When back at the motel room, Castiel’s information about Sam could be considered an act of mercy. Again from “Houses of The Holy”, Sam admits he prays daily and believes in a higher power in hopes that he can be saved. Even though Dean could protect him, he is only one person, and Sam needs to believe something else is watching, too. This could finally be the answer to Sam’s prayers, right when he’s giving in to the darkness. Dean is the one chosen for the task to save him, even being pulled out of Hell for it. It isn’t too late for poor Sammy. Castiel makes it very clear, though, what will happen if Dean fails. “Stop it, or we will.” Dean is Sam’s only hope.
“Because we have work for you...”
Was Dean raised from Hell only because of Sam? What else do the angels have planned for him? I previously speculated that Dean was chosen to stop Sam. Now that I think about it more, he was chosen to save Sam. The angels can stop Sam on their own, but so far the only one that has proven to get through to Sam is Dean.
Is that all that’s required of Dean? There’s a special reason why Dean was chosen. Part of it ties back to what Roy LeGrange said about looking into Dean’s heart in “Faith.” He saw "a young man with an important purpose. A job to do. And it isn’t finished.” Dean is so far uneasy with his task, wondering why angels and God would care about an ordinary guy like him. Dean doesn’t realize the most famous people in the Bible were ordinary folk. Add in Castiel’s comment, “Destiny can’t be changed Dean. All roads led to the same destination,” and its clear Dean has a destiny just like Sam does.
Is Dean’s purpose good and Sam’s evil? Considering this show has always drawn fine lines between good and bad, chances are it won’t be that clear cut. Sam may have evil inside him, but so far he’s been the faithful one. Dean has done nothing but shun the existence of God and mercy, and he’s the one spared through a divine act. Even an obstacle like Hell isn’t going to stop a destiny. We wonder if Sam and Dean will arrive at the same destination or different ones. The angels wonder that too, which is why Dean is there.
Article comments
1 - cassi
Hi, Alice!
Are you a mind reader because after these 3 episodes, I really needed something like this! thanks! After reading your article I feel so much better now!
SPN season 4 has been a hell of a ride. Of course, it has been an enjoyable experience and Kripke even managed to make me a fan of his angel idea due to Misha Collin's great performance. If you had asked me during the summer break what was the worst thing I could imagine for the show, I would have said without any hesitation "angels". I'm still not the happiest camper about the whole end of the world, Anti-christ and angel thing but so far it's better than I imagined. Like you I was ignoring the hints in Faith or House of the Holy, simply because I didn't want or at least hoped that the show wouldn't go into this direction.
The whole "no demon deal for Dean's soul" still makes no sense to me because if Lilith really feared Sam why would they have given Dean a chance to save his brother. I don't get it. That's why "In the beginning" was not the big revelation episode for me. I want to know what's going on with Sam, Lilith and Ruby, so far Sam has shown no sign why Lilith would or should be scared of him. NRFTW was scary for Lilith but not really dangerous. And Ruby could be good but I still have my doubts about her. So when Kripke answers these qestions (I think I wil have to wait until the season finale), this will be the true revelations for me.
2 - Beth
Thank you for making your own brain hurt to put this together for the rest of us. :) You have analyzed most succinctly what I've been struggling with since last season. Sam being the Anti-Christ hadn't occurred to me, but it seems like a reasonable possibility. And I'd much rather Dean be the one to save Sam, rather than *stop* him. One implies redemption, and the other...well, I'd rather not go there.
3 - Tigershire
What did you have in your morning coffee??? What a lot to think about. But it's not like I mind any more than you or the rest of the fans do. GRIN.
I did see a post somewhere, where a fan suggested that perhaps Supernatural should go 6 seasons because, at 22 episodes per season, that would be 66......
Since there seems to be a trend with that number....
Thank goodness it's Thursday.