Preview and Episode Discussion: “The French Mistake” 6.15
So this week we actually get to move on to a more meaty part of the season – Cass’s civil war in heaven. And we start it off with a bang! Raphael, Balthazar and the series’ third super-meta episode that breaks the fourth wall with a wrecking ball! Dean and Sam get to act the part of Jensen and Jared, two stars of a little known cult TV show called “Supernatural” in an alternate universe. And just about anything Sam and Dean are, Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles aren’t. Apparently the two ‘stars’ in this parallel universe are anything but friendly. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
First, for those not familiar with the concept of the ‘fourth wall’, a fourth wall episode is a story that basically brings the fandom into the story line. There have been several fourth wall episodes in the series before, so this is nothing new. But the extremes that this episode seems to go to, will far out distance “Monster at the End of the Book” and “The Real Ghostbusters”.
Thanks to an advance preview of the episode, we have more spoiler info than most as clearly CW wants to get the word out for this Friday. Two extended promos for the upcoming meta-episode have been released, offering a preview on how the two brothers are bewildered by the situation they are find themselves in.
Sam, in particular, is in a state of shock when he discovers, in this reality, he is married to Ruby (Genevieve Padalecki), the demon who help start the apocalypse. Sam isn’t too keen when, in order to ‘play’ their roles of Jensen and Jared, he has to share an awkward kiss with her, something Dean just can’t bear to watch!
Genevieve Padalecki (formerly Cortese) is Padalecki’s real-life wife. She plays a typical self centered Hollywood actress, one that has no love for Jensen.
But even more outlandish is that the mansion they are in belongs to Jared and is covered with pictures and paintings of the couple. Seems Jared is loaded and both Sam and Dean have a lot of fun spending his money.
But Dean is not left out of the fun. We see him freaking out when they smear makeup on his face and so happy when he sees baby, only to be dashed when he sees a large number of impalas in various states of disarray, including a nonworking prop. Nope, baby is back at home waiting for him. He does get to watch a clip of Jensen in Days of Our Lives though, while in Jensen’s ‘pimp-out’ trailer. From Alice: “I’m in awe they were able to dig up that footage! Sam and Dean’s reaction is too good. “
So how does all this start?
Raphael (Lanette Ware), whose vessel was previously destroyed by Balthazar, launches an attack on Castiel and his allies by sending a particularly terrifying angelic hit man, Virgil, after Balthazar, Dean, and Sam. (One spoiler compared Virgil to “Javier Bardem in No Country For Old Men Friendo”.) Things get awkward when Balthazar tries to protect the Winchesters and ‘the key to the whole holy war’ by dropping them into a world where they’re known as Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles, actors on “Supernatural.”
All is an abrupt about-face for Balthazar who seemed to have wanted no part of the civil war last time he and Cass met (The Third Man). He also had no fondness for either bro, especially Dean who tried to roast him alive. And the last time he saw Sam, Sam was soulless and willing to commit patricide to stay that way. Balthazar refers to the boys ‘as the stick in a deadly game of go fetch’ which doesn’t sound too good for the brothers, and once again this episode makes mention of the weapons that Balthazar took from heaven during the apocalypse.
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