The Ultimate Sacrifice
Sam opens the portal to Hell himself just as Michael returns to earth in Adam’s body. He tells Lucifer that they will fight, but Sam grabs Lucifer and pulls both of them into the hole.
Then I cried.
As Dean knelt on the ground where his brother disappeared into Hell we were treated to a shock: Cas had returned. As an angel. It seems pretty obvious that God resurrected Cas as an angel and then Cas, in turn, brought Bobby back to life. So what does that mean? Well, technically two beloved characters died. And then they were brought back to life. So, I guess technically no one died. Except, of course, for Sam (but more on that soon).
Cas bids Dean goodbye. He thinks he’ll return to Heaven now. With Michael gone now and God still missing, the chain of command is likely broken and someone will need to take charge. I like this ending for Cas, because he deserves it for the good choices he ultimately made and it leaves open the slight possibility that we may see him again.
Still narrating the episode, Chuck tells us that Bobby and Dean part ways and will not see each other again for a long time. Jesus, Chuck, break my freaking heart why don’t you. I didn’t realize until later, but we never learn whether Bobby got out of his deal with Crowley. In fact, we don’t see Crowley at all. Will this be dealt with in season six?
Dean heads off to Lisa’s house and settles in. We see him sitting at the table with Ben and Lisa. Thus we are left with this: Dean sitting at the table in his normal family life. He is mourning his brother, but he’s there.
Had it ended like that, I would have been pissed. Seriously, say what you will about character development or plot or family love or whatever else crap you want to - but I would not be able to accept that final scene as the end of a season, let alone the series (assuming Supernatural had not been renewed for a sixth season, which we know it has). But it didn’t end like that.
No, Eric Kripke wanted to make me scream. Outside Lisa’s house we see a streetlight flicker off and there is Sam, looking in on his brother. Suddenly I’m even more horrified than that I was a second before, thinking that was the end of the season. Because now I can only hazard a guess of what’s in store for the brothers next year and here’s what I think: Sam will believe that Dean finally got the normal family life he always wanted and he won’t tell his brother he’s alive. Am I completely off the mark here or do you agree that it will take a while until the brothers reunite in season six? And then there’s the question of how Sam is back at all. I’m pretty sure Lucifer didn’t get out of his cage again.
UPDATE: Some people are suggesting that Sam is a ghost or something else not human and point to the streetlight as a reason. Yes, spirits have made lights flicker before, and angels have made them burst. I actually wonder whether God brought Sam back to life. Having him be a spirit, in my personal opinion, won't fit into the show for next season. If he's going to reunite with Dean (and I believe he will), and the two of them will go hunting again, it will be difficult if Sam is a spirit. Perhaps the burst light was indicative of some sort of higher power who resurrected Sam (like Dean and Adam's graves when they both brought back to life, but on a much smaller scale). Anyway, we really won't know until reports from the set starting pouring in, the season begins or we learn some new information at Comic Con (which I am super-excited about going to for the first time this year, by the way).
Oh My God, I Think He’s God!
This is what I shouted to my sister on the phone during my recap. What I’ve failed to mention so far is that after he was done narrating and writing the story of the Winchesters and the Apocalypse, we saw Chuck one more time. Chuck, who was dressed in a beautiful white shirt and finally looking more put together than we’ve ever seen him. And then Chuck simply smiled and disappeared. So…was he God? Because I think that God (who we know was on earth) was guiding and protecting the boys far more than we will ever know. To me, this is the only explanation that makes any sense.
The End
In a way, this was a nostalgic episode. Parts of it were cheesy, in the way that only flashbacks to earlier seasons can ever be, but it fit. Since Sam has always been the more resistant of the two brothers - the more sullen, defiant and immature - the fact that he sacrificed himself at the end, for the greater good, would have been a good ending. In theory. But I could never have accepted that. So I have to wonder whether the fact that Supernatural is returning next season changed the ending. Would Sam have rotted away in Hell had he not been contracted to return? My suggested theory is perhaps even more heartbreaking than that fate, but would still show Sam’s growth as a character - that he would give up his brother so that he could have a normal life.
