Supernatural Review: Plush (Season 11 Episode 7)

You can’t just go puttin’ on masks willy-nilly, dontcha know?

Any ordinary object can become a cursed object inhabited by a ghost in the latest monster-of-the-week episode of Supernatural. 

When “Plush” starts, I don’t quite know what to make of it. A killer on the loose dressed as a bunny is very reminiscent of Donnie Darko, and not in a good cult movie way. The bunny-masked killer is silent, and it’s oversize smile with adorable bucked teeth make him all the more creepy.

Dean: What’s up, doc?

Sam and Dean are called on the case by a familiar face, Donna, who is returning for her third hunt with the Winchesters. Her Minnesota charm and typical momisms make her one of my favorite recurring characters who pop up to help the brothers every now and again.

“Plush” exhibits one of Supernatural‘s greatest strengths: killer filler episodes.

While the Darkness plot weighs heavy on Season 11, it feels refreshing to take a break from all things Amara, even if just for one episode.

Naturally, Sam and Dean figure out what’s happening in town pretty quickly. An ex-children’s party performer is wrongfully murdered and his vengeful spirit is now living in his old costume masks, and those who put the masks on become killers. It’s a simple case, but one that pulled out all of the stops on the scary scale, at least for me.

Dean: Killer clown? You’re serious?
Sam: No Dean, I’m joking. Because clowns are really funny to me.

I’ll be the first to admit that I am a human suffering with coulrophobia. What’s that, you ask? Coulrophobia is a fear of clowns, and it’s something so terrifying that it’s a challenge to watch parts of this episode. Don’t scoff. It’s real. Look it up.

Sam is also afraid of the nightmare entertainers, so when a possessed clown steps into elevator with the younger Winchester on the heels of a  murder, his eyes widen in an uncomfortable fear that I know I’m not alone in relating to. Once again, the silence is what makes this scene send shivers down my spine, the notion that no one knows what the face under the painted on smile looks like.

Thanks to Supernatural, I know I’ll be having a nightmare or two in the coming days, though I’ll forgive them, because the rest of the episode makes some important connections to the larger story at hand.

The vengeful ghost isn’t resting because his sister had a role in his death. Once again, we see the connections between siblings, the importance of listening to them, and why it’s key to have faith in them.

This is a message that rings heavy week after week, as Sam consistently lays out his thoughts and fears to Dean, who fails to reciprocate and shuts down his brother’s theories. Sam, for the most part, continually stands by his vow of change from Supernatural Season 11 Episode 1. Sam doesn’t hold anything back from Dean.

Dean, on the other hand, has yet to share the truth about his connection to Amara to his brother. Where will that leave the Winchesters? Will they learn a valuable lesson from the masked killer’s strained relationship with his sister? We’ll need to stay tuned to be sure, but my gut tells me, “No.”

Donna: I won’t be once bitten twice Doug’d.

Donna is leery of men named Doug and rightfully so, since the last Doug she had a thing with was her ex-husband who cruely fat shamed her.

Her new partner Doug is nothing like the former Doug in Donna’s life. His kindness is unwavering, and while he doesn’t believe her cover stories for Sam and Dean, he is more than happy to accept that she has baggage and proudly proclaims to have baggage of his own.

Each time we get a glimpse into Donna’s life, she’s become stronger and more empowered. She isn’t the same woman who got her fat sucked by a demon in Season 9. She’s more confidant in fighting monsters now that she’s had the help of Officer Jody, who I wish we had seen in conjunction with Donna.

Now it seems like Donna has herself a new Doug. This one might be a keeper.

While there were no major “AHA!” moments in “Plush,” the episode still leaves its mark on Season 11 with its own brand of monster humor, the kind that can only be found on Supernatural.

The show has yet to make a misstep with any of its outings yet this season and is on a course to cement itself as one of the top seasons of the eleven year run. The writing staff manages to find new ways to reinvent themselves while still sticking to formulas that viewers know and love, like say, killer bunnies and clowns.

What did you think of “Plush?” Were you happy to see Donna make her return? Are you on good terms with your siblings? Sound off in the comments below!

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Supernatural airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on The CW.