History Recap / SupernaturalS02E15TallTales

* StockUnderwear: The Trickster is relaxing in a white tank top, red boxers, and black socks.

* SexyWalk: We get a nice MaleGaze look at the WomanInWhite's bum wiggling as she walks up the stairs of the college.

* WomanInWhite: The woman who visits the professor in the teaser. Like the [[Characters/SupernaturalGhosts Woman in White]] in the [[Recap/SupernaturalS01E01Pilot Pilot (S01, E01)]], she targets adulterous men.

* DrinkOrder:
** In Sam's version of events, Dean is a [[ButLiquorIsQuicker big fan]] of a drink called a [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_school_pranks#Nipple_cripple purple nurple]]. Executive Producer Jim Michaels [[LineToGod tweeted]] [[https://twitter.com/TheJimMichaels/status/121645860705673217 the recipe]].
** The Trickster is shown sipping from a flute of champagne.

* StockUnderwear: The Trickster is relaxing in a white wife-beater, red boxers, and black socks.

-->'''Sam:''' ''[{{flashback}}]'' But I want you to know...[[YouAreNotAlone I'm here for you.]] You brave little soldier. I acknowledge your pain. Come here. ''[grabs him in a hug]'' [[TooGoodForThisSinfulEarth You're too precious for this world]].
-->'''Sam:''' ''[present]'' I never said that!
-->'''Dean:''' You're always saying [[QueerPeopleAreFunny pansy stuff]] like that.

-->'''Dean:''' Y--Y--You guys aren't real.
-->'''Brunette:''' Trust me, sugar, it's gonna feel real.
* LaserGuidedKarma: The victims are made to suffer for their vices. Curtis, who enjoyed bullying the frat pledges, is owned by aliens who force him to participate in distasteful acts. The other victims suffer DeathByIrony.

* DreamSue: Dean retells an evening in a bar to Bobby as if he is a romantic Dream Sue, with hints of being a perfect [[TheHunter hunter]]. The entire setting is glamorized and a girl completely swoons over him and showers him with praise while he insists that he has to do his "duty" of interviewing her because "lives are at stake". Sam, by contrast, is turned into a whiny jerk who simply wants to interrupt Dean and his lover, eventually just descending into whining "BlahBlahBlah".

* WoodenStake: The way to kill a Trickster. It also appears to have something daubed on the point.

* FemmeFatale[=/=]WomanInBlack: In Dean's version of the story, the "classy chick" who was not named Starla is a grad student in anthropology and folklore wearing a black cocktail dress and black heels.

* ContestWinnerCameo: The band [[http://www.myspace.com/junkfood Junk Food]] won a competition on Website/{{Myspace}} sponsored by Creator/TheCW to have their song [[OfficialFanSubmittedContent "Next To You"]] played on ''Series/{{Supernatural}}''. It plays during Sam's version of the bar scene.

* WoodenStake: The way to kill a Trickster.

* YouLookFamiliar: Matreya Fedor, who plays Taylor, also played Tyler Thompson, in [[Recap/SupernaturalS02E11Playthings "Playthings" (S02, Ep11)]].

* NorseMythology: Bobby mentions Loki as an example of a Trickster.

Sam and Dean investigate the apparent suicide of a professor at [[WhereTheHellIsSpringfield Springfield University]] in Springfield, Ohio, where they hear a local legend that Crawford Hall, where the death occurred, is haunted by the spirit of a student who was having an affair with a professor and jumped from the window of room 669. However, when they investigate they find no evidence of a ghost and that Crawford Hall is only four stories tall, so it looks like the story is only an urban legend. Following this, a frat boy is abducted by aliens, and an animal researcher is eaten by an alligator in the sewer.

* NeverSmileAtACrocodile[=/=]ReptilesAreAbhorrent: The alligator in the sewer which devours the scientist.

* RewritingReality: The Trickster is recreating stories from ''Magazine/WeeklyWorldNews''. The abduction and sexual violation by an alien, the giant alligator in the sewer, and the chainsaw madman were all in articles the Trickster is shown reading.

