Supernatural: Changing Channels
Having Fun That Is Funny
by Sylvia Bond
Supernatural Episode Review – Season 5, Episode 8
“Changing Channels”
I will start off by saying that I believe the whole “Trickster is really the Archangel Gabriel” thing was retconned, because there was no indication in “Tall Tales” (the first ep where he appeared) that the Trickster was anything other than the Trickster. As for “Mystery Spot” (one of the few bright, er, spots of Season 3), the Trickster seemed to be taking an interest in the boys, yes, but there was nothing overly angelic there, either.
It wasn’t till now, when Show realized they could pretty much do anything they wanted and get away with it (after all, what’s a fan to do but complain, but since when has complaining gotten anyone anywhere? Well, except for the demise of the Roadhouse, praise be), they went ahead and re-utilized the terrific talent of Richard Speight Jr., and figured they could make him a Trickster and an Archangel (“New Shimmer! It’s a desert topping AND a floor wax!”).
It reminded me of how Show retconned the whole Bobby thing, because when we first met Bobby at the end of Season 1, while he was someone Dean knew, Sam seemed not to know him at all. And yet later, Bobby turns into Uncle Bobby, and old and trusted family friend (though he seldom seems to speak to Sam at all). Retcon. Yet, you can hardly go wrong with Speight’s silverbright eyes and the leashed intensity, though. Because seriously, I love watching Speight do his thing; he looks like butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth and then WHAM, he hits you upside the head with his delivery. So it’s not that I object to the rectonning, necessarily, I just wanted it in there for the record.
The plot starts off with Sam and Dean posing (yet again) as FBI agents. They follow up on a strange story from Wellington, Ohio, where a wife reports that her husband got eaten by a bear. The boys instantly recognize that normal bears can’t do what this bear did, so they go and check it out. They finally get Mrs. Randolph, who is the wife of the dead guy, to confess that it wasn’t a bear after all. Here’s where it gets funny. She describes to them a creature that sounds like and that she finally admits looks like The Incredible Hulk. At this point I was saying it right along with Dean, “Banner or Norton?” And the wife goes, “Oh no, those movies were terrible…the TV Hulk.” Even as Dean is saying, “You mean, Lou Ferrigno?” I started laughing at this point and I didn’t even see it coming; the delivery was perfect.
Sam and Dean quickly and adroitly figure out that the Trickster is behind the man’s death, and there’s this beautiful little indoor dither, where Sam and Dean discuss their options. I have a fondness for dithers, as you know, but I particularly thought it was interesting that Sam appears to be going back on his promise not to kill the Trickster. Naturally, if his plan to ally with the enemy (and where have we heard that before?) doesn’t work, he’s up for it. In the meantime, there’s a lovely visage of Sam slowly taking off his jacket, and Dean sharpening stakes, and the boys listening to the police scanner amidst the artistic flapping of white curtains. It’s a strange little scene but a nice one that harkens back to the old days.
The main part of this episode is devoted to the Trickster messing with the boys, which is always a treat. This time around, he puts them smack dab in the middle of various TV shows (presented as real life, with no cameras or directors, etc.), and the only way to get out alive at the other end is to play along and figure out what the rules are. The TV shows are the kind that audiences are familiar with: the inane sitcom, the sexy hospital drama, the slightly predictable but still enjoyable procedure cop show (CSI), a spin-off of Knight Rider, and oddly enough, a Japanese game show. Yeah, I think that’s all of them. And I’d say the members of Show’s team obviously watch a LOT of TV because they got all of the best details and made a hilarious romp of it, all the better to hide the serious message at the end, my dear.
The most hilarious of these to me is the sitcom, which while it wasn’t as over the top funny as the Japanese game show, still exactly captured the uncomfortable, static nature of a sitcom. You know, that feeling you get when you watch while one of the characters has to stand there and wait for the laugh track to end, and it all feels so fake and contrived, and you suddenly wonder why you’re wasting your life watching it? (Well except for The Big Bang Theory, which is truly funny.)
So this sitcom Sam and Dean are on, which is called Supernatural (ironically), has the boys saving people and hunting things sure enough, but the ghosts popping out of closets and the flashing of flashlights in the dark is done for laughs. Plus the motels they stay in aren’t all that skanky, but instead are bright and shiny abodes in places where the palm trees grow and rents are low and nobody ever goes to hell. Ever.
It’s a dream life surely for Sam and Dean, from the outside, but of course the boys are uncomfortable and their movements are jerky and each one of them has made a fist of his hand as all that tension comes down through their bodies. And this because the boys are not only out of their element, they are confused and confounded and bewildered. Which is kind of fun to watch, but what is more fun to watch is Sam and Dean attempt to step into the shoes of the fakey-fake characters on most sitcoms, who pose for laughs and stand around waiting for their turn to say snappy things that nobody ever says in real life.
Dean plays the naughty roommate who instead of researching their next job, spent the previous evening “researching” a hot, nubile young lady in his room. He’s all “gosh” and “gee,” and “son of a bitch,” squirming in embarrassment, trying to figure out what he should say next and wondering when it will be over. (Apparently, Dean’s not watched enough sitcoms to know that no matter what you say, the laugh track will always be there.) And all the while, Sam looks on in disparagement, with his arms akimbo and his mouth screwed into a scowl; he’s the straight man here, holding Dean to all those rules that Dean will break, but only when it’s funny.
