Supernatural (TV Series) The French Mistake (2011) User Reviews

Jared and Jensen Playing Sam and Dean playing Jared and Jensen playing Sam and Dean! Oh, My head hurts.

[zombiehigh18 · 9/10 · 19 December 2011]

On my first look on this one, I remember thinking "Ben Edlund must have been stoned while writing this one", But I caught my self laughing out loud all through the show. Oh my God, What was that? If you think Supernatural had done some funny episodes before, you should really see that, because this one surely tops all. Jared and Jensen are given a golden chance to shine with comedy and they nailed it. Their comic timing was great as ever and they gave us some unforgettable moments. Sam and Dean have before found out that their lives is in a series of books and now it is on a TV show. Supernatural team have the habit to poke fun at everything (Their fans, other TV shows,....etc) Now they are brave enough to poke fun at themselves. Misha too had the chance to do extreme comedy away from his usual Castiel performance and he was great.

Cut to the Winchester boys, Who find themselves caught again in the Angelic civil war, are transported to another alternate universe by Balthazar, where they are actors on a TV show about their life and there is no apocalypse, no magic, no "Freaking Angels" and no supernatural, They are both rich and comfy but they are not even brothers. So they try to find a way to get back to their real world where every thing just makes since to them, Moreover they are chased by the angel Virgil, who is trying to get the key to the place of the hidden Heavenly weapons Balthazar had given them. Only to find out later that they have been used as bait by both Castiel and Balthazar using them as diversion for Raphael to gain time to transfer the weapons.

The most ironic and funniest scene on this episode is the when Sam and Dean have to act. Sam and Dean base their whole lives on fake identities but when asked to do some real acting they are just terrible.

Fan service done right

[CubsandCulture · 10/10 · 7 April 2020]

I think this episode having a pretty good reason for sending the boys into Earth B and the emotional thread of at least the boys are actually brothers in their world prevented from being just hot air. It is largely a comedy and a lot of it is very funny. But these elements help ground it as a real episode of the show and it isn't just meta in-jokes. In the end this is a really fun episode that also manages to be a good story as well.

It is one of the best episodes of the season.

Insanely Funny

[caraking1 · 10/10 · 15 March 2011]

This episode in the sixth season of Supernatural takes the show's trademark twisted humor to the nth degree...with amazing results. Sam and Dean end up in a parallel universe where they're spoiled, rich actors named Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki. ("What? You're Polish now?" "And we aren't even brothers!")

The in-jokes are constant, but they're funny even if you're not "in" on all the jokes. I'd suggest avoiding what spoilers you can, and just watching it. (And if you've never watched Supernatural before, then you're in for a treat...just start at the beginning, and enjoy the feast.)

As meta as something can be

[shwetafabm · 10/10 · 21 June 2020]

Absolutely hilarious and crazy. The story was good too and fit well with the plot.

Tied for my favorite Supernatural episode!

[NotMoreMovies · 10/10 · 19 July 2020]

This episode was so well thought out, I wish I wrote it. Sam and Dean Winchester literally become Jensen and Jared. The only unrealistic element was implying that they resented each other in real life. A recurring line in the episode was "...at least they're talking to each other." I couldn't stop laughing as both actors pretended to adjust to being in reality. Even if you're not a fan of the show, I'm willing to bet you'll love this one. The best parts were -- they had to come to grips with the fact that magic doesn't exist, and they tried playing their characters but pretended that they didn't know how to act. The other episode tied for my favorite was when they both got sucked into the Scoobie-Doo genre.

Great episode

[tiriake · 9/10 · 2 August 2013]

That was a fun episode! I wonder how many takes did it take to film that episode. Like seriously, how did the actors keep themselves from laughing? I am sure I missed some of the inside jokes and I was laughing non stop for most of the episode.

Was it the most original episode? Nope. But you know what. It didn't need to be, because they took it to new level. It was simply said just brilliant.

I did wonder, why did they put Misha tweeting so much..is it because he tweets a lot or because he doesn't tweet enough? I have been avoiding Twitter like plague, so I am genuinely curious.

I don't think it is that easy to make fun of yourself and your characters. But Jared, Jensen, Misha and Gen did that brilliantly :)

The French Mistake! I love that they make a Mel Brooks reference

[ClartoGlogenwap · 10/10 · 25 June 2014]

right in the title! And if you remember Blazing Saddles and its ending, you'll see how it's an accurate title for this hilarious episode. It's a walk through the mirror into another mirror etc etc. I don't want to spoil anything for y'all but please remember, TV about TV is usually lots of tongue in cheek and this is no different. If you've watched any of the Supernatural series, this episode will have you in stitches. There are cheeky references to the actors, producers, tvland, and the whole schmooze fest of it all. Seeing the characters attempt to get their heads around it was worth a chuckle. As someone also mentioned, watching the actors *try* to act was super. I guffawed through the whole scene and had to rewind. I hope you enjoy this meta universe as much as I did!

