The WFB Admins’ Top 15 “Supernatural” Episodes List: #12
Alice’s #12:
The French Mistake
Why?: Are you noticing the theme here? Out of my four choices so far, three are Ben Edlund episodes. Don’t worry, once you get into my top ten Edlund’s episodes do thin out a bit, but he’s still the writer for me who’s left an undeniable impact on everything “Supernatural” is.
But, the question is, Why “The French Mistake?” When I first heard the pitch for this episode, I thought it had disaster writter all over it. Sam and Dean jumping into a universe where they are Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki? Blasphemy! This was going to be the jump the shark episode that tanked the show. Then I heard it was going to be written by Ben Edlund and suddenly I was on board.
No episode in the history of “Supernatural” is more daring, more ballsy, more total bat s*** absurd that this one. Very few are funnier too. It works, big time. One thing that helped the idea is that they didn’t really jump into Jared and Jensen’s real current life. In this version, they hated each other and didn’t speak. They were very shallow and completely into themselves. The producers of the show, including Sera Gamble and Eric Kripke, were totally vain, self promoting, and insensitive. The crew were just plain bored.
However, some things did kind of hit close to home, but those were handled with satirical perfection! Like how season six gave them liberities to cut corners, aka doing a cheesy freeze frame instead of reshooting the scene. Somehow, I sense Mr. Edlund was projecting a bit on that one. Also, I’m pretty sure the Padalecki’s don’t live in a mansion (although that could have happened since they moved to Austin recently) and they don’t own an alpaca, but they do join in on numerous charity causes. Also, Misha does spend a lot of time on Twitter, don’t you think?
I was however informed by one of our Canadian writers that maple leafs cannot be found on police tape. I found that odd considering I saw the maple leaf every freaking where else on my recent trip to Canada. I do believe Mr. Edlund and his alternate Canadian reality concurs.
Poor Genevieve Padalecki still has a very bitter taste in her mouth when it comes to the harsh fan reception of her Ruby, but as soon as she found out she would be playing herself, kudos to her for joining in on this very awkward but absolutely hysterical joke. She had to love calling Jensen a dumbass. I love that she got her chance to win over some fans again. The meta was everywhere, and if people can’t laugh at themselves, who can they laugh at? Although, I did notice there wasn’t a Ben Edlund equivalent producer. Perhaps satire is better when projected at others?
I know I loved every single inside joke, and I keep finding more every time I watch this one. Somewhere in all this was a story about a big angelic showdown between Castiel, Balthazar, and Raphaella, but I was too busy noticing all the absurdity to pay attention.
Favorite Quote: Aw man, do I have to decide? You realize that practically every line was a quote bonaza? I might as well publish the transcript of the entire episode right here.
If I had to pick ONE though, notice the picture up above? It’s when Dean spots the trailer of “Jensen Ackles.” “That’s fake me. This must be fake mine!” Adding to the joke later, Dean exclaims after seeing Jared’s mansion and who his wife is, “You married fake Ruby?” Jared and Gen’s actual wedding picture on the mantle (along with the alpaca’s photo) was a great touch.
Favorite Scene: There are many, I want to cop out and say all of them, but I was lucky to see the critic’s preview of this episode before it aired. Two scenes had me hysterically laughing so bad I was afraid I was going into cardiac arrest.
First was Sam and Dean spending Jared’s money in his den. When the camera frames Sam at the desk dwarfed by a giant shot of Jared in the background on a horse, I lost it. I still do. Again, I’m most attracted by the Ben Edlund absurd sense of humor, and s*** don’t get crazier than that.
Second, you all know which one it is. Many will rank this as the funniest scene EVER in “Supernatural.” Sam and Dean trying to act like Jared and Jensen acting like Sam and Dean in a scene of “Supernatural,” causing producer Bob Singer to lose it and inspiring a baffled Misha during break to tweet about how the J’s must have tipped a few wet ones the night prior. Actually, Ben Edlund did mock himself in this scene, when Sam criticized the writing. “Who wrote this? Nobody says “penultimate!”
As a bonus, I’ll share a tidbit for you. In my roundtable interview with Ben Edlund at this most recent Comic Con, he told us that he actually has figured out “The French Mistake 2.” I’m hoping that sees the light of day, but it might not be until season 9 or 10. We’ll see!
Up tomorrow, #11. How are our lists shaping up so far?
Sweetondean: This episode touches my soul. It is one of my top 3 or top 5 for heart wrenching Ackles acting scenes. Even though I don’t mind dipping in the shallow pool, because how can I help it once in awhile, my first love for this show is as a mother. And Dean and Mary episodes rock me to my core every time I watch them. Partly because it’s so like my own past I guess. Love Sammy, but I am a first born and have had many of Dean’s family issues. (Sorry, didn’t mean to get personal) Just watched Dark Side of the Moon recently and that kitchen scene kills me. And whenever Jensen cries I just can’t take it! (I miss his tears. Would love to see some in S8 btw)
Anyway, thanks for the post. Love this episode. It’s one I save on DVR for always!
