7 most memorable musical TV episodes

Supernatural: “Fan Fiction”

To celebrate its milestone 200th episode during its 10th season, Supernatural decided to get meta through song.

Monster-hunting brothers Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) learn of a possible case of supernatural activity at an all-girls high school. But when they arrive to interview witnesses, they discover the musical the school is producing is about them.

In its earlier seasons, the show introduced a book series centering on the brothers’ exploits. The author of the books had visions of Sam and Dean’s adventures. But he wasn’t aware that what he saw was real, so his books were published as fiction.

In the show’s story, the books became hugely popular, spawning fan conventions, fan theories, and fan fiction, just like Supernatural the television show has.

In the musical episode, a fan of the books, a girl with strong opinions about its characters and storylines writes the musical. This lets the show tipped its hat to its devoted fan base in some very funny ways.

Each of the characters from the show —Sam, Dean, Castiel, Bobby, even third brother Adam—are played by girls in drag. And they perform songs like “A Single Man Tear” and “The Road So Far,” as well as a cover of the show’s unofficial theme song, “Carry On My Wayward Son” by Kansas.

Sam and Dean don’t sing, of course. They’re far too manly for that. But Dean does inadvertently end up on stage fighting a supernatural foe, leading to a show-stopping climax.

Fans enjoyed the episode, especially its many nods to the enthusiastic fandom that’s sprung up around the show.