Difference between revisions of "4.18 The Monster at the End of This Book"
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|motw= [[Lilith]] | |motw= [[Lilith]] | ||
|timeline= | |timeline= | ||
− | |location= Kripke's Hollow | + | |location= Kripke's Hollow, Ohio |
− | |map= | + | |map= |
+ | |prevep= 4.17 It's a Terrible Life | ||
+ | |nextep= 4.19 Jump the Shark | ||
}} | }} | ||
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While investigating a haunting, a comic shop proprietor assumes Sam and Dean are in a role playing game. He shows them [[The Supernatural Books|a series of books]] called ''Supernatural'' by Carver Edlund. | While investigating a haunting, a comic shop proprietor assumes Sam and Dean are in a role playing game. He shows them [[The Supernatural Books|a series of books]] called ''Supernatural'' by Carver Edlund. | ||
− | The boys are shocked to find that the books document their life over the past four years. They discover an online fandom - with both [[Sam Girls]] and [[Dean Girls]] and [[Slash]] fans - and track down the [[Sera | + | The boys are shocked to find that the books document their life over the past four years. They discover an online fandom - with both [[Sam Girls]] and [[Dean Girls]] and [[Slash]] fans - and track down the [[Sera Siege|woman responsible]] for publishing the books. She is wary of them until they reveal their extensive 'knowledge' of the characters, and that they even have tattoos like the characters in the books. The publisher reveals the books were written under a pseudonym by [[Chuck Shurley]]. Chuck Shurley is astonished to be confronted by his "creations." He reveals the stories comes to him in visions. His latest vision has revealed that [[Lilith]] will visit Sam, and that they will have a night of "fiery demonic passion". |
− | While Sam seems keen to confront Lilith, Dean thinks they should avoid her by doing the opposite of everything Chuck has foreseen. | + | While Sam seems keen to confront Lilith, Dean thinks they should avoid her by doing the opposite of everything Chuck has foreseen. While hiding out in a motel room surrounded by [[hex bag]]s to hide him from Lilith, Sam asks Chuck if he knows about him drinking [[demon blood]]. Chuck says he does, and he confronts Sam about why he is doing it. |
− | + | Meanwhile Dean is trying to avoid doing what Chuck foretold, but the events keep coming to pass whatever he does. Dean accuses Chuck of withholding information and attacks him, but is stopped by [[Castiel]] who reveals Chuck is a [[prophet]] of [[God]], and that his books will one day be known as the Winchester Gospels. | |
− | + | Dean returns to the motel to find Sam has burned the hex bags so that Lilith will find him. Frustrated, Dean threatens to leave, but changes his mind and just storms out into the parking lot. Desperate, Dean starts to pray and Castiel appears. Castiel gives Dean information on how to stop Lilith, revealing that Chuck is protected by an [[archangel]] who will intervene if Chuck is threatened. By putting Chuck in the same room with Lilith, the archangel appears and Lilith flees. | |
− | + | Following the confrontation with Lilith, [[Zachariah]] appears to Chuck after he has another vision. While it is not revealed what Chuck saw, he wants to warn Sam and Dean, but Zachariah tells him not to. Chuck threatens to kill himself, but Zachariah says they will only bring him back to life. In despair, Chuck asks what he should do. Zachariah replies, "Do what you always do. Write". | |
− | |||
− | Following the confrontation with Lilith, [[Zachariah]] appears to Chuck after he has another vision. While it is not revealed what Chuck saw, he wants to warn Sam and Dean, but Zachariah tells him not to. Chuck threatens to kill himself, but Zachariah says they will only bring him back to life. In despair, Chuck asks what he should do. Zachariah replies "Do what you always do. Write". | ||
|Characters= | |Characters= | ||
Line 39: | Line 39: | ||
* [[Zachariah]] | * [[Zachariah]] | ||
* [[Lilith]] | * [[Lilith]] | ||
