Checking In – Hey, Isn’t That That Guy from Lost?
While the group plots various ways to summon Lucifer to the hotel, we discover that the bellman has already done the honors. Lucifer arrives and his vessel is in even worse shape than the last time we saw him in ‘Abandon All Hope’.
For the first time, we really see Lucifer let loose. He’s no longer the mild-mannered guy who chats up Sam in dreams. He’s a guy who rips out the hearts of gods. Lucifer manages to systematically kill several pagan gods as he works his way through the hotel. Kali is the last to go up against him when Gabriel returns to help (and order Dean, Sam and Kali out of the hotel).
As it turns out, Gabriel has a soft spot for the humans. He calls out Lucifer’s little apocalypse as a temper tantrum because ‘daddy brought home a new baby (humans)’and the angels got a bit pissed that God favored these humans over them. Lucifer tells his brother to step aside, but Gabriel refuses. Alas, his Trickster’s tricks are no match for Satan, because Lucifer smites him down. And now I am incredibly sad, because I loved the Trickster. The episodes he’s appeared in have been some of my favorites.
Can we speculate for a moment about what the end of this season could look like now that Gabriel is dead? We all know that the apocalypse storyline is meant to be wrapped up by the end of season 5, thereby leaving season 6 open for God knows what. The fact that Gabriel was killed tonight indicates to me that the writers are trying to kill off the angels. That, combined with the end of the apocalypse, in whatever form, makes me wonder whether the whole angel-demon thing will be done with by the season finale on May 13 and will result in season 6 moving in a whole new direction. Will it have an overarching mythology? Will it deal with the fallout from the apocalypse? It’s too early to tell. But all I know is that angels are dropping like flies.
Sam and Dean manage to flee from the hotel, leaving Lucifer alone with the dead body of his brother and still no closer to convincing Sam to be his vessel.
One (Four) Ring(s) to Rule them All
The end of the episode revealed the first solid plan to defeat Lucifer that didn’t include Michael or God. Through a homemade porn video, the late Gabriel revealed that Dean and Sam didn’t have to kill Lucifer – they merely had to trap him. Specifically, they could put him back in the cage that Lilith and the other demons released him from at the end of season 4. Capital plan, yes? Just let the guy rot for another 2,000 or so years and then the Winchesters’great-great-great-great-great-etc-grandsons can be responsible for finding a way to trap/kill the devil the next time some seals are broken.
Naturally, it’s not so easy. Gabriel revealed that in order to actually put Lucifer back in his cage, the brothers need to get their hands on the rings of the Four Horsemen (of course, he conveniently forgot to mention how they actually go about trapping Lucifer once they get the rings, but that’s all in the details, surely). For the first time, we got the answer to the question we all had at the end of ‘My Bloody Valentine’- Sam and Dean did cut off Famine’s ring after Sam did his mojo on him. Good thing they kept the rings instead of destroying them.
Aaaaa-chooo!
Enter the third Horseman: Pestilence. I only have one thing to say about this guy: GROSS. Like Famine, Pestilence seems to be, well, pestilence personified. He’s sneezing and coughing – with phlegm! – all over poor convenience store clerks and surrounded by flies. We only see him for a few minutes at the end, but it’s a set up to the next episode, I’m sure.
Overall, this was a solid episode that managed to continue the mythology storyline as well as incorporate in some comedic elements. I’m not happy about Gabriel’s death, but I can’t wait to see how the boys will trap Lucifer. I have my suspicions Sam might find a way to lure him back into the cage with a promise to say yes, but we will have to see.
Stray Thoughts
- Loved this whole exchange: ‘I’ll take your voices away’. ‘We’ll write it down’. ‘I’ll cut off your hands’. ‘Well, the people are gonna be asking ‘˜why are you guys running around with no hands?”.
- Am slightly freaked out by Lucifer’s new, destructive attitude. I didn’t think he would stay mild-mannered forever, but watching him yank Baldur’s heart out of his chest was not a good thing. The devil is getting serious, yo.
Check out some promo photos for the next new episode of Supernatural, which will set to air on April 29.
Email: clarissa @ tvovermind.com
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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