Open Supernatural Couch – “Frontierland”
OPEN COUCH to FRONTIERLAND
Or
Do not forsake me, oh, my darling!
Hallelujah, hallelu, hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelu, hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelu, hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelu, hallelujah
Voices from the fast knock on my door as I start watching this latest episode of my beloved show. Samuel Colt. The enormous Devil’s Trap from the past. The time when Ellen was still alive and fighting alongside ‘her’ boys. The time when Sam had just come back from the dead, changed, killing in cold blood. Dean getting zapped back to meet his young parents. All that leading up, somehow, to another huge confrontation with Mommy Dearest. Oh, yes, this is going to be interesting!
Hello Wyoming 150 years ago, and, hello wait a minute! Sheriff Dean, wow, fresh from a Sergio Leone film, I am already in fan girl heaven. Cowboys, I say. Cowboys. And if that duel wasn’t enough to glue me squeaking to the screen, the show gives us a Bonanza opening! My head is spinning! Okay, I know, this is Supernatural! it’s not gonna be all fun. But, come on guys, just a little!
Don’t know where we’re goin’ or where we been
Hallelujah Trail
It’s written in the dust and blown by the wind
Hallelujah Trail
But we are not there yet. At present, Sam remembers some important facts, like where Samuel’s library is hidden. Ahem, Sammy, dearest, when you’re finished, could you come over? I have a library here that needs some sorting!. and! I would love to get my hands on some of those books in the Campbell vault. Well, the three men of one of my favourite families do some old fashioned research here and find that they need a phoenix’ ashes to kill Mommy Dearest (forgive me for referring to the Mother of All by this term, kind readers. After watching the film on Joan Crawford by the same title, Faye Dunaway in the title role became an epitome for bad, bad mothering).
I can’t help it does Sam remember the library in his flashbacks before or is the wall in his head getting thinner? We haven’t been confronted with this issue for a few episodes now. I wonder what will become of this ever-present threat I gladly forgot about for a little merciful while.
And, we learn, Mommy Dearest can be destroyed by the ashes of a phoenix! I think this makes sense, actually, but I’ll get to that later. Bear with me, kind readers! Looks like the famed mythological bird, used metaphorically countless times (yes, I am guilty of that, too) does truly exist. I’m not surprised. Since Supernatural has ventured beyond its ghost and ghoul storylines, everything is possible. Now even European mythology becomes more and more a part of the once American ghosts and monsters stories. Personally, I like it. Go international, guys!
Turns out one of their heroes, Samuel Colt, the Samuel Colt has dealt once with a phoenix, 150 years back in lovely Wyoming. Lovely? Ahem, I think I’ll wait with my assessment of that. This scene is packed with wonderful little moments for Dean who looks and feels like the cocky Dean we met in early Supernatural episodes. His little proud side-glance while he’s going through the books, his ‘get your own’ as he denies Sam Colt’s journal! ah, I just love it. ‘We’ll Star Trek Four this bitch’ – ‘I only watch Deep Space Nine’. Sorry, I am trying to crawl back to my chair! it’s been a while since I laughed that hard. I’m deeply grateful to Dean for explaining what he means, since me, myself and I have only ever watched the classic Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica and Stargate Atlantis. Oh, yes, and the new film with Chris Pine. Okay, okay, back to our story!
Dean is very confident about the whole time travel thing, since they ‘got a guy who can swing it’! cockiness is not very helpful this time, sweetie, since Castiel’s lieutenant arrives in his stead, some blonde angel gal named RachelDon’t really like this angel. But she has a point when retorting back to the Winchester clan ‘I think you call him when you need something.’ That’s often been the case. Often. But not all the time. She feels protective of Castiel, granted. But why does he need to be protected. Or does he need to be shielded from his human friends? In order to focus on his task of commanding an army! he mustn’t be distracted by emotion? Those emotions, probably considered inappropriate for an angel! But then she is put in her place by Castiel himself. But then again he has only 24 hours to give them. Or else he wouldn’t have the juice to bring them back and lose them. Is he afraid to lose them because he cares? Or because he needs them for his own purposes? Oh, Castiel, as much as I love you at this point I hardly know you anymore. I wonder what your agenda is. And I pray that my doubts will be proven wrong.
