Sam and Dean infiltrate the world of LARPers as they work a regular monster-of-the-week case that reconnects them with Charlie from Season 7's "The Girl with the Dungeons and Dragons Tattoo." Yes, live action role-playing is the name of the game and Supernatural went all out to bring it to life. Time for a trip to Moondoor.
Charlie isn't the only one to make a return engagement in "LARP and the Real Girl" (although it was really great to see her working with the boys once again). We were also reunited with Adorkable Dean. Emphasis on "dork." Well, emphasis on "adorable" too. I love, love, love that he's able to channel his inner geek and tap into his fun side for this case. At first, you can tell this Larping thing intrigues him but he keeps his interest on the down low. He has a rep to protect, after all. Soon, he's giving Charlie some strategy advice and when he dons that handmaiden outfit, it's all on.
What else is great is that I don't feel the need to rock the analysis (too much) with this episode except to say that Sam's feeling the effects of ending his relationship with Amelia. He's down about it and Dean's being really supportive of the whole thing, which is very cool. But does Sam realize that Dean made a sacrifice as well? I'm not sure I could tell from this episode. When Sam admits to Dean they both need some fun in their lives, I'm wondering if that's his concession to what his older brother's going through. I still would like him to say some words to the effect of "I know what you gave up too. And I appreciate it." Or something like that.
But Sam, Sam, Sam, I love you for finally letting go and joining Dean in that Braveheart moment that freeze frames before going to credits. So many times, he'll maybe crack a smile at something Dean says. But usually he's forgoing a drink at the bar. Or not getting into the fun of a situation. I was really worried that Jared wouldn't get to sport any sort of Renaissance gear so I'm beyond happy he got the chance to suit up.
Plus, Sam hasn't lost his mojo, that's for sure. When in the tech tent, he enlists the help of a beautiful Larper. Let's just say she has no problem offering her theories to the hot guy playing "genre mash-up." Little did she know Sam's investigation was for real.
Felicia Day can come back anytime as far as I'm concerned. And while I always thought Charlie (who's been going by Carrie Heinlein) had more in common with Sammy, I love how the Queen of Moons connects with Dean. He's able to open up to her about what has transpired since she saw the Winchesters last. When she explains how she loves being a hero in her little Larping world, Dean explains to her that she was a hero in the real world too. She helped them take down Dick Roman. That's nothing to sneeze at.
Man, Charlie's such a refreshing presence on this show. She interacts effortlessly with Sam and Dean. She's fun, she's ridiculously smart, and yes, she's into girls. I love how she relishes being the Queen, that title gives her some serious game. In fact, she hooks up with the beautiful fairy — the one the bad guy forces to do his evil bidding. So happy Charlie gets to save the day along with the brothers Winchester.
Before parting ways, Charlie offers her services to the Winchesters should they need her again, which is much better than what happened the last time they met up. I'm feeling the need to nominate her for induction into Team Free Will. Hope you all agree, because I just love her in this universe. And as someone pointed out to me on Twitter, this group's missing a fierce female.
I feel like things have been so dark and depressing on this show as of late, we needed an episode like this. It brings the brothers together a little more. And we get to witness Charlie help liven things up. The particulars of the case are almost inconsequential to me. I simply love that I got the chance to sit back, relax, learn about Larpers and laugh out loud at so many great moments and awesome dialogue.
Random Thoughts
-The very first death of the episode was gruesome.
-The Doobie Brothers' "China Grove" serenaded the boys while they were in the Impala.
-Another mention of Garth. When are we going to see him again?
-Sam and Dean's FBI aliases are Taggart and Rosewood: two cops in the Beverly Hills Cop trilogy.
-Jensen's facial expressions in this episode are classic.
-I think the guy who plays the Sheriff is awesome.
-I love how Charlie calls Sam and Dean "bi-ches." In turn, it's great how Dean is so protective of Charlie, like she's a little sister.
-Jensen's a trooper. The crown on the head; the handmaiden outfit; the long, blond wig -- it's all so crazy and hilarious.
-Dean taking out Gerry was pretty awesome too. Just not as awesome as Charlie getting rid of the book of magic and saving the beautiful fairy.
-I kind of love Sam's hair pulled back like it was in the last scene.
-"The Real Ghostbusters" was a fun episode. But I think I like this episode even more.
-Did they change the font for Robert Singer and Jeremy Carver's credits to match the style of the episode?
-There's a nice (badass) moment in the tent when both Sam and Dean pull their guns out at the same time.
-Love that Gerry called the boys out on their fake FBI ids.
-A fairy was present -- should she have known who Dean was from his "abduction" in Season 6's "Clap Your Hands if you Believe...?"
-Happy Supernatural Birthday to Dean Winchester (and Jessica too). I still think it's odd that Jess and Dean share the same birthday: January 24.
And for this episode, some favorite lines (courtesy of writer Robbie Thompson):
Sheriff: "These kids today with their texting and murder."
Lance: "He was Lancelot to my Merlin."
Dean: "This could be 50 Shades of Greyfox for all we know."
Dean: "Uh, you are a Larper, yeah?" Gerry: "I prefer the term interactive literaturist."
Charlie: "But a buddy of mine was into larping. Went for him, stayed for the chicks."
Charlie: "Look, I am not really a queen. I'm just an I.T. girl, standing in front of a monster asking it not to kill her..." (Notting Hill reference)
Sam: "But the medical examiner said his body showed clear signs that he was killed by belladonna." Dean & Charlie (at the same time): "The porn star?" Sam: "The poison."
Dean: "I'm noticing a lot of these maidens checking you out." Charlie: "What? I can't shut this down. It's good to be queen."
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Sam and Dean infiltrate the world of LARPers as they work a regular monster-of-the-week case that reconnects them with Charlie from Season 7's "The Girl with the Dungeons and Dragons Tattoo." Yes, live action role-playing is the name of the game and Supernatural went all out to bring it to life. Time for a trip to Moondoor.
Charlie isn't the only one to make a return engagement in "LARP and the Real Girl" (although it was really great to see her working with the boys once again). We were also reunited with Adorkable Dean. Emphasis on "dork." Well, emphasis on "adorable" too. I love, love, love that he's able to channel his inner geek and tap into his fun side for this case. At first, you can tell this Larping thing intrigues him but he keeps his interest on the down low. He has a rep to protect, after all. Soon, he's giving Charlie some strategy advice and when he dons that handmaiden outfit, it's all on.
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