− | * [[Sera | + | * [[Sera Siege]] |
|Pad_of_Definitions= | |Pad_of_Definitions= | ||
+ | <div style="-moz-column-count:2; -webkit-column-count:2; column-count:2;"> | ||
+ | * [[Acting in Unison]] | ||
* [[Alcohol]] | * [[Alcohol]] | ||
* [[Aliases]] | * [[Aliases]] | ||
Line 47: | Line 49: | ||
* [[Apocalypse]] | * [[Apocalypse]] | ||
* [[Archangel]] | * [[Archangel]] | ||
+ | * [[Casa Erotica]] | ||
* [[Costumes & Disguises]] | * [[Costumes & Disguises]] | ||
+ | * [[Dark side]] | ||
* [[Dean's Amulet]] | * [[Dean's Amulet]] | ||
+ | * [[Dean's Bracelet]] | ||
* [[Dean Girls]] | * [[Dean Girls]] | ||
* [[Demon Blood]] | * [[Demon Blood]] | ||
+ | * [[Demon-Killing Knife]] | ||
* [[Demonology]] | * [[Demonology]] | ||
+ | * [[Devil's trap (symbol)|Devil's Trap]] | ||
+ | * [[Dr. Sexy, M.D.]] | ||
* [[Fictional Locations]] | * [[Fictional Locations]] | ||
+ | * [[Grenade Launcher]] | ||
* [[Hex Bag]] | * [[Hex Bag]] | ||
* [[Impala]] | * [[Impala]] | ||
* [[Led Zeppelin]] | * [[Led Zeppelin]] | ||
+ | * [[Magic Fingers]] | ||
* [[Mary Sue]] | * [[Mary Sue]] | ||
* [[Meta Episodes]] | * [[Meta Episodes]] | ||
+ | * [[Porn]] | ||
+ | * [[Prayer]] | ||
* [[Prophet]] | * [[Prophet]] | ||
* [[Sam Girls]] | * [[Sam Girls]] | ||
* [[The Supernatural Books]] | * [[The Supernatural Books]] | ||
− | * [[ | + | * [[Stephen King]] |
* [[Television Without Pity]] | * [[Television Without Pity]] | ||
+ | * [[They're Brothers]] | ||
* [[Title Card]] | * [[Title Card]] | ||
* [[Wincest]] | * [[Wincest]] | ||
* [[Winchester Gospels]] | * [[Winchester Gospels]] | ||
+ | </div> | ||
|Music= | |Music= | ||
− | * "Leave All This Behind" by Sonny Ellis | + | * "Leave All This Behind" by Sonny Ellis (Black Toast Music) |
:''(plays while Sam and Dean discuss Lilith in the diner)'' | :''(plays while Sam and Dean discuss Lilith in the diner)'' | ||
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'''Dean:''' The word? The word of god? What, like the new new testament?<br> | '''Dean:''' The word? The word of god? What, like the new new testament?<br> | ||
'''Castiel:''' One day, these books – they'll be known as the Winchester gospel. | '''Castiel:''' One day, these books – they'll be known as the Winchester gospel. | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | {{TriviaQuote |Text= | ||
+ | '''Dean:''' This isn't a story anymore. It's real! And you're in it! Now I need you to get off your ass and fight. [''inspirational music plays''] Come on Chuck.<br> | ||
+ | '''Chuck:''' [''music stops''] No friggin' way.<br> | ||
+ | '''Dean:''' Okay, well then, how 'bout this -- I've got a gun in my pocket, and if you don't come with me, I'll blow your brains out.<br> | ||
+ | '''Chuck:''' I thought you said I was protected by an archangel?<br> | ||
+ | '''Dean:''' Well, interesting exercise. Let's see who the quicker draw is. | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{TriviaQuote |Text= | {{TriviaQuote |Text= | ||
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}} | }} | ||
{{TriviaQuote |Text= | {{TriviaQuote |Text= | ||
− | The boys use the aliases of Agents DeYoung and Shaw. Dennis DeYoung and Tommy Shaw are members of the rock band [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Styx_(band) Styx.] | + | The boys use the aliases of "Agents DeYoung and Shaw." Dennis DeYoung and Tommy Shaw are members of the rock band [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Styx_(band) Styx.] |
}} | }} | ||
{{TriviaQuote |Text= | {{TriviaQuote |Text= | ||
− | The comic book shop guy mistakes Sam and Dean for LARPers — people involved in a [[LARP| | + | The comic book shop guy mistakes Sam and Dean for LARPers — people involved in a [[LARP|live action role-playing game]]. |
}} | }} | ||
{{TriviaQuote |Text= | {{TriviaQuote |Text= | ||
