5.08 Changing Channels

{{Episode |Infobox=

Title	Changing Channels
Episode #	Season 5, Episode 8
First aired	November 5, 2009
Directed by	Charles Beeson
Written by	Jeremy Carver
On IMDB	http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1511910/
Outline	When Sam and Dean get trapped in a series of TV shows, they suspect the work of the Trickster
Monster	[[Archangel|Gabriel	timeline=	location= Wellington, Ohio	map=<googlemap lat="41.227733" lon="-82.252579" zoom="11" width="300" height="300"> 41.168942, -82.217935, Wellington, OH, USA </googlemap> }}	Synopsis= Sam and Dean investigate a death where the wife swears her husband was killed by the [Incredible Hulk]]. They soon work out that they are dealing with the Trickster, but he manages to lure them into a trap and plant them into a series of TV shows including a hospital drama of which Dean is a fan (Dr Sexy M.D.), a Japanese game show, an ad, and a sitcom. Castiel manages to appear at one point but is banished. When he reappears, Castiel is bloodied and bruised, and says he thinks it may be something more powerful than the Trickster - who appears and again banishes him. The Trickster says he is trying to drive home the lesson that they must play their roles' as Michael and Lucifer's vessels and finish the apocalypse even though it will destroy the Earth. Dean tries to find out which side the Trickster is on, but he denies he is allied with either Heaven or Hell. Sam and Dean continue in TV until during a cop show they think they spot the Trickster and stab him with a stake dipped in blood. But while it momentarily appears things are back to normal, when Sam appears to have been transformed into the Impala, it is obvious they aren't out, they've merely changed channels again. Finally, acting on a hunch, Dean sets a ring of Holy Oil, and entraps the Trickster, who reveals himself to be an Archangel - Gabriel. Gabriel reveals he left Heaven and took on the disguise as the Trickster because he couldn't bear his father (God) and brothers (Lucifer, Michael, and the other angels) fighting. He says that Sam and Dean are destined to be the vessels, because they mirror the relationship between Michael and Lucifer. Dean is like Michael - the loyal son obeying the absent father, and Sam is like Lucifer - the rebellious son. He says it has always been predestined. Dean gets Gabriel to bring Castiel back, and then they leave, after setting of the fire sprinklers so Gabriel will be released eventually.
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