Supernatural, “Hell’s Angel,” was directed by Phil Sgriccia and was written by the team of Brad Buckner and Eugenie Ross-Leming. These two are far from my favorite writers on the show. It should come as no surprise that they would write the episode that once again proves that nobody really dies on Supernatural. Yes. There’s a new magical spell in town and Rowena (Ruth Connell) is back from the dead.
The episode begins with a terrific Crowley (Mark Sheppard) scene as he’s in the An-Nafud Desert to pick up another hand of God – the Horn of Joshua. I have to say this was one of the most fake sets I think the show has ever done. That aside, it is great to see Crowley back on his game. He may rip up the contract to get the Hand of God, but he still kills Noel (Andrew Wheeler).
Crowley calls Dean (Jensen Ackles) – he’s on the run from gangs of demons and wants to work together to bring down Casifer (Misha Collins). The big reveal, of course, is that Rowena has switched camps to Amara (Emily Swallow) and is helping to heal her. It is utterly creepy to hear Amara call him ‘Uncle’ Crowley! I did like the special effect of Rowena’s magical revival. But again – couldn’t someone find poor Amara a better costume? I can’t even begin to say how much I loathe that dress!
Dean and Sam (Jared Padalecki) meet with Crowley. I loved how much they enjoyed what Casifer did to Crowley! Was he actually expecting sympathy from them? They know he wants to make a deal – and Crowley admits he’ll give them the Hand of God if they help him exorcise Lucifer from Cas and put him back in the cage. They need Rowena, and Crowley tells them she’s dead – Lucifer snapped her neck.
Meanwhile Casifer shows up in Heaven and tells Jofiel (Graeme Duffy) that he just wants to be a part of the action again. He just wants to help – and then he smokes Jofiel. We do have another beautiful corporate Heaven set – thank you for this Jerry Wanek! The angels push back against Casifer’s hatred for mankind.
Collins is clearly having a ball with this new facet to his character, and it’s nice to see him get something to do for a change. It is interesting that he is clearly playing more off of Mark Pellegrino’s portrayal of Lucfier that Padalecki’s. It’s quite chilling when he suggests that the angels could call him God!
Dean actually suggests working with Casifer! Sam backs up the plan of putting the horn in Lucifer’s hands to defeat Amara and then worry about putting him back in the cage. The brothers are on the same page for about a nano-second before Dean clarifies that they’ll exorcise Cas and put Lucifer into a new vessel first. Sam points out that Cas has a strong vessel, but Dean is focused on saving Cas even if it was Cas’ decision to offer himself as a vessel in the first place.
Sam argues that Cas has the right to have his decision respected. Crowley tells the two that he’s tired of hearing the “two bitches bicker!” The horn stays hidden until Lucifer is back in the cage.
As Amara heals, Rowena begins to realize that Amara may be more dangerous than she thought. Amara says she’s all about destruction – but it’s more like renovation. Rowena offers to provide information and be a confidant for Amara – but Amara’s always been alone. And Rowena is worried, especially after Amara tests her returning strength and sends a blast all the way to Heaven.
Dean recognizes that the blast is Amara. And Casifer uses it as more fuel for his own fire in Heaven. He tells the angels that God doesn’t care.
Rowena spies on Dean, Sam, and Crowley and lies to Amara, telling her they aren’t doing anything, they’re paralyzed by fear. Amara concedes that Rowena might be handy to have around. As Dean points out that when Lucifer got out of the cage, they had Rowena and the Book of the Damned, Rowena sends a message that she’s back from the dead.
They are all set up before Crowley appears with the bait – the Hand of God. Sam is somewhat skeptical, but Crowley tells him that appearances can be deceiving – “For instance. I once thought of you as dull and plodding.” Sam looks confused, not quite sure if Crowley is insulting or complimenting him! Loved Padalecki’s face!
