Difference between revisions of "14.06 Optimism"
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| − | In McCook, Nebraska, Harper | + | In McCook, Nebraska, [[Harper Sayles]] arrives to work at her small town's library. As she is shelving books, Winston Mathers surprises Harper. They discuss their plans for a dinner date later, when Miles interrupts them, brandishing a stapler to protect Harper. Winston leaves the library, confidently striding along the street. Suddenly, Winston is pulled into the bushes, screaming as blood flies out of the bushes. |
| − | In the Bunker, Dean comes across Jack in the kitchen. | + | In [[the Bunker]], [[Dean]] comes across [[Jack]] in the kitchen trying to understand his new taste buds since losing his grace. He tells Dean that Sam has gone to meet up with [[Charlie Bradbury (Apocalypse World)|Charlie]] while Dean was on an overnight run to [[Mary]] and [[Bobby Singer (Apocalypse World)|Bobby]]. Jack wistfully comments that Sam and Charlie are probably doing something really exciting. |
| − | Sam and Charlie sit in silence in a blue pick-up truck | + | Outside Memphis, Tennessee Sam and Charlie sit in silence in a blue pick-up truck parked across from an empty bus shelter where Charlie says four people have gone missing. Sam asks Charlie again about the location and disappearances at the bus shelter. Charlie tells him when she was scouting around, she found some “goo,” which she produces to Sam in a jar. Charlie is reading books to figure out what they are dealing with. |
| − | Jack tells Dean that Jack was left at the Bunker so that someone would be around when Dean returned | + | Jack tells Dean that Jack was left at the Bunker so that someone would be around when Dean returned, telling Dean that Sam is worried about him. Jack tells Dean that what happened with [[Michael (Apocalypse World)|Michael]] is not Dean’s fault. Despite what Jack tells him, Dean still blames himself. Jack coughs and jokes that maybe he’s allergic to sitting around doing nothing; he wants to hunt, however Sam won’t let Jack hunt alone, but points to his and [[Castiel]]'s success hunting together. Dean tells Jack that Cas is an insurance policy on those hunts and that Sam just wants to keep Jack safe. Jack has found the death in McCook, Nebraska and wants to check it out with Dean, Dean says he’ll go check it out alone. Jack objects, telling Dean that everyone is supposed to hunt with a partner and Jack needs something to do. Jack tells Dean he feels guilty for not killing Michael when he had his powers and Dean reassures Jack that he didn’t do anything wrong. Finally agree to the hunt, Dean call Sam and let him know. |
| − | In McCook, Dean and Jack, posing as FBI agents, interview a waitress at Winston’s regular breakfast diner. | + | In McCook, Dean and Jack, posing as FBI agents, interview a waitress at Winston’s regular breakfast diner. The waitress reluctantly agrees to discuss Winston, after Dean bribes her. The waitress, Wanda, advises them to find Harper because they were courting. Jack and Dean continue questioning people ranging from a construction worker, Wanda, and two local women, Dean and Jack find out that Harper is really sweet and popular, and that her boyfriend ran off on her, her bad luck with men, and her love for romance novels. They all agree she’s bad luck. |
| − | In the pick-up truck, Sam is worried about Dean. | + | In the pick-up truck, Sam is worried about Dean. Charlie suggests calling another friend to check on him, Sam says there used to be someone: their [[Charlie]]. Charlie says that’s not her and they discuss Charlie’s experience in the [[Apocalypse World]] and the angel war. Charlie reveals much like Sam's Charlie, she was a programmer with [[Richard Roman Enterprises]] and lived with the love of her life, Kara, who was a cupcake baker in Chicago. She tells Sam that Kara eventually died in the early days of the Apocalypse, and after witnessing how society falls, she doesn't wish to be around people anymore. |
