Recap – “Devil’s Trap”
Dean has had enough of yellow eyes upsetting Sam and comes up with the line of the episode. “Listen you mind just getting this over with because I can’t stand the monologuing.” A shout-out to The Incredibles! Yellow eyes calls him out on using his sharp humor to mask the pain, mask the truth. “You know you fight and fight for this family but the truth is, they don’t need you. Not like you need them. Sam, he’s clearly John’s favorite. Even when they fight, that’s more concern than he’s ever shown you.” Gotta love the way demons find the awful truth and use it to fuck with your mind. Dean is fuming and sneering at this point, so it’s time for a wise ass comment to get him in really big trouble. “I bet you’re real proud of your kids too. Oh wait I forgot, I wasted them.” Oh Dean, that’s funny, but that’s so going to cost you.
Yellow eyes steps backward, closes his eyes, looks up and suddenly Dean is screaming in agony. Sam is yelling “No!’ in the background because he’s always been under the illusion that it helps. It’s Sammy’s version of “Serenity Now!” Judging by the gashes at Dean’s chest and the blood pouring from them, he’s getting clawed up pretty deep. Sam yells, Dean writhes in agony. “Dad, don’t you let it kill me.” Yellow eyes keeps going. Sam yells harder and looks at the gun, but he still can’t move. Blood is gushing out of Dean now and he pleads one more time to John before passing out.
That does it! John takes over. Think about this. The three times Dean’s faced this, with John, Bobby, and Sam, they all took over control of possession right when Dean was on the brink of death. What does that tell you? I theorize it has something to do with why he can kill an angel and the Whore of Babylon. He really is a God protected servant of God. That’s just a theory though, since that theory gets heavily tested in the next episode.
Anyway, John takes control and Sam drops off the wall. He goes for the gun and points it at John, who’s been taken over by yellow eyes again. He reminds Sam if he kills him, he kills Daddy. Sam knows and shoots him in the leg instead. See, Sam can’t kill his own father. Dean drops to the ground this time, a bloody mess. Sam goes to check on Dean, noticing how bad he is. Dean is more worried about John and wants Sam to check on him. Aw Dean, always thinking of others first even when you’re a freaking mess.
Sam goes to check on John who’s out. Then he snaps awake screaming that he has control and can feel it inside him. He wants Sam to shoot him through the heart. He’s yelling to do it while one badly wounded Dean is barely getting out the order not to. John continues to plead but Sam won’t shoot. John keeps begging. “Shoot me, shoot me!! Son I’m begging you, we can end this here and now!” Sam thinks about it but can’t do it. John shouts more at him to do this while Dean chokes out a whisper begging no. Sam lowers the gun. Then the plume of black smoke comes shooting out while John yells. Too late! Once the dust settles John is very upset and looks away from Sam in personal agony. Yep, the real John is back! Sam has a slightly mad/distraught look on his face, but I’ve never figured out if that’s from losing the demon or from John’s reaction.
Hee, now for the cliffhanger. “Bad Moon Rising” is playing while the Impala thunders down the road. Sam is driving, one hurting John is in the front seat and poor barely hanging on Dean is in the back. Sam tells them both to hang on, the hospitals is only ten minutes away. John is surprised at Sam, wondering why he didn’t kill it. “I thought we saw eye to eye on this. Killing this demon comes first. Before me, before everything.” So, are you saying John if yellow eyes had been possessing Sam or Dean, you would have killed them? Sam looks in the rear view mirror to see a woozy Dean with blood coming out of his mouth. “No sir. Not before everything. Look, we’ve still got the colt, we still have the one bullet left, we should start over. I mean we already found the demon once…
CRASH!!!!!!!!!!!!! Headlights come out of nowhere on John’s side and smashes the Impala!! Nooooo!!! Not the car! Why God why!?! Then we see the outside visual of the semi truck t-boning the Impala at high speed. Twice. They skid a good long while into a nearby field. No, no this can’t be happening. The Impala doesn’t deserve this! Where’s the classic car humanity!
Eventually the truck stops. The screen goes black and “Bad Moon Rising” comes back on. We see the possessed truck driver, the smashed car (simper) then a bloody and unconscious John, a bloody and unconscious Sam, and an even more bloody and now unconscious Dean. “There’s a bad moon on the rise.” Cue credits.

Alice Jester is the founder, editor-in-chief, head writer, programmer, web designer, site administrator, marketer, and moderator for The Winchester Family Business. She is a 30 year IT applications and database expert with a penchant for creative and freelance writing in her spare (ha!!) time. That’s on top of being a wife, mother of two active kids, and four loving (aka needy) pets.
