Supernatural Review Blog

The fourth season of “Supernatural” was quite possibly its most consistent. While not everyone embraced the inclusion of angels on the series, I personally thought it was done well and in a manner that gave scope to the plight of the Brothers Winchester. Also, the season arc was well-paced, and the writers managed to tell a massive story within the confines of a fairly restrictive budget.

“Supernatural” earned a fifth season very early, reflective of the show’s astonishing yet well-deserved growth in popularity. When the fifth season began with similarly solid numbers (at least by CW standards), the fans began to get nervous. After all, Eric Kripke had said from the very beginning that there was a basic five-season roadmap in place, and that the show was steadily progressing upon that plan.

Success, however, was bringing with it the desire for future seasons from the network. Genre fans had long since discovered that it is better to have a show end before its time than linger well past its intended lifespan. This is especially true when a series begins with intentions to tell a certain story.

It’s hard to say whether or not the uncertainty of a potential sixth season factored into the decisions regarding the pacing and structure of the fifth season. One would think it impossible to ignore the discussions, especially if there was ever any consideration of extending the fifth season arc into the sixth season. Supposedly, that never was on the table, but the fifth season episodes themselves suggest otherwise.

There was also the not-insignificant matter of the budget. The five-year plan for “Supernatural” was a story of ever-widening scope, culminating in the apocalypse. That’s not something easily done with a shoestring budget. While the production crew clearly did everything possible with the resources at hand, the scale of the action was going to struggle to match the inherent demands of the scope. Even within the confines of the series’ premise, fighting evil on the backroads of America, there was going to be give and take.

With all that in mind, it’s easy enough to understand why, after the first few episodes of the season, there was a long stretch of relatively stand-alone adventures with a comedic tone. That didn’t make it any less jarring. Considering that the season was effectively one long crisis of faith for the Brothers Winchester (mostly focusing on Dean), the idea that there would be any room for comedy, much less a great deal of it, was hard to swallow.

But the main effect is the problem of pacing. While some would argue that providing the audience with a stretch of lighter-hearted moments early in the season is necessary, especially if the final half of the season is going to be very, very dark. This sounds like a good argument in theory, but in practice, it puts a lot of pressure on the second half of a season to deliver what the first half failed to bring to the table.

The net effect for this season was the feeling that the actual apocalypse arc was largely ignored for a good amount of the time, and then only brought in at the end in a rush. If one actually looks at the progression of the apocalypse arc, it is surprisingly sparse. And while plot has never been at the forefront of this character-based series, the usual balance just wasn’t there.

On the other hand, it was hard not to notice that the psychological and philosophical elements of the season were well-explored. A lot of time was spent on Dean’s crisis of faith on several fronts. While Sam’s side of the equation often seemed to get much less development, it was strong enough to provide the necessary counterpoint to Dean’s issues. Add Bobby and Castiel’s arc to the mix, and it was a long and difficult look at the nature of faith.

On another level, it was also a clever way to explore the idea of “God’s divine plan” in a somewhat non-threatening context. Even if one does not accept the apparent revelation that Chuck, the Prophet of God, has actually been God all along, there is still plenty of evidence that everything was going according to God’s expectations.

From a religious perspective, some balked at the idea that the Brothers Winchester would be forced to suffer so much as part of a plan conceived by God, or that so many innocent people would have to die along the way. Yet, this was clearly an intentional aspect of the series. Many people question how terrible tragedies can be a part of the divine plan, but the devout insist that God has a reason for everything. If the characters question this notion, on very strong terms, it is a reflection of reality. (Besides, there will always be those who demand that all stories adhere to their world view, and cry foul when it doesn’t happen.)

If the structure and overall balance of the season wasn’t a reason to criticize this season, or even the religious aspects, then many pointed to the season finale. Kripke insists that this is essentially the way he had always planned to bring the series to a close, had it ended with the fifth season, so the lack of action (especially compared to previous season finales) left some disappointed or outright angry.

Of course, there are those who felt that the season finale was rightfully focused on the Brothers Winchester, as it was their journey to take. More to the point, if this was supposed to be an epic story that would eventually be collected into the “Winchester Gospels”, then it makes sense that it would all hinge on their mutual emotional journeys. In essence, that is what happened in the season finale.

But there is now the question of where the series can go from here. The main story is told, and without a solid end date, development of a new multi-season story arc is nearly impossible. If they had announced that this was the final season, then at least the writers could develop a single-season arc to wrap up the loose ends and give the story a nice, long epilogue. But the possibility exists that “Supernatural” will end up in “X-Files” territory, limping along season to season until the end. Hopefully Sera Gamble and her writing staff, now that they are in control, will keep the pitfalls in mind and do everything possible to make it all feel cohesive.

The fifth season of “Supernatural” earned a Critical Myth rating of 8.1, which is still well above average. It is also a slight decrease from the rating for the fourth season (8.2). This is not much of a difference, but it does make one wonder what would have happened if the tone of the season was more balanced, and if the budget had been there to give the story the necessary scope. As it is, “Supernatural” has been one of the most excellent genre shows for five seasons running, and in many respects, it is still the most overlooked.