| − | Back in the diner, Dean and Jack are eating pie. | + | Back in the diner, Dean and Jack are eating [[pie]]. Jack wants to know what “courting” means, Dean tells him when they get back to the Bunker, they’ll have “the talk.” But for right now, they are going to find Harper. When Jack asks how, Dean asks if Jack has ever read a romance novel. Dean enters the library to begin interviewing Harper about Winston’s death. Harper refuses, but Dean insists. Jack (now in street clothes and not his FBI suit) enters the library, interrupting Dean and Harper by asking for a book. Jack stands up for Harper’s refusal to answer Dean’s questions. Dean calls Jack a “kid” and Jack calls Dean an “old man” causing Dean to leave in a huff. Harper, clearly smitten with Jack, thanks him for being chivalrous and realizes she has the perfect book, back at her apartment. As they leave the library, Miles wants to know where they are going and objects that Harper is taking a stranger to her apartment. Harper tells him to stop and leaves with Jack as Miles storms off. Having observed all this from Baby, Dean begins to follow Harper and Jack. Miles goes to take the out trash in the alley and is attacked. Dean hears a scream and sees trash cans get turned over. Upon investigating, Dean finds Miles has been killed. |
| − | Dean enters the library to begin interviewing Harper about Winston’s death. | ||
| − | + | Back in the pick-up truck, Charlie says that she hates hunting. Sam is surprised because Charlie is an awesome hunter, Charlie says the job is too much pain and that this is her last case. She wants to go away to live on a mountaintop or something. Charlie thinks the [[monster]] may be a [[musca]] -- a hybrid between a man and a fly that no one has ever seen in real life. Charlie’s book describes the goo that an unmated musca uses to bind people’s bodies and nest. A figure dressed in black and wearing a black beekeeper-like headpiece approaches the bus stop and sits down next to two ladies. The ladies get up and leave. | |
| − | + | At Harper’s apartment, Jack sets a trap, placing a [[silver]] coin on the ground and dousing his hands in [[holy water]] for Harper, as well as muttering “[[Christo]]” under his breath. Harper has no response to any of these things. They sit on the couch and talk and Jack tells Harper that he lives in Lebanon, Kansas. Harper’s family has been in McCook for generations. She asks Jack if he believes in love at first sight, but Jack excuses himself to the bathroom after getting a text from Dean. In the bathroom, Jack calls Dean and tells Dean that Harper is not a demon and that he’s 99% sure she’s in love with him. Dean tells Jack about Miles and refutes Jack’s idea that Harper is in love with him, but Jack wants to be sure asks Dean to tell him everything he knows about sex. Suddenly, Dean is attacked and drops the call. As Jack and Harper make plans to have coffee, Dean bursts into the apartment. As he barricades the door, Dean explains that he and Jack are not FBI and that they are there to save lives. Dean recognizes the photo of Harper’s ex-boyfriend, [[Vance]], as the [[zombie]] creature attacking the door. Vance breaks into the apartment and fights with Dean while Jack and Harper run back to the library to hide. | |
| − | + | It’s nighttime and Sam and Charlie are still staking out the bus shelter. Sam tries to convince Charlie not to walk away from people and hunting when the black-clad figure sits down at the bus stop next to a man. Sam and Charlie see the man being dragged down an alley by the black figure. They chase them to a warehouse where Sam questions the lore that a brass nail dipped in sugar water will kill a musca, but since they don’t have that, they will get creative. As they enter the warehouse, Sam and Charlie notice flies buzzing around and the smell of pine cleaner and rotting meat. They split up and Charlie finds the victim, alive, in a pile of other dead victims. As she calls for Sam’s help, she is grabbed by the musca. Charlie gets free but is momentarily knocked out. Sam rushes to check on her and is attacked by the musca. As the musca overpowers Sam, Charlie comes to and stabs the musca in the back while; Sam shoots it in the chest killing him. | |
