The WFB Admins’ Top 15 “Supernatural” Episodes List: #3
Ardeospina’s #3:
“Changing Channels”
Why: Every time I watch this episode, I am blown away by how amazing it is. There’s so much goodness packed into one hour of television that it’s bursting at the seams. I love everything about it, from the dark humor to the TV sendups to the retcon that actually works. It’s just damn good.
But there are a lot of good episodes of “Supernatural,” so why is this one so high on my list? Well, aside from the obvious awesomeness, it’s because this episode took a huge risk, and it paid off in spectacular fashion. I mean, think about it. When’s the last time you watched a TV show make fun of other kinds of TV shows? And not just other kinds of TV shows, but really popular kinds of TV shows! I mean, Carver took on massive hits, came out swinging, and really kicked it in the ass. This episode worked so well it wasn’t just a highlight of the “Supernatural” season but of the TV season in general. And I love it when a show takes risks and they pay off. Who wants their show to get stagnant and boring? Not me! And maybe that’s part of why I love this show so much; it’s not afraid to take risks. Most of the time, they work in spectacular fashion. Sometimes they don’t, but I’ll always appreciate the fact that the show tried something different.
I could go on and on and on about how fantastic the writing in this episode is (super fantastic!) and how sublime the acting is (really sublime!) and how hot the surprise Castiel duct tape bondage was (hooooooooooot!) and how awesome the “Trickster is Gabriel” twist was (beyond awesome!) but we all already know about all those things. If you’ve seen the episode, you know how magnificent it is. I don’t need to convince you. In fact, I dare you to go watch the episode right now and tell me it’s not absolutely incredible. Go ahead! I’ll wait.
Favorite Quote: It’s not a quote per se but a theme song. You know what I’m talking about.
Town to town, two-lane roads
Family biz, two hunting bros –
Living the lie, just to get by.
As long as we’re movin’ forward
There’s nothing we can’t do
Together we’ll face the day
You and I won’t run away
When demons come out to play
Together we’ll face the day!
Favorite Scene: There are so many to choose from. All of the TV Land scenes are just inspired, and the Herpexia commercial is just so ridiculous and hilarious. But I’m going with the scene when they finally trap Gabriel in a ring of holy oil and he confronts them and tries to convince the brothers to play their roles and get the Apocalypse show on the road. That scene was so wonderful. Richard Speight Jr. killed it, and the shooting angles and lighting and everything was fantastic. And I adore how Speight said, “I just want it to be over!” Great line reading. It was heartbreaking to see Gabriel so disillusioned with his own family, to see him so upset over their fighting that he wanted the apocalypse to happen just to have peace again. And I’m not even gonna go into the irony of Dean asking someone to go against their brother… Nope, not going there.
(Alice’s #3 is on page 3)
The End… oh Chuck, that was so good.
And thigh holster….
Funny little story, my Ex and our best friend have decided to cosplay cyber punk security guards at a big role playing convention. BEcause… just because. And he asked me to take picture. and as he got dressed, he put on a thigh holster.. and I swear, I stood there for a whole ten seconds, all that was in my head was “thigh-holster, fucking thigh-holster” playing in my head over and over again.
I must admit though, I don´t like Changing Channels. Not, because it´s bad, but because I have trouble with the “funny” episodes in general. I don´t like slapstick and I don´t like it, when they make Dean look dumb, as they sometimes like to do.
Though I love the and, when they trap Gabe. Oh and… Gabriel, I adore him!
“The End” has a very special place in my heart. Not a very special place on my top 15 list, unfortunately, but definitely in my heart! Seriously, though, it’s in my top 25, and it makes me happy to see it listed here. My favorite quote: “Oh I learned a lesson all right. Just not the one you wanted to teach!” Because we knew right then he would go get Sammy. My second favorite quote: “This isn’t funny, Dean! The voice says I’m almost out of minutes!” Plus the image of Cas just standing by the side of the road for a few hours… oh, Castiel, you awkward son-of-a-god. But I don’t have either of those quotes tattooed, so, you win!
As for “Changing Channels”, the question is not why is it so high, but why is it so low?! Lol, you’ll see it on my list tomorrow, if you look closely.
My #3 is “Dark Side of the Moon”. I love everything about this episode – it is my go-to if I’m ever in need of cheering up. I thought they had an amazing interpretation of Heaven, with each soul’s unique version, and the customized view of the Garden. How great was it that Ash used String Theory to navigate between the dimensions? Pretty great. The scenes that showed Heaven for each of the boys did a perfect job of making me completely sympathetic to both of them, despite the fact that they were at odds. Dean needs Sam in his life, needs to take care of others, and Sam needs independence and the freedom to take care of himself. Zachariah was delightful smarmy, but the worst part was when Joshua told them that God just didn’t care. Or rather, when he told Dean, who had been trying so hard not to give up, that he didn’t believe in himself or Sam anymore. Hulksmash!!! No wonder Dean throws out the amulet, and tells Sam episodes later that he doesn’t believe in him. Those words were basically put in his mouth by Joshua, and perhaps God. But I did say this episode cheers me up, right? Mostly, it’s the first scene in Heaven, the way the sky looks, the music that plays, and the smile on Dean’s face as he watches little kid Sam be happy. But also, it’s the fact that Dean wuvs hugs.
“Um… apparently you ‘wuv hugs'”. – Sam
The End has always had a special place in my heart. Jensen’s performance in this episode was staggering. He laid me out! I was crying right along with him in that last scene. Imagine being in Lucifers presence. Speaking to him that way. That was so Dean! The special effects always knocked me out as well. I love the scene where FutureDean pours them both a drink. Then they both pick up a glass. It was seamless. You know it is 2 seperate pieces of film, but you could never tell from the finished product.
Lazarus Rising. What can you say about an episode that good. The opening grave scene was exhillerating to say the least. The Bobby/Sam reunions. Pamela!! Who could forget her perfect line “You’re invited to Grumpy!”. Or Dean’s immediate response-“You are NOT invited!”. Or where she chose to “touch” Dean. PRICELESS! The entire scene between Dean and Castiel was one of the most memorable in any show I have ever watched.
The End is my #1 pick of all time fav episodes.
The acting by Jensen in the episode, as Kripke states on the commentary was Emmy worthy.
I love every moment of it.
My favorite scene and quote are when Dean asks Lucifer/Sam:
Dean: well go ahead kill me
Lucifer: ( tilts head to look behind Dean at 2014 dead Dean on the ground) gives a slight smirk and says…don’t you think that would be a little redundant?
Love it!