Shatter the Fourth Wall

[ANannyMoose02 · 10/10 · 25 July 2021]

In television they say never break the fourth wall but in this episode they shattered it. I imagine it must've been difficult to execute this episode so cleverly when they first had the plot in mind. I had a hard time remembering they are characters playing the actors who play they're characters while trying to play they're actor's character's characters.

A Take on Wes Cravens New Nightmare

[Sinisstarfreak17 · 22 September 2011]

Ever see that movie called Wes Cravens New Nightmare. Yeah that one, where Freddy is trying to cross into the real world and the movie is "real life". Well Supernatural takes its own twist and delivers nothing but pure brilliance here. I will not go into details too much on what the plot consists of but I will touch base on the main points.

First off I would like to correct previous reviewers. I have watched the trivia track and listened to the commentary that the 6th season Blu-ray has to offer and I am just going to go over a few corrections. It did not take me the trivia track to tell you that none of the actual "Crew" appears in this. It is Brian Murphey who plays Robert Singer, and even Eric Kripke himself does not make an appearance. They all are hired actors to portray the real life producers and directors. Another correction is you do not actually see Jensen's trailer. The exterior is real but the interior is not his actual trailer. Another thing, You do not actually see Jareds real house. I mean come on, do you think they really are going to show the actors house, THATS JUST STUPID TO THINK SO.

This episode is very creative how the actors parody themselves as staying in character as Dean and Sam. The script is very well written for this episode as is the writing on many others. Like I said, I am not going to ruin anything for those who have not seen it. If you have not seen this episode and are a fan you need to. IT IS THAT SIMPLE

Top Episode

[nicksollinger2005 · 10/10 · 27 July 2020]

I have only just watched this and it was an amazing episode and currently my favourite. I have tried to avoid any spoilers as i make my way through the entire series and was not expecting this at all. I laughed out so many times as the comedic episodes are always the best. Kudos to everyone involved and lots of funny moments. 10/10 easily

Pure hilarity

[hnt_dnl · 10/10 · 10 April 2022]

This has to be one of the funniest episodes I've ever seen on any TV series and Supernatural isn't even a comedy! Lol Yeah, of course humor is a staple of the show, but there's also heavy doses of horror, action, and drama. The premise of the episode is the Winchester brothers are thrown into an alternate universe by Baltazar. This alternate universe is a version of reality where Dean and Sam are recognized by everyone as their respective actors Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki, who star on the show "Supernatural" as Dean and Sam Winchester. Thus, in this mind-bending episode, the viewer is watching the show's actors playing their characters playing the actors playing their characters! It's amazing how well the writers and actors pulled this off. Ackles and Padalecki brilliantly managed to still be in full character as Dean and Sam and playing them as bad actors! Lol The episodes is filled with nonstop wit, sarcasm, and inside Hollywood jokes on the behind the scenes rumors on the actors. And the fact that the 2 stars were ALWAYS in character as Dean and Sam while having to fake it within the realm of this alternate universe that was basically a version of their actual lives is impressive. Easily a top 10 episode of the show and it's a comedy episode.

Hilarious

[koofasa · 10/10 · 9 July 2021]

This was great fun watching the actors play actors who don't know they are actors or however one would explain the plot. Sam and Dean or Jensen and Jared really showed off their skills in this episode. I love that the writers don't mind fitting in comedic episodes like this one every now and then. Or should I say every then and now?

Silly and Overrated Rip-off of Wes Craven's "New Nightmare"

[claudio_carvalho · 7/10 · 7 December 2012]

Balthazar meets Dean and Sam and tells that Raphael and the other angels are hunting them down and he sends the brothers to an alternate Vancouver in a parallel universe.

The Winchester brothers learn that in this Vancouver, they are actors of a TV show called "Supernatural" and Sam is married with Ruby, actually the actress Genevieve Nicole Cortese Padalecki. When they make a spell to return to their universe, they also discover that magic does not work in this universe.

"Supernatural – The French Mistake" is a silly and overrated rip-off of Wes Craven's "New Nightmare". It is curious to know that Genevieve Cortese is married with Jared Padalecki; that Misha Collins apparently likes to tweet; and also that Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles apparently do not talk to each other. But better off a more "serious" (LOL) show. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "O Erro Francês" ("The French Mistake")

Great episode

[Jinx-to-Ennien · 1/10 · 24 February 2019]

I loved watching Sam and Dean try to fit into the actor's lives . Misha was especially entertaining as himself. I would love to see the flip side of this episode where Jared and Jensen are transported to the Supernatural universe and have to figure out how to kill demons.

Loved it!

