We start this episode with another familiar face---Tommy Collins---as he goes to a cabin for the first time since being rescued by Sam and Dean from a Wendigo back in season 1. He is skittish, hesitant about this, but there. We can imagine that he is trying to finally put behind him what had happened all those years ago---that it is time to move on from that frightening experience. Unfortunately, Tommy hears something rustle outside the cabin, making him fear that yet another Wendigo has come to finish him this time. He falls back in a panic, clutching his blow torch, and begins to bleed profusely only to be ripped apart by some invisible force. Something else---something other than a Wendigo is responsible for killing Tommy, but what?
Meanwhile, the Winchesters are trying to figure out the final step in their quest to close Hell forever. They know what the Third Trial is---to cure a demon---but now they have to answer the question of how. Thankfully, they have access to a treasure trove of information in the Men of Letters Bunker---and they come across an unusual exorcism that could be the key to completing the Third Trial.
Father Thompson, back in 1958, was attempting a new version of the ritual. The brothers unearth footage of his attempt, and watch as a possessed woman struggles against chains. Everything seems standard. The demon threatens everyone and is violent. The priests are trying to subdue and expel the demon---but as the footage continues to roll we see that Father Thompson does something completely different. He slices his hand open and places the bleeding gash across the demon's mouth. Not unlike when an angel kills a demon, we see the demon's eyes flash white and its host falls over dead.
It is obvious that this attempt failed---but that isn't the end of it.
We watch Castiel bumble his way through a convenience store, making a mess as he goes. He lacks understanding of basic shopping mores---only to exasperate the clerk. His shopping list is a first step at bridging the gap between him and Dean: Busty Asian Beauties, beer, beef jerky---and the ever elusive pie. Before he can punish the clerk for not having pie, Metatron steps in. He has a plan that he wishes to share with Castiel---perhaps one that will help him atone for what he has done since the Apocalypse had been averted. It's at least worth hearing the Scribe of God out.
The plan is to shut down Heaven---to complete their corresponding Trials and lock all the angels in Heaven for a long overdue family meeting. He tells Castiel, "Angels get uppity, slam the pearly gates." But Metatron, scribe that he is, has not the strength to undertake them himself. He needs the help of a warrior---in this case Castiel---in order to make it succeed. It would seem that he has taken the Winchester's admonishing to heart and has decided to become a player. It is yet more evidence that they are the ones influencing things more than anyone else. Metatron's decision is a direct reaction to their accusations that he turned his back on humanity and allowed angels to wreak havoc on the world in his absence. Much like Castiel, he must right this wrong, too.
Back with the Winchesters, they seek out the remaining priest from the exorcism footage---Father Simon---to learn more about what Father Thompson was trying to do. He tells them that a demon is really only a human soul twisted by its time in Hell, and that if one could heal that damage it would be possible to make a demon human again. He tells them that Father Thompson continued to practice his new exorcism---and that he filmed these tests.
If anyone is going to have this footage, it will be the Men of Letters, and so the Winchesters return home to dig through the archives. They come across an even more shocking clip of Father Thompson's exorcisms. He has chained yet another possessed person and is making yet another attempt at the test that failed in the earlier footage. We watch the black and white grainy film as the priest asks the demon how it felt to kill the man's children. In typical fashion, the demon screams in delight that it was "Orgasmic." This time, the priest injects the demon with something---making it howl in agony. We learn that it is his blood purified by confession---and it is one of the tools in his arsenal to cure this demon.
The test is a grueling one---going on for hours and many more doses of the purified blood. Each time, Father Thompson demands to know how it felt---and each time it seems that the demon's glee at the children's deaths gets a little less. Finally, after the last dose and the demon is no longer fighting his chains, we see the priest ask one more time, "How does it feel" only to get a human response back. "They were screaming. And I laughed. Why did I laugh? I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." It is a major breakthrough---and it proves that Sam and Dean can complete the Third Trial. It is possible to do it.
Sam's phone rings and it is Crowley on the other end. He has called to tell them about Tommy Collins---that they should check the Denver news and see his handiwork for themselves. As they walk away to deal with Crowley in private, it gives Abaddon the chance she needs to make her escape. It is a creepy sequence as she calls a hand back to her host body, allowing her to dislodge the bullet. It proves that she is an extremely powerful demon---perhaps more than the "salesman" currently running Hell. While that is significant, the Winchesters have more pressing things to attend to as Crowley sends them on a wild goose chase.
