Supernatural Hiatus Hunting episode 5.08 “Changing Channels”

This week’s Hiatus Hunting episode is the classic “Changing Channels”

This is a great episode. It includes the return of The Trickster, who is actually the Archangel Gabriel, and is a great parody of the various types of TV shows. This is a long article, as Alice, Elle and Elle2 all had a lot to say about this amazing episode!

Recap – “Changing Channels pt. 1 by Alice Jester originally published November 9, 2009

This recap is ridiculously long. I was not kidding when I said last week I’d be setting a record here. The recap is so long, just like with last year’s “On The Head of A Pin,”I’m breaking it into two parts. Except this one has WAY more screencaps. The faces in this episode were too good. So enjoy every single detail! There’s plenty.

The Recap

Want to know how to get 3 plus million people to say “WTF???” right off the bat? Open with a very bright and cheery shot of a sun drenched motel with palm trees in the background and the voice of Jensen going “Supernatural is filmed in front of a live studio audience. “I pause, open my TV guide and check the listed genre. Horror. Then it dawns on me cheesy 80’s sitcoms are horror shows. I continue.

IIt’s Dean! Wow, where the fuck is he? The Technicolor lens is back! The colors on the wall are bright, the cabinets perfect white, the refrigerator is full with condiments, beer, and something called “smeet”(what, they couldn’t get the rights to Spam?) and Dean is happy. There’s a Dagwood sandwich piled about a mile high in the center of the two person kitchen table. “I’m going to need a bigger mouth.”Laugh track goes. Yep, I’m positively freaked out right now. Way to scare the crap out of us Kripke!

Sam walks in and there’s loud cheering from the laugh track. You know, the Big Bang Theory uses a laugh track. They don’t need to! We laugh on mark all the time. Want to know why? Because the jokes are funny. Why does this shameful device still exist??? So, if you haven’t already noticed, I will be taking the chance from time to time in this recap during the episode spoofing the absurdity of US television to throw in my own mini rants about the absurdity of US television.

It’s Dean! Wow, where the fuck is he? The Technicolor lens is back! The colors on the wall are bright, the cabinets perfect white, the refrigerator is full with condiments, beer, and something called “smeet”(what, they couldn’t get the rights to Spam?) and Dean is happy. There’s a Dagwood sandwich piled about a mile high in the center of the two person kitchen table. “I’m going to need a bigger mouth.”Laugh track goes. Yep, I’m positively freaked out right now. Way to scare the crap out of us Kripke!!

Supernatural


Town to town, two lane roads


Family business two hunting bros


Living a lie just to get by


As long as we’re moving forward there’s nothing we can’t do

Together we’ll face the day

You and I won’t run away


When the demons come out to play

Together we’ll face the day

Kripke you magnificent bastard.

Wellington, Ohio, 2 Days earlier. I suppose we do need to know how they got into this mess. Some moody music plays, it’s a hospital, and a hot doctor and hot other doctor get in the elevator. Door closes. They jump on each other in throes of passion and we see that it’s a show on one of those old TVs that shouldn’t be operating anymore without a digital converter. Swipe over to Dean who’s watching this on the edge of the bed totally engrossed. Sam comes out of the bathroom. “What are you watching?” “A hospital show. Dr. Sexy MD. It’s based on a book.” Sam scoffs. “When did you have menopause.” Ooh, nice one Sammy. “It’s called channel surfing,” Dean defends. Yeah, right. Dean asks Sam if he’s ready. “Are you?” Sam responds.

They’re talking to a sheriff doing their FBI thing. They’re investigating someone getting their head ripped off. Always a winner. The sheriff said the man, Bill Randolph, died from a bear attack. Sam asks how sure he is it was a bear. Remember Sam, this is Ohio. We don’t like the unexplained. The simplest explanation is usually the correct one. Yeah, that’s it. Its raccoons getting into my garbage every week, I swear. 6 foot raccoons that can remove garbage lids.

Dean makes his point. “Whatever it was, it chased Mr. Randolph through the woods, smashed through his front door, followed him up the stairs and killed him in his bedroom. Is that common, a bear doing all that?” “Depends how pissed off it is I guess.” Oh man, it’s the ignorant sheriff thing again. If we actually weren’t that dense in Ohio, I might be offended. The sheriff defends that they live in high country. Near Wellington? Seriously? (yes that gets said a lot in this one) Don’t they know what flat boring and very tame part of Ohio that’s in? Okay, there is existence of some rolling hills in those parts, but no wild undiscovered country. No bears either. You tend to get shot by your cousin, or there’s Amish rake fighting, but that’s it. Sam asks about Mrs. Randolph who saw the whole thing. The sheriff says the woman was confused. That’s grounds for an interrogation.

Mrs. Randolph sticks to her bear story. “What else could it have been?” Sam asks what does she think it was. She’s still very hesitant, insisting on the bear. Dean goes for the “every angle” bit asking what she thought she saw. “It’s impossible, but I could have sworn I saw “the Incredible Hulk.” Cue the light hearted score. Both Sam and Dean have that “she’s crazy”look on their faces. “Bana or Norton,” Dean asks. “Oh no, those movies were terrible. The TV Hulk.” Oh Jeremy Carver, you’re reading my mind! Dean clarifies, Lou Ferrigno? She confirms. “Would there any reason that Lou Ferringo, the Incredible Hulk, would have a grudge against your husband?” The woman has an understandable no, but I can’t hear it over the sounds of my own howling.

Dean reads about the supposed bear attack on the laptop at the motel, while Sam comes in. He saw the house. There’s giant 8 ft wide hole where the front door used to be. A Hulk sized hole. Dean found out that Bill Randolph had a temper. He had counts of spousal battery, bar brawls, and court ordered anger management. “You might say, you wouldn’t like him when he’s angry.” Hee! How many times have I used that line in my past recaps? At least a few. Damn, I did watch that show growing up, didn’t I?

Sam sees the irony. “So, a hothead getting killed by TV’s greatest hothead. Kind of sounds like just desserts, doesn’t it?” Sam concludes it’s all starting to make sense. Dean needs to know more. Sam found candy wrappers at the crime scene. Watch out Sam, I think those were planted there. Dean rattles off the clues and it clicks. “We’re dealing with The Trickster, aren’t we?” “Sure looks like,” Sam says. Who hoo! I love him.

“Good, I’ve been wanting to gank that mother since Mystery Spot.” So, you know about that Dean? Sam asks if he’s sure. “Son of a bitch didn’t think twice about icing me a thousand times.” So, you know then about intense psychological torture your brother went through with that? Please tell me your anger is guided at what he did to Sam. You don’t even remember getting killed by him, so it must be. I hope that’s a brief indication he knows everything that happened.

Sam doesn’t like the idea of killing him. He wants to talk to The Trickster. “Think about it Dean. He’s one of the most powerful creatures we’ve ever met. Maybe we can use him.” Dean wants to know for what. For the freaking apocalypse, that’s what. Sam rationalizes he’d a Hugh Hefner type that doesn’t want the party to end and hates this Angels and Demons stuff as much as they do. Maybe he’ll help them. That’s not half bad logic. Dean pulls out the other half though. “Ally with the Trickster. A bloody, violent monster and you want to be Facebook friends with him? Nice Sammy.” You know Dean, when saving the world I’m hardly recruiting my Facebook friends. We aren’t exactly an organized bunch.

“The world is going to end Dean. We don’t have the luxury of a moral stand.” Sam thinks it’s worth a shot. If it doesn’t work, they’ll kill him. Uh, no you won’t! Sorry, getting ahead of myself there. Dean wants to know how they find him. Sam knows that he never takes one victim and he’ll show. Next scene has Sam listening to a police scanner while Dean carves wooden stakes. A report comes through about a murder (at least I’m assuming that’s what a 187 means). The guy calling it in is at the old paper mill on route 6. You know, a route that doesn’t go through Ohio at all. He can’t even describe what he’s seeing. Just send everyone. Sound suspicious!

Sam and Dean show up at said abandoned paper mill and there’s nobody there. They know it’s a trap. They grab their wooden stakes and flashlights and cautiously go inside. Not good enough! They’re doctors! Sappy indie music plays in the background and Sam and Dean are pretty freaked. Two nurses go by and call them “doctor.”Sam doesn’t get it. Oh wait, you will! Dean opens the door they came through and two medical people are making out. Honestly, I don’t watch much Grey’s, but does that happen a lot? Okay sure, Chase and Cameron had sex in a supply closet in House and then there was that time JD and Elliot did it in Scrubs and okay, it happens in medical shows.

