‘Supernatural’ Season 15, Episode 4 ‘Atomic Monsters’ Review: Chuck Picks Up The Story

Dealing with the aftermath of a major character death doesn’t get any easier no matter how many times you’ve seen them die in Supernatural. But, in this week’s episode titled “Atomic Monsters,” director Jensen Ackles puts out something a little refreshing. It features some kick-ass fight scenes, one of Ackles’ amazing songs, and oh, Chuck (Rob Benedict) and his previously annoying superfan ex. Speaking of Chuck, Rob Benedict killed it tonight. This guy can just go from puppy-face sad to downright psychopathic in one fluid second. And it’s honestly terrifying.

“Atomic Monsters” is just the right follow up to Supernatural’s last episode. It’s like a little taste of things we haven’t had in a while like laughter and normal monsters. At the same time, it’s also like the prelude flashing bright red in front of us. But, really, isn’t that what we’re here for? Here’s what went down in tonight’s supernatural cheerleader adventure.

A Little Bit of Normal Supernatural

The bunker is under attack and Dean is taking down demon after demon in one smooth, glorious, kickass action sequence. Soon after, he comes across a fallen comrade and discovers that it’s Benny (Ty Olsson), good old vampire pal Benny! But, just as quickly as the two reunited, Benny draws his last breath. Soldiering on, Dean turns the corner and comes face to face with his little brother. But, this Sam (Jared Padalecki)  is full-on demon blood Sam. Despite Dean begging him to fight the demon blood, it ultimately ends with Sam snapping his brother’s neck. Nothing to worry about though, because this is just Sam’s nightmare.

The CW

At breakfast, Dean consoles his brother over his grief for Rowena. In an attempt to provide a distraction, he finds a case for them to work on. Also, in one of the funniest bits of this episode, Dean tricks Sam into biting into his “veggie bacon” only it’s actually the real meat deal. Sam spits it right back out and declares the obvious. Dean reappears at the doorway saying, “You’re damn right it is!” Then, he proudly jabs at himself and declares himself “Meatman!”

The case is about a Beaverdale High cheerleader named Suzie found torn to pieces after incidents of cattle mutilations in Iowa. While Dean checks the morgue, Sam interviews the school principal. In the midst of his interview, however, two parents, Mr. and Mrs. Whitman, interrupt with their first-class first-world problem.

Apparently, they want Suzie’s service moved because their son’s lacrosse game would be on the same day and they’re having a Yale scout over.  And it would be the “end of the world” if their son didn’t get into his ideal school. Sam could barely keep his disdain for himself. Thankfully, the principal firmly says no to their ridiculous plea. Unfortunately, Sam didn’t get anything useful out of the principal. Dean, on the other hand, found a vampire fang in the morgue.

A Cheerleader Fetish?

When Sam and Dean visit the crime scene, they find it oddly clean of blood. It makes it all the more puzzling because vampires don’t usually dismember their victims and if they did, there would be a mess left behind. Suddenly, Beaverdale’s principal calls them up to report that another girl, Tori, has gone missing, this time from the school’s parking lot. The only thing they had in common was that they were both cheerleaders.

The CW

Later on, after talking to the school mascot, Dean finds out that Tori was next in line after Suzie to be the girl in charge. With both of them gone, the title falls on another cheerleader named Vanessa. Unfortunately, when they check her out, their cheerleader vampire theory is debunked by Vanessa’s braces. After that funny little incident, Sam finds one of the school cameras pointing to the parking lot.

Meanwhile, at the Whitmans, Mrs. Whitman and her son Billy (Burkely Duffield) are arguing about Suzie. Billy wants to help with the service but, Mrs. Whitman doesn’t want him to. Mr. Whitman comes along and ends the argument by just telling Billy to listen to his mother. This upsets both mother and son and so, they leave the patriarch of the family to clean up his suspiciously bloody hands. In the garage of the Whitmans, Tori lies weak, tied up, and blindfolded.

As Sam says, “Awesome Parenting.”

After checking the video cam, Sam and Dean trace a car leaving the scene to the Whitmans. And when they confront Mr. Whitman at his home with the truth, the old man easily surrenders. As Dean prepares to chop Mr. Whitmans head off, Sam heads to the garage to retrieve Tori. There, he finds her hooked up to a blood bag. Just before he could get her out though, Mrs. Whitman sneaks up and holds him hostage with a gun.