They arrive too late to find Jenny Klein dead in her oven. She is the second victim in this chain of those they had saved in the past. From there, Crowley sends them to a hotel not far away---where an old friend waits. As the door opens, Sam is shocked to find Sarah Blake on the other side. It has been seven years since they last saw one another. She lets him in, and he explains to her what is happening. Crowley is after her---just as he was after Tommy and Jenny---and Sam will do whatever it takes to save her from the same fate.
The clock ticks down to Crowley's appointed time---and the phone rings. It is Crowley on the line, taunting the brothers as they frantically search for the hex bag that is causing Sarah to slowly choke to death. He tells the brothers that it is a fitting end for her, as "From what I understand, Sammy took that bird's breath away." It is a devastating scene, a heart-wrenching moment as they rip the room apart. They toss the bedding, rip the cushions off the couch, and dump anything they can in order to find it.
All the while Crowley's gravely voice taunts them, telling them that they will fail.
He wants them to cease the Trails, to hand over Kevin, and to surrender completely. His actions are desperate ones. All through the season it has been Sam and Dean that have been in control. It is their actions that dictate everything that has happened in one way or another. They chose to close Hell. They chose to undertake the Trials. Crowley has tried everything he knows to stop them. He has maimed Kevin. He has threatened his mother. He has kidnapped Kevin not once but twice. Crowley has done all that he can to throw them off their track.
And so, he reaches for the last bullet in his gun: using Sam and Dean's reason for hunting against them. "Saving people, hunting things, family business." Their motto has often been what has carried them through their darkest hours. It is what allows them to get back up again after a crushing defeat. Sam and Dean know that while they may suffer and struggle in "the life" they are the reason that there are so many out there alive and well, saved from some horrible fate at the hands of a supernatural creature. Without them, these people would be dead. We see that devastate Dean in "What Is and What Should Never Be." The knowledge that these things could have been stopped is what pushes him to break the djinn's control.
The Winchesters big kill track record has one common thread: the enemy threatened or killed a loved one.
Azazel, the first major demon the Winchesters defeated, tormented them for two seasons. His undoing was simple and utterly complete. It wasn't in killing Mary. It wasn't in killing Jessica. It wasn't even in killing John that gave the Winchesters the strength to finally defeat him for good. It wasn't even infecting Sam with his demonic blood and trying to turn him into a solider for Hell that did it. Azazel's fatal mistake was kidnapping Sam and allowing Jake the opportunity to stab him to death---in front of Dean. That moment solidified Dean's resolve more than anything else---and while it made him sell his soul to revive Sam---it also allowed him to finally pull that trigger on the Colt, putting that bullet between Azazel's eyes and ending his reign of terror.
We see that pattern repeat with Lilith. She keeps her distance largely from the brothers in season 3, only to make her fatal mistake in its finale. Her sending the hell hounds to slaughter Dean in front of Sam sealed her fate for good. It may have taken another season for it to come to fruition---and while Dean may have been resurrected by Castiel long before that time---it was still her fatal mistake. It galvanized Sam, causing him to seek her end despite any costs. She threatened Dean simply by being alive---and the younger Winchester simply could not allow that to stand. Even if he had to turn to the dark powers given him by Azazel, he would do it to kill her.
Zachariah makes the same mistake---finally giving Dean the chance to stab him in the face. He has used both Sam and Adam against Dean to make him say yes to Michael. In the process, he causes both of them to choke on their own blood. He believes he has won. Dean, after all, tells him to call down Michael. But he has walked right into a true Winchester trap. Dean winks to Sam and makes a quick move to finally end Zachariah for good. It is the fatal mistake so many keep repeating.
Lucifer also made this fatal mistake---although by proxy. Meg corners the brothers and their allies the Harvelles, leaving them to watch both women die in an explosion so they can go track the Devil down and shoot him. He tried to convince Sam that he could bring him love, all the while destroying those the Winchesters loved in the process of trying to make Sam say yes. In the end, his lack of understanding the brothers and their bond---and most importantly why they do what they do in the "family business"---allowed Sam to wrestle control and send Lucifer back where he belonged: the Cage.
