“Supernatural” episode 10.5 – “Fan Fiction.” The show’s 200th episode, starring Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki. Written by Robbie Thompson; Directed by Phil Sgriccia.
About eight years ago, a friend of mine was playing with this talking Tick figure I had. The Tick wore his “I ♥ Wheat” shirt and when you pressed a button on his back he shouted “mysteries abound!” My friend was giving me a good natured ribbing about the intensity of my Tick love and casually asked if I had seen the new show that Ben Edlund, beloved creator of The Tick, had been working on. I had not, but my curiosity was certainly piqued. “Yeah, I think it’s in like its second season but I have the first season on DVD if you want to borrow it.”
And that was all she wrote. I fell in love with this quirky show that paid homage to old school horror and the classic rock and country roads I had grown up on. And now, 200 episodes later, I’m reminded of all the love that pours into this show every year, every season.
I’m breaking away from my normal review format here, because – spoiler – I loved this. I mean, I loved it. I’m still humming the overture and devising a way to make it my ringtone. I’m still randomly misting up. And most importantly, I’m still grinning ear to ear.
The plot of “Fan Fiction” was a simple one: Sam and Dean travel to a girls’ school to discover their theater department is performing a fan written “Supernatural” musical. The fervor of the writer’s love for her subject summons Calliope (or was there perhaps another cause… ?) and abductions and scary things ensue. A pretty basic plot for a one off episode; teen victims, pop culture references, an Old God and a monster are a proven episode formula. The show has also tested its meta chops several times, all to varying degrees of hilarity, but never before has it spoken so directly to its fans.
Let’s just go ahead and take minute to talk about the Hunter fandom. Shortly after I started watching the show, I joined this website called Tumblr. Oh, wait, I mean – no, I don’t have a tumblr. I’m a grown up who does grown up things and doesn’t fangirl out over Tom Hiddleston and post lots of cat gifs. Nope, no tumblr for me. Anyway – after falling in love with this show and not having any IRL fans to share my excitement, I discovered the online Supernatural fandom. There are theories and philosophies and criticisms. There are intelligent feminist discourses on the sexism present in the show, and there are some of the smuttiest fics I have ever read I mean heard other people talk about. There is incredibly beautiful fan art, and there are witty and hilarious cartoons. But to be fair, the fandom can come on a little strong. I don’t always see the rampant misogyny as representative of anything but character flaws, nor do I see sexual pretext running rampant. But on the flip side of that fairness, I am old enough to be most fans’ mother (or at least their cool aunt, right?) and the only time I get loud in fandom debate is when discussing the true villain of “A New Hope.”
If it seems like I’m discussing fandom more than episode content, it’s because for this 200th episode they are one in the same. The show acknowledged its flaws and plot holes and tossed out more in-jokes than you can shake a Samulet at (PS, please tell me that was Jim Beaver in the Shakespeare poster). Some of my favorites were the mention of a seemingly forgotten cast member (and the brothers’ reaction), Sam brainstorming ship names, and the loving shout out to S.E. Hinton who is herself a longtime fan of the show. But the point of the episode was so well played it gave me goosebumps: The show hears us. It listens, and while it might not ever go where some of us want it loves our creativity and how immersed we’ve become with these fictional characters. We just got a one hour hug and a little nod of respect, and that’s something that I’d say has never happened in television history.
I do understand that there might be one major complaint. I might not agree, but I can see how some fans would be upset with the complete omission of Misha Collins in this episode. But I think the meta here did a great job of reiterating the show’s purpose: To tell the story of two brothers, together, fighting evil. And, you know, B.M.’s. I think good decisions were made when going with this script (and Robbie Thompson episodes are pretty much always my favorites). Castiel has become a very important member of Team Free Will, but at its bones this show is about the way the Winchesters grow, and I’m totally OK with this anniversary focusing on that.
Sometimes I get really sad that I’m a solo “Supernatural” fan. I watch alone, and I get a little mopey that I don’t have anyone to pass me the tissues or give a giant “I GET THAT REFERENCE” grin. Never has the mope been so strong as it was after “Fan Fiction’s” final scene. The joy erupted and was immediately followed by a thousand questions. What does this mean? Will this have implications in the rest of the season? How does this affect past events? I’m being intentionally vague in order to keep it spoiler free in the article, but be warned that giant spoilers might appear in the comments, as I’m asking for all your thoughts and theories!
I’m also asking for your thoughts on the episode in general – did you love it? Did you feel slighted? Where would you rank “Fan Fiction” in a list of best or worst episodes? How do I get an mp3 of that “Carry on My Wayward Son”?