The Road So Far…

People who LARP are silly. I know it, you know it, the writers of Supernatural know it, and hopefully the LARPers know it as well. For the uninitiated LARP stands for Live Action Role Play, which basically amounts to a bunch of guys in poorly tailored robes throwing tennis balls at each other while screaming, "Lightning bolt! Lightning bolt!" That's not to say there is anything wrong with LARPing, so long as those participating as well as those observing understand it for what it is; innocent fun.

Before I am assaulted by a flurry of body odor, poor fashion choices, bad hair, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer trivia, I just want to make clear that I am also a dork. I play Dungeons and Dragons, I run a fantasy RPG club at the school I teach at, I read graphic novels, and I've dressed up in a foil bikini, beard and top hat for a punk rock show. So while I am in no way, shape, or form a LARPer, I understand everyone is different and I have nothing but love for any sort of harmless creative expression. I love my fellow geeks and because I consider myself to also be one, I can make fun; the key word being fun.

Last week's episode of Supernatural showed that Sam and Dean have forgotten how to have fun beyond an instinctual level; eating, sex, and various body functions. They don't even joke with each other like they used to, and when confronted by a group of individuals dedicating an entire day to just pure, escapist, entertainment I believe they freaked. Scoffing and snickering I understand, but they actually got worked up to anger at the convention-goers. They can't even bring themselves to allow Chuck to make a living off what is arguably one of the greatest examples ever of an ability that is both a blessing and a curse. Sam and Dean are so wrapped up into the apocalypse they seem to think that anyone else with a similar level of awareness of current events should also wallow as deep in misery as they do. As an avid Supernatural fan I realize this show isn't the Loveboat, but it is quite disturbing to see my beloved Winchesters both gradually following in their father's footsteps; a path that hasn't worked out very well for any in the Winchester family.

While last week's episode wasn't quite what I expected, the lampooning of conventions as opposed to LARPers, it was quite clever, if not a bit predictable at times. The overall plot was a bit too close to the expected Supernatural formula and the revelation of the Colt's whereabouts in the end felt quite contrived. Not that I expect a (re-imagined) Battlestar Galactica level storytelling, but coming off of the magnificent fourth season, I expect a little better than "oh by the way, it's over there!" Furthermore, I am not sure how I feel about the re-introduction of the Colt into the story. The Colt filled a very integral and interesting role at the end of season one and the whole of season two. Season three it was stretched, but not overdone and I felt the way in which it was removed from the story worked well; when the Winchesters first found it the Colt was lost in time, so it only makes sense that lost in time it would return. Now it's back so that it can be used kill Lucifer, but assuming that's how things play out what about the angels? Does Earth really want the angels running things unopposed by demons and unchecked by God? Keep in mind that Zachariah has made it very clear they care little for humanity's well being; they just want to win. How long before the angels realize their newfound freedom gives them the power to truly run things back on Earth? I'm not saying that the boys shouldn't deal with Lucifer, but I hope they have a back up plan for Michael, because once Lucifer is gone Michael isn't just going to go away.

Next Episode: "Abandon All Hope." Episode Summary: "Sam, Dean, and Castiel find the Colt and go after Lucifer. The hunters reunite with Bobby to battle evil that could be potentially their last fight." I've already made clear my feelings on the Colt and Lucifer. Whether the angels end up being a problem or not will remain to be seen, but in the meantime, mid-season battle royales on this show never disappoint. The episode title doesn't offer much hope that I'll be wrong.