Playthings is so far my favorite Supernatural episode since the Christmas hiatus. Playthings has the boys back on a traditional job but the emotions between the brothers is still very high ever since the "revelation" of what John told Dean about Sam.Sam and Dean investigate the curious deaths at an old inn in Connecticut. Upon arriving at the inn, Sam notices a Hoodoo "five-spot" and both boys start thinking that the deaths may be linked to Hoodoo.
They also discover that the owner is planning on selling the inn, an old mansion that has been in the family for several generations. Sam and Dean don't know really what to think until the man representing the company who is buying the inn dies by hanging himself from the ceiling fan.
This really upsets Sam who turns to the bar in their room for comfort. Sam feels like a failure since he was unable to save the man, he should have been able to save him and Ava. Sam tells Dean that he feels that if can can save people, then he can save himself from his "destiny".
Dean discovers from the old bartender that the mother of the owner, Rose, had a Creole nanny who more than likely, taught Rose Hoodoo but the theory that the deaths were caused by Hoodoo is quickly dismissed when they go to see Rose and see that she has had a stroke which would make her unable to practice Hoodoo.
Sam and Dean are kicked out of the inn for disturbing Rose but they don't go far. In fact, Sam saves the owner from getting mowed down by her own car. Sam and Dean now know they are dealing with a spirit and that spirit turns out to be Rose's sister, Maggie, who has befriended the owner's daughter.
Now its a race to save the daughter from Maggie who wants her to drown so that they can be together forever. Sam saves the girl just in the nick of time and Maggie leaves everyone alone until they go up to Rose's room and discover that she died.
The owner and her daughter, thank Sam and Dean and leave the inn. Sam and Dean start to take off when Sam brings up the conversation they had while Sam was drunk. Dean reminds Sam that he will always be there to save Sam but Sam also reminds Dean of the promise he made to John.
The very end of the episode shows the two girls, Maggie and Rose, playing together-forever.
Playthings had really good dialogue ("You're bossy... and short." and "The cure for a hangover is a nice greasy pork sandwich served on a dirty ashtray.") and emotion. Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki delivered the lines with perfect timing and execution. I don't think Supernatural would be half as good without these two talented young actors.