− | When the comic book shop owner suggests "Sal and Dane" as one of the possible names for the brotherly duo, this could refer to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sal_Paradise Sal Paradise], the narrator of the novel ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On_the_Road On the Road]'' by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Kerouac Jack Kerouac | + | When the comic book shop owner suggests "Sal and Dane" as one of the possible names for the brotherly duo, this could refer to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sal_Paradise Sal Paradise], the narrator of the novel ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On_the_Road On the Road]'' by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Kerouac Jack Kerouac.] Eric Kripke paid homage to ''On the Road'' by naming Sam and Dean after its two main characters Sal and Dean, though Kripke decided he didn't like the name ''Sal'' for one of the leads and changed it to Sam. |
}} | }} | ||
{{TriviaQuote |Text= | {{TriviaQuote |Text= | ||
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}} | }} | ||
{{TriviaQuote |Text= | {{TriviaQuote |Text= | ||
− | '''Dean:''' Although Simpatico says the demon storylines are trite, cliched and overall craptastic... | + | The list of book titles matches the list of episode titles: "Supernatural", "Wendigo", "Phantom Traveler", "Bloody Mary", "Skin", "Hookman", "Bugs", "Home", "Asylum", "Scarecrow", "Faith", "Route 666", "Nightmare", "The Benders", "Shadow", "Salvation", "Bloodlust", "Croatoan", "Heart", "Sin City", "Fresh Blood", "Mystery Spot", "Jus in Bello" and "No Rest for the Wicked." |
+ | }} | ||
+ | {{TriviaQuote |Text= | ||
+ | '''Dean:''' Although Simpatico says the demon storylines are trite, cliched and overall craptastic... | ||
:''Simpatico is the name of a poster on the [[Television Without Pity]] message boards.'' | :''Simpatico is the name of a poster on the [[Television Without Pity]] message boards.'' | ||
}} | }} | ||
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'''Dean:''' Well that's just sick!<br> | '''Dean:''' Well that's just sick!<br> | ||
:''[[Sam Girls]] and [[Dean Girls]] are fans dedicated to one or other of the brothers. | :''[[Sam Girls]] and [[Dean Girls]] are fans dedicated to one or other of the brothers. | ||
− | [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slash_fiction Slash] fanfiction is stories written by fans depicting characters in a same-sex romantic and/or sexual relationship. In the Supernatural fandom, Sam/Dean is known as [[Wincest]].'' | + | :''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slash_fiction Slash] fanfiction is stories written by fans depicting characters in a same-sex romantic and/or sexual relationship. In the Supernatural fandom, Sam/Dean is known as [[Wincest]].'' |
}} | }} | ||
{{TriviaQuote |Text= | {{TriviaQuote |Text= | ||
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}} | }} | ||
{{TriviaQuote |Text= | {{TriviaQuote |Text= | ||
− | + | While not named in the episode, the publisher's name was [[Sera Siege]], named after writers [[Julie Siege]] and [[Sera Gamble]] - as mentioned in this [https://web.archive.org/web/20090228101041/http://www.tvguide.com/News/Supernatural-Questions-Answered-1002240.aspx interview by Sera Gamble.] | |
}} | }} | ||
{{TriviaQuote |Text= | {{TriviaQuote |Text= | ||
− | + | '''Sam:''' What's Carver Edlund's real name?<br> | |
− | + | '''Sera:''' Oh no. Um. No. Sorry, I can't.<br> | |
− | + | '''Sam:''' We just want to talk to him. Y'know, get the "Supernatural" story in his own words.<br> | |
− | + | '''Sera:''' He's very private. Just like Salinger.<br> | |
+ | :''Salinger is a reference to author [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._D._Salinger J.D. Salinger]. Salinger, who died in 2010, was famous for being a hermit was fairly anti-social.'' | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{TriviaQuote |Text= | {{TriviaQuote |Text= | ||
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}} | }} | ||
{{TriviaQuote |Text= | {{TriviaQuote |Text= | ||
− | Chuck referred to his book about the "bugs" ([[1.08 Bugs]]) and "ghost ship" ([[3.06 Red Sky at Morning]]) as "simply bad writing." [[Eric Kripke]] himself said that the episodes in question | + | Chuck referred to his book about the "bugs" ([[1.08 Bugs]]) and "ghost ship" ([[3.06 Red Sky at Morning]]) as "simply bad writing." [[Eric Kripke]] himself said that the episodes in question were some of the weaker episodes of season three in the ''[[Supernatural: The Official Companion Season 3]]''. |