Ackles particularly takes the cake with his subtle small movements and his face that can make pretty much any expression in two seconds flat. He’s definitely a close-up actor, and should have the camera always Right There, for obvious reasons, of course, but also so the camera can catch all the small details. (P.S. The little before and after credits of the sitcom with the bike riding and the football throwing et al, along with the silly, catchy theme song, were perfect! Three’s Company anyone?)
Next, the boys land in a medical show about a hospital in Seattle. The boys are beautiful in their doctory coats, the white of which looks great against their skins. Plus the coats bring out the glints in their big green eyes, and, in particular, the dark mink tones of Sam’s hair. Incidentally Dean is rather a fan of this particular hospital show, with its sexy interns and its hip background music. This makes it even funnier because Dean’s the only one who knows the plot and the story and who is who and how it should all go down; he’s practically reciting dialog along with the characters. He also represents every fan’s dream to land smack dab in the middle of the action and meet their favorite character.
Dean is almost thrilled to be there, because in Dean’s case, he’s a particular fan of Dr. Sexy M.D., and it shows in his face and his demeanor in the hilarious meet and greet in the hallway. The second he sees Dr. Sexy, his lovely mouth falls open and his eyes go wide and as Dr. Sexy approaches them, he simply does not know what to say. Well, Dean, welcome to my world! (Plus his adoration of Dr. Sexy is yet more proof that Dean swings both ways; he takes it where he can get it.)
There’s a small inside joke when the boys see a patient who is actually a ghost that some people can see him and some people can’t. This, of course, is taken from the Dead Denny situation on Grey’s Anatomy, and wouldn’t it have been truly fun if Show had managed to get Jeffrey Dean Morgan to help with the joke? Ah, well. He’s probably too big for Show now, not to mention being too busy.
Soon, from his vast, fannish knowledge of the show, Dean is able to figure out the Dr. Sexy is really the Trickster, and ha, ha, he gets shot in the back for his pains by a patient whose wife is dying and who he refused to operate on. This really has captured the tone of these types of shows, the unrealistic and unprofessional behavior of the people in the hospital, and the over-the-top drama, which, okay, people like, and good for them. (Then again, I rather enjoy the History Channel, which some people would say is a big yawn fest.)
This time, it’s Sam to the rescue. But instead of fixing the bullet in Dean’s back in the usual doctory way, Sam uses (and get this): a pen knife, a sewing needle, dental floss, and a fifth of whiskey. I thought that was a nice touch because, of course, this is the way Sam’s been sewing Dean up For Years. (Sam’s also adorable making those faces he makes and wearing that little blue hat, because it brings out the green of his eyes.)
Then there’s the Japanese game show, which had my friend inn Alaska laughing so hard she practically couldn’t breathe. I thought it was pretty funny too, and though I don’t have much appreciation for the excessive and outrageous tone of Japanese game shows, I still got the joke because seeing Dean and Sam smack in the middle of one was pretty funny.
In addition to the fun, zany, exuberant visuals, there’s a tiny little problem and that is that the questions on this game show are asked in Japanese. Neither boy speaks it, that we know of, and thus the hilarity begins. Naturally, Sam is the butt of the joke of the “nutcracker,” because if you can’t answer the question, you get hit in the balls with a large, rubber hammer. (And I love’s Sam’s “Dean, help me!” expression just before the rubber ball hits! Plus there’s been a lot of grabbings of and references to Sam’s groin this season, which delightfully picks up the trope that was dropped after “Hell House” in Season 1.)
Of note here is Padalecki’s broad comedic style. When the nutcracker hits him where it hurts, he throws his whole body into the joke. His shoulders twist up and his hands clutch at his groin and he almost goes down to the floor. The slow-mo replay was outrageous, but it was Padalecki’s facial expressions and gusty, out-of-breath-in-extreme-pain-here-people shudders that really made it.
I’ve said it before, but it bears repeating here. This guy knows how and when to not hold back. He’s just plain missed his calling, and every single time I see him do a scene like this, with funny, slapstick hilarity, I’m reminded of the Carol Burnett Show, of which I have extreme fond memories of watching with my family all in a circle around the TV and laughing so hard I nearly peed myself. And that memory is a rare gift indeed, so thanks for that.
Underneath all the hilarity, though, are the questions that are asked. Sam’s question is, “What is the name of the demon that you chose over your own brother?” Naturally the answer is “Ruby,” and the telling part is not that the question is in Japanese. Rather, it’s the question itself, which represents the underlying problem between Sam and Dean, and the basis for their current discontent and lack of real dithering.
Yeah, Sam broke the last seal and brought on the Apocalypse, but Dean broke the first seal and opened the door to the Apocalypse being brought on. Put those both together and they null each other out. The big issue for me has always been what did Sam really do that was so unforgivable by Dean? Why, choose a demon over his own brother, of course. Theoretically, I think you could say that the question being asked in Japanese represents Sam’s inability not just to understand the problem, but also fail to internalize it and really empathize with how he hurt his brother. And then to ask forgiveness for that, instead of for the whole Apocalypse thing.
Dean’s question is also telling. The game show host asks: “Would your mother and father still be alive if your brother had never been born?” When Sam figures out that they need to play the roles the Trickster wants them to play, Dean is able to go along with the game (on all levels) and answer the question in Japanese and avoid the nutcracker whapping him a good one. (Which would have been really funny, if you ask me, though it was almost as funny to see Dean’s expression as he anticipates what might happen to him.)