You can’t tell a horse from a stubborn mule
Hallelujah Trail
You can’t tell a hero from a doggone fool
Hallelujah Trail
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelu, Hallelujah Trail
With Dean returning from his supply run to Wally’s Western World I find myself smiling again. In part because Sam is wearing one of my favourite shirts in this scene, in part because Dean is so proud and happy with what he brought back. He might have a fetish here, but it’s the kind of fetish I love. This might not come as a surprise for you: I love Western movies. Used to watch them with my dad when I was a kid. We loved Bonanza! Thank you, Supernatural, for that charming Bonanza opening credit! Ha! Even today Westerns keep me glued to the screen. Cowboys are cool. And these two are going to be cool and, well, sexy. Anyone out there who does not agree?
Awwwh, Dean! he’s so happy with this outfit. He looks like he was born to wear a hat like that. Oops! I know, I know, how could I not go shallow in this episode? I just love Sam’s diva moment here. He doesn’t like his shirt. But he looks fabulous in it. You want authenticity? Oh, guys, you’ll get more than you bargained for. I would in all likelihood react like my dear Sammy! hate this kind of authenticity on my shoes!
And, yes, they used to hang people back then. Well done, guys, not interrupting here. Don’t mess with history. You don’t want to experience the butterfly effect again, do you?
At least Dean gets to be Clint Eastwood. And Sam, well, Sam gets the Chuck Norris part. I just love the references in this episode. Keep me smiling all the time.
And the references keep on coming. Elkins Saloon? A relative of the Elkins we know? I bet he is! In this show, in this episode everyone is somewhat related!.
Unfortunately, Dean is to be disappointed again. The saloon is not what he hoped it to be, and neither are the bar wenches! Is it me, or does Dean look like a four year old kid whose toy got broken? Saved by the judge! ‘that was a close one!‘ Very close, indeed, since they miss the judge-burning phoenix by a hair’s breadth. It was not a case of apparent death, as the sheriff assumed. Here’s a nice picture a metaphorical phoenix in cowboy boots. Nice, indeed.
All they find, as they go to confirm their suspicions, is an empty grave. Of course. And the scene comes with one of the best shots of this episode everything fits: lighting, a slight sepia tint, costume, background. I love this show.
To actually make history, they need to get Samuel Colt there, or at least his weapon. And the only way to get to Mr Colt in time is to use the mean of transportation of the time. Sam is not enthusiastic about this idea but admits that it feels alright. Now, we have horse/riding therapy where I work. And I know that we always have to care about how much the rider weighs. We’ve had men of the size of Jared in therapy. And mostly they were too heavy to be allowed to get on one of our horses. And those horses are biggies. So, I feel with Dean as he goes ‘That poor horse.’ As much as I love my boy, he probably is too heavy for the poor animal!
Love a woman and she’ll love you
Hallelujah Trail
Just do unto her like she wants you to
Hallelujah Trail
There ain’t no such thing as a perfect man
Hallelujah Trail
You girls gotta do the best you can
Hallelujah Trail
In the meantime Castiel is confronted by Rachel. What exactly is Castiel’s dirty little secret? We haven’t had an answer to that so far. Not entirely. But he seems to be doing some quite unpleasant things up there, probably betraying angels that trusted him, like Rachel. They don’t understand. But they feel threatened enough to try to kill him, almost succeeding.
He gathers enough strength to zap himself to Bobby’s place, dropping in a sorry heap on the floor of his kitchen, doing his warding-off-angels graffiti on Bobby’s fridge. Oh Cas, what have you got yourself into?
No time to dwell on that. I am being distracted again by Dean, of course, who enters the saloon in that fantastic coat. I want one. Not that big a duster, but, well, it just looks cool! When has this series become a fashion show? Love it, loco as I am! And yes, sweetie, you do look good! There never was a better looking sheriff!
Dean is confronted with this new burden (and confronts his deputy with the new boss and his new part: playing the bait, a role he doesn’t look happy with) and Mr Colt with a pair of not-so-bright demons looking for trouble. And they find it.
I love the idea of hunters and demons fighting for centuries. I would like to see a demon hunt from the middle ages or Roman times. But then again, that would probably be too camp, even for such a unique show as Supernatural.