In the end, everyone - and no one - died. My emotions were jerked to and fro, but I’m happy with the outcome. Props to Padalecki, who always shines when he plays evil. When he first revealed himself as Lucifer, you could literally see the transformation in his eyes and it was chilling to watch. Ackles, as always, perfectly conveyed Dean’s love for his brother and despair over his death. In his final shot, you could see that there were still parts of Dean that mourned for his brother, and perhaps for his old life in general. It doesn’t make sense to me that these two will ever have a normal life. Sorry for all of the Buffy comparisons, but the Winchesters remind me too much of the Slayer. The question at the end of that series was what would Buffy and her gang do next. Comics tell us that she kept on fighting and I feel like that is the only true life for the Winchesters as well. They cannot have a normal family, no matter what they - or we - want. They will never really be happy without each other and this life that they were born to, no matter how horrible it may be.
I’m excited for next season. Earlier today I posted an article about the direction that season 6 is set to go in and now I cannot wait for the new season to start. Will Sam do as I predicted? Will the Winchesters be reunited? Did God resurrect Sam or is something else going on with him? It’s going to feel like an eternity before we know the answers to these questions.
P.S. Eric Kripke - you suck, but I still love you.
Email: clarissa @ tvovermind.com
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I personally think someone should have died, permanently. Instead of going the happy route and bringing everyone back. And Chuck as God was both a good twist and disappointing. I was kinda hoping that God would be a new character we hadn't met yet.I wonder what they'll do next season. The continuing arch that has enveloped the first 5 seasons is pretty much over. I'm worried that season six will just be a bunch of standalone episodes with no real plot that's working towards anything exciting. I mean, they've already played the Apocalypse card what else is there?
Well, Dean still hung onto the Horsemen's rings. That could lead somewhere. Or maybe the storyline will be getting Bobby out of his deal. I honestly don't know, but considering how much the expanding mythology has been pretty decent as the show progresses, I have hope to see the brothers reunited and working together again.
I loved that Chuck was God– nice call with the white shirt! Hee. He's Kripke's projection into the world of the show, and Kripke created that world. Awesome!!!! It's so Supernatural!
I know what you mean. Dean having an apple pie life doesn't seem to suit his character. He's been fighting creatures and demons while traveling all his life, I don't see him as the type to fit in with the white picket fence scene. I imagine him having cabin fever. XD
If Sam is just Sam then why did the light go out above his head? Is there still a Demon in there? They can't rid of Cas altogether he's too popular. The whole Devil/Angel arc is definitely not finished as far as I can tell.
When I first read that you screamed and cried, I thought you must have been overreacting. Then I stopped reading the recap and watched the episode. Oh My God/Eric Kripke! I screamed and cried, too!!!Brilliant note about Chuck being God!!
I didn't get the impression that Sam was alive from that ending. The streetlight flickered, vis-a-vis, he's a ghost.
Excellent review. You made me cry and laugh and brought to light what i missed. Thanks!Oh and I want Season 6 to start tom lold
That would actually be really excellent, imho. They started out fighting a ghost, it would be interesting for them to become what they fight. *Insert Nietzsche Abyss Quote here*
i find it strange and awful to say, but i dont want Supernatural to come back. There can be no ending as epic as the one we saw last night. I have a feeling that the original ending was the shot of Dean in the kitchen, and then they wrote in Sam for the sake of another season I for one, think showing Sam is stupid, but for the sake of a cliffhanger to lead up to season 6, what else can you do. But like i said, i have a feeling season 6 will ruin it. I am curious what will happen, and being that Supernatural is like the greatest show ever, i am stoked. But then again, God damn, i wish that was the series finale.
Not to mention he barely knows the woman. One bendy weekend a decade ago and another spent being a bad influence on her son and then spending time on a hunt (albeit to save her son) does not make a healthy relationship. I'm hoping that Cas found a way to pull Sam out – he knew how broken Dean was, he's newly superpowered, and if he pulled Dean out when he was less powerful, he may be able to pull it off now. And the lights thing can be an angel result. I think that would be a way better storyline – NPC-ing something versus a deus ex machina. At least Cas is someone Dean likes, even if he does treat him like crap.
