Sofia’s Review: Supernatural 9.18, “Meta Fiction”
This episode gave me some serious whiplash of the brain. From the very beginning it was made clear to us that this episode was about what makes a story. Is it the writer, or the players? Metatron has always been a sucker for a good plot and recently he’s turned into quite the control freak. So when the episode opened with him as the narrator I knew we were in for some trouble.
Supernatural as a whole has given me a real complex when it comes to trust. I watch every episode with wary eyes; just waiting for the next person to screw over Cass or our beloved Winchesters. So when Gabriel showed up, a complete surprise to me by the way, I was more than a little suspicious. I’ve always enjoyed his character, and was happy to have him back, but I’ve certainly never trusted him. And sure enough, as the episode played on, something wasn’t right and I began to wonder whether Gabriel was even Gabriel. And even now I’m still wondering. So after that, I spent the entire episode on high alert, not even knowing what to believe anymore! Talk about trust issues.
It’s really troubling to me, the power that Metatron seems to have to alter reality. It really shouldn’t come as a shock since I think we all remember angels like Zacharia, Balthazar and even Cass doing similar things in the past. But to be honest, the thought never crossed my mind until the episode began. And that got me wondering why Metatron waited so long to interfere if he had the ability. And then that got me wondering if he did wait or if he has been secretly interfering the whole time. Ok, that seems like a stretch to me. But do you see what this show does to me?
But back to my more plausible point, why did Metatron wait so long to interfere? It doesn’t seem like he finds Sam and Dean to be much of a threat. He even plans to enjoy watching them fail. That’s a mistake too many other dead people have made in the past. Still, he seems to be laser-focused on Castiel at the moment. Did he only just realize that he could use Cass as a pawn? If he offers Cass a place in heaven and a never-ending angel battery in exchange for the lives of rebellious angels, he knows Cass will say no. But even though he said no, those angels are Castiel’s only chance to take on Metatron because they are the only ones willing to go against him. And Metatron seems to think they will all die regardless. And this way he doesn’t owe Cass anything when it’s all over. Like he said, it doesn’t matter how he gets to the ending as long as everyone plays their part. And it seems like Cass is doing just that.
My one hope right now is that Gadreel will come to his senses. He’s been uneasy with his arrangement with Metatron since it began and this episode had him begging Dean for death. It’s clear that things are weighing on him. So my hope is that he will decide he no longer wants to play his part in Metatron’s story. If he does it right, I think he has a real chance to shake things up for Metatron. But the question is whether or not he is brave enough to go up against him. What do you think?
On top of all these concerns, we also have the Mark of Cain to worry about. That thing is really taking its toll on Dean. The way he looked at himself in the mirror gave me chills. And not the good kind. There is real hatred brewing inside of him and I’m really worried about when he won’t be able to contain it anymore. I really thought he was going to kill Gadreel. I was even yelling “No, no, no!” at the screen. But only because we needed him to trade for Cass. Otherwise, I was on board with Dean killing him. He has done and said too many horrible things. But thankfully, Dean was able to stop himself. Whether or not he could do that again is another question. He seems to be falling deeper and deeper into whatever spell this mark has put on him. And I can’t see a way out of it yet.
Things are looking pretty grim, people. Not only is Metatron taking the fate of Heaven upon himself but the fate of Hell is up in the air as well as Crowley and Abaddon fight for power. Castiel has decided to step back into a leadership role which always makes me a little nervous. He’s in a different place than he has been in the past so I think he can handle it. At least I hope he can. But I am extremely worried about his stolen grace “burning out”. Then we’ve got Sam and Dean fighting to hold everything together as they take on Heaven and Hell again. How these boys get out of bed in the morning never ceases to amaze me.
All in all I really enjoyed this episode. The theme of what makes a good story and what makes a story work was an interesting one. This episode definitely warrants a few additional viewings. I still feel like I didn’t fully grasp all that it was trying to accomplish. What did you guys think of the episode? Did you catch on to any themes that I missed? Do you have any guesses about this last part of the season? Can you tell me if Gabriel is alive or not?!
