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January 18, 2007: Playthings
"Playthings" is probably the closest a Season 2 episode has come to a Season 1 standalone episode. The first half of this season just had a different feel to it. Because of the death of Big Daddy Winchester, each episode was blanketed in grief as well as mucho mucho angst. I've pretty much loved most of these episodes (especially "In My Time of Dying," "Crossroad Blues," and "Croatoan"), but the cases they tackled felt different because the boys were also in the midst of mourning as well as expanding their universe with the introduction of the Roadhouse crew. With "Croatoan" and "Hunted," the angst evolved into "the secret" and Sam's destiny — which will probably take us on out through the rest of the season, I would imagine. And while there was definitely Sam angst laced throughout the entire episode, there was also a lot of humor and enough cute brotherly moments to satisfy any Supernatural fan. They were researching in their hotel room together, walking down halls investigating the case together, saving lives together and, of course, being mistaken for gay antiquers. Dean's more like the Dean from last season: he's shaken off a lot of the angst in favor of being supportive and being his old cocky "lovin' the hunter life" guy we know and love. Sammy's again bearing the weight of the world on his massive shoulders: He can't find Ava, he's dealing with his destiny, and because of this monster he may turn into, he's feeling the need to save as many lives as possible. Something that is different about Season 2 Sam vs Season 1 Sam is that he's full-on embracing this hunting life — at least for right now.
The case of the week takes place at a hotel that's closing down; at first Sam and Dean are thinking that there may be some hoodoo at play here, but it turns out to be a spirit of a little girl who drowned in the pool a long, long time ago. With the closing of the hotel, she's feeling some serious abandonment issues (like Dean?) and is going to do anything in her power to prevent that from happening. This girl kind of reminded me of what Tess the Reaper was talking to Dean about during "In My Time of Dying." She told him that if he didn't cross over he would end up becoming one of the things he hunted: an angry spirit. I knew I recognized the child actress who played the scary little girl — she also played a scary little girl with powers on USA's hit sci-fi series The 4400 (a show that also, interestingly, films in Vancouver). Much like in "Everybody Loves a Clown," where I was creeped out by the butchering Bozo, this girl creeped me out as did all those dolls in that huge collection. Call me a wuss, but the dolls were creepy. Did you guys realize that Maggie was imaginary right away? I never notice anything until it hits me on the head.
Sam was in serious superhero mode, wasn't he? He saved the hotel lady from the out-of-control car (that no one was driving) and her daughter from drowning in the pool. It's tough for Sam right now because (like I stated before), he's just feeling that in order to counteract this potential dark side lurking inside him, he needs to save all the lives he can. His helplessness at his situation comes out after he can't save some dude from hanging to death. Dean comes back to their hotel room and Sam is drunk. This was a great scene because we got to hear Sam's thoughts and the unrealistic expectations he's set for himself. But Dean reminded his little brother, "You can't save everyone." Sam told Dean that in "Dead in the Water." I hope he remembers that before this whole thing eats him alive. I don't know about you, but I started flashing back to Big Daddy Winchester when Sam in his drunken stupor told Dean that he's going to have to watch out for him and that "if he ever turns into something that I'm not, you have to kill me." I totally understand where Sammy's coming from, but he just did the same thing to Dean that their dad did. Sam fought back with, "Dad told you to do it, you have to." But I don't think he understands something about Dean: Dean will follow orders down to the most minute detail, except where it concerns Sam. He's going to do everything in his power to make sure that it never comes to that. But it's crushing anyway when Dean finally says yes. Now both his father and his brother have laid this impossible burden on him. However, it was pretty satisfying to hear Dean talk about John in this way:
"Yeah, well, Dad's an ass. He never should have said anything. I mean, you don't do that. You don't lay that kind of crap on your kids."
I'm someone who actually does like it when Dean questions his father's motives and the way they grew up. I want him to remain a hunter, but I like him not being so blind to the life their dad drafted them into living. It was even more crushing the next day when Dean thought that Sam was too drunk to remember the promise, only to find out that Sam didn't forget a single thing that was said. Then that brotherly moment after Sam thanked Dean (you know the one I'm talking about) — that was pretty awesome (plus this portion of the scene was accompanied by that awesomely angsty piano music that originated in "Devil's Trap").