| − | + | During the fight with Dean, Vance pauses and runs out of the apartment. In the library, Harper unlocks the door and lets in zombie Vance, who presents her with the book Jack discarded and the two kiss. Harper reveals that Vance is her boyfriend and that he is stalking Jack as a game they play to enhance their relationship as well as keep Vance's dead body maintained through feeding on people. Vance chases Jack through the library’s stacks while through the PA system, Harper explains that she comes from a long line of [[necromancers]] and realizes Jack is a [[hunter]] and will have to die despite her actually liking Jack, telling him that nothing can get in the way of the first love she and Vance share. Dean catches up to Jack while he’s hiding and they hatch a plan. Jack talks to Harper, trying to lure Vance out into the open, that they can make it their relationship work. Vance rushes Jack, and Dean shoots Vance. They struggle and as Harper encourages him to kill Dean, Jack appears and handcuffs Vance to some pipes with Dean, which allows Harper to escape. In the diner, Harper writes Jack a love letter saying that when she finds Jack, she'll still have to kill for what he did to Vance, but that she can then bring him back and they can be together. The letter is addressed to Jack Smith, Lebanon, Kansas, PO Box. | |
| − | + | Driving in the pick-up truck, Sam and Charlie discuss the case. Sam tries to convince Charlie to stay, using the musca as an analogy. As Charlie points out the holes in Sam’s argument, we see a group of muscas arrive at the warehouse and carry out the body of the dead musca. Charlie agrees to think about staying. | |
| − | + | Back in the Bunker, Dean and Jack discuss the case and Dean tells Jack he did a good job. Jack wants to be allowed to go on hunts due to being right about the case. Dean talks about how in hunting, mistakes happen. It’s how you handle yourself after the mistakes and learn from them that matters. Jack adds that it’s also about forgiving yourself for mistakes. Dean agrees to talk to Sam about Jack going on more hunts. Jack begins to cough, and spits up blood in his hand, and then passes out on the floor as Dean checks on him. | |
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|Characters= | |Characters= | ||
* [[Sam Winchester]] | * [[Sam Winchester]] | ||
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}} | }} | ||
{{TriviaQuote |Text= | {{TriviaQuote |Text= | ||
| − | Jack uses the phrase "Christo" to test if Harper Sayles is [[possessed]]. This is the first time since [[1.04 Phantom Traveler]] that this method of demon testing has been used on the show. The lack of its use since season one has long been a bugbear of fandom. | + | Jack uses the phrase "[[Christo]]" to test if Harper Sayles is [[possessed]]. This is the first time since [[1.04 Phantom Traveler]] that this method of demon testing has been used on the show. The lack of its use since season one has long been a bugbear of fandom. |
}} | }} | ||
{{TriviaQuote |Text= | {{TriviaQuote |Text= | ||
Revision as of 23:49, 20 November 2018
| |
| Title | Optimism |
| Episode # | Season 14, Episode 6 |
| First aired | November 15, 2018 |
| Directed by | Richard Speight, Jr. |
| Written by | Steve Yockey |
| On IMDB | Optimism |
| Outline | Sam goes on a hunt with Charlie Bradbury and has to confront that she is not the same Charlie he lost. Dean and Jack investigate a series of possible monster-related deaths. |
| Monster | Harper Sayles Musca Zombie |
| Timeline | |
| Location(s) | McCook, Nebraska Lebanon, Kansas Outside Memphis, Tennessee |
| « Previous Episode | Next Episode » | |
Contents
Synopsis
In McCook, Nebraska, Harper Sayles arrives to work at her small town's library. As she is shelving books, Winston Mathers surprises Harper. They discuss their plans for a dinner date later, when Miles interrupts them, brandishing a stapler to protect Harper. Winston leaves the library, confidently striding along the street. Suddenly, Winston is pulled into the bushes, screaming as blood flies out of the bushes.
In the Bunker, Dean comes across Jack in the kitchen trying to understand his new taste buds since losing his grace. He tells Dean that Sam has gone to meet up with Charlie while Dean was on an overnight run to Mary and Bobby. Jack wistfully comments that Sam and Charlie are probably doing something really exciting.
