About the Author - Lisa Macklem
I do interviews and write articles for the site in addition to reviewing a number of shows, including Supernatural, Arrow, Agents of Shield, The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, Forever, Defiance, Bitten, Glee, and a few others! Highlights of this past year include covering San Diego Comic Con as press and a set visit to Bitten. When I'm not writing about television shows, I'm often writing about entertainment and media law in my capacity as a legal scholar. I also work in theatre when the opportunity arises. I'm an avid runner and rider, currently training in dressage.
Dean talks about the Samulet and why he doesn't need it.
ReplyDeleteOther: Dean hanging the Samulet and they drive off on the dark road.
Didn't love this episode but the subtext and Dean's reaction to it was priceless! Had me laughing for awhile
ReplyDeleteI prett ymuch loathed this episode, so it was a tough one, but eventually I went for Chuck's appearance.
ReplyDeleteI'm usually a hugely picky Supernatural fan and I absolutely LOVED this episode. Delivered on all fronts. I can't even find anything to complain about. It's a huge love letter to fans in my opinion and immediately goes down as a classic.
ReplyDeleteThere were just so many but if I had to pick my absolute favorite I'd go with Dean hanging the prop Samulet from the rear-view mirror before the brothers drove off. The symbolism there was pretty powerful. Basically like they were trying to say that even though the brothers have had some bumps in the road along the way and hurt feelings between them on both ends over the years, there's nothing that they can't get past. It was a really beautiful sentiment and one that I hope will continue throughout this season as the brothers work on rebuilding their bond.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree. I went into this one expecting the worst and by the end of it I have to say that this one ranks up there as one of my all-time favorite episodes. I especially loved that through Marie and the other actors in the play Dean was able to see first-hand not only how Sam views him, but also how fans of the Supernatural books do as well. He's made some mistakes but when it all comes down to it, he's a hero and after his recent stint as a demon he really needed to be reminded of this again.
ReplyDeleteI also loved the message that it's okay to make up your own interpretations of the source material as long as you have fun with the story. I'm not into fan fiction myself but I respect everyone's right to expand on these universes as long as it's coming from a place of love for the story itself. Sure, it may be silly to some people that there are other people out there who want to ship certain characters together or to add robots or aliens with tentacles to their own interpretations, but at the end of the day being a fan of something should be fun and people should be able to have as much fun as they want to without being judged for it. I think Robbie Thompson got that message across quite nicely without being offensive to the people who do enjoy writing slash or crack fiction. Basically the message is that there's canon and then there's fanon and there's enough room in fandom for everyone to enjoy what they enjoy without ever needing to feel ashamed about any of these aspects.
It was just a really sweet episode and I'm really impressed with how it all turned out. It truly was a love letter to the fans and I quite enjoyed it.
I think my favorite part was when Dean said how the girls have their version of supernatural, he has his. I think its the writers' way of making peace with this part of the fandom. From what I've seen on Tumblr, Twitter, etc. it's a big hit but it somehow makes me uncomfortable. A bunch of 35+ year old hetero butch male writers/cast should just leave the Destiel idea alone. Honestly, I just assumed the writers had no idea what their younger LGBT+ audience wanted but this episode seemed like an hour-long way of saying, "We see what the fans want but... nope." And Jensen on Twitter saying how the look into the camera was unscripted- okay it was cute and funny but am I the only one who wonders why Jensen has a problem with fanfic? Having seen plenty of sex scenes with him on the show, it can't be the sex. I don't want to say he's homo/biphobic and doesn't like the idea of people assuming a character he plays is not 100% straight but I honestly can't think of a better answer.
ReplyDeleteI wish they had ignored this part of the fandom. Charlie was just about the only part of their attempts to pander to us that I didn't hate. Every other time they try to acknowledge and/or make fun of their fans it just leaves me a little more annoyed about being misrepresented in the show.
Plus, I thought it would be a musical episode as in random sing and dancing, so that was disappointing. Plus, all the live-tweeting was after the show was over in my timezone. Plus it would have been nice to somehow include Cas considering Misha's most popular with this part of the fanbase. The Destiel thing stood out to me but it was just all around a bad episode, and if they keep it up, I'm sure they'll lose both the older hetero fans and their younger LGBT+ fans.
It's hard to pick a favorite scene when pretty much every scene was awesome. Such a fantastic way to celebrate 200 episodes. Have not seen a single negative review yet. Good stuff!
ReplyDeleteI was kinda nervous about this episode but I actually really loved it! Just about every single scene but mostly them singing "Don't You Cry No More" as well as Chuck returning. How long has it been since the last time we saw him?
ReplyDeleteLoved just about every single scene, but Carry on my wayward son, at the end complete with the boys reaction was epic. What a fun and epic episode.
ReplyDeleteMaybe: Carry On My Wayward Son and Chuck! I love the emotional faces of Dean and Sam when they sing the song :,,,,) But the only thing I don't love about this episode was the Destiel subtext. Very convenient that the girl Dean and girl Cas are together. But the episode was funny and sweet!
ReplyDeleteCarry on Wayward Son, Marie meets Chuck and Samulet discussion.
ReplyDeleteThe whole episode was one of the greatest things ever, but my emotions were all over the place by the end with the touching brother moment, the (fake) Samulet, Carry on My Wayward Son, and CHUCK(!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!). They couldn't have done anything better than this for such a milestone episode.
ReplyDeleteBut, to add to the "Other" category....Dean's Rent quote had me amused and confused as to how he knew the line from Seasons of Love haha
other: Dean hanging the Samulet on mirror.
ReplyDeleteChuck and would love for him to come back.
Dean talking about the Amulet.
This is the first time in 3 years that I watch an episode of SPN, so the "Carry on my wayward son" rendition got me pretty emotional... god, I missed this show
ReplyDeletetoo long. the episode was magical, it really moved us all
ReplyDeleteI know it's nitpicking but name of the song that you're referring to is actually "Carry On My Wayward Son."
ReplyDeleteThere were a lot of scenes here that I liked, but Chuck caught me totally by surprise. I thought it would be Misha. I was so surprised and thrilled that I screamed... So, I gotta pick that one.
ReplyDeleteBut the scene I have to mention that had me LMAO, was when the girl doing the lights told someone to go get Marie's understudy into hair and makeup when the Scarecrow was putting up a fight... Oh well, Marie is going to be eaten, the show must go on! Hahahahaha!
I love the episode especially when Dean hung up the Samulet, then the brothers looking at each other at the end. Some are not going to like the episode cause Misha wasn't in it, they need to understand it's not his episode. As for the Destiel fans this is the only time it will be on the show, well sort of.
ReplyDeleteThe last scene with Carry On My Wayward Sonbut also and of course Dean hangs the Samuelet and they look at each other. It was perfect!! Specially the faces Dean was giving and the Sam going all "Samstiel" and Dean saying "shut you face!" I laugh so much"
ReplyDeleteI know what the name of the song is, let me name it what I want to call it by.
ReplyDeleteI loved it! It is simply amazing to me what just one person's vision of something like Supernatural can put everything in perspective for the boys. I almost got choked up close to the end when the boys were watching the second act of the show. Chuck was the only one not included and he shows up at the end. Fantastic episode in my humble opinion!
ReplyDelete