Jas, that was so much fun to read. Loved the episode too, and Dean in a duster and posse posse posse! Ha!
Worried about Cas and what’s up with him. Loved Bobby and his love for his “idjits”.
All will be downhill from here (meaning angst upon angst no doubt). Afraid it may be mostly Cas angst. We are going to get a Kripke cliffie and you know what that probably means. Just hope we don’t lose our good Cas. 😥
Hi Bevie, I share your Castiel-angst, dear. I don’t know how I would handle losing Cas, and I keep my fingers (and toes) crossed. They can’t kill him off. But, well, as a dear friend of mine said – they could kill Lisa and Ben off… don’t like that prospect either.
Don’t like killing off characters, period.
But until we know more, let’s just enjoy what we have.
thank you for your comment, dear. Love, Jas
Thank you Jas,
I loved this article.
I also quite liked this episode. 🙂
Need I say more ??? 😉
Love Ju
No, Julie, no need to say more! I know exactly what’s in your mind…
Cowboys, I say.. cowboys…
Love always, Jas
Jas, I loved this! I felt like I was reliving all the glorious moments of this episode! Seriously, how can we get the boys back in those cowboy hats?
How about writing a petition, Sofia? Ah, I don’t know… perhaps some script writer has to come up with a great new Western movie and demand that those two be cast for it?! Wouldn’t that be a treat?
I am happy you enjoyed this, dear co-writer, thank you. Cheers, Jas
Hallelujah is right Jas! This episode was such a blessed gift. I think it was a gift for all involved (cast & crew to make), and certainly for fans.
Yup, there were some plotholes – Sam remembering the hidden library with no ill effects, being able to quickly stumble on the info abou what weapon could kill Mommy Dearest, the Phoenix not really being that nasty..
But, oh the good! Seeing the brothers as such geeky fanboys over Samuel Colt’s journal, Sam’s bitchface fest, Dean’s joy in the whole adventure, Sam on a horse, Dean blowing smoke off the tip of the Colt, boys in cowboy hats and Sheriff Dean in a duster!! (Is it only me, or is it hot in here!) I especially liked the authenticity of Dean’s hat head at the end! So cute! The great thing is that they still own that stuff! Maybe they’ll have to wear them again. (Now with Season 7 official we can live in hope!)
I think the Phoenix could return. After all, isn’t that what they’re fabled to do? Rise from the ages? I’d like to see more of it, maybe even as a helpful or redemptive monster which aids the brothers. That would be a nice switch.
I loved your suggestion of going even further back in time for another hunt. And you realize if they were in Roman times, they’d be in togas!!! There would be skin!!! Toga! Toga! Toga!
Like you though, I fear what’s coming. I think Castiel has done some awful things. I think those awful things probably involve Sam’s soul, and I suspect Dean’s too. I think there is an angelic betrayal coming, and it’s going to break all our hearts (especially Dean’s).
But in the meantime we have this episode to smile over. And committed DeanGirl that I am, all I can say is Hee Haw, Yippee Kai Yippee Kai Yay! (Long live Sheriff Dean!)
Hello toga-loving Roman Dreamer 😉 ! There’s a nice picture!
Thank you for your kind comment,PDreamy… oops, do you mind? I mean it nicely, I’m a lover of terms of endearment,I have to confess.
There were some plotholes, yes, but I decided I want to enjoy the episode and the show and not be too critical about these things. You can find hairs in every soup, but – do you need to?
Like you, I just enjoyed it, completely. It will be one of my all-time faves episodes.
I like the thought of the Phoenix returning. Perhaps this could be the one creature able to revive itself, even after being shot with the magic colt?
Long live Sheriff Dean, indeed!
🙂 , Jas
I loved this article and this episode! I’ve already re-watched it several times and consider it one of my favorites. 😆
Hi rmoats8621, that’s what I did, too! It’s easy to become addicted to this one, isn’t it?
thank you for your comment! Keep on smiling, Jas
Hi Jas,
reading you articel was almost as much fun as watching the show. Your defently in love with cowboys.