Might I point out that I’m really bummed they’re wearing their white lab coats? I saw the rehearsal pictures of them in the navy blue scrubs without the coats and both Jensen and Jared looked positively yummy! They should wear navy a lot. A female doctor comes up to Sam and slaps him. “Seriously? Seriously? You’re brilliant, you know that. And a coward. You’re a brilliant coward.” Dean watches her with amazement while Sam has this “WTF?” look. She slaps him again and he gives a bitch face! “As if you don’t know.” No lady, he doesn’t. Dean does though, for he knows that’s Dr. Ellen Piccolo. Isn’t that a St. Elsewhere nurse name? (runs off to imdb). No? I’m sure I’ll figure out where that name came from. Oh yeah, name that medical show.

Dean goes on with a sparkle in his eye. “The sexy yet earnest doctor at” then he sees the sign. “Seattle Mercy Hospital.” Sam, who’s pretty bored, wants to know what Dean is talking about. “The doctor get ups, the sexy interns, the ‘seriouslies,’ it all makes sense. “Sam still doesn’t get it. “We’re in Dr. Sexy MD.” Sam still doesn’t get it. Come on, you’re hunting the Trickster, right? This makes perfect sense. Perfect hilarious sense.

Now Dean is asking the questions. “What the Hell. No seriously, what the Hell?” You see, he’s already adapting to his role! He begs for one theory from Sam, any theory. “The Trickster trapped us in TV Land.” Sam throws that off the cuff, but he’s actually right! Dean thinks the theory is stupid. TV Land has actors and lights and crewmen. This looks real. Sam wonders how this can possibly be real. Um, it isn’t? Okay, it kind of is. It’s real to you. Dean spots Dr. Wang, the sexy but arrogant heart surgeon. And there’s a patient there, Johnny Drake, who’s not even alive. He’s a ghost in the mind of her, “the sexy but neurotic doctor over there.” Oh man, Jeremy Carver has been watching a lot of Grey’s Anatomy, hasn’t he? Those descriptions are hitting a little too close to home. Wait a second, where’s the racist black doctor?

Sam gets the inside joke line this week, something just for Jeffrey Dean Morgan. “So, this show has ghosts, why?” So, medical dramas where people die shouldn’t have ghosts, but the paranormal horror show is allowed to, right? Do you watch House? Oh wait, that was a hallucination. Sam can relate to that. Oh man, everyone is borrowing each other’s plot twists! It’s madness! “I don’t know. It is compelling,” Dean says. Bwah! Dean likes crappy writing. (I say in mocking sing song).

“I thought you said you weren’t a fan,”Sam says. Busted! Dean gives the most unconvincing “I’m not.” Liar! Luckily we don’t have to wait long for the lie to be exposed because out comes none other than Dr. Sexy himself. What is this? Dean is getting excited? Could Dean Winchester be having a man crush? Sam is throwing another bitch face in the background so he clearly doesn’t have one.

Dr. Sexy walks up to them. “Doctor,” he says to Dean. Dean gives the “Doctor”l ine back. Then he goes “Doctor” to Sam. Sam nods but that’s not his line, so Dean slaps him. “Doctor,” Sam says with irritation. I love irritated Sam. He so hates stupid rules. Dr. Sexy is mad at Dean. He wants one good reason why Dean is refusing to do the experimental face transplant he was ordered to do. “One reason?”Deans asks. Uh, he’s not a doctor and doesn’t know how to do one? No, instead of saying that, Dean notices that Dr. Sexy has tennis shoes on. He gets all mad and slams Dr. Sexy against the wall.

“You’re not Dr. Sexy.” Dr. Sexy calls him crazy. Sam watches all this actually thinking Dean is onto something. Way to trust big brother there Sam. “Because I swore what makes part of Dr. Sexy sexy is the fact that he wears cowboy boots, not tennis shoes.” Now Sam isn’t impressed. “Yeah, you’re not a fan.” “It’s a guilty pleasure,” Dean says. Hee! Yeah, that’s right. This show is my guilty pleasure. Yeah, that’s it.

Suddenly everything freezes and Dr. Sexy morphs into the Trickster. With a bright smile he says, “You guys are getting better.”Dean orders him to get them the hell out of there. “Or what,”the Trickster says not intimidated. He strong arms Dean making the point he can’t do anything about it. “Don’t see your wooden stakes big guy.” Sam realizes it was him on the police scanner and this is a trick. The Trickster, who’s in top notch gloating form (welcome back Richard!) points to himself, does this phantom circle around his face and harps sarcastically, “Hello… Trickster!”

The Trickster heard they were in town and couldn’t resist. No, I’m pretty sure he baited them with his Hulk prank. Dean wants to know where they are, which opens up the opportunity for the Trickster to brag about his own little “idiot box.” He made the sets, has his own actors and yes, I’m impressed. Of course he won me over in “Tall Tales” when he created that little love nest for Dean in the auditorium so I knew he wouldn’t disappoint here.

Now it’s time for Dean to throw at him twenty questions. Oh sorry, the $64 question. Wasn’t that the $64,000 pyramid? Yeah, I don’t know my game shows very well either. They were all the same after a while. Sam says they need to talk for they need his help. “Hmm, let me guess. You two muttonheads broke the world, and you want me to sweep up your mess. “Yeah, that’s it exactly. Sam thinks “Please” still works and asks for five minutes. Oh Sam, you adorable sap. This is so not going to work.

Instead, the Trickster tells them to survive the game for 24 hours and they’ll talk. “Survive what?” Dean asks, still in question mode. The game of course. “What game?” You’re in it Dean. “How do we play?” Can’t you tell Dean you’re already playing? You’re wearing a freaking doctor uniform for Christ’s sake. “What are the rules?” The Trickster just does a deliciously evil double eyebrow raise, which is the best expression I’ve ever seen for “That’s for me to know and you to find out.” He disappears. Oh, what a brilliant way to start a mind fuck.

Dean chastises Sam for his great plan to talk to monsters while everyone else is trying to find Dr. Sexy. Sam asks what do they do now? Dean is leaving, but leave it up to the Trickster to throw some obstacles in their way. Doctor Slappy Face shows up and Sam’s sharp reflexes kick in just in time to avoid getting one across the jaw. “Lady, what the Hell?” She goes on with the “brilliant” and Sam beats her to “coward.” “I got news for you. I am not a doctor.” Uh oh Sam, you asked for it. She’s utterly appalled and the sappy music comes on again. “Don’t say that.” Her over-emoting even has Dean rolling his eyes, not to mention triggering a trademark Sam bitch face. “You are the finest cerebrovascular neurosurgeon I have ever met.” I go to Google to see what if there’s such a thing as cerebrovascular neurosurgeon or if Jeremy Carver made it up. Cerebrovascular is blood flow in the brain, making the neurosurgeon part redundant. So, he did.

The doctor isn’t done with the melodrama. “So that girl died on your table. It wasn’t your fault. It wasn’t anybody’s fault. Sometimes people just die.”Sam has no idea what she’s saying. No, you wouldn’t. Ask Dean. “You’re afraid. You’re afraid to operate again. And you’re afraid to love.” You don’t want to love Sam lady. You’ll end up dead. Once she leaves Sam concurs with Dean. “Yeah, we’re getting out of here.”

Nope, a man comes out to talk to Dean. He tells Dean his wife needs to face transplant. The novelty of being on this show has obviously worn off, for Dean starts ranting. “You know what pal, none of this is real, okay, and your wife doesn’t need jack squat. Okay?”I love irritated Dean. They walk away and the bothered man says “Hey doctor.” He pulls out a gun and shoots Dean in the back. The gunshot isn’t all the shocking at first and Sam watches the guy leave. He doesn’t see what’s happening until Dean falls to his knees with a horror-struck look gasping “real.” Now I’m stunned, for Jensen is making this part look really scary. Sam grabs hold of Dean and starts frantically shouting for a doctor. That’s you Sam, don’t you know that?

Dean is on the surgical table, staring face down onto the blue floor. Sam is the surgeon? Okay, this is interesting. Dean is not under anesthesia and Sam isn’t wearing a mask. I guess masks and pain killers ruin the sexy of Dr. Sexy MD. Sam stares at the wound and has no freaking idea what to do. The nurses of course ratchet up the tension by spouting off how low Dean’s blood pressure is. Sorry, but if it was that low, he’d be unconscious. Sam just nods, not really caring at the moment. He’s got bigger problems. Another nurse hands him a scalpel, but he just waves it off.

Dean is a little more worried than Sam. “Sam, come on, do something.” Sam admits he doesn’t know how to use any of this crap. Dean challenges him to figure it out. You know Sam, you are good at making it up as you go along. So Sammy goes and proves me right. “I need a pen knife, some dental floss, a sewing needle, and a fifth of whiskey.” Dr. Slappy Face is watching Sam in the observation room with admiration. No, total googly-eyed love. Everyone looks at Sam like he’s crazy, Dean can’t believe he just asked for that, and the music changes to a more upbeat soulful tune of triumph. Sam takes control of the situation. “Stat!” See, he has watched a medical show before! Everyone scrambles and Sam is somewhat impressed that it worked.

