5.08 Changing Channels
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(s) | Wellington, Ohio |
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Contents
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 they 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 his 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 off the fire sprinklers so Gabriel will be released eventually.
Characters
Definitions
Music
The lyrics were:
Town to town, two-lane roads
Family biz, two hunting bros -
Living the lie, just to get by.
As long as we're movin' forward
There's nothing we can't do
Together we'll face the day
You and I won't run away
When demons come out to play
Together we'll face the day!
- "Not A Through Street by Anya Marina plays when Dean and Sam enter the hospital.
- "Something Real" by Renee Stahl
- "Love To See You Happy" by Robbi Spencer - plays while Sam is stitching up Dean.
Quotes
Sam: Oh nothing. Uhm... Just the end of the world.
Dean: A hospital show - "Dr Sexy, M.D.". I think it's based on a book.
Sam: Aah... Dean? What the hell are you talking about?
Dean: The doctor get-ups, the- the sexy interns, the 'seriouslys'... It all makes sense.
Sam: What makes sense? What's going on?
Sam: So... this show has ghosts? Why?
Dean: Calm down? I'm wearing sunglasses at night. You know who does that? No talent douchebags. I hate this game. I hate that we're in a procedural cop show and you want to know why? Because I hate procedural cop shows. There's like 300 on television, they're all the freaking same, it's like 'oh... a plane crashed here.' Oh shut up!
Sam: Well I say... jackpot.
Forensic guy: Heh. Also there's a stabwound to the lower abdomen there.
Dean: Well, you might say we pulled it out of Sam's ass.
Sam: What are you talking about?
Trivia & References
The wife of the first victim reports seeing "The Incredible Hulk" - and the line Dean quotes is a classic from the TV show and movies.
Lou Ferrigno starred as David Banner's (played by Bill Bixby, hulky green alter ego. Eric Bana played Bruce Banner in the 2003 movie "Hulk", and Ed Norton played him in the 2008 "Incredible Hulk". The actual Hulk was basically CGI in these movies.Dean has come a long way since a girl gave him her MySpace address in 2.08 Crossroad Blues and Dean asked Sam "Yeah, MySpace, what the hell is that? Seriously, is that like some sort of porn site?"
Minutiae
Fan Reaction
- The "Changing Channels" free for all meme was started by clex-monkie on LJ and produced fics after the premise of the episode, in which Sam and Dean are channel hopping to other tv shows than portrayed in the episode, among them Leverage, The Vampire Diaries and Glee. Source
Sides, Scripts & Transcripts
Promotion
- In June 2010, The CW submitted this episode, along with 5.04 The End for consideration for an Emmy nomination.
- "Soon" promo contains spoilers for 5.06, 5.07 and 5.08
- Promo pic and synopsis by Ausiello
- Promo pics
- Promo clip
- Clip from ep
- Some more teasers about the episode particularly the music from Matt Mitovich
- Interview with Richard Speight Jr.
- Space TV promo clip
- Second clip from ep
- A third clip from ep