The CW

As they all pile back out into the living room, Mr. Whitman urges his wife to give it up. He begs her to just take their son and leave. Hearing the commotion, Billy comes down. As Dean announces that Mr. Whitman is a vampire, the father and son share a look. Suddenly, Sam pieces together Mr. Whitman’s easy surrender and shifty behavior and concludes that he’s not the vampire. It’s his son.

Apparently, they’ve been sustaining Billy with cattle blood. But, he lost control with Suzie who was his girlfriend. After that, he told his parents and they chopped her up to make it look like just your average grizzly murder. Then, the Whitmans kidnapped Tori to keep her as a personal blood bag. Awesome parenting right? Only in Supernatural.

Crossroads of Freedom

Mr. Whitman defends their actions by saying that they’d do anything for their child. They’d die for them or kill for them as Mrs. Whitman helpfully adds. But, as it turns out, Billy’s not having any of this as well. Calming his mom until she sets the gun on the table, Billy takes responsibility for his actions knowing that he couldn’t and wouldn’t be able to control himself. “I’m a monster,” he says aloud.

Creating a plan, Billy tells his parents to put the blame on his for Tori’s kidnapping. Then, he surrenders himself to the Winchesters. “You and me, we’re gonna go for a ride,” he says. “That’s how this works right?” As Jensen’s “Sounds of Someday” plays, the Whitmans call the police and turn their backs on their son while the Winchesters take Billy to the woods. There, a young boy willingly dies just as another monster at the hands of the Winchesters.

The CW

Afterward, we see the brothers back on the road in the Impala, a sight I feel like we haven’t seen in decades in Supernatural. But, Sam is still none the less relieved or happy. Dean misinterprets his brother’s recent behavior as Sam wanting to “cash out.” And he launches into a touching speech of doing the job for the people who have given one damn about them including Mary, Jack, and even Rowena. He also thinks they’re free to move on. But, that’s the thing.

Sam doesn’t feel like he can move on. All he’s feeling right now is the weight of everything they’ve lost. And because of that, he doesn’t really feel free.

God Continues the Story

While the brothers were busy hunting, Chuck, on the other hand, was busy visiting old flings a.k.a ex-super crazed Supernatural fan Becky (Emily Perkins). She has since retired from her obsessed fan days. Now, she is just a successful household mom making a living off of making unofficial Supernatural merchandise. She also makes the occasional fanfic now and then featuring Sam and Dean in a tamer lifestyle without the monsters. Subtly defensive, Chuck tries to insist that monsters are still fun and all. But, Becky dismisses it with a quick “meh.” Chuck’s surprised and little disappointed face right then were just golden.

Then, Chuck tells Becky about his falling out with the Winchesters and his sister’s abandonment which drove him to seek her out hoping his number one fan could make him feel big again. Basically, God’s looking for an ego boost. Unfortunately for him, Becky’s not that girl anymore. For the first time in a long time, she likes herself now, so, she doesn’t need Chuck anymore.

Sadly, Chuck acknowledges Becky’s statement. He’s happy for her. But, at that moment, he feels the opposite for himself. “I kinda hate me right now,” he says. Repenting, Becky tries to cheer him up by encouraging him to do the thing he loves most again, writing. Though hesitant at first, Becky goes all inspirational life coach on Chuck’s ass and gets him writing once again.

Chuck’s Ending

Later on, Becky reads Chuck’s draft and showers it with praise. However, when Chuck pushes her to give one comment, she goes on a tirade of everything that’s wrong or lacking in it including that it needed more jeopardy. With each comment, Chuck’s smile faded inch by inch until he was glowering at Becky. Now fueled by rage, Chuck delves back into writing.

After a few hours, Chuck finishes with a terrifyingly smug and satisfied face. However, Becky’s horrified with what she reads. As she notes, it’s dark and it’s just an ending. And Chuck croons, ” I don’t know how I’m gonna get there but, I know where I’m going.” He envisions that it’s just going to be “Supernatural: The End” and the cover will be a gravestone that says, Winchester. I don’t know about anybody else, but I’m not liking this foreboding.

Chuck thinks that the fans will love it (Really now?). But, in Becky’s words “It’s awful, horrible, it’s hopeless.” Before they could discuss it further, Becky’s husband and kids arrive. And without even properly introducing himself, Chuck snaps the husband and the kids away. And then, that’s when he tells Becky “Oh yeah, I’m God.” Then, he proceeds to snap her to dust too ala Thanos. It all ends with Chuck typing in a frenzy on Becky’s laptop with Sam and Dean’s bobbleheads propped on his desk.

Supernatural continues on Thursday, November 14th, with “Proverbs 17:3” at 8/7c on the CW.