[paiste-71342 · 10/10 · 13 January 2021]

This was genuinely one of the funniest episodes! Absolutely loved it!

This is my favorite episode!

[notjim-59791 · 10/10 · 16 July 2020]

The first time I watched this I lmaoooooo the entire time, I swear. It's a toss-up between this one and Mystery Spot for my two favorite episodes out the entire series. I loved "Baby" and I honestly adore all of Season 11 -- the whole thing -- but the unexpected hilarity leaves a mark. This cemented what was already a true love for SPN.

Very Funny Episode!!!!

[revba · 9/10 · 20 September 2021]

I really like how Jensen & Jared had to play themselves. I'm in total agreement that the funniest scene was them trying to act. It cracked me up!!!! By far the funniest episode of the season.

What I also liked about this episode is the crew had a chance to act themselves rather than doing their actual roles. Being in front of the camera and producing, assisting and all of what makes Supernatural a hit TV Show.

What Fourth Wall?

[matt1961 · 2 November 2020]

This episode ranks up there with "Changing Channels" and "Scoobynatural" - episodes only Supernatural could get away with. The only thing that would have made it better was if Eric Kripke and Robert Singer played themselves.

Great!

[lukacukeric · 10/10 · 3 December 2021]

Best breaking of 4th wall I've ever seen. Couldn't stop laughing. Also, boys are acting great on this one. Only disappointed that producers and others didn't actually play their respective roles.

Silly Episode

[mm-39 · 8/10 · 4 March 2011]

Funny! The idea of a parallel universe was a good idea. Supernatural the show has Sam and Dean jump through a window into a parallel universe. The parallel universe is the lives of Jensen, and Jared the actors who play Sam and Dean. The viewer finds out the following: 1. that the girl who plays Ruby is Jared's wife 2. What Dean's actor's trailer looks like. Wow! What a huge fish tank. 3. Wow! What a lavish house Jared lives in. 4. That the show is filmed in Vancouver Canada. 5. What the director, producer etc look and act like. 6. Humour about the industry, and the episode makes fun of Sam and Dean's bad acting. The story's theme is mixed with a Terminator style subplot. The one scene in the gun store pays homage to the Terminator. Fun show to watch! I give this episode a 8 out of 10. I wonder if Jensen and Jared really do not talk to each other? The old Days clip with Jensen is hilarious.

One of their finest

[istella-95268 · 9/10 · 4 May 2022]

I love this episode so much almost have it a first 10 but what ruined it a little is the idea alternative reality has no god or magic, that's kinda dumb but love the idea and it was hilarious.

Great idea

[rich-fouts · 8/10 · 21 May 2019]

This was particularly entertaining. The guys do a masterful job feeling like fish out of water in a parallel universe where they are not brothers rather actors in a television show.

Unfortunately it gets a tad repetitive and starts to get old quick. But kudos to Jared and Jensen. Love when Dean says "Misha? Jensen? What's with the names?"

A Must Watch Episode

[nebohr · 9/10 · 21 October 2022]

This is truly a "must watch" episode.

Both my wife and myself got into the Supernatural television series long after it had concluded it's run. But we are very glad we finally stumbled upon it.

This episode (The French Mistake) is one of our absolute favorites because of the "behind the scenes" aspect of the production. Since both my wife and myself have worked in the entertainment industry (she was a writer who also worked in front of the camera, I worked on many of the technical sides) this episode brought back some faded memories and we traded a few stories and laughs.

I thought it was funny watching the Foley tech making bird tweets and on his smart phone (tweeting?) at the same time.

The new show runners mistake...

[m-47826 · 1/10 · 2 September 2022]

The show really jumped the shark this time. The episode was boring, irritating and self indulgent. Trying to capitalize on the meta trend, the way they did, was awkward and unpleasant. Acknowledging how ridiculously long the show was, was off putting to those who agreed with that assessment. The toxic, narcissistic and shallow way the crew was depicted, wasn't funny or witty. And the saddest thing is, it didn't look so far from the truth either. So were they trying to lose audience, or simply test their dedication to the show?... Season 6 is entertaining but too on the surface of things, so did they really think an episode being self aware of that, was the right way to go to keep viewers invested ten more seasons? The musical chairs already exhaust me. Which is Supernatural's biggest flaw now, too many cooks in the kitchen, and not enough time for a soufflé... It's one of those episodes that brings me back to my overall impression of the show. And it clearly isn't a good one...

Novel idea but creepy

[blackmagpie-62368 · 30 April 2018]

As a story line there is none, the Winchester brothers are used as bait by their "friend" Castiel resulting in many innocent people dying for nothing.

This is presented in a very novel way that will make your head spin but a little too warped for me, I like to watch actors and the characters they create not the actual people behind the scenes. Not comfortable with the whole Jared/Jensen thing or the crew dying at the end although I can see the appeal.