The episode begins with the traditional recap of events of the season accompanied by the song Carry on My Wayward Son by Kansas. A longtime staple of the series, it serves as a warm reminder of how far the storyline has come and how the ongoing struggle of Sam and Dean is the central focus of the series. The episode proper starts with a narration supplied by the prophet Chuck. In the beginning he tells the story of the 1967 Chevrolet Impala, the eponymous car that Sam and Dean drive throughout the series. From there we are shown the Winchester brothers sitting next to the car drinking beer one last time and discussing their plans to defeat Lucifer.
The Story
It is appropriate say that the Supernatural storyline had developed into a remarkable juggernaut especially in the fourth and fifth season with the addition of angels to the story. Since then Sam and Dean have gone from being simple monster hunters to crucial pawns in a massive apocalyptic battle between Heaven and Hell. With Sam being revealed as the mortal vessel for Lucifer and Dean revealed as the vessel for Michael the Archangel destined to defeat Lucifer at Armageddon, the Winchesters have fought countless impossible battles trying to find a way out of their destined battle to destroy one another.
The episode showcases the only alternative plan the brothers have, to let Sam accept Lucifer into his body and hold him off long enough for Dean to imprison Sam and Lucifer back in Lucifer’s prison. The episode carries from one emotional moment to the next until the final parting between Sam and Dean.
While the moment between the brothers isn’t shocking it is incredibly emotional and overall sad as the Winchester brothers spend nearly as much time staying together and helping one another as they do fighting evil. It’s sad to see that after all effort they must finally part ways after five seasons of taking care of each other. The final few minutes of the episode serve to lead in for season six and leave the audience with a cliffhanger about the ultimate fate of Sam.
The Acting
Supernatural’s greatest strength often lies within the quality of its actors and the incredible personality they provide for their roles. Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles as Sam and Dean respectively know how to convey the relationship between the two brothers even when nothing is being said. On top of that, Padalecki strikes true showing the argument between Sam and Lucifer once Lucifer is within Sam’s body. Jim Beaver returns as Bobby Singer the boys’ surrogate father and mentor and still remains watchful over events though he does not receive as much focus as the Winchesters.
In addition Misha Collins returns as Castiel the Winchesters’ guardian angel, now empty of his angelic might but still having difficulty accepting human mannerisms and limitations. He only takes center stage after the final fight of the episode to give guidance to Dean and remind him of what he truly values above all else: his freedom.
Overall
The episode is one of the strongest in the season and despite most of the character development of season 5 remaining quite minimal and the oncoming apocalypse occasionally downplayed it is a fine ending to the season. With some of the strongest, saddest emotional moments of the series the interweaving narration by Chuck is a clever method of setting up the climax of the episode when Sam finally gains control of Lucifer. It is, without question, a strong and true swan song.
Despite Series Executive Producer Eric Kripke’s original plan to have the series end in the fifth season the show has been renewed by the CW for a sixth season which honestly feels like an appropriate chance to tie up a lot of the loose character development and the restoration of Sam and Dean Winchester’s relationship that was not put in Season 5. Fans can look forward to the return of Sam and Dean Winchester on Fridays at 9:00 following Smallville on the CW’s 2010-2011 season.
Michael Chindamo - Living in Mississauga Ontario, Michael Chindamo pursues his writing career ceaselessly since his graduation with Honors from The ...
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