Episode Commentary: Sympathy for the Devil

When last we saw Sam (Jared Padelecki, ‘House of Wax’) and Dean (Jensen Ackles, ‘My Bloody Valentine’) Winchester, they had literally released hell on the world. As the fifth season opens, we see the repercussions of the Winchester boys’ actions as Lucifer is close to roaming the earth. It is hard to top the heart-pounding fourth season. After being brought back from hell by the angel Castiel (Misha Collins), Dean reunites with Sam to keep Lilith from unlocking the 66 seals that keep the devil from bringing on the apocalypse. Through the manipulations of both angels and demons, Sam unwittingly breaks the last seal – thus bringing us to the season premiere.

What do we do now that hell is on earth ?– track down Satan before he finds a “meat suit?” Although he is a fallen angel, he needs a human vessel to take corporeal form. That means that the Winchesters now must track him down. Having both demons and angels on their tales makes their task near impossible, but this is what they have been preparing for all their lives. As demon hunters, Sam and Dean have had to not only deal with otherworldly baddies, but with family issues – particularly how they relate to their father and each other. It has often impaired their judgment; which has brought them into this mess.

It also leads to scenes that will perpetually have you on the edge of your seat and have you screaming like a tween at a Miley Cyrus concert.

Don’t forget that we are dealing with the occult and one of things that Robert Singer and company does best is bring in the supernatural into an everyday context. Trying to figure out how to get the Archangel Michael’s sword to defeat Satan comes along with snappy, humorous dialogue. There is also nonstop action as demons catch up to Dean and a now powerless Sam.

Meanwhile, Lucifer closes in on his vessel, and his argument is tempting. Here we see why he was cast down into hell because his ability to tell the truth to get to his own ends is frightening in its practicality.

Although Satan is now flesh, surprises still abound in this episode. Angels become douche bags, demons are enjoying their own heaven on earth, Armageddon is at the door and through it all the Winchesters have no plan. And while all this is happening the brothers are attempting to deal with the family dynamic. In essence these boys have some serious trust issues to work out.

What will future episodes bring? Will Castiel help the brothers in the nick of time again?

Will the bad guys win and will we recognize who they are?

Luckily, we have the entire season to find out.

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