As usual there were a lot of interesting moments and plenty of good lines to point out. Gabriel was particularly on his game in this one.
I love any reference to the fact that there is a Winchester gospel.
I always enjoy when they do a special title card for an episode.
Dean in the shower. That’s all I will say.
Was I the only one who was totally impressed that Cass can send a picture text?
“We got some off the grid items here but this ain’t Diagon Alley, man.” Harry Potter reference for the win!
Cass: “That’s inappropriate.” He knows he liked it.
Gabriel: “Look, I dropped, I hid, I finally watched ‘Downton Abbey’.”
Gabriel: “Crowley and aba-douche duking it out? Good times.”
Gabriel: “I hate continuity errors”
Gadreel: “Your insides reek of shame and weakness.”
This guy is really pushing my buttons.
Loved the shout out to Sherlock Holmes!
I am kind of sad that Metatron gave Cass knowledge of every book, movie and TV series he’s consumed. I love when Cass doesn’t understand references!
Metatron: “You are not the hero in this masterpiece. You are the villain. I’m the hero.”
Gadreel: “The two of you against the world, right?”
Dean: “Damn straight!”
Gadreel: “You really think Sam would do anything for you?”
Dean: “Oh, I know he would.”
Gadreel: “I’ve been in your brother’s body, Dean. He would not trade his life for yours.”
Dean: “Well, thanks for the rerun, pal. Sam’s already told me all that crap. Hell, he’s told me worse.”
Gadreel: “He told you that he has always felt that way? That he thinks that you were just a scared little boy who’s afraid to be on his own because Daddy never loved him enough? And he’s right, isn’t he? Right to think that you’re a coward. A sad, clingy, needy…pathetic, bottom feeder who can’t even take care of himself. Who would rather drag everyone through the mud then be alone. Who would let everyone around him die.”
Even though Gadreel was purposely pushing Dean’s buttons I know Dean worries how much of what he said was true.
Metatron: “Am I hitting my mark?”
Metatron: “Did anyone bring s’mores? Holy fire always gives them a delightful, minty aftertaste.”
Cass: “What have you done?”
Dean: “It’s a means to an end.”
Cass: “Damn it, Dean.”
Cass: “Hey Sam, you keep an eye on him.”
I am so worried about this!
Metatron: “My job is to set up interesting characters and see where they lead me. The byproduct of having well-drawn characters is they may surprise you. But I know something they don’t; the ending. How I get there doesn’t matter as long as everybody plays their part.”
Does anyone else find it troubling that Dean nearly beat an ANGEL to death? I found it funny that Cas could operate a phone and send a photo (I can’t even do that!). I think that Metatron is getting way to full of himself. Maybe all of the angels that want to follow Cas will band together and give him all of their grace in order to defeat Metatron? Gadreel didn’t seem too amused that he was kidnapped by Sam and Dean. Very excited for the rest of the season.
I wish we could of seen it but i did find it troubling
I thought it was awesome that Dean can now beat an angel to death with his bare hands. Cain had tremendous power. I am guessing that is why killing with the blade feels so great. One gets a power charge with every kill.
I thought it was awesome that Dean can now beat an angel to death with his bare hands. Cain had tremendous power. I am guessing that is why killing with the blade feels so great. One gets a power charge with every kill.
This was a great episode. I love how Metatron broke the fourth wall, giving us the idea that we decide what is real and not real. I was so happy to see Gabe back i scream “they brought him back about darn time.” the whole scene between Cas and Gabe was great. i love that they did that. Back to Dean, i am really worry about him the way he look at himself in the mirror like he was barely controlling it and then i thought of my fanfic i am wrote before this episode and how kind of similar it is. I was right there with you screaming at the screen “No don’t do it Dean you need him to get Cas back.” i wish we could of seen him beating Gradreel up however. At the end with Cas and Dean, i am so glad Cas knows about the mark but when he told Sam to watch him well now i am even more worry. Then when Metatron talks about everyone playing their part i just thought back to season 4 and 5. I can’t wait to see what the rest of season brings.
