Review | 7x20 | The Girl With The Dungeons and Dragons Tattoo

[galathea]

Supernatural meets Leverage in Robbie Thompson’s brilliant script for The Girl With The Dungeons and Dragons Tattoo – and, damn, it’s a fine look for the show. The fast paced, action heavy episode features a well-written, quirky and likeable one-off character and delights with an enjoyable characterisation for Sam and Dean. Furthermore, the episode moves Bobby’s storyline forward and advances the leviathan arc in preparation for the finale. Like all other Robbie Thompson episodes this season, The Girl With The Dungeons and Dragons Tattoo takes us on an immensely entertaining ride – really, the forty minutes flew by way too fast – which instantly moved it up into my list of favourite S7 episodes. ♥



I really have to say that Robbie Thompson is swiftly working his way up to the top of my favourite Supernatural writers. He may only have three episodes under his belt so far, but there is not a single misstep amongst them – not even a single off-key scene or out of character moment either – and I think that is quite an achievement for someone coming into a show in its seventh season. Thompson’s episodes stand out to me on several levels. He has a great sense of pacing and knows how to balance action, comedy and drama; his dialogue is witty and his humorous moments are simply delightful. More importantly though, Thompson has a deft hand with Sam and Dean’s characterisation and a knack for the creation of quirky, relatable characters, like Frank, Ezra or Charlie. So far, Thompson seems to be the go-to guy for out-of-the-box, homage-style episodes. From his tribute to Quentin Tarantino in Slash Fiction, to his references to 1940’s period flicks in Time after Time, to his homage to caper movies/shows in The Girl With The Dungeons and Dragons Tattoo, the man knows his classics. Unsurprisingly, the fact that Thompson heavily plays with different movie styles/genres often gives his episodes a distinctly different feel than that of the standard Supernatural episode. Let’s take his current episode for example. Instead of the usual gritty and dark cinematography, the episode features a bright and colourful look; instead of a run-down motel/house, the main location is a chrome and steel office building; instead of classic rock, there is cheerful 80’s pop and an upbeat electronic score. Add to this the typical visual tools of the heist-movie genre, i.e. split screens, overlays and flashbacks, and Supernatural feels like a whole new show. And as much as I love the show’s general look and feel, I find these deviations from the norm highly refreshing and enjoyable. So, I really, really hope that Thompson will remain part of the show for as long as it continues.

Dean: "This never happened. Stop laughing, Sammy."

Just like in the past two episodes, Sam and Dean’s characterisation in The Girl With The Dungeons and Dragons Tattoo is immensely enjoyable. It is really noticeable that, ever since Sam’s recovery from his mental problems, the brothers’ personal interaction has become exceedingly companionable, emotionally open and mature, and when they are on the job, they act completely in sync. The current episode highlights these developments as well, as their affectionate banter and smooth teamwork shows the brothers at their best. The brotherly scenes in the surveillance van in particular are a highpoint of the episode for me. Dean’s exasperated my-brother-is-a-giant-dork reaction when Sam gives Charlie his 'What Would Hermione Do' pep-talk is just delightful, as is Sam’s barely contained laughter when Dean guides Charlie through her flirtation with the security guy via headphones. I daresay that those moments provided Sam and Dean with enough ammunition to tease their sibling for the next decade. ♥ I also love that, even though the brothers are worried about Charlie and not quite comfortable with a civilian at the frontlines, they are willing to take a step back and let Charlie do her job. Now, initially I was a tad concerned that the episode would build Charlie up at the expense of the brothers, so I was relieved to see that that is not the case. On the contrary, Sam and Dean, too, get their opportunity to shine, namely when they steal Dick’s important delivery right from under his nose with their quick wit and improvisation skills. To masquerade as airport ground personnel and swap the suitcase in a moment of confusion may not exactly be the heist of the century, but still, given their time constraints it is a small miracle they pull it off without a hitch. And man, I can’t even remember the last time Sam and Dean 'costumed up' to solve a problematic situation; I really missed that.