Written by Eric Kripke and Eric Gerwitz
Directed by Steve Boyum

With all the trials and tribulations this season, the writers definitely had the odds stacked against them. The steady reduction in the budget over the years made it nearly impossible to stage a proper apocalypse, never mind one with a showdown between Michael the Archangel and Lucifer. One of the biggest disappointments of the season, at least for many, was the absence of scale. The story was intended to be epic, but the constraints made that nearly impossible.

Had the series not been designed from the beginning as more of a character-driven show, then the smaller scale would have killed the series in its tracks. As it stands, the show is defined by the depth of its treatment of the Brothers Winchester and their relationship. Sam and Dean have always been at the center of the storm, and this episode rightfully focuses on that bond.

Part of the “apocalypse problem”, beyond the off-screen carnage, was the notion of the Winchester Gospels. It’s a neat concept, and one that evokes a certain power. But how does that translate into something so profound that it lives up to the billing? What could possibly be done that earns a place in future religious canon?

It comes down to the underlying tenet that “God helps those who help themselves”. As Castiel suggests at the end of the episode, it’s practically impossible to fathom the plans of God, yet it’s fairly clear that the outcome was as God intended. And in retrospect, the logic is right there, even if it’s hidden within the limited perspective of the Winchesters.

It wasn’t that divine intervention wasn’t possible. The end of the episode bears that out: Castiel was fully restored, Bobby was returned from the dead, Dean was healed, and Sam is apparently back from Hell, though his status is obviously unknown at this point. God rewarded the players as they would have wanted to be rewarded.

But so much of the season was all about how Sam and Dean were fighting to keep the angels and demons at bay until someone else could step in. And if the Brothers Winchester were symbolic of all of humanity, struggling with faith and good and evil within and without, then the solution had to come from them. It had to be a total commitment to resist, even when all hope was lost.

It seems pointless and cruel, but it is the reason why the notion of the Winchester Gospels now works. Not because it will depict some massive catastrophic struggle, but because it is the symbolic and real victory of humanity as God’s chosen. It’s a refutation of everything that caused Lucifer to rebel in the first place.

Lucifer rebelled because he couldn’t wrap his head around the notion that a species with free will, capable of enormous weakness, was somehow favored above the angels. In that, he only went further than Michael and the others. If anything, Lucifer is more sympathetic, despite his evil, because he was honest in his actions. The rest of the angels rebel in their intentions, if not openly.

Yet in the end, it is Sam and Dean’s simple human bond that overcomes the power of Lucifer and Michael combined. Granted, the rings of the Horsemen opened the gate back to Lucifer’s cage, but it all came down to Sam overcoming his darkest impulses and making the ultimate sacrifice. Not simply dying (that’s old hat for the Winchesters), but risking eternal suffering.

Part of my appreciation for this episode is the coda, in which it is revealed that Chuck, supposedly a prophet, is actually God. In retrospect, this fits very well into the statements at the end of the Book of Revelation, in which it is said that there would be no further prophets until the return of Jesus. Chuck seems a bit ludicrous as the “second coming”, but there have been enough twists on religious concepts that it doesn’t really bother me at all.

Chuck’s true identity now makes it obvious that there was a guiding hand for the Brothers Winchester, and Chuck is the one that tells Dean where the final battle is and essentially reinforces the principle that the solution has to come from the brothers themselves. Where the angels see their blind obedience as superior, God champions humanity’s choice to do the right thing, even when it seems there will be no reward from a higher power. (And frankly, since Chuck was always something of an avatar for Eric Kripke, it makes sense for him to be the Creator, doesn’t it?)

The episode is not perfect. The depictions of the massive loss of life in passing does not really bring home the scale and horror of the end of the world. Again, this is mostly due to budget constraints, and there wasn’t much that could be done. Also, while not specifically tied to this episode, the decision to use Adam as a substitute for Dean feels like a cheat. If Dean could be replaced all this time, why would the angels have waited?

On the other hand, the story effectively hinged on Dean retaining his humanity, so that he could appeal to Sam’s humanity as part of the final solution. He was the lynchpin to bring the entire cycle to its fitting conclusion, and he had to make the choice (as per Death’s condition) to draw Sam out, knowing it would mean his brother’s doom. If Dean had been possessed by Michael, that would not have been possible.

Also, if Dean was aware that Adam could be his substitute earlier in the story, then he wouldn’t have had the crisis of faith that was necessary to push him from hopeless despair to the man capable of facing Death and strutting onto the (relocated) field of Armageddon to the tune of “Rock of Ages”. Dean had to feel the pressure and face the choice.

As promised, Eric Kripke brought his original intended story arc for “Supernatural”, as well as his tenure as showrunner, to a close with this concluding chapter. Chuck’s monologue and vanishing act was a nice touch, even if some of the commentary was a tad defensive. It’s such a clean break that this episode feels like it could have been the series finale, had Sam never returned. As it is, it gives Sera Gamble and the sixth season a relatively clean slate going forward into the next era of the Winchester saga.