Whether the answer is yes or no here, I think the underlying issue is Dean’s resentment of Sam, resentment he might not even know he has. Not just for Sam being born and usurping his position as the most beloved only child. And not for being the instigator of their current petty crappy lives; at six months, Sam can hardly be blamed for the deal his mother made ten years before. And not for The Dad making the choices he did. And not for any of it, really, not even for being the reason Dean went to hell. Or is it? Even the most sacrificial impulses in Dean must reflect some anger over it; halo or no halo, he’s only human. I thought it rather clever of Show to ask such telling questions of both boys.
Another fun piece is the genital herpes commercial in which Sam gets to deliver the very uncomfortable lines about having herpes and “being good” and “being safe” during an outbreak when, really, it’s far too late for any kind of safety measures. It’s more along the lines of closing the barn door after all the horses have escaped. I mean, condom anyone?
No, not in these kinds of commercials, which seem to play day and night as the various companies ply their snake oil wares and try to convince you that you need a pill to stop your restless leg syndrome, when anyone with a lick of sense could tell you that all you need to do is up your intake of magnesium. And poor Sam, you can see him struggling with the personal nature of the words, and naturally, in the background, horsing around, is Dean, making fun of Sam. Like he should do, like all older brothers should do. (And frankly, I could watch Sam and Dean play basketball ALL day.)
Next up, the boys land in a procedural cop show. I would have to say that this one was my favorite. It wasn’t slapstick like the game show, but instead the funny came with being familiar with this kind of TV trope. I watch a lot of cop shows and felt on very familiar ground here and found myself laughing out loud. The detectives are wearing fancy sunglasses (at night yet), and one of the forensic guys uses a lollypop (or other affectation) to point at the wound on the dead body, and then there’s the slow, dramatic delivery of lines as inane as “What do you think?” and “Could you give us a minute?”
Best of all was the “money” shot, where Sam and Dean whip off their sunglasses in slow-mo, with the sensual seduction oozing from every pore. By now they’ve gotten the hang of things (and might have watched enough cop shows to feel comfortable with their surroundings), plus they are really sexy in slow-motion. Not to each other, of course, but to me.
Padalecki has Sam do a take-off on David Caruso’s portrayal of Lieutenant Horatio Caine from CSI: Miami, an over-the-top character who delivers every single line with the same dry, dusky, flat delivery that is supposed impart a sense of drama. But when he’s constantly saying “I’d like a peanut butter sandwich” in the same low-voiced and serious tone as he says “No one kills prostitutes in my town” it kind of starts to lose its sting; but still that’s part of the fun of his character. Padalecki captures this exactly, down to the twisted, cocked position of the head and the sqirmy eyesquinch that Caine has when he’s looking at dead bodies. Which he does a lot. So I’ll tell you and I’ll keep telling you: Padalecki has untapped reserves of comedy including imitation, slapstick, and fall down-stand up humor. Hello, hello? Is anyone listening?
Next up, the boys are on Knight Rider, and it couldn’t be anything else, so there’s no need to be coy. Dean is Michael Knight, the derring-do cop who rides around in Sam, who is Kitt the Car. Depending on how you look at it, Sam being inside Dean’s beloved Impala is either really cool (he embodies the other thing Dean most loves in the world) or really not fun since it means we get even less Sam on the screen. I know, cry moar, right?
It’s a funny and cute bit, because while Dean is in the Impala’s trunk getting the oil to set up the trap for the Trickster, Sam’s voiceovers make comments about Dean messing around with his butt, and yeah, there’re several inside jokes there. And I love watching Dean drive around in the Impala on any given day, so props there.
But overall, this particular segment reminded me of a fan-made video called “Channel Hopping.” In said video, Dean is channel surfing through a variety of TV shows, all of which show Sam and Dean as the stars. This hilarity (for it is truly inspired) has a clip that shows the Impala starring as Kitt the Car. This vid came out last year and has been seen and admired by many a fan; it isn’t the first time that Show has echoed stories or ideas that fans had worked with long ere we saw them on Thursday night.
Finally the boys trap and confront the Trickster, who, as I mentioned before, turns out to be the Archangel Gabriel, aka “Gabe.” Gabe has a lot to say about how foolish the boys are and how he’s mad at his family, and usually this kind of blah-blah-blah static conversation is boring. And with any other actor it might have been. But get Speight in there, delivering his lines the way he does, and give someone that Ackles and Padalecki can really play against and it becomes this riveting reveal where we learn why Gabe became the Trickster, and what he wants Sam and Dean to do about it.
My favorite part is where Gabe explains that he was tired of the family fights, and he just wants it to be over, and that’s why he left heaven. He says that it’s not the apocalypse for him, rather it’s a Sunday dinner that he’s tired of attending. Most cutting of all, he says it’s about two brothers that loved each other and betrayed each other, which hits home in all kind of ways. Turns out that, duh, Dean represents the Archangel Mike and that Sam represents the Archangel Lucky and that they were always destined to perform this holy celebrity death match, where one brother has to kill the other. It’s not a startling reveal, but it’s solidly done.
Sam doesn’t get to say much, but as they let Gabe go, Dean tartly explains that you can’t run away from family, you have to deal with them, but the irony is not lost because, you know, pot, kettle, anyone? Not that Dean’s been running away from Sam all this time, but they both have been pretty much avoiding the issue and delaying the inevitable and that is: talking it out. The Japanese game show, for all its frivolity and retina burning orange colors, had it right on the money: family is family, and if you don’t have that, you might as well get hit in the balls with a rubber hammer. (My other favorite part is where Gabe gets rained on; I like it when characters get wet, even though, yet again, you can tell that the water is coming down in a circle around the character so as not to melt off his makeup.)
