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Season4

Dean: Why would an angel rescue me from Hell?
(...)
Castiel: Because God commanded it. Because we have work for you.
— Dean and Castiel
in Lazarus Rising

Supernatural was renewed for a fourth season by The CW on March 4, 2008. The season consists of 22 episodes and aired on Thursdays at 9PM EST.

The season premiered on September 18, 2008 with Lazarus Rising and ended on May 14, 2009 with Lucifer Rising.

Season Summary

After spending four long, horrific months in Hell, Dean Winchester is miraculously raised from the Underworld and resurrected by an angel of the Lord named Castiel, one of several angels who appears throughout the season. After Dean reunites with his father-figure friend Bobby and his brother Sam, the rest of the season follows the brothers, with the help of Bobby, as they work with Castiel and his subordinate and friend Uriel, a fellow angel, to stop Lilith's plan of breaking the 66 Seals to unlock a cage in Hell, which will allow the release of the fallen archangel Lucifer, the Devil himself, who was once the favored angel of God but rebelled against Heaven for refusing to serve humans and therefore was cast down and banished.

Along the way, the boys meet a girl named Anna who not only has the ability to hear angels but is also a fallen angel herself. Eventually, angels turn up dead and the angels capture Alastair, Hell's Grand Torturer demon who seems to know Dean well, and they ask Dean to torture him with them assuming it's the demons killing the angels, but Alastair, before he dies, says it's not the demons. And eventually, Castiel learns that his own brother Uriel turns out to not only be working for Lucifer, but has convinced several loyalist angels to join him and to free Lucifer from his cage. Along the way, Dean learns that he broke the first seal while he was in Hell by being convinced by Alastair to slaughter innocent souls in the Underworld, especially when he reveals to Sam that he wasn't in Hell for four months but instead 40 years. Additionally, the brothers meet a Prophet of the Lord named Chuck.

Sam and Dean's relationship is also strained as Sam starts siding with Ruby over Dean. He also begins to give into his demonic side by drinking demon blood to become strong enough to kill Lilith. After tracking down and killing Lilith, Sam learns her death is actually the final seal and Ruby was deceiving him all along. Dean arrives too late to stop him, but the brothers kill Ruby as Lucifer's cage opens up beneath them and he is released upon the world

Season Cast

Main Cast

Recurring Cast

Special Guest Stars

Guest Stars

Co-Stars

Episode List

Dean Purgatory Blade.png There was something about being there... It felt pure.

This episode summary is an official CW press release. It may contain errors.
DO NOT CHANGE!
Image Title Writer(s) Director(s) Airdate #
Castiel shows his wings Lazarus Rising Writer: Eric Kripke Director: Kim Manners 9/18/08 #61 401
DEAN RETURNS - It's four months later and Dean (Jensen Ackles) wakes in a pine box. He's been freed from Hell. He has a joyful reunion with Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Bobby (Jim Beaver), but it isn't long before the three wonder what exactly pulled Dean from Hell and what it will want in return.
402 Are You There, God? It's Me, Dean Winchester Writer: Sera Gamble Director: Phil Sgriccia 9/25/08 #62 402
MEG AND AGENT HENRICKSEN RETURN TO HAUNT SAM AND DEAN - Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) are stunned when the spirits of Meg (guest star Nicki Aycox) and Agent Henricksen (guest star Charles Malik Whitfield) appear and accuse the Winchesters of failing them. Although rattled, the brothers must pull together to save Bobby (guest star Jim Beaver), who is too crippled with guilt to fight off the angry ghosts of the young children he couldn't save.
403 In The Beginning Writer: Jeremy Carver Director: Steve Boyum 10/02/08 #63 403
DEAN LEARNS THE TRUTH ABOUT HIS PARENTS IN A FLASHBACK EPISODE - Dean (Jensen Ackles) is transported back in time and is shocked when he lands in Lawrence, Kansas. However, that shock turns to amazement after he runs into a young John Winchester (guest star Matt Cohen) and Mary (guest star Amy Gumenick) who have just fallen in love. Dean isn't sure why he was sent back so he begins to enjoy the time with his parents and newfound grandfather (guest star Mitch Pileggi, "The X-Files"), who may be hiding a secret that is key to Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean's entire predicament.
404 Metamorphosis Writer: Cathryn Humphris Director: Kim Manners 10/09/08 #64 404
SAM AND DEAN ARGUE ABOUT KILLING A MAN WHO IS TUNRING INTO AN ANIMAL - Sam (Jared Padalekci) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) discover that Jack Montgomery (guest star Dameon Clark), a family man, is turning into a Rugaru, a creature that starts as a human but changes into a flesh-eating monster. The people who are infected don't understand what is happening until they turn into cannibals and eat another person. Understanding what it is like to be a victim of a twisted destiny, Sam believes he can reason with Jack and convince him to control his urges. Dean doesn't think Jack's animalistic behavior can be subdued and decides the only honorable thing to do is to shoot him.
405 Monster Movie Writer: Ben Edlund Director: Robert Singer 10/16/08 #65 405
THE ENTIRE EPISODE WILL AIR IN BLACK AND WHITE - Dean (Jensen Ackles) and Sam (Jared Padalecki) investigate several murders at Oktoberfest. The first victim was found with bite marks on her neck, much like a vampire would leave, while the second victim has wounds that look like a werewolf attack. After a mummy rises