Criss Angel Is a Douche Bag

"Criss Angel Is a Douche Bag," the twelfth episode of Supernatural's fourth season, created by Erik Kripke and directed by Robert Singer, is a unique installment that blends humor with horror while paying homage to the world of magic and illusion. This episode stands out for its satirical take on the magic industry, particularly through its parody of illusionist Criss Angel, and its exploration of themes such as aging, nostalgia, and the quest for relevance.

The narrative begins in Iowa during Magic Week, where a group of aging magicians-Jay, Vernon, and Charlie-lament their fading careers while watching a younger magician named Jeb Dexter perform. The story quickly escalates when Jay attempts a dangerous trick called the "Table of Death," which leads to his untimely demise. Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean Winchester (Jensen Ackles) arrive on the scene after receiving reports of strange occurrences linked to Jay's death. As they investigate, they uncover that Jeb Dexter has inadvertently become involved in a series of supernatural events, including the deaths of fellow magicians due to a vengeful spirit seeking retribution for past grievances.

Robert Singer's direction effectively captures the episode's comedic elements while maintaining an underlying tension associated with the supernatural. The cinematography enhances this blend, particularly during scenes where Dean confronts the spirit responsible for the chaos. Notable is the clever use of lighting and camera angles that create an eerie atmosphere while also allowing for comedic moments to shine through. However, some critics argue that the pacing occasionally falters, particularly during transitions between comedic bits and more serious plot developments.

Jensen Ackles delivers a standout performance as Dean, showcasing his comedic timing and ability to navigate absurd situations with charm. His interactions with Sam are filled with brotherly banter that adds depth to their relationship amidst the chaos. Jared Padalecki effectively portrays Sam's determination to solve the mystery while grappling with his own feelings about their lifestyle and future. The guest cast, particularly Barry Bostwick as Jay and the over-the-top portrayal of Jeb Dexter, adds layers to the narrative by embodying both humor and tragedy in their characters' arcs.

Thematically, "Criss Angel Is a Douche Bag" explores issues of identity and relevance as it examines how individuals cope with aging and fading into obscurity. The episode highlights the desperation of Jay and his peers to reclaim their former glory in a world that has moved on without them. This mirrors broader cultural conversations about celebrity culture and societal value placed on youth and novelty. Additionally, the supernatural elements serve as metaphors for the consequences of one's actions-Jay's desire for fame leads to tragic outcomes not only for himself but also for those around him.

"Criss Angel Is a Douche Bag" stands out as a memorable episode of Supernatural, effectively combining elements of humor with meaningful character development and thematic depth. Its exploration of aging and relevance makes it a compelling watch, inviting viewers to reflect on their own experiences with nostalgia and identity. By intertwining these elements with engaging storytelling, this episode enriches the series' ongoing narrative while maintaining its signature blend of horror and humor. The episode's clever satire on the world of magic adds an entertaining layer that resonates well beyond its runtime, making it a thought-provoking addition to Supernatural's rich tapestry.

I've only ever seen Barry Bostwick do comedic roles, and he excells at that already. Oftentimes I find comedians make for mediocre dramatic actors at best, with a few exceptions from geniuses like Robin Williams or Jim Carrey. What Barry Bostwick does in this episode is "Eternal Sunshine..." level. I am so impressed everytime I watch this, he really makes me feel the sadness of being an worn-out old has-been, who gets a glimpse of regaining his glory! He nails every emotion, every line, every tiny little glance! Its a performance so perfect that it elevates an otherwise only okay episode, to something quite magical!

This is one of my all time favorite episodes of the show. There are several factors why. I just happen to like stage magic, magicians and I thought it was about time that the show did an episode like this. Likewise, the vulgarities of aging are pretty obvious fodder for horror and this episode script tries Jay's story into the Winchester story well with it feeling entirely organic and about time this sort of thing was addressed. But mostly it because of two things. First, Barry Bostwick (Jay) and to a lesser extent Michael Rubenstein (Weston) (Young Charlie) give two of the very best one off performances in the show. Bostwick captures the melancholy and regret of Jay grappling with his age and then the choices he was forced to make. Rubenstein plays the affection for Jay and the mad trickster of Charlie fully. The chemistry between them is just great. I almost wish that the characters could be revisited because of how good these two were.

Second this is episode is one of the most overtly homosocial and/or homoerotic episodes in the entire series. It's not just the Chief-through yes that is hysterical and adds to ever growing amount of queer bait with Dean. But the bond Jay and Charlie shared is clearly stronger than mere friendship. On Charlie's end he seems particularly devoted and it almost plays out like a Hays Code era gay villain, which is entirely correct given the general vibe of the episode.

There is a weird emotional power to this episode that crops up because of the various tonalities. It vaguely reminds me-SOMEHOW!-of a queer and B flick version of The Illusionist (2010, animated). That is just wonderful.

Glad to be back to a regular episode instead of the angel/demon story arc

I quite liked this one. The thrill was low but the central message was great. Also i'm a sucker for tarot. Also also how sad is this when you see them talk about the future, this is why i hesitated starting spn that i stopped watching at season 9, it gets depressing the longer it goes because that happy ending never to come and it's just the sheer time these two guys have spent in this miserable situation.