[[caption-width-right:350:[[NotMakingThisUpDisclaimer {ACTUAL SCENE FROM EPISODE}]]]]
-->These punishments, they’re [[DeathByIrony almost poetic]]. Well, actually they’d be more like [[BawdySong a limerick]], but still...
--->'''--Dean'''

* ArbitrarySkepticism: Hunters of ghosts, demons, and vampires, find the idea of aliens unbelievable.

* AssholeVictim: Professor Cox, who cheats on his wife with students. Curtis, who bullied the frat pledges. The animal researcher.

** Dean [[JabbaTableManners eats]] chili fries on [[NeatFreak Sam's]] bed.

* BlackComedyRape: Despite being clearly distraught, Curtis' violation is PlayedForLaughs.

* BloodFromTheMouth: Dean, after the women in lingerie are done with him. The fake image of the Trickster after Dean stakes him.

* BreakupSong: "Walk Away" by Joe Walsh, which is the song Sam asks Dean to turn down, but instead Dean turns up the volume.

* ChainsawGood: The Trickster conjures up a mask wearing man wielding a chainsaw.
* CharacterExaggeration: Dean's tendencies to [[TheCasanova pick up women]] and [[BigEater enjoy eating]] are overemphasized in Sam's narration, and Sam's tendencies to be MrExposition and [[TheChick be supportive and concerned for others]] are overemphasized in Dean's narration.

* ContestWinnerCameo: The band [[http://www.myspace.com/junkfood Junk Food]] won a competition on Website/{{Myspace}} sponsored by TheCW to have their song [[OfficialFanSubmittedContent "Next To You"]] played on ''Series/{{Supernatural}}''. It plays during Sam's version of the bar scene.
* ContinuityNod: The brothers slide a knife under the window to undo the latch and enter the morgue, in the same way they entered one of the victim's homes in [[Recap/SupernaturalS02E13HousesOfTheHoly "The Houses of the Holy" (S02, E13)]].

* DanceOfRomance: A ParodiedTrope. The much shorter alien rests its head against Curtis' torso, wraps its arms around his waist, and then looks up into Curtis' eyes, while slow-dancing to "Lady in Red" by Music/ChrisDeBurgh under a [[{{Disco}} disco ball surrounded by flashing stars]].

-->'''Dean:''' [[SarcasmMode Oh, I'm sure he has]]. Just your typical [[NinjaPirateZombieRobot haunted campus, alien abduction, alligator-in-the-sewer]] gig. Yeah, it's simple.
* DeathByIrony: Professor Cox, the teacher of ethics and morality who [[YourCheatingHeart commits adultery]] with impressionable young students, is apparently killed by a vengeful spirit of a WomanScorned. The animal researcher is killed by a wild animal in an unexpected setting.

* DestinationDefenestration[=/=]NoEscapeButDown: The professor falls to his death from his office window.

-->'''Woman:''' Sorry, I just...can't even concentrate. It's like staring...into the sun.

* DontMakeMeDestroyYou: The Trickster asks Dean to take his offering and let him move on to the next town.
* DoubleStandardRapeSciFi: Curtis being probed by the aliens.
* DreamSue: Dean retells an evening in a bar to Bobby as if he is a romantic Dream Sue, with hints of being a perfect [[TheHunter hunter]] as well. The entire setting is glamorized, and a girl just completely swoons over him and showers him with praise, while he insists that he has to do his "duty" of interviewing her because lives are at stake. Sam by contrast is turned into a whiny jerk who simply wants to interrupt Dean and his lover, eventually just descending into whining "BlahBlahBlah".

!Non-trope items:
* [[Fridge/SupernaturalS02E15TallTales Fridge Items.]]
* [[YMMV/SupernaturalS02E15TallTales YMMV Items.]]

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* HeyItsThatGuy:
** Barclay Hope, who plays Professor Arthur Cox, also plays Colonel Lionel Pendergast in ''Series/StargateSG1'' and General Mansfield in ''Series/{{Eureka}}''.
** Neil Grayston, who plays the Frat Pledge who didn't like Curtis, also played Douglas Fargo in ''Series/{{Eureka}}''.
** Richard Speight Jr., who plays the Trickster, also plays Bill in ''Series/{{Jericho}}'' and Sgt. Warren "Skip" Muck in ''Series/BandOfBrothers''.