Next is a shot of a half bottle of whiskey on the table, Sam’s gloves are all bloody, and he’s sewing up the wound with some pretty hefty dental floss. Dean asks if they’re good, and I’m wondering with all the blood and pain how Dean isn’t griping and complaining up as storm by now. Sam tells him they’re good. Then Dr. Slappy Face with a tear in her eyes mouths, “I love you.” Sam is really freaked out now. She adds to his horror by putting her hand to the glass and letting herself get lost in doughy-eyed love. You know, I don’t blame her. He gives her a squirmy look, the kind that only Sam/Jared can do so well, turns away and we know he’s plotting his escape. Dean looks at the blue line on the floor, and that’s the perfect setup for the next transition.

There’s an audience chanting, the blue floor becomes blue doors, the doors fly open and a Japanese game show host with full-on game show host leisure suit enters. Suddenly we’re hit in the face with one colorful set and two perplexed Winchesters in the middle. Whoa, my eyes! What are Sam and Dean strapped to the platform with? Ski boots? What are those strategically placed sticks with a ball on the end of them? How warped is Jeremy Carver right now? What man would do that to another man? Sera Gamble maybe?

The Japanese man is all excited. It’s time to play, “Nutcwacah”. Sam and Dean are totally confused. Apparently neither of them watch Japanese game shows. The host with the most readies his blue card. First up, “Sam Winchestah.” He asks in Japanese what we presume in showing in the subtitles. “What was the name of the demon you chose over your own brother?” Ooh, the Trickster doesn’t have it in for Sam at all, does he? This is where Sam wishes he took Japanese in college as well as Spanish. He doesn’t understand so the guy asks again. Too late. The little man bows his head in remorse and then snickers like a little devil. Considering the hostesses are wearing horns, I sense a Hell theme here. Oh that crafty Trickster!

Stick goes up, Sam gets it painfully hard right in the nuts. No, this nutcracker is not a ballet. Sam doubles over in about the worst agony we’ve seen him in yet. Heck, even his own stabbing death wasn’t this gruesome. The TV replays the blow a couple of times just to add insult to injury, which is common ground for Sam these days.

Dean watches with horrified shock and realizes he’s setup for one of these things too. He looks pretty sick, but not anywhere near as bad as Sam. While Japanese guy goes over with Japanese scantily dressed hostess to tout the benefits of shrimp chips, Dean asks a writhing in pain Sam if he’s okay. Sam can only muster a strained look considering he’s been rendered speechless. Fuck no!

There’s a knock on the blue doors and they come open. It’s Castiel! He found them! “What are you doing here?” Duh Cas, going through personal torture. “What are you doing here?” Dean asks. He’s been looking for them since they’ve been missing for days. Sam wants him to get them out of there. Castiel holds out his fingers to do the angel zapping thing and gets zapped himself. Hmm, the Trickster is more powerful than an angel? Okay. Japanese game show host comes backs over. “Mistah Trickstah does not like pretty boy angels.” Speak for yourself Mistah Trickstah. Me likely pretty boy angels just fine. However, we wouldn’t get all this upcoming fun if he took them out of there.

Japanese guy resumes the game now turning to “Dean Winchestah.” “Would your mother or father still be alive if your brother was never born?” Now, I can’t believe that some people actually thought Dean understood the question. The clock is counting down and Dean is starting to panic. This is where I wish he breaks the fourth wall a la Volunteers and reads the subtitles. Ah well, what they did works too. Lucky for Dean, Sam has recovered enough now where he can offer some advice. He had to play doctor and operate in Dr Sexy, so Dean needs to answer the question. He doesn’t know Japanese. Sam rightfully implores him to try. Yeah Dean, you’ve got it pretty easy considering Sam had to operate on you. Dean presses the button with no time to spare.

Suddenly, Dean is speaking Japanese! How cool is that. If only he knew what he was saying. Basically, the answer is yes. The Japanese guy considers the question while Dean sweats it out big time then declares Dean the champion. Ouch, nice slam on Sammy there. Is the Trickster bitter much? While the celebration goes on Sam wonders how Dean did that. “I have no idea,” he confesses. Sam concludes the obvious. “So that’s it, we play our roles we survive.” “Play our roles for how long?” “Good question,” Sam uneasily answers. Dean clenches his teeth and gives the most perfect uncomfortable smile and wave to the crowd.

If I hadn’t been watching this at first during a commercial free viewing, I would have skipped over this. I’m so glad I didn’t because I think it’s up there as a top five funniest moment. I usually gage that based on how long it takes to pick myself up off the floor after laughing so hard. Almost five minutes. Only giant teddy bear and alien slowdance went longer. So here we go.

A woman is doing yoga in a serene setting by the water. “I’ve got genital herpes.” Then an older guy in his living room. “I’ve got genital herpes.” Sam is playing basketball, shoots a pefect nothing-but-net-basket then turns to the camera uneasily. “Seriously?” Dean comes up and takes the opportunity to rub it in. “You’re the one that said play our roles.” Sam drops his head in defeat and then mans up. In a nice monotone voice he declares, “I’ve got…genital herpes.” Sorry, I’m laughing way too hard where I can’t even type this!

The yoga girl tried to be responsible. The old man tried. Sam just keeps clenching his jaw. “But now, I take twice daily Herpexia to reduce my chances of passing it on.”

Can’t recap…can’t breathe…

Yoga girl helps me out by telling us to ask our doctors about using Herpexia. Then Dean comes on with the disclaimers! “Patient should always consult with a physician before using Herpexia. Possible side effects include headache, diarrhea, permanent erectile dysfunction, thoughts of suicide and nausea.” Man, he could make a decent living just doing that! Sorry, stopping to grasp my aching side. Oh no, Sam’s going for the kill! I’m doing all I can to slightly lessen the spread of” (face clench – higher pitched voice) “genital herpes. And that’s a good thing.”

  Sorry, no more recapping today. I’m typing on the floor now. More coming in a day or two…

“We now return to Supernatural.“ Back to the sunny, very warm and inviting Sun and Sands. We get a repeat of Dean’s cheesy “Son of a Bitch” tagline, just in case you forgot where they left off. Sam escorts the bikini clad bombshell out and Dean watches lustfully. Actually, that’s no sitcom acting. He actually does that! Dean waves goodbye to the girl, and Sam closes the door shaking his head. “How long do we to have to keep doing this?” Dean says behind his fake smile. “I don’t know. Maybe forever? We might die in here,” Sam nervously answers with his own false grin. “How is that funny!” Dean shouts at the laugh track and audience. “Vultures.” He’s fraying at the edges.

Suddenly Castiel comes in to the oohs and ahhs of the laugh track. Luckily none of that phases him and says he doesn’t have much time. “Something is not right. This thing is way more powerful than it should be.” “The Trickster?” Dean asks. “If it is a Trickster.” Just as Sam asks for clarification, Castiel goes flying against the wall.

Speak of the Devil, in pops the Trickster! He does the celebrated “hi-yo” entrance that happens so much in those lousy shows. He turns toward the angel struggling on the ground. “Hi Castiel,” he says cheerfully. Castiel can’t answer back since he has duct tape over his mouth now. You know, as bad as The Trickster has it in for Sam, Castiel is getting it about ten times worse. There’s an untold story there that I hope we find out eventually. He zaps Castiel away.

Dean asks where he sent Castiel in an overprotective manner. It’s so nice how Dean has that type of concern for Cas, just like he would for Sam or Bobby. I know many people have been getting down on Castiel this season, but I for one still love the bond between Dean and him. I’d like to see a stronger one formed between Sam and Cas. Anyway, The Trickster answers, “Relax, he’ll live. Maybe.” Dean gets really angry. He’s done with the monkey dance. “Playing our roles, that’s your game?” The Trickster tells him that’s only half of the game.

Sam asks “What’s the other half?” Ooh, time for a delicious plot twist! “Play your roles out there.” They still don’t get it and the Trickster is never one to be afraid to spell things out. “Sam starring as Lucifer, Dean starring as Michael, your celebrity deathmatch. Play your roles.” Sam is confused. “You want us to say yes to those sons of bitches?” You know, that saying in plural form always sounds off to me, yet this show is using it more and more. Ah well, it serves its purpose. “Hells yeah. Let’s light this candle!”

Sam is still having issues with the idea. “We do that the world will end.” The Trickster is unsympathetic. “Yeah, whose fault is that? Who popped Lucifer out of the box? Look it started. You started it. It can’t be stopped. So let’s get it over with.” Oh, so that’s why the Trickster has it out for Sam. He’s blaming him for starting the apocalypse. I think. Okay, I’m only guessing.

