A Song for the Swans

Episode Commentary: Swan Song

The 1967 Impala has a rich history in the Supernatural universe and plays a huge part in the final episode of the season. Dean counter-intuitively goes along with Sam’s plan to be the vessel for Satan. One thing’s for sure someone or something isn’t coming out of this alive.

Written by Eric Kripke and directed by Robert Singer this is one episode that is sure to leave a mark. As they all head for Detroit the place where Lucifer prophesized that Sam would say yes, Castiel is still mortal and Sam is giving Dean his last will and testament. Once Lucifer steps into Sam, he must be entombed, or else Armageddon would continue since the archangel Michael went to the C plan – where he uses their half-brother Adam as his vessel.

Essentially this plan is as sound as their previous ones, which means that they’re all screwed. Their only hope is to rely on Lucifer’s arrogance and his daddy issues.

Allusions to how to beat the devil abound. It almost makes it seem possible, and one thing about the devil is that he needs an audience. Like Skeletor in the He-Man cartoon, Lucifer feels the need to sabotage his success. His tormenting of Sam while they share the same body is questionable at best. Lucifer has won, so why is he still playing with Sam? Let’s say that the devil can’t fight on two fronts.

Meanwhile Castiel plans to “consume mass amounts of alcohol” and Bobby is the epitome of despair. Still there is the recurring symbol of the Impala. Why does the car keep coming up?

Then there is the rehash of sibling rivalry and how “God [wants] the devil.” It’s the only thing that Lucifer has in his arsenal to save himself from a big brother beat down.

On a side note every good Armageddon needs a kicking soundtrack and this episode has it in spades. It also leads to Dean being the X-Factor. It doesn’t stop Lucifer from causing serious devastation to the Winchesters, but it does turn the tide in this battle.

When it all comes down to it, it’s about the love of two brothers and how they were never truly homeless.

As the world returns to normal what will become of the Winchesters? And will there be a season six? We’ll all have to wait and see.