}} | }} | ||
{{TriviaQuote |Text= | {{TriviaQuote |Text= | ||
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'''Sam:''' What?<br> | '''Sam:''' What?<br> | ||
'''Chuck:''' It's Kilgore Trout-Vonnegut. I wrote myself into it. I wrote myself, in my house, confronted by my characters. | '''Chuck:''' It's Kilgore Trout-Vonnegut. I wrote myself into it. I wrote myself, in my house, confronted by my characters. | ||
− | :''Kurt Vonnegut was an American writer. In his book Breakfast of Champions, he wrote himself into the book, as well as a recurring character called [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kilgore_Trout Kilgore Trout] (a science fiction writer based on the real writer Theodore Sturgeon), who confronts the author character.'' | + | :''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurt_Vonnegut Kurt Vonnegut] was an American writer. In his book [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breakfast_of_Champions Breakfast of Champions], he wrote himself into the book, as well as a recurring character called [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kilgore_Trout Kilgore Trout] (a science fiction writer based on the real writer Theodore Sturgeon), who confronts the author character.'' |
:''When an author writes her/himself into a story, it is known as self-insertion. A particular form of this in fanfiction is the [[Mary Sue]].'' | :''When an author writes her/himself into a story, it is known as self-insertion. A particular form of this in fanfiction is the [[Mary Sue]].'' | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{TriviaQuote |Text= | {{TriviaQuote |Text= | ||
− | ''' | + | '''Waitress:''' Well, if you like burgers, Oprah's girlfriend said we have the best bacon cheeseburgers in the country. |
− | :''A reference to | + | :''A reference to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gayle_King Gayle King] when she did her America's Best Burger episode on [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Oprah_Winfrey_Show The Oprah Winfrey Show.]'' |
}} | }} | ||
{{TriviaQuote |Text= | {{TriviaQuote |Text= | ||
− | ''' | + | '''Chuck:''' It was too preposterous. Not to mention arrogant. I mean, writing yourself into the story is one thing, but as a prophet? That's like M. Night-level douchiness. |
− | :''A reference to | + | :''A reference to writer [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M._Night_Shyamalan M. Night Shyamalan] who has appeared in small cameos in his movies. In the film [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lady_in_the_Water Lady in the Water], Shyamalan cast himself as a writer whose work would "change the world" - an instance of what many critics saw as a [[Mary Sue]].'' |
}} | }} | ||
{{TriviaQuote |Text= | {{TriviaQuote |Text= | ||
− | ''' | + | The plot of this episode is quite similar to the plot of [[Stephen King]]'s 2004 novel ''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dark_Tower_VII%3A_The_Dark_Tower The Dark Tower VII: The Dark Tower]'', the seventh and final book in his ''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dark_Tower_(series) The Dark Tower]'' series where, in his quest to find the Dark Tower, Roland and his Ka-tet meet Stephen King in Maine, who is writing a book about Roland and his Ka-tet's quest to find the Dark Tower. Dean is even hit by a van much like the book version of King is prophesized to die by (and the one the real life King was actually hit by) in the story. |
− | |||
}} | }} | ||
|Minutiae= | |Minutiae= | ||
{{TriviaQuote |Text= | {{TriviaQuote |Text= | ||
− | [[Nancy Weiner]] — a writer's assistant on the show — came up with the idea for the episode. Kripke talked about the process of developing the episode at [[Comic Con 2009]] ([ | + | '''Filming Locations:''' [https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1WNUdGhcWsYa4TNG2iKNYx0DTKHqILZAN&usp=sharing Map of known filming locations.] |
