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Article by Sylvia Bond
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. 39 Comments
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[...] review of the Supernatural episode “The French Mistake” is up at pinkraygun.com. [...]
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I did like this episode…I laughed a lot! My favorite bit was when Sam pulled up a clip of Jensen as Eric Brady on Days of Our Lives. That may be because that was “my” soap, back in the day, and it was funny to see how different Jensen looked then. (It would have been even better though, if they’d found a clip where Eric referred to his sister Sammie.)
Anyway, there were a lot of jokes that went zipping right by me, but many that I got, even if I don’t participate. (Misha does tweet, but not to ‘Mishamigos’; instead he has Minions. And I’m fairly sure it’s on his own time, not while he’s on the set. But I just know OF it, not participate in it.)
It would be nice if they published some kind of “in-joke” guide, but would that defeat the purpose? It’s like everyone analyzing “American Pie” (the song, not the movie) In interpreting everything word by word, the bigger picture is missed.
I think this is a fun episode if you don’t think about anything other than the jokes. Because if you forget about the jokes and look at it as an episode, it doesn’t go anywhere, or do anything. If they’re bringing back the angel’s mission, it’s not clear what happened. If it’s a look at what Sam and Dean mean to each other, that’s not really there either. (although I loved Sam’s “at least we’re brothers here” at the end, Dean’s reaction of turning away made it look like he didn’t really agree.)
On the other hand, I did laugh out loud more during this episode than I have at any of the other comedy episodes. And I think that Jensen and Jared, and everyone on set, must have had a lot of fun filming it. And I really hope they have lots of outtakes on the season 6 blooper/gag reel!
You know what, Dean's kind of cold reaction to "at least we're talking" really shocked me a bit at first. But if you think about it, Dean is worried sick about what may happen to Sam, because of The Great Wall of Sam and all. I think that he was not entirely convinced that coming back "home" was the better option for Sam, when he could have stayed in the alternate universe and have a better and safer life. At least, that's how I understood his reaction.
Hm.
Yeah, I like that interpretation! Thanks!
If you have to know the punch line before they even tell the joke in order to GET the joke, it's not much of a joke! So yeah, a lot went zipping by, over my head, and it was, like Lisa says, that you almost had to do your homework to be able to have any fun.
But I think you're right, the jokes are fine, but without them, the ep was just a filler. All sizzle and no steak, and certainly no potatoes. AND yes! Jared and Jensen were brilliant; the gag reel should be brilliant. : D
Sylvia
The episode had very funny moments but I feel like I’ve been assigned homework by a TV show. I’m a little resentful and don’t plan on completing the homework. I prefer being challenged by interesting storylines and mythology.
I missed Bobby also. It should have been a great episode.
Exactly. There's not enough caffeine in the world, or time, to have read enough about Show to get all the nuances. I for one did not complete the homework! And I want interesting storylines too! Sign me up for that.
Sylvia, I saw Jared and Gen's wedding pictures (which are lovely) so I can say that both the picture at Jared's house and the wedding ring on Gen's finger are real. By the way, I too missed Haley and Sadie. The alpaca pic on the maltelpiece was hilarious though! Jokes aside, this episode was all about the famous war in Heaven. Honestly, I'm worried that the second half of season 6 might turn into Castiel/Balthazar show, with Sam and Dean's issues as sublopts. Or, like another concerned commenter mentioned, in that case the brothers would be extras in their own show. Not being a huge angels fan, this is not something I'm looking forward to.
No kidding. Didn't that happen last year, where the brothers were extras in their own show? Balthazar is all well and good, you don't know what side of the line he stands on, but he's not, to paraphrase Mr. Darcy, interesting enough to tempt me. If Show isn't renewed for next year, it's gonna be like watching someone who is president but can't run for office again: the last few months of that position sucketh mightily because the person in question doesn't have anything to lose. (BUSH!) So as with Show, they might not have anything to lose and so who cares about plot, let's just throw everything in there?
Oh, my God, thanks for mentioning Mr. Darcy! I love him to pieces. By the way, Colin is a king (a little pun intended). I'm glad he was finally crowned.
Sorry, I digress. I'm not really enthusiastic about all these angels and their wars. Anyway, let's hope we're wrong and that good surprises are ahead.
