23 April 2012

Review: Supernatural 7.19 Of Grave Importance

Oh oh.. he saw us perving!
I am on a hiatus. I normally would have had two coffees by 11am. So in the past few weeks I find myself going through a caffeine withdrawal. I march on like a zombie.. BRAINS!!! COFFEE!!!

Supernatural has the same effect on me… But it's back (thank Chuck for that) and it's back with plenty of awesomeness. Long time visitors know that I am a sucker for the show's mythos and the family theme (especially episodes featuring John and Mary). Don't get me wrong, I do like the fillers but I won't necessary Google everything about Wendigos or Witches or Clowns or Ghosts, I don't loose sleep over them. But with the mythos, I would totally Google every single piece of information/ theory about the angels, heaven, hell, purgatory and the Colt etc. Like.. I am obsessed with them. And because I love the mythos so much, I find myself enjoying the mytho heavy episodes more than fillers. But the ghost storyline in 7.19 Of Grave Importance is different to me, I find myself enjoying it more that I normally would with other ghosts related fillers.

Wingardium Leviosa..
I think Supernatural has once again gone outside the square of story-telling and presented a fresh perspective to audience. My mind was in two places with regard to the whole GhostBobby idea… Yes, I would totally love to see Jim on the show again, but on the other hand I was concerned about the creative approach for GhostBobby, because if the writing wasn't done right, this story would totally suck and it would be uncomfortable to watch. I don't want the same old ghost story-telling approach as seen in other movies and TV shows because they've done to death! I wasn't prepared to watch the Bobby version of Ghost or American Horror Story or Ghost Whisperer or The Six Sense.

I am now on board with the GhostBobby idea.. I think it's working. Remember the movie Eric Kripke was working on called Haunted (a movie script he was developing for the WB Studio)? It's a story about a haunted house told from the ghost perspective. Not sure how he is going with this but Of Grave Importance reminds me of that idea. Movies and TV series contain supernatural themes have never been my preference of viewing, but the reason I love about Of Grave Importance is the same reason I love about Beetlejuice, it's the ghost POV story-telling approach. I totally dig this.

Ghosts are nothing new to the horror genre, even we know the way of finding and destroying them. Ghosts are friggin everywhere, it gets to the point where the creative industry may not be able to give its viewers anything fresh. I think the Supernatural writer's room has found a tiny little new angle to play with for the show, and I really like that effort. The episode was directed by Tim Andrew and written by Brad Buckner and Eugenie Ross-Leming (who previously wrote Shut Up, Dr Phil). I really like the script by Buckner and Ross-Leming, which was clever and it paid attention to details. Tim Andrew's direction was fantastic, I love how the episode told the ghost-POV story. The mood was totally there, love the lighting, love the special effect, love the make-up. 

We've never really seen the life from the great beyond, and Bobby is the perfect character to drive this storyline and he has a purpose to do so. Bobby learnt a few essential tricks to communication with Dean and Sam, and he became powerful enough appeared/ disappeared before their eyes. I love the explanation on the connection between his spirit and his flask, and that's how ghosts travel. That was great! I love the scene when Bobby first walked into the haunted house and saw his own kinds. That was kinda cool. I love the shower scene (oh wait…. excuse me, I need a minute or two, it's getting hot in here…). It's funny how Jensen's left arm in the shower scene and the single layer wet look have an impact on our conversation. Embrace it fangirls.. just embrace it!!

Wait... Dean doesn't close the door when he showers? WOAH!
Of course, where does Bobby go from here? While I think the GhostBobby idea is working and making sense, I do feel that it must come to an end. We must let go when the final moment comes. The character is living on borrowed time, so to speak. As much as we love the extra time with Bobby, all good things must come to an end. I don't see GhostBobby to hang out forever like the Winchester House-Ghost. Dean doesn't like the idea, he knows it's wrong. And I'd normally say, "perhaps it'll be good to see him popping up every now and then." But not this time. I think when this case is over, he should go to heaven either via a ritual or Castiel's help. I think that would be a nice finish to Bobby's story. I don't think GhostBobby will become an angry ghost, I think he will get a proper send-off (again). I believe Dean is concern about Bobby's future as a ghost, he knows how angry spirit is born. He knows he cannot be selfish and 'keeps' Bobby here forever. He knows he should be in heaven, having good times with his soulmates. He gets the whole unfinished business thing, but he knows when time comes, he must help Bobby.

Overall, I love this episode. It's a great episode with great story-telling techniques and cast performance. The only thing is the whole Dick and his digs story. I do feel that the story is not moving forward much and it's now dragging a bit longer than it should. We have four episodes left in season seven, Of Grave Importance should be the last filler as we approach the epic season finale. We need to see what Dick is up to with his digs NOW.

Next week, 7.20 The Girl With the Dungeons and Dragons Tattoo will feature guest star Felicity Day as the computer hacker who works for Dick Roman (By the way, James Patrick Stuart is going to Chicago Con in October!). Die Dick Die!! Will we see the Leviathan storyarc resolved and wrapped up completely in the season seven finale? What does Jeremy Carver have in mind for season eight? (There should be a season eight, right? What are they waiting for? Just announce it already!!!!)

Description 7.20 The Girl With the Dungeons and Dragons Tattoo (Airs April 27)

FELICIA DAY (The Guild, Eureka) GUEST STARS — Dick Roman (James Patrick Stuart) acquires Frank’s hard drive that contains sensitive information about the Winchesters and gives it to an unsuspecting brilliant hacker named Charlie (guest star Day) telling her she has 48 hours to crack the firewall or she is fired. Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) are tipped off that Dick has the hard drive and race to get to Charlie before she breaks the code. Meanwhile, Bobby (Jim Beaver) tries to help the brothers, but his rage towards Dick for killing him starts to get in the way. John MacCarthy directed the episode written by Robbie Thompson.


8 comments:

  1. Nice review Tiny! I too loved this episode. I don't really want ghost bobby to stick around either. bobby has worked too hard for such a paltry existence! I'm sure they will find a way to either get rid of him or make him corporeal. I was dwelling on those two dean scenes something fierce! lots of agreement on this one with you! and glad you're caught up! :D

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  2. Thanks Nicole! Awesome, I also read your blog just now.. Yeah, we love Bobby but we need to let him go sooner or later for good. He is not exactly Sir Nearly Headless Nick.

    Can't wait to see the development of this Bobby arc in coming episodes!

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  3. Deanie_24 great review Tiny, I agree that Bobby needs to move on. Dean understands that it's the right road, he's seen what happens first hand when you mess with fate. Bobby needs to be remembered as the hero, that he was, not become a creature the guys will have to eventually hunt.

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  4. Good one Tiny! I really enjoyed this ep. There was so much going on. I can be on board with Ghost!Bobby only so far, because like Dean, I want something better for him. I'm fascinated to see where this all goes though!

    Can't for the finale & they need to announce 8 like now!

    -Amy

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  5. Thank you ladies.. so much was going on in the episode more than I realise originally. Totally heaps to digest!

    -tiny-

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  6. May I say: Greatest - blog - ever - in the Universe!!!!

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  7. (Is that okay to say, Tiny??) hehe!

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  8. Dude.. you're awesome!

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