Supernatural: We Love You Too, Kripke...
The funny
We have to start with the funny. How perfect was it that the boys got mistaken for LARPers when they were in "playing" their real lives? And then discovering they had fans, and that the fans have interests that they don’t necessarily support. We flashed back to the conventions we’ve attended, where a VERY vocal part of the audience wanted to protect the guys from learning about slash. Well, now they know! Plus, they talk to one of said fangirls, who talks about the emotional impact of the guys, rails against people who would rather read "Dr. Sexy M.D.", and quizzes the guys on "Supernatural" trivia to make sure they won’t say anything bad about “her boys.” There's an upside for the guys, though -- at least they get to see the demon-protecting tattoo on her shapely butt.
Then there's Chuck, the writer behind the "Supernatural" books. He tells his "fans" Sam and Dean to get a life (shades of Shatner on SNL), then jumps to the only reasonable conclusion when he realizes they're the real deal: "Obviously I'm a god… A cruel, cruel capricious god! The things I put you through!" Not only does he dole out beatings, kill the ones they love, and put them through (literal) hell, but he also gives them some crappy scenarios! "Did you really have to live through the bugs? What about the ghost ship? I am so sorry! I mean, horror is one thing, but to be forced to live bad writing... if I would have known it was real, I would have done another pass!"
Then the boys have to cope with knowing their every move was actually in the book -- and that scene at the Laundromat, where Dean reads what Sam is doing -- is priceless. “You just thought I was a dick!” Dean says. Sam considers this. “The guy's good!”
Chuck is a bottomless well of funny, it seems (and it helps that Rob Benedict rocks). Him walking into the hotel room and saying “I am the prophet… Chuck!” was priceless
The surprises
Oh, yeah – how’s THAT for a surprise! Chuck isn’t a god, but he is a Prophet of the Lord. So saith Castiel, and he should know. Those Supernatural books he’s writing? They’ll one day be known as the Winchester Gospel. If Chuck seems like an unlikely prophet, well… “You should have seen Luke,” Castiel says. Hee!
The thing is, whatever a prophet has written can’t be unwritten -- it will come to pass. So when the guys try to get out of town, they’re thwarted. When they check into a different motel, the sign burns out so it becomes the motel Chuck wrote. And when Chuck writes that there will be pink flowered band-aids and a smashed out window in the Metallicar, well, there it is.
More disturbingly, Chuck has written that Sam will meet up with Lilith, and will sink into the throes of fiery demonic passion with her (“Fiery demonic passion?” Sam scoffs. “It’s just a first draft,” Chuck mumbles.) And Sam thinks the meet should go through, which frustrates Dean to no end.
But maybe Sam’s right, because when Lilith does appear (in gorgeous dental hygienist form, not riding a little girl), she has one hell of an offer for Sam. I want give it all up -- stop breaking seals, leave Lucifer to rot, avert the apocalypse. Poing! Of course, there’s a catch -- she wants Sam and Dean’s heads on sticks, but hey, “self-sacrifice is the Winchester way,” Lilith says. Are their lives really more important than those of the 6 billion plus innocents on the planet?And Sam seems to agree to Lilith's terms -- but the deal will have to be sealed with more than a kiss. So THAT’S where the throes of fiery demonic passion come in! But it’s a fake-out -- Sam just wants to go at Lilith with the demon-killing knife.
Possibly the biggest surprise is that Dean actually prays. He prays for help in getting Sam out of there. Castiel appears and says prayer is good, but he can’t help. Of course, he’s saying that with a lot of significant looks and head bobs, so Dean should really be paying more attention… FINALLY it sinks in that Castiel’s explanation of why he can’t help IS the help – Chuck is protected by an archangel, the most fearsome weapon in heaven’s arsenal. If he’s threatened in any way, the archangel gets a-smiting. So, if Chuck were in the same room as a high level demon…. Ohhhhhhhhh. Hey, Castiel can be sneaky! Yay, Castiel! The plan works, and Lilith is cast out. Sam is safe.
The heartbreak
But just because Sam and Dean are alive doesn’t mean they’re in the clear. Chuck tells Sam that he knows about the demon blood. He didn’t put it in the books because he didn’t want Sam to look unsympathetic. “Come on, Sam – sucking blood? You gotta know that’s wrong…” But what else can I do? Sam says. I need to stop this! When Chuck says he thought that was Dean’s job, Sam says that Dean isn’t Dean anymore, so he has to pick up the slack. He has to be strong enough tocarry the weight. Is that it? Chuck asks. Or are you becoming addicted to the power, the strength you get from demon blood? Sam can’t answer.
And Chuck isn’t through. He has a final vision, one that terrifies him. Zachariah is there, watching him. When Chuck wants to warn the boys, Zachariah stops him. Chuck slumps, and then proposes killing himself so he can stop seeing such horrible things. “Don’t be so melodramatic, Chuck,” Zachariah says. “We’d only bring you back to life.” There really is no escape for Chuck. He’s trapped. “What am I supposed to do?” he asks. “What you always do,” Zachariah replies. “Write.”
What did you think? Talk about it in the comments!
Comments
Personally, I loved this episode, and I don't think it was a slap in the faces of fans at all. Let's remember, they also made fun of themselves several times, not to mention the fact that in nearly every single interview (in my experience, anyway) Kripke, the boys, the writers, etc etc have all said how much they love and appreciate the fans.
People need to be able to laugh at themselves more. Seriously, half of the fans (myself included, I'll be the first to admit) act like Sam and Dean are real, and if you can't see the irony/humor in that, then that's your problem.
