Nearing the Point of No Return

Episode Commentary: “99 Problems”

It’s the 99th episode of “Supernatural” and the occult symbolism is out in full force as Sam and Dean enter a town of demon hunters. Meanwhile Dean is contemplating giving up his body to angels to fight for humanity – one problem, the angels have changed their mind and he doesn’t know it. Then there is Leah (Kayla Mae Mahoney) who is seemingly receiving messages from angels to be one step ahead of the demons that have inundated her town, which leads to the other 98 problems.

“Being the vessel of heaven and having no hope” is not a good combination for Dean. And as the town turns against each other Castiel comes off his bender to inform the Winchester boys that Leah is a version of the “whore of Babylon” and is damning as many souls as possible to clear the pathway for Satan.

Castiel (Misha Collins), drunk, and without faith has become one of the highlights of the show as he in his inebriated-fashion calls Sam “an abomination” during a debriefing on who could rid the town of Leah. His unreeling pain has caused him to deliver his lines with a caustic wit that lightens the mood of the oncoming Armageddon, and reminds the audience of the complexity of dealing with the unanswerable. What do you do when your father tells you to figure out your issues for yourself when your siblings helped bring on the Apocalypse? According to Dean “You get to kill a whore.”

As usual the Winchesters save the day in their haphazard fashion as they improvise after the initial plan goes to hell. The one good thing about this is that Dean has restored his faith – to a degree. As he makes up his mind to see Zachariah he makes one last trip to see Lisa – the only woman who he believes he could lead a normal life with. It’s an ominous meeting as Lisa does her best to dissuade him, but Dean’s prepared to fall on his sword.

As Dean repeats the past by making decisions out of despair we are set up for the 100th episode. Will Zachariah and his crew accept Dean’s gift? You’ll have to wait until “The Point of No Return” to find out.