My feeling on Gabriel is that what we saw wasn’t Gabriel, but Metatron trying to write Gabriel and failing in his characterization. That said, I am more hopeful that Gabriel may still be alive. I’m not sure what Gadreel is doing or where he stands. With Metatron he was very self confident, more so then we have previously seen. I think he may turn against Metatron and then make a run for running heaven on his own. I do think he is very manipulative. He knew every button to push on Dean. He convinced Dean that he would rather be dead than imprisoned, and I honestly don’t know if that was true or if he knew to play that card to keep Dean from killing him. Gadreel had access to all of Sam’s thoughts and knowledge. He certainly could find out Dean’s insecurities. He could see that Dean told Sam that he had “been lying ever since [he] got in Dean’s ride” that Benny was “more of a brother than Sam” that Sam “left him to die”. Gadreel played on every insecurity Dean has and every resentment he has toward Sam.
I admit that angel politics leaves me completely cold. I don’t care about the angelic forces or Cas’s flock. I don’t really care much about Metatron. Gadreel has potential, but the basic underlying heaven story I do not care about. Metatron is killing lots of angels that I have never heard of and NOBODY cares about the vessels who are dying as well, so I’m left with “meh”.
I didn’t like Dean dismissing Sam and keeping him from confronting Gadreel in any meaningful way. I really resented that Dean got Sam to leave by, yet again, telling Sam that he isn’t good enough. “You’re too close” has underlying tones of “you’re too emotional” “you can’t control yourself” “you can’t be trusted with Gadreel”. Since Dean then proved that he was totally not to be trusted with Gadreel, in as much as Dean only wanted to hurt Gad. He was not in the least interested in getting any useful information from Gadreel.
It was interesting that Sam does not in fact have all of the memories of what Gadreel did. He did not know that Metatron had ordered Kevin’s murder. It does leave the question of what does Sam know and not know about Gadreel’s actions. I do wish they hadn’t focused on “Sam NEVER was willing to do squat to save Dean”. The show has consistently shown Dean’s poor opinion of Sam without looking at Sam’s POV and having this continue makes me unhappy.
i think gad not only knows sam thoughts but knows dean’s as well. i think gad connected with dean in i think i’m going to like it here when he enabled dean to get into sam’s head. i also think gad playing off dean’s insecurities and his low self esteem. i just noticed that this season seems not so much focused on sam never doing squat for a his brother, which is not true at all…but it’s been seeming to focus on dean’s misperceptions of his brother. sam tells dean that he wouldn’t save him same circumstances if the situation was reversed, meaning sam would never go against dean’s wishes, as we know to be true since sam has shown that in the past and present. sam never said he wouldn’t save his brother, but that’s what dean heard. that seems to me to play on dean’s own lack of self worth and his own issues come to the surface. dean hasn’t been truly listening to what sam has been saying. i haven’t seen this season as sam seemingly not caring for his brother…i actually have seen the opposite. I’ve seen sam fighting to save his relationship with his brother. I’ve seen sam run to dean every time dean calls out for him. I’ve seen sam ready to kill anyone who harmed his brother. i see sam, as hurt as he still may feel, focused on his brother and has been this entire season. they are emotionally distant as of the moment, but sam has never lost his focus on wanting to fix things with dean, even if his plan didn’t work as he had hoped. sam still has spent every moment at his brother’s side, at the ready for the time when they can both deal with all that’s happened. sam has never given up on either one of them….that’s love….it’s just that dean, who has always buried all his crap has finally reached full capacity. sam’s questions to dean i think have had him ask himself the same question. i think dean is finally starting to come face to face with his own issues and he’s having a hard time dealing with all of it. that’s just me of course. 😉
Hi nappi, nice post. I agree with everything you said especially about Sam! Dean is so convinced he is worthless that he hears only what he EXPECTS to hear instead of what Sam is really saying. Selective listening? Is there such a thing. He has always feared that Sam does not have the same feelings for him as he has for Sam. It always touches him when Sam does show how much he cares for Dean, but the doubts and voices in Dean’s head always eventually take over again.
