Supernatural Episode 711: Adventures in Babysitting

Spoiler-free souls should not venture ahead.

So Bobby Singer is dead. This really isn’t a surprise, and given the brilliant episode we had the featured Bobby as he tried to fight death and get his message to the boys, I think it’s for the best. Had you asked me prior to last year’s cliffhanger, however, I would have protested with all my might; Singer was, and remains, my favorite character from the show.

Yet the show isn’t about its peripheral characters—and Singer was only meant to be a one-time appearance—so it was only a matter of time before the boys lost Bobby, too. Will we now meet other hunters the boys knew, or people like the pastors their father left them with while hunting? Or are they completely alone now? Only time will tell, but for now it’s just Sam and Dean and their sorrow—as well as our own.

Adventures in Babysitting was a decent enough episode. I was glad that they did give Bobby’s death a bit of airtime and the boys spent much of the episode grieving for their lost father figure. Bobby was closer to Sam and Dean than their own father was in many ways, so it’s only fitting that he get a better proper send-off.

The episode itself—with Dean tracking down the Leviathans for revenge and Sam on a case to find a missing hunter—was a good, but not great, one. I always like it when they throw in new monsters, and these vetalas were interesting enough—particularly when they died; however, their long spiky teeth and weird eyes weren’t enough to distinguish between them and other generic monsters—say, vampires or whatever. We’ve had enough human-based monsters; how about some really archaic fun ones, like more transformative gods or something, eh?

The direction in this episode was sort of confusing, too—such as when Sam went to check on a young girl and we didn’t see her fact for a full few minutes. She wasn’t a monster, so what was with that?

And I am sick of these Leviathans. At least they aren’t as predominant as the demons were during those ridiculous seasons, when we were all demon-sick, but they’re in the show one moment and the next it’s like they’re barely there, but still in the plot. Make up your minds, folks—and let’s see some revenge on them for Bobby’s death, too! I am all about revenge not being as sweet as they say, but in this case, I really want to see Bobby’s killer get justice—preferably the same way he made his research scientist eat himself.

Has Supernatural Jumped The Shark?

There is a famous saying in the movie industry called “jumping the shark.” It means a show has lived past its prime and it's grasping at straws to keep people tuned in. It gets its name from the “Happy Days” episode where Fonzi literally jumped over a shark on water skis.

The creators of Supernatural only intended for the show to go for five seasons and culminated in the battle with Lucifer. I think we can all agree that the fifth season was the best and the final battle was memorable as we saw Chuck blink out.

Networks thrive on ratings and ad revenue, so when you have a show as good as Supernatural, you just can't let it go. Instead of ending it after literally beating the most devastating evidoer of all time, they continued on trying to piece their lives together after the near Apocalypse. I will admit that I thought season six was good, but it lacked the passion of the other seasons. It was off the plan, so everything seemed disjointed and hurried.

With the seventh season, it all seems to have fallen apart. There is not real forward momentum and the characters of the Leviathans are not developed. I don't hate or feel sympathy for these creatures, I simply don't care.

The interaction between Sam and Dean has become stale and well...whiny...boo hoo hoo. It's the same old problems they've been rehashing for three seasons. Now, they're killing off characters left and right. Rufus, Cas, and now Bobby. I hope it gets better before it loses out to the shark.

Death in Supernatural

There has been a lot of talk about the death of Jim Beaver's character Bobby Singer in Supernatural. It's a huge impact on the characters, but I can't help but think the show has devalued death in the last few seasons.

I know the creators want to get away from the whole Angel thing, but the truth is that they were bringing people back from the dead all the time. Someone gets shot or beat up and Castiel just healed them. Castiel died at least twice and Sam and Dean have been to heaven and back again.

The have had personal conversations with Death and even tried to bind him once. Dean had the chance to be a reaper for a day, yada, yada, yada. During the war between angels and demons, death was an inconvenience. We are now supposed to believe that with the Leviathans and Castiel being dead, that death has some new deeper meaning.

Don't you think that Sam and Dean could just summon an angel and have them bring back Joe, Bobby and anyone else that died? With the angels trying to defeat Lucifer, don't you think they could have increased the ranks in the field with their Dad and countless others?

I know the writers want us to forget that there is an upheaval in heaven and to focus on the new problem, but I just can't grasp the concept that for the Winchesters death is a permanent situation. With so many characters dying and coming back, I have a hard time having the depth of feeling for Bobby's death.

Supernatural Convention: Photos Ops and Jensen Love

For the last few years, my wife has been giving me not so subtle hints that she wants to go to a Salute to Supernatural Convention. I'd like to believe that it's her love of the show, its lore and story lines that fuels her cravings to attend, but I know better. You see, ladies and gents, my wife is in love with Jensen Ackles. Yes, it's true, and she's never been afraid to say it either.

So, every year, when the Salute to Supernatural Convention dates are announced, she starts dropping hints that she'd like to be one of the many fans in attendance at the Chicago convention. “Oh, look, babe, the Supernatural convention is in October this year.” Then as more and more of the cast members are announced, she just happens to mention it again. “Wow, they got Jensen and Jared again this year.”

