Changing Channels worked for me not just because of the funny, but I also thought it was highly well executed.

And I probably think Mystery Spot is a lot less funny than you did--the bit where they speak in unison is about it, and only half of that. I find it a miserable gutwrenching episode.

Sam's frustration and bewilderment worked for laughs pretty well for me, and Dean's ridiculous cartoon deaths. I mean, by the time Sam figured out it was the trickster, his situation was getting upsetting, yes, but I think I took the early deaths the way Gabriel probably intended them, since you know he was off somewhere chortling.

And Changing Channels wasn't just funny for me, either, especially in the end, but like I said -- painful! Painful choices!

I don't think I ever felt for Sam as hard as I did during Mystery Spot. Certainly not up until that point. JP had me in his pocket the whole way through. I was just flabbergasted. And then, when Dean died on the Wednesday? Oy. It was all over. DeadInside!Sam just killed me daid. Justified his behaviour in S4 almost entirely. It was wrong, but emotionally? I totally got it. He was willing to maybe kill Bobby. What's a little demon blood?

So, yeah, Sam/Gabriel is firmly crack for me, until maybe when I snap and read Black Swans.

Yeah, Sam/Gabriel is not a pairing I understand no matter what changed later on, like in Hammer of the Gods. I don't think Sam's forgiving him for Mystery Spot, well, ever.

I happened across "Changing Channels" (which should also known as "The One Where Dean Goes from Kinsey Zero to Kinsey One, or maybe Two") while looking for "It's a Terrible Life" tonight. Dean's still holding a murderous grudge against the Trickster, and it's Sam who's pushing for teaming up with him and letting bygones be bygones.

which should also known as "The One Where Dean Goes from Kinsey Zero to Kinsey One, or maybe Two"

Why specifically in that ep, Matt?

I know Sam does, more than once, want to *work* with Gabriel. Sam being pragmatic and using any means to the end he wants is just ... Sam, I think.

But having sex with him? Falling in love with him? That I can't see.

I think Matt is referring to the cowboy boots comment.

Or his reaction to Steve Bacic's character in general. I have a feeling if Sam hadn't gotten them out of that scenario by performing impromptu surgery, Dean might have by jumping Dr. Sexy in a storage closet.

Oh crap, I completely forgot about the Dr. Sexy stuff. Duh.

Dean's still holding a murderous grudge against the Trickster, and it's Sam who's pushing for teaming up with him and letting bygones be bygones.

I think I still feel betrayed that Bela shot Sam and then la la la things were fine between her and the boys.

Clearly they (or the writers) forgive more easily than I do.