Sympathy for the Devil (Supernatural)
"Sympathy for the Devil" | |
---|---|
Supernatural episode | |
Episode no. | Season 5 Episode 1 |
Directed by | Robert Singer |
Written by | Eric Kripke |
Production code | 3X5201 |
Original air date | September 10, 2009 |
Running time | 42 minutes |
Guest appearances | |
| |
"Sympathy for the Devil" is the first episode of the
Plot
Following the release of Lucifer from his Cage,
As the Winchesters work on finding a way to stop Lucifer, Chuck sends them a message about a vision he received on the location of the Michael Sword, the weapon the archangel
At the lock-up, the Winchesters are confronted by Zachariah and his angels who reveal the whole thing was a trap for the Winchesters. Dean is the Michael Sword: his one true vessel on Earth to combat Lucifer with. When Dean refuses to give Michael permission to possess him, since it is required, Zachariah begins horrifically torturing the brothers to force Dean's cooperation. Unexpectedly, Castiel appears and kills Zachariah's two angels. Castiel implies that the same being that rescued the Winchesters from the convent resurrected him and forces Zachariah to heal the brothers and leave. Castiel brands the Winchesters with sigils that will protect them from angelic detection and warns them that Lucifer is close to gaining a vessel. Before leaving, Castiel confirms that he was dead, but refuses to tell them how he came back to life.
At the same time, Lucifer visits a man named
After the encounter with Zachariah, the Winchesters visit Bobby who survives his wounds but is left paralyzed from the waist down. Dean gives a rallying speech about fighting both the forces of Heaven and Hell to stop the Apocalypse but privately admits to Sam it was only just for Bobby's benefit. Sam choosing Ruby over Dean has also damaged Dean's trust in his brother and he doesn't know how to get over it.
Reception
Viewers
The episode was watched by 3.40 million viewers.[1] This was a 17% increase in viewership from the fourth season finale, which was watched by 2.89 million viewers[2] but a 15% decrease from the previous season premiere, which was watched by 3.96 million viewers.[3]
Critical reviews
Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
IGN | 9.0[4] |
The A.V. Club | B+[5] |
"Sympathy for the Devil" received universal acclaim. Diana Steenbergen of IGN gave the episode an "amazing" 9.0 out of 10 and wrote, "It is not just the words however, it is the way they are delivered perfectly by each character that makes the script work as well as it does. Supernatural is blessed with great comic timing and deadpan delivery from both Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki, but the real scene stealer in that department is Rob Benedict as Chuck Shurley. I love how after picking a bloody molar out of his hair he feels the need to share that he is having a 'really stressful day.' His chagrin at being forced to reach out to one of his fans is classic, and I appreciate the fact that the show is continuing what they started last season with their own special way of acknowledging and lovingly poking fun at their own fans through the fans of Chuck. That girl's reaction to meeting the real Sam and Dean is hilarious."[4]
The A.V. Club's Zack Handlen gave the episode a "B+" grade and wrote, "One of the best parts about last season was that it got complex enough that it wasn't easy anymore to tell white shirts from black. I'm sure Satan will turn out to be a monster, and that Sam and Dean will have to take him down, and it will be awesome. But when Nick says 'Yes,' I felt satisfied, and not just because I want to see Lucifer's next move. Like I said before, the title of the episode was actually a little smarter than I initially thought; because here is a devil it's not that hard to agree with."[5]
Jon Lachonis of
References
- ^ Kubicek, John (November 9, 2009). "'The Vampire Diaries' Makes a Killing with Viewers". BuddyTV. Retrieved April 8, 2016.
- ^ Seidman, Robert (May 19, 2009). "Top CW Primetime Shows, May 11–17, 2009". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on May 12, 2012. Retrieved April 8, 2009.
- ^ "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. April 8, 2009. Retrieved November 2, 2009.
- ^ a b Steenbergen, Diana (September 11, 2009). "Supernatural: "Sympathy for the Devil" Review". IGN. Retrieved April 8, 2016.
- ^ a b ""Sympathy for the Devil" · Supernatural · TV Review 'Supernatural': "Sympathy For The Devil" · TV Club · The A.V. Club". avclub.com. 11 September 2009.
- TV Overmind. Retrieved April 8, 2016.