Episode 200! I have to say, I'm weirdly glad there was no new episode last week, since it gave me time to cool off, get used to the fact that Dean is human again, and now I'm actually excited about new episodes instead of pissed that the writers took my favourite plot point away from me.
Obviously there has been a lot of talk about this episode for months, but luckily, I have remained unspoiled. The only things I knew about this episode before-hand were that it was the big 200th episode and that it was supposed to be a musical (-ish).
And this episode is not okay. It's brilliant, but not okay. After 'The French Mistake' I figured the show couldn't really do more meta episodes, but this is brilliant. I laughed so much I cried, then I cried, and the final scene... This is giving me too many emotions.
The one thing I have always loved about Supernatural is how self-aware it is and how much the writers (and the cast) pay attention to the fandom. And this episode.. It is a love letter to the fans without making fun of them but actually validating their love, while at the same time referencing older seasons and making fun of the show. I love this episode.
Before I get started, I want to apologise in advance since I'll probably quote about half of the episode. There is just so many amazing moments. Also, this is going to be really long.
Lets start from the beginning. So I had no idea that this was going to be a meta episode, so my first thought was "oh my god, what are they doing?? Is this whole episode going to be like a stage show?" And then it turns out it is an actual stage show. Of Supernatural. By an all-female cast. And it's clear from the beginning that this episode is not mocking the fans, just pointing out that the fans know this show inside out and really care about it. Also, the Samulet. Oh, bless this show.
"I'm just here for the college credit" "How dare you?!" <-- accurate interaction between non-fans and fans.
The drama teacher is done with the stage production, clearly she is not a fan. So of course she is the one attacked by some trees. Are the Ents getting angry for some reason?
Meanwhile, Dean is having some quality time with Baby and has found a case. That is barely a case. But since Dean needs to get back on the road, they decide to check it out. "We got work to do". I swear I have heard that one before...
So the boys arrive at the school while some girls are putting up banners announcing a performance of Supernatural The Musical. This should be good.
They arrive at the auditorium and the first thing they see is a girl practicing how to say the word 'idjit'. Obviously the boys are confused. And then there is 'Castiel' saying "assbutt"(still the best insult ever). And then there is singing. This is glorious. Also the song is really catchy. Sam and Dean look shocked and horrified while I'm laughing through my tears of joy.
Marie and Maeve come talk to the boys thinking they are from the publishers of the Supernatural books. Instead, "I'm Special Agent Smith and this is my partner, Special Agent.." "Smith". Oh, you two still are horrible at improvisation. And of course Dean gets right to the point by claiming that "there is no singing in Supernatural!" I think you are wrong, Dean. I seem to remember a lot episodes where you have started singing. But I agree, it should be classic rock, though, like I said, the songs are really catchy.
Sam is actually flattered by the production but Dean is still weirded out by the whole thing. Sam asks Maeve to show him around while Dean tags along with Marie to the teachers office. Before Dean and Marie get far, he notices the actors playing 'Sam' and 'Dean' practicing and that they are standing really close to each other. The show seems to love poking fun at 'Wincest'. Dean, of course, has some comments of his own.
Maeve, did you just tell a Winchester to not touch something? Sure, it's Sam, but he is still going to touch something. And now he's annoying the actors... Sam might be more mature than Dean, but sometimes he can be such a child as well.
There are robots in Marie's Supernatural. Oh god.. Dean points out the inaccuracy again, but Marie explains that this is her version of the world. Dean is not very happy about the play being fan fiction and decides to tell Marie what really happened after 'Swan Song'. But Marie calls his version crap. Dean, if you compress the last four season like that, it is not going to sound very good...
But their discussion is interrupted by Dean seeing 'Cas' and 'Dean' kiss. He is worried that they were practicing for the show, but turns out the actors are a couple. Marie does inform him that there are some hints of Destiel in the show, which Dean is not happy to hear. And this leads to Jensen Ackles breaking the fourth wall by looking at the camera with a very exasperated look. Are we supposed to take this as a hint that Destiel will not be happening anytime soon..?
Sam has issues with the ship name and then he starts shipping himself with Cas. For the record, Sam, it's Sastiel. Dean is very upset with Sam's new-found shipping enthusiasm. What is this show?
Marie is arguing with Maggie ('Sam') about the content of the show. Maggie decides to walk out and go to the principal in the morning. The teacher was going to go to the principal as well. I see a pattern. So naturally Maggie is attacked by another Ent. Girl, if you have a bike and hear something fishy, then you start cycling and not walking.
Marie tells Sam and Dean what happened and apparently the monster was not an Ent but a scarecrow, and the boys reveal that monsters are real and that they really are Sam and Dean. Marie and Maeve start laughing, obviously not believing the boys. Noboby really believes them whenever they tell someone who they really are. Also, how do they look too old to be Sam and Dean??