nappi815 are you thinking that Zeke/Gadreel tried to connect with Dean just to get into his head? I absolutely loved Zeke in the beginning so maybe I’m acting like a spurned lover but I’m ready to believe the worst about Gadreel in everything he’s done & will do. I agree with percysowner that if Gadreel goes against Metatron, it will likely be for his own personal gain. No redemption for you Mr. Bad Angel 🙂
You know, that’s a good point Percysowner. Gabriel really wasn’t talking or acting like himself at all. He was kind of a caricature of himself. It probably wasn’t him. But that doesn’t mean he has to be dead, right? I mean, this is Supernatural.
You know, that’s a good point Percysowner. Gabriel really wasn’t talking or acting like himself at all. He was kind of a caricature of himself. It probably wasn’t him. But that doesn’t mean he has to be dead, right? I mean, this is Supernatural.
You know, that’s a good point Percysowner. Gabriel really wasn’t talking or acting like himself at all. He was kind of a caricature of himself. It probably wasn’t him. But that doesn’t mean he has to be dead, right? I mean, this is Supernatural.
Great episode. I thought they left it open to interpretation as to whether Gabriel is still alive or not; I think he’s dead but hey, you never know. I can see Gadreel double crossing Metatron; he wasn’t very happy about getting the snot kicked out of him by Dean. However, that doesn’t change the fact the Gadreel is a dick and the sooner they off him, the better. Metatron has read the Winchester gospel but must have missed the part about free will/destiny; his arrogance will be his undoing. Metatron is the best “bad guy” they’ve introduced on the show in a long time.
There are lots of interesting interpretations/guesses where the Mark of Cain is taking things; last season we had Dean talking Sam off the ledge, so to speak. Wondering if that’s going to be the case in reverse this year, with Sam having to do the same for Dean. At the end of the episode, it looked like Sam wanted to say something to Dean but either didn’t know what to say/how to start, or the Mark of Cain is exerting some influence. Clearly both Sam and Castiel are worried.
I agree. Metatron’s arrogance is astounding and it will be his downfall. He’s not the first dead monster to think he’s got it all in hand and disregarded The Winchesters. Abaddon is suffering from the same malady. Neither one of them are taking the Winchesters into consideration at all. Crowley may call them names,but he has never underestimated their ability to cause havoc on a cosmc scale, hence his contiued survival.
I also agree that there a at least two wild cards in this deck,possibly more than two. Gadreel and The MoC. Even if Metatron thinks he knows what the endgame is, it could still all go tits up because someone didn’t play their part (and yes I saw the pointed look he gave to Gadreel when he said that.) There appears to be no love lost between the two. They act like they don’t rust each other. But no matter what Gadreel decides to do he will always remain on my permanent s*** list for being a spineless d***weasel at the beginning of the season.
And Im no Destiel fan but did anyone else notice Castiel’s beautifully warm smile/greeting when he heard Dean’s voice. When I saw that, my first thought was :So, that’s why everyone ships these two.
I agree. Metatron’s arrogance is astounding and it will be his downfall. He’s not the first dead monster to think he’s got it all in hand and disregarded The Winchesters. Abaddon is suffering from the same malady. Neither one of them are taking the Winchesters into consideration at all. Crowley may call them names,but he has never underestimated their ability to cause havoc on a cosmc scale, hence his contiued survival.
I also agree that there a at least two wild cards in this deck,possibly more than two. Gadreel and The MoC. Even if Metatron thinks he knows what the endgame is, it could still all go tits up because someone didn’t play their part (and yes I saw the pointed look he gave to Gadreel when he said that.) There appears to be no love lost between the two. They act like they don’t rust each other. But no matter what Gadreel decides to do he will always remain on my permanent s*** list for being a spineless d***weasel at the beginning of the season.
