Sympathy for the Devil

Sympathy For The Devil is the opening episode of Season 5. 

Synopsis
The fifth season begins with Lucifer being set free from Hell and appearing on Earth, and Sam and Dean learning that Castiel was killed by an Archangel.

Summary
Sam and Dean are trapped in the vestibule as Lucifer breaks free of his confinement, following Sam killing Lilith and breaking the last of The 66 Seals. Just as a blinding light and high pitched sound force them to their knees, they are transported into an airplane flying over St. Mary's Convent in Ilchester, Maryland, where Lucifer was confined.

Landing safely, although unsure how they were saved, they travel to Kripke's Hollow and the devastated remains of Chuck's house. He explains, that the archangel had blown Castiel apart. Zachariah and a contingent of angels arrive, and Zachariah tells Dean he is needed to battle Lucifer, who is seeking a vessel to possess. Dean is angry and not willing to help the angels, as they are responsible for jump-starting the Apocalypse. He has already partly drawn an Angel Banishing Sigil on a sliding door with his own blood. He pulls out the sliding door to reveal the sigil, then slaps his bloody palm onto it and Zachariah and his angels disappear. "Learned that from my friend Cass, you son of a bitch."

At a motel room, Sam arrives with some Hex Bags to hide them from the angels, which Sam reluctantly admits Ruby taught him how to make. Sam says he isn't feeling any after effects from the Demon Blood. He tries to talk to Dean about what has happened, about freeing Lucifer, but Dean refuses to engage with him. Dean suggests they treat it as any hunt, and they set about finding Lucifer.

A brief scene of a man, Nick, who seems to be having nightmares or hallucinations. After hallucinating that his bed is full of blood, he finds his dead wife (actually Lucifer) lying beside him in bed, whispering to him, "You're special".

Becky Rosen, obviously a fan of the Supernatural books written by Chuck Shurley, judging by the posters in her room, is writing some Wincest fanfiction, when Chuck instant messages her and asks her to pass a message to Dean and Sam. She does so, however the message - that the "angels have lost Michael's Sword" and that it is to be found "in a castle, on a hill made of 42 dogs", doesn't appear to make sense.

Bobby arrives in The Impala, with research about the Archangel Michael. Sam confesses to Bobby that it was his actions that freed Lucifer, and Bobby coldly tells him that once the hunt is over, he wants nothing to do with Sam. Sam leaves to do some research. While researching further, Dean gets an idea, and going through some of John Winchester's old things. He finds a receipt for a storage facility that fits the message from Chuck.

Just then, a woman arrives with two henchman. It is Meg, the demon that once worked with Azazel and possessed Sam during the events of Born Under A Bad Sign. Bobby attacks and restrains Dean - he too is possessed! Meg says the demons want Dean dead so he can't stop Lucifer. She orders the possessed Bobby to kill Dean with Ruby's Knife, but just as he is about to strike, Bobby manages to battle the demon and stab himself instead. Sam returns and helps dispatch the other two demons, but the Meg escapes by leaving her vessel.

Nick wanders through his house, distraught. His wife and child have been murdered during a home invasion. As he grieves, he starts hallucinating again.

Sam and Dean drop off a gravely injured Bobby at the hospital and race to John's Lock-up. Once there, they find some dead demons, and Zachariah with some angel muscle.

Zachariah reveals they misled Chuck; in truth Michael's Sword is at the storage lock-up - it's Dean! Zachariah explains that Dean is to be the vessel for the Archangel Michael, so he can defeat Lucifer. He admits, however, that they need to consent to this. When Dean refuses, Zachariah breaks one of Sam's legs. He then says that Bobby will never walk again unless Dean agrees. Dean still refuses. He then strikes Dean with Stage 4 stomach cancer and as he coughs up blood, Zachariah stops Sam from breathing by taking away his lungs. Just then Castiel appears. He kills Zachariah's henchmen with the Angel Blade and orders Zachariah to make Sam and Dean whole again, and then to leave. Scared of the being Castiel implies brought him back, Zachariah complies.

Castiel is elusive about how he has been brought back from death, but before he leaves he touches Sam and Dean, burning an Enochian sigil into their ribs, that will hide them from the angels, demons and Lucifer. Sam asks Castiel how he's still alive but he disappears before answering.

Lucifer then appears as Nick's wife Sarah and tells him that he is a vessel, and that Lucifer wants his consent to possess him. Lucifer says he is misunderstood, that he was punished for "loving God too much". He says that, to let Nick's family be murdered, God must either be uncaring, or a sadist. He tells Nick possession will be painful, but that Lucifer will help him get justice for his family. Nick assents to possession.

At the hospital, Bobby yells at a doctor who tells him he won't walk again. He says they need to keep fighting, but is pessimistic about their chances. Dean makes a stirring speech, saying they should take them all on - angels and demons - and try to win. As Dean and Sam leave the room, Bobby admits that it was the demon who said that he wanted nothing to do with Sam, and that no matter what Sam has done, he will never stop contact with him.

As they walk to the car, Dean admits the speech was for Bobby's benefit. Sam again tries to get Dean to talk about what happened. Dean admits that he feels deeply hurt and let down by Sam, and even though he knows Sam is sorry, he doesn't know if he can trust him again.

Major Characters

 * Sam Winchester
 * Dean Winchester
 * Bobby Singer
 * Nick

Minor Characters

 * Castiel
 * Ruby (cameo)
 * God (Brief Interference)
 * Chuck Shurley
 * Zachariah
 * Lucifer
 * Meg (in a new body)
 * Becky Rosen
 * Sarah

Featured Music

 * "Thunderstruck" - AC/DC (played during recap)

Featured Supernatural Beings

 * Angels
 * Demons
 * Archangel

Continuity

 * Meg was last seen in Born Under A Bad Sign.
 * This episode takes place immediately after Lucifer Rising.

Trivia

 * When Sam and Dean are transported onto the plane, they find themselves watching a Loony Tunes  episode that features the character Yosemite Sam.
 * The episode title is named after a song by the Rolling Stones as well as a title by Guns'n'Roses with the same name

Quotes

 * Castiel (to the Winchesters after Zachariah leaves): You two need to be more careful.
 * Dean (dumbfounded at the sight of the supposed-to-be-dead Castiel): Yeah ... I'm starting to get that, your frat brothers are bigger dicks than I thought.


 * Dean: Oh yeah, life as an angel condom. That's real fun. I think I'll pass, thanks.
 * Dean (upon being asked how he plans to get rid of both the angels and demons): I got no idea, but what I do have is a GED and a "give 'em hell" attitude and I'll figure it out