Other thoughts:
— Add "Playthings" to the list of episodes where Sam and Dean are hilariously mistaken for a gay couple. Let's see: There's "Bugs" and "Something Wicked." Am I missing any others?
— Did Sammy call Dean short when he was drunk?
— There's this whole Sam-porn theme that has been going on this season as well. Of course, he was watching the skin channel in "Children Shouldn't Play with Dead Things"; Dean mentioned something about Sam feeling guilty about surfing for Internet porn when he talked to Gordon last week, and now Dean tells Sam not to go surfing for porn.
— How funny was Dean telling the hotel lady that Sam was into dolls and had a major doll collection?
— Loved the nod to the movie Weird Science. Poor Sammy was hungover so Dean gave him a great hangover remedy while his little bro was hunched over the toilet: "It's a greasy pork sandwich served up in a dirty ashtray." That's a direct line from the movie.
— Just like last week's "Hunted" mirrored some of last season's "Scarecrow", some of "Playthings" kinda mirrored "Dead in the Water." Of course, this time it was Sam saving the drowning kid and Dean telling Sam that he can't save everyone. But just like Sam apologized to Andrea, he also told Susan he was sorry, and she mentioned that he's given her everything. Meanwhile, Andrea said, "You saved my son. I can't ask for more than that." Am I reading too much into things?
— I did like how Sam and Dean didn't really know the end result of things, meaning that the two ghostly sisters were reunited in the hotel. It's nice when things aren't wrapped up in a neat, tidy bow for them.
Favorite lines:
— "It's not the patented Sam Winchester way, is it?" "Which way is that?" "Just figured after Ava, there'd be more angst and droopy music and staring out the rainy windows. OK, I'll shut up now."
— "We've got to save as many people as we can." "Well, that attitude is just way too healthy for me. I'm officially uncomfortable now, thank you."
— "Old-school haunted houses... you know, fog, secret passageways, sissy British accents; we may even run into Fred and Daphne while we're inside. Hmmm... Daphne."
— "Let me guess. You guys are here antiquing?" "How'd you know?" "Oh, you just look the type. So... king-size bed?"
— "What'd you mean that we look the type?"
— "Wow. There's a lot of dolls. They're nice. You know, they're not super-creepy at all."
— "You're bossy."
— "All right, time for bed, come on Sasquatch."
— "Please, Dean, you have to promise me." "I promise."
— "They're not happy now?" "Would you be? Leaving the only home you ever knew?" "I don't know. I never really knew one."
— "I can still taste the tequila."
— "You're insane." "That's been said."
— "Think you could've hooked up some MILF action there.... Seriously, I think she liked you."
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Jan 19, 2007 4:37 AM
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I too saw the parallels with "Dead in the Water". I thought Rose had died, when she called Maggie away. There was also a parallels with "In My Time of Dying" because Rose sacrificed herself for her daughter and granddaughter.
I was confused because I thought Sam and Dean saw Maggie when the girls ran through the lobby. I knew she was suppose to be imaginary from the listing on my TIVO.
I want to knock both boys up side the head. They keep referring to Sam going to the Dark Side. Don't they remember there was a Good Side of the force! They need to wake up to that. Sam and Dean in many ways are the least vulnerable to the YED. They have already been tested by fire. They put their lives on the line to save strangers. I'm worried that Sam "just accepting" is destiny is the biggest danger to him.
His morals came through in Hunted. He knew that Gordon wouldn't stop hunting him and that Dean would be endangered in 2 ways. That Gordon might kill him, and that Dean might commit murder to protect Sam. So Sam found a very creative way to get Gordon out of circulation.
I think we need Missouri from "Home" to remind them that all people with "abilities" are not evil. Many fight for the side of good.
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Jan 19, 2007 6:32 AM
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Tina: Great recap, as always. I have to say, this is one of my favorite episodes simply because of the brotherly banter. "Sasquatch." "You're bossy. And short." "You are a little butch." The whole "Sam has a doll collection" scene. And on and on.
There were two scenes that got me in the heart, though (and I'm going by memory here since I haven't been able to re-watch the show yet). The first was when Dean said that his father was an ass. Whoa! True resentment coming out, and who can blame him? The second was the scene where Sam was drunk. Although it started out funny, when Sam forced Dean to make that promise (and didn't we know that Dean probably figured that Sam wouldn't remember it the next day?), well, the look on Dean's face when he said "I promise." Heartbreaking.