Writing: 2/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 3/4

Final Rating: 9/10

(Season 5 Final Average: 8.1)

Written by Sera Gamble
Directed by Phil Sgriccia

Taken on its own merits, this is a damn good episode. Unfortunately, this is not the kind of episode that can stand on its own, because it is part of the culmination of not only the fifth season but the entire series. Because the fifth season has been the least consistent overall, the events of this episode just don’t seem entirely earned.

To a certain extent, this is not the fault of the production staff. During the production of the first half of the season, the writers were under the impression that the show was going to end as intended. So they spent a lot more time than usual on comedic episodes, under the impression they would never have another opportunity. I think it’s obvious that a number of those episodes, conceptually, could have been saved for the sixth season.

More than that, there was the ever-present problem of budget. The first four seasons were able to make things work well within the budget because the scope of the story was requisitely more “intimate”. This season, however, needed to take the intensity of those earlier seasons and take them up a notch, to sell the notion of the apocalypse. Instead, this season feels like it’s more confined and isolated than ever.

The writers have tried to adjust by continuing with their character-based approach to the story, and as always, that has been the strongest aspect of the season. At least, that has been true for the character of Dean; Sam has been getting a remarkably lack of character exploration this season. (Then again, one might argue that what is coming will give the writers plenty of reason to focus on Sam in the sixth season denouement.)

But these fundamental challenges don’t explain why events that could and should have been covered in at least two separate episodes, if not three, had to be compressed into this hour. The first third of the episode was a ridiculously short confrontation with Pestilence that missed the mark with logic.

After all, their strategy with Pestilence was essentially a frontal assault, despite seeing dead bodies with horrible sores and filth coming out of every orifice. Castiel’s timely appearance seemed like quite the copout, even compared to Sam and Dean’s relatively mild symptoms when compared to the other victims. And I’m still not sure how they managed to recover so quickly from their afflictions.

The writers effectively skipped over the fallout of Bobby’s decision to sell his soul, something that would (and should) have had been explored in more depth. The comedic touches were nice, but there was a lot left unsaid. At the very least, I was hoping Bobby’s restoration would leave him a little more conflicted. Of all people, Bobby and the Winchesters know how a deal with a demon can go wrong.

With only the final third of the episode devoted to a showdown with Death, I was prepared for disappointment. The elimination of the Croatoan virus was so easy that I had little or no hope. But who could have guessed that the most intense moment of the season would be a simple conversation between two characters?

I suppose that is hardly surprising when “Supernatural” has been, at the core, a character study. Yet Death, far from being a familiar face, was creepy beyond description. Dean’s terror at the situation was palpable, and I never anticipated that Death would give Dean the ring without some sort of struggle. Death may overstate his power and reach a bit, but it’s clear that he’s well out of Dean’s league. Dean’s going to have to keep to his promise, which doesn’t bode well for Sam.

It was the face-to-face with Death that allowed the episode to work. Without that, this would have been one of the most disappointing episodes of the season. And for that reason, I am wary of the season finale.

Writing: 1/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 2/4

Final Rating: 7/10

Written by Ben Edlund
Directed by Robert Singer

With only a handful of episodes left before the planned arc of “Supernatural” comes to a rousing finish, I’m a bit surprised that the urgency is not quite at the anticipated level. I had hoped, once the writers got the light-hearted fare out of the way during the first half of the season, that the second half would be a relentless drive to the finish. I think a lot of important ground has been covered, to be sure, but if the writers are still planning to wrap up the Apocalypse this season, it doesn’t exactly feel like it.

That isn’t to say that this is a bad episode, or that the writers aren’t trying to bring the tale full circle. Crowley is a great recurring character, and if he survives, it will be interesting to see if he becomes a fixture of the sixth season. After all, even if Lucifer is tossed back in his cage and the real Apocalypse is postponed to a later date, the demons are still going to exist and will still be roaming the earth. Based on Crowley’s offer to Bobby at the end of the episode, there’s plenty of reason to think that the Brothers Winchester will have debts to pay once the big dance is over.

And bringing in Brady was an interesting idea. It’s already been well established that Sam’s current role was the result of a long-term plan going back generations, if not millennia. So it’s no surprise that Azazel was manipulating Sam far more than realized. After all, if the death of a lover was something that Azazel thought would be needed to propel Sam in the right direction to become the perfect means of releasing Lucifer (his development as the Antichrist Superstar in the first two seasons being the prelude to Ruby’s manipulations, in retrospect), then having a demon set Sam up with Jessie makes perfect sense.

With so little time, I was concerned that Pestilence might get short shrift. After all, we already know from “The End” that Pestilence unleashes the Croatoan virus on the world, and the means wasn’t ground that really needed to be covered. Yet the methodology is clever and in keeping with the notion that the Horsemen use human weakness to bring destruction.

