You know, I’ve had this chest cold all week and you know what’s not good for a chest cold? Laughing so hard in the first fifteen minutes of my favorite show that it triggers wheezing and gasps for air. I wasn’t sure if I hit my head on the coffee table from doubling over in laughter or from the lack of oxygen, but either way, the show got me!
Norms in the Supernatural universe have always been skewed, but this is as creative as it gets, mixing fan meta with the ancient concept of prophecy. Our beloved prophet, the one who knows and sees all Winchester, is nothing but a hapless recluse and drunk spending most of his days lounging in a bathrobe and writing the weird things that pop into his head. Now whenever I come up with a flash for brilliant story and must write it down for my own sanity, I’ll question whether I’m prognosticating or just have one warped imagination.
Fandom, You Had This Coming
I’m not sure if this is prophecy or just plain common sense, but poke a stick at something long enough and you’re gonna get a reaction. It’s usually a harsh one too. This time, it’s harsh and absolutely hysterical. Prophecy becomes THE golden opportunity to finally strike back at overzealous fans. Julie Siege, you have earned my medal of honor for gutsiest writer of the series.
The premise is too perfect not to go there. Sam and Dean are doing their FBI thing at a comics store and get accused of “LARPing” (live action role playing). Turns out this is exactly what happens in a series in the bargain bin called Supernatural. The stories didn’t sell too many copies and are an underground favorite (ah, the similarities). Sam and Dean’s eyes bug out of their heads when the first story is a detailed account of their episode with the Woman in White. This prompts a demand for the entire series.
Dean’s engrossed in “Route 666,” going through that debacle all over again. “Everything is in here, from the racist truck to me having sex. Dude, I’m full frontal in this one.” Sam’s more disturbed by what he’s seeing on the Internet. Yeah Sam, I know the feeling. When Dean takes a look at comments from the “few” fans, it’s even better. “For fans, they sure do complain a lot.” There are Sam girls, Dean girls, and oh… you’re going there!
Everyone who’s followed my work knows I’ve made several rants about how Wincest doesn’t sit right with me. They’re brothers, for Christ's sake! To see Sam and Dean actually react with the same amount of disgust is the best damned thing I could ever hope for. “They do know we’re brothers, right?” Dean asks. “Doesn’t seem to matter,” a very bothered Sam replies. “Oh come on, that’s just sick.” I’ve died and gone to Heaven!
Article comments
1 - robijean
Actually the gushing fangirl was supposed to represent the female writers/producers on the show. Her name was Sera Siege for Sera Gamble and Julie Siege. Jared has commented in the past that Sera likes to get them naked and/or make them cry.
2 - Huppy
Alice, I really enjoyed reading your review. I laughed at your comment that Lilith wanted to have sex with Sam because Ruby has.
I just watched this episode for the first time yesterday, since I had been out of town and couldn't see it until I returned. Interesting episode--I watched it again today, and I am still trying to come to grips with it. It is that kind of off-the-wall episode you have to think about.
I really enjoyed the scene in the laundromat, with Dean reading about Sam's "brooding and pensive face."
I am glad Sam went for the knife rather than have the passionate sex with Lilith that Chuck had written about. I did like Chuck-the-prophet, and to have Lilith as a grown woman rather than a little girl.
I wonder why Zachariah warned Chuck not to tell Sam and Dean his lastest vision. Did Zachariah agree with Uriel, or is he a good guy? This episode answered questions, like why we haven't seen much of Sam's blood-sucking habit, and raises new questions.
Not looking forward to the hiatus!
3 - Alice Jester
robijean - Right you are! I'm surprised they didn't give the name, Sera Siege would have been funny after Carver Edlund.
BTW, Jared made that naked and crying comment during a question I asked him at the Chicago con last November. I asked him if he cringes every time he sees Sera Gamble's name on a script. That was his answer. I love that you brought it up!
Thanks Huppy! Glad you finally got to see it.
4 - vichi
:)Hey Alice, as always I loved your review and simply adored the episode. I laugh so hard that my chest hurted and by the end I was so sad to see that yes indeed Kripke is gonna go in the season finale with the two brothers each against the other. It will be heartbreaking to watch that, but Sammy's decision is clear. He won't stop untill Lilith will be dead. Hope it will not be too late!
