Preview and Episode Discussion: “The French Mistake” 6.15
Regardless of Balthazar’s try, the attempt to save the boys fails, as Virgil crosses into the alternate universe in pursuit of the Winchesters, as does Cass, in pursuit of Virgil and the boys.
And then the fun starts. Major confusion abounds when Dean and Sam are involved in a fight in Bobby’s house, crash through a window, and end up on a set version in an alternate universe with no idea how they got here, or where ‘here’ is really. The brothers, Cass and Virgil mistake Jensen, Jared and Misha for Dean, Sam and Cass which makes for many hilarious situations. The brothers, in particular, are confused when Castiel appears to be a tweet-happy actor named Misha Collins…
…who isn’t quite prepared for what’s about to happen. And Virgil appears equally confused when Castiel sobs as Virgil holds a knife to his throat.
And while Misha twitters incessantly, like a teenage girl, about the J2s, the crew worries about the obvious psychotic break their stars appear to be having. (Seems Sam and Dean are not as talented as their real-life counterparts. REALLY???) And in Misha’s reality, his fans are not minions. “Mishamigos” Check out Alice’s spoiler article.
One fan rumor has been circulating that a tiff between the two actors ends with both of them quitting the series. That would be fun to see and also a good way for Dean and Sam to deal with having to act in the show. If both actors quit the series, the Winchesters would be free to deal with the issues of Raphael, the holy war and getting back home. Works for me!
So who else from our universe will appear in the alternate one? Sera Gamble stated that the show’s producers won’t appear as themselves, but Brian Doyle-Murray will play Robert Singer, the executive producer of the show and director of the scene in which the brothers find themselves. Serge Ladouceur is at his side and Lou Bollo is there coordinating the stunts. (Bollo is one of the few real crew members to play himself in the episode).
Eric Kripke will be played by Micah A. Hauptman, and about Kripke’s part Gamble states, “Part of the episode deals with the fact that Eric is difficult to track down. Part of it deals with the fact that Eric is off in a cabin somewhere writing a movie of the week for the Syfy channel.” Gamble continues, “As is completely appropriate, I am a disembodied voice on the phone.” When asked if she will be her own voice, “I don’t know. Who knows if I’m a good enough actor? I might not get the job,” Gamble joked. Turns out she did get the job and yes her voice is her own.
Apparently no one is left out of the jokes. When it’s suggested that Bob Singer cut a scene where the boys share their feelings sitting on the hood of the impala, Singer comments, “You answer the hate mail.” He also gets called out for naming a character after himself (i.e. Bobby Singer, played by Jim Beaver, who does get left out of the episode). Then there’s a comment about how few people even watch the series and how little known it is. Even Ben Edlund is bashed, and he is the writer for the episode.
All this fun and games though does not deter from the danger the brothers are in. Dean, Sam and Cass need to stop Virgil, and get back to their own world. There are shots of the boys fighting with Virgil on the catwalks above the stage, Virgil pumping a shotgun, Sam aiming a gun in the dark, and a Dean look-a-like (at least from the back) being blown full of holes. All this leads to a very bloody outcome, and of course, we would expect nothing less from Supernatural.
The official synopsis: SAM AND DEAN ARE TRANSPORTED TO AN ALTERNATE REALITY — Raphael launches an attack on Castiel and his allies, sending a particularly frightening angelic hit man after Balthazar, Sam and Dean. In an effort to protect the brothers, Balthazar sends them to an alternate universe where they are the stars of a TV show called “Supernatural” and they are actors named “Jensen Ackles” and “Jared Padalecki.” The brothers are confused when Castiel appears to be a tweet-happy actor named Misha Collins and Sam is married to Ruby. Written by CW Publicity
Charles Beeson directed this episode, one of twelve episodes of “Supernatural’ he has directed over four seasons. His past episodes included “Sin City”, “99 Problems”, and “Changing Channels”. Ben Edlund penned this episode and…well, if you don’t know about him by now, you don’t know SPN. His most recent season six episode was “Clap Your Hands If You Believe”. FIGHT THE FAIRIES! (I, personally, am still waiting for the zombie alligator.)
The cast (IMDb) includes: Jared Padalecki (Sam/Jared), Jensen Ackles (Dean/Jensen), Misha Collins (Castiel/Misha), Genevieve Padalecki (herself), Brian Doyle-Murray (Robert Singer), Sebastian Roché (Balthazar), Garwin Sanford (Jim Michaels), Lanette Ware (Raphael), Carlos Sanz (Virgil), Micah A. Hauptman (Eric), Jason Bryden (Kevin Parks)
Gamble promised that this episode will be “fall-on-the-floor hilarious”. Most previews seem very positive about the way the episode ‘successfully makes fun of itself in a manner that doesn’t feel cheap or contrived.’ But not all feel that way. Another preview stated, “We’ve seen Supernatural indulge in both self-deprecating humor and swipes at the fans, but it’s simply not novel or funny, anymore. What bothers me most of all about this episode is that it makes Sam and Dean look like fools and that’s never fun. ”
From Alice, “I think Ben Edlund is living some of his wildest fantasies in this one. Things get pretty screwball. Throughout all this mess is an angel action story, and Sebastian Roche makes another great appearance. I really like Balthazar. I’m not going to reveal details about the angel plot, but there is a twist about this universe and the existence of anything supernatural.”
