I couldn’t be happier that Sam survived the trials. At least for now. We’ve all been throwing around the same question for the past few weeks; what happens to Sam if he doesn’t finish the trials? Will he die? For a while there I was under the impression that the last trial is what would make him better. The purification process would be complete and his health would return. Looking back at my wishful thinking self, it seems a little naive. In the words of Dean, “What show have you been watching?â€. When has anything ever worked out like that for the Winchesters? Every decision they’ve made over the seasons has involved some level of sacrifice, so it seems obvious that something this huge would require the ultimate sacrifice. And for a while there, I really thought Sam was going to do it. Afterall, he was so close. And since beginning the trials, Sam’s body has taken a beating. He said it himself, his whole body hurt, he was starving and nauseous all at once and everything smelled like rotting meat. That is no way to live. If it were me, I would want a way out.
On top of all that physical pain, Sam was battling some pretty serious emotional baggage. His confession to Dean about what he considers his greatest sin was absolutely heartbreaking.
Sam: “You wanna know what I confessed in there? What my greatest sin was? It was how many times I let you down. I can’t do that again.What happens when you decide I can’t be trusted again? Who are you gonna turn to this time instead of me? Another angel? Another vampire? Do you have any idea what it feels like to watch your brother...â€
Dean: “Just hold on. Do you seriously think that? Because none of it, none of it is true. Listen man, I know we’ve had our disagreements. Hell, I know I’ve said some stuff that set you back on your heels but Sam, come on. I killed Benny to save you. I’m willing to let this bastard and all the sons of bitches that killed mom walk because of you. Don’t you dare think that there is anything past or present that I would put in front of you. It has never been like that, ever. I need you to see that. I’m begging you.â€
And cue the waterworks. It’s no secret that Dean loves his brother. Even if he’s never said the L-word outright. But if there was ever a time to vocalize exactly what his brother means to him, this was it. It could have been his last chance to let Sam know that he comes before everything and everyone in Dean’s eyes. Thankfully, it’s exactly what Sam needed to hear. And then they shared another glorious man-hug.
Now let’s take a second to talk about how selfish this choice actually was. Please don’t misunderstand me, I am so happy with their decision, but it was selfish, wasn’t it? Sam was seconds away from closing the gates of Hell and ridding the world of demons forever. But he chose to stop. I’m sure he wasn’t crazy about the idea of dying because who is? But that’s not why he stopped himself from finishing the trial. He did it because Dean asked him to. Dean needed him and Sam was willing to stay for that reason. They both chose to sacrifice the good of the many for a little bit of their own happiness. I think this is the first time we’ve seen a choice like this from Sam and Dean and I, for one, loved it. They have sacrificed everything else. Why should they have to lose each other too?
And it’s not as if their life is going to be a cakewalk now. Sure they know a lot more about hellhounds and curing demons; it may give them a leg up. But look around, Hell is still wide open and now the angels have fallen from Heaven. I can’t even imagine the kind of chaos this could bring. Yet I’m still perfectly content with Sam and Dean’s choice. What about you guys? Do you think they made the right call here?
Back to Sam for one more minute. Do you think he has been purified? Like many of you, I hypothesized that these trials were cleansing Sam of the demon blood inside him. Since Sam’s blood was working to cure Crowley I would assume that he has in fact been purified. But what do you think? Did he need to complete the trials to complete the purification process. But then, what would be the point if that meant certain death?
Now on to Metatron. I just want to say that I’ve had a bad feeling about this guy since the day we met him. And something didn’t feel right about how quickly he wanted to jump into the “angel trials†with Cass. What does Metatron hope to gain from this? I know it’s an act of revenge, but if the angels have fallen, doesn’t that mean that he has fallen too? And what exactly is he gaining from that?
I have so many questions about what it means for an angel to fall on this show. We’ve had a few examples of this already. Lucifer fell and he became the King of Hell. He was bitter about what his father had done to him and how his brothers and sisters had betrayed him. But when Anna fell she didn’t remember anything about her time in heaven. She had a family and a normal life for a while there. It seems like this is what Metatron did to Cass before he cast him out of heaven. He stole his essence and his grace and told him to settle down and have a family. Is this what has been done to all the other angels we saw falling from Heaven? Will they know they are angels? Will they retain any of their powers? And what makes falling like Anna did different from Lucifer? If anyone has any ideas, I’d love to hear them!
