Supernatural Review: The Heroes’ Journey (Season 15 Episode 10)
As the final season of Supernatural winds down, it can be expected to continue to both propel toward the endgame in terms of plot, and serve as a parade of recurring guest stars to take their final bow.
Supernatural Season 15 Episode 10, “The Heroes’ Journey,” leans more toward the latter as old friend Garth, a once hunter turned domesticated werewolf (lycanthrope) dentist, returns for his final bow during Supernatural‘s final season.
Really, “The Heroes’ Journey” otherwise feels pretty contrived in terms of plot. Sure, the Winchesters losing God’s favor and being helpless is a fun plot, but mostly this feels like a reason to put Garth back on the show. Not that that’s a bad thing.
As a matter of fact, “The Heroes’ Journey” is one of the better standalone stories they’ve told with a returning guest star. Catching up with Garth is great, but the journey that Sam, Dean, and Garth have during this episode is both cathartic and inspiring.
Sam and Dean are met with a string of “bad luck” on “The Heroes’ Journey” after upsetting Chuck, who has his full power restored. To watch the boys be “normal” for an episode is quite funny, but it also makes them effectively useless at fighting monsters. But onward they press, hoping to destroy a warehouse full of them who beat up Garth’s brother-in-law.
Dean: Then I guess we need a grenade launcher!
Their sudden incompetence also addresses, in a very meta way, some of the seemingly supernatural (no pun intended) successes the boys have had over the years. For instance – the “magic” debit card that Charlie set up for them so they didn’t have to run scams anymore.
The larger illustration, of course, is now that Sam and Dean are not favored by God – they’re not extraordinary in any way. They’re no longer his “favorite characters” if you will.
Of course, Sam and Dean’s sudden incompetence makes things seem hopeless — but that’s where Garth comes in. When Sam and Dean are in trouble, it’s Garth who comes to their rescue. More than once.
It’s clear that Garth, who has gone on many adventures with Sam and Dean, is inspired by the brothers Winchester and their heroics. He even named one of his twins “Sam” (the other Castiel).
Dean: That’s being a hero
Garth: I guess I learned from the best
That’s why seeing Garth help them out of a sticky spot is so inspiring. It’s really a love letter to all the heroic things the boys have done over the years, and illustrates the scope that Supernatural has.
“The Heroes’ Journey” serves as the perfect encore for Garth, and sets up an interesting journey in the show’s back half. On to Alaska!
A few stray thoughts:
- Dean’s tap dancing dream is one of my favorite weird bits from Supernatural as a whole.
- “Shifter? So you CHOSE that face?”
- Easily the best “normal” thing to happen to the boys – Dean’s lactose issues.
- “Hey slugger.” Garth’s suburban dad shtick is the best part of this episode, bar none.
- DJ Qualls is one of my favorite recurring characters and will be missed. That said, this is the perfect send-off for him.
What did you think of this episode of Supernatural? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Supernatural airs Thursdays at 8/7c on The CW.
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Nick Hogan
Nick Hogan is an experienced podcaster and writer (particularly on media topics), who loves discussion and analysis of TV and is always looking for new shows to watch. He is also a parent who loves buffalo wings, blowing raspberries, and his beloved Cincinnati Reds.