It’s always difficult to do a standalone funnier episode after a huge mythology episode, but Supernatural seems to enjoy doing this. Normally I don’t mind, but some people don’t like it. Have no fear, people, because tonight’s episode went a long way in advancing the mythology. With only a few episodes left until the end of season 5 – and until the culmination of the apocalypse storyline – the writers aren’t wasting too much time.
The Bates Motel
After losing Cas and Adam, screwing Michael on a technicality, and killing Zachariah, Sam and Dean are off searching for other ways to kill the devil when they’re caught in a freak storm and forced to take shelter in a swanky hotel for the night.
Dean’s renewed determination from the end of the last episode has not dimmed. In fact, he’s nearly back to the funny, awesome, pie-loving Dean that many of us have missed. An early conversation between him and Sam reveal that Dean is confident that they’re going ot find a way to kill Lucifer (insomuch as he tells Sam anyways) and is back to the loving, concerned big brother – wanting to make sure Sam rests up so they’re prepared to give their all in a fight.
They soon become aware that the nice, art deco pit stop is actually a meeting place for a group of pagan gods – including Kali, Odin, and Ganesh, among others. The gods have gathered to figure out how to stop God, the angels and Lucifer from destroying the world. Because, according to Kali, they were here first, and they’re not too happy that some petty angelic family squabble is threatening to destroy the world that they’re so fond of.
Can We Talk About the Elephant in the Room, Please?
Seasons 4 and 5 have been dominated by the Judeo-Christian religion. We have see pagan gods in this show before – most notably in the Christmas episode back in season 3 – but their appearance has been sparse. I guess it was about time we learned that they, like many humans, are not too happy about God and his angels getting involved in a pissing contest that threatens to destroy the world. And so they have lured the Winchesters to the hotel in order to figure out how they can use them to stop the apocalypse.
Enter Gabriel, who has successfully managed to hide his archangel status while he played the pagan god Loki. Apparently he and a Kali had a thing and she knows his real identity, but that’s not revealed until later when he attempts to seduce her in an attempt to end the blood spell she has over Sam and Dean, thereby allowing them to escape from the hotel. Gabriel fails in his first attempt and Kali stabs him with an angel sword. Fortunately, because he’s a tricky fellow, he managed to switch in a ringer for the sword and escape death.
One scene in the middle of the episode gave me pause. The brothers caught some of the gods’minions about to chop up a person for food. The boys hid, but Dean clearly wanted to rush in and save the poor guy. Sam held him back, basically telling him it was too late. This is the Sam from seasons 3 and 4. Dean is always the one who needs to act – to save, if possible. Maybe Sam is the more level-headed one, and maybe it would have been a bad idea to interrupt the minions during their decapitation, but it’s still shocking to see Sam losing his moral compass, if only for a moment.
Once Sam and Dean basically realize that they are screwed because they believe Gabriel is now dead and they have no viable way out of this mess, Dean agrees to team up with the gods in order to take down Lucifer. The gods agree to let all of the other people (read: meals) go and Dean manages to discover that Gabriel is still alive and hiding outside. When Dean tells Gabriel his plan to help the gods kill the devil, Gabriel balks.
What’s interesting during this exchange, is that Dean is essentially asking Gabriel to kill his own brother (Lucifer). He seems disappointed when Gabriel says he can’t do it. Does this seem hypocritical of Dean? Dean has never been able to kill Sam, no matter how evil he’s gone. During the last episode he only talked about killing Sam if Sam became Lucifer’s vessel. Why hold the angels to a higher standard than you hold yourself, Dean?
Follow Us
This writer is from Muncie Indiana, and was sad that I missed being around when all this was going on. =pAlthough on a serious note, I am rather sad to have seen Lucifer killing so very many gods. It seems just a little bit offensive to declare one mythology having of stronger beings than another, especially since both are current in the real world.Although Kali's hands-on-fire, while ineffective, was LOVELY to see, as Supernatural NEVER gives us superpower effects like that.
Making Lucifer way more kickass is just a plot element but if you think about it the reason why Christianity Judaism and Islam wiped out the majority of the pagan religions is cos its objects of worship are better. Its not they are stronger cause they are major religions they are major religions cos they are stronger
I agree. I am Hindu and felt a bit offended at the suggestion that pagan gods are bloodthirsty cannibals, and somehow one religion is stronger and more powerful than the other. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate that they included the world religions, but I think a bit more sensitivity was warranted. I still love my Winchester boys though :)
Well, the Winchesters have killed "pagan" gods before – it would be silly, within the mythology of the show, to have Lucifer be unable to kill them when humans have done it. And I certainly don't think they've painted the Judeo-Christian god in a good light – the only angels that are likable are Cas and Gabriel, and Gabe was doubtful since he'd killed Dean many, many times, and god is described as a dead-beat dad who lets his children's temper tantrums destroy the world. It's more like the angels are stronger, not better. The show's never been incredibly positive about any religion.
So many funny one liners. a little upset that Gabriel is gone. :(I have been wondering when Show was going to bring in the religions that encompass the majority of the world's population. I find it hard to believe that they are all cannibals, though. Aren't many of the religions represented big proponents of vegetarianism?I wonder if Sam is going to have to die (again) to get Lucifer back to hell and then trapped by the magic rings.Ah, Pestilence…H1N1 rears it's ugly head again.