In this case, it is fear of infection and death from disease. I would have preferred a scenario that didn’t play into the irrational conspiracy theories of the anti-vaccination camp, but it is a wonderfully ironic strategy. Spread a mild but potentially serious flu around just enough to start worldwide panic, and then offer a vaccine that actually holds the Croatoan virus. (My only quibble being that a latency period would be more effective to maximize spread of the virus before the homicidal tendencies begin.)

I even liked the notion that these characters can’t stop trying to sacrifice themselves. It’s a stark contrast to Crowley, who is wonderfully focused on self-preservation, but it’s also a bit predictable after a while. At least it’s still being offered in the spirit of active resistance vs. passive submission, which is consistent with recent events.

Sam’s decision is a bit ridiculous, though. Sam is well aware of the fact that he was tempted to the dark side because he was meant to be ready to offer himself as Lucifer’s meatsuit. Even though Sam stepped back from the brink, there’s a huge part of him that is still tempted. If Sam were to go through with this plan, and somehow overcome the possessing power of an angel (not a demon, and a key difference), it would seem a little too convenient, given what has been established.

But it was interesting to see that Bobby seemed to consider what Crowley was saying at the end of the episode, even if he delivered a fairly strong rebuttal in the form of a rock-salt barrage. It would be a reasonably logical end to Bobby’s long and difficult path this season, so it could be justified on that level. And for that matter, it would also be a sacrifice on the order of John Winchester’s sacrifice, which would be thematically fitting.

So there was a lot to like about this episode; it’s just that it seemed to end before coming to a strong enough conclusion to move the story towards the resolution of the apocalypse. The required story elements are still waiting to be triggered: getting the final two Horsemen rings and luring Lucifer back into his cage. Now only two episodes remain to make it happen. Unless the producers are going to break their promise and have the resolution spill over into the sixth season premiere (leaving the fifth season with a cliffhanger), I don’t see how this can all be done without it feeling rushed.

Writing: 2/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 2/4

Final Rating: 8/10

Written by Andrew Dabb and Daniel Loflin
Directed by Rick Bota

The higher powers in “Supernatural” have always been a bit of a complicated mess. It was one thing when the Hunters were only going after demons of unspoken origin and faded gods out of past mythology. Once it became clear that the Judeo-Christian theology was going to dominate the pantheon, there was a question of how all the various powers would interrelate.

Ultimately, the writers seem to have taken an Old Testament approach to the matter, much as they have with the angels. In essence, some interpretations of the Old Testament point out that the followers of God/Yahweh never said their weren’t other gods or deities. The Bible clearly states that other peoples had deities of their own, in some cases with power. But it was made very clear, from the Hebrew perspective especially, that God was the most powerful and everyone else was a pretender in comparison.

Taken with a bit of the typical “Supernatural” creative license, the assortment of gods in this episode fit pretty well with the notion that there have always been higher powers strong enough to impose their will and influence the belief of human followers. In accordance with the Old Testament, God strolled in with his angels and took control, based on relative power alone.

Kali’s comment about Western arrogance and religious violence perpetrated on peoples of other faiths won’t be taken well by some (particularly those with a sanitized view of Judeo-Christian history). But again, this is in keeping with the Old Testament: God ordered his chosen people to tear down the old and competing gods and slaughter their followers.

Besides, there are non-Judeo-Christian viewers, and it makes sense to put other faiths in perspective. It’s not simply that the writers of “Supernatural” are adhering to the most common Western faith; this episode makes it clear that the Judeo-Christian God took control some time ago, and the other faiths have been losing their war to remain relevant.

This is abundantly clear during Lucifer’s violent killing spree. When all is said and done, God created the angels, and that includes Lucifer. Lucifer may have been one of the most powerful of the archangels, perhaps right at the top of the list, but he’s still never depicted as God’s equal. He’s simply bent on corrupting and destroying humanity, based on the perceived slight that humanity’s existence represents. If Lucifer can wipe the floor with more than a dozen gods, even fallen as they are, it’s no wonder God has taken control of the higher order!

(Of course, there is the small matter of how all these gods could conceive themselves as the authors of creation, on whatever scale, if God and his angels are credited with the origins of humanity itself. It’s pretty much an either/or proposition, especially if Lucifer remembers when the first humans came along and inspired him to rebel. Unless, of course, the implication is that God was letting the other gods do whatever they wanted until God was good and ready to take control? Gabriel’s apparent alter-ego as Loki suggests as much. See, still a bit messy!)

From the perspective of the Brothers Winchester, it really doesn’t matter. It triggered Gabriel to take action to save them, which in turn lead to important revelations, but the real game-changer was the restoration of their resolve. Had it been known earlier in the season that Lucifer could not be killed at all, it might have broken them completely. Having come through the other side of their heart of darkness, however, Sam and Dean have the strength to adapt.

For a little while, I thought perhaps Gabriel’s involvement would signal that his archangel sword was going to be the McGuffin that would resolve the Lucifer problem. Of course, it’s not that easy. If anything, Lucifer now has a weapon that could be used against Michael, so if the apocalyptic showdown were to take place, it wouldn’t look good for the angels.

