Some Thoughts on Bobby's Return

Hi, everybody!

So, you may have heard that Bobby's going to be back on Supernatural!

(Jim Beaver tweeted confirmation, and also posted some really funny episode loglines on Facebook. Check them out, if you haven't already!)


So there's a lot of talk about Bobby's death, ghost, re-death, and transfer from hell to heaven. I read some of the comments on the TVLine posting, and that prompted me to come over here and post a few thoughts.

1. Bobby's Death
I was as unhappy as anyone when Sera Gamble took Bobby away from us. As a writer, I could understand her narrative exploration. As a fan, I was all OH, COME ON! Leave us SOMETHING, geez! But "Death's Door" was so beautifully done, and Jim Beaver was as masterful as he was in "Weekend at Bobby's," so it left me of two minds, as so much of the last few seasons has. It also happened on Supernatural, where no one is ever gone for long.

2. Bobby's Ghost
A lot of commenters talk about how Bobby's character was "butchered" and how bad the whole ghost storyline was. I boggle. Can I tell you how excited I was when the beer was empty? And the book fell on the floor? And I screamed when Bobby appeared in that empty motel room. "Balls!" I thought they missed out on a great opportunity to turn their own mythology on its head. Bobby didn't choose to stay because of a need for vengeance, but out of love and a need to help the boys. Didn't it make more sense for him to *not* go all evil spirit? I guess there's something to be said for consistency...

3. Bobby in Hell
I haven't rewatched "Taxi Driver" yet, so I'm not sure my first impressions will hold up. Like many fans, I thought it felt a little rushed and that it was too easy to get into and out of Hell. But then after that, I had plenty of arguments for the opposite side of things. People reference how Castiel and a full team of angels had to battle their way to Dean. Well, Dean was a hot commodity with a LOT of demons determined to get their pound of (literal) flesh, and while Bobby surely had his demon enemies, he didn't have a higher purpose like Dean did (first seal and all). Plus, Alistair and Crowley are completely different kinds of demons. Alistair was...well, let's say passionate about his craft. Whereas Crowley was all business and scientific interest. And finally, the angels didn't have access to purgatory. They had to battle through Hell proper. So the ease of getting Bobby out is actually pretty logical.

4. Bobby in Heaven
Who can really picture Bobby relaxing in Heaven? He needs a purpose. I'm sure he's been chafing for a job ever since he got there.

5. Bringing Bobby Back
As many people as there are cheering, there are booing this development. Again, I boggle. What show are they watching, and why? Next to Sam and Dean (and an argument can be made for more than the boys), Bobby is the best-developed character on the show. And if they've come up with something new for him, I can't wait.

So, what do you think about Bobby coming back? Any theories about how/why it's going to happen?

Supernatural Shake

I love this treat from the Supernatural crew. Story says it was all Jensen's idea! And just so you know that's our favorite prophet, Kevin, in the body bag. Enjoy!

Too Funny NOT to Share

I'm sorry--I know people are tired of Gangham Style, but this was too funny!

My Love For Supernatural Revived: Thank You, Andrew Dabb

Credit: Diyah Pera/The CW -- © 2013 The CW Network.

Supernatural has been a show unlike any other for me. It's the only show I ever watched over and over, both during the season and on DVD. The only show that drove me to seek like-minded fans, to follow the stars on Twitter, to pay a buttload of money to go to a convention all about the show. Twice.

As relationships do, this one changed. With a new showrunner, the narrative went in directions not everyone liked. I think I would have enjoyed those directions more if we hadn't had the magic that came first. But my watching experienced diminished less than my community experience did. I wanted to look at reasons to like it, not ways to bash it.

I was hopeful when Jeremy Carver took over as showrunner this year, but disappointed by some of the choices in the relationship between the brothers. But finally, FINALLY, they have corrected it. Goodbye, Dean the Dick. Goodbye, mopey Sam! Hell-O, unexplored territory!

I've loved the last three episodes. LOVED them! Stripping away everything the boys relied on was all very well and good, but it also stripped away the chemistry of the show. I can imagine the writers sitting around the table saying, "Where haven't we gone yet that's still in keeping with the characters and world we've established?"

How about European legends? Yes, please!

They've tried, but never succeeded in having a home. Let's give them one together. Ohh, good idea!

And give Dean his own room. Hell, yeah!

We've looked at the Campbells pretty hard, what about the Winchesters? So poignant and sad, but also healing and hey! More new mythology!

Now we're on some familiar ground. Kevin has given them a goal. The trials are cool, giving us slightly new ways to look at old tropes and a natural conflict between Sam and Dean based on the realities of their personality (I'll save the world—no, I'LL save the world!)

Even better, Dean has grown up. Back in season 1, he was devastated that his brother would return to a non-hunter life once the demon was killed. In season 5, Sam's heaven being anywhere but with Dean, when Dean has lived his whole life for his brother, was a knife to the heart. Now, while Dean still sees himself as so unworthy that he's fine with sacrificing himself for his brother, he *wants* Sam to have the happy ending he envisions.

Even more better, Sam won't allow Dean to make that sacrifice. He's going to save him right along with the rest of the world. I'm sure I wasn't the only person thinking of the end of season 2 when they watched those two mini-speeches. But unlike then, when we had an entire summer to get through before we saw the aftermath of those decisions, we still have 8 episodes to go!  

Your turn! Do you agree with me about the show returning to some of the things we loved, and incorporating new stuff in great ways? Or did it lose you so completely you can never get the love back?