Supernatural’s Top Ten Funniest Scenes – #4
#4 Sam’s Shoe Ordeal, “Bad Day At Black Rock”
It would be impossible to do a list like this without including something from “Bad Day At Black Rock.” After all, I’ve never seen a better screwball comedy from any comedy show, let alone a paranormal drama. In pouring through the scenes there were several great ones, but when doing a “best of” list I’m forced to go with something iconic. While I love the brilliant choreography of the fight gone bad then good when Sam unwittingly grabs the rabbit’s foot, Sam’s fateful mishap with a smoking air conditioner and curtain rod, and Dean saving the day complete with Batman complex, none of those scenes made my ultimate selection for this list.
No, the scene selected is an epic one of struggle and defeat. After a frustrating tussle with a broken sewer grate when a larger than normal wad of gum attacks his shoe, Sam must deal with not only the loss of the gum, but the shoe it was on. With his fly away hair and sorrowful pout, Sam is forced to admit to Dean in disgrace, “I lost my shoe.” Then we get the close up on now shoeless foot, which reacts just as sheepishly.
Yeah, I made that sound more dramatic than funny, but it’s all about reaction in comedic scenes like this. It isn’t just Sam’s howlingly funny answer to Dean’s question. It’s that his hapless effort happens in the background, while Dean’s on the phone, staying completely ignorant his brother’s ordeal. Even Bobby says what we were all shouting to the TV when the phone conversation takes place, “Look after your brother you idgit.”
One doesn’t look at Jared Padalecki with his 6′ 4″ frame and think “physical comedy,” but he proved throughout the episode big guys can pull it off just as great as anyone else. The creative minds somehow managed to work his size to his advantage. This is also one of those rare times where Sam gets to be the buffoon to Dean’s straight man. Come to think of it, it’s the only time. Jensen brings quite a bit to the table too, for even though he plays it straight, Dean doesn’t stop short of rolling his eyes over Sam’s pathetic situation or flat out tell him, “you suck.” Ah, brotherly love.
So what do you think? Did I pick the right scene?
This time, I couldn’t get the video clip to work (I’ll insert it when I do). So here’s the priceless money shot, and another link to YouTube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlNP9fFPIPI
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You absolutely got it right! That is, bar none, one of the greatest scenes in Winchester history. I crack up just thinking about it. The pout…too funny.
The whole episode was pure genius. Jensen and Jared play dramatic off each other but boy do they pull off comedy well! Thanks for reminding me of this great episode. I needed an upper and this was it.
I am in aching side agreement.
I loved this scene i start laughing just thinking about it. It’s the way Jared manages to make himself look and sound like a five year old which is cute endearing and really pathetic that makes it so funny. Dean’s look is also priceless, just long suffering and exasperated (spelling i know) that on top of everything else he has to deal with, keeping Sam’s shoes on is another. The sheepish/defeated look followed by the do i have to babysit look – priceless and i’m cracking up again….
I was hoping that this one would make the cut 😀 I really love this whole episode, it was the first one I saw and I was totally smitten. Sam’s pout is brilliant, so pathetic, you just want to hug him and then blow his nose. Dean’s oh-lord-what-now reaction is just right too … bless.