Resealing Lucifer, and thus short-circuiting the apocalypse, just sounds like a better option, even if it seems a bit facile when considered against the difficulty of breaking Lucifer out in the fourth season. Yet it also helps to explain why God doesn’t feel the need to step in and take care of the problem himself.

As Gabriel says, there’s really three sides to the conflict. The angels, the demons, and the humans caught in the middle. That’s been clear for a while. (And for Babylon 5 fans, this is very familiar territory.) So if God is all about humanity being his true favorites, so to speak, why not construct a scenario in which humanity proves that it has the ability to thwart both angels and demons in equal measure?

Once again, that gives the story the kind of purpose and scope that would lend itself to something called the Winchester Gospels. My only real concern is that the potential McGuffin of Gabriel’s sword is instead represented by the rings of the Four Horsemen. From a narrative perspective, it makes sense, because the writers have been emphasizing those rings since War first appeared on the scene.

But in a way, that’s also the problem. It was an obvious connection, and a lot of fans made it a long time ago. With only three episodes left until the series arc hits a climax, there’s not much time for a new twist to make it less predictable. They have to get the ring from Pestilence, then get the ring from Death somehow, and then handle Lucifer. That’s a lot to cram into three episodes.

Writing: 2/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 2/4

Final Rating: 8/10

Written by Jeremy Carver
Directed by Phil Sgriccia

By the end of the previous episode, Dean had lost faith. Not just in himself, but in Sam and the very thought of defying destiny. He began saying his goodbyes, all the while avoiding a direct showdown with Sam, Bobby, and Castiel over his choice to consent to Michael’s demands. That all comes to a head with this episode.

And as one would expect, it’s emotionally brutal. For those who have been watching the show since the very beginning, it’s hard to watch Dean fall apart in such a complete manner. While the plot with Adam was important in terms of reminding the brothers where their strength lies, in terms of family and brotherhood, it was also a clever way to give all the main characters some time to confront Dean on his choice.

Bobby’s reaction was particularly chilling. Bobby has been having one hell of a time this season, starting with the paralysis, the psychological anguish of knowing the Brothers Winchester touched off the apocalypse, and recently killing his wife for the second time. It’s been a long road of sacrifice, and it’s been as much about supporting surrogate sons as it has been about saving lives. While it’s not surprising that Bobby has been harboring thoughts of suicide, that scene drove it home.

Castiel’s reaction was just as hard to take. A lot of people have joked about the sexual tension between Castiel and Dean, and the writers give that a bit of a nod in this episode. But it’s clearly not about that, at a fundamental level. Dean’s journey in the fourth season, and the truth about the angels and their role in bringing down the apocalypse, led Castiel to rebel.

It doesn’t matter that Castiel is technically still serving the will of God, whether he wants to accept or acknowledge that or not. Loyalty to heaven was part of Castiel’s being, and he chose to leave all of that behind for the sake of following Dean’s lead. For a time, Castiel thought he could help by finding God, but once that quest was over, it all came down to Dean. And Castiel’s anger and despair is a wonder to behold. And it drives him to what appears to be a sacrificial act.

Both Bobby and Castiel are all but the opening act, however. The real depths of the wound come with the confrontation with Sam. Dean made it very clear at the beginning of the season that he was going to find it hard to trust Sam again, but the course of the season made it seem like the wounds were more or less healed. But Dean puts it all into perspective. Dean is the one who saw the future, in which Sam gave in to Lucifer and everything fell apart. He has reason to believe that Sam will give in, sooner or later.

And that, more than anything, is the part that hits like a knife to the gut. It’s written all over Sam’s face. Because Sam has already said that he needs Dean to be there for him, to sustain his resolve. Dean’s confession that he has no faith in Sam’s resistance is crushing. By that point, just about everything has fallen into ruin, and the situation with Adam is just icing on the cake.

Yet the final act of the episode feeds right into the notion that God is hanging back because his plan is unfolding just as intended. The angels had Dean right where they wanted him, and without Dean, Sam would have fallen into line. Instead, they decided to use Adam as bait, banking on the Winchester devotion to family. And in turn, they reminded the Brothers Winchester of their one remaining strength.

Because while Dean was ready to hand himself over when in Zachariah’s Dining Room of Pain, it took one look at Sam to convince him that resistance was still worth it. That going down fighting on their own terms, in control of their own free will, is a much better option than handing themselves over to destiny.

In short, the angels overplayed their hand. Up until now, and especially after the attempt to kill Lucifer, the brothers have been largely reactive. When dealing with the apocalypse, this is an understandable state of being. If the end of this episode is any indication, the Brothers Winchester plan to take action. No more waiting. And while it’s still not clear how that will change the situation, it feels right.

This is the “Supernatural” version of God helping those who help themselves. This is a choice that seems worthy of a set of books called the Winchester Gospels. This is the foundation for a finale that needs to make this choice something symbolic of the series as a whole. Because despite the sixth season to come, this is the culmination of the “Supernatural” legend. The rest will be epilogue.

