A Most Holy Man
- Episode aired Mar 8, 2018
- TV-14
- 42m
Close to opening a rift into the Apocalyptic World, Sam and Dean search for the last missing ingredient. They wind up at a black market for religious relics, where they discover that things ... Read allClose to opening a rift into the Apocalyptic World, Sam and Dean search for the last missing ingredient. They wind up at a black market for religious relics, where they discover that things are not what they seem.Close to opening a rift into the Apocalyptic World, Sam and Dean search for the last missing ingredient. They wind up at a black market for religious relics, where they discover that things are not what they seem.
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This episode opens with a scene of Malta, then shows a bunch of nuns, which are most certainly not Maltese, as they havent got the right colourings, or nuns outfit. Then they come across a priest, who, from his looks and accent , also is most clearly not Maltese. I'm annoyed, but i think, hey, its ok, he is playing a foreign priest living in Malta. Then they open his wallet to show his name is 'Camilleri', which is a VERY common, and specifically Maltese surname. This annoys me, but again, i think, ok , so he has a Maltese father, a foreign mother, was born abroad, then returns to Malta when he is much older, and he already has foreign accent. Then Sam goes on to find info on the net that says the priest was born in Malta and lived there all his life, to Maltese parents, etc.
I am half Maltese, and lived there half my life. This guy has a very clearly NOT Maltese accent. It makes a mockery out of our language, accents, and is ridiculous. I dont even know where this guy is from, but its soooooooo insulting that you not only couldn't find a Maltese person to play the part, but didn't even try to sort his back story, to explain that he was a foreigner living in Malta. You made him out to be Maltese. How would you like it, if they shot a program in Malta, and couldn't find a suitable American to play a part, so they got a Canadian to play it, or even an Australian, and tried to pass them off as American?> He speaks an accent that is like a cross between italian and french, and even says 'mon dieu' at one point which is clearly french.
I'm also half English, and it's bad enough that all you american programs/films portray british ppl with ridiculous accents. Apparently you think all Brits speak the 'queens English, with pokers up our backsides. No one SPEAKS like that. The queen literally has her own accent! Ketch speaks in an accent that is simply ridiculous. There is no way he speaks like that in real life. Even if he DOES have a posh accent, i guarantee he puts it on tenfold on the program.No person alive speaks like that. i have lived all over the uk, and have never come across anyone who actually speaks the way american programs portray us. We have different accents allover the uk, but no one speaks like that. We are not a bunch of posh stiffs in suits drinking tea and saying 'jolly good chap' Try going to Manchester, Liverpool, London and maybe you would educate yourselves on how genuine Brits are, and portray them correctly in films/programs.
The narrative kicks off with the brothers investigating the theft of a saint's skull, leading them into a seedy world of mobsters, crooked cops, and shady dealers. The episode's stylistic choices are immediately apparent: jazzy, brassy music sets a smoky, noir tone, while the dimly lit urban environments evoke classic detective films. Dean's trench coat and fedora, combined with his snarky one-liners, reinforce the homage. Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki's chemistry shines here, their banter feeling natural and reminiscent of their early seasons, which many fans found refreshing amid the season's heavier arcs.
A standout character is Father Camilleri, a priest who becomes an unlikely ally in the quest for the saint's blood. Portrayed with warmth and subtle humor, he provides a moral compass and a touch of levity. His interactions with Dean, including a memorable scene where he distracts henchmen by openly admitting to causing a distraction "because lying is a sin," inject genuine charm into the episode. The priest's characterization evokes early Castiel vibes, serving as a spiritual foil to the brothers' more pragmatic approach.
The episode's plot unfolds through a series of twists involving multiple parties vying for the relic: a crime boss, a crooked cop, and the mysterious "Shady Guy" who initially sells the brothers the blood. The layered betrayals and double-crosses culminate in a chaotic bidding war and shootout. While the action sequences are energetic and well-choreographed, some viewers felt the fight scenes dragged on, diluting their impact. The editing attempts to maintain tension but occasionally falters under the weight of too many characters and shifting allegiances.
Visually, Amanda Tapping's direction is competent, capturing the noir atmosphere with moody lighting and shadow play. The use of silhouettes, rain-soaked streets, and smoky interiors contributes to the episode's aesthetic ambitions. However, some critics noted that the stylistic elements felt surface-level, lacking the depth and nuance that define great noir storytelling. The episode's pacing, particularly in the middle act, suffers from narrative detours that slow momentum and introduce characters who ultimately have little bearing on the main plot.
Thematically, "A Most Holy Man" explores the tension between faith and pragmatism, a recurrent motif in Supernatural. Sam's existential doubts about their endless battle against evil are voiced poignantly, while Dean's reluctant embrace of faith-culminating in his simple yet powerful declaration, "I have faith"-serves as an emotional anchor. The episode suggests that belief, even amid chaos and uncertainty, remains a vital source of strength for the brothers.
Performance-wise, Ackles and Padalecki deliver strong, nuanced portrayals, balancing humor with the weight of their characters' burdens. The supporting cast, including the priest and various underworld figures, provide solid contributions, though some characters feel underdeveloped due to limited screen time. The episode's dialogue sparkles with wit, especially in the brothers' exchanges, which many fans appreciated as a return to their classic dynamic.
Despite its strengths, the episode is not without flaws. The abundance of one-off characters and convoluted subplots can confuse viewers, detracting from the central narrative. The reliance on genre tropes-such as the crooked cop and mobster bidding war-feels derivative at times, and the episode's attempt to marry noir style with supernatural elements occasionally feels forced. Additionally, some fans expressed disappointment that the episode's supernatural stakes were sidelined in favor of a more procedural, human-centered story.
In conclusion, "A Most Holy Man" is a stylistically ambitious episode that offers enjoyable character moments and a nostalgic nod to noir detective stories but struggles with pacing and narrative focus. While the episode's humor and brotherly banter provide welcome levity, its overcomplicated plot and uneven integration of genre elements prevent it from fully realizing its potential. Nonetheless, the thematic exploration of faith and perseverance, coupled with strong performances, ensures that the episode contributes meaningfully to the season's ongoing journey.
The writers probably intended to send-up film noir, i.e. The Maltese Falcon. In that way they largely succeed. This is such a offbeat and bizarre episode in the show's run. My fondness for it might be because of my interest in Keeler but I think most others would get a kick out of its humor and randomness.
Did you know
- TriviaMuch of the background music in this episode is the type used in the classic noir films of the 1940s. A song from 1944 also plays: "Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive."
- GoofsFather Camilleri speaks Italian, not Maltese, although he comes from Malta.
Italian used to be an official language in Malta, and even though it's not anymore, it is widely spoken over there. Maltese has also been deeply influenced by Italian.
- Quotes
Sam Winchester: If somebody stole the Impala, what would you do?
Dean Winchester: Murder. I'd murder 'em all.
Sam Winchester: Right. My point being, I... I don't want a dick like Greenstreet or Scarpatti to win. Not this time.
Dean Winchester: There'll be torture first. There'd be, like, a lot of torture, and then there'd - it would end up with death. If I can't have it, nobody can.
Sam Winchester: Were you even listening to what I was saying? Scarpatti and Greenstreet? What did I say?
- ConnectionsReferences The Maltese Falcon (1941)
- SoundtracksAc-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive
(1944)
Written by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer
Performed by Johnny Mercer