Having said all that, I cannot help but feel that Sam and Dean’s emotional arcs are somewhat short-changed lately. I mean, we had three episodes in a row now that relegated Sam and Dean to the sidelines, at least to some extent. Now, I genuinely liked these past three episodes – this last one in particular – and I would not really mind the focus on recurring/guest characters, if it was not for the fact that the writers pretty much dropped Sam and Dean’s main storylines without a satisfactory conclusion. All season long, Dean suffered from a severe depression and alcohol problems, trying to find purpose in a life that has long lost its meaning for him, and Sam fought with mental issues that almost cost him his life, but at present all that seems forgotten. Dean’s depression seems to have vanished into thin air, and Sam does not seem to suffer any after-effects from his ordeal. Don’t get me wrong, I could watch Sam and Dean expertly working jobs together, having mature conversations and just generally being adorably affectionate brothers all day long, but it does not feel quite earned yet. Sam and Dean did not have a single meaningful conversation about anything that happened, we never actually saw them coming to terms with the past couple of months and where Dean is concerned, there was not even an actual breakthrough in his psychological condition. Of course, it is possible to argue that their current improvement is simply a result of Sam’s recovery. After all, Sam’s condition not only affected him, but has also been a major factor in Dean’s depression, so with the crisis averted – due to Dean’s interference even – their renewed spirit is understandable. However, without insight into the brothers’ thoughts and feelings, that remains a vague assumption, and I expect a more definitive, extensive approach to the resolution to the main character arcs. As it is, there is little sense of closure to Sam and Dean’s emotional arcs this season, and I find that regrettable.

Sam: "He is not in control. Not about Dick. That was vengeful spirit crap."
Dean: "I know. But it’s still Bobby."
Sam: "But if he really goes there, he won’t be anymore. And then we won’t be able to pull him back."

This week’s episode puts Sam and Dean’s cooperation with Bobby’s ghost to the test – and the results are not pretty. The brothers’ hesitation to involve him in their break-in at Roman Inc. – mainly because they do not trust his ability to control himself around Dick Roman – visibly irritates Bobby; he is simply not used to Sam and Dean calling his competence into question. Not to mention that their outright rejection of his plan to infiltrate Roman Inc. serves as a harsh reminder of the fact that he has no real autonomy anymore and naturally that aggravates Bobby. Moreover, the fact that he is forced to idly stand by while Sam and Dean map out a strategy with Charlie really drives the point home that, even though he finally managed to establish communications with the brothers, he is still on the outside looking in, a far cry from the trusted member of the team he used to be. And it is not difficult to foresee that the continuous feeling of isolation and the lack of autonomy will fuel Bobby’s negative emotions, thus pushing him further into vengeful spirit territory. It may happen even quicker than anticipated. I mean, Bobby’s refusal to consider Sam and Dean’s very valid objections (and worries) against his participation in their little heist already illustrates that he is no longer the cautious, rational man he used to be. In Of Grave Importance Bobby readily admitted that he is full of rage and vengeful; he knows that going up against Dick is a huge risk for him, and he rushes in anyway, unwilling to believe that he is just like any other ghost. However, despite his best efforts, Bobby is indeed unable to control his rage once he is faced with his killer – and Charlie is hurt as a result. In the heat of the moment, he becomes the very monster Dick Roman accuses him to be, and it will be interesting to see how he is going to deal with that realisation.

All told, it is not surprising that Sam and Dean once again find themselves in the situation of having to weigh their options where Bobby is concerned. However, their individual positions have reversed. While Sam had been slightly optimistic in his assessment of Bobby’s situation last week, he comes out of their shared adventure in The Girl With The Dungeons and Dragons Tattoo with severe doubts, and I think it is precisely because Sam had hope that things with Bobby will work out, that his out-of-control behaviour hits him so hard. The setback simply caught him unprepared. Dean, on the other hand, expected the worst right away when he was faced with Bobby’s ghost last week, and I assume that, in the end, things went actually better than he thought they would, hence his more lenient reaction to Bobby’s lapse. Still, Sam and Dean are caught in an impossible moral conflict at the moment. Where should they draw the line? At what point does Bobby’s behaviour warrant removing his choices and taking drastic actions? Are they not morally obliged to end it now, before Bobby even has the chance to do something truly malicious? After all, the brothers would never forgive themselves if innocents would come to harm just because they have been hesitant to do their job. It is an interesting dilemma, and I think the writers are doing a great job exploring the complexities of said dilemma, for the brothers as well as Bobby himself. It would have been easy to just establish Bobby as one of the exceptions to the rule and reintegrate him into the team as Sam and Dean’s harmless sidekick-ghost, but I think that would have undermined the severity of Bobby’s decision to become one of the things he used to hunt. So, I am looking forward to seeing how they resolve the situation.

