SPOILER ALERT: I loved this episode. Supernatural has really been bringing it the past few weeks and I am loving every second. We are one episode away from a long hiatus and there is still so much that needs to be resolved!

As is typical at about this time every season, I feel like my head might explode. There is so much going on that I feel the need to categorize my thoughts in list form rather than a typical review. So please bear with me as I go all “type A” on you right now.

THE THIRD TRIAL

We knew coming into the episode that we would be dealing with the third trial. Curing a demon. We didn’t know what that meant or how the heck to do it, but we knew that it had to get done. As it turns out, there is a way! I won’t take too much time to complain about how quickly Sam and Dean found the tapes of Father Thomas’ experiments. At this point in the season, time is of the essence and I’d rather spend my 42 minutes on other things besides watching Sam and Dean hunt through books and files.

Father Thomas found a way to truly cure a demon and it’s all about purified blood. I think that confirms many of our suspicions that what Sam is going through is actually a demon blood detox. Why he and Dean haven’t figured it out yet, I don’t understand. Sam even mentions needed to get the blood before they try to cure Abaddon. I wonder how long it will take Sam to realize that his blood will work? He seems to realize, based on his comments in last weeks episode, that these trials are purifying him. Perhaps he doesn’t feel ready? What do you guys think?

Since Crowley has threatened to keep all demons far away from Sam and Dean it looks like he’ll become the third trial. Am I the only one who was a little bummed to have that given away in the preview? Don’t get me wrong, I’m still very excited to watch everything unfold but it would have made an awesome surprise. Can you imagine if Sam manages to cure Crowley? I can’t even comprehend a Crowley with feelings and regrets. I don’t really think that’s going to happen though. Crowley is just way too good at being bad. If the boys manage to cure anyone, I would guess that it might be Abaddon. That is pure speculation on my part, but I hope it’s accurate!

CASTIEL

This whole episode made me feel awful for poor Cass. He tried so hard to do what was right and protect everyone from the angel tablet. But once again he has lost Dean as a result. I don’t think this is quite as bad as the last time he and Dean were on the outs, but it’s certainly not looking good. What I still don’t understand is why Castiel was so specific about having to keep the tablet away from Dean? I’m convinced there’s more to it than he’s letting on. I am glad that Cass is still trying to mend his relationship with Dean. Watching him grocery shop for the things Sam and Dean like might have been the most adorable thing I’ve ever seen.  

Cass: “I have money. Where’s the pie?”

I do think Dean will come around eventually as long as Castiel is open about his plans involving the angel tablet. No more secrets!

So it looks like we’re embarking on a whole new set of trials. Metatron made a convincing argument about closing the pearly gates and letting the angels figure things out in close quarters. But what does that mean for he and Cass? They are angels, so I assume that would mean getting themselves locked away as well. I wouldn’t want to be stuck up there with a bunch of mad angels knowing that I’m the reason the gates are closed.

Cass still carries around the guilt of his failed attempt to be the new god. I don’t know that he’ll ever be able to forgive himself for that. So I know he feels responsible for the chaos in Heaven. But is it me, or did that chaos begin long before Castiel had anything to do with it. From what Metatron said last week, things started to unravel as soon as God left the building. That’s why Metatron went into hiding in the first place. So why sit by and let Cass feel complete responsibility for the way things are? Cass’ guilt seems convenient for Metatron because it means that Cass will help him attempt the trials. I like Metatron, but I’m not totally sure I trust him yet.

CROWLEY

Crowley is playing a nasty joke in the Winchesters in an attempt to squash their efforts to close the gates of Hell. Before the episode I had completely forgotten about Crowley promising to kill everyone that Sam and Dean had ever helped. So when I saw Tommy, I didn’t put two and two together right away. In fact, I was feeling a little nostalgic right before he blew up all over the wall.

So Crowley plans to kill someone the Winchesters saved every 12 hours until they bring him the demon tablet and stop trying to close the gates of Hell. That in and of itself screams desperation. Crowley knows their close and he’s getting worried. After killing Sarah, I understand why Sam would start to wonder if this is really worth it. That whole scene in the hotel room was heartbreaking. But what good would it do to stop now? It’s not as if Crowley will just forgive them. Returning the tablet would only mean that Hell is still open and Crowley would be hell-bent on making Sam and Dean pay. Thanks to another lite spoiler in the preview it looks like Sam rethinks giving up on his mission. I was hopeful that he would come to his senses and I’m glad to see that he did.

Crowley really hit Sam and Dean where it hurt with his speech about the family business. I think there was a good deal of truth to what he said. Saving people is what keeps Sam and Dean going when life gets hard, as it so often does for them. These people are the reason they wake up everyday and do what they do. Sam and Dean have given up “normal” in order to save people and hunt things. So if Crowley did manage to kill everyone Sam and Dean has saved, it would absolutely destroy them. Besides each other, there’s not a whole lot else they have except the comfort they find in knowing that the people they saved are alive and well. It was a cruel and very well calculated play on Crowley’s part. But something tells me that he will pay for it next week when Sam and Dean have him in their new dungeon.

ABADDON

I don’t have too much to say about Abaddon. Only time will tell how much of a role she has in the finale episode. I will say that I can’t believe Sam and Dean would leave her all alone in a room like that! Rookie mistake boys! As I said earlier, I suspect that if Sam and Dean are successful at curing a demon, it will be her.

RANDOM THOUGHTS & QUOTES

Dean: “I’ve had that hangover. Jaeger, man...”

Dean: “You can take your apology and you can cram it up your ass.”
Cass: “Dean, I thought I was doing the right thing.”
Dean: “You always do.”

Sam: “So we have a dungeon.”
Dean: “Finally.”

Dean: “Over the past couple of months I’ve seen him do crap I didn’t think was possible. Sure he’s miserable and he’s hurting but there’s not a doubt in my mind that he’s gonna cross the finish line. Not one.”

I absolutely loved this moment of pure trust and faith. Sam and Dean have been on rocky ground more than once over the seasons and hearing Dean’s complete confidence in his brother was really touching. It seems Sam is in this for the long haul and having Dean to back him up will make all the difference.

Cass buying Dean ‘Busty Asian Beauties’ was a great moment!


Father Thompson went to confession as a way to purify his blood. Do you think Sam will need to do the same or do you think the trials will be enough?

Waitress/Nephilim: “Cool coat.”
Cass: “No, it’s actually quite warm.”

Crowley: “First things first, what are you wearing?”

Crowley: “I’m sexting you an address. Check it out.”

Those Supernatural books have done nothing good for Sam and Dean. And now Crowley is using them as a research tool!  

Sarah: “No, you’re not the same....you seem more focused and confident like you know what you want. You grew up.”
Isn’t that the truth! I feel like she hit the nail on the head there.

Sarah: “I do miss the old haircut though.”
Sometimes I get a little nostalgic for season one hair too.

Dean: “Son of a bitch!”
Crowley: “Son of a witch, actually. My mom taught me a couple tricks.”

That moment when they realized the hex bag was in the phone broke my heart.

Sam: “I’m saying, maybe this isn’t one we can win. Maybe we should just take the deal.”
You’re talking nonsense, Sam! When has a deal with a demon ever been the way to go?

Dean: “We’ll kick it in the ass like we always do. Are you with me?”