This episode was a treat because both Padalecki and Ackles have comedic timing to beat the band and I’ll say this for the record: they don’t want to do horror movies any more, no sir. After Show is over, they should each hit the circuit doing comedy, and I’d say movies rather than TV. And that’s not because I want to see them on the big screen, either, nope. And I don’t know when the last time I saw the boys do a bit of a dither over the roof of the Impala, so that was nice. On top of which, this ep had a nice well-rounded story, with the darkness of the Trickster, excuse me, Gabe, interspersed through the funny, instead of being tacked on at the last three minutes. Show should do more like this, definitely.
Sylvia Bond is a ten-year technical writing veteran with too many degrees under her belt to count. She lives in Colorado, but does not ski, preferring instead to spend her money and time at the annual Great American Beer Festival, taking road trips across the United States, and reading historical fiction from the comfort of her fluffy green arm chair. She has been involved in fandom since 1993 and been writing fanfic since approximately 1993. What she finds most amazing about fandom (besides the open heartedness of fans and the sheer amount of creativity) is how visible fandom has become. “In my day,” she says, “we had to hide behind P.O. boxes to get fanfic. But nowadays, people wear t-shirts that shout their affiliation and share their shiny toys on the internet.” It’s a wonderful world.
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I greatly enjoyed this too, for all the reasons you mentioned. I think Jeremy Carver wrote a solid script that blended the humor and the drama together seemlessly. And you're right: they need to do that more often. I don't think too many of the lines were throw away ones, like with the game show, and even the action on the medical drama, there was a reason for everything.
The use of bold blue colors this week drew me into the pretty also. I especialy loved their CSI matching shirts and Sam's little surgeon cap. I also have to compliment Richard Speight Jr's acting! Wow! He really owns that character and makes him interesting to watch.
It was a solid script and blended is the perfect way to describe it, because there was a reason for everything, like you say.
Oh the colors, so amazing! And bright, I'm right with you there.
I think Richard Speight Jr.'s been eating his Wheaties or something because he looked rather hot to me. : D
Great review for a great episode. In the Japanese game show I thought the question to Sam addressed a feeling of Dean's and the question to Dean addressed a fear of Sam's. I think Sam is afraid that Dean might feel resentment toward his being born because he feels to blame for his parents deaths. Sam tends to take on blame for so many things that he shouldn't and yet is still having a problem realizing the only thing that is an issue with Dean. This scene and the one at the end when Gabriel mentioned betrayal by the brothers and Sam didn't get it. Both Dean and Gabriel seemed surprised. So I thought that was a recurring minor point in the episode.
Hey, thank you! I like your analysis that each question was a fear of the other brothers, because it made the questions really connected to what the issues are in their relationship. And it comes down to trust, they certainly have to start rebuilding that, don't they.
Didn't Sam get it? I thought he did, the expression on his face looked to me like the comment hit home really hard. It was a very emo face, the way I saw it. Certainly the point of brothers betraying each other is a huge theme, and Sam's awash with guilt already, I think Gabe's statement added to the pile.
Than you or the review, as usual you are spot on!
To me this new show has in fact very little to do with the original Supernatural. The angel.ac has more or less taken over and that one was by omission not een thought of before S4! So there has been lots of retcon and dagging out of ery little substance these last two seasons. The fact that they boys hae been destinned for this because they are brother kind o nullifies S1-2 and the YED, psy-kids and most of earlier set canon if you look to closely at it. So I don't, since I kind o liked S1 and 2.
I did watch this ep, just because of the Jaed as Caruso preview. I dodn't espect much storywise, and I didn't get it either. Just that the angels who were suppossed to be so different – emotionsless and without free wiTotally retconned by nowl. Suddenly half of them have ditched heaven while emoting all over the place. Gabriel was very pissed off with his family. and yes, last i checked, anger is an emotion.
I ended up laughing at most parodies; the hospital one fo Sam's obvious discomfort and Dean's man crush and the usual rolling of his eyes and anger at a female flirting with Sammeh. He should be used by now though, has he looked at his bro ? This is a constant these days – Dean is pissed at Sam when he hooks up. I don't expect this to mean anything else than comic, but remembering season 1, it's just another of the 180 turns this show has taken.
The questions in the Japanese game show? I agree that the question to Sam was Dean underlying anger and Dean's was Sam's own question of his right to exist. I've found a lot of death and death-wishes in the text regarding Sam's since the beginning. He was overly suicidal in S4! This time it's even said out loud in the hilaious Herplexia add; one of the side-effect are suicidal thought. I don't think it'll go any futher than this and that's one thing that's grated my nerves the last two seasons; the anvils that are heavy just to be dropped the moment the next season is picked up and someone changes their mind. Ugh!
I also read the genital herpes as the metafohor for Sammy's demon blood addiction. And he's trying to make up for it, he really is. I doubt he'll succeed, it's not Sam that's the hero.
And I agee, I love the Padalecki humor. I love it because he uses his entire body to express it, nothing is held back and still it's not overdone. The best thing is that it's always at his character's expense and you can't but laugh and wice in empathy with him. As I do in the entire "Sam chose a demon over his brother" debate. He chose the demon for a reason, and it wasn't love. it was revenge and a need to protect his brother, which he did in On the Head of a Pin. So the entire choosing a demon feel ind of retconned to me but evidently, the entire rother arc is built on that so what can I do? I do understand Dean's resentment of Sam, that's classical developmental psychology. Of course, at 30 you should pretty much be over it but the boys ar so whcked that I forgive them for most. I just wish it would lead somewhere since the same question, hod much does Dean resent Sam, was asked as early as in S1's Skin.