Writing: 2/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 3/4

Final Rating: 9/10

Written by Julie Siege
Directed by Charles Beeson

This is one of those episodes that seems to be self-contained, only to take a very different turn by the end of the hour. It is also a perfect follow-up to the issues raised in the previous episode. Matters are coming to a head, and while it’s hard to watch, it’s precisely where the story has always promised to go.

At the end of the previous episode, Dean and Castiel had lost all remaining hope. Dean had been hanging by a thread for months, and Castiel had put all of his faith in finding God and convincing him to end the apocalypse. With no conceivable way out of the trap of fate, with no apparent way to save the world, Dean’s resolve had to falter.

The entire confrontation with the Whore of Babylon is designed to hit Dean where it hurts the most. The whole discussion on Paradise, the notion of the “chosen”, even just the glimmer of hope in the eyes of the faithful…all of it twists the knife that is already gutting Dean with each and every tick of the clock. Dean has already come to the conclusion that he has to concede to his apparent destiny; this situation just confirms that there is no hope left.

As much as Dean fights to save the people of the town, the efforts feel hollow. He sees those with the best of intentions and hopes of salvation being led down the path to their own destruction. Having learned that God is allowing the apocalypse to unfold without intervention, the effect of the Whore of Babylon is even more devastating.

Some will take the actions of the faithful in this episode as a thinly-veiled insult against Christians. They will also be the ones missing the point. Whether it’s the Four Horsemen, the Whore, or any of the other creatures out of Revelation, all of them have been using the exact same methodology: taking human weakness and twisting it. The Whore of Babylon, as depicted here, would certainly want to take the hopes and piety of the faithful and twist it to hellish purpose.

And frankly, there are examples throughout history of the faithful turning on people, even friends and family, out of a desire to do God’s work. I’m somewhat surprised that the Salem witch trials weren’t referenced in this episode; if there is a touchstone moment in American culture for religious hysteria gone horribly wrong, that would be it. If an apparent prophet is saying “kill your neighbor to achieve salvation” in the middle of the apocalypse, I wager a lot of avowed Christians would take up arms. It’s less about criticism of religion than it is a commentary on how trust and faith can be manipulated by those with evil intent.

But what does that say to Dean, who really needed to see that humanity might have a chance? It tells him that there is no way to avoid his fate. Sam may be willing to keep struggling along, but he was the only one left with any shred of hope at the end of the previous episode. Dean’s decision was all over his face, and his conversation with Lisa was just a matter of finding some small sense of closure. (And a nice bit of continuity as well.)

So it appears that Dean is going to give in to Michael. Unfortunately, it just doesn’t seem that simple, does it? After all, there are five more episodes to go. If this were the penultimate episode, it might have been easier to accept that the Brothers Winchester were rushing headlong into the big dance. But there’s way too much time left, and that’s a clear signal that something more is in the works.

This once again brings to mind the notion that God, while clearly not getting directly involved in the resolution to the problem, has been well aware of the situation and had already planned for all these eventualities. God knew that the angels would effectively go bad and that Lucifer would rise, and he knew that the Brothers Winchester would be seen as the ones to bring the battle between Michael and Lucifer to reality.

And that also suggests that whatever else is coming was also foreseen. His message to Sam and Dean may have been less a denial of assistance than a call for patience. From a certain perspective, Sam and Dean were intending to tell God to work on their timetable. If God has it covered, what kind of answer would he give? Pretty much the one he gave.

This also takes into account the notion that God’s true plan requires this kind of capitulation by Dean. If there is some kind of twist coming involving Dean and Michael, and it is enough to change the nature of the situation in some fundamental way, then it could be exactly the sort of thing that would fit into the “God only told the angels the part of the plan he wanted them to hear” scenario.

Of course, that’s the one problem with the “deus ex machina” plot device. Everything that happens, no matter how questionable in terms of logic, can eventually be explained as part of a shadowy, inexplicable plan. When done well, the seams don’t show too much and the audience doesn’t feel cheated. But taken too far, it can feel like the writers’ way of excusing a lack of forethought.

That said, while this season has been a bit of a step backwards in terms of cohesiveness and overall plot progression, it is still strong enough in the end to bolster my faith that Kripke and company are still working to their own plan.

Writing: 2/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 2/4

Final Rating: 8/10

Written by Andrew Dabb and Daniel Loflin
Directed by Jeff Woolnough

The Brothers Winchester have died more often than most main characters, so while it’s disconcerting, it’s not particularly unusual for them to die again in violent fashion. It does remind the audience that there are plenty of hunters with a bone to pick with the brothers, and it also serves the purpose of sending the boys to the “Supernatural” version of heaven.

I think a lot of those who criticize the depiction of religious concepts on “Supernatural” display an unfortunate level of insecurity in their own beliefs. Fiction doesn’t have to conform to any specific religious interpretation; it only has to be self-consistent. In terms of how God has been portrayed on the show, this is consistent.