It's not as weak as you're making it out to be. It was established how important the kid was to her, Dean tried to help her and she completely rejected him ordering him to leave them alone. Despite this he saves the kid's life and the mother's life. The guy's a hero, she was grateful, and since she already had a crush on him it evolved into something a little stronger.
I'm not saying it's perfect, but it's not implausible.
You write: "Sam opens the portal to Hell himself just as Michael returns to earth in Adam’s body. He tells Lucifer that they will fight, but Sam grabs Lucifer and pulls both of them into the hole."It should be: "Sam opens the portal to Hell himself just as Michael returns to earth in Adam’s body. He tells Sam that they will fight, but Sam grabs Michael and pulls both of them into the hole."For the rest of it, great review! I loved the episode and can't stop worrying about that last scene with Sam standing there…
You write: "Sam opens the portal to Hell himself just as Michael returns to earth in Adam’s body. He tells Sam that they will fight, but Sam grabs Michael and pulls both of them into the hole."
It should be: "Sam opens the portal to Lucifer's Cage himself just as Michael returns to earth in Adam’s body. Michael tells Sam that he must stand back, as the fight is Michael's destiny, but Sam refuses. Michael charges after him but Sam then pulls him into the hole too."
Oops, you're right! Thanks for pointing that out. Made the change.Clarissa
is it me or was jared padalecki's acting really bad? it felt so forced it was hard to watch (especially seeing as he's not hot anymore with his massive forhead and chin and floppy hair, the flashbacks of him in the first sevsons really contrasting with his present appearance). i'm a bit disapointed by this episode. i wish it had been a 2 episode finale, this felt a little rushed. i wished it had a better plan than sam saying yes and having to resist the devil inside showing how much he loves his brother…corny to say the least and not a very good plan to start of. the only good things were dean and castiel's character developments. broken-down dean was heartbreaking. i think bobby should have stayed dead, it would have added weight (even though i really like bobby). what's with that lisa woman? they barely know each other, why is she acting like they're super involved when really she doesn't know him. it would have made more sense for him to return to cassie, at least they had proper history. i liked the chuck thing, i thought that was a good twist. overall i liked angels but i didn't like the fact that they brought god into it, i thought that was too easy plot -wise. been there seen that a thousand time.i kinda wish the finale had been better but in a way, knowing there's a 6th season, i'm glad i'm disapointed. that way i can still be blown away by the real ending of the show. had this been the true ending, then i'd have been pissed off.
i like how u wait till the to talk about the biggest thing that happens(in my op.) chuck being GOD as soon as he dissappered i flipped out. ERIK is a EVIL GENIUS great stuff
……….breathe………..gulps air……….nicely done! sigh……..I miss Supernatural already. Thank you for that spot on review!
Supernatural 5×22 Swan Song recap http://geekytv.wordpress.com/2010/05/16/superna…..
I was disappointed by the finale . Really disappointed . And no , mgx , you're not the only thinking that Jared's acting was awful . But Jensen was wonderful , like he usually is ;) Not a great finale but I've read many people being satisfied by this . I hope Dean having the keys will be kept in the storyline in season 6 , it's a deadly thing to have them in his possession . I'm happy Cas is back because I love the character but I'm not sure how I feel about he's been re-introduced back …Anyway , I'll be there for the season 6 . For Dean . For Cas . Not really for Sam , but anyway , like he'll be there ;)
It doesn't seem likely that Chuck was God. Especially in Season 4 where he's confronted by Zachariah for telling the boys about what he saw in his dream. He acted afraid of Zachariah. If Chuck truly was God, no way in heck would he allow one of his servants push him around like that.
BTW, Sam's acting has always been consistently good. You guys are being a bit petty about it. If you can do better, I'd like to see you try.And as far as him not being "hot" anymore… I bet $20 none of you would turn him down if he hit on you.