But yeah, both Jensen and Padalecki are great at comedy. And geez louise! Jared's Horatio killed me dead. He had it all down pat; the voice, the facial expressions, the head tilt, the hands on hips stance, every damned thing! And I'm with you all the way in pointing out the talent that Kripke has on this show! It's that talent that is constantly saving his ass.
My God but the plot holes and retcons are staggering in number as you so well pointed out, bright. Show really has made a mess of things big time which proves Kripke should have stuck to his original plan and have Sam save Dean from hell. Big mistake bringing in the schizophrenic angels and having the brothers at odds (as the ratings show) because the writers are really out of their league. If only Raelle Tucker could come back.
I have stopped watching but I continue to read reviews (especially Sylvia's because she is my favourite) and tape the show. I will watch again when I see Sam being treated fairly. So far no deal. I was tempted to watch this one just for the funny but those Japanese show questions were like a stab to my heart. So I will continue to wait and hope. *sigh*
I stopped watching too – it was too painfully obvious that the angel-arc was tacked on just to please some fans. Thing was that the ratings keep dropping because of that same decision to fanservice throughout this season. I think the big shock to the producers and the network came with the Cas/Dean fest The End was supposed to turn out as. I think they had predicted huge numbers and it that had very low ratings despite the promotion. I'm guessing the reason we're not seeing more than a couple of minutes of Cas per ep is a direct result of that ep not bringing in the expected numbers. So yeah, Kripke is shooting himself in the foot continuously. He did it all over by jumping on the bandwagon and inserting Castiel as a possible replacement for the character of Sam.
Numbers proved that the decision was not the expected ratings boost and he may have lost a part of the audience for good with that trick.
That's not likely though – by the time The End aired they would have been well into shooting, well, probably this episode.
Don't get me wrong – I HATE the angel arc, but the change in viewership is likely due to Fringe and the angst and heaviness of last season, not due to their newfound love of Dean and his angel buddy who's supposed to be finding God or something.
We'll never now what ended up on the cutting room floor! Granted it wasn't a big Castiel episode but there may have been entire scenes cut out. Has happened before.
I loved this ep as much as I hated last week's. I love the Trickster and am with you wholeheartedly on Speight's talent. The Trickster is much more refreshing than Castiel and definitely more favorable than Zachariah. He's fun and intense and can actually give a straight answer. The Japanese game show was genius. The hosts goofiness switching to serious and foreboding with each one of the questions was marvelous.
I wasn't surprised much at Sam's question about Ruby but the one to Dean took my breath away. My immediate thought was, "Oh no, please don't ask that one." And I really enjoyed the one about Sam being Kitt. Even though we didn't actually see Sam, he was definitely there in voice and personality. Sam belongs to Dean as much as the Impala does. I thought it was very clever. I hated the sitcom but I generally hate all sitcoms. Glad to see the the boys hate them too.
Did you notice Sam's expression when Gabriel was telling them that for them to be the vessels was inevitable? Dean's expression was still stubborn refusal and denial but Sam's was painful, fearful acceptance. He learned through his life and many painful lessons that he couldn't run from his "fate" and he is afraid that he can't run from this one. He is afraid of his own weakness and that he will eventually say "yes". Hopefully, his fear and Dean's stubbornness will prevent this from happening but I feel the creators are still jerking us around and they will make this happen. AND SOMEBODY'S GONNA DIE! And I hate it. And I don't think they care about us, the fans. I really don't.
Hi Sylvia Great review! In addition to the boys' brilliancy at doing comedy, which is always a delight to see, you mentioned some points that caught my attention. One of them is Sam and the Impala – Dean't most treasured beings in the world – in a single package. Brilliant! At least, I assume that Sam still fits that category in Dean's feelings. And the fact that Dean was "driving" Sam, funny as it was, made me think if there's a connection with Sam's old complaint of Dean's bossy attitude towards him, as expressed in When The Levee Breaks. I also think that the analysis you made of the Japanese Game questions was very accurate and thought provoking. I'm curious about how these questions will be addressed in future episodes and, especially, what developments we'll see regarding Dean's answer. Finally, I'm wondering about the girl that died at Doctor Sam's operating table and his fear of loving. Jessica's issue still?? Poor Sammy. : (
About the girl who died on the operating table: The look on Sam's face is the one when he's acting like he's confused and doesn't know what someone is saying to them but he really does. Sam really is a bad liar and that expression is his biggest tell.
I keep wondering if the girl who died on the operating table is supposed to represent the nurse in Lucifer Rising he had to drain of blood. It would certainly go with him acting that way.
I must admit I stopped reading your reviews a while ago because they were getting a bit ridiculous and more suited to a fan blog than an entertainment website, all I got from them was "blah blah Samhair blah, where's Sam in this scene? he's been missing for an entire 2 minutes" seems nothing much has changed. It's a shame because while you're fangirling over one main character and moaning about the times he's not on screen it's diminishing the importance of the other while he is on screen and many people find Dean/Jensen just as compelling.
Do as I do – avoid any Jensen/Dean gushing reviews like the plague. You do the same for those who mention Sam/Jared too much for you liking, it really helps, I promise.
Sylvia's reviews are one of the best out there, the main reason being that she is fair to BOTH boys. She may be a Sam girl but she absolutely loves Dean. I have read ALL her reviews and the the thing I love most is how she appreciates and praises BOTH boys. Add to that her brilliant observations that are written with great humour.