Sam is guilt ridden, Dean is angry. “Heaven or Hell, which side you on?” The Trickster claims he’s not on either side. Dean doesn’t buy it. “You’re grabbing ankle for Michael or Lucifer. Which one is it?” “You listen to me you arrogant dick. I don’t work for either of those SOBs, believe me.” Dean prods further, for he hasn’t gotten what he wants. “No, you’re somebody’s bitch.” Suddenly the Trickster loses his temper and slams Dean against the wall. “Don’t you ever, ever presume to know what I am.”

Dean and the Trickster have this long, mean, ominous stare down. The Trickster holds onto to Dean by the throat with one hand and turns around to Sam to issue ultimatums with the other. “Now you listen very closely. Here’s what’s gonna happen. You’re gonna suck it up, accept your responsibilities and play the roles that destiny has chosen for you.” “And if we don’t,” Sam says with defiance since Dean can’t say much in that stranglehold. “Then you’ll stay here in TV Land, forever.” Glare from Sam, glare from a struggling Dean, back to the smug Trickster. “300 channels and nothing’s on.” I wish these guys would end up on Mythbusters. I would love to see them high five each other over blowing stuff up.

What happens next works too. The Trickster snaps his fingers, and they’re at a crime scene. Dean and Sam turn around and they’re both wearing blue suits with blue shirts, no tie and sunglasses! They’re Horatio Caine clones. God, I hate that show. Don’t get me wrong, I love the original CSI in Las Vegas. The rest, I don’t need to tell you why I hate them. Dean does just a perfect job for me.

“Oh come on,” Dean says, definitely not happy. Sam isn’t looking too pleased either. A guy comes up to them asking what they think. Dean gives a very agitated, “go screw yourself,” line. The original line is a bit more colorful than that, but I’ve already gone overboard with the four letter words in this recap and will refrain. Sam is a little more polite, asking for a minute. Ah, good cop bad cop. Like that’s never been done before! Sam tells Dean he’s gotta calm down.

“Calm down? I’m wearing sunglasses at night. You know how does that? No talent douche bags. I hate this game. I hate that we’re in a procedural cop show, you want to know why? Because I hate procedural cop shows. 300 on television and they’re all the freaking same. It’s ooh, plane crashed here. Oh shut up!” This is why being a TV writer is my dream job. I want to be able to get away with venting like that at my job!

Sam notices that the one guy that came to talk with them is eating a lollipop. That could be their guy. Sam tells him to follow his lead. They walk, no, they cooly stride over, putting the sunglasses on their faces, and they’re ready for some investigating! This is so funny because Sam is actually getting into the role. Maybe because he knows he’s a dead ringer for David Caruso. It’s certainly evidence that he does watch procedural cop shows.

While the boys “make their entrance” a remade version of the CSI: Miami theme song, “Won’t Get Fooled Again” plays. It should be noted that when I got to see this on the critics preview, the ACTUAL Who version of the song played. I guess they couldn’t get the rights in time for airing. Bummer, but it’s still a great entrance. Dean’s voice goes into a Caruso husk and he asks what do they got. Victim has ligature marks on his neck and a roll of quarters down his throat.

Dean crouches down to take a look. Sam removes his sunglasses, does his Horatio sneer and says in perfect rough voice “Well I say, jackpot!” before putting his glasses back on with the smooth moves and striding a few steps away. Hee! We’ve been seeing that for weeks in previews and it’s still hysterical every time. You know Jared was practicing that in a mirror the second he read the script. Either that or he actually watches CSI Miami. That thought scares me though.

There’s a stab wound to the lower abdomen. Dean picks up a nearby stick and plays with the wound with it. Dean gets up and does his slick putting on of sunglasses. “Well I say, no guts no glory.” Hee! They’re both really hamming it up. Again, and I say this a lot, how many takes did they have to do to get through this? Sam’s turn. “Get that guy a”¦(puts glasses back on)”¦tums.” Dude with the lollipop laughs, but I groan. Dean’s turn. This time he turns his head in a glam pose and leaves the glasses on. “Gutterball.” Ooh, now these are just getting plain bad. What’s sad is Caruso has actually said crap like this before.

Sam is providing the distraction while Dean circles around. Then he jumps in front and stakes the guy right through the heart. Then the screen shows the inside computer graphic of the stake piercing the heart! I’m on the floor in a fit of laughter again. That was cool a couple of times when CSI did this in the first season, but everytime since then they’ve become a parody of themselves. So, why not it become an actual parody? This is where the attention to detail in these spoofs has made this episode brilliant. The gags aren’t over the top, striking in perfect timing. That why this script works so well.

Dude falls to the ground, gurgles and dies but stays there. Not the Trickster. Suddenly a nearby cops laughs, and morphs into The Trickster. He ridicules them for getting the wrong guy and then bam! Sam stakes him through the heart from behind. The Trickster collapses, Sam looks really hot being in killing mode in that suit and glasses, and suddenly everything morphs to normal. They’re in the warehouse, the Trickster is dead on the floor. Notice how all the bright pretty colors of TV Land are gone and its back to hues of grey. Seriously, they killed him? There’s still a lot of time left. Here comes the twist!

This is where I’m going to take a few paragraphs to give deep honor to the set designers. That’s all because of the next shot. They show the outside of the real motel they’re in, the Day-Z. It’s hardly the Sun and Sand. Inside the trim is dull white and chipped, while in the sitcom it was all bright white. The floors were a brilliant red in the sitcom, here the floors resemble a worn gray. The wallpaper is faded in the Day-Z, while the sitcom has the bright colors. The detail that went into these sets is incredible, especially since they had to do so many, but to take the same room and give it such a stark contrast is a truly interesting feat. Fantasy vs. reality. It’s these little things that we barely notice that makes this show so exceptional.

Dean’s worried about what that “SOB” did to Cas. You should be! However, there’s a bigger problem right now. Sam is nowhere to be found either. Dean looks around and thinks asking an empty room “Where are you?” will get him an answer. Nope. He leaves and calls Sam on his phone. He just gets a message. So he leaves one? Sam is missing and you’re leaving a message? After all that’s happened he’s just not going to take off.

Of course, maybe the message was a device for Sam to hear Dean talking as he climbed into the Impala. “Dean?” “Sam?” He turns around and we get a great back seat shot from within the Impala. I love those kinds of visuals. They’re few and far between. A freaked out Dean looks all around. “Where are you?” “I don’t know.” Then the reveal! It’s the KITT computer from Knight Rider! “Oh crap.”
Oh my God, Sam is the car? I strained my back falling on the floor this time.

“I don’t think we killed the Trickster.” Really? No time for that though, because just like the other shows, there has to be an intro. This is the best one yet. Yes, better than the sitcom. Why? Because I watched Knight Rider avidly as a kid. I LOVED the KITT Firebird Trans Am. I loved the opening with the “duh, duh, duh, duh, duh”¦”, the car whoosing down the road with all the glory shots and the Hoff with the 80’s hair driving with his steely glare. The show, I don’t remember much but it had the best intro ever. It’s such a shame the screen caps don’t do this one justice, but here goes.

  Can’t…breathe…

Now that the intro is over, it’s time for the Knight Rider premise. Solve the mystery while driving. See, you get a recap of the whole series right here! Dean guesses the stake didn’t work. Why is that KITT? “I don’t know, maybe because it’s not a Trickster?” Ah, KITT, I mean Sam, is always so smart. He of course drew his conclusion off of what Castiel said earlier. Then Dean recalls the way the Trickster looked at Cas like he knew him. Sam remembers how pissed he got when Dean brought up Michael and Lucifer. It all hits Dean. “Son of a bitch.” At least it’s his real saying this time. Dean knows what they’re dealing with.

More Knight Rider music and this time it’s a really cool shot of the Impala coming toward the camera with the red light running along the front then an undercarriage view before coming out and showing the rear angle. Awesome! Prettiness abounds in all sorts of ways in this episode. Eat your heart out KITT. You’ve been outclassed by the Metallicar!

The Impala is parked in a rest area and Dean is searching through the trunk. “Dean?” Dean asks what. “That uh, feels really uncomfortable.” Hee, the little details they put into everything. That one’s good. Dean rolls his eyes and slams the trunk. “Ow.” Oh come on Dean, haven’t you ever wondered what happens if the Impala could talk and tell you things. No, I didn’t think so.

Sam asks if he’s sure this is going to work. No, but he has no other ideas. In Supernaturalland, that means it’s going to work. The “only idea” always does. Dean walks in front of the Impala giving us one more amazing piece of eye candy and shouts to the sky, “Alright you son of a bitch. Uncle!” Nothing happens. “We’ll do it!” Dean shouts. “Should I honk?” Sam says. Man, they just won’t quit with the funny! Sam makes the perfect KITT by the way. He’s every bit as snarky as William Daniels was in the original version.