* DanceOfRomance: A ParodiedTrope. The much shorter alien rests its head against Curtis' torso, wraps its arms around his waist, and then looks up into Curtis' eyes, while slow-dancing to "Lady in Red" by Music/ChrisDeBurgh under a [[StandardDiscoEquipment disco ball surrounded by flashing stars]].

* ReadyForLovemaking: The blonde and brunette are on a round, red bed under a [[StandardDiscoEquipment disco ball]] with Music/BarryWhite playing when Dean enters the lecture hall.

** The air was let out of the Impala's tires, [[ThePreciousPreciousCar Dean's baby]].

'''Season 2, Episode 15''':

-->'''Starla:''' ''[[[VomitDiscretionShot gags into her hand]]]'' Sorry. [[HardDrinkingPartyGirl Just trying to keep my liquor down]].

-->'''Curtis:''' Well, if no one lives to tell the tale then how does the tale get told?

** A GhostStory about a WomanScorned who was DrivenToSuicide by an adulterous professor on the college campus 30 years ago.

** This episode was promoted in ''Weekly World News'' in an article titled [[http://books.google.com/books?id=0_QDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA7&lpg=PA7&dq=weekly+world+news+2007+supernatural&source=bl&ots=VDq1zH-QDH&sig=VrYP8Skfx-g9HPToMqgOlF2I9iQ&hl=en&sa=X&ei=FCZuUZ7GPOKA0AHGlYD4Bw&ved=0CEMQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=weekly%20world%20news%202007%20supernatural&f=false "Supernatural Menace Finds Demonic Inspiration in Weekly World News".]]
* WomanInWhite: The woman who visits the professor in the teaser. Like the [[Characters/SupernaturalGhosts Woman in White]] in the [[Recap/SupernaturalS01E01Pilot Pilot (S01, Ep01)]], she targets adulterous men.

-->'''Dean:''' Look, man, I got to tell you, I dig your style, all right? I mean [chuckles] I do. I mean... and the slow-dancing alien.
* WouldHitAGirl: Dean gets one punch in against the brunette.

* YourCheatingHeart

Sam and Dean investigate the apparent suicide of a professor at [[WhereTheHellIsSpringfield Springfield University]] in Springfield, Ohio, when they hear a local legend that Crawford Hall where the death occurred is haunted by the spirit of a student who was having an affair with a professor and jumped from the window of room 669. However, when they investigate they find no evidence of a ghost, and it looks like the story is only an urban legend. Following this a frat boy is abducted by aliens, and an animal researcher is eaten by an alligator in the sewer.

Having no idea what could be causing these odd events, Sam and Dean have to call in [[Characters/SupernaturalHunters Bobby Singer]] for help. As Sam and Dean explain what has been happening, Bobby realizes the brothers are not getting along because Sam thinks Dean took his computer and Dean thinks Sam let the air out of the Impala's tires. Bobby recognizes the discord between the brothers and the odd urban-legend-inspired events as the work of a [[Characters/SupernaturalGods Trickster]].

Sam and Dean return to Crawford Hall realizing that the janitor they met there was nearby when each of the odd events happened. Sam searches the janitor's locker while Dean distracts the janitor. In the locker, Sam finds a copy of ''Magazine/WeeklyWorldNews'' which has outlandish articles similar to the odd events that have been occurring. Dean and Sam get into an argument on whether they have enough evidence to be sure the janitor is the Trickster. Sam leaves saying he is going to search the janitor's home for more proof.

Dean waits outside Crawford Hall, but as it starts to get dark, he goes back in by himself and hears Barry White playing. He follows the music to a lecture hall where a blonde woman and brunette woman in lingerie sit on a red round velvet bed. The Trickster tells him the women on the bed are a peace offering if Dean lets him go. Deans says he admire the Trickster's style, but he can't do that. Then Bobby and Sam enter the lecture hall with wooden stakes, and the Trickster realizes Sam and Dean staged their argument to make him think Dean was alone.

* AccidentalMisnaming: Dean insists the woman he met in the bar was not named Starla, but he admits he can not remember what her name was.

