Beyond the Mat (Supernatural)

Last updated
"Beyond the Mat"
Supernatural episode
Episode no.Season 11
Episode 15
Directed byJerry Wanek
Written byJohn Bring
Andrew Dabb
Featured music"Modern Day Cowboy" by Tesla
Production code4X6265
Original air dateFebruary 24, 2016 (2016-02-24)
Running time42 minutes
Guest appearances
Episode chronology
← Previous
"The Vessel"		Next →
"Safe House"
Supernatural season 11
List of episodes

"Beyond the Mat" is the 15th episode of the paranormal drama television series Supernatural 's season 11, and the 233rd overall. The episode was written by John Bring and Andrew Dabb and directed by Jerry Wanek. It was first broadcast on February 24, 2016 on The CW. In the episode, Sam and Dean investigate the case of the death of one of their favorite wrestlers, which may involve another wrestler.

Contents

The episode received generally positive reviews with critics praising the humor and the guest stars.

Plot

After one of their favorite wrestlers apparently commits suicide, Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) go to pay their respects only for a man at the wrestling show to get murdered with a strange symbol etched into his body. The two quickly figure out that they are dealing with a demon who is collecting souls, but find that none of the wrestlers are possessed.

One of the wrestlers, Harley (Mike "The Miz" Mizanin), is kidnapped by one of his fellow wrestlers, Gunner Lawless (Aleks Paunovic), who is working for a crossroads demon who is collecting souls to create his own "nest egg" with the appearance of the Darkness and the return of Lucifer. The demon overpowers the Winchesters and orders Lawless to kill Dean. Lawless explains that he had made a deal ten years before and the demon had promised to spare his life if he did its bidding.

Dean is able to convince Lawless to help and Lawless frees Dean and kills the demon. Sam and Dean leave as Lawless faces the hellhounds now after him and Dean is now more determined than ever to stop Lucifer and Amara and save Castiel. At the same time, Lucifer (Misha Collins) searches for another Hand of God with no luck. Crowley (Mark A. Sheppard) escapes with the help of another demon and leads her to where he has stashed the Rod of Aaron. The demon turns out to be working for Lucifer, but Crowley expends the Rod's power trying to kill Lucifer and is forced to flee.

Reception

Viewers

The episode was watched by 1.85 million viewers with a 0.7/2 share among adults aged 18 to 49. [1] This was a 7% decrease in viewership from the previous episode, which was watched by 1.98 million viewers from a 0.8/2 share in the 18-49 demographics. [2] 0.7 percent of all households with televisions watched the episode, while 2 percent of all households watching television at that time watched it. Supernatural ranked as the second most watched program on The CW in the day, behind Arrow .

Critical reviews

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
IGN 8.0 [3]
TV Fanatic3.0/5 [4]
TV Overmind Star full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [5]

"Beyond the Mat" received generally positive reviews from critics. Matt Fowler of IGN gave the episode a "great" 8.0 out of 10 and wrote in her verdict, "'Beyond the Mat' was sort of awkwardly forced on us (the brothers once again had to go do something - anything - due to dead ends and cabin fever), but it still managed to make its own fun. The demon murder plot sort of fizzled, but the Winchester's shared love of wrestling was enough to save it. And The Miz was a good hand too." [3]

Hunter Bishop of TV Overmind gave the episode a 2.5-star rating out of 5 and wrote, "Jared and Jensen were the best parts, and they made an unremarkable episode bearable. The look Sam gives as a tequila-sloshwed Dean struggles to his feet is priceless. Jensen killed it with his child-like desires at the wrestling match. Jared's line read about Dean describing their jobs was absolutely perfect. This is the most functional episode of TV ever made. It marches towards its conclusion with inevitability, and gets there in a believable fashion. But that’s about at all it did. It's a long season. They can’t all be home runs." [5]

Samantha Highfill of EW stated: "Well, if you were hoping for more of Casifer, you got it. And if you were hoping to watch Sam and Dean fanboy out... you got that, too. Specifically, Casifer said 'phallic,' and Sam and Dean got to remember a time in their childhood when they did something fun with their father. So I'm going to call this week a win." [6]