Posted by: kelsey | April 11, 2009 12:54 PM
Sady, you don't deserve to even be allowed to WATCH this show after your idiotic comments.
Posted by: eRIC | April 8, 2009 9:32 AM
I absolutely loved this episode from start to finish. The pokes at that fans were great, and I think the propeht Chuck is my new favorite character. I would love to see him again, writing more of The Winchester Gospel.
Thanks to Kripke et al for this wonderful acknowledgement of fans and fandom!
Posted by: Kelios | April 6, 2009 3:51 PM
Josh -- Dean said "Believe me, we are not FANS." As in, of the books.
Nunya -- Sorry you saw it that way. I saw it as an expression of love like the boys make to each other, where "Bitch!" "Jerk!" = "I can't imagine life without you and would willingly die/go to hell/burn down the world to save you." I don't think Kripke & Co. know how to do love any other way. (And "http://youwontprintthisanyway.com"? Sneaky!)
Sady: I'd be more worried if the episode in question wasn't named "Jump the Shark". I have a feeling Kripke & Co. know what they're doing, and I'm betting the new bro. won't be what he seems. I just hope he's named "Don" or "Connor" or "Cousin Oliver" to make it that much more meta.
Posted by: Sarah | April 6, 2009 10:40 AM
I love you too Kripke & Co. Big squishy, mushy love! Thanks for this ep, 'twas AWESOME!!
Posted by: Devi | April 6, 2009 5:37 AM
First time commenting on this but I have to say, it's a fun site.
What's not fun is that Dean says "Believe me we are not fagots." What the hell is that? In an otherwise good episode, why would the writer drop the F word? Why would the CW allow that to be said? WTF?
Posted by: Josh Studor | April 5, 2009 9:40 PM
This was brilliant from beginning to end. Thank you Kripke and Co.
Posted by: Just!Me | April 5, 2009 3:51 PM
is anyone as pissed as i am about the promo for the next episode?? it makes me so mad!! if that story line comes true the entire supernatural balance will be ruined and i will probably cry...
Posted by: Sady | April 4, 2009 4:43 PM
This is the episode that made me decide this show can go screw itself, actually. I've stuck with this show through all the drama and nonsense, and while Kripke et al might have had a good ol' time with TwoP, and vice versa? We are not all that kind of fan. Some of us campaigned tirelessly for this show, and to have that kind of "screw you" attitude thrown in our faces was offensive. From now on, I'm watching and promoting other shows that air at the same time.
I'd rather watch garbage like America's Next Top Model than have my favorite show slap me in the face, and I may be the only one saying that here, but there are thousands out there saying the same thing in their blogs and journals and on the phone and to their friends.
Kripke and the writers had a great time with this, and some fans appreciated the snark, which was somewhat amusing, but most of us? The ones that were out there pounding the pavement to make sure this show saw a season two and three and four? We feel like that entire episode was a big "Eff you, we think you're all psychos, and don't need you when we've got them," so I'm done.
Here's to hoping you get contracted for a season six and that Ostroff takes your show and leds the writers for Reaper and Gossip Girl get together and ruin your vision.
Posted by: nunya | April 4, 2009 11:16 AM
"You got to love a script which manages to talk to the fans and have so much humour WHILE progressing the plot so far forward." I agree!
Thank you Kripke and others. Know that what you're doing is very much APPRECIATED. All those references were spot on and I was cracking up! What a phenomenal episode. Plus, it's very cool that our fandom is canon now... kind of.
LOVE from Finland
Posted by: WarriorGirl | April 4, 2009 7:56 AM
actually thought i was going to have a compliant from my landlord since i was laughing so loud at the moment Sam explained "slash fans" to Dean !!!!
DUDE, THIS SHOW ROCKS :)
Posted by: Elaine | April 4, 2009 6:37 AM
Every episode, I think, "Man, this is the best ep so far!". And the just keep getting better! Absolutely loved it.
Posted by: NinaM | April 3, 2009 10:51 PM
This could totally rival as my favourite Supernatural episode EVER!! It was sooo good. And my favourite line was soooo Chuck saying I am the prophet Chuck to Lilith! Oh my gosh Chuck is amazing! Hope we see more of him!
Posted by: Mel | April 3, 2009 10:00 PM
What KATE said .. and what LARA said ..
This was really just an absolutely awesome episode.
Posted by: CandyMaize | April 3, 2009 6:56 PM
Magnificent episode! I adored Chuck, even if he was abused by Zachariah in the end. Damn angel! Chuck will keep on writing, probably going mad in the process, because he can neither tell the Winchesters nor kill himself. As for Sam, he's addicted to demon blood because it makes him feel in control, and for an OCD man like Sam, that's what he needs. God help him when Dean learns where the root of his power is; Ruby will be dead meat-suit! It was good to see Sam tell someone what's going on in his head, but it would have been better if it had been Dean. Sigh. Will those two get it together before it's too late? I cried when Dean prayed, because I felt he was at the end of his rope. I also think Castiel had better watch himself; Zach will punish him if he gives away too many hints to help Dean! This show gets better and better; I know Kripke doesn't want a sixth year, but trust me, we fans DO! Love, Robin
Posted by: Robin Vogel | April 3, 2009 4:48 PM
- Dear Kripke,
I love you! That is all.
Posted by: Lara | April 3, 2009 3:04 PM
You got to love a script which manages to talk to the fans and have so much humour WHILE progressing the plot so far forward.
Posted by: Kate | April 3, 2009 2:12 PM