Outside Memphis, Tennessee Sam and Charlie sit in silence in a blue pick-up truck parked across from an empty bus shelter where Charlie says four people have gone missing. Sam asks Charlie again about the location and disappearances at the bus shelter. Charlie tells him when she was scouting around, she found some “goo,” which she produces to Sam in a jar. Charlie is reading books to figure out what they are dealing with.
Jack tells Dean that Jack was left at the Bunker so that someone would be around when Dean returned, telling Dean that Sam is worried about him. Jack tells Dean that what happened with Michael is not Dean’s fault. Despite what Jack tells him, Dean still blames himself. Jack coughs and jokes that maybe he’s allergic to sitting around doing nothing; he wants to hunt, however Sam won’t let Jack hunt alone, but points to his and Castiel's success hunting together. Dean tells Jack that Cas is an insurance policy on those hunts and that Sam just wants to keep Jack safe. Jack has found the death in McCook, Nebraska and wants to check it out with Dean, Dean says he’ll go check it out alone. Jack objects, telling Dean that everyone is supposed to hunt with a partner and Jack needs something to do. Jack tells Dean he feels guilty for not killing Michael when he had his powers and Dean reassures Jack that he didn’t do anything wrong. Finally agree to the hunt, Dean call Sam and let him know.
In McCook, Dean and Jack, posing as FBI agents, interview a waitress at Winston’s regular breakfast diner. The waitress reluctantly agrees to discuss Winston, after Dean bribes her. The waitress, Wanda, advises them to find Harper because they were courting. Jack and Dean continue questioning people ranging from a construction worker, Wanda, and two local women, Dean and Jack find out that Harper is really sweet and popular, and that her boyfriend ran off on her, her bad luck with men, and her love for romance novels. They all agree she’s bad luck.
In the pick-up truck, Sam is worried about Dean. Charlie suggests calling another friend to check on him, Sam says there used to be someone: their Charlie. Charlie says that’s not her and they discuss Charlie’s experience in the Apocalypse World and the angel war. Charlie reveals much like Sam's Charlie, she was a programmer with Richard Roman Enterprises and lived with the love of her life, Kara, who was a cupcake baker in Chicago. She tells Sam that Kara eventually died in the early days of the Apocalypse, and after witnessing how society falls, she doesn't wish to be around people anymore.
Back in the diner, Dean and Jack are eating pie. Jack wants to know what “courting” means, Dean tells him when they get back to the Bunker, they’ll have “the talk.” But for right now, they are going to find Harper. When Jack asks how, Dean asks if Jack has ever read a romance novel. Dean enters the library to begin interviewing Harper about Winston’s death. Harper refuses, but Dean insists. Jack (now in street clothes and not his FBI suit) enters the library, interrupting Dean and Harper by asking for a book. Jack stands up for Harper’s refusal to answer Dean’s questions. Dean calls Jack a “kid” and Jack calls Dean an “old man” causing Dean to leave in a huff. Harper, clearly smitten with Jack, thanks him for being chivalrous and realizes she has the perfect book, back at her apartment. As they leave the library, Miles wants to know where they are going and objects that Harper is taking a stranger to her apartment. Harper tells him to stop and leaves with Jack as Miles storms off. Having observed all this from Baby, Dean begins to follow Harper and Jack. Miles goes to take the out trash in the alley and is attacked. Dean hears a scream and sees trash cans get turned over. Upon investigating, Dean finds Miles has been killed.
Back in the pick-up truck, Charlie says that she hates hunting. Sam is surprised because Charlie is an awesome hunter, Charlie says the job is too much pain and that this is her last case. She wants to go away to live on a mountaintop or something. Charlie thinks the monster may be a musca -- a hybrid between a man and a fly that no one has ever seen in real life. Charlie’s book describes the goo that an unmated musca uses to bind people’s bodies and nest. A figure dressed in black and wearing a black beekeeper-like headpiece approaches the bus stop and sits down next to two ladies. The ladies get up and leave.