There are many of us who love you, Sylvia, so never change!
Samhair forever!!!
It seems we're not reading the same reviews. I understand Sylvia is a Samgirl, however I never felt she diminished or disrespected Dean/Jensen in any way. Quite contrary, she's always praising him both as an actor and a character. She is only expressing the complaint of many of us, not only hers. Sam doesn't get enough screen time and attention from the writers. But even if you feel she is biased towards Sam, well, Jensen always get the most praise from critics and fandom, and from some reason his fans outnumber Sam's fans. There are loads of sites and foruns out there bashing Sam and setting Dean on a pedestal, so it shouldn't hurt if at least this one reviewer is a Sam fan.
I'm an unabashed Dean girl (although I'm fond of Sam and his Samhair) and the first thing I do every Tuesday is look for Sylvia's review of the show. She shows her love for Sam, yes, but I've never seen her ignoring Dean or Jensen's skills. There is no neglect for either character or the actor portraying him. I find her reviews are interesting, entertaining, and frequently insightful to read.
Thanks for being understanding of my Sam-preferences. : D
But seriously? To ignore the mad skillz of Jensen Ackles would be impossible to do. It's not for nothing they say it's like staring into the sun to watch him. (And Dean too – who can resist that face?) I always want to hear the Dean-girl's pov because they are very good at pointing out all the stuff I miss about Dean (if I do miss it), which always gives me an "oh, yeah!" moment, and helps me enjoy the ep all over again.
I really don't understand why a Dean fan would have a problem with Sylvia's review, unless the fan doesn't care for Sam because Sylvia obviously loves Dean, never ignores him and often speaks just as glowingly about Dean's beauty and Jensen's skill as she does about Sam/Jared. Sure Sam gets more love but Dean gets love too, and there are plenty of reviewers out there that tend to put Dean/Jensen on a pedestal while ignoring Sam/Jared so its refreshing to come across Sylvia and her genuine love for both brothers.
Also there is not enough Sam love in the world so thanks Sylvia, I for one love your reviews and always have. Samhair forever!
Yes indeed! Samhair forever!!!! I really appreciate the support, so thank you for thatt!
I'm a Samgirl, what of it? Is a reviewer not supposed to have a preference? Are they not allowed to have opinions? Isn't a review exactly that, a bundle of opinions? So my opinion is I like Sam a little better. It's not hurting anyone, and I can't be wrong for having an opinion, nor be called to task for talking about it.
I mean, with hair like that, it's a pure joy to talk about Sam and his Samhair and Jared Padalecki and all his many, manly talents. I keep being amazed when someone tries to call me to task for that joy, as in, "How dare you talk about Sam more than Dean!" Say what? My response is, "How dare you take me to task for that?" Being told I can't like Sam more than Dean, that I'm not supposed to write more about Sam (and his Samhair) than about Dean and his beautiful face is like being told that I HAVE to like (and write about) the funny eps with the same joy and love that I write about the serious or scary eps. But nobody ever seems to mind that I prefer the serious, emo eps over the funny ones, and I know I for one would be astonished if they did.
I'm not sure why some people feel it's okay to tell others who they can and cannot like. I mean, what's it to them, what do they care? Like you and others have said, Dean/Ackles gets tons of support and rightfully so, all the time and everywhere. What does it hurt that Sam/Padalecki gets some love and support of his own? I adore his hair and his sparkly green eyes and his long, long legs and his amazing talent and his bright smiles and his somber Sam-faces, and the way he throws himself into the funny, slapstick scenes with as much deftness and skill as he does the serious, emo scenes – so he's going to get that love and support right here and right now for as long as it pleases me to do so.
End rant and happy Thursday! (And thank you for providing me a little soapbox to stand on while I ranted.)
I just don't understand why it should be so unbelievable that a woman might prefer Jared over Jensen. Jared is not exactly the Hunchback of Notre Dame, is he? I mean, look at the man – you made such an accurate description! To my taste, the boys are in the same level of gorgeousness. It's just that they have different beauties and charms. Jensen has that perfect face – seriously, it's perfect. But Jared has the dimples, the luminous smile and the catlike eyes. Some women will feel attracted to Jensen, others to Jared. That's completely normal. Jared's beauty appeals more to me, but I can perfectly see why others prefer Jensen and I don't have a problem with that. The problem is when someone starts bashing Sammy. Then I can't be quiet!
Hey, I got my wardrobe complaint from last week answered
Lots of outfits!!
I still can't get over the whole japanese game show humor, I am still laughing!! The host was hilarious!! This shows has the best casting whatever character it may be!
I wish that the show ends with this season. Wouldn't want to tie down gems like Jensen and Jared to TV
I really hope they make it big!
Isn't it funny? As much as I love Show, I'm with you. Padalecki and Ackles deserve to have new opportunities, and we'll always have the DVDs, right?
And yeah! All kinds of new clothes this time around – and MAN, they look hot dressed as doctors!
I loved this episode to pieces and thoroughly enjoyed your review, Syl. (See my entire synopsis and discussion at moogi.com, SUPERNATURAL). There was so much in this episode. You seem to think that Trickster/Gabriel was retconned, but I'm not sure–they staked Trickster in their very first encounter with him, yet he came back! That's why I'm wondering if you're right. If what you say is true, why didn't the Trickster stay dead? I loved the sappy theme song they put together for the SUPERNATURAL comedy ep, especially the goofy actions they added to go along with it–riding the tiny motor scooters, Sam and Dean backing into each other, then hitting each other on the back with huge guffaws, falling backwards on the grass, riding the tandem bike. I can only imagine the fun Jensen and Jared had doing those scenes.