+ | }} | ||
+ | {{TriviaQuote |Text= | ||
+ | [[Nancy Weiner]] — a writer's assistant on the show — came up with the idea for the episode. Kripke talked about the process of developing the episode at [[Comic Con 2009]] ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvOSQ0VWL_o&t=247s Source]). | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | {{TriviaQuote |Text= | ||
+ | At [[Comic Con 2009]] Kripke said "he has a "tempestuous, loving, conflicting" relationship with the online Supernatural fan community, and that the meta episode "The Monster at the End of This Book" gave him a chance to lovingly make fun of them ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvOSQ0VWL_o&t=247s Source]). | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{TriviaQuote |Text= | {{TriviaQuote |Text= | ||
− | + | The comic book store is called Golden Comics. | |
+ | }} | ||
+ | {{TriviaQuote |Text= | ||
+ | [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0636105/ Michael P. Northey], who played the comic shop clerk, played Riley, Jake Gray's boss in the movie ''[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0406706/ Devour]'', which starred [[Jensen Ackles]]. | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{TriviaQuote |Text= | {{TriviaQuote |Text= | ||
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}} | }} | ||
{{TriviaQuote |Text= | {{TriviaQuote |Text= | ||
− | + | '''Dean:''' Everything is in here, from the racist truck to me having sex. I'm full frontal in here, dude. | |
+ | :''The book Dean is reading relates the events of [[1.13 Route 666]].'' | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{TriviaQuote |Text= | {{TriviaQuote |Text= | ||
− | + | The now-bankrupt publisher of the ''Supernatural'' books was "Flying Wiccan Press: Publishers of Quality Science Fiction and Graphic Novels." | |
}} | }} | ||
{{TriviaQuote |Text= | {{TriviaQuote |Text= | ||
− | The comic | + | The comic shop clerk's name is Dan Dabb, after [[Daniel Loflin]] and [[Andrew Dabb]] ([https://www.cwtvpr.com/the-cw/photos?page=1&show=supernatural&season=&episode=5126 Source]). Dabb suggested including "LARPing," according to [[Eric Kripke]]. (Knight, Nicholas. Supernatural: The Official Companion Season 4. Titan Books, 2010: 99). |
}} | }} | ||
{{TriviaQuote |Text= | {{TriviaQuote |Text= | ||
− | [[ | + | [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0870535/ Keegan Connor Tracy], who played [[Sera Siege]] previously played Karen Giles in [[2.07 The Usual Suspects]]. |
}} | }} | ||
{{TriviaQuote |Text= | {{TriviaQuote |Text= | ||
− | '' | + | ''[[Dr. Sexy, M.D.]]'' is mentioned by the publisher as one of the reasons the ''Supernatural'' books went out of print. This is one of the TV shows featured in [[5.08 Changing Channels]]. |
− | |||
}} | }} | ||
{{TriviaQuote |Text= | {{TriviaQuote |Text= | ||
− | + | [[Sam]]'s LSAT score was 174. | |
}} | }} | ||
{{TriviaQuote |Text= | {{TriviaQuote |Text= | ||
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}} | }} | ||
{{TriviaQuote |Text= | {{TriviaQuote |Text= | ||
− | Sam and Dean reveal their anti-possession tattoos to the publisher to demonstrate they are real fans, and she reveals her own. In an interview with [ | + | Sam and Dean reveal their anti-possession tattoos to the publisher to demonstrate they are real fans, and she reveals her own. In an interview with [https://web.archive.org/web/20080616012514/https://firefox.org/news/articles/1254/1/Interview-Sera-Gamble-Producer-and-Writer-for-quotSupernaturalquot/Page1.html Firefox News] in March 2008 [[Sera Gamble]] said "I'll be convinced we're truly a cult hit when a fan gets the same tattoo." Many fans already had! |
}} | }} | ||
{{TriviaQuote |Text= | {{TriviaQuote |Text= | ||
− | + | Lilith is possessing a dental hygienist from Bloomington, Indiana. | |
− | ' | + | }} |
− | '' | + | {{TriviaQuote |Text= |