I´m worried about Cas and I don´t like your vampire/angle thougt. Because you are right when angle need to feed on humens, heaven would be the MATRIX! But maybe this was just a way to restore Cas power faster than let it heal by itself. Four more days for more answers.
Thank you, Junkerin, for your comment. I hope I am wrong with the vampire Castiel thing. It’s a creepy thought altogether…
Cheers, Jas
Hi Jasminka
This is definitely joining my top favourite 20 episodes list ( can’t do 10 anymore, there is just too many).
I enjoyed this episode so much.
Dean’s childlike demeanour, Sam’s bitchfaces, Bobby’s fatherly devotion to the boys.
And Castiel, despite his troubles in Heaven, he still comes through for the brothers when they need him. I am really worried about him and I truly believe he wouldn’t do anything to betray them. But I know he’s desperate.
Hallelujah Trail…hahaha, I haven’t seen that movie in over 20years.
I have to put that one up with Blazing Saddles, Cat Ballou and PaleFace.
Karen, dear, let’s have t-shirts with the best quotes! This epi was such a feast…
I am joining you in hoping that Castiel will not choose some wrong path…
Thank you and much love, Jas
Hi Dany, sweetie, what can I say – I love the thought that you missed the couch… 😉 . It’s a thought like a warm blanket… thank you…
Perhaps I should do the same – stock up on more tissues and chocolate!
I am imagining I know this friend you mention… 😆 heard something similar from her…
Love, Jas
Hey Jas!
Loved, loved, loved it! The article, the episode, the cowboy hats, everything. I have been looking at the entire 6th season as a gift. Another year of the continuing adventures of our favorite hunters. And [i]Frontierland[/i] was one of the best gifts of the year.
I also grew up watching westerns with my dad. They hold a special place in my heart. But Sheriff Dean. Holy Crap! And yes I also think it is hot in here!
I am not sure that Dean felt he had to kill Finch because he was a monster. I personally think he felt he needed to kill him because his ashes are the only thing they have to fight Mommie Dearest. But then again I am a devoted DeanGirl, and tend to try and see the [i]shiny[/i] in most situations. And then there is Cas, he is starting to really worry me. Hope he knows what he is doing.
Well enough babbling, I gotta get ready for work! Thanks for the article, and the great pictures! Cowboy hats! WOOHOO!!!
Hello woohoo-ing, wonderfully babbling boobula… 😉
I am happy you liked what I offer here. I can understand your need to see the shiny in most situations. I feel that need, too, but this time, I fear, the notion that the writers plan a bloody dawn for us keeps creeping up my spine.
Let’s focus then – for as long as we can – on handsome Sheriff Dean, pretty sidekick Texas Ranger and the happiness in Dean’s face when he got to be Clint Eastwood… Didn’t he just look like a four year old?
So cute, really!
Hope work goes well! For me it’s night time and I’m heading to bed.
Thank you! Jas
P.S.: I love your little icon. I have always had a soft spot for Egyptian mythology 🙂
Hi Jaz great article, loved it.
What an episode… I loved it and Dean’s outfit with the vest wow, and the 2nd outfit too 😆
Oh yes! the story……
I like also the part (almost at the end.When the deputy is in jail and Dean didn’t think that the phoenix could still shoot the prisoner and the phoenix kills the deputy and then Dean [i]:”I should’ve seen that coming”[/i] 😳
Im confused, Sam said to Samuel Colt that he was from 2011, I thought they were in 2012 that’s why I thought the episode “My heart will go on” was more special cause in Jared and Jensen world it was the Titanic’s 100th Anniversary.
[i] “Our postal services make a habit of losing things in the mail or delivering packages à son gout.”[/i] hehe I have a problem with UPS right now cause they lost my package three weeks ago and they can’t find it, Can I ask Samuelt Colt what postal service he used? 😛
Thanks Jaz!!
Jas,
GREAT review and insights. I especially loved your pointing out the history of the Phoenix in different cultures. I’m with you all the way up to, but not including, casting ‘used up’ souls from heaven down to hell.
I really hope they don’t go the route of corrupting the whole concept of heaven. In my mind they have already polluted the angels and taken God out of the picture, at least temporarily. I’d like to see God set this straight, as He did when He rescued Sam and Dean from the chapel when Lucifer rose.
