still, Brad tells them the fights take place in a warehouse in Minnesota, thinking he’s sending the brothers to their deaths once they meet the huge number of monsters in attendance.

With so many supernatural creatures in one place, the Winchesters know there must be many human casualties. Garth doesn’t think they should go but as Dean eloquently puts it, “Just because God yanked the magic horseshoe out of our ass or whatever, it doesn’t mean we’re gonna give up. This is our job.” The fear I felt for them was crippling.

Seven of Bess’ grilled cheese sandwiches later, the brothers arm themselves to the teeth and set out for the warehouse. Upon entering, things very quickly go south, as expected. Dean discovers he’s lactose intolerant, and is set upon while violently throwing up in a derelict bathroom cubicle, while someone gets the drop on Sam.

Locked in the fighting cage ring, they’re confronted by the shapeshifter who manages the fights. He knows who Sam and Dean are and intends for them to fight against a terrifyingly robust vampire to show what they’re capable of. They try to bluff their way out of it using intimidation and tales of their conquests, but to no avail.

While being held in smaller cages as they wait their turn to fight, they try to pick the locks, which they once could’ve done with their eyes closed. Defeated, Sam asks, “So could we ever actually pick locks or was it Chuck the whole time?” How much of what they had accomplished was because Chuck allowed it? It was a valid question and one I had planned to repress until Dean (ever the hero) came to the rescue: “Not everything we did was because of Chuck. It was us. The blood, the sweat, the tears, man, that’s us! We’ve been doing this our whole lives. We’re the best in the world.” I felt every word. “So I say we go out there, we go out there and we kick some ass.” This declaration, I was less enthusiastic about.

Just when the end looked nigh, Garth comes to their rescue using his werewolf strength to effortlessly break the locks and set them free. He then proceeds to blow up the entire structure, killing everyone in it, apart from the surly imposing tank of a vampire. After knocking Garth out, the vampire slings the Winchesters around like ragdolls before Garth splits his head in half.

Sam and Dean thank Garth for saving them, calling him the hero of the story. Before they part ways, Garth reluctantly tells them of a place in Alaska where people can go if their luck’s gone bad. But he warns them it may not be real and if it is, there’ll most likely be a catch. They decide heading to Alaska is their only option.

I hope this won’t be the last we see of Garth. However, if this was his send-off, so to speak, it was a fitting one where he got to play the hero. After what has been an emotionally taxing season, this episode was a breath of fresh air.

Super highlights

While Dean was under anesthesia having his cavities fixed, the most arbitrary scene took place: a black and white tap dancing performance featuring Dean and Garth. I can’t explain its inclusion, but the world is better off for having seen it.
Garth’s twin sons are named Sam, whom he named after Sam, and, of course…Castiel? And Garth calls himself Dean’s friend!

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