* AnalProbing: The Trickster forges ''lots'' of strange happenings in a college town, one of them involves a guy who has been abducted by "aliens." The victim's experience involved [[BlackComedyRape being repeatedly probed]] (a total of eight times according to the dialogue). This ordeal apparently paled in comparison to being forced to slow-dance with one of the aliens to "Lady in Red."
* AnimalTesting: The third victim is a research scientist who worked in animal testing, which Dean says qualifies him as a dick, fitting the pattern of the first two incidents. The specifics and worthiness of his research are not explored, but neither Dean or the Trickster seem to approve of his research.

-->'''Starla:''' [[[VomitDiscretionShot Gags into her hand]]] Sorry. [[HardDrinkingPartyGirl Just trying to keep my liquor down]].
-->'''Dean:''' Yeah, good job. [To Sam] Hey. Good news. [[DoesSheHaveASister She's got a sister]].

-->'''Bobby:''' Aliens? Look, even if they are real, they're sure as hell not coming to earth and swiping people.
* AssholeVictim: Professor Cox who cheats on his wife with students. Curtis who bullied the frat pledges. The animal researcher.

* BrainlessBeauty / DumbBlonde: Starla in Sam's portrayal of the bar scene.

* BreatherEpisode: Especially needed after the extremely dark [[Recap/SupernaturalS02E14BornUnderABadSign "Born Under A Bad Sign" (S02, Ep14)]].

-->'''Dean looking at the deflated tires of the Impala:''' Son of a bitch!

* ContinuityNod: The brothers slide a knife under the window to undo the latch and enter the morgue, in the same way they entered one of the victim's homes in [[Recap/SupernaturalS02E13HousesOfTheHoly "The Houses of the Holy" (S02, Ep13)]].

* DanceOfRomance: A ParodiedTrope. The much shorter alien rests its head against Curtis' torso, wraps its arms around his waist, and then looks up into Curtis' eyes, while slow dancing to "Lady in Red" by Music/ChrisDeBurgh under a [[StandardDiscoEquipment disco ball surrounded by flashing stars]].

-->'''Sam:''' Maybe we should get some help. [[WhoYouGonnaCall I'll call Bobby.]] Maybe he's run into something like this before.
-->'''Dean:''' [[SarcasmMode Oh, I'm sure he has.]] Just your typical [[NinjaPirateZombieRobot haunted campus, alien abduction, alligator-in-the-sewer]] gig. Yeah, it's simple.

* DestinationDefenestration / NoEscapeButDown: The professor falls to his death from his office window.

-->'''Woman:''' Sorry, I just . . . can't even concentrate. It's like staring . . . into the sun.

* DoubleStandardRapeSciFi / [[DoubleStandardRapeMaleOnMale Double Standard Rape: Alien On Male]]: Curtis being probed by the aliens.

** In Sam's version of events, Dean is a [[ButLiquorIsQuicker big fan]] of a drink called a [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_school_pranks#Nipple_cripple purple nurple.]] Executive Producer Jim Michaels [[LineToGod tweeted]] [[https://twitter.com/TheJimMichaels/status/121645860705673217 the recipe.]]

* DrowningMySorrows: Curtis drinks 3 shots while telling Sam and Dean about his abduction.

* EEqualsMCHammer: The chalkboard in the college lecture room behind the round red bed has the alphabet written across the top.

* EverythingSoundsSexierInFrench: Starla says, "Enchante" when introduced to Sam, according to Sam's narration.

** In Sam's version, she has silver high heels with [[StockingFiller fishnet stockings]], a [[MaleGaze denim miniskirt]], a [[BareYourMidriff short tank top]] showing a pierced belly button, blue eyshadow, lip gloss, and [[DumbBlonde bleached blonde curls]]. [[http://www.amazon.com/Next-to-You/dp/B0012A6VJQ "Next To You" by Junk Food]] plays during her introduction.
** In Dean's version, she has black pumps, [[ShesGotLegs dark stockings]], a [[LittleBlackDress sleek, black, cocktail dress]], and a diamond necklace. The soul music song [[http://www.allmusic.com/album/rhythm-machine-mw0001070079 "Brenda and Me" by the Rhythm Machine]] plays during the introduction of the character.
* FemmeFatale / WomanInBlack: In Dean's version of the story, the "classy chick" who was not named Starla is a grad student in anthropology and folklore wearing a black cocktail dress and black heels.