Sean McKenna from TV Fanatic, gave a 3-star rating out of 5, stating: "This was a fair episode, but there wasn't really anything that had me overly excited. If anything, I'm pleased to see the Hand of God story continue and glad that Sam and Dean got to have a little fun." [4]

MaryAnn Sleasman of TV.com wrote, "Nope, nope, nope. 'Beyond the Mat' may have given us fanboy Winchesters, and it may have busted Crowley out of his kennel, but with an awkward ending and a plot that literally went nowhere, I can't say that this was the note Supernatural needed to go out on for its mini-hiatus. It's true that we can't get enough nuggets of Winchester childhood trauma, and the realization that their's[ sic ] was a nauseating cross between Here Comes Honey Boo Boo, Doomsday Preppers, and Ghost Adventures (or, as I like to call it, Ghost Hunting for Brahs) is both heartbreaking and hilarious, but Sam and Dean's strolls down memory lane have been done before—and done better—with enough frequency that not even our favorite form of filler could save this... this this." [7]

Becky Lea of Den of Geek wrote, "An episode of two halves, Beyond The Mat manages to succeed more than it fails, but the feeling that the season has been stalling somewhat (Love Hurts was especially guilty of this) continues. Still, it's probably worth it for the sight of Dean trying out his wrestling moves." [8]

Related Research Articles

Supernatural is an American television series created by Eric Kripke. It was first broadcast on September 13, 2005, on The WB, and subsequently became part of successor network The CW's lineup. Starring Jared Padalecki as Sam Winchester and Jensen Ackles as Dean Winchester, the series follows the two brothers as they hunt demons, ghosts, monsters, and other supernatural beings. The series was produced by Warner Bros. Television, in association with Wonderland Sound and Vision. Along with Kripke, executive producers have been McG, Robert Singer, Phil Sgriccia, Sera Gamble, Jeremy Carver, John Shiban, Ben Edlund, and Adam Glass. Former executive producer and director Kim Manners died during production of the fourth season.

"Exile on Main St." is the first episode of the sixth season of paranormal drama television series Supernatural and the 105th overall. The episode was written by new showrunner Sera Gamble and directed by executive producer Phil Sgriccia. It was first broadcast on September 24, 2010, on The CW in its new timeslot on Friday nights.

"Hell's Angel" is the eighteenth episode of the paranormal drama television series Supernatural's season 11, and the 236th overall. The episode was written by co-executive producers Brian Buckner & Eugenie Ross-Leming and directed by executive producer Phil Sgriccia. It was first broadcast on April 6, 2016 on The CW. In the episode, Lucifer tries to reach Heaven in an attempt to ascend to power while Crowley states to Sam and Dean that there's a way to lock Amara away.

"Brother's Keeper" is the twenty-third episode and season finale of the paranormal drama television series Supernatural's season 10, and the 218th overall. The episode was written by showrunner Jeremy Carver and directed by executive producer Phil Sgriccia. It was first broadcast on May 20, 2015, on The CW. In the episode, Dean kills a hunter and decides to summon Death to help him with the Mark of Cain as Sam tries to stop him. Meanwhile, Castiel and Crowley meet with Rowena in an attempt to destroy the Mark of Cain.

"Sympathy for the Devil" is the first episode of the fifth season of paranormal drama television series Supernatural and the 83rd overall. The episode was written by showrunner and series creator Eric Kripke and directed by executive producer Robert Singer. It was first broadcast on September 10, 2009 on The CW. In the episode, Sam and Dean watch the aftermath of Lucifer being freed from the Cage while the angels plan a new strategy to stop the Apocalypse.

"Out of the Darkness, Into the Fire" is the first episode of the paranormal drama television series Supernatural's season 11, and the 219th overall. The episode was written by showrunner Jeremy Carver and directed by executive producer Robert Singer. It was first broadcast on October 7, 2015 on The CW. In the episode, Sam and Dean have to deal with the consequence of having freed The Darkness into the world while Crowley recovers after Castiel's attack. With this episode, Supernatural became the longest-running science fiction TV show in North America, surpassing Smallville.