On the topic of the heirarchy of Angels in Heaven (the 9 "Choirs" of Angels), we've seen Cherubs/Cherubim (Cupid), Archangels (Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Joshua), regular Angels (Castiel, Anna, and various "goon" Angels in tuxedos and sunglasses).But for Lucifer to be able to waste Gabriel so easily, that would suggest that he's one of the higher, if not one of the previously highest-ranking Angels…… that would probably put him in the class of the Seraphim (which in Christianity is the highest order, right next to God Himself).But one thing I don't get is this: If Lucifer was -hypothetically- a Seraphim in Supernatural's pre-history/backstory, how could a comparably lower-ranking Archangel like Michael have been able to strike him down at the beginning of time (at least in the Supernatural's pre-history)? In present-day Supernatural, Michael is presented as -THE- one force (aside from God Himself) who can actually -kill- Lucifer…… and I'm not talking about simply trapping him again for another 2000+ years.I mean, even if a lowly human like Dean can kill an high-ranking commander-Angel like Zachariah, or Young Mary Winchester hurt Anna's hand (in "The Song Remains the Same", Ep. 05×13), that would suggest that lower-order beings can kill higher-order beings, given the right tools and circumstances.
Recp by Geek TV http://geekytv.wordpress.com/2010/04/24/superna…..
I love the commentary, but just one thing— if they (the Winchesters) trap Lucifer again, it's going to be permanent. Killing Lillith was the last seal, remember? There's never going to be another Lillith (cos when Sam kills something, he kills it good) and therefore, even if some crazy ass demons break some seals later on down the line, it still won't get Lucifer out of the cage. Just sayin'.
Yes, I believe two of the represented religions were proponents of vegetarianism. I can only speak for the Hindu gods though, because I'm Hindu, and the show lost a few points in my book for what seemed like blatant lack of research. It was offensive to me that Ganesh and Kali would idly stand by while innocent humans were being killed around them–Kali, contrary to popular belief, is not a murderess, she's basically a demon hunter (like the Winchesters, which could have made for a good plotline…). I think the writers missed the target here, this show is one of my favorites but come on, Ganesh would never eat a human and Kali wouldn't hook up with a false Norse pagan god/archangel lol…I know it's just a tv show but for a religion that's widely misrepresented on television this depiction didn't help
The boys have killed "pagan" gods sure. But Hinduism is the third largest religion in the world. These are gods worshiped by millions of people. Not to mention that it's the predominant religion in the most populated region on the planet. These aren't forgotten nameless gods that they're throwing about here, a little cultural sensitivity and a little research would've been nice. Also, none of the religions (including voodoo) ever involved human sacrifice. Those gods aren't cannibalistic bloodthirsty monsters and there's more than enough mythology readily available to show that they're not. There's no excuse, absolutely none. Hell, there are people who still worship the Norse gods, not a lot, but some. Saying that Lucifer is more powerful than All Our Gods Combined is saying that Judeo-Christianity is better, more powerful, whatever. There's no proof that the Christian God is stronger except in the minds of his followers. Technically all religions are equal. I'm not a follower of these religions and I was offended. You should be too.
I'm offended by people telling me what I should think. I've put a lot of time and effort into my education so I can do that for myself. I have never gotten the impression from the show that the Judeo-Christian religions are treated as "better". In fact, I think much of the dialogue from the episode supports that. The show seems to treat all religions with cynicism (I think Dean would stake the Judeo-Christian god if given half a chance, whether it worked or not). And the gods didn't combine to kill Lucifer. Had they formed a front, maybe they would have had a chance. He killed them one on one. Within the mythology and the parameters of the show (which has taken license with every religion, including the Judeo-Christian ones), I find it totally acceptable as entertainment, because I'm not basing my opinion of world religions on a fantasy/horror show. Maybe I'm just not easily offended. I do, however, understand if others find it offensive. Everyone's entitled to their own opinions.
I agree with you…even though they do treat the Angels and God with cynicism, the fact that Luci so easily killed the pagan gods (Ganesh in particular) means one thing: Lucifer is stronger than Gods from other religions…besides, Kali and Ganesh are IMMORTAL, they've had "Amrit", which makes the drinker indestructible…another random thought: was it so hard to get a portly Indian man? Ganesh doesn't switch b/w elephant and Human form…he has a human body and an elephants head <roll eyes>
this is episode hammer of gods of seson 5 has really hit religion concern i am hindu so i will talk about hindusm only,our gods are vegetarian specially Ganesha so while adding them in your episode you should check them .gods like them will not have allowed some butchering of innocent beings.and please also clarify it Kali is demon hunter not a monster,while Ganesh n Kali are gods and lucifer is an BAD ass angel so angels are puppets of god no angel can kill a god who are basically immortals. so i would say even though i am big fan of supernatural i hate to say you have dis respected our religion which one world's oldest religion.so i will suggest make quick correction in upcoming episode other wise you might have to do some running by yourself.make a balance approach without hurting religion sentiments such it was just trick our gabriel trickster to see reaction of winchester boys
I did quite enjoy the episode and I am hindu well raised one a little offended that the portrayal of ALL the gods were not done with sensitivity and/or research would have liked it if they would not portray Kali as a demon or monster but that being said not afraid to laugh at the mistakes being done hey if you cant laugh at yourself you might miss one hell of a joke
Look i am a catholic. I watch Supernatural and i really enjoyed this episode. I feel like people who get offended should lighten up because the show has also criticized my god as well. But hey everyone has their own opinion