Sam's = Jared's
Man, oh, man, the butt hurt from the Dean girls disappointed that Dean didn't get to be the Most Special Snowflake of All is so hilarious. Dean's pathetic, drippy, never-ending man pain pretty much ruins the end of any episode it appears in. He probably tortured demons in hell by crying all over them and they committed soulicide to get away from the nausea-inducing pity machine he's turned into over the years. Gack. Anyway, Jensen is a fine actor and he was a good mentor for Jared in the early seasons. But to say that Jared's acting is not good, or ruined the season finale, what a petty petty joke that is. Jared is an awesome actor and this episode proved he is among the top actors on tv right now. His double role has also been praised in reviews not focused on whether or not Dean gets to be Special or not as the litmus test for how good or bad it was. Jared Padalecki has always been more natural than Jensen Ackles, and this gets born out the more material he gets on the show, which has treated him abysmally over the seasons. Forced to choose between Dean's mechanical mugging and Sam's bitchfacing, I'll take the bitchfacing any time, any day. Obviously, both actors did a fine job in this episode. They are damn good actors. But I have to defend Jared here, as the petty jealousy that's dogged him from the nastier quarters of fandom since the show began is just ugly and stupid and not based on what passes for reality in most viewers of the show. I love that Jared doesn't act like he's aware of how good looking he is, as if he were performing with the need to make his face look pretty all the time. Jared is brave, bold, energetic, and very intelligent in his acting. But what makes me adore him is the natural quality he has in everything he does on screen. He is just beautiful, and not in the sense that he is pretty, but in his transparent quality of emotion. I rank him with John Noble as my favorite actors for Thursday night television. I think they have similar qualities in how they express themselves. I liked this finale very much. There were flaws, as always with this show, but nothing disastrous. I found it as a whole very moving. And I needed to see Sam at the end, because even those few seconds gave me a little hope for the new season coming up. I would rather have seen him suffering in hell, but this gives a nice air of mystery nonetheless.
This was a great finale and Jared Padalecki absolutely made the whole episode.His dual role in this episode was a joy to watch. He plays bad so good I got chills.
Jared's acting was praised by respected reviewers, e.g. Chicago Tribune and, to be honest, he rocked. But maybe some people failed to appreciate it because they were so busy weeping tears of frustration on account of Dean not being revealed as Jesus Christ in the end. By the way, I heard that a large forehead is a sign of inteligence. Maybe you could use a massive forehead yourself.
Too true. So, if it is true (Chuck being god n all – which I'm totally on board with) than either it was n afterthought. U know, 2 spike the end of Season five, so it didn't completely close the possibility of a 6th season. Now with the Zachariah thing, I know what ur saying, but in all truth… who says Zach has ever seen THE "God". N if 'god' had no intention of revealing himself, to anyone, than why would he not act the part. I mean seriously, think about it. If 'god' had any intentiion of making his presence known, he wouldn't have been dressed in "Chuck".
Hey, I'd like 2 get offended at the outright insult also, but… there's only so hard you can deny truth. Jared Padelacki isn't the best actor. As much as I love him, n I do^^ There's a couple scenes/episodes my sister n I thought his acting was god aweful. In my own personal opinion though, I think, occasionaly, Jared does over-act. Especially when he's left with no lines. Which means facial features alone. Now I am a JensenGirl, through n through;P But Jared does come in close second.And about the not being hot anymore, that's complete horse shitXo He's like a beast now, he's so big… but even next 2 Jensen, he's freakin gorgeous^.^
I knew I wasn't the only one who had that little thought. Cause I mean fuck me man, the door closed. Both Lucifer n Micheal got their asses stuck down there (sorry Micheal. but your so boned). So my theory, is that Sam is a ghost. He doesn't have any family left, and Dean has always been his home, so he has no choice but 2 b haunting Dean. And he has no remains (being that his sasquach body is in hell n all) no salting n burning^^
I really liked this finale. It made me cry histerically throughout the whole episode, every second I was crying. Especiallly when Sam and Adam fell into the pit. I though that Jensen's acting was fanominal as usual and the same for Sam. I can't wait for season 6 and I wish that it started tomorroow!