The girls agree to work with Sam and Dean to figure out what the monster really is. Their working theory is a Tulpa, though Sam is not convinced. Dean and Marie head out to burn the scarecrow anyway, just in case. Meanwhile Sam has figured out that the monster is actually a god; Calliope, who is determined to let Marie realise her vision before it kills her.
Marie is freaking out and Sam leaves Dean and Maeve to calm her down. And this gives us a scene that is so amazing and validates everything the fandom does because they love the show. Dean tells Marie that her play is not dumb and even though he does not believe in this version, it's enough if she does. And turns out Marie is a Sam-girl. Why are the fans always Sam-girls? Becky was and now Marie. Poor Dean, he is not happy about this. Her wig for playing 'Sam' is awesome though.
I'm sorry Marie, but how can you not have Chuck in your show? He's awesome. And you hate the meta episodes?! I get that Dean and Sam do, but how can you hate 'Changing Channels' or 'The Monster at the End of This Book'?? They are amazing. And then Dean gives a pep talk to the girls. He tells them to go for it, which I think pretty much gives the fans a permission to write as much fanfic, or whatever they want to make, as they want, and make it their own. Which is a really great message to send to your fans. I love you, Supernatural.
They provided protective covers for the first 3 rows? What the hell are they planning on doing in this production? And then it's showtime!
I still love the song 'The Road So Far'. It's going to be stuck on my head for days... Even Dean likes the song. And I love that it calls out John for being the crappiest father ever.
Then the scarecrow gets Sam and he finds himself in the basement with Maggie and the teacher.
And then 'Cas' gets a song and it is amazing. I can't stop laughing and now I'm crying as well. This is too hilarious.
Looks like Calliope is not too happy about the robots either, but she seems to be a fan of Supernatural. She explains that it "has everything; life, death, resurrection, redemption, but above all, family. All set to music you can really tap your toe to." Yep, this is why we love this show.
"A single man tear". I can't. This show is too much. Of course the show would make fun of Jensen's crying. Other than that 'Sam's' song for 'Dean' is pretty awesome. Unfortunately it is interrupted by the scarecrow and Dean's beautiful run through the stage to attack it.
At least one guy had the sense to put on his cover before the scarecrow exploded. The rest of the crowd were not so lucky but hey, at least they liked the play!
Dean tells Marie to "take a bow, Sammy". Aw, thanks for melting my heart.
Marie actually calls Dean by his name! Looks like she might believe that he is real after all. And then she tells him that he should have never thrown the Samulet away. Dean insists he does not need an amulet to remind him of Sam, but when Marie offers him the prop, he takes it anyway. It's not quite the same as Sam revealing that he took the amulet from the bin, but it's pretty darn close.
Marie calls Dean a jerk and Dean automatically answers with 'bitch'. And then he finally realises that it's not exactly an appropriate word to use, especially to a young woman.
And finally someone mentions Adam! He's not exactly my favourite character, but it might be nice to get him out of Hell, you know. I love that Sam does not even recognice who it was first and had to be told by Maeve. Maybe now that the boys remember he exists, they might do something about it?
This rendition of Carry On My Wayward Son makes me cry. Whenver it plays during the season finales, I'm fine, but this version is really beautiful, especially since it starts with just 'Mary' singing. Even the boys seem affected by the song. This episode is too much.
Dean hanging the prop Samulet to the rearview mirror of the Impala is a nice moment. Yep, I'm still crying.
So, I have been watching this show too much, because the second I realised there was another scene in the auditorium with the girls, I thought something bad is going to happen. And when Maeve informed Marie that someone had bought the ticket left for the publisher, I thought some bad guy was coming to kill them. For once the show was more optimistic and turns out the ticket was bought by Chuck. AND I HAVE TOO MANY EMOTIONS ABOUT THIS!! I have a strange need to jump up and down in joy...
1) As Marie points out, did Calliope come for her or for the publisher of the books (a.k.a. God). I'm gonna say she came for Chuck, since she really didn't like the robots.
2) CHUCK!!! I love you and miss you, you need to come back.
3) God himself has now approved of fanfiction, how awesome is that?
4) I really hope that was not just a one-off cameo. Just one episode, that's all I'm asking, because Cas at least needs to know Chuck is God and approves of his actions.
This episode was just too much. It's amazing and beautiful and emotional and I'm going to rewatch this a lot (and sing along to the songs). Another thing I really love is that everyone in this episode apart from Sam and Dean is a woman. Majority of the Supernatural fandom is female, so I love that this episode focuses completely on the female fans, and they all survive! Well done, show.
So next weeks posts will be late since I'm traveling, but they should be up during the weekend. I'm back to being super excited about this show!!
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