At Harper’s apartment, Jack sets a trap, placing a silver coin on the ground and dousing his hands in holy water for Harper, as well as muttering “Christo” under his breath. Harper has no response to any of these things. They sit on the couch and talk and Jack tells Harper that he lives in Lebanon, Kansas. Harper’s family has been in McCook for generations. She asks Jack if he believes in love at first sight, but Jack excuses himself to the bathroom after getting a text from Dean. In the bathroom, Jack calls Dean and tells Dean that Harper is not a demon and that he’s 99% sure she’s in love with him. Dean tells Jack about Miles and refutes Jack’s idea that Harper is in love with him, but Jack wants to be sure asks Dean to tell him everything he knows about sex. Suddenly, Dean is attacked and drops the call. As Jack and Harper make plans to have coffee, Dean bursts into the apartment. As he barricades the door, Dean explains that he and Jack are not FBI and that they are there to save lives. Dean recognizes the photo of Harper’s ex-boyfriend, Vance, as the zombie creature attacking the door. Vance breaks into the apartment and fights with Dean while Jack and Harper run back to the library to hide.
It’s nighttime and Sam and Charlie are still staking out the bus shelter. Sam tries to convince Charlie not to walk away from people and hunting when the black-clad figure sits down at the bus stop next to a man. Sam and Charlie see the man being dragged down an alley by the black figure. They chase them to a warehouse where Sam questions the lore that a brass nail dipped in sugar water will kill a musca, but since they don’t have that, they will get creative. As they enter the warehouse, Sam and Charlie notice flies buzzing around and the smell of pine cleaner and rotting meat. They split up and Charlie finds the victim, alive, in a pile of other dead victims. As she calls for Sam’s help, she is grabbed by the musca. Charlie gets free but is momentarily knocked out. Sam rushes to check on her and is attacked by the musca. As the musca overpowers Sam, Charlie comes to and stabs the musca in the back while; Sam shoots it in the chest killing him.
During the fight with Dean, Vance pauses and runs out of the apartment. In the library, Harper unlocks the door and lets in zombie Vance, who presents her with the book Jack discarded and the two kiss. Harper reveals that Vance is her boyfriend and that he is stalking Jack as a game they play to enhance their relationship as well as keep Vance's dead body maintained through feeding on people. Vance chases Jack through the library’s stacks while through the PA system, Harper explains that she comes from a long line of necromancers and realizes Jack is a hunter and will have to die despite her actually liking Jack, telling him that nothing can get in the way of the first love she and Vance share. Dean catches up to Jack while he’s hiding and they hatch a plan. Jack talks to Harper, trying to lure Vance out into the open, that they can make it their relationship work. Vance rushes Jack, and Dean shoots Vance. They struggle and as Harper encourages him to kill Dean, Jack appears and handcuffs Vance to some pipes with Dean, which allows Harper to escape. In the diner, Harper writes Jack a love letter saying that when she finds Jack, she'll still have to kill for what he did to Vance, but that she can then bring him back and they can be together. The letter is addressed to Jack Smith, Lebanon, Kansas, PO Box.
Driving in the pick-up truck, Sam and Charlie discuss the case. Sam tries to convince Charlie to stay, using the musca as an analogy. As Charlie points out the holes in Sam’s argument, we see a group of muscas arrive at the warehouse and carry out the body of the dead musca. Charlie agrees to think about staying.
Back in the Bunker, Dean and Jack discuss the case and Dean tells Jack he did a good job. Jack wants to be allowed to go on hunts due to being right about the case. Dean talks about how in hunting, mistakes happen. It’s how you handle yourself after the mistakes and learn from them that matters. Jack adds that it’s also about forgiving yourself for mistakes. Dean agrees to talk to Sam about Jack going on more hunts. Jack begins to cough, and spits up blood in his hand, and then passes out on the floor as Dean checks on him.