− | '' | + | The diner is called Kripke's Hollow, possibly a reference to Stars Hollow, the fictional town in ''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilmore_Girls Gilmore Girls]'', which featured one of [[Jared]]'s first big roles. The Kripke refers to series creator [[Eric Kripke]]. |
}} | }} | ||
{{TriviaQuote |Text= | {{TriviaQuote |Text= | ||
− | + | Sam and Dean stay at the Toreador motel. | |
}} | }} | ||
{{TriviaQuote |Text= | {{TriviaQuote |Text= | ||
− | + | '''Dean:''' That's exactly what you're gonna do, okay? And no research. I don't care what you do – use the Magic Fingers or watch Casa Erotica on Pay-Per-View. | |
+ | :''[[Casa Erotica]] was the [[Porn|porn]] Sam watched in [[2.04 Children Shouldn't Play with Dead Things]].'' | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{TriviaQuote |Text= | {{TriviaQuote |Text= | ||
− | This was the first episode of ''Supernatural'' that did not involve a death of any kind. The second was [[10.17 Inside Man]].}} | + | This was the first episode of ''Supernatural'' that did not involve a death of any kind. The second was [[4.21 When the Levee Breaks]] and the third was [[10.17 Inside Man]]. |
+ | }} | ||
Line 262: | Line 297: | ||
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiJh675NBpw Episode Promo 1: 4.18 The Monster at the End of This Book] | * [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiJh675NBpw Episode Promo 1: 4.18 The Monster at the End of This Book] | ||
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOdlTGDfR2k Episode Promo 2: 4.18 The Monster at the End of This Book] | * [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOdlTGDfR2k Episode Promo 2: 4.18 The Monster at the End of This Book] | ||
− | * [http://tvbythenumbers.com/2009/04/03/the-cws-supernatural-beats-the-devil-posting-best-18-34-ratings-since-october-2006/15889 Episode gets best ever ratings on CW] | + | * [https://web.archive.org/web/20090405102557/http://tvbythenumbers.com/2009/04/03/the-cws-supernatural-beats-the-devil-posting-best-18-34-ratings-since-october-2006/15889 Episode gets best ever ratings on CW] |
* [http://darklydean.livejournal.com/13707.html Fan photos taken during the filming of the episode] by darklydean | * [http://darklydean.livejournal.com/13707.html Fan photos taken during the filming of the episode] by darklydean | ||
}} | }} | ||
+ | ==Episode Meta== | ||
+ | *[https://bardicvoice.livejournal.com/52172.html 4.18 The Monster At The End Of This Book: Chuck Is Writing The Gospel Of Us] by bardicvoice (April 2009); [https://web.archive.org/web/20190816011142/http://bardicvoice.livejournal.com/52172.html archive link], [https://spn-heavymeta.livejournal.com/223693.html spn-heavymeta] | ||
+ | *Bond, Silvia. 2009. Larp Along With Me, The Best Is Yet To Be: "The Monster at the End of the Book" Season 4, Episode 18. ''Pink Raygun'', April 7; [https://web.archive.org/web/20120326112136/http://www.pinkraygun.com/2009/04/07/supernatural-the-monster-at-the-end-of-the-book/ archive link], [https://spn-heavymeta.livejournal.com/223968.html spn-heavymeta] | ||
+ | *Chan, Suzette. 2009. [http://www.sequentialtart.com/article.php?id=1375 Supernatural Talk: Tarts talk about The Monster at the End of This Book]. ''Sequential Tart'', May 18; [https://web.archive.org/web/20190404122725/http://www.sequentialtart.com/article.php?id=1375 archive link] | ||
− | [[Category:Canon]][[Category:Episodes]][[Category:Season 4]] | + | [[Category:Canon]][[Category:Episodes|0418]][[Category:Season 4]] |
Revision as of 13:10, 2 February 2023
Title | The Monster at the End of This Book |
Episode # | Season 4, Episode 18 |
First aired | April 2, 2009 |
Directed by | Mike Rohl |
Written by | Teleplay: Julie Siege Story: Julie Siege Nancy Weiner |
On IMDB | The Monster at the End of This Book |
Outline | Sam and Dean meet a writer who has visions about their lives. |
Monster | Lilith |
Timeline | |
Location(s) | Kripke's Hollow, Ohio |
« Previous Episode | Next Episode » |
Contents
Synopsis
While investigating a haunting, a comic shop proprietor assumes Sam and Dean are in a role playing game. He shows them a series of books called Supernatural by Carver Edlund.