What else is noteworthy:

(1) Charlie Bradbury is one of those quirky Supernatural characters that you either hate or love, much like the Ghostfacers, Garth or Frank. Personally, I started to like her character the moment she started dancing to Katrina and the Waves’ Walking On Sunshine in the elevator and from there on, I was a lost cause. Charlie presents an easy identification figure for geeks around the world – and as an avid gamer, computer enthusiast and fantasy/scifi fan myself, I naturally relate to her character without problems. Furthermore, given the nature of Charlie’s personality, it is no surprise that the episode is chock-full of pop culture references – from WarGames to Soylent Green, from Harry Potter to Star Wars to Lord of the Rings – and that obviously adds another layer of fun for the 'geekily' inclined. Apart from the sheer fun factor of the character, Charlie’s positive disposition and kind-hearted nature also make her a genuinely likeable person and that, in combination with her mad skills, makes her a great addition to the small group of rebels against Roman Inc. The interaction between the brothers and Charlie in particular is fabulous. It showcases a dynamic we do not see very often in Supernatural, namely that of Sam and Dean with a younger sister. Actually, I think the last time that happened was way back in S2 with Jo Harvelle. Anyway, Charlie obviously brings out Sam’s own inner geek, and he visibly enjoys talking shop with her. Dean, on the other hand, responds to the mix of courage and vulnerability in the girl, clearly protective of her, while at the same time admiring her skills. Charlie basically complements the brothers, so it never feels like she eclipses them, and I think that is an important factor in her likeability. So, despite her adamant refusal to see the brothers again, I hope that she will make another appearance at some point.

(2) I continue to enjoy the leviathans and Dick Roman in particular. Kudos to James Patrick Stuart, by the way, I think he is absolutely perfect in the role of the creepy CEO of Roman Inc. Anyway, I love Dick’s tangible frustration with the fact that, despite their superiority over humans, the leviathans are unable to capture their unique essence, the spark that makes them great thinkers, inventors, builders. They might be able to make replicas of individual humans, but something is lost in the transformation process, especially when said humans have above-average talents/qualities. We have seen evidence of that particular problem before, namely when the leviathans copied Sam and Dean back in Slash Fiction. The doppelgangers had the brothers’ memories, their feelings and thoughts, and yet they had been unable to truly understand what makes Sam and Dean tick, and I think that, ultimately, it will be that very human spark, that will bring about the leviathans’ downfall. That being said, I am not sure if I am completely sold on the reveal about the leviathans’ global 'Soylent Green' plans. The puzzle pieces the writers introduced throughout the season do not slot together quite as seamlessly as I had hoped. I mean, at the end of How To Win Friends and Influence Monsters Dick Roman shut the 'tranquilliser turducken' experiment down, so I am surprised to learn that it is an integral part of his plans after all. Also, as I mentioned before, so far the leviathans seem perfectly happy to eat sick people right out of hospitals, even though there are plenty of other places where they can feed. So why would they make the effort to cure humanity of cancer or AIDS first, especially considering that all those healthy people will then be pumped full of psychotropic drugs anyway. So, the leviathans turning humankind into cattle may have been the obvious assumption right from the start, but the details seem a bit off to me.

In conclusion: The Girl With The Dungeons and Dragons Tattoo is a stand-out episode of the season on all accounts – writing, acting and direction. It has a great mix of humour, action and drama, and I felt engaged by the episode throughout its run. I like especially the idea of three 'ordinary' humans going up against millennia old evil and winning the day, just with a little courage, creativity and luck, and I wished we could have something like that in the actual end-game, but I doubt it will happen. I guess now it all depends on finding out what is hidden in that red clay Sam and Dean stole from Dick Roman and how to use it against the leviathans. I suspect that killing Dick will not be enough to wipe all leviathans from the face of the earth, so something big is probably going down in the finale, and at the moment I have absolutely no clue what that could be. So the next couple of episodes still have a lot of ground to cover.

Comments

[maenad.livejournal.com]

Fantastic review. :)

The doppelgangers had the brothers’ memories, their feelings and thoughts, and yet they had been unable to truly understand what makes Sam and Dean tick, and I think that, ultimately, it will be that very human spark, that will bring about the leviathans’ downfall.