As you know Alice, I love your recaps, but there is something special about the retro ones, maybe its because we are so familiar with these episodes, it`s like revisiting old friends, rediscovering all the tiny nuances and details therein.
What made this one great was that it`s one of my favourite episodes, it is one I watch a lot,in fact I watched it earlier this week and could probably recite the entire script ( obsessed Moi!! Perish the thought).
It has so many scenes I love and it also gave us the introduction of our beloved Bobby, is that not reason enough to call it special? For me this was one of the key episodes for Dean, here, he grew up and came into his own and, as you say, he was such a bad ass but utterly wonderful too. I think Jensen was fantastic here. About him not being killed like in SFTD and SS that was a great theory! I am still, like you, waiting for the explanation on the whole true servant of heaven stuff and why he could kill the Whore of Babylon. It also gives all the doubters out there a reminder of his character, how sad to think when you watch this of everything he, and Sam, have had to face since then but he may be battered but he is still standing and still fighting
It was also good the see the interaction with John and I think this explained a lot, offering a much deeper insight into both boys characters, the fact that they knew he was not himself because he was actually being nice and supportive speaks volumes, sorry Yvonne but it does, not knocking JW I know he did love his boys really but we have to agree to disagree on his parenting skills.
Cannot wait for your take on IMTOD as this was my `first one` and holds a very special place in my heart, thanks again Ju
Never stop the retro-recaps, Alice! I just love them – and this is one of my ever favourite episodes. There is so much in it, tragedy, humour, love, anger, despair, well, let’s say, the best of good tv drama.
And this piece of yours brought all the moments I love back to me (not, as if that was necessary, really, as I know this episode quite well – I hear you, Julie -).
you rock. Jas
Where oh where is the classic car humanity!!!!
This was excellent, Alice, so glad you’re planning to finish this three-part retro-recap.
There was so much goodness in this episode as well as a few bits of not-so goodness with some continuity issues (demon smoke, holy water and salt lines) still, very cool. So I’ll just hand wave at some of those things or as you have done, point them out and then go with mystical fairy demons…yeah, that’s why.
I also noticed that Dean has three times now been on the receiving end of near death by a demon possessed loved one (well, Lucifer wasn’t a demon, fallen angel possessed loved one there) and each time be it John, Bobby or Sam has been able to take control and change the course of the action. I think it has everything to do with love (the power of love! HAH) which is what enabled Bobby, John and Sam to take back control.
Ahhh, what a chick-flick moment that is too.
Great recap. I’ll be looking forward to the third and final installment during the upcoming winter hellatus (not that I’m wishing that upon us any early than need be)
A retrospective historical recap. What could be better on a snowy Wednesday afternoon?
Ok, must check my ‘awesome episode’ checklist and see how this episode rates.
Angst moments aplenty – check
Meg (the original and best!) – check
Brothers fighting for the common good – check
John – check.
John being shot – check.
John looking sad – check.
John being a dad – check.
John on the floor = check
JOHN TIED TO A FREAKING BED!! – (Needs to lie down for a wee bit…) Um, check
John with chest hair -check (Hey, it’s there, ok)
Latin – check
Awesome Bobby – check
Smartassery to demons – check (God, I love hearing that!)
Sam and Dean dressed as firemen – check (I never realised this was a fantasy of mine until I saw the boys shimmying out of those uniforms…)
Ah lads, this episode was great. A+ times a squagillion.
Alice, keep lashing these out, please and thanks….
Love retro recaps! Awesome as usual. This episode is near the top of my all time favs list. The Dean and Meg showdown, with Sam and Bobby to boot! Dean at his badassery (spellcheck says it’s not a word, but I like it) best. Sam with the Latin and floppy hair. Bobby’s first appearance. John. What more can I say, other than I LOVE this show. Like ya’ll didn’t know that already. And Alice I’m with you. Dead people, fine. Dead animals, not so much. I was relieved in Family Matters when it was dead dudes not dogs. Go figure. I am looking forward to the third installment. 😀
I loved this retro recap Alice. This is one of my very favourite episodes ever! It had everything! But most of all it had the brothers together. Loved the way Sam moved to side with Dean when John was being a good parent. Also Sam stepping over his father to go to Dean who was bleeding on the floor. That’s the way I wish for them to be and have been missing now for more than 2 years.
Yes, my favourite seasons are 1, 2 and 3 and I’m hoping that some day that warm feeling will return during an episode. Please please please! Bring them back together older but wiser and caring about each other like in the first 3 seasons. I don’t think Dean ever lost that feeling, but Sammy needs to get that back as soon as possible.