The boys are shocked to find that the books document their life over the past four years. They discover an online fandom - with both Sam Girls and Dean Girls and Slash fans - and track down the woman responsible for publishing the books. She is wary of them until they reveal their extensive 'knowledge' of the characters, and that they even have tattoos like the characters in the books. The publisher reveals the books were written under a pseudonym by Chuck Shurley. Chuck Shurley is astonished to be confronted by his "creations." He reveals the stories comes to him in visions. His latest vision has revealed that Lilith will visit Sam, and that they will have a night of "fiery demonic passion".
While Sam seems keen to confront Lilith, Dean thinks they should avoid her by doing the opposite of everything Chuck has foreseen. While hiding out in a motel room surrounded by hex bags to hide him from Lilith, Sam asks Chuck if he knows about him drinking demon blood. Chuck says he does, and he confronts Sam about why he is doing it.
Meanwhile Dean is trying to avoid doing what Chuck foretold, but the events keep coming to pass whatever he does. Dean accuses Chuck of withholding information and attacks him, but is stopped by Castiel who reveals Chuck is a prophet of God, and that his books will one day be known as the Winchester Gospels.
Dean returns to the motel to find Sam has burned the hex bags so that Lilith will find him. Frustrated, Dean threatens to leave, but changes his mind and just storms out into the parking lot. Desperate, Dean starts to pray and Castiel appears. Castiel gives Dean information on how to stop Lilith, revealing that Chuck is protected by an archangel who will intervene if Chuck is threatened. By putting Chuck in the same room with Lilith, the archangel appears and Lilith flees.
Following the confrontation with Lilith, Zachariah appears to Chuck after he has another vision. While it is not revealed what Chuck saw, he wants to warn Sam and Dean, but Zachariah tells him not to. Chuck threatens to kill himself, but Zachariah says they will only bring him back to life. In despair, Chuck asks what he should do. Zachariah replies, "Do what you always do. Write".
Characters
- Sam Winchester
- Dean Winchester
- Castiel
- Chuck Shurley aka Carver Edlund
- Zachariah
- Lilith
- Sera Siege
Definitions
- Acting in Unison
- Alcohol
- Aliases
- Angel Lore
- Apocalypse
- Archangel
- Casa Erotica
- Costumes & Disguises
- Dark side
- Dean's Amulet
- Dean's Bracelet
- Dean Girls
- Demon Blood
- Demon-Killing Knife
- Demonology
- Devil's Trap
- Dr. Sexy, M.D.
- Fictional Locations
- Grenade Launcher
- Hex Bag
- Impala
- Led Zeppelin
- Magic Fingers
- Mary Sue
- Meta Episodes
- Porn
- Prayer
- Prophet
- Sam Girls
- The Supernatural Books
- Stephen King
- Television Without Pity
- They're Brothers
- Title Card
- Wincest
- Winchester Gospels
Music
- "Leave All This Behind" by Sonny Ellis (Black Toast Music)
- (plays while Sam and Dean discuss Lilith in the diner)
Quotes
Sam: Sam and Dean?
Clerk: That's it!
Dean: You're saying this is a book?