As sure as I am that her yearning to go is completely Jensen motivated, I have to admit that I'd like to go, too. I've always religiously watched the show and think it would be awesome to see some of my favorite characters, like Jim Beaver and, of course, the Winchesters themselves. Plus, it would be a cool opportunity to meet other fans and ask our burning questions of the various panels throughout the weekend.

The stumbling block, besides the wife trying run away with Dean, is that the ticket prices are astronomical. Creation Entertainment, the company that runs the Salute to Supernatural Convention, as well as many others, including Star Trek and Twilight, offers packages for attending the conference. But then, on top of the cost to get in, gaining access to some of the best opportunities, like one-on-one photos or autographs with Jared, Jensen, Misha and Jim, all carry hefty price tags, too. And, they have to be paid up front when you purchase your tickets, or you're out of luck.

My wife and I have both been to other conventions separately before, from baseball—Go, Cubs—to Star Trek—many, many moons ago. The thing that makes the Salute to Supernatural Convention different and more appealing is that we both want to enjoy it together—someone's got to wipe the drool from her chin.

I'm pretty sure that in the wrestling match between cost and sharing a cool opportunity together, heading to the convention is most likely going to win eventually. Sure, we may be out a couple thousand dollars, but I know we'll create memories that will last a lifetime, like watching security drag her off the stage.

Bobby Singer's Guide To Hunting

"I don't want to give too much away, but the gist of the book is that Singer is losing his memory and has 24 hours to pen instructions"

While the truth of Bobby Singer's fate is still slightly questionable, there are many Supernatural fans already mourning his loss. His backwoods, gritty facade and heart of gold are definitely as trademark of Supernatural as the Winchester boys themselves.

I was thinking about what the show would be like without his quips and advice, and then I remembered a book I'd seen back on Amazon.com a while ago—Bobby Singer's Guide to Hunting by David Reed. Curiosity got the best of me and I checked it out.

The book is written from Bobby's perspective, and in his unmistakable voice. I could totally hear him speaking the words as I read. His typical redneck tone alone makes it a fun read.

I don't want to give too much away, but the gist of the book is that Singer is losing his memory and has 24 hours to pen instructions to pass along to Dean and Sam. Among the contents of the book are chapters not only about the monsters, demons and other eerie creatures that hunters can expect to encounter, but also more in-depth looks at important people in Bobby's life as well as the man himself.

It's an awesome read for every Supernatural fan, especially those who have soft spots for Bobby Singer. One of the things that keeps the show's fanbase so loyal is the relationship they have with the main characters. I haven't read many of the other Supernatural books, but Bobby Singer's Guide to Hunting definitely delivers the genuine, personal flavor of the show.

Incidentally, I found it interesting that this book was released in September, and now, well, we're not so sure the Winchesters will be seeing ol' Bobby again. Foreshadowing? Arguable.

Is Bobby Singer Dead?

Whether he is or not, perhaps he should be...

If you tuned into Supernatural over the past couple of weeks, you already know that Bobby Singer has had a very close brush with death—he may, in fact, be dead; due to Friday’s cliffhanger, we won’t be sure until the show resumes on January 6. And while all week I fumed that if Bobby—my favorite character on the show—were to die this weekend, I would be one ranting and raving, angry fan. (Spoilers ahead.)

And I still feel that way. I hate the idea of the show without Bobby, who was originally only supposed to be a one-episode character. He, to me, is the real father figure of the show, and the sanity that always keeps the boys safe—and maintains what little sense of home they’ve ever had. He has a huge heart, despite his gruff, almost redneck appearance, and even though he calls the boys “idjit” every chance he gets, he loves them both dearly and unconditionally, which is more than I can say for their selfish father.

But after the beautiful episode we received—with a perfect balance of supernatural and drama, a tiny splash of horror and a huge chunk of Bobby’s background—I think it might do him a disservice if he’s brought back to life. That was a real hero’s way to go, much more than we got for, say, Rufus or the boys’ cousins (who may or may not have been heroes, for all we know), and it was such a lovely testament to Bobby’s love for the boys. He hung on just long enough to get them that small piece of information about the Leviathans, something that could prove integral to beating them this season.

We know the show is about Dean and Sam, and that we’ve always had other characters killed off. Anyone who gets close is in danger, of course; that is part of the hero’s tragedy. But Bobby is a hero, too. I think he’s almost getting too important, too interesting, to keep around; didn’t Shakespeare kill off Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet for that very reason—so he wouldn’t upstage the tragic lovers?

The scenes in Bobby’s head during his coma were so heartfelt and moving, many of them scary and sad as well. We now know who Bobby really is and what led to his lifestyle, and how he’s always had a hard life. I’m left thinking of Remus Lupin of the Harry Potter series, another poor but knowledgeable fellow who worked hard to rid the world of darkness, despite his own, and never really had much luck.

My heart breaks for Bobby Singer, and for the “sons” he left behind. If he is dead, what will the boys do without his always-vital help, his contacts (maybe we’ll finally meet more of them), his FBI phones and knowledge and general fatherly presence? We’ll all have to tune in January to find out.

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