"Black" is the first episode of the paranormal drama television series Supernatural's season 10, and the 196th overall. The episode was written by showrunner Jeremy Carver and directed by executive producer Robert Singer. It was first broadcast on October 7, 2014, on The CW. In the episode, Sam begins looking for Dean and Crowley after discovered Dean returned to life as a demon. Meanwhile, Castiel is dealing with his dying grace while Hannah asks him for help in a mission.

"Reichenbach" is the second episode of the paranormal drama television series Supernatural's season 10, and the 197th overall. The episode was written by Andrew Dabb and directed by Thomas J. Wright. It was first broadcast on October 14, 2014 on The CW. In the episode, Sam escapes from his captor, Cole Trenton, who is holding a vendetta against Dean for something that happened 12 years ago while Crowley begins to lose control of Dean. Meanwhile, Hannah notices Castiel's health and decides to ask Metatron for help.

"Form and Void" is the 2nd episode of the paranormal drama television series Supernatural's season 11, and the 220th overall. The episode was written by Andrew Dabb and directed by executive producer Phil Sgriccia. It was first broadcast on October 14, 2015 on The CW. In the episode, Dean takes Jenna to her grandmother's house with the baby Amara, unaware that she is the Darkness, whom Crowley is looking for so he can use her power. Meanwhile, Sam works on a cure for the virus while Castiel is tortured by angels for Metatron's whereabouts.

"Soul Survivor" is the third episode of the paranormal drama television series Supernatural's season 10, and the 198th overall. The episode was written by Brad Buckner & Eugenie Ross-Leming and directed by main cast member Jensen Ackles. It was first broadcast on October 21, 2014 on The CW. In the episode, Sam has now captured Dean and is trying to cure him to become human again. Meanwhile, Castiel and Hannah are attacked by Alina, an angel who wants revenge after they killed her friend, Daniel.

"The Bad Seed" is the 3rd episode of the paranormal drama television series Supernatural's season 11, and the 221st overall. The episode was written by Brad Buckner & Eugenie Ross-Leming and directed by main cast member Jensen Ackles. It was first broadcast on October 21, 2015 on The CW. In the episode, Sam and Dean are looking for Rowena while Crowley begins to take care of Amara so he can use her for his purposes.

"Meet the New Boss" is the first episode of the paranormal drama television series Supernatural's season 7, and the 127th overall. The episode was written by showrunner Sera Gamble and directed by Philip Sgriccia. It was first broadcast on September 23, 2011 on The CW. In the episode, Castiel decides to go fix the world's problems as their new "God". However, he is being taunted by new evil forces known as the Leviathans. Meanwhile, Sam is now having hallucinations about his time in Lucifer's Cage.

"Our Little World" is the 6th episode of the paranormal drama television series Supernatural's season 11, and the 224th overall. The episode was written by Robert Berens and directed by John Showalter. It was first broadcast on November 11, 2015, on The CW. In the episode, Sam, Dean and Castiel begin looking for Metatron as he may have the key to the answers of The Darkness while Crowley loses control of Amara.

"O Brother Where Art Thou?" is the 9th episode and midseason finale of the paranormal drama television series Supernatural's season 11, and the 227th overall. The episode was written by Eugenie Ross-Leming & Brad Buckner and directed by Robert Singer. It was first broadcast on December 9, 2015, on The CW. In the episode, Sam decides to go with Crowley to Hell to face Lucifer in the Cage for answers about the Darkness while Dean meets with Amara, who is unleashing her power upon the world.

"The Devil in the Details" is the 10th episode and midseason premiere of the paranormal drama television series Supernatural's season 11, and the 228th overall. The episode was written by Andrew Dabb and directed by Thomas J. Wright. It was first broadcast on January 20, 2016 on The CW. In the episode, Lucifer shows Sam his memories in an attempt for him to say yes to be his vessel. The title is a reference to the phrase "The devil is in the detail", meaning a mystery or loop on a detail.