Dick Roman also made this fatal mistake spectacularly in his murder of Bobby Singer. He was the father figure the brothers had relied upon since childhood--- and his loss haunted them for the remainder of season 7. Avenging Bobby was crucial for the brothers---especially Dean---but he was the symbolic personification for why the Winchesters hunt at all---to save people, to bring good to the world, and to leave it a bit better than before they started. Dick Roman underestimated that drive or what Bobby meant and it caused him to be sent back to Purgatory at Dean's hands.
Here, Crowley has now made this same fatal mistake in killing Sarah Blake---and he doesn't realize it. He thinks that he has won. He thinks by crippling the brothers this way that they will capitulate, that they will take the deal on the table and hand over the Tablet and Kevin and end their pursuits of the Trials. He thinks, by doing this, that he has managed to finally derail the Winchester's plan. He could not be more wrong nor more foolish.
He has finally underestimated "those denim wrapped nightmares."
As his speech accentuated the horror occurring before the brothers, he also hit another nerve. He reminded the brothers why they do what they do. They had invested to the cause earlier in the season---and to one another in "Torn and Frayed," but Crowley has now reminded them why. Why do they put themselves through this suffering? Why do they sacrifice their health and happiness to commit to "the life?"
Simple: saving people, hunting things, family business.
They do this because it betters the world. Sam and Dean may dream of normal, of that far off apple pie life, but they are doers. They cannot sit idly by and watch others suffer when they can do something about it. The guilt they would feel at allowing others to die on their watch would be far worse than being "in the life." Hunting helps them to make the world brighter---when they are often surrounded by darkness so often. Sam and Dean hunt because it gives them a purpose no other career path ever could. It makes them stronger, better, and those they save stand as a testament to that fact.
As soon as Crowley hangs up, Dean throws the phone against the wall, revealing the hex bag hidden inside. It is too late. Sarah is dead. Sam is shocked and devastated---both brothers are. They lost this time---and it is painful. It cuts deeply into them as a once upon a time win has now forever turned into a horrible loss. In that moment we can see easily how it could cripple them. Crowley's plan is effective and powerful---and if they let it happen he will truly win.
We are left with the brothers, devastated by what has transpired. Sam's expression is heartbreaking, despondent, and broken. He tells Dean "I'm saying... Maybe this isn't one we can win. Maybe we should just take the deal." It would seem that Sam wants to do just that, let the King of Hell walk away with a big win. His pain is too raw to bolster any determination, his body and mind too sore to fight. But what has really happened here is that Sam has transformed back into the little brother---and he is desperately reaching out to Dean. He needs his big brother to lean on, to prop him up, and to remind him that it's not over.
And Dean delivers.
It's fairly certain that Sam and Dean will "kick it in the ass" again, punishing Crowley ultimately for his fatal mistake.
Best Lines:
Clerk: DUDE!
Dean: We'll figure this out. We will. And we'll get it done. We'll kick it in the ass like we always do.
Dean: Oh, yeah, 'cause that was the most freaky thing was the vocabulary. What about the bloody high five or the chest burster? Anything else on the film, like director's commentary, sequel, maybe?
Metatron: Yeah. According to him, you and I have a lot in common. We're both free thinkers. We're both on heaven's most wanted list. I thought we could socialize, maybe grab a bite.
Metatron: Yeah. Just -- just picture it. We ride to the rescue, save the day -- make a great story.
Sam: We figured kitty didn't need her claws.
Abaddon: The salesman?
Sarah: I do miss the old haircut, though.
It's amazing that we're already to the season finale. Get ready to hear "Carry On My Wayward Son!"
Comments
I think it's quite interesting that we now have two powerful demons in the picture. They are both a problem to the boys, but they could also be a problem to one another. Judging by Abaddon's scathing 'salesman' comment, it doesn't sound like they'll be working together. Do you think this power-play between the two demons might actually assist Sam and Dean?
It's also interesting that we have two angels working against Naomi... although I'm not sure that Castiel should be trusting Metatron either. There are still so many threads to be weaved together and I think much of this will be carried over to season 9.