Enter Trickster. “Wow! Sam, get a load of the rims on you.” “Eat me,” Sam dryly replies. That’s so much better than “Go to Hell!” The Trickster asks if they’re ready to go quietly. Dean won’t do anything until “Sam has opposable thumbs.” “What’s the difference? Satan’s going to ride his ass one way or another.” Harsh! He really has it out for Sam. I still think there’s more to it than what’s being revealed here.

Dean stares down the Trickster and he reluctantly snaps his fingers. Sam gets out of the Impala and is not happy! Disturbed is a better description. The Trickster asks if they’re happy. Sam slams the door in a slight huff and then walks over looking bothered while Dean gets to business. “Why didn’t the stake kill you?” “I am the Trickster,” he says. “Or maybe you’re not,” Dean replies. Sam not missing a beat lights the lighter, drops it and the flaming angel trap ignites in a flash.

The Trickster looks at the circle still keeping up his game. Dean gives up the theory. “Maybe you’ve always been an angel.” The Trickster laughs. “A what?” He thinks Dean is nuts. “I tell you what. You just jump out of the holy fire and we’ll call it our mistake.” The camera goes on Sam and what a face! He’s really angry about this. I wonder if this hatred toward angels is going to lead to his downfall with Lucifer. Maybe I’m just reading too much into a chilling glare.

The Trickster laughs and then his face gets serious. The scene changes to back at the warehouse and he ain’t leaving that circle. He claps. “Well played boys.” He is an angel? Whoa. “Where do you get holy oil?” I’m presuming that Castiel stocked them up by the gallons for that’s one healthy burn going there. Dean, being in full character, goes for the clever answer. “You might say we pulled it out of Sam’s ass.” Sam gives Dean a bitch face. *snigger* I love Sam as the car jokes.

“Where’d I screw up?” The Trickster asks. “You didn’t,” Sam says. “Nobody gets the jump on Cas like you did.” Yeah, except Alastair, and Zachariah, and Raphael, and”¦ Oh let’s face it. Cas has become the universe’s bitch. Dean gives the main clue. “Mostly it’s the way you talked about Armageddon. Call it personal experience, nobody gets that angry unless they’re talking about their own family.” “So which one are you? Grumpy, sneezy, or douchy?” There’s Sam talking like Dean again! He does want to be just like his big brother. Oh, but the answer is so good! “Gabriel, okay? They call me Gabriel.” Seriously? He’s Gabriel? As in THE Gabriel? Sam clarifies just in case there are those that don’t know about Gabriel. “The archangel Gabriel?” That’s the one!

Dean asks the burning question. How does an archangel become a Trickster? “My own private witness protection. I skipped out of heaven, had a face transplant, carved out my own little corner the world until you two screwed it all up.” Man, that sounds a little Scooby-Doo ish to me. Dean goes on. “What did Daddy say when you ran off and joined the Pagans?” “Daddy doesn’t say anything about anything.” Granted this isn’t a big reveal knowing what we know from other angels, but it sounds like God has washed his hands of Heaven as well as Earth. Interesting way of showing things. In Paradise Lost (in which this arc is heavily based on) it was free will of man that separated God from Earth. I wonder what caused it to happen in Heaven too? Maybe it was Michael and Lucifer turning on one another?

Sam wants to know why he ditched. Dean answers the question, just so he can get the Trickster/Gabriel mad. “Do you blame him? His brothers are heavyweight douchenozzles.” “Shut your cake hole. You don’t know anything about my family. I love my father, my brothers, love them. But watching them turn on each other, tear at each others throats, I couldn’t bear it, okay? So I left. And now it’s happening all over again.” Oh no, it’s the awkward middle child syndrome. I’m shocked Carver didn’t break into a “Marsha, Marsha, Marsha,” line. Oh yeah, Kripke already stole that last season.

“Then help us stop it,” Sam asks. “It can’t be stopped.” Dean can’t believe he wants to see the end of the world. “I want it to be over. I have to sit back and watch my own brothers kill each other thanks to you two. Heaven, Hell, I don’t care who wins. I just want it to be over.” Hmm, avoiding conflict. Definite middle child.

Sam, the eternal optimist, takes the next line. “It doesn’t have to be like that. There’s got to be some way to pull the plug.” Back to pessimist Trickster/Gabriel. “Oh, you do not know my family. What you guys call the apocalypse, I used call Sunday dinner. That’s why there’s no stopping this, because this isn’t about a war. It’s about two brothers that loved each other and betrayed each other. You think you’d be able to relate.” Ouch! He’s right though. However, Sam for whatever reason isn’t getting it. Seriously Sam? Crap, there’s that word again.

The Trickster/Gabriel is amazed that the obvious point is lost on them. “You sorry sons of bitches. Why do you think you two are the vessels? Think about it, Michael, the big brother, loyal to an absent father. And Lucifer, the little brother, rebellious of daddy’s plan. You were born to this boys, it’s your destiny. It was always you! As it is in Heaven, so it must be on earth. One brother has to kill the other.”

“What the Hell are you saying?” Dean asks. Now I’m confused, because I understood that speech completely. I think Sam did too, because while Dean looks angry, Sam looks beside himself. The Trickster/Gabriel clarifies further for Dean, just because we need more showboating. “Why do you think I’ve always taken such an interest in you? Because from the moment Dad flipped on the lights around here, we knew it was all going to end with you. Always.”

Sam looks like he’s gonna cry. Dean looks at Sam, musters up some resolve and give the Trickster/Gabriel his trademark glare of defiance. “No, that’s not going to happen.” Trickster/Gabriel apparently doesn’t take no for an answer. “I’m sorry, but it is. Guys, I wish this were a TV show. Easy answers, ending wrapped up in a bow, but this is real. And it’s going to end bloody for all of us. That’s just how it’s gonna be.” Wow. That’s actually making me a bit weepy. How sad! So, we get a nice commercial break to chew on that for a while. I’m stunned! I know many didn’t like this Trickster as Gabriel reveal, but after “Mystery Spot” it makes so much sense. That’s for another article though.

Back to the action and Trickster/Gabriel asks now what. “Stare at each other for the rest of eternity?” You’re in the dude in the flaming circle, I wouldn’t push buttons. Dean tells him he’s going to bring Castiel back from wherever he stashed him. Trickster/Gabriel isn’t taking Dean’s order seriously. “Yeah, or we’re going to dunk you in holy oil and deep fry ourselves an archangel.” You see, they do have gallons of it! Trickster/Gabriel obvious has figured out by now when Dean is serious and snaps his fingers. Castiel is there!

Cas is pissed! Dean asks if he’s okay. “I’m fine.” You realize that the acronym for fine is “fucked up, insecure, neurotic and emotional.” So yes, Cas is FINE. He looks at his tormentor and says “Hello Gabriel.” Oh, so you figured it out! “Hey bro. How’s the search for daddy going. Let me guess. Awful.” Siblings always love to rub in failure. Ooh, that makes Cas angrier! Trickster/Gabriel shrugs it off.

Dean is in full control now, becoming the leader he’s meant to be. I’ve never been prouder! They’re leaving. Trickster/Gabriel asks if they’re going to leave him there forever. Oh goodie, goodie, time for the best line ever! “No, we’re not because we don’t screw with people the way you do. And for the record, this isn’t about some prized fight between your brothers or some destiny that can’t be stopped. It’s about you being too afraid to stand up to your family!” Who hoo Dean! You tell him.

Judging by the look on Trickster/Gabriel’s face, something is sinking in with him over what Dean said. Will it last? Who knows? Dean turns around, smashes the glass and pulls the fire alarm. The sprinklers start putting out the fire. “Don’t say I never did anything for you!” Dean shouts. They leave and Castiel stays around for one last long stare. Remember that! That has to mean something. Trickster/Gabriel watches the fire go out.

Outside, our three heroes are pretty shell shocked. Sam looks outright defeated. Castiel is background wallpaper. Dean asks Sam “All that stuff in there, you think he was telling the truth?” “He believes it,” Sam says. Yeah, you kind of do too, don’t you Sam? “So what do we do?” Dean asks. “I don’t know,” says Sam.

You see, this is where I wish there was enough time in the episode for Dean and Sam to turn to Castiel for an answer. So, why don’t I write that bit? Dean and Sam both turn to Castiel and with their eyes ask “What should we do?” Castiel looks back and says with those hopeless angel eyes, “We’re screwed.”

“I tell you one thing, right now I wish I was back on a TV show.” Sam gives him a sad look. “Yeah, me too.” They climb into the Impala. Wow! We’ll just file that one under the “Classic” category. Thanks for enduring the longest recap to date!