I get that it’s been fictionalized for the story, and I enjoy the angel characters. I get a kick out of them,I really do. But I’d like to know that even if angels aren’t always on task with being ‘servants of heaven’, and there are a few bad apples, that the majority are righteous, overall. Remember Dean telling Sam not to judge them all by the actions of a few? That was shortly after they met Uriel.
So, that’s where I hope they go. I’m not banking on it, but I wish for it! Restore my picture of heaven and hell and I’ll be happy. I don’t really expect to get happy after the S6 cliffie, but I’m excited for it, anyway.
Thanks, Jas, for the wonderful article.
Thank you, fanotheboyz for your kind comment and compliment.
I understand your wishes concerning the angels. I am not sure if Supernatural will go there. It’s often challenged common views, even general religious views, and somehow I don’t think they will stray from that. But – you never know for sure with this show 🙂
I’m just as excited about a season seven! Go, boys.
Thanks, Jas
Hi maggie, thank you, I’m happy you had fun with the article!
To my knowledge Samuel Colt used Western Couriers, already established at the time. Try them next time. Apparently, they even deliver after 150 years… uh-oh… I hope they don’t deliver [i]your [/i] thingy to your grandgrandchildren… 😉
Thank you, Jas
This one was just so much fun for me too! Sheriff Dean is too hot for words!! I grew up a big fan of westerns & Clint Eastwood too. I loved the banter between the guys & how they worked so well together even when they were apart, pursuing separate portions of the mission.
I’m very worried about Cas & what lies ahead, but for now I’m just enjoying the happiness instilled in me by this episode.
Dawn
Dawn, hi, fellow Western-fan! I never meant to put too many worries in your head, so – my apologies, if I have. All I want to do at this point is enjoy the episode just as it is, simply because I think that it’s going to get darker from now on…
Love, Jas
Hey Jas, I think the horse was quite alright in this episode. From the shot I can tell that Jared is not wildly out of proportion for the animal he’s on (he actually looks like he’s got a not bad fit) and it wasn’t necessarily him we saw galloping along in silhouette.
You certainly are correct that weight of the rider and the horse’s size matter, but in this case, I think the horse and Jared are pretty closely matched. The way I can judge is by Jared’s knee placement compared to the horse’s shoulder. I think we are seeing a bit of an optical illusion to make the horse look smaller than he really is.
But an important factor is riding ability. A big fellow like Jared, with no riding skill certainly could hurt a horse by being unbalanced and hard on the horse’s back. However, watching Jared move off in that scene leads me to believe that he has ridden before.
This is just my opinion, based on what was a very short scene and my own 33 years of experience with horses (and the fact that the SPCA would have been in attendance to ensure no animals were hurt, plus the fact that I know that horse would have been from a local fellow who’s business is training horses for TV and movies).
And not like anyone is really interested in my long winded comment about the horse from this episode. 🙂
My only complaint is that we didn’t get to see Jensen ride too!
Hi Tigershire – and thank you for your ‘long winded comment about the horse’. For me, this was very interesting.
I judged from our rules we have concerning our therapy horses. And our ‘deadline’ is 200 pounds. We’ve had patients of Jared’s built and they, well, they were too heavy. All muscle, these guys were like made of stone and just as heavy.
But I am relieved to hear from your experience that the horse probably wasn’t hurt. And, yes, I can imagine that they liked to make the horse look smaller…
You know, I was hoping to see Jensen on a horse, too! That would have been just great – a wonderfully clichéd riding-into-the-sunset scene…sigh…
Thank you, cheers, Jas
Superb article, wondrous episode! I was laughing so hard, I missed some of the dialogue, but I scooped it back up when I watched it again and wrote my own article.
Fantastic performances, amazing directing–
this deserves an Emmy. I know it won’t get one, but if I could make a wish. . .sigh!
Love,
Robin
Thank you so much, Robin! I think I am still smiling like a fool ever since I watched the episode.
Let’s make the Emmy-wish into a t-shirt- campaign! Ah, there were so many noteworthy performances in this show… I still live in hope that our show will get more recognition. If True Blood or Dexter can be conceived of as serious drama, why not Supernatural?
Love, Jas