Personally, I think it’s a bit of a lost opportunity. Why bring God into the equation, if you’re not going to pull that trigger? I have offered a scenario in the past in which God essentially tells Sam and Dean that the idea is for humanity to find its own path to salvation, along the lines of “God helps those who help themselves”, but this is a bit of a cruel way to do it. Joshua tries to soften the blow, but this is not going to help their morale.

What was confirmed, in a sense, was the fact that God knew what was going to happen. That implies that letting the apocalypse play out as it has is part of his own plan. Some will take exception to that, even if the entire book of Revelation makes a point of the fact that the end of the world, with all of its suffering, pain, and fear, is supposed to be how it is all meant to happen. The only real spin that the writers put on it is the expectation placed on the Winchesters to figure out how to make it work out well.

This could make the “controlling the rings of the Four Horsemen” scenario more of a possibility, but with the resolution phase of the season upon us, there has to be more to it. The problem is that God was just about the only source of power strong enough to counter Lucifer. If God isn’t going to offer up some kind of mystical superweapon for the Brothers Winchester to use, then what exactly are they supposed to do?

More importantly, is it going to be a satisfactory resolution not only to the season, but to the entire narrative arc of the past five years? A lot of fans would have been annoyed with a “deus ex machina” end to the story, but it would have been sensible given the nature of the story. According to nearly every interpretation of Revelation, Lucifer is meant to believe that he has the upper hand, and the unbelieving masses are meant to believe the same, until God comes along and delivers the knockout punch. So what could possibly replace that and make sense?

On the other hand, I suppose there’s one reason to keep faith in the writers. The characters themselves are asking the very same questions. A great deal of the show, in terms of the brothers’ versions of heaven, were in keeping with their established histories. All that being the case, the writers seem to be moving according to a solid plan. I’ve had reason to trust the writers this long, so I can continue to give them the benefit of the doubt.

This episode leaves Dean and Castiel at the end of their spiritual ropes, which is saying a lot, considering that Dean was on the brink and Castiel is an angel. What’s surprising is Sam’s reaction. While Dean and Castiel seem to have missed the part where God had granted the brothers salvation, saved them from Lucifer, and restored Castiel. Clearly, God has faith in them. This brings to mind the story of Job. Sam knows what he has done, and now he knows that when he dies for the final time, he will go to heaven. It would make sense, even in this situation, for Sam’s faith to be bolstered. After all, Sam was always the brother with a more spiritual bent.

It’s interesting, though, how the writers chose to depict heaven. It does adhere to a certain interpretation of heaven that I’ve heard on occasion, but it makes it far more isolating than one would expect. Interaction with loved ones is a rarity, and loved ones within your version of heaven are shades of memory, tailored to your desires. Compared to the torture in hell, it’s definitely a better situation, but it’s not the bliss that one would anticipate. Is this how it has always been? Or is it how things have been since the angels have taken control?

Then again, this is “Supernatural”. Was anyone expecting this show’s version of heaven to be unbridled joy?

Writing: 2/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 2/4

Final Rating: 8/10

Written by Jeremy Carver
Directed by John Showalter

After such a long and annoying hiatus, the writers for “Supernatural” offer up a heart-wrenching slice of the Apocalypse. Considering the fact that I’m not much of a fan of zombie stories in general, the simplicity and focus of this story more than made up for my lack of enthusiasm.

The rising of the dead is tied directly to the coming of Death several episodes earlier, which is a good thing. Not for the characters, so much, but for the progression of the season arc. A lot of fans felt that the writers were stalling based on the possibility of a sixth season, and some are still convinced that the lack of much Apocalyptic action is a sure sign that Kripke and Gamble intend to stretch out the natural end of the story into another season.

I think it’s more a matter of budget, and trying to take something as expansive as the Apocalypse and bring it down to a more personal level. The next phase of the end of the world still relies on Dean taking up the mantle as Michael’s Sword, and Sam becoming the vessel for Lucifer. Until then, it’s just going to percolate. And since the Winchesters have always been running around in the “sticks” as Hunters, it makes sense for matters to play out in that kind of territory.

It also makes sense that the Winchesters’ allies would ultimately be targeted to apply pressure on them. Forcing Bobby to relive the worst moments of his life (or choose to allow himself to be killed) is one hell of a shot across their bow. It was perfectly designed for maximum psychological damage. Judging by the look on Bobby’s face at the end, it’s definitely took its toll.

Bobby has been the last remnant of family for the Brothers Winchester for quite some time, and he has been sorely wounded already. Not just in terms of his paralysis, which could have happened at any time over the course of his career as a Hunter, but also the realization of what the brothers have done. Both brothers were instrumental in bringing about the Apocalypse, after all.

In terms of story structure, Sam and Dean need to have their support structure removed before the endgame. The entire series has been a methodical process of increasing the pressure on the Brothers Winchester while killing off anyone and everyone who can help them. Bobby may have physically survived to this point, but how much more can he be expected to take?

This still makes Bobby a strong candidate to become some sort of temporary vessel for God (if not John Winchester or even Castiel). Bobby may be to the point where he’s willing to make that kind of sacrifice. After all, it’s hard to imagine that Sam and Dean will find a way to resolve the Apocalypse on their own. Even taking possession of all four rings from the Four Horsemen doesn’t sound like it would end the problem, so much as stall it further.