So how do you feel about “Changing Channels” after all these years? I still think it is one of the most innovative and entertaining episodes of Supernatural. It’s funny and unique and advances the mytharc all in one. Tell me what you think.
So, you want to know how psyched elle was over this episode?  She sent me a review at 3:14 am this morning!  (Sorry, I usually check email after I get home from work).  I read it over and love it!  It’s also her longest review yet. She was definitely running on some inspiration. 

This is a good way to start for I’m hoping to share some deep analysis on this one this weekend.  There’s so much to discuss in the terms of Gabriel, angels, destiny vs. free will, Sam and Dean and their man pain, etc.  So let’s see what gets sparked.  In the meantime, enjoy the review!

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First “ confession time. I skipped my night class so that I could watch this episode. *hangs head* Okay, that isn’t entirely true. I was actually sick and being home on a Thursday night before 11 for the first time in two months was just a fringe benefit. On to the long, long review – my longest to date – now. The only way to tackle this episode is scene by rich-hilarious scene. Right away, this demanded an instant second (third and fourth) watch because “ how could I not?

Supernatural is filmed before a live studio audience. I wish there was a live studio audience “ I’d kill to be in it! Jensen’s expressions in this segment were gold.  The best part? Son of a bitch! This opening sequence was so cheesy but oh-so good. The ostentatious décor and the off-screen audience that laughs at everything are delightfully comical.

Oh dear god, I thought I was going to die from laughter. How much fun do you think the boys had doing that tandem bike ride shot? And if I’m not mistaking, those mini-bikes are their own in real life.

We jump back to two days ago and once again the boys are feebs, questioning a œbear attack story “ the bear that chased a man through his front door, upstairs and killed him. Right. What is really appreciable about Dean and Sam is now that they’ve been through enough of these weird interrogations they hardly blink at the answers from the witnesses. Though, I guess once you’ve been to Hell, ipecac-exorcised demons and Paris Hilton has tried to devour you, it takes a lot to phase you. Dean recovers a little faster this time, asking whether it was œBana or Norton and whether Lou Ferrigno (œspiky-haired Lou Ferrigno?) had a grudge against the dead man. Dean’s knowledge of TV and movies always astounds me “ you’d think he wouldn’t have time to keep up on Hollywood/TV and yet he does. I like that he’s the databank of film and television information.

I admit, I wanted to see the shape of the Hulk-hole in the house. That would have nicely iced the cake. That’s just me though. So, what is Dean’s dirty little secret? He watches soap operas. Now, I once condemned the SO watchers of the world, wondering what was so compelling that they tuned in day after day, until I was seduced by General Hospital a few years back. I don’t watch anymore, but it’s not hard to see how some people can get sucked into those uber dramas that are daytime TV (or, some of those night-time SO’s “ personally, I classify CSI:Miami as a science-based soap opera). Compared to Dean’s other pleasures in life “ this is mild.

Glad to see the boys connecting the dots faster this time around “ their culprit is the Trickster, right off the bat. What is something great about Supernatural and that sets it apart? The characters actually learn from and act on past experience. Now, at this point, I wondered if it wasn’t sloppy of the Trickster to leave the wrappers, but of course, the Trickster is playing the Winchesters all along and wants them to come after him.

Sam’s plan “ ask the Trickster for help in this war “ does have merit. It isn’t the first time I’ve wondered about the other creatures “ such as witches and vampires “ who might not want the world to end and I wonder why the supernatural community hasn’t been a little more vocal in this war? Seems to me that all the mid-level, cognizant creatures (excluding demons, of course) would have a vested interest in the world not ending. As Sam puts it, the Trickster œdoesn’t want the party to end and maybe the Trickster can be their ally because of this.

Not bad logic, except, can you really trust a bloody monster? Dean has an ethical problem with aligning himself with the things they hunt to which Sam replies that they œdon’t have the luxury of a moral stand “ careful Sammy, that is a little reminiscent of the œwe’re above the law attitude from season four. Sam has definitely changed from his experiences last season, but this is another reminder of his loss of innocence and it is somewhat sad to see. Season one Sam liked the moral stand. I’m not judging Sam, or saying that he’s necessarily wrong here either “ in war, we do things that wouldn’t normally be done for the greater good and this is what I think Sam is getting at here- “the enemy of my enemy is my friend” and all that jazz.

Oh, an abandoned warehouse. We haven’t been to one of those in a while. A second great point about Supernatural? The boys realize when something is off and acknowledge the possibilities of what they’re walking into. (As opposed to the people on, say police procedurals (which Dean hates because there’s too many of ˜em) when the citizens of a town are told there is a serial killer on the loose, hunting women at night on the running path and inevitably, some doe-eyed ditz takes a nice night-time jog only to end up [shockingly] as the next victim.)  Upon pulling up to the warehouse and finding no police, they recognize that something is a little off “ but whether that’s because they think it’s a trap or because they suspect the Trickster’s trick has done something to the people it’s hard to say.

Enter warehouse and exit “ in Seattle Mercy, a place where œsexy-but nurses and doctors abound.

Right away I notice the emotive music and I’ll bet the team had fun with the soundtrack for this episode because it’s such mix but at the same time, meant to poke fun at the genres. The soft, gentle, heartfelt music is so perfect for the emotional hospital-drama. Next, we learn about the hospital and it’s characters, to Dean’s delight this is Dr. Sexy, M.D. You have to appreciate the inside joke about the ghost. Even though I don’t watch Grey’s Anatomy I heard all about the controversy involving Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s Denny and his return as a spirit from beyond the grave “ it’s compelling.

Dean’s fangirl moment at meeting Dr. Sexy was fantastic; wide-eyed and gleeful, he looked like he was squeeing inside. It’s Dean’s love of his show that tipped him off to the fact that Dr. Sexy wasn’t wearing his sexy cowboy boots. I’m sure we can all appreciate the knowledge that is afforded us by our favourite shows. Only true fans know certain details. Sam knows this too and correctly infers that Dean watches this show more often then he lets on. My question? What is Sam doing while Dean is watching Dr. Sexy, M.D.?

Richard Speight Jr., welcome back! The Trickster is one character I’ll happily watch every time he’s on screen. Richard is in fine form in this episode, as taunting and sarcastic as ever. He explains the law of the land and how he couldn’t resist messing with the boys once he knew they were in town and then winks out a-la TV fuzz. Great exit.  

Dean is shot. This scene didn’t shock me because I have no willpower and read the spoiler that Alice posted before seeing the episode. So I knew as soon as Dr. Dean blew off the desperate husband (because his wife needed a face transplant, stat!), he was going to be the shooter. What I particularly liked was the surgery segment. Sam’s use of floss and whisky to fix Dean despite being in a hospital was perfect in keeping with the characters “ I was hoping Sam wouldn’t pull medical-prodigy skill set out of his bag of tricks because that would have been too much “ I like that he used the medical care skills he’s picked up from the hunter lifestyle. The icing on this scene was Nurse Sexy-But #1 standing in the observation window afterwards mouthing what looked like “I love you” and then Sam reaction to this freaky chick. The guest acting in this episode has to be acknowledged, because they all did a great job. From the Seriously-Slapping nurse to the “Where’s Dr. Sexy?” They were small parts, but really quite funny. Best part of whole sequence was Sam’s reaction to everyone around him. Poor Sammy, from being slapped to performing emergency surgery on his brother –  it’s just not his day.

Nutcracker! How many takes did the game show sequence involve? It was excellent “ the flashy colours, the outrageous concept, pimping snacks in between and multiple replays of Sam’s groin hit “ A1, dear writers.

The questions and answers were fun and, had Sam and Dean known what the questions were asking I wonder if they might of known something more than a trickster was at work. Too much insider knowledge for a Trickster, particularly with Dean’s question, in my opinion. It was a treat to hear Jensen speaking Japanese. Now we can cross that off our list. Spanish and Japanese. Check and Check.

Only one nitpicky thing about this part of the episode – how did Cas find the boys, what with the anti-angel sigils branded on their innards and all? The sigils explain why the Trickster had to lure the boys to the warehouse instead of just popping them into something but how Castiel lojacked them is unaccounted for. Really, it’s not important, but I couldn’t help but wonder all the same.

Sam figures out that they must play their roles to survive. Now, it wasn’t until a few viewing later that the possibilities inherent in this statement hit me. Bear with me, pure theorizing here “ but is it possible that the boys have to find a way to take on the roles of Lucifer and Michael without actually sacrificing their free will? By this I mean “ can they get the juice without giving up the driver seats?