I apologize for how long this is getting but I do have one more burning question I need to talk about. What the heck was going on inside the Men of Letters lair? As soon as the angels fell, all the control panels began to light up and the sirens went off. What could that mean? And what brought it on? Angels and demons have been walking the Earth this whole time and we’ve never seen it light up like that. Was it just the influx of angels? Do you guys have any ideas?
There was so much to love about this episode and this whole season for that matter. It’s been awhile since we’ve had a season that was this consistently compelling. At some points it was so good that I found myself waiting to be let down. But I can honestly say that didn’t really happen for me. As with every season there were a few stumbling blocks. But looking back over the season as a whole, I would definitely mark this down as a huge win. I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for season nine!
As usual, I’d like to finish with some great quotes and moments worth mentioning!
First of all, how funny was it that “Sacrifice†was also the title of the Arrow season finale?
We got another great road so far segment to kick of the episode. And what better song to use than “Carry on Wayward Son� It was interesting that the subject of purity was referenced twice in this segment. We saw Sam talking about how the trials were purifying him but we were also reminded of when Dean talked about his time in Purgatory feeling pure. This still confuses me a little bit. I don’t think we ever really learned what he meant by that. Any thoughts?
Crowley: “I’ve lost someone too.â€
Jodi: “It’s not a date til I’ve cried.â€
Jodi survived, right? I sure hope so!
Crowley’s Sir Mix-A-Lot ringtone was hilarious.
Crowley: “Success has many fathers. Failure’s a Winchester.â€
Crowley: “You’re gonna move your lips the whole way up here, aren’t you?â€
It’s okay Dean, I move my lips when I read too.
Crowley: “You always put emotion before common sense.â€
Cass: “Would you say that you’re looking for a partner in crime? Or someone that’s used to nurse roleplay and light domination?â€
Sam: “For the first time in a long time it feels like we’re gonna win.â€
Dean: “How about what you did to Penny Markle in the sixth grade, why don’t you lead with that?â€
Sam: “That was you.â€
Dean: “Carry on.â€
I was a little shocked that Dean actually went with Cass. One set of trials at a time, people!
Cass: “Dean’s right. There is no ‘out’, only duty.â€
Sam: “What the hell, Crowley? Biting? Seriously?â€
What a clever little King of Hell.
Dean: “What show have you been watching?â€
Crowley: “Would it be possible, Moose. I’d like to ask you a favor, Sam. When you were confessing back there, what did you say? I only ask because given my history, it raises the question, where do I start to even look for forgiveness for me?â€
Watching Crowley slowly slip back into humanity was so interesting. To be honest, I love Crowley as an enemy way too much to give him up. But it was still fun to see.
Dean: “You finish this trial, you’re dead Sam.
Sam: “So?â€
Heart = Broken
Sam: “How do I stop?â€
Dean: “Just let it go.â€
Sam: “I can’t, it’s in me Dean. You don’t know what this feels like.â€
Dean: “We’ll figure it out. Just like we always do.â€
Comments
For some nagging reason, even though he looked and talked like he was changing, I have my doubts. He's just so cunning and such a great manipulator that I can see if it was all a ruse on his part. To what end, I haven't a clue.
For a while there I thought Crowley was faking as well. Although I do think he began to change for real. Unfortunately for Sam and Dean, not finishing the exorcism probably means Crowley will go back to normal.
You're right about Jared's acting skills, this season as a mature character made him shine and being a father I guess help him find sensitive and vulnerability in his crying scenes (before just cried because the character and him were teenagers)
About the alarm in the MoL and the panels going crazy, I think it's the warning of a supernatural event, since back in the day nobody new about angels, I don't think it was an angel alarm. My only concern was, Where is Kevin going? is he escaping again with the tablet? Metatron now have the device to read minds, so if he gets Kevin, he will find the bunker. Now the guys have to fix it, so the angels can't get inside.
About Sam's blood. Will that have a different effect on Crowley because it has demon blood? I thought it didn't have the same reaction as the other guy, since he was scream his head off every time he received a shot in his neck.
The purifying thing, I guess it refers to the relationship between the guys, now they are clear about their feelings, their duty and accepted their role in the world.
In my opinion, It's OK they didn't close hell, because of the consequences, although, will it be good for a spin off show. Now the guys had more knowledge and knowledge is power, so, I think demons will be more afraid of the Winchester Bros. and if they don't behave, they can close it anytime they want it, or cure demons without killing the host.