I’m really enjoying this top 15 so far. I’ve managed to watch all episodes, in fact I’m in the middle of “A Little Slice of Kevin” right now. But the one that really gets me on this list is “What Is And What Should Never Be”. I watch that episode quite often. The scene that gets me every time is the one at the cemetary. It’s so poignant and sad, Jensen just kills it. Just reading the transcript had me in tears. Can’t wait to find out the rest of the list.
Your lists are great so far!
“What is and What Should Never Be” is one of my top five and sometimes top one. It tears me up to watch Dean having what he so longed for and then giving it all up for all the people they’ve saved and not leaving Sammy alone in the real world. Jensen was SO very good in it. And he had such a very understanding and loving girlfriend. He was so happy and then he had to come back to harsh reality and find his girl in a beer ad! Sob! 😥
And “French Mistake”! My God, what a hoot! That one was perfected by Ben Edlund and you’ve got me excited for “French Mistake 2”. Would that be the one where Jensen and Jared find themselves in the Supernatural universe and get mistaken for Sam and Dean? Always wondered how that would go. I would suppose their lives would be cut very short then. Perhaps Cas could protect them? Haha!
Think how nonplussed Crowley would be if he confronted them. Please make it happen Mr. Edlund.
And that acting scene has to be played again and again as it is so hard to hear the dialogue while dying with laughter. 😀
I’d love to see Jared and Jensen in Sam and Dean’s world. Maybe Sam and Dean find them, and we’ll get to watch the Winchesters give them hunting tips? And maybe when they get back, they’ll like each other more?
Loving the list. It is fun to see other peoples opinion on episodes. Especially ones I love.
What is and what should never be would be higher on my list. It is a go-to episode for me. I use it to show Jensen’s acting skills. Doesn’t matter how many times I watch it, I cry at that D#*n graveyard scene every time!! I even love to listen to Kripke’s commentary. It is one of the few times he raves about how great Jensen is with this part.
I agree about this season. It is so great this year. And who doesn’t love the French Mistake. The look on Jensen’s face when watching himself on Days of our Lives. Died laughing
Ardeospina, thank you for not being afraid to include a new episode! It’s always tough to judge the current season without the benefit of hindsight and missing context that might be yet to come, but I happen to agree that “A Little Slice of Kevin” was a worthy episode. I personally preferred “Blood Brother” and have it on my top 15, but that’s why I made my own list. 🙂
Oh, “The French Mistake”. I have to admit that I rolled my eyes a little at that one the first time around. Even though it had a lot of laughs, including the side-splitting acting scene, I thought they did a poor job of tying it into the mythology. However, while I haven’t necessarily changed my mind, that doesn’t bother me on repeated viewings, because I can sit back and appreciate the episode as a hilarious diversion and not as part of a story I’m waiting to unfold.
The #12 episode on my list is “Point of No Return”. Just the fact that the angels brought back their half-brother as a replacement vessel was so unexpected and clever. Adam was completely convincing as a Winchester. Sam is at his best, continuing to have faith in Dean and trusting him even after Dean promised he would let him down. And in the end, that faith turned Dean around and put them all back on track. Team Free Will! And how satisfying was it to see Dean knife that smarmy dick with wings?! Very. Very satisfying.
“You’ve been a hell of a sport, really. Good stuff. But the thing is, you’re not so much the Chosen One as you are a clammy scrap of bait.” – Zachariah
Just wanted to say, loving these lists. The acting scene in French Mistake is pure gold. I still chuckle even when reading about it, as I actually did here.
Loved all three of these episodes but WIAWSNB is one of my all time favourites. It is an insight into Dean as we see that his main priority is really Sam’s happiness and having his family back together, even though John could not be there.
I liked Carmen a lot, she would have been good for Dean.
Many of my favourite scenes have already been listed by others; the graveyard scene, and the ones with Dean and Mary, the bitch/jerk (or lack of) one. However one scene that stands out to me is the one right at the end of the episode when Sam is telling Dean that what they do matters. The look Jensen imposes on Deans face breaks my heart everytime. Sob!
This is one of my go to episodes and I love watching it with the commentary as well.
TFM is a masterpiece. “I’m a painted whore!” cracks me up every time. I love that the SPN writers, cast and crew can laugh at themselves as well as include the fans, giving us inside jokes to laugh at as well.
ALSOK is one of my favourites this season, in fact I’m liking season 8 a lot.