For me, this show has all the earmarks of brilliant meta-episode complete with stellar performances by Jensen, Jared and Misha. It certainly has more forward motion than the last two episodes, which seemed to bog the season down in quagmire. I am looking forward to finding out more about heaven’s civil war, Death’s interest in Dean, Balthazar and Cass, why Purgatory is more important than hell, why souls are being coveted and the place the Mother of All has in this. Hardly seems the season has enough time to wrap up all these loose ends, but this show could be a good start. Written by Edlund, and with the backdrop of another favorite of mine, “Hollywood Babylon”, I’m thinking this is going to be an awesome Friday night.
On last bit of info from Alice, Jared and Genevieve’s real wedding photo makes an appearance, as does the Supernatural magazine and all the awards Supernatural has won through the years. Ben Edlund even worked in an alpaca in Jared’s back yard and a photo of it on his mantel. Incredible!
Photo stills for the episode can be viewed in the WFB photo gallery
Happy viewing everyone!
Really liked the episode tonight. So much better than the last 3. Now we get to see more of the civil war and so glad cast has the weapons.
This was so well written and directed it was amazing. All the jokes and nuances that were worked in, and the attempt at Dean and Sam acting were a riot. But a very good serious side too. Yep the boys are always in the wrong place at the right time. Love Balthazar and so glad he and Cass are working together at last.
Really a great episode.
This is an Edlund script after all! He knows how to juggle the main story and the fun stuff better than anyone writing for the show now (yes I very much miss Jeremy Carver).
Octocobra? That is soooo Edlund. As is everyone getting blown away in the end. Best closing line ever, “At least we’re talking.” 😆
Okay, what scene did you find the funniest? For me, and I’m not sure why, it’s that visual of Sam sitting at Jared’s desk with that giant picture of him on a horse behind him, the massive monitor in front of him, and the two suits of armour on both sides. I love how absurd that was! 😆 😆 😆
My favorite scene was the killing Kripke shooting scene with the music, slow motion, and Kripke’s overdone killing. I laughed all the way through that. Really liked the acting scene, but I think the Western shoot was tops that one for me.
The funniest scene, and there were so many gems, was Sam and Dean trying to act. I laughed until I thought I would be sick.
I agree. That scene had me laughing so hard that I had tears streaming down my cheeks. This was a great episode tonight. I’m really enjoying this second half of season 6. 😆 😆
I loved Misha tweeting. But funniest, for me, was a small scene. It was when the guy bent back to avoid the bullet. I don’t know why; it just struck me as hilarious.
This episode was loaded with such great little touches like that. Mine is when Sam and Dean were ripping on the script wording. Edlund even let himself be a target!
I absolutely loved this episode.
Balthazar and his ‘Godfather’ references as he put the potion together.
Loved Jensen sitting at the makeup table with all those pictures of him and Jared posted around the mirrors.
Loved the texting junkie Misha.
Jensen’s trailer. Soap opera Jensen…he was/is so adorable!
Jared’s home (I think his foyer was bigger than my entire home).
That wall size picture of Jared on the horse…omg I fell off my chair.
Loved Dean and Sam maxing out Jared’s credit cards.
Sam and Dean going thru the window to go back to their world only to find it didn’t work.
The old western music(The Good, Bad and the Ugly) playing as Virgil was shooting Kripke and the other employees of the show.
The only issue I had was the reference that we Canadians talk about hockey all the time.
Now we may reference hockey on occasion, but hockey is not on our hockey minds all the hockey time. We do hockey other things, without hockeying hockey. Although hockey is hockey at hockey but hockey will hockey hockey hockey.
The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly! Is that where the music came from? I was trying to place it as it was playing.
I’m still trying to figure out what happened the the Enochian signs Cas put on the boys’ ribs that hid them from angels and demons. Those angels sure aren’t having trouble locating them any more.
[quote]The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly! Is that where the music came from? I was trying to place it as it was playing.[/quote]
Well, it wasn’t exactly “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” score, or anyone of Leone’s films or Morricone’s musics. Just something that recalled them.
did anyone else notice that the guy dodging bullets looked a lot like Gabriel? Or was it just me?
Yes, indeed I also noticed that he looked like Gabriel, so it isn’t just you 🙂 Was is it really Gabriel? Just can’t stop thinking about that 😀 I miss Gabriel in this show. And the episode was awesome, there’s just so many jokes and some things have hidden meaning. This episode is a masterpiece.
I noticed that too! I got very excited, but when I played the scene back it was not him. 🙁
Does anyone know the significance of the title?
I’m totally guessing here, but my thoughts are the title is a mix of a couple, one being “The French Connection”.
Otherwise, I have no clue. This may be a question for Alice to ask next time she gets to interview Sara Gamble.
I think the title came from here
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMK6lzmSk2o[/youtube]
Love this and this episode! Ju