I really like this as a follow up to Slash Fiction - both because, as you say, it suggests the ultimate solution to the problem, and because it helps to establish the leviathans' individual characters. It's a thing they've done with shape-shifters before, of course, but it works really well to establish the monsters as something other - even if they're working hard to seem exactly like the person they've copied.

Also, as I mentioned before, so far the leviathans seem perfectly happy to eat sick people right out of hospitals, even though there are plenty of other places where they can feed. So why would they make the effort to cure humanity of cancer or AIDS first, especially considering that all those healthy people will then be pumped full of psychotropic drugs anyway.

While I agree there are bits of the leviathan plot line that don't mesh as well as they might, I don't think I find this particularly surprising. Leviathans are ambitious: they like the good life, luxuries, power, cheese sauce on their meet and all the trimmings. This seems to me to be an obvious move for a society switching from a hunter-gatherer lifestyle to a farming one. When they first arrived they were starving, presumably not having eaten for millennia, and they were taking huge risks in feeding. Roman couldn't control his people, and that was a problem: if humans discovered them, they'd probably soon be confronted by a mob armed with Borax and swords, and in the beginning they were at least relatively vulnerable.

At that point, the discovery of hospitals was a miracle - a safe place to sate their hunger. Who cares if the meat isn't in ideal condition? Now they've taken over a number of reasonably influential individuals, and they've been able to piggyback on human civilisation, letting them develop a taste for high-quality food - like Joyce and her ridiculously specific caffeine requirements. They've had to be less careful as time goes on, so we can see them feeding more freely; safety has become increasingly less of a concern. It seems logical to me that now they want every meal to be gourmet. So healthy meat, tender, well fed and properly prepared.

[galathea-snb.livejournal.com]

Thank you! :)

it helps to establish the leviathans' individual characters

That, too. I think most monsters work better if they have individual faces, stories, backgrounds; it makes things more personal and allows for a more layered narrative.

they've been able to piggyback on human civilisation, letting them develop a taste for high-quality food

Okay, that makes sense. I'd still argue though that drugging people to the gills to keep them docile and, more importanty, fat won't get them high quality food. They'll probably run into the same problems as their human counterparts who employ industrial livestock farming, namely the production of cheap meat that is low in quality and taste, or worse, pathogenic. But maybe I am just overthinking things. *g*

[maenad.livejournal.com]

Okay, that makes sense. I'd still argue though that drugging people to the gills to keep them docile and, more importanty, fat won't get them high quality food. They'll probably run into the same problems as their human counterparts who employ industrial livestock farming, namely the production of cheap meat that is low in quality and taste, or worse, pathogenic. But maybe I am just overthinking things.

No, I think that's a valid point - but I think that's exactly the sort of mistake that the leviathans would make, both because they've skipped to the end and just adopted corporate culture as the first step up from running as pack animals, and because when they try to act like humans they get it wrong.

Dick Roman seems like exactly the sort of person who'd regard a world that was wall-to-wall McDonald's restaurants as a sort of paradise - instant food, instant income, instant power. The leviathans have never done this before, so they're just copying us. It looks like we eat well, so they want what we've got - but with humans instead of cattle. If they got hold of a really first-class chef - someone of Charlie's calibre, but with food - he could tell them that this isn't the way, that they'll be disappointed with the results, and so on. But leviathans don't think like that. They think this is the best way to get a constant supply of high-quality food.

[galathea-snb.livejournal.com]

Heh, yeah, it does figure that the leviathans get the basic mechanics right - humanity is a good role model, after all - but don't actually comprehend the finer points of a good cuisine. Which actually fits with Death's statment that God was concerned that they would just 'chomp the entire Petri dish' - that doesn't exactly scream gourmet.

[llywela13.livejournal.com]

It is an interesting dilemma, and I think the writers are doing a great job exploring the complexities of said dilemma, for the brothers as well as Bobby himself. It would have been easy to just establish Bobby as one of the exceptions to the rule and reintegrate him into the team as Sam and Dean’s harmless sidekick-ghost, but I think that would have undermined the severity of Bobby’s decision to become one of the things he used to hunt. So, I am looking forward to seeing how they resolve the situation.
Me too! I really like that they haven't taken the easy road on this, that they are really delving into the complexities of the situation, both moral and emotional.