And Im no Destiel fan but did anyone else notice Castiel’s beautifully warm smile/greeting when he heard Dean’s voice. When I saw that, my first thought was :So, that’s why everyone ships these two.
I think if Sam tries to say anything to Dean all he will get is “I’m fine” or “what rhymes with shut up Sam”. I think that Gadreel was afraid of being left imprisoned forever. He would rather die. That was why he pushed Dean’s buttons as hard as he did. He is an intriguing character. Since there can be no redemption for killing Kevin it will be interesting to see where his character goes. I got visions of Bobby when Cas saw what Dean had done. Yes Metatron is far too smug, hoping for an epic downfall.
I find it interesting that both of the two shows I follow so closely did fourth wall story breaking–Community’s “Basic Storytelling” on Thursday and now “Meta Fiction” here. Apparently Mad Men did, too, but that’s a level of misogyny I just can’t endorse. I won’t soapbox Supernatural though since it looks like next week Sheriff Mills is back to kick some more ass! I loved Ellen, and Jo, but there’s something about how Jody came to the hunting table later than the Harvelles that makes her more of an ‘everywoman.’
I’m thinking Gabriel really did get iced by Lucifer, but is was great to have him around again. Speaking of the Trickster, it seems there are quite a few characters this season who aren’t what they want us to believe:
[list]
[*]Dean–he’d have us all believe he’s fine but we know better[/*]
[*]Cas–same as Dean, but with different odds as Cas doesn’t believe he’s worthy given his past mistakes especially when he confessed to Sam. How’s this long-suspected-now-confirmed threat of Theo’s grace burning out going to play out? Will his past guide his future?[/*]
[*]Gadreel–we don’t know if he’s truly with Metatron or not anymore and then there’s the fact he could heal Sam after Cas said “You’re broken in ways that even I can’t heal” (never mind that eventually Cas was able to do the same) begging the question is he more than we think?[/*]
[*]Metatron–how did he erase all that angel warding? How is he working on opening Heaven? How dire was that threat against the guys and their Bat Cave home?[/*]
[*]Crowley–how does he have red smoke? Product of being a crossroads demon or something else? Is it simple retcon that “Lucky the Leprechaun” knew Naomi way back when in Mesopotamia to know Enochian?[/*]
[*]Abbadon–now that we know how she got into the Men of Letters initiation through Josie what does she have against the librarians? How is she really making that army (not unlike the one Sam was supposed to lead all those years ago)? What does she want with hell anyways? What’s her backstory with Cain?[/*]
[*]Cain–good guy or bad guy, we still have no clues.[/*]
[*]Demons hierarchy, in general–Yellow Eyes still had black smoke. Didn’t white-eyed Alistair and Lilith also have black smoke? Where do the black-eyed Knights fall into this playing field?[/*]
[/list]
Hi nappi, nice post. I agree with everything you said especially about Sam! Dean is so convinced he is worthless that he hears only what he EXPECTS to hear instead of what Sam is really saying. Selective listening? Is there such a thing. He has always feared that Sam does not have the same feelings for him as he has for Sam. It always touches him when Sam does show how much he cares for Dean, but the doubts and voices in Dean’s head always eventually take over again.
hey leah, thanks. I actually do believe that selective listening is a real thing. I have met many a wife who can vouch for that:D
I don’t think it was really Gabriel. The explanation was suspect at best but I was so happy to see him that I pretended it didn’t bother me. I loved his comment about continuity errors & Metatron’s talk about who decides a story. Was an apology for past storyline mistakes or just an admission that they happen? We’re free to take it either way. So much food for thought that I will be watching this one again & again.