The commercial segment was so well done that I turned away from the TV when the yoga-Herpes carrier came on. I only turned back at Sam’s disbelief that he was in a Herpes commercial and being made to be the one with the STD. Again. Jared is a comedic genius. The way he chokes out œI’ve got genital herpes followed by a classic Sam bitch-face was pitch-perfect.

The mocking of these commercials was very accurately done “ the cheesy sunset in back of the yoga chick; the older couple swaying and laughing together. By far, the best and most accurate part was the over-voice with Dean documenting the many side effects of Herpexia: œ¦permanent erectile dysfunction, thoughts of suicide, and diarrhea. Sideeffects listed in drug commercials always seem to fall one step short of œ¦and death and have the more serious ones bookended by nothings, so this was the perfect parody.

The hotel room is their original room, only now it is neon instead of fading and there’s an off screen audience that laughs at everything, even death – Vultures! Poor Cas, he comes in and looks like he was put through a blender “ is there anything duct tape isn’t good for? I want to know where that he escaped from too. Now knowing that the Trickster is Gabriel, who’s got a thing for family, what’s with hurting Castiel like this?

Suddenly, the episode is not only taking a serious turn, but that myth-arc alarm is sounding violently too. This is only the partial reveal scene, but the Trickster tips his hand and you can see on the boy’s faces that they’re beginning to piece things together but they aren’t quite there yet. The Trickster’sœplay your rolesunderscores the metaphor inherent in the episode and, I’ll admit, I missed that until he kindly pointed it out.

This was a really lovely scene because against the backdrop of ridiculously bright geometric wallpaper and a two-foot tall sandwich, we have some legitimate drama and emotion happening. In addition to his previously-established chemistry with J2, Richard Speight Jr. demonstrated that he has quite the range “ his anger was palpable as was the threat of power that surrounded the Trickster. He does mischief-maker and snark so well, that it was surprising to see him hit anger so quickly “ letting the guise slip “ before reassuming his œwitness protection identity and changing the channel again. 

CSI: Supernatural

Dean’s loathing of procedural cop shows is amusing “ I appreciate the digs at all their major Thursday night rating competition. That this show can poke fun at not only itself but its timeslot predicament tells you how much the writer’s must have every week.

Sam and Dean swagger over to the dead body and I’m practically rolling on the ground at this point. Those were top notch Horatio Caine impressions, down to the removal of the sunglasses and sideways standing; saying the one-liner and then turning for the dramatic profile shot. I’ve only seen one other person do Horatio Caine aside from David Caruso and that was Jim Carrey, he was good but these are better. Such talent on our show and it’s a shame it doesn’t get more formal recognition.

Good for the boys for not chasing the decoy that was the lollipop cop. I had an œaww crap moment when the Trickster started laughing and I don’t know how Sam œGinormatron Winchester snuck up behind him with the stake, but their plan was quite effective. No more TV-time.

I thought for sure that Dean would be KITT. I guess I should know better by now that with Supernatural, assumptions are mostly a fool’s errand. I’ve not seen the original knight rider, but I can appreciate the driving sequence all the same – it was grand.

It’s great to see the boys working in tandem again “ picking up the fragments of each other’s ideas and running with them. Such as when Sam proposes that the Trickster isn’t a Trickster and Dean puts the rest of the pieces together to get Angel. There were some great lines in this episode, no question, but Sam and his trunk were pretty awesome. My favourite part of the KITT bit was Sam asking Dean, œShould I honk?

Time for the big reveal and I’m speechless. Holy. Crap. Okay, so after Cas’ second flicker out, I had my money on the fact that the Trickster, was actually an angel “ specifically, Zachariah. What a twist. Gabriel. The name Gabriel means œstrength of God and he is well known for being the messenger of God, Gabriel being the one who brought news to the Virgin Mary of her impending Immaculate Conception and birthing. Gabriel is said to have a horn that brings about the end of time “ it is believed that at the end of days he will blow this horn “ as in, the apocalypse. So now we know that for the most part, all the major players (with the glaring exception of God himself) are on the board and it’s all a matter of who moves where at this point.

I truly felt bad for Gabriel, he’s like the child in a divorce and he just wants the fighting to end because he can’t stand to watch his family tearing each other to pieces anymore. He ran off and became a Trickster to get away from it all. Wow. Dean has a great line here: œWhat did daddy say when you ran off and joined the pagans?

Two brothers that loved each other and betrayed each other. You think you’d be able to relate. The way Gabe breaks things down “ Dean, the big brother obeying the absent father (Michael) and Sam, the little brother, rebelling against Dad “ this was a very intriguing plot point as it wasn’t something I’d thought about before, certainly not the depth of the parallel between Sam and Dean, Lucifer and Michael. Gabe brought some matter-of-fact elements to the table which was thoroughly satiating. (Didn’t see the ring of holy oil-fire coming, but that’s become a great tool “ Thanks Cas, for the knowledge in the art of angel-trapping.)

Gabriel throws out another familiar phrase during this exchange, one that, like ˜destiny’ keeps rearing its ugly head: “it was always you “ the Winchester brothers just can’t seem to escape the agenda that the universe seems to have mapped out for them. One brother has to kill the other “ quite the blow there. Dean keeps his head and takes control of things very well “No, that’s not going to happen” – quite the emerging leader. Meanwhile, Sam looks positively crushed by this revelation. He has a very devastated expression on his face and he’s speechless. Dean is seriously unhappy now. His threat to Gabriel is pretty black “ burn the angel alive “ yeah, he’s pissed and you should bring Cas back, stat. By the time he reappears, Castiel has figured it out now too and though the angels don’t talk much, but they communicate the way only family can through a glance and I’m not quite sure if it’s hurt, anger or a mix. 

This Trickster-is-Gabriel answered a major question for me “ what was the motivation of the Trickster in having Sam watch Dean die over and over again? He explained that: 

Watching this scene again, with the knowledge that we’ve gained in Changing Channels makes it a very powerful watch. I’d always wondered why the trickster cared if Sam and Dean sacrificed themselves for one another, or why it’d matter if it leads to their death. Now it’s clear “ blood and pain doesn’t mean just for them, but for everyone.

Dean’s reactions in this final part were especially potent. There’s irony in the fact that he accused Gabe of not being able to stand up to his family, because of course that is something Dean truly has had firsthand experience with inside his own family. Also, that Dean recognized it was an angel because someone only gets that worked up over family was very observant of him.  I think Dean can relate well because he’s been in between both Sam and John, recognizes the passionate anger that only family can inspire. Dean has come a long, long way since last season, as has Sam. In Dean’s case, he’s matured quite a bit and the signs of leadership are really beginning to shine through brightly.  Letting Gabriel go free was an especially telling move on the part of Dean. First, that he makes the decision they’re going to let Gabriel go and neither Sam nor Cas question this (probably equal parts trust in Dean, shock at the new information and the fact that the brother’s are pretty well in sync again). Second, he makes a point of not being a dick like the angels are: 

Dean’s incredibly sick of being a pawn in this game, that much is clear “ he’s had it with the destiny crap. The final shot of Gabriel, wet and in the slowly dying ring of fire was a very poignant shot “ he looks sad and I can’t help but feel sorry for his position with his feuding brothers. I like to believe that Gabe let the boys go is because Dean struck a chord within him and I hope this means we’ll see him again before the season’s done. Gabe as a player for team-Winchester would bring a great dynamic to the show.

I wish I was back on a TV show. How Meta, Kripke. And an appropriate way to leave us, I think. Given the hugeness of what we’ve just learned, the quiet ending fits in that the boys need time to recoup and process, much like the audience.  

This was quite a powerful episode and ended on a sombre note again “ except that Dean’s attitude really fueled the idea that the boys are going to start fighting back. I look forward to the Winchesters being a little more proactive and a little less reactive in this big game of Apocalypse Now.

So, episode eight down and only two more before the holiday-hiatus “ is your Supernatural-deprivation Survival Kit stocked and at the ready?”

 

I love Supernatural! There, that’s out there *as if no one knew already.

 

I love it when it’s icky, sticky, scary, spooky, funny, dark, deep and yes, even when it’s just so-so, it’s still better than anything out there. Nope, I’m not a fan, I’m a big fan. I don’t go to conventions, don’t run a web site, don’t write to the show , well, okay, at the end of Season 3 I wrote Mr. Kripke and begged him *tearfully I’ll add unashamedly* to not destroy the brothers, not destroy the core of the show and to quickly bring it all to the good again. I’m so glad he didn’t listen to me *of course, that assumes he even read my letter*

 

Supernatural is unafraid to kill off main characters, Mary, John, Sam, Dean (Sam and Dean have been killed so many times that I’ve lost count, both already both have died this season..or nearly and last season as well, not to mention when they actually did die) They’re not afraid to inflict physical infirmities, burn down intended long-term sets (Roadhouse) when they realized it limited their show, not afraid to dispense with stories that distract , psychic kids, FBI wanted list, hunters hunting Sam and even try characters that just plain don’t work.  Bela, but even in the offing of the sets, the storylines and the characters they fit them into the larger scheme of things so that, when one examines the whole, the picture takes shape in fine detail.

