Mark Watches ‘Supernatural’: S07E19 – Of Grave Importance

In the nineteenth episode of the seventh season of Supernatural, somehow, this show just made the saddest thing ever even sadder. Intrigued? Then it’s time for Mark to watch Supernatural. 

Trigger Warning: For discussion of grief.

Lord.

As distressing as this episode is, it’s a fascinating chance for Supernatural to show us what it’s like to be a spirit. Of course, it’s done in a manner designed to crush our own spirits. (SORRY, COULDN’T RESIST, DON’T HATE ME.) We meet a new hunter for the first time, and then five minutes later, SHE’S DEAD. Through her death, both she and Bobby deal with their own mortality, though in Bobby’s case, this is not so much “dealing” as it is facing the reality of his choice. I was satisfied, then, that so much of this episode was centered around Annie and Bobby. It had to be in order to be as effective as it was. The case itself was fairly interesting – a serial killer who stays a serial killer, even after death – but I liked what it brought out in everyone.

In particular, “Of Grave Importance” does a lot of worldbuilding for Supernatural, some of it subtle, some of it a lot more obvious. By putting us in Bobby’s shoes, we see why his state as a spirit is so frustrating. All of his attempts to interact with the Winchesters or to get their attention are given context. We find out that they exhausted him, which is why he seemed to show up randomly. While Bobby isn’t corporeal, there’s still an expenditure of energy, though it’s more of a metaphysical, specter energy than anything else. This energy can, eventually, run out, which is what we see of some of the ghosts in this episode. GHOSTS CAN “DIE.” Which is why the threat of Van Ness feels so real! After we see him absorb the energy of both Dexter O’Connell and Victoria, we fear for Annie and Bobby. Will they be doomed to a life of nothingness if he gets to them?

However, that’s not the real question that this episode is asking. Because Bobby is the only spirit in the Van Ness House who is willingly there, he’s forced to openly talk about his choice to remain behind to help the Winchesters. Of course I want him to be around, and he seems fairly satisfied to be ghost given his other options. But is this the best situation for Bobby? Annie isn’t so sure, and she admits that she’d prefer nothingness to being a ghost. I thought that was pretty bold for the show to do, given that it’s fairly rare for that kind of existentialism to be displayed on television. Of course, hunters are often quite existential in nature, but still. Annie doesn’t want heaven or hell; she just wants to be done.

So where does Bobby fit in to this world? We watch him as he becomes desperate to reach out to Sam and Dean, all so he can help them. It’s heartbreaking. Even when he takes Haskel Crane’s advice and learns to focus enough to interact with the physical world, he’s not given the reaction he expected. When he was finally able to break through and write a message in the mirror, I imagine that he anticipated some sort of joyous reunion. To me, “Of Grave Importance” explores Bobby’s own perception of the world now that he’s a ghost, and that transition is a vital part of that perception. The message is an undeniable sign that he’s back, and it’s also an undeniable demonstration of how Bobby can help. But I think he truly thought that Sam and Dean would welcome him back with open arms and no reservations. This way, he’d still have a part in it. He could ignore the ramifications of his decision to stay. He could ignore his inevitable degradation. He could keep living. Well, as a ghost, but it allows him a state of delusion in a way.

But that’s not going to work. I admit that the idea of a ghost being a hunter is about the coolest thing in the universe, but how would that actually work? Even if we ignore that, there are still issues left behind. Sam and Dean already mourned Bobby. And now he’s back? Except… he’s not? It’s complicated, and when it comes down to it, it feels wrong. (Which is ironic, of course, since both Sam and Dean are literal examples of upsetting the natural order.) What if Bobby becomes a vengeful spirit? How can this ever end well? I’m glad they’re asking these questions, as uncomfortable as they are. But ultimately, it just makes me feel SO FUCKING SAD. This character stayed behind out of duty; he felt like he had to make sure that Sam and Dean had help to get through this Leviathan nightmare. And that’s admirable! It is! It fits so perfectly within Bobby’s characterization because loyalty’s always been one of his more obvious traits. However, that doesn’t give us a rosy future. They have to accept that Bobby could change at any moment, that anything could trigger him to become a vengeful spirit.

What then? Could they really banish him? Could they lose him a second time? UGH, I DON’T WANT TO THINK ABOUT THIS.

The video for “Of Grave Importance” can be downloaded here for $0.99.

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