Review: Supernatural 'Freaks and Geeks'

The Apple Dumpling Gang! I don't know how Dean came to make that reference. Same way he made any other references, I guess.

After Adventure in Babysitting, it was a matter of time Krissy would pop up again. Her teenage thing was very teenager-y, which was a good thing to have on the show because it added diversity. Apart from Dean and Sam, other supporting/ regular character is very unique. I appreciate the creative process a lot more after I started watching...never mind. I say this very often but I am going to say it again -- the writers of Supernatural are still taking me to writing school after all these years! 

Freaks and Geeks was a good episode with some good character development. It was just the kind of solid filler episode we needed in between Goodbye Stranger and Taxi Driver, which have high emotional intensity. I welcome a filler episode, in fact, I think I need to watch Plucky or something with Garth in it to calm myself before next week's Taxi Driver -- "Are you talking to me?"

Freaks and Geeks gave us an insight into the hunters community. The story focused on human and their motifs. It's a very rare kind of episode for Supernatural, but it's good to see the writers haven't forgotten what Supernatural is about -- a drama about people. It's one of those things that I love about the storytelling technique of Supernatural. We all know why Dean and Sam got into hunting at a young age. The show focuses on their perspectives. Through out the series other hunters are introduced, they too have their reasons for becoming hunters. Freaks and Geeks explored this angle by involving Victor who was a very confused guy about what was right and wrong. Thank goodness the brothers came to the rescue, saved the day and the kids.

Awhile ago, I discussed my thoughts about how Supernatural is constructing a strong supporting gang. We don't have to label it, but Dean and Sam being the hybrid of the Men of Letters and elite hunters, they ARE building their own Justice League, X Men and Avengers! Right? We have the humans -- Garth, Charlie, Kevin, Jody and Krissy. We have the supernatural beings -- Castiel, Benny, witches and Meg. It's known that Supernatural has a thing about killing their cast. But not this season (not yet anyway)! I think Krissy's story fits right in perfectly. Her father was a hunter, who was killed by a vampire. Krissy was part of someone else's agenda. She is smart, she has the skills and the potentials to become a very good hunter, but she has the freedom to choose her own destiny.

Supernatural is not a horror or fantasy show, it's about people and humanity. What makes human 'human' is our ability to identify what's right and wrong. Sometimes other people guide us into the right and wrong direction. Other time we have to figure things out ourselves. If we look at the brothers' character stuff, this is how I see it. 

The first half of the series focused on the brothers growing up, finding their own identities, they were supported by a bunch of Obiwon/ Yoda like characters (John, Bobby and Ellen) who were mentors and elders to them. And then the brothers met new friends and foes along the way that challenged their perspectives. The brothers found themselves in crazy situations, and the only way to get things done -- saving people, hunting things -- was to use everything Dad taught them. Most situations they got themselves into changed their lives and perspectives forever. They'd gone through a very sad, dark and lonely period, and both Dean and Sam had their way of overcoming these emotions. In season six and seven, the brothers went through a major transition period. After everyone and everything had been taken away from them, the brothers were completely destroyed emotionally. But like Fawkes, they were reborn from the ashes.

And now, in season eight, a very mature period in the history of the show, the brothers have taken on a new role. They are still the Dean and Sam we know, but there's more. I think they are maturing into leaders and I can't think of any other hunters in the business who are experienced and good enough to take on that role. And we really see a bit of this in Freaks and Geeks.

What I love about this episode is the way Dean's mentality is written -- hunting wasn't always about revenge. After everything he had been through, Dean has definitely evolved from the 'they are monsters, we want them dead, they want us dead' phase. There is definitely no more 'if it's supernatural, we kill it, end of story.' Dean is still very Dean, but I think he's matured. He is still the cowboy, but he is also a man of reasons, which clearly differentiates Dean from other hunters such as Martin and Gordon who only sought revenge.

I think what's interesting to me is that, it'd always been someone like Bobby who gave Dean and Sam guidance. The brothers do their own things and they save people, end of story. Now we see the brothers took on this mentor role unknowingly and past on some wisdom to the younger folks. Freaks and Geeks definitely show more of what Dean is capable in doing as a mature hunter, a mentor, a thinker, a protector. I think Dean cares a lot about people (sometimes too much) -- Sam, close friends or innocent people. Freaks and Geeks definitely showed that side of Dean. And Dean is definitely becoming this guy who is a (hot) father figure to the younger generation of hunters, and he doesn't even know it! Unlike Dean, Sam still reckons it's still possible to be hunter and have a normal life, and I think this idea won't leave Sam as long as he is alive.

Next week's Taxi Driver is going to be epic and intense! It's going to be epic and intense. Have I mentioned it? Epic and intense?

8.19 Taxi Driver  

SAM AND DEAN FACE THE SECOND TRIAL — Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) respond to a call from Kevin (guest star Osric Chau), who is terrified after hearing Crowley’s (guest star Mark Sheppard) voice in his head. After hearing Kevin’s news, Sam and Dean team up with reaper named Ajay (guest star Assaf Cohen), who helps them deal with the second trial from the Tablet. Meanwhile, Dean receives a visit from Naomi (guest star Amanda Tapping) and realizes he must find Benny (guest star Ty Olsson) and ask for a huge favor. Guy Bee directed the episode written by Eugenie Ross-Leming & Brad Buckner.