"Keep Calm and Carry On" is the first episode and season premiere of the paranormal drama television series Supernatural's season 12, and the 242nd overall. The episode was written by new showrunner Andrew Dabb and directed by executive producer Phil Sgriccia. It was first broadcast on October 13, 2016, on The CW. In the episode, Dean finds that his mom was resurrected by Amara and along with Castiel, discover that Sam has been kidnapped and set off to find him. Meanwhile, Crowley goes with him to find Lucifer, who was exiled from Castiel's vessel and is looking to find a new one.

"Mamma Mia" is the second episode of the paranormal drama television series Supernatural's season 12, and the 243rd overall. The episode was written by Brad Buckner & Eugenie Ross-Leming and directed by Thomas J. Wright. It was first broadcast on October 20, 2016, on The CW. In the episode, Dean, Mary and Castiel are getting closer to Sam's location. Sam, meanwhile, is continued to being tortured by Toni, looking for information on the American hunters. Meanwhile, Crowley has finally found Lucifer, who is now in a new vessel: a faded rock star named Vince Vincente and sets off with Rowena to send him back to the Cage. The episode marked the debut of Rick Springfield on the recurring role of Lucifer's vessel.

"The Foundry" is the third episode of the paranormal drama television series Supernatural's season 12, and the 244th overall. The episode was written by Robert Berens and directed by Robert Singer. It was first broadcast on October 27, 2016, on The CW. In the episode, Sam, Dean and Mary Winchester investigate a case where a couple were killed when they heard a baby crying in a house. They soon realize that there are ghosts in the house from the spirits of the dead kids but the spirit of the father of one of the kids possesses Mary. Meanwhile, Castiel is forced to team up with Crowley to find Lucifer, who wants Rowena to help him make him stronger.

"Rock Never Dies" is the seventh episode of the paranormal drama television series Supernatural's season 12, and the 248th overall. The episode was written by Robert Berens and directed by Eduardo Sanchez. It was first broadcast on December 1, 2016, on The CW. In the episode, Sam and Dean find that Lucifer is using Vince Vincente as a way to start his new career with worshipers. They along with Castiel and Crowley seek to stop him from killing the audience at one of his concerts.

"LOTUS" is the eight episode and midseason finale of the paranormal drama television series Supernatural's season 12, and the 249th overall. The episode was written by Eugenie Ross-Leming and Brad Buckner and directed by Phil Sgriccia. It was first broadcast on December 8, 2016, on The CW. In the episode, Lucifer possesses influential people, going as far as to possess the President of the United States. Using his new power, he tries to stop Sam and Dean from catching him.

References

  1. ↑ Porter, Rick (February 25, 2016). "Wednesday final ratings: 'Survivor' adjusts down". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on February 26, 2016. Retrieved August 6, 2016.
  2. ↑ Porter, Rick (February 18, 2016). "Wednesday final ratings: 'Goldbergs' and 'SVU' adjust up, 'Survivor,' 'Code Black' and 'Hell's Kitchen' adjust down". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on February 20, 2016. Retrieved August 6, 2016.
  3. 1 2 Fowler, Matt (February 24, 2016). "Supernatural: "Beyond the Mat" Review". IGN . Retrieved August 6, 2016.
  4. 1 2 "Supernatural Season 11 Episode 15 Review: Beyond the Mat". TV Fanatic. 25 February 2016.
  5. 1 2 Bishop, Hunter (February 24, 2016). "Supernatural Review: Like Opening A Door". TV Overmind . Retrieved August 6, 2016.
  6. ↑ "'Beyond the Mat': Sam and Dean investigate a case at a wrestling company while Crowley faces off against Lucifer". Entertainment Weekly . February 24, 2016. Retrieved August 6, 2016.
  7. ↑ "Supernatural "Beyond the Mat" Review: Macho, Macho Man Pain". TV.com .
  8. ↑ Lea, Becky (February 28, 2016). "Supernatural: Beyond the Mat Review". Den of Geek . Retrieved August 6, 2016.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.