I thought the episode was utterly brilliant, but I confess to getting probably 90% of the jokes. I think the whole thing about the Js not talking was two-fold: first, in a very subtle way, given the title (a French mistake is a reference from Blazing Saddles and means when a straight man has a spur-of-the-moment gay sexual experience that he later regrets) I think it's a shout-out/dig at fanfiction and tinhats, and more importantly, I think the whole point of the episode was to highlight Sam's last line: at least we're talking. Sam and Dean are communicating these days better than they have in ages, and given the choice to leave a world where everything sucks, Sam chooses to go back to a world where what they do matters, and they're brothers.
And the ratings of the show are low. Maybe not compared to Gossip Girls, but for years they were opposite Gray's Anatomy, which gets 20 million viewers. They've always dealt with that gamely and self-deprecatingly, being the Little Show That Could. They made it to 100 episodes, and they made it to season 6. My personal feeling is that the references to season 6 were a bit of a dig at all the fans who thought 5 seasons were enough, leave well enough alone, Sera won't do it right, etc.
Could the "plot" which was, in a nutshell, that now Cas has control of Heaven's weapons, have been advanced with a less self-indulgent episode? Of course. Have they earned the right to have some fun after surviving this long? Yes, indeed. Was this the most fun I ever had watching Supernatural? Pretty much. Are Jared and Jensen both pretty and amazing comic actors? Absolutely.
“Hey kids, we’re too lazy to come up with something good, so we’ll just talk about ourselves!”
So much this! During the entire episode I as thinking that they really have no story left to tell. That what they have will be done in one episode and now they just fill out the time to get there. Not a good sign. They are so lucky to have Jared and Jensen to pull off the ridiculous, yet damn it, very funny, stupidities they use in lack of a proper storyline.
I'm with you on the fannish stuff, I know next to noting! I once went to TWOP and ran away scared. What I know are snippets I've picket up here and there. I have no insight into the inner workings of this fandom. So I must have missed half of the jokes, at least.
I knew about Genevieve being married to Jared, that one you couldn't miss even with blinders on. And I did like their scenes together. Jared with the beer bottle trying to interrogate Gen, trying to grasp this reality had me giggling. I loved how Sam took a big gulp of beer, totally confused. I love Jared's kind of comedy, it's very self-deprecating and oh boy, that's the kind of comedy I love. Like the acting scene! Pure comedy gold. Jared's exaggeration while acting. The theatrical arms! The not looking at the camera and the really, really good, bad acting! Jensen using his growly voice and blue steel. They were so good at being bad that I cackled throughout the scene. The absolute highlight of this episode. To me it was enough just to watch Jared's stunned face to start giggling. Oh Bambi!
So yes, some of it was really good but my question is still: why? Are we not set to watch a series of filler episodes because they have very little real story left to tell?
While this episode was good for laughs it really didn't move any story onwards. The war in heaven is still stagnant. And where on earth did the mother of all evil go? Show has always had to drag story lines out but this is getting absurd. Did they learn nothing during these six seasons?
I'm with you though – a comedy show with Jared and Jensen? I'm all in for that.
The J's certainly pulled it off, in high style. But then, they always do; they're pros at this by now, and this must have been a fun walk in the park for them. I hope they laughed their butts off while filming, because then at least someone was laughing. I mean, I was laughing, but mostly at the general idea, that of Sam and Dean in an alternate universe that just happened to be AU Jared and AU Jensen. Many a fanfic has played this idea out, I'm sure, but it was nice seeing it on screen and the whole swapping places idea never gets old for me.
And yes, the Genevieve and Jared scenes were primo! Self-deprecating is a good way to describe it, Sam was practically squirming when Ruby was around, although he never could seem to resist her kisses. : D
I'm at work but had to make sure my Tuesday would be a good one and it will be because you've got your review up. I can't wait to sneak some time to read it. Thanks for getting it up so regularly.
I aim to please. : D
Thanks for the great review..I wasn't sure who the guys sitting in the chairs were,either. As far as the 'inside' jokes,most of us watching have been doing so for most of ther series,any newbies would need a guide to walk them through the episode. I thought the guys did a great acting job.