Who thought the Trickster was the Angel Gabriel? I sure didn’t. I’ll posit that, when the Trickster was introduced back in the fabulously hilarious Tall Tales, he wasn’t anything other than a pagan demi-god to join the pantheon of past and future baddies that our boys battle. I’m sure Kripke and Co. had a glimmer of an idea when in Mystery Spot they left that tantalizing thread of “That’s for me to know.” But I’ll suggest with confidence they hadn’t fully fleshed out the idea at that time and likely didn’t until they sat down this past May and planned the major arcs and themes for Season 5. I bow to their brilliance and their obvious “wall of loose threads’ that someone combs through continuously to tie up those pesky ends.

 

They’ve taken a well-loved and much begged for past foe and woven him tightly within this season’s frame such that it is obvious and anticipated and fully expected that he will be seen and heard from again. Gabriel, aka The Trickster is now outed for who and what he is but he is not on either side, that makes him a card that can be played for either side or no side at all, yes, a wild card. If I had any money, I’d lay it on the table that he’ll be back later this season to continue his arc. No doubt he’ll join Anna’s unresolved storyline and Zach’s continuing one as well as Castiel. I know some can’t stand how many angels are populating the scenery but since all have their own storylines that weave in and out with the Winchesters they truly are no different than the demons that have populated the show since day one, Azazel, Meg, the Cross Roads demon, Ruby, Lilith and others.

 

Also, like the various and sundry other entities we’ve met, vampires, werewolves, wendigos, shapeshifters, ghosts and the plethora of others, it is uncertain when they will appear, what their motivations are and what side, if any, they are operating on. One thing is for certain, they’re out there and they’re not going away any time soon. I for one say hooray.

 

Changing Channels:

 

I’ve only watched it once so suffice it to say I haven’t got a fully formed opinion but I do know this, any show that can have me laughing so hard from the beginning and throughout that I actually have difficulty breathing *as well as a continuing fear that I’ll pee myself* is fabulous. As I was driving to assignments today I reflected on various scenes and still found myself cracking a huge grin and a laugh from deep within my belly kept erupting, “No, I’m certain it was a laugh and not acid reflux.  I’m over forty by not that far!”

 

Jeremy Carver delivers again. To be sure, I’m planning a looksee at his episodes during the upcoming *gulp* hellatus; it just must be done.

 

Jeremy again manages to deliver a solid brother story albeit one that is in the backdrop and not the fore as has been his way in the past, notably A Very Supernatural Christmas and Mystery Spot. As an aside, I watched “Mystery Spot” just prior to “Changing Channels” and it was a great segue – I now plan a three-episode mini-marathon with “Tall Tales”, “Mystery Spot” and “Changing Channels”, *wonder when I’ll find the time*.

 

The relationship between the brothers was evident in all the little things, their ease at teasing each other, especially as Dean teases Sam to “play the part’ in the commercial and his demand that the Trickster return Sam to his proper form in the Knight Rider spoof. Sam’s quick thinking and role-playing during Dr. Sexy, M.D. not only saves Dean’s life but morphs them out of that role into a game destined to be quite painful to him, and by sympathy pains, Dean but he also was quick to help Dean realize he had to play the role if he wanted to avoid a similar fate.

 

The boys were teasing, laughing and working in concert to get out of the jam they were in all the while having to deal with much larger issues, fate, destiny, predetermination and all that, the apocalypse as a battle may not have been seen or heard but the apocalypse as a matter of fact was very much present. It’s interesting that this season the “other side’ is determined to spell out to Sam and Dean specifically the roles they are to play, Sam as Lucifer, Dean as Michael, brother at brother, a death match. Hmm, since when did the enemies of our boys become some willing to state exactly what they needed to do? Oh, yeah, that’s right, whenever “they’ needed the Winchesters to do something for them…as in, just because the opposition tells you you have to willingly allow Lucifer and Michael possess you doesn’t mean that you necessarily do. Look beyond. Our boys are doing that, keep it up.

 

I think it is someone at Buddy TV who stated that Supernatural never does anything by coincidence (or accident) and I agree. Sam’s question was name the demon he betrayed his brother with. Sam couldn’t do it.  Now I don’t believe there is really a deeper meaning there such as Sam still doesn’t see what he did with Ruby to be a betrayal of Dean. I firmly believe Sam recognizes the wrongness of his choices, the fact that he out and out told Dean the reason he went off with Ruby was to get away from Dean (and his stifling big brother, “I know what’s best’ ways) is evidence to me that Sam understands what he did. His verbalization of his motivation is akin to a confession and once out in the open it helped the brothers clear the air and get down to the business of forging a new relationship as equals.

 

Here’s where it gets really interesting, and proof again that wrap this show in whatever color, style, genre you want, it has meaning and purpose behind even the most outlandish of events. Dean’s question is compelling, complex, scary, something I never would have thought of and full of possible future angst if anyone ever tries to wield it as a weapon , although I firmly believe that Dean has had those thoughts and determined that Sam is his brother and the past is the past and cannot be changed. But, that question is out there and can be used quite effectively to knock both brothers for a loop in the future, even if only for a moment. Would Dean’s mom and dad still be alive if Sam had never been born? Interesting that without any understanding of Japanese , oh, where is Bobby when he’s needed this time? , Dean manages to answer correctly, at least according to the twisted logic of the Trickster , erh, I mean Gabriel. Oh, the best lies have a core of truth in them – maybe Sam’s birth did doom John and Mary , but wait, Mary said yes to Azazel, not Sam. It was Mary that should have remembered the ten years thingy and planned a second child better – oh, heck, the blame game is no fun, the angst game, however, is so much fun.

 

 

Kripke finally had a chance, through the mouths of his characters, to make fun of all those shows out there pulling down double digit ratings (as in millions) and slapping in the face all that pathetic acting (or what passes as acting) that seems to get noticed by the uppity ups. I’ll go there as far as David Caruso, having lowered myself to watch many an episode of CSI Miami (and each time walked away and wondered why, oh why did I waste an hour of my life on that) I have to wonder who thinks this guy can act? He’s good at posing and turning sideways and taking his sunglasses off and putting them back on, other than that he’s got nothing. Please, someone tell me he’s never been considered for an award, please!

 

All those doctor shows.  I’ll admit, ER back in the early days was excellent, well acted, well directed, quick…but man oh man enough already. Over the years there’s been Chicago Hope, ER, Grey’s Anatomy and a myriad of others that I’ve never watched simply because I don’t care. This season there’s Mercy and Three Rivers and I think there’s even a show called Trauma, although I seem to remember such a show back in the late “80’s – don’t really know though as I never watched it.

 

Sure, I know there are some that say hey, 10 million, 15 million, 20 million people watching every week can’t be all wrong! I say, yes they can. The argument that everyone is doing it thus it must be good or right doesn’t work for me, but then again I like to think for myself and not follow the crowd. That’s perhaps one of the biggest reasons why I like Supernatural and by proxy Eric Kripke, he bucks the trends, he follows his own ideas and not the crowd. It may not make Supernatural the highest rated show ever but if I were Eric, I’d be proud that I could look myself in the mirror each day and say that I stuck to my plan, my ground rules, my central focus, my principles. I made something that’s different, that’s well-written, acted, directed and I did it all with little money and little support…fortunately as well, for all that the CW doesn’t pour much into promoting it, in the long run they don’t mess with it too much either. 

 

Jo was never allowed to become anything other than a passing character, Bela disappeared in a way that moved the storyline ahead as well as in a way that tied up the cryptic comments from her and the questions as to her motivations, Ruby was always clearly to me a baddie but she was used to superbly move the story (even though her casting was more than slightly questionable in Season 4). The Roadhouse was burned down, even though the studio obviously liked a “home base’, no long-term female relations are allowed, other than the love of mom , and no one messes with Mom! Sure the music has suffered in a way that has never satisfactorily been fixed but that’s economics, not interference. Blood and gore gets used to keep the horror aspect intact, sex is limited to characterization , *I still have that article planned that I hinted at back in The Road So Far; Season 4* , and thank heavens that teddy bear’s stuffing was allowed to poof across the screen despite some suit’s objection to it being too disturbing.

 

CSI Miami, eat your heart out, you’re one of three. Grey’s Anatomy, shine your Emmy’s and glory in your double digit ratings, you follow in a long line of medical dramas that are indistinguishable from the past and what will surely come in the future. Supernatural stands alone, stands out and stands proud.

 

Thanks for reading.

 

Elle2