'Supernatural's "Like A Virgin" is like watching for the very first time

It feels like a long, long time since we here at LA TV Insider Examiner got to sit down and write about Supernatural. We mean more than just the live-Tweet-a-longs we do for the west coast airings. But just because we’ve fallen a little silent with preview commentary doesn’t mean we haven’t been following the show in all of its post-pit world. And all of this time away has only made the expectations for the return episode, “Like A Virgin,” grow exponentially in our minds. Lucky for (all of) us, the episode more than delivers!

For those of you who may have fallen off a bit during the hiatus, you won’t need a refresher right here, right now. The episode itself gives that to us not only with a little pre-amble “catch up” clip package but also by reiterating the key issues of the first half of the season by reiterating them and promising to deliver on them for the back end.

After making a somewhat unsavory deal with Death (Julian Richings), Dean (Jensen Ackles) manages to get Sam (Jared Padalecki)’s soul crammed back into his body, much to Castiel (Misha Collins)’s dismay. It is in there now when “Like A Virgin” opens, stuffed behind a wall in order to hide the scars it obtained from being batted around down in hell. Sam was advised not to scratch the wall. But you really can’t tell an addict not to scratch at their itch and expect them to just fall in line. And you really can’t expect Sam, of all people, to just fall in line, either.

So now that you’re all caught up, let’s get to “Like A Virgin,” shall we? And more importantly, let’s get to what YOU wanted to know.

“Like A Virgin” picks up immediately from where “Appointment in Samarra” left off.

Quite literally, the first time we see Dean, Sam, and Bobby (Jim Beaver), they are all still in Bobby’s house, awaiting the fate of Sam’s soul. It is mere minutes after the deed has been done and Castiel, still not happy about it, gives Dean another talking-to before leaving the guys to their own devices…at least for a little while.

Sam’s soul may be back in place but it isn’t just location, location, location this time.

We can’t really say what Sam’s state is after the return of his soul. Not just because we have been asked not to divulge spoilers from the episode but because things are rarely what they seem on the surface when it comes to Sam anyway. The ramifications of what he went through in the year and a half (give or take) living and hunting without his soul-- and those of that same timeframe for his soul down in the pit-- are bound to be much deeper and more complex than a cheeky little episode like this can showcase. Excuse the pun, but we really may just be scratching the surface here…

Dean puts everything on the line for Sam and continues to ignore his brother from another mother.

Jake Abel has been off making movies (you can see him right now in I Am Number Four). But even if he wasn’t, we don’t think Dean would have worried too much about Adam down in the pit. In an earlier season six episode, he was brought up casually, to point out to viewers that the writers hadn’t forgotten he fell into hell, too, but also to be able to move on. Dean didn’t grow up with Adam-- Adam is still a stranger to him-- so he may stop at nothing to save his Sammy but at this juncture may also do nothing for Adam. Him falling was probably the closing of his storybook.

Tender moments abound, but so does tension.

It’s not a spoiler to say that Sam is able to get up and walk around and even hunt again, post-soul-restoring “surgery.” You can see as much in the episode slideshow to the left. And since Dean was so worried about his brother, there will be quite a few tender moments of hugging, camaraderie, and special chats. But there is also some residual tension, at least on Bobby’s end, for the way Sam treated him. You know, it’s not everyday you just forget, let alone forgive, someone you love holding a knife to you!

Death won't come a'calling on Dean any time soon.

Well, at least according to Dean himself, who is one hundred percent convinced that the deal he made with the Horseman is done and paid in full. He had leverage, you see, and he held up his end (well, sort of…). This won’t be like the crossroads deal!

But speaking of death-- it’s not out of the picture for everyone, like, you know, the titular virgins.

Post-Crowley (Mark Sheppard), the recent string of “girl-nappings” that take place on land-- and in the sky (yes, seriously)-- are to serve a greater purpose. Every religion-- every mythology-- has tales of sacrifice, and in many ways this is just another version.

Speaking of Crowley, he is still physically missing in action but his presence lingers.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, they took care of him already, we know. But don’t you know that Supernatural can (and often does!) bring just about anybody back? Back from hell, back from death, back from heaven… So we still hold out hope that Sheppard will make a triumphant return.

In “Like A Virgin,” Bobby is working on translating a really old book-- a manual, if you will-- to figure out exactly for what the virgins are being taken. Dean makes a mention of Crowley and then holds a somewhat lingering gaze after finishing his thought. It’s not a moment ripe for a surprise return, but it is enough to make you wonder if when all is said and done there is a ritual somewhere that could unleash all of the previously vanquished demons back on Earth.

Dragons, dude.

Sam is back to what he knows best: research and finds that all of the clues in their recent case add up to one thing. One thing which he is adamant doesn’t exist. In fact, so is Bobby. But Dean knows they’ve had a really weird year and the things they hunt don’t play by the same rules anymore and so he implores them to dig a little deeper. This episode really is all about first times!

With the Campbells in their dust, these three guys need to call in new reinforcements-- AKA Dean makes a new friend.

No, not some young, previously undefiled, pretty girl. He prefers ladies with experience, after all! And he sure meets one when he goes in search of how to slay a dragon. Her name? Dr. Visiak (Kim Johnston Ulrich)-- a woman who has a past with Bobby and who proves to be of great help to Dean with finding a weapon that can get the job done. Will she be a one-off or will she come in handy as a confidante, ala Ellen or Pamela, later? Well, you’ll just have to keep tuning in to find out!

“Like A Virgin” has a great mix of lighthearted humorous banter between the brothers and some seriously heavy drama. Though you hear “dragons” and think it could be campy or that the series might have bitten off more than their budget could chew, they handled the story in such a way that the most powerful moments are not the effects but the very human emotions flooding through each and every player. But this episode is not merely a stand-alone; it introduces the next great foe for the boys-- one that just like Yellow Eyes and Lilith before…it will take a while before they come face to face, let alone have a chance at stopping it. Is it odd that it is in those challenges that we find the most beauty, and hope, in the show?

Supernatural returns to The CW, Fridays at 9pm, beginning February 4th. But before you go, allow us to leave you with some of our favorite (and again, non-spoilery) new quotable lines from the episode. Be sure to come back here on Friday to leave your favorite quotes (and moments) from “Like A Virgin” in the comments!

“Just because it kills your liver don’t mean it ain’t medicine.” – Bobby Singer

“I’m sending Death a damn fruit basket!” – Dean Winchester

“What was that?” [Re: Bobby’s attitude] – Sam Winchester

“One part age, one part liquor.” – Dean Winchester

“Nobody’s judging anybody here…but should you really be wearing that ring?” – Dean Winchester

“Well, I mean, I am…” – Melissa

“Really?” – Dean Winchester

“Matt Barne didn’t count!” – Melissa

“What kind of thing likes virgins and gold?” – Sam Winchester

“P. Diddy?” – Dean Winchester