The plot had a witch playing poker for years, instead of money. An old man could suddenly become young again, and a young man could die of old age as a result. Bobby (Jim Beaver), hating himself for being relegated to a wheelchair, lost 25 years to the witch, Patrick, and Dean (Jensen Ackles, trying to recover them, gave 25 years to Bobby and lost another 25 himself. So he aged 50 years, and Sam (Jared Padalecki) had to save him.
The biggest problem with the episode was that old Dean was played by Chad Everett, and not Jensen Ackles. I do not understand this choice - presumably Ackles was given a few days off rather than play his older self - because it is not that hard or expensive anymore to age an adult 50 years. And Everett, regardless of how talented he might be, just wasn't Dean.
The moments he shared with Bobby, with both contemplating their age and misery, had far less impact because it was not our Dean who observed. And that was unfortunate since Bobby's misery and Sam and Dean's need of him in their lives was the important point.
In the end, Sam managed to beat Patrick, taking back the 50 years Dean had lost. Dean was restored and we got a hilarious little dance for him to rejoice. Then, in a bizarre side line, Patrick released his lady-love from the curse of eternal youth, because she could not stand living now that her own daughter had died from old age.
So the villain did not die, and you kind of didn't want him to because he was very sympathetic, but while he could be generous, mostly he still stole years from young men and would continue to do so for some time.
But next week, we get the channel changing episode, where Dean and Sam will visit game shows, procedurals and hospital dramas. It looks amazing. What do you think?
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