I did catch the line where Dean said he'd never had a home. He said it so matter-of-factly, which makes it all the sadder.
The only thing I had a problem with, really, if you could even call it that, was Sam getting drunk. I mean, the man hanging himself was enough for him to go on a binge? Or was this binge the result of all that had happened to him (Dad's death, the reveal of the secret, Ava missing, etc.) recently? If not, is this how Sam is going to react every time he can't save someone? Does he think that if he can't make it to someone in time, that it's going to ruin his "destiny" and turn him darkside? It occurred to me that the "saving people" part of their mantra has taken on a new meaning for Sam. He isn't saving people just to save their lives; he's doing it to save himself too.
In spite of that one misgiving, I'd give this show high marks. I can't wait for iTunes to have this one online so I can download and watch it again.
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Jan 19, 2007 6:39 AM
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How about when they checked into the hotel....she handed Dean back the credit card, and said..."here you are, Mr. Mahogoff...." That is by far one of the funniest aliases he's used yet......
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Jan 19, 2007 8:18 AM
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As Tina said, this episode was just like the standalone Season 1 episodes, which is why I liked it - the humor was great and I did get a creepy feeling from both the house/hotel and the dolls. However, while I enjoyed most of this episode (about the first 45 minutes), I was disappointed by the last 15 minutes.
The ending was just too much like Dead in the Water from Season 1, except instead of Dean rescuing the little boy in the water, it was Sam. Just like in DitW, there was a grandparent who gave their life for their grandchild, and, as Tina mentioned, the Winchester who saved the child felt guilty for not being able to save someone else. Even the good-bye scene was similar, except that Dean got a kiss from the child’s mother and Sam got a hug. (Loved Dean’s MILF line)
Also, as Tina mentioned, Sam was in “serious superhero mode” and I agree, but why? Why have Sam perform both rescues? I understand that the writer was linking it back to the beginning of the episode where Sam said that he wanted to save as many people as possible, but why did Sam have to be the one to save both people? Especially considering that one of them meant he had to jump into a swimming pool with a cast on his arm? Does he have a waterproof cast? Then, at the end, there was no mention of the cast, instead we got that odd line from Dean that he let Sam rescue both the little girl and the mother.
As I said at the beginning of this post, I really did enjoy most of this episode, the humor, banter, and brotherly moments were great: I loved the whole gay thing and Dean’s porn comment to Sam, Dean telling Susan about Sam’s doll collection, Sam calling Dean "short" and Dean calling Sam "Sasquatch", and I absolutely loved it when Dean called John an ass and that you don’t lay that kind of crap on your kids. I almost started clapping when I heard those lines. 
When Sam told Dean that “We’ve got to save as many people as we can”, did anyone else think back to the campfire scene in Wendigo when Dean basically told Sam that’s why he hunts?
Tina – I can’t believe you know that one line was direct quote from Weird Science…that’s impressive.
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Jan 19, 2007 8:21 AM
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Skeptic- I kept rewinding the scene just to see if she really said "Mahogoff" - I thought my ears were playing tricks on me. Very funny.
My issue with the drunken scene, was how long was Dean gone for Sammy to get that drunk?
I also had an issue with no one even attempting to perform CPR on the girl that Sam saved in the water. They all sort of looked at her until she miraculously came back to them.
And lassie - I don't know what to say other than I loved Weird Science. I'm such an 80s child, it's not even funny.
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Jan 19, 2007 8:30 AM
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While I laughed out loud a couple of times and felt the episode was quite creepy - it also felt uneven to me; as if there are whole scenes that were deleted because of time constraints. The most glaring example is when the mom told the boys to leave. They hightailed it out of there - we even saw the Impala kicking up gravel as it sped out. Where did they go? Why did they come back? The way the little girl was watching her play swingset go into action, I thought for sure she was going to run outside or look out the window or something - but then it just cut to Sam grabbing the Mom and saving her.
But like you, Tina, I didn't realize Maggie was imaginary - I thought she was real when the girls went running through the lobby and bumped into Sam.
Next week's episode looks great so I'm really looking forward to next week!
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Jan 19, 2007 8:33 AM
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Tina - thanks for raising the CPR issue...you would think that that's one of the basic life saving skills that John would've made sure the boys knew.