Overall, we are going to have a nice hellatus speculating and theorizing with all the possibilities.. .
I really enjoyed this finale. I don't think it is fair to expect perfection after 8 years on the air. Things have been up and down these last few years but the show still elicits strong emotions from me. The worst thing for me in a show is if it starts to bore me or get too confusing. So far so good.
I have EXACTLY the same worries about Sam and the effects of the trials. I'm counting on them to be addressed in season 9. If they are simply ignored and Sam is good as new, the whole trials thing is pointless, IMO. And yes, the big question is: if the trials were not completed, is he purifed or not?
Last thought...I think I literally sat in awe for about 15-20 seconds after the episode ended before I could comprehend it all...Then I had to start it over, because HOLY CRAP IT WAS AWESOME!!!
When the angels started falling , my heart was in my throat. I had to hold it inside with my hands. after it was over my only thought was: OMFG!
It took a couple of hours for me to work up to watching it agin though. I just couldn't right away. It truly overwhelmed me.
1) Why Sam didn’t look for Dean: He was afraid to disappoint Dean again, because Dean has always been able to save Sam, but Sam never really succeeded in saving Dean, no matter how hard he tried (saving Dean from going to Hell, rescuing from Hell, protecting him from Lilith). But it was more than that, it was worse: he didn’t think he could do it, because the time he tried it alone, with Ruby, it made everything so much worse, even with Dean! And he had no one to guide him now, he was all alone, so he didn’t trust himself. Now his words make sense: I was alone, I didn’t have a map (no one to check with if he was in the right path), his world imploded and he ran (yes, he ran and hide with Amelia and the dream world he was hiding into). And when he didn’t look for Dean, he disappointed Dean all over again! Oh, man! We were disappointed with Sam (or the writers), but Sam was too! Sam’s confidence was smashed to bits since he freed Lucifer and was never really restored.
2) Why Sam never told Dean about his year: clearly, he would never have admitted to Dean how much of a failure Sam thought he was. Maybe he was afraid of what would Dean say – he would maybe confirm Sam as a failure (all into Sam’s mind, of course – certainly not in mine!). He had to be sick, in a fragil state of mind, to make him admit that! Hint to BE episode! And he sees things clearly now, and can be honest with himself.
3) Why Sam didn’t like Benny: he was jealous of Dean! It wasn’t because Benny was a monster at all! Do you think Sam knew he didn’t like Benny because he was jealous, or he just convinced himself that it was because he was a vampire?
4) Why it was Sam doing the trials, not Dean: Sam needn’t to redeem himself before Dean – act, don’t tell attitude. The need was all Sam’s, in Sam’s mind, of course. And Sam needed the clarity to be honest with himself.
5) The brother’s relationship was restored, and in a even better way, mature but even stronger! I believe JC succeeded in clearing up between the two everything that was rotten inside and needed to see the light of day. I’m willing to forgive “Southern Comfort†because of that.
6) It was made very clear Dean’s priority list. But even better, we finally know what is in Sam’s mind and DEAN TOO!
I just cannot contain myself: JC IS GOD!!!
Of course he thinks he has to die to make the world a better place, it's worked before! The boy speaks from experience when he says "So?" to his own death (and breaks my heart into a million peices cause geez did Jared break it out or whaaat?).
I'm alone here, but for me, Sam's speech is that, a speech. And one with the hidden message of "I betrayed you but you betrayed me more". If I have to believe it, several things will have to happen and I really have some hope. It
Not another Sam's escaped while Dean is sleeping. If he listen to another hunter over Dean at least that the guy has two fingers on his front, please. He needs to think more with his brain and less with another part of his anatomy. And I would like that this time he heals himself, not Dean.
Crowley must have ingested (by mouth like a hand over his mouth?) some of Sam's blood when he bit him (yuck) right? Was that close enough to the end of the ritual?
Why did Dean go off with Cas for another trial? I believe it was a writer's device for Dean to discover the information that lead him to come back to Sam and save his life. Had the two of them been alone all day, without knowing, Sam would have died.
I cried so hard over Sam/Jared. Sam felt unclean as a little boy and he felt he was a failure during his adult life. What a burden to carry. I was so happy he aired what he felt, that we got to hear his POV. I always knew he loved Dean. There was never any doubt in my mind. And I began watching at the pilot.