* FoodPorn: The Trickster's kitchen table has layers of different cakes with elaborate toppings surrounded by grapes and chocolate covered strawberries.

* GiveMeASword: Sam tosses Dean a stake, while Dean lies near the Trickster.

* GoryDiscretionShot: Blood spatter on the scientist face as he [[ScreamDiscretionShot screams in pain.]]
* TheGreys: Seen running tests and slow dancing.

-->'''Dean:''' You know, I'm a -- I'm a sucker for a happy ending. Really, I am, but... I-I'm gonna have to pass.

-->'''Bobby:''' These things create chaos and mischief as easy as breathing, and it's got you so turned around and at each others' throats, you can't even think straight.

** Richard Speight Jr., who plays the Trickster, also plays Bill in ''Series/{{Jericho}}'' and Sgt. Warren 'Skip' Muck in ''Series/BandOfBrothers''.
* {{Homage}}: Trickster gods including Loki (Loki Liesmith) and Anansi (Mr. Nancy) are important characters in ''Literature/AmericanGods'' and in ''Literature/AnansiBoys'' by Creator/NeilGaiman.

* TheInternetIsForPorn: Or at least from Sam's POV, that is all Dean thinks it is for. Sam blames Dean when he finds his computer frozen on Bustyasianbeauties.com. Busty Asian Beauties is a [[FictionalDocument fictional porn franchise]] created for ''Series/{{Supernatural}}'' and will be a RunningGag through the seasons.

-->'''Sam in {{Flashback}}:''' But I want you to know... [[YouAreNotAlone I'm here for you.]] You brave little soldier. I acknowledge your pain. Come here. [grabs him in a hug] [[TooGoodForThisSinfulEarth You're too precious for this world.]]
-->'''Sam in present:''' I never said that!

-->'''Sam:''' It's not food anymore, Dean! It's Darwinism.

-->'''Bobby:''' Tricksters target the high and the mighty, knock them down a peg, usually with a sense of humor -- [[DeadlyPrank deadly pranks]], things like that.
* KissMeImVirtual / ALadyOnEachArm: The Trickster entertains himself with a blonde and a brunette he conjures up and then offers them to Dean as a peace offering.
-->'''Dean:''' Y-Y-You guys aren't real.

-->'''Dean:''' No, see married couples can get divorced. We're like, uh, [[PoliticallyIncorrectHero Siamese twins]].

-->'''Sam:''' Look, Dean, um... I just want to say that I'm, uh... Um...

* NeverSmileAtACrocodile / ReptilesAreAbhorrent: The alligator in the sewer which devours the scientist.

* NoSenseOfPersonalSpace: When Sam feels the need to comfort the frat pledge, he hugs him close and just does not seem to want to let him go, well at least according to Dean.

* NumberOfTheBeast: The ghost story about Crawford Hall says the brokenhearted student jumped from room 669, and Jen points out what happens if you turn the 9 upside down. Sam later learns Crawford Hall only has 4 stories and has no room numbered 669.

* PreciousPuppy: The Trickster has an energetic black and white Jack Russell terrier who helps him eat his desserts.

* PuppyDogEyes: Sam is constantly wide eyed, eyes bright with unshed tears, in Dean's version of events.

-->'''Sam: ''' I never said that!
* ReadyForLovemaking: The blonde and brunette are in a red round bed under a [[StandardDiscoEquipment disco ball]] with Music/BarryWhite playing when Dean enters the lecture hall.

* SelfServingMemory: Both Sam and Dean seem to paint themselves as the hero, while exaggerating their brother's faults.

* SexyWalk: We get a nice MaleGaze look at the Woman in White's bum wiggling as she walks up the stairs of the college.

** Dean refers to the alien as a sexed up [[Film/{{ET}} E.T.]]

** Sam says he didn't even find [[http://www.equal.com/ Equal]] in the Trickster's locker.

-->'''Curtis:''' Well if no one lives to tell the tale then how does the tale get told?

* StockUnderwear: The Trickster is relaxing in a white wife beater, red boxers, and black socks.

--->'''- Dean'''

A death of a professor appears to be related to a vengeful spirit in [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Springfield%2C_Ohio Springfield, Ohio,]] but as the Winchesters investigate they encounter odder events including an alien abduction and alligator in the sewer.