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Jan 19, 2007 8:34 AM
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Always love reading your recaps Tina! Thanks for pointing out the Weird Science reference - it's been awhile since I've seen that movie... Speaking of which and before I forget. Was it just me or did the bar scene with Dean (at least the setting) remind anyone else of the restaurant/bar in The Shining? Again, it's been a long time since I've seen the movie, but the second Dean walked into the bar, I thought to myself redrum.
This is the second episode in a row that had Dean saying something that I never I'd hear him saying. I couldn't believe he actually called his Dad an ass and then expressed that his Dad shouldn't have burdened him (them) with the save or kill Sam secret. Though I was shocked to hear it, I was also simultaneously cheering the fact that he did. To me, it seems that Dean has just been somewhat of a John clone most of his life. In Dead Man's Blood and Shadow you can see Dean start to break from this, and I think Sam was an influence. This season has had things happen where Dean has been questioning his Dad's past actions and being angry with many of them (the secret for one). It will be interesting to see if Dean will continue to forge a path for himself...
The brother moments.... What can I say about them other than they were awesome! OMG! I totally LMAO at the antiquers/gay scene! I also thought Dean's comment about Sam's doll collection was a great payback for Sam's butch comment when Dean asked why people keep thinking they're gay. But, the drunk Sam scene. What started out as funny (You're short) turned into a punch to the gut. I was a little ticked at Sam that he would make Dean promise to kill him should he turn into something he's not. The look on Dean's face after Sam passed out... You could tell Dean was hoping that Sam wouldn't remember his promise, but no deal. Way to go Sam - heap another burden on your brother's shoulders. It's interesting too that Sam reminds Dean of the promise just after Dean says it's good to be back in the saddle again. I guess that month of looking for Ava was the time Dean needed. But, the look on Dean's face after what Sam said at the end made me wonder if the good of that time was completely erased.
Did anyone catch what could be a sign of things to come when little sister Rose gave up her life for big sister ghost Maggie? Was it just a scene to punctuate Dean's promise to Sam? Or was it a foreshadowing to coming events? Time will tell. And, I have to say it gave me a bad dream about what could happen at the end of this season. This show likes to mirror scenes. Remember that IMToD ended with a black screen and John's time of death? How about the end of this season ending with a black screen and the sound of a gun shot? My dream had the scenes just before the black screen being where Sam is possessed (or turned evil) and Dean seemingly has no other choice but to kill Sam or kill himself to maybe snap Sam out of it. Freaky thoughts, and I hope to God I'm wrong, because if the 4 1/2 months of waiting was horrible between the car crash and its aftermath, I can just imagine that it's probably going to be twice as bad for this season's ending.
Overall, not one of my favorite episodes, but I loved the brother moments. And, to be honest, when do I not love the brother moments? 
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Jan 19, 2007 8:36 AM
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I didn't catch the Weird Science line (and I should have), but I was very impressed with the hotel bar scene - straight out of 'The Shining'. Nice homage, there, fellas - that movie without a doubt scares me half to death every time.
When Sam was drunk I actually thought at first he was possessed! Then I figured it out. But for a few minutes there I was like 'huh??' He recovers well from being hungover, doesn't he? And how long does the poor guy have to wear that cast?
I caught on that Maggie was imaginary about ten minutes in. It was nicely done though.
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Jan 19, 2007 8:36 AM
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gabrus - my take on Sam's drunken scene is that he did it on purpose. I I think he used the alcohol as "Dutch courage" (We use that expression at home in NZ to mean you've fortified yourself with alcohol to build yourself up to something you're afraid to do). He wanted to say that stuff to Dean, but he couldn't do it sober, it was too frightening and awful, and he knew that he was doing exactly what John had done to Dean, but he had to do it anyway, because he's more afraid of becoming something evil than he is of dying.
That was such a terrific scene wasn't it? - like you afleetalex, at first I couldn't believe Sam was drunk, I thought he was possessed or something, he seemed so out of character. And then he told Dean that he was bossy, and short. Too frakkin funny. And then it morphed into one of the saddest, most heartwrenching scenes I've ever seen on television. I couldn't believe Sam asked Dean that. And then I couldn't believe that Dean agreed to it. I know he only did it because he thought Sam was so hammered he wouldn't remember, but still. I haven't rewatched this epi yet either - what exactly did Sam say to Dean right before he fell asleep? Was it what I thought it was?
