Supernatural has been increasingly effective at putting funny episodes in the midst of all the darkness the past few seasons. Season five had several of them, notably "Changing Channels." Right off the bat, "Clap Your Hands If You Believe..." is poised to join them, with the alien abduction and X-Files-style opening credits. Unfortunately, though, the episode isn't that funny, exciting, or deep. It's a "blah" episode--with its moments, as expected, but nothing that lives up to what we've seen.
The plot takes a predictable turn when the alien abductions turn out to be faeries, seeing as the only person to stand out in the opening montage was the fairy lady. The rest of the episode is a bunch of half-amusing gags and jokes. Sam doesn't give a damn and is unintentionally doing funny, uncharacteristic things. Dean gets into midget trouble, so there are the usual midget jokes. Likewise, the episode comes to a predictable end. Fairies can be stopped dead in their tracks because they have to stop and count every grain of salt or sugar. Stupid plot device, anyone? All Sam had to do was throw salt/sugar everywhere to begin with and he wouldn't have to fight or shoot the leprechaun.
Looking ahead (since I'm put this episode in the rear view mirror already), the leprechaun escapes and there are a bunch of unresolved issues, so I assume we'll be seeing more of Robert Picardo. What were the fairies doing with the first-born sons? Can the leprechaun really retrieve Sam's soul? Sam's unwillingness to even entertain the soul offer indicates he might not even want his soul back? And why would he? What are the upsides other than that it would make Dean feel better?
Score: 8.3/10
Saturday, November 20, 2010
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