Characters
Definitions
- Alcohol
- Aliases
- Christo
- Costumes & Disguises
- Holy Water
- Hunters
- Impala
- Men of Letters Bunker
- Monsters
- Musca
- Necromancy
- Pie
- Silver
- Silver, Salt, Holy Water Test
- Son of a Bitch
- Table of Death
- Undead
- Zombie
Music
- "Clocksukka" by Stefano Ruggeri (Extreme Music)
- (plays during the recap of previous events)
- "Stayin' Alive" by Bee Gees
- (playing as Winston struts down the street before his death)
- "Honky Tonk Queen" by Selecttracks
- (playing as Dean and Jack enter Dick's Red Rooster Diner)
- "I'll Go On Alone" by Marty Robbins
- (playing in the diner as Harper writes Jack a "love" letter)
Quotes
Dean: Hey. You didn't do anything wrong.
Dean: It's what you do before you start dating.
Jack: Oh, and that's the thing you do before the sex.
Sam: Wait, you -- you did?
Charlie: Yeah. So, your Charlie she... I guess she never met Kara.
Sam: Kara?
Jack: Okay. But if she is, I need to know everything about sex. Go.
Charlie: Why? 'Cause they're the luckiest people in the world?
Sam: No, come on. We just do. We're social animals.
Charlie: Emphasis on 'animals.'
Sam: Yeah, but you're also a hunter. The things that we've seen, it's not so easy to just walk away from it all.
Charlie: Believe me, I've tried.
Sam: Our Charlie tried.
Harper: What? He's my boyfriend. He just gets a little jealous sometimes.
Jack: But he's dead. And stalking you.
Sam: Okay, I know, I know. How about this? Don't leave. Hear me out. Sure, some people can do bad things when they're desperate or scared, but I mean, the guy we just saved, he has a wife, children. I'm not saying all people are good people or even that most people are, but if we help people, then maybe they'll help people and all that. And that's worth it. Even with all the tears and death -- it's worth it.
Jack: And how to not beat yourself up over them?
Dean: You know, Jack, you're pretty smart sometimes. I tell you what -- when Sam gets back, I'll talk to him about getting you out on more hunts.
Okay? In the meantime, we'll get you a crate of cough drops.
Trivia & References
Wanda: Listen, Deep State. Flashing a badge might work on people who don't have a working knowledge of the Constitution but that ain't me. Now I got to go earn some money.
- "Deep state" is often used to refer to an organization that operates within or on behalf of a government, but not in the interests of the people of a country.
- Mighty Mouse is a cartoon superhero who, although small, is mighty.
Charlie: Why? 'Cause they're the luckiest people in the world?
- "People who need people, Are the luckiest people in the world" is a line from the song "People" from the musical Funny Girl made famous by Barbra Streisand.
- Archie refers to Archie Andrews who is a comic book character in an eponymous stable of comics. Archie is a small-town high school senior. At the time this episode aired, a TV series inspired by the comics called Riverdale had just commenced its third season also on the CW.
Minutiae
Sam: Funny. You, uh -- You said something like that to me once long ago about hunting. Not you. Uh, sorry. Our Charlie.
- In 10.18 Book of the Damned, Charlie tells Sam:
- "Brothers. You know, I haven’t been a hunter for very long, but it feels like this is the life. Mostly ends in Sophie’s choices, death, or tears. Usually, all of the above, huh? How did this become my life? I mean, I was gonna own my own start-up, marry ScarJo, invent something cool. Now I’m just… I’m just happy to be alive."
Dean: No, no, no. Creeps like this, you got to get 'em back in their grave. Drive a silver stake through their heart to keep 'em there.
- This method of dispatching zombies has been used in 2.04 Children Shouldn't Play with Dead Things and 4.07 It's the Great Pumpkin, Sam Winchester. However, zombies raised by Death in 5.15 Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid required headshots, as well as Mother Plum, who was risen by the Black Grimoire in 13.12 Various & Sundry Villains which was an action done on Dean's suggestion.