I really liked Chuck, Rob Benedict did a good job and I just hope to see it later on the show, maybe next season :)
As for Lilith, she wasn't really that scary, hmm? I think that little girls were more scarier than her! And Zachariah, well I don't really know what to think anymore about him. Just hope he will no be a bad guy after all, I mean, the boys already have a lots of enemies, the demons hate them, it is not necessary that the angels hate them too! Castiel will be there for Dean forever though! And I am pleased with that:)
5 - Julie
Awesome blog as always!!!
You should have seen my face when I saw Sam go for the knife! Phew! That can mean that somewhere deep inside of him, even though he dopes himself on demon blood, that Sam still has a care for the world. I can't wait to see how things will play out for him and what consequences he will have to go through. One thing is for sure; it doesn't look good for Sammy!
LOVED the homage that we got! I think we're one of the few fandom (if not the only one) that got an episode with so many references in it. But I also liked that the episode was still myth arc-linked and that the story did somewhat keep going on a bit. I cannot wait to see what Zachariah has in store for the boys, especially Dean. I think we're not done with the angel just yet so who knows?
Hats off for the cast and crew! This episode is gonna be in my faves for a long time! (Btw, I loved the fact that you noticed the Julie Siege vs Impala gig.
6 - kikibug13
Anooother episode that I loved loved loved; and your review? *thumbs up*
Also, in one of the interviews Sera Gamble commented that she was helping out with the script for this ep and it was like 'being in a hall of mirrors'. I was looking forward to it, and MAN it didn't disappoint!
Also, considering that the main 'character' in the story is SamAndDean, I would say the monster at the end of the book is both Sam and Dean. From different perspectives. (although I'm sure Chuck may see himself as the monster too. Ahem.)
Anyhoo, another thing that I liked was that Dean didn't give up. Sure, he was spooked out and yes, he is less than he used to be. But he didn't give up on Sam (I cheered when he dropped that bag before walking out) and also he didn't stop thinking. He called for help, true, but he didn't just flail helplessly that Castiel wouldn't do the work for him. He listened to the opening that Castiel was giving him, and then took off and took it.
Also, I think that Dean was just explaining what was happening, rather than giving Lilith a chance to run. He couldn't keep her, nor did he seem able to speed up the archangel's appearance. A bit of exposition there, but hey, it's Dean, and he tends to yell things when he's scared and/or angry...
7 - Elle
Alice, I agree with your review 100%. You never fail to capture the essence of the episode wholly.
I too nearly died laughing during all the fan-shout outs, including the Wincest dig (which disturbs me to no end). The other line that got me "I am the prophet, Chuck!" so did Dean's comment about Sam's "brooding shoulders" - loved it. Like many others this season, this episode is ranking on my top-ten list of favourites. I can't wait to get the DVD's and share it with my family. (I was VERY distressed that the Impala was wounded this week - that upset me ALOT).
I love, love, LOVE that Cas was helping Dean all sneaky like - their relationship is so great, I enjoy watching it evolve. No idea what to make of Zachariah now, thought. Good? Bad? Medium? Never can tell with this show.
I agree with your assessment of Sam as the "monster" in question. When it comes out exactly how Sam's been increasing his powers? Oh boy, duck and cover.
The A Rating is pitch perfect for this episode. Thanks Alice.
8 - Leash
OMG Your review is awesome! I think that the episode was excellent and that Kripke was considering the fact that in the last season next year theres going to be a lot of ends to tie so he wont have the time to dedicate an episode like this. Kripke knows that the fans have kept this "little" CW show on with our obsessive personalities. I loved the episode and I loved the fact that they addressed Wincest because I agree that it is totally wrong! I dont know which demographic is penning those stories, but I hope to God that is isnt young girls!
9 - Sun
Am I the only ones thats been disapointed with this season so far? I didn't like this episode especially with the introduction of a prophet. I thought this season had a strong opening, but for me anyway it just hasn't clicked since the red hair girl was unveiled as an angel. My personal faves so far of this season are monster movie and lazarus rising. But I've been hugely disapointed by season4.