Sam: They're pretty obscure. I mean, almost zero circulation. Uh, started in '05. The publisher put out a couple dozen before going bankrupt. And, uh, the last one – No Rest for the Wicked – ends with you going to hell.
Sam: As in... Sam-slash-Dean. Together.
Dean: Like, together together?
Sam: Yeah.
Dean: They do know we're brothers, right?
Sam: Doesn't seem to matter.
Sam: You're not a god.
Sam: Stop it.
Dean: 'Stop it, Sam said.' Guess what you do next. 'Sam turned his back on Dean, his face brooding and pensive.' I mean, I don't know how he's doing it, but this guy is doing it. I can't see your face, but those are definitely your 'brooding and pensive' shoulders. You just thought I was a dick.
Castiel: He isn't deciding anything. He's a mouthpiece – a conduit for the inspired word.
Dean: The word? The word of god? What, like the new new testament?
Chuck: [music stops] No friggin' way.
Dean: Okay, well then, how 'bout this -- I've got a gun in my pocket, and if you don't come with me, I'll blow your brains out.
Chuck: I thought you said I was protected by an archangel?
Dean: Running from what?
Sam: Don't know. But she was telling the truth about one thing.
Dean: What's that?
Zachariah: What you always do. Write.
Trivia & References
- Simpatico is the name of a poster on the Television Without Pity message boards.
Sam: As in Sam slash Dean, together.
Dean: Like together, together? They do know we are brothers right?
Sam: Doesn't seem to matter.
Dean: Well that's just sick!
- Sam Girls and Dean Girls are fans dedicated to one or other of the brothers.
- Slash fanfiction is stories written by fans depicting characters in a same-sex romantic and/or sexual relationship. In the Supernatural fandom, Sam/Dean is known as Wincest.
Sera: Oh no. Um. No. Sorry, I can't.
Sam: We just want to talk to him. Y'know, get the "Supernatural" story in his own words.
Sera: He's very private. Just like Salinger.
- Salinger is a reference to author J.D. Salinger. Salinger, who died in 2010, was famous for being a hermit was fairly anti-social.
- In the Stephen King novel Misery, writer Paul Sheldon is held captive, tortured and forced to write for his 'number one fan' Annie Wilkes.
Dean: Slaughterhouse Five-Vonnegut or Cat's Cradle-Vonnegut?
Sam: What?
Chuck: It's Kilgore Trout-Vonnegut. I wrote myself into it. I wrote myself, in my house, confronted by my characters.
- Kurt Vonnegut was an American writer. In his book Breakfast of Champions, he wrote himself into the book, as well as a recurring character called Kilgore Trout (a science fiction writer based on the real writer Theodore Sturgeon), who confronts the author character.
- When an author writes her/himself into a story, it is known as self-insertion. A particular form of this in fanfiction is the Mary Sue.
- A reference to Gayle King when she did her America's Best Burger episode on The Oprah Winfrey Show.
- A reference to writer M. Night Shyamalan who has appeared in small cameos in his movies. In the film Lady in the Water, Shyamalan cast himself as a writer whose work would "change the world" - an instance of what many critics saw as a Mary Sue.
Minutiae
- The book Dean is reading relates the events of 1.13 Route 666.
- Casa Erotica was the porn Sam watched in 2.04 Children Shouldn't Play with Dead Things.
Sides, Scripts & Transcripts
Promotion
- Episode Promo 1: 4.18 The Monster at the End of This Book
- Episode Promo 2: 4.18 The Monster at the End of This Book
- Episode gets best ever ratings on CW
- Fan photos taken during the filming of the episode by darklydean
Episode Meta
- 4.18 The Monster At The End Of This Book: Chuck Is Writing The Gospel Of Us by bardicvoice (April 2009); archive link, spn-heavymeta
- Bond, Silvia. 2009. Larp Along With Me, The Best Is Yet To Be: "The Monster at the End of the Book" Season 4, Episode 18. Pink Raygun, April 7; archive link, spn-heavymeta
- Chan, Suzette. 2009. Supernatural Talk: Tarts talk about The Monster at the End of This Book. Sequential Tart, May 18; archive link