I have no idea what to expect from the finale, which I think is credit to Jeremy Carver, but, if the episode is the quality of the last three episodes, I'm sure the cliff-hanger will be amazing. Can't wait to watch it
I agree on how they filmed that sequence. Even on the second and third views I found my heart beating like crazy. And the aftermath was just devastating.
I think you make an interesting point. Abaddon seemed unimpressed with Crowley, and I wonder what type of history they'll have. I have a funny feeling it will be ugly. I also don't think they'll team up. She wants his throne after all.
I don't know what side Metatron is on just yet. I want to think he's a "good" guy, but that first trial is squicky. Killing an innocent person simply for her parentage? I'll be curious to see his end game.
I don't know what to expect going in to the finale and that's just how I want it. The cliff hanger is going to be hard to swallow all summer, though. Thank God for having the show on Blu Ray!
Thanks again.
On a side note...what if the nephilim was Castiel's daughter and he just didn't know? We don't know how old she really was and Castiel's mind has been wiped clean several times. What if Metatron tricked him into killing his own daughter?? Oh it would just break my heart. So with that said...I really hope I'm wrong.
I think that is an interesting theory. I don't know if that's the route that they will take with Metatron. I think, despite his pencil pusher status, he knows a lot more than he's letting on. After all, as the Scribe of God, he knows everything there is about angels and Heaven. He knows ALL the weaknesses and ALL the strengths. He might not be an archangel, but as they say knowledge is power. I think he does need Cas's muscle, however. I don't know what his end game is yet, but it'll be interesting to see what path he leads Cas down. Will it help Cas fix his mistakes, or will it lead to him making a bigger mess?
I don't know that the nephilim was Cas's daughter, but we know some angel is responsible. I wonder if we'll figure that aspect out. It's an interesting concept, that's for sure.
Thanks again!
Small side note - I think the kitty claws remark was Dean, not Sam.
Cannot wait for Wednesday.
The brothers have really tugged on my heart this back half of the season. It's been amazing to see them open, honest, and on the same page. There isn't any secret keeping---and even when it looked like we might enter that again, it was shut down quickly by a direct and honest conversation. This is what I wanted to see and this is what I'm getting from this show right now. I hope that we see that continue well into season 9 and beyond if we get lucky!
I think you might be right about the quote. Sorry for the mistype!
And I can't wait until Wednesday, either. Thanks again!
I'm about ready for the last episode, bring it on!
It was my first thought, right after Sarah died and the brothers had their conversation at the Bunker. All I could think was, "Well, Crowley pushed the red button. He shouldn't have done that." It's the big mistake they all make. Everytime.
And yes, bring on that finale. I don't know if I can wait much longer. I need to get a box of kleenex, though!
Thanks again!
Dean's hissy fit towards Cas was too little too late, but nonethess better late than never, which should have started in season 5 through now. Then I absolutely love LOVE Dean verbalizing his complete faith in Sam. For the last couple seasons Sam has been supporting and sustaining Dean's faith for him, always encouraging Dean and telling him there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and now it's Dean's turn to do the same for Sam.
I don't know what the fall out for Cas will be, but I do think it is an interesting point that he is following Metatron with little question. It'll be interesting to see how they approach that as they continue. As some others brought up, we're not sure if Metatron is good yet, so we shall see.
I think we'v seen Dean off and on be angry with Cas since at least season 6 and 7. I think this latest anger is very justified, regardless of Naomi's tampering. But we'll have to wait and see what Cas's latest actions bring to see if he's making it up to the Winchesters or digging himself deeper.
I, too, loved hearing Dean prop up Sam, both when Sam was there to hear it and when he wasn't. I have no doubt in these brothers being there for one another and they are clearly on the same page. It's good to see. I hope that it'll continue and we'll see them face everything this way going forward.
Thanks again.
Dean's hissy fit towards Cas was too little too late, but nonethess better late than never, which should have started in season 5 through now. Then I absolutely love LOVE Dean verbalizing his complete faith in Sam. For the last couple seasons Sam has been supporting and sustaining Dean's faith for him, always encouraging Dean and telling him there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and now it's Dean's turn to do the same for Sam.