With regard to the "at least they're talking" line, since it's known that they get along so well(Jensen and Jared even roomed together)this to me was a poke at that. I'm sure there are fans wringing their hands thinking the guys are fighting..
As for there being No magic in this AU, then how did Archangel Virgil kill Misha and cast a spell. I just took it that Virgil is an Archangel and his powers follow him in any universe..
I enjoyed this episode..
Yeah, I figured that the magic worked might have been on account of the him being the Archangel, so that was okay. And yes, it was a fun episode, and I've been watching it all along, and I didn't get every joke, so how was someone who was new supposed to? I think they assumed a great deal with the writing of this one; funny yes, clever in spots, but overall, a lot of flash and dash that you had to have a fannish guide to get. That the lads did a great job with their multi-layered roles is a definite bonus.
But, I mean, the whole Cliff concept; you and I know who he is, but did everyone? So there was a whole five minutes of "Cliff" that only experienced viewers would understand was funny. To me that seems like a very shallow bit of humor. And the guys in the chairs? I'm sure they were important….pretty sure, anyway, but I really had no idea. : D
Yeah, I figured that the magic worked might have been on account of the him being the Archangel, so that was okay. And yes, it was a fun episode, and I've been watching it all along, and I didn't get every joke, so how was someone who was new supposed to? I think they assumed a great deal with the writing of this one; funny yes, clever in spots, but overall, a lot of flash and dash that you had to have a fannish guide to get. That the lads did a great job with their multi-layered roles is a definite bonus.
But, I mean, the whole Cliff concept; you and I know who he is, but did everyone? So there was a whole five minutes of "Cliff" that only experienced viewers would understand was funny. To me that seems like a very shallow bit of humor. And the guys in the chairs? I'm sure they were important….pretty sure, anyway, but I really had no idea. : D
I've been reading a lot of the comments as they've come in to my email. I don't know about other people but my husband who I practically have to blind and gag to watch the show with me agreed to watch this one and loved it. He has loved all the meta episodes and has absolutely no knowledge of the meta jokes. He just enjoys the comedy. He doesn't care for most of the episodes giving the show a C- overall. His first year he even suggested he thought it played out as the brothers were delusional psychotics going around imagining these things and killing innocents. Of course, I think that was so I'd never ask him to watch again. After that it was rarely that I had him sit and watch with me. Until I discovered how much he loves the meta episodes – for whatever this extremely casual viewer that misses out on 98% of the jokes – loves this and every other meta episode. Food for thought when we worry about the viewer in the know not getting the jokes and being turned off.
That’s so funny. My boyfriend loved this episode also and he doesn’t watch the show very often.
I don’t think the inside jokes were off putting. I just think the story was weak.
Hi Veronica
I don’t want this to be the last season. I’m not prepared to let the boys go, not yet. But you’re right. If this is to be the last, then let it be memorable. Now it depends on memorable to whom. I heard rumors about eps 21 and 22 that made me uneasy. According to said rumors, Castiel is gonna have a lot of trouble with his heavenly war. So should we expect a Castiel-based season finale, possibly a series finale? This can be memorable to many people, but not to me. Castiel can be funny and entertaining but I watch Supernatural for Sam and Dean, not for him. Just wondering.
What? I don't care about soap-angel and he can stuff his war where the sun don't shine. I don't even get how Sam and Dean can be involved with that storyline to begin with. Other than as Cas' little helpers and Dean and Sam are the show.
If show goes out with an angel finale I will personally pen a letter of complaint to Sera.
I am all for a seventh season but I do not think there is enough material for one. And just watching the pretty will get tedious.
this was the best so far this season even though it had nothing to do with the plotline. As a rabid fan as you may call, I got 90% of the jokes
best parts for me were: dean's reaction to make-up(funny how they picked jensen for that since we have often discussed his makeup here)
sam asking if they have to kill somebody dean mad that jared married fake ruby 
sam's explanation of how there's a lock when there's a key(I am laughing so hard now) dean's "gun, mouth nOW" funny how with all the real-life acting dean and sam do posed as fake agents, acting was so hard for them !
dean's reaction to the soap clip "i DO NOT like this universe sammy, we have to get OUT of this universe sammy