Rowena also lies to them, telling Crowley she’s just been hiding – not that she’s been with Amara. Is it just me or is Dean’s latin getting better? Though I will say Ackles doesn’t sound like even he buys into the pomp of it! Loved that they used both a devil’s trap and the holy fire to hold Casifer.
I loved that Casifer says that the prayer implied he’d be joining a team, “but I’m just not feeling the warm and fuzzy here” – as he’s standing in the middle of a fire! Hilarious! Casifer is happy to see the Hand of God and is ready to take out Amara. Dean then initiates a spell to try to talk to Cas to get him to expel Lucifer. Dean is taken aback as Casifer taunts him – my turn to love Ackles’ face.
As the warding fails, Crowley takes matters into his own hands and smokes into Cas too! I loved this sequence – and it’s the best part of the episode as Crowley visits Cas in his head. He’s hiding out in the Winchesters’ kitchen. He gets the best reception there – he’s just waiting out the time until the battle. Crowley fills Cas in on what’s happening. Cas realizes that he actually did just see Dean and that Dean wants him to expel Lucifer.
Their conversation is interrupted by the appearance of Mark Pellegrino as Lucifer! And he’s not happy with Crowley wanting to put him back in the cage. He tells him that he’s not going anywhere and neither is Crowley. As Lucifer beats up Crowley, Cas tells them that they are going to break something.
Rowena begins to panic that the warding is beginning to fail. Crowley sends a message – Help me burned into his forehead, and Sam performs an actual exorcism! I loved that we got to see all the various spells in such quick succession. It works, and Crowley tells them that Lucifer’s hold on Cas is too strong – just as Casifer comes back to life.
He’s pissed. He tells them he could have been their warrior, takes the Hand of God and freezes everyone in their place. Except for Crowley who zaps out. He tells them that his relationship with the Winchesters has run its course and begins to slowly kill them. And then Amara shows up! She was tracking Rowena. Or did she show up because Dean was in danger. Naturally, the horn isn’t even remotely enough to kill her – though it’s another nice special effect.
Amara tells Casifer they need to have a nice long chat, and Dean makes one more plea to Castiel. Amara releases them and then disappears with Casifer. The last scene in the episode, sees Casifer trying to prove to Amara that he can help her get to God. After all, he has no love for his father. However, Amara thinks that because Lucifer is God’s favorite, she can flush God out by torturing Lucifer. Lucifer tells her that God won’t come, but the episode ends with Casifer screaming in agony.
Sam and Dean are back in the bunker. Rowena is now in the wind too. Dean recognizes that Rowena is playing the odds – picking whatever side looks like it will win. I’m hoping this isn’t news to either of them really. Dean has also determined that the Hand of God wasn’t enough because Lucifer is far from God’s chosen. This certainly sets us up for them to go looking for God’s chosen – and where better to start than the Prophet of God – clearly hand-picked by God…
Dean supports them continuing to support each other even if the person makes a choice the other doesn’t agree with. So Dean isn’t going to be angry with Sam choosing to want to let Cas deal with Amara. However, he does tell Sam that he wants them to go and find “that idiot and bring him home,” and Sam is on board to do it.
This episode definitely moved the season myth-arc along. I did really like the exorcism scene – it’s so rare to see the entire cast together! The scene in Cas’s head was also cleverly done. So good performances all around and some decent special effects. I have to admit that I’m a bit on the fence about Connell’s return. Honestly, when it comes to death, this show just has no credibility whatsoever anymore. What did you think of the episode? Theories on how they will defeat Amara? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
About the Author - Lisa Macklem
I do interviews and write articles for the site in addition to reviewing a number of shows, including Supernatural, Arrow, Agents of Shield, Agent Carter, The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, The X-Files, Defiance, Bitten, Killjoys, and a few others! I'm active on the Con scene when I have the time. When I'm not writing about television shows, I'm often writing about entertainment and media law in my capacity as a legal scholar. I also work in theatre when the opportunity arises. I'm an avid runner and rider, currently training in dressage.