Another thought came to mind during the course of this episode. The writers are going to some length to hide the appearance of Death. He is described as a tall, skin-and-bones figure by Karen in this episode, so that would seem to eliminate John Winchester as a potential candidate. Unfortunately, that was the one choice that would have been the most shocking, especially if the brothers would have been forced to kill him. The fact that Death has been off-screen thus far still suggests a familiar face, so it’s just a matter of who the writers pull out of the woodwork.

Writing: 2/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 2/4

Final Rating: 8/10

Written by Ben Edlund
Directed by Mike Rohl

It’s hard to believe that “Supernatural” is being forced to endure another long hiatus this season, but that’s exactly what is happening. At least this episode manages to bring the season to a momentary pause with style. This story follows the Ben Edlund pattern to near perfection: starting with the absurd and ending with a crushing darkness.

When the show returned with “Sam, Interrupted”, I noted that the message was a lot more negative and foreboding than at first glance. Dean’s insistence that Sam bury his anger and focus on the mission was a reflection of his own crumbling defense mechanism, and it’s obviously not working well for him. He’s falling apart at the seams, and Famine’s observation about the emptiness of his soul was not just a metaphor. Dean hasn’t been whole in a long, long time.

Throughout this episode, I thought it was interesting how Sam’s anger and resentment was beginning to boil to the surface again. It’s always there to some extent, but it was a direct follow-up to “Sam, Interrupted” and the fact that Sam is even less likely to contain his negative emotions. For all that the Brothers Winchester look like they’re holding it together and keeping up the fight, they are about as close to falling apart as it gets.

Dean, in particular, is a complete mess. He’s not even trying to hide it anymore. All that exhaustion, both physical and spiritual, is killing him. The expression on his face throughout the final act of this episode was heart-wrenching. I don’t think we’ve ever seen him so lost. When Dean Winchester, the once-proud atheist, is begging God for help, you know he’s at the breaking point. It’s not going to take much more for him to give up completely.

And that’s exactly why I felt like the previous episode was all about Michael’s bid to play on Dean’s hopelessness. Michael all but tells Dean that he has no option left but to submit. And Dean is to the point where he’s hanging on to resistance by one tiny thread. Michael wants Dean to believe that free will is an illusion, because once Dean accepts that there is no other option, it’s just a matter of time.

Dean’s supplication in this episode is also another sign that the writers are preparing to introduce the God factor before all is said and done. If Dean is meant to resist, and the writers aren’t just dragging out the moment when Dean and Sam submit to their apparent destiny, then it makes sense that God would wait until both of them feel like there’s nothing left. Otherwise, God just becomes one more authority telling the brothers what to do. Sam and Dean have to be at a point where they are ready to hear what their true role was always meant to be.

While I’m not looking for “Supernatural” to become a polarizing Christian commentary by any means, I think the writers have opened that door a long time ago. There’s a certain endgame that has to play itself out now. And since the spiritual world of “Supernatural” plays by very different rules, it’s not the standard approach.

Yet at the end of the day, this series has been about the characters and their deep psychological issues. And at this point, those issues are threatening to overwhelm them. Michael and Lucifer aren’t promising to resolve those issues for Dean and Sam; they intend to use those issues against them. Even if Michael wins and lets Dean go, safe and sound, that crushing hopelessness is unlikely to disappear. And Lucifer wants Sam to be angry, because an angry Sam doesn’t think things through all that well.

So this presents the perfect opportunity for God to step in and offer something the brothers can’t find themselves: restoration. A chance to be healed of the wounds that are killing them from the inside. Even if God just comes along to tell the Brothers Winchester that it will all work out in the end, just to give them a sense of hope to work it out themselves, that could be enough. Because while I see God as a factor in the final equation that resolves this massive story arc, I also believe that the entire series comes down to the power of humanity’s free will.

This is supported more and more by the nature of the demons, the angels, and now the Horsemen. Demons take individual control of humans, possessing them and forcing them to act against their will. Angels require that a human voluntarily hand over control. The Horsemen act on a much more substantial level, co-opting the masses towards self-destruction. All of these actions boil down to the same critical point: the elimination of the individual’s ability to make a rational choice.

Famine’s ability is particularly gruesome. Based on a clever interpretation of Scripture, Famine takes the hungers and vices of human beings, pushing them to lethal excess. As disgusting as the gorging of food was, time and again, the opening sequence is the most psychologically disturbing. I’ll give Edlund credit for presenting common expressions of lust and taking them to a gruesome literal end.

The episode was not all darkness; the scene with the Cupid was hilarious and disturbing in one demented and brilliant stroke. Again, we see an example of an angel, however low-level, essentially co-opting human free will. It’s presented as a matter of course, a matter of helping things along as they would naturally progress, but it still begs the question. As with so much of recent genre television, the debate between pre-destination and free will continues.

Writing: 2/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 2/4

Final Rating: 8/10