Now on to much rejoicing over the angels. I know I’m in the minority when it comes to angels but SIGH. It’s not even my birthday & I got so much angel talk I’m practically giddy 🙂
I am curious how far Metatron read Chucks books. Yellow eyed under estimated Dean and Sam and he ended up dying. Sam with Lucifer, same with Dick Roman and the list can go on. So I wonder if that with be Metatrons downfall. He has to notice Crowely hasn’t under estimated them and he is still alive and kicking he has to wonder how he does it. And I wonder granted we know the blade can kill a knight of hell but can it take down angels? And notice Dean said stairway to heaven not sure if that is the finales title. I like that he wants to go to heaven and take it back for the angels that is great. I am thinking Gadreel does not underestimate the winchesters and what they can do and guessing he is the one that is going to help them out for what he did to Sam and Kevin. Maybe then he will ask Dean again to kill him but wonder if he will die at the hands of Cas. But I really enjoyed that scene when Dean beat the crap out of the angel. Guessing angels that don’t have full power you can beat the tar out of; or do we think that the angels know about the mark of cain? And nice to see concern for Dean from Sam and Cas. I fear when Dean talks about a means to an end and what it means for him.
Stairway to Heaven is a famous Led Zeppelin song. Dean is a huge Zep fan. It’s one of the shows tongue-in-cheek pop culture references seeing as guitarist Jimmy Paige was an occultist, at least at one time, and bought Aleister Crowley ([url]”http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleister_Crowley”[/url])’s house ([url]”http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boleskine_House”[/url]). It’s also interesting that the house sigil looks damn close to the Men of Letters sign. Sidenote: Paige also bought the Tower House ([url]”http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tower_House”[/url]) which features a Zodiac settle whatever paint piece of furniture that is and a massive bookcase with all kinds of allegory all over it. Wiki says Richard Harris, aka Dumbledore the first, once owned the house, too.
I think Cas knew exactly what the Mark was and was concerned over what it would do to Dean. The rest we’ll just have to watch unfold.
Great post, I loved it. As for Gabriel, I hooted when I saw him on the screen. Is he alive? Well, let’s remember that Lucifer also killed Cas in that season, so it is entirely possible that Gabriel is alive. As for Metatron … I could definitely see contempt and hatred in Gadreel’s eyes when he came back into the office. Did anyone else pick up on the fact that Metatron ask him if he had secured the back door? Clearly there is an alternate way into heaven, and they really do not want the boys to find it. We have seen people underestimate the Winchesters in the past, and I am sure that will be Metatron’s undoing this time. He has read the books, and you would think he would know better , but that is probably not the case. By the way, I too am super excited that Jodi will be back next episode.
Oh, I’m glad I’m not the only person to see the look in Gadreels eyes for Metatron. I thought it was just me or imagining it. Gadreel can’t stand him and while Metatron has never hidden his contempt for anyone I think he knows Gadreel hates him and is trying to cover. I feelpretty certain that Trons just using Gadreel and has no intention of honoring his deal with him, but it’s possible Gadreel may turn on him and I hope he does.
Judy Lee great catch on the back door. I totally forgot that line. Evidently you need griffin feathers and fairy bones (of any realm) for the spell.
I wonder if the guys (and Charlie!) venture into a(ny) fairy land. CARVER! When Charlie come back from Oz PLEASE use Elton John’s “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” as bed music! Thank you.
Those ingredients are for the horn of Gabriel sigil. I imagine Tessa the reaper knows the stairway to heaven.
Huu’s The Morning After confirmed after “The Walking Dead” finale that the actress that plays Tessa was confirmed to make another appearance. I didn’t remember that until you mentioned it, but that makes for a less alarming scenario that I first imagined.
Great catch Judy Lee! I remember the line about the back door, but didn’t make the connection to Taxi Driver and the much discussed back door into hell. It stands to reason that there would be one into heaven if there was one into hell. Maybe it too is in purgatory? Maybe we’ll to see more of Benny?
It was ok it was a pity Sam was sent away lso therefore denied the right to face Gadreel but then the possession seems to of become less about Sam .
Those ingredients are for the horn of Gabriel sigil. I imagine Tessa the reaper knows the stairway to heaven.