Sam and Dean investigate the apparent suicide of a professor at [[WhereTheHellIsSpringfield Springfield University]] in Springfield, Ohio, when they hear a local legend that Crawford Hall where the death occurred is haunted by the spirit of a student who was having an affair with a professor and jumped from the window of room 669. However, when they investigate they find no evidence of a ghost, and it looks like the story is only an urban legend. Following this a Frat boy is abducted by aliens, and an animal researcher is eaten by an alligator in the sewer.

Having no idea what could be causing these odd events, Sam and Dean have to call in [[Characters/SupernaturalHunters Bobby Singer]] for help. As Sam and Dean explain what has been happening, Bobby realizes the brothers are not getting along because Sam thinks Dean took his computer and Dean thinks Sam let the air out of the Impala's tires. Bobby recognizes the discord between the brothers and the odd urban legend-inspired events as the work of a [[Characters/SupernaturalGods Trickster]].

For the series so far = At least 178 humans; 12 ghosts; 5 vampires; 2 shapeshifters; 1 demon; 1 god; 1 rakshasa; 1 rawhead; 1 shtriga; 1 wendigo; and 1 zombie.

!Your Mileage May Vary (YMMV) items:

* [[YMMV/SupernaturalS02E15TallTales Other YMMV Items.]]

* DeathByIrony: Professor Cox, the teacher of ethics and morality who [[YourCheatingHeart commits adultery]] with impressionable young students, is apparently killed by a vengeful spirit of a WomanScorned. The animal researcher is killed by a wild animal in an unexpected setting.
* DeggansRule: Failed.

* TheBechdelTest: Failed.

For this episode = [[spoiler:2 humans. The two women and the psycho killer that the Trickster created also vanish upon his staged death, but they were more projections than real entities]].

* AffablyEvil: The Trickster is quite nice and playful right up to when [[spoiler:he gets staked.]]

* BloodFromTheMouth: Dean, after the women in lingerie are done with him. [[spoiler: The fake image of the Trickster after Dean stakes him.]]

* ChekhovsGunman: The janitor at Crawford Hall. [[spoiler: The Trickster himself will be very important to later seasons with appearances in [[Recap/SupernaturalS03E11MysterySpot "Mystery Spot" (S03, Ep11)]], [[Recap/SupernaturalS05E08ChangingChannels "Changing Channels" (S05, Ep08)]], and [[TheReveal most importantly]] in [[Recap/SupernaturalS05E19HammerOfTheGods "Hammer Of The Gods" (S05, Ep19)]].]]
* CloningGambit: [[spoiler: The Trickster creates a duplicate of himself that he allows the hunters to stake.]]

* TheEndOrIsIt: [[spoiler:Unlike some versions of this trope, the Trickster does come back as a recurring character.]]

* ExpendableClone: [[spoiler: The Trickster creates a duplicate of himself for the Winchesters to stake.]]
* FakingTheDead: [[spoiler: The Trickster lets the hunters think they killed him so they will leave him alone.]]

* ImpaledWithExtremePrejudice: [[spoiler: The fake Trickster is stabbed with a wooden stake by Dean.]]

* EroticEating: The Trickster decides something is missing while eating and conjures up a gorgeous blonde in a red bra and panties with a [[StockingFiller garter belt]] and a brunette in a BlackBraAndPanties who is also wearing a garter belt. He feeds the brunette whipped cream from his finger and the blonde then feeds him cake, which he [[OrgasmicallyDelicious seems to enjoy]].

* AnimalTesting: The third victim is a research scientist who worked in animal testing, which Dean says qualifies his as dick, fitting the pattern of the first two incidents. The specifics and worthiness of his research are not explored, but neither Dean or the Trickster seem to approve of his research.

* DreamSue: Dean retells an evening in a bar to Bobby as if he is a romantic Dream Sue, with hints of being a perfect [[TheHunter hunter]] as well. The entire setting is glamorized, and a girl just completely swoons over him and showers him with praise, while he insists that he has to do his "duty" of interviewing her because lifes are at stake. Sam by contrast is turned into a whiny jerk who simply wants to interrupt Dean and his lover, eventually just descending into whining "BlahBlahBlah".