[galathea-snb.livejournal.com]

Yeah, let's just hope that the writers find a resolution that doesn't hurt either character too badly. :)

[chiiyo86.livejournal.com]

Hey there, I haven't read one of your reviews in a long time but they're still awesome. :)

I really liked Charlie as a secondary character, she was a breeze of fresh air and I'm just glad she didn't die. I agree with you with the lack of closure concerning Sam and Dean's emotional storylines. I mean, one hte one hand it's a relief to see them behave a little more lightly, but on the other hand all this build up has to amount to something. But the season isn't over yet so I guess we'll have to wait and see!

I don't see things end well concerning Bobby. If they just had him back on the show at that point it would only undermine the impact of his departure. The best I can imagine happening is Bobby voluntarily letting go.

[galathea-snb.livejournal.com]

Hey! Long time no see. :) I am glad that you still like my reviews. How come I don't see you around much anymore? Did you leave the SPN fandom or do you simply have no time anymore?

I mean, one the one hand it's a relief to see them behave a little more lightly, but on the other hand all this build up has to amount to something.

I very much agree. It is so wonderful to see Sam and Dean in this good, emotional place at the moment. They really deserve it. But I really think the writers owe it the characters to give them some sort of closure. I don't expect much, you know. Just one of those infamous brother talks by the side of the road would suffice. Dean opening up - he has been so withdrawn this season - and Sam offering a little reassurance. That would already be enough. I think the last meaningful conversation the brothers had was in The Mentalists; that is way too long to go without a little brotherly heart-to-heart. :)

The best I can imagine happening is Bobby voluntarily letting go.

Me, too. I hope that once Bobby has taken his revenge on Dick Roman, he will be able to let go and move on in peace.

[chiiyo86.livejournal.com]

I haven't left the fandom, but I'm not as involved in it (at least at the moment, who knows how these things can evolve?), and the result is that I don't read my flist as attentively and miss plenty of posts. I'm still watching the show and I have one or two SPN fic projects, and I definitely don't want to lose the friendships I've made on LJ so I'm trying to comment more!

[galathea-snb.livejournal.com]

Ah, I see. I understand that. I am not as involved in Supernatural fandom anymore either, because nowadays I find fandom too tedious and hostile to be enjoyable. As a result I discuss the show less and search out less places that deal with the show. Of course I still adore the show itself - and Sam and Dean in particular - and I will stay with it till the very end, but I am not as active anymore as I used to. :)

But hey, Haven S3 has to start up soon. There is another thing that we can talk about once it starts airing. *g*

[chiiyo86.livejournal.com]

Yeah, the fandom at large has become somewhat hostile - at least my flist has mostly remained positive. And, well, the truth is also that I'm not very good at social interactions; it's easy for me to stay locked up in my bubble and ignore the world, and that's not counting real life demands. I still love the show, though.

I can't wait for Haven S3! I remember when I thought that the new season was in forever, but it's getting close now. Time really does fly.

[galathea-snb.livejournal.com]

Heh, I don't have as many SPN centric people on my flist as I used to. A lot of people moved on to other shows, and the few that remained are largely positive about the show as well, especially this season. So, I rarely venture out into fandom and stay in my own little bubble of positivism as well. :)

I have seen little spoilers for S3 so far, but I can't wait to see where they take the story from here. :)

[sherrilina.livejournal.com]

Mmm, I can't completely agree about Charlie being well-written--she is extremely stereotypical, and exhibits a lot of "TV nerd" characteristics that are unrealistic, like the whole "what would Hermione do?" speech--can you think of any nerd you know who SERIOUSLY uses a fictional character as their totem or guide in that way? O_o Definitely OTT.

[galathea-snb.livejournal.com]

Well, any character that I sympathise and relate to like I do to Charlie is well written for me. Stereotypes are stereotypes for a reason. I know people like Charlie, I've dated guys like Charlie, heck, if you subtract the hacker skills I have been Charlie. Sure, some scenes may have been a tad over the top, but not in a way that I found detrimental to the character. And the way she felt inspired/encouraged by thinking about Hermione reminded me of the way the Barnes and Demian from The Real Ghostbusters felt encouraged by (fictional) Sam and Dean's heroism. I think it was cute, but ymmv of course. :)