This was such a rollercoaster episode for me, because they kept transitioning from hilarious brotherly banter to serious painful revelation and back again. It was one of the funniest episodes we've had in a while, and yet strangely, one of the saddest too. Loved it though. I'm glad Dean finally came out and said what we've all been thinking he must feel - that his Dad was a jerk for putting him in this position.
You know, the only complaint I had with this episode is that I thought they gave away that Maggie was imaginary a little early - if we'd found out when the boys did, it would have been even more of a shocker. Although I was starting to think it was a little strange that Tyler always seemed to be playing with her dolls by herself.
lassie - I don't think it would matter too much that Sam's cast got wet. From what I know about them, you generally have them replaced several times during the course of treatment for a broken bone anyway. So Sam could have just gotten a new one.
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Jan 19, 2007 8:55 AM
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Everyone has mentioned everything good about this episode and I'm especially glad Tina brought up the issue of CPR. As soon as Sam put the little girl at the side of the pool and all three adults just stared at her, I actually said to the TV, "Come on! Sam or Dean has to know CPR!"
I didn't catch that Maggie was imaginary either. I'm definitely going to rewatch the episode tonight.
The other thing I didn't catch was the homage to The Shining (if it truly was) in the bar scene. I just remember thinking that the restaurant/bar area looked creepy to me. It was cold looking in decor with the white walls, black linens and red candle lamps. The decor didn't fit the rest of the hotel.
Loved the butler.
The Sam and Dean moments were awesome tonight and back in full form. Once again, Jensen Ackles outdoes himself in the facial expressions.
1. When he realizes Susan thinks they're gay.
2. When he sits on the bed and sinks into the mattress.
3. The drunk scene with Sam.
4. And his look to Sam when they got into the car. Such unresolved issues there.
I'm sure there's more, but those are the ones that come to mind.
Also, I did have a bit of a problem with not having the ghost be gone. The guy who got himself hung told Susan they were demolishing the place. If Maggie's still there, isn't she just going to cause more deaths?? Or, maybe with Rose with her, she'll stop?
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Jan 19, 2007 9:05 AM
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I was distracted while watching this episode, so I'm just going to give initial impressions.
Knew that Maggie was the bad seed right away. Didn't realize she wasn't corporeal until she uttered the line "I really don't like her."
Loved the brotherly banter in the beginning, and the whole gay-antiquing, and Sam having a doll collection was hilarious.
I'm kind of worried about Sam's frenzy regarding hunting and saving people. The getting drunk didn't help either. I think it's his turn to fall apart now, and I just really want the boys to have some peace, just for 5 minutes so they can catch their breath.
I will say that this episode felt pretty disjointed to me. Someone mentioned that they felt there were scenes on the cutting room floor. I agree, because several scenes just felt like they came out of the blue to me, including the Sam-drunk scene. Also, the scene with Sam saving Tyler - it just didn't quite resonate with me. Also, is it just me or do there seem to be way more commercials cutting into our time this season?
Anyway, must watch the episode again, without distractions.
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Jan 19, 2007 9:14 AM
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Hoggle: Okay, what you say about the drunk scene does make sense. I can see why Sam would want to have Dean make that promise to him, but wouldn't have the courage to ask him to do it unless he was inebriated.
Like the rest of you, the end was unresolved for me as well. I didn't like that the two girls were still in the house and knowing that there were plans for the house to be demolished. So what now???
Lassie: My daughter actually did clap when Dean said "Dad was an ass!" She said "That's right, dude!"
I don't know if it was in this blog or in another one, but earlier this morning someone asked the question of what did Sam say to Dean after he laid down on the bed? If Sam said something, I missed it. Does anyone else know?
And for those of you who are interested, the JensenAcklesFans.com website has a clip ready for download that includes the drunk scene.
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Jan 19, 2007 9:23 AM
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Tina:
I had the same problem with the drunken scene - how long were they separated for Sam to get that drunk?? I even went back and rewatched that part several times, trying to reason it out, but it still seems like it happened really quickly. I mean, how could Sam have known that the guy hung himself if he had been in the room the whole time? So I'm telling myself that he was drinking before that happened and then just used the hanging as an excuse when Dean came back!
I mean, seriously, Sam is a big guy - he would need to drink an awful lot really quickly!!
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Jan 19, 2007 9:26 AM
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