Dean said just what he really felt, and it was just the right thing. That he loved Sam. There was never any doubt in my mind. *more tears*
We have tons to discuss over the Hellatus! I left out a lot of what I need to know. So, let's discuss!
Quote: I was under the impression that Sam threw the holy oil on Abaddon (the kind you light on fire in a circle to contain an angel). I think the smoke did go out the window. Also, I loved her meatsuit. I want her to get the same one back. That actor was awesome!
In light of the events of this episode, it will be interesting to go back and watch S8 again. With JC mentioning the theme of perception for S8, many of us (me included) were looking for some complicated theory or explanation when it was a very simple, human thing all along; it was how they perceived themselves thru their brother's eyes, particularly Sam's perception of himself thru Dean's eyes. Reminded me of an old quote, it's a little cheesy but applicable here "The image that concerns most people is the reflection they see in other people's minds"
It will be interesting to see what happens with Castiel in S9; to be honest, the socially awkward/sociall y inappropriate bit is wearing a bit thin and here's hoping they go somewhere with his development. Also have to wonder what state Crowley was left in; will be be back to his old BAMF ways or did the partial cure change him, for a while, or forever?
The MoL bunker - I think that was the supernatural activity overload alert or something akin. Too Many Angels! Too Many Angels! The Sky is Falling! It was the "some really bad shit is going down grab the salt gun" alarm is my guess.
Great look at such a great episode!
PS- Sacrifice as the title of the Arrow finale too was just odd. Especially because - weren't they back to back?
Yes, they have new methods to fight...such as the demon cure. But honestly? Do we honestly see Dean spending an entire day doing the cure? Isn't that cutting off one head off a thousand headed snake that grows ten new heads with each one cut off? Isn't that what Dean argued back in season 5 regarding lilith?
The Angels falling: All i can think is the demons delaring its Hunting Season. Ha!! Why was Dean so concerned about the Angels? After all they did to humanity and the brothers? Should be cheering. WOnderful special effects.
Crowly and Sams scenes. The best part ever. Loved it so much espeically in light of last week with Sam knowing Crowly killed Sarah.
I would love Crowly to be conflicted...th e demon that remember humanity....who remembers the light of forgiveness that was so close. And hates that he lost it, resent it and tries to eradicate it out of himself.
I do sort of wish that Croowly had been cured. Or semi cured. I would have loved to have seen Sam and Crowley working together. Them on one side of the case and Dean adn Castiel working the other angel with Kevin in the MOL tying it together. Sam totally needs someone to play off of that doesn't carry all the baggage of the brotherhood. Dean has Cas and Benny. Sam needs someone. Mayybe Sam will now open himself up to the possibiility fo friendship.
Can the MOL BUNKER be tied to God somehow? Maybe God infused the bunker with his power and thus why it runs independantly?
I LOVE YOUR BREVITY SOFIA
I do think Adam situation needs clarity but that is down to the writers.
You obviously feel very strongly about this. And that's ok. You're entitled to your opinions. I don't happen to agree with them.
Personally, I find it very hard to figure out how two people who go through life throwing themselves bodily between danger (the supernatural kind) and the rest of the world (innocents) could ever be considered selfish. Either of them. It boggles my mind.
I also couldn't imagine anyone being able to do what they do without having someone special in their lives. Someone who can bolster them, give them strength when needed, be there for them.... Is that selfish? I don't think so. We all need someone to rely on.
Is it selfish then, that they are REALLY pissed off when they perceive that their special person lets them down in some way? No. That's human. Perhaps they both hold on to their hurt feelings too much. But given the extreme situations that are their normal lives, I don't think that's hard to believe either.
Obviously, if their world was different, that special person would be someone other than their own brother - Jess? Lisa? - but brother is all they have, and thank goodness for the small mercy of having someone, anyone.
I know that I would put my own husband and children - my own special people - before the rest of the world. Ask me to sacrifice them? allow them to sacrifice themselves? Never. Not ever. No way. Maybe that's considered selfish. Personally, I think that's human love, and I'd be shocked if Sam and Dean wouldn't do the same.
I don't think it was selfish, though, when Sam gave up the trials for Dean. Like Crowley said, their flaw is their humanity; they are each other's weakness;their brotherhood is the only thing they have left. They have lost everything else if they had successfully shut the gates of hell, Dean would be Samless and I think the audience enjoys Sheppard, I know I do!