The Japanese game show was too funny. The answer Dean gave to the question about Sam being born–yes–is the answer both Lucifer and Michael are waiting to hear from Sam and Dean as far as taking over their bodies for the epic battle. For some reason, that gave me cold chills, thinking that Dean somehow knew the right word in Japanese all of a sudden. The hospital scenes were hilarious, too, especially the parody on Denny Duquette, aka John Winchester aka JDM! Exactly what did that nurse who slapped Sam mean about not being able to love, anyway? Or the one who died on his operating table? I KNOW it all meant something specific, but who? What?
What Sam and Dean need to figure out, aside from their own differences as brothers, is how to show the kingdom of heaven how to use love to figure out this puzzle. Because, ultimately, in the universe we know as earth, love does conquer all evil.
Love, Robin
Editor, SUPERNATURAL
Moogi.com
Actually Robin, they didn't. They staked a "fake" Trickster, just as Sam staked a fake Bobby in Mystery Spot.
It's definitely a retcon because there weren't any angels before S4. Kripke has admitted that much.
I think Sam and Dean should show love by hugging and kicking arse, myself.
Yes, this girl on the operating table intrigues me. I understand this is related to Jessica's death and the guilt Sam always carried and still does. He's afraid of loving because people who get close to him die. He refused Sarah despite obviously liking her. Then he reluctantly accepted Madison and we all know how it ended. No wonder he's scared of any deeper involvement. Then the nurse keeps telling him he's brilliant so why he's so afraid to love? People just die. Maybe it's only me and I'm being simplistic , but I guess what she's trying to say is that he's essentially good and should not take blame for all the evil around him. I also find it interesting that he failed to save such girl – whoever she was – but was able to save his brother. He saved his brother by playing the role he was supposed to play. I'm not making much sense, but I feel there's some deeper meaning in all of this. I welcome any contributions.
Whoot, WHOOT! Samhair forever!!
I do love both boys because hotty hotness comes in ALL forms!
Thanks for the support. : D
No kidding, ditto to all of that!
Everyone's allowed their preferences, and I have mine. To ignore my passion for Sam/Padalecki would disingenuous. To ignore Dean/Ackles contribution to the fray would be equally as lame. And I try not to, but some weeks it's more about one boy than the other, but eventually every boy gets his day. Luckily for me, there are plenty of pretty pictures of both.
Thank you for your support, Andrea. : D
Oh, I forgot to mention it! Long live the Samhair. Let it never ever be cut. Let it remain the joy it is for our eyes. Thanks Sylvia for sharing the praise of its beauty with all of us.
If the do cut it….I think they should give Sam bangs!!!! But only then, and let them be long bangs, so he has to push them out of the way with his lovely, long fingers….praise be.
There was so much to love, in ‘Changing Channels’, I found it difficult to put together a concise list of what I enjoyed the most. Here is my ‘attempt’!
1). Bravo to the lighting guys. There were so many scenes with brightness and deep colors and our boys just glowed! ‘Ethereal’ beauty I might even say. Oh my, there was so much pretty!
2). The return of the sublime Richard Speight Jr.
3). Our boys were together the entire time.
4). Tandem Bike! Mini scooters! Dagwood ‘type’ sandwiches. Ghosts wearing sheets with cutout eyes! The boys being scared and spooked by each other! Okay….lets just say the opening credits were superb. I am still laughing.
5). The Supernatural theme song! SNORT! Freaking genius!
6). Sam had top billing.
7). The way Dean said ‘Son of a bitch!’
8). The entire ‘CSI’ parody. OMG! I was on the floor. Kudos to Jared’s impersonation of Horatio. Stands up and claps loudly.
8a). The commercial
9). The revelation that the Trickster is really the Archangel Gabriel and the entire closing scene (more on that later)
10). The Japanese Game Show
11). “They have ghosts on this show? Why?”
12). Dean’s man crush on ‘Dr Sexy’
13). The Knight Rider spoof
14). "Supernatural is filmed before a live studio audience."
15). The fake commercial
16). The way Jared and Jensen delivered their lines in the sitcom. That entire scene was a hoot.
17). The shout-out to JDM
18). Sam performing surgery on Dean
19). The title of this episode
20). Seriously? Seriously!
End of Part 1
Joan
#4 I Seriously did not wax poetic enough about how clever the faux credits were for the sitcom "Supernatural" so thank you for doing that! It was a completely perfect parody that turned all the horror tropes on their ears, then went a step further and brought in all that was, er, notable about sitcoms – made even more delicious here by the addition of our favorite lads!!
#17 A shout out to JDM? I took it more as a haha you're not here, wish you were here but you're not……
#18 Sam performing surgery on Dean seems to have more implications (going by the other comments here) than I gave it credit for! Or maybe it was just a cool scene where Sam got to dress as a doctor and redress the balance of being the instigator of destruction and mayhem…see? I was trying to talk about how sexy Dr. Sam was and there it went, off into analogy and metaphor land!
You are so welcome.
I love the opening credits so much. I have watched them five times now!
Yes, I think it was a shout-out to the sexy dad.
Sam was a sexy MD. Yum!