I agree with you Alice in thinking that Dean IS a true servant of God for all your reasons. Something he could never believe himself with all his low self esteem but is true nonetheless.
Looking forward to more of your retro recaps. 🙂
Alice, I know I’ve said this before but I LOVE your recaps! They are so much fun to read, especially in retrospect. I forgot how good this episode was and oh, that brotherly relationship, how I miss it.
What I do remember vividly was the absolute shock I felt when the truck hit the Impala. I think I just sat there in stunned silence, mouth gaping, while the credits rolled. And I did not have the luxury of having the season 2 DVD beside me. No, I had to wait through an agonizing summer for the show to (hopefully) return come the fall. And thank God it did! 😀
I became a fan of this show during the summer between the third and the fourth season. I saw all the episodes in two weeks. And I remember this episode very well. It is until now a top in my top list. A thin line to the excellence. And this moment I cherish, although the drama, this moment when Dean said to his father, “Dad, don’t you let it kill me” and the “please”. I remember this moment as the moment I became a Jensen Ackles’ fan forever. Until now, I was in a very special trip with this show. I can say now why and when this show is special for me, every week of my life since then. A very emotional, self-learning(is it a word ? I don’t know) trip. I will be grateful to all of them for that, eternally. I could write for hours about the feelings and the pure entertainment, and the meanings and I stop to write now because I feel like I ramble. But yeah, a very good episode with the mother of all the cliffhangers in it. It’s a great idea to review old pieces, it’s a good memory !
This episode is a win for me simply because John is in it…even if Yellow Eyes is possessing him for most his screen time. All the other excellence is huge bonus material.
And Julie, have I ever said John’s parenting skills were admirable? The guy did the best he could, but that doesn’t mean he didn’t make some rather huge, constant and awful mistakes.
I’m aching to go into a “this is why I love John” expose, but am (admirably I think) restraining myself.
Oh, and Tim the Enchanter, I am in fervent agreement. John tied to bed causes massive weakness and needamomenttocomposemyselfness. Papa Winchester…um. I’ve said it before but it doesn’t hurt to reiterate, I love the boys (and am still beginning the lean toward Samgirl), but I’ll be a Johnwoman for life.
Alice, don’t you sleep???? 😀
LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS 😀 😀 😀
The days of bad-ass Dean, puppy-eyed Sam speaking Latin, Daddy Winchester, the intro of Bobby. 🙂 🙂
Is ‘latinating’ a real word? 😆 😆
C’mon, Bobby is pretty too. 😆
The Sam and Dean love was front and center during this episode. I love your first picture on page two, of the two of them together. Remember when they would have whole conversations without saying a word.
I agree, ‘Rumsfeld’, is a big ass dog that could either rip your face off with one bite, or drown you with one lick of his tongue. You do not name a Chihuahua ‘Rumsfeld’. 😆
With SUPERNATURAL, the real enjoyment in re-watching the earlier episodes is that you now know how all the pieces fit together. I have been watching this wonderful show since the beginning. When the Impala was hit at the end, it was all WTF WTF WTF WTF. I knew that everybody had to live, but it was painful to wait til the end of September to find out how.
I didn’t have your wonderful 😀 😀 website to go to spend the summer Hellatus. But now I am grateful to have you and all your wonderful writers. 😀 😀 😀 Just want to thank you for all your hard work.
OK, ‘chick flick moment’ is over, is it Friday yet?
Meg returns. 😉
I would love to find a Chihuahua once by the name of Rumsfeld. So wonderfully absurd.
:lol:, Jas
I loved this. The Salvation/Devil’s Trap/In My Time of Dying threesome is one of my favorites on the show. It’s almost like one really long episode in three parts.
It’s always fun to go back and watch old episodes after knowing what happens later. Like it’s always been funny to me how little they know about demons in S1, when their lives are pretty much run by demons for the rest of the show.
This cracked me up btw: “Yellow eyes steps backward, closes his eyes, looks up and suddenly Dean is screaming in agony. Sam is yelling “No!’ in the background because he’s always been under the illusion that it helps.”
😀
Hi Alice
I will always love your recaps especially with your comedic style.
I had missed Salvation and Devil’s Trap when it originally aired due to my work schedule and VCR issues. So I didn’t suffer the summer hiatus that year like the others as I had no idea what had transpired. However I was able to catch In My Time of Dying when it aired and was so overwhelmed by that episode.
I have to admit I do favour seasons 1-3 over Seasons 4 & 5. That’s not to say season 4 & 5 was not spectacular. I just missed the strong brotherly relationship and banter that deteriorated during those seasons.