Part 2
I haven’t done this in a while but I decided to share my thoughts on ‘Changing Channels’ because I believe this episode warrants further analysis. This particular episode was important and significant in the ongoing saga of the Winchester boy’s storyline.
First of all, Jensen and Jared continue to reveal hidden talents. As each season has progressed I find new reasons to love them even more. The subtle nuances; the seamless transitions from comedy to drama; the camaraderie these two men share continues to enthrall me after five seasons and I still look forward to watching them ‘fight the good fight’ week in and week out.
The shocking revelation that the Trickster is Gabriel did seem to come out of left field.
But, the more I thought about it, the more I believe it makes sense and the disclosure doesn’t seem so contrived. And, I honestly believe this has been Kripke’s plan all along. The trickster has been a part of the storyline in three different seasons. I think he identifies with Sam. He has taken a special interest in him and I believe he worries about him. In ‘Mystery Spot’ he told Sam ‘the bad guys knew Dean was Sam’s weakness and it was going to be the death of him’. He killed Dean, over and over again, to make Sam understand how dangerous that knowledge is. Because, after all, knowledge is power.
I am thrilled the Trickster is Gabriel because it means he is really powerful and he will continue to be an integral part of the storyline. Of all the recurring characters we have been blessed with over the years, the Trickster seemed to know more about Sam and Dean than anyone else did. There is a history there and we have a vested interest in his character. I, for one, am glad Gabriel is someone we know and love. It makes the reveal ‘that much sweeter’.
People have said there was no mention of angels before Season 4 but there were subtle references to them, prior to Season 4. Dean’s mom told him ‘that angels watched over him while he slept’. Dean mentioned it several times in the past and it was the only thing she could have said to him in ‘What is and what should never be” to make him believe she was real. Sam’s strong belief in faith in ‘Houses of the Holy’. Dean’s lack of faith and unwavering belief if he couldn’t see it, it wasn’t real to him. He had seen demons so he believed in them. But he refused to believe in a higher power because he had never seen it.
This is not the first time I stared at the TV screen, in shock and disbelief, when revelations were laid on the table….and in those instances…things made sense that were unclear before. It all came together for me…. “In the Beginning” comes to mind. I never for once, thought Mary could have been a hunter. And, that hunting ran in the family. Or why Mary told Sam she was sorry in ‘Home”. And, last season, we found out about the ‘Winchester Gospels’.
I will continue to trust in Kripke and I will continue to watch the fabulous gem of a show.
I can’t help myself. I am way too invested in what happens to Sam and Dean. I understand my obsession may be considered unhealthy but that is okay. LOL.
There is so much more I want to say but I will reserve the right to save further ramblings for a later time. I don’t want to wear out my welcome.
Finally, Sylvia, I completely and utterly adore you. And, many people share my sentiments, based on the comments which have been posted since you wrote your review.
. Because of you, I am able to share my thoughts and feelings without worrying about being slammed because of the way I feel. This place has become my safe haven. I don’t have to be concerned about finding spoilers and I never have to agonize over being judged because of my viewpoints. And, you love both Winchester boys equally. I know you are a ‘Sam Girl’ but you still express your love and adoration of Dean. You understand and appreciate how phenomenal both actors are and what they bring to the table each and every week. Because, after all, Supernatural wouldn’t be what it is without both Sam and Dean. And, most importantly, your reviews are thought-provoking and entertaining and fabulous! As I ‘card carrying Supernatural Fan Girl’ how could I ask for anything more when I have everything I need in one place? I can’t think of any reason at all.
Until next week!
Take care, Joan
Dear Joan,
Thank you so much for your words of support. I'm always amazed that people think I should think and write they way they want me to, but then, I'm even more amazed when my readers turn out with so much support, as they did this week. There's room enough for all kinds of opinions, isn't there.
I have enjoyed your lists and passion and comments through the seasons (yeah, more than one! hard to believe, right?), and I really hope that this continues to be a place where you express your joy about Show and love either boy, or, heck, BOTH, when and how you see fit.
Both Sam and Dean have their highs and lows, but they're still beautiful, still fun to watch. Sharing that with fans like you is what makes it even more fun. I especially like it when readers point out what I didn't see, because that makes a more well-rounded picture. And what's not to love about green eyes, and dimples, and a beautiful mouth, and long legs, and shoulders, let us not forget those shoulders. And, in this case, we get double of each. Except the dimples, 'cause I don't think has those……
Anyway thank you again, thanks for sharing the love of Show.
Best Regards,
Sylvia
Best episode of this season, by far. I agree that the Trickster was just a Trickster in "Tall Tales", but his very focused interest on Sam's behaviour and Dean's imminent visit to Hell in "Mystery Spot" indicates to me that he was, by that stage, part of the angelic uberplot. Which annoys me a bit, because I'm a bit sick of angels and destinies, and would really like to see some non-Christian mythology again sometime.
An angelic uberplot? Oh, I do like the way you put those two words together. But yes, seriously. Enough with the angels already! Where is the Barking Doberman? Where are the Spiders in the Cactus? When are we going to deal with the Secret from Bloody Mary? When are we going to find out what the Woman in White meant when she said to Sam, "You will."??? And like you say, some non-Christian mythology would certainly test the boys' mettle!
Sylvia, I believe the “betrayal” of Jessica alluded to in Bloody Mary and Pilot – by the Woman White – has to do with the fact that Sam had warning of her death through his premonitory dreams and failed to save her. Just my two scents.
You could be right, you could be, and I like that idea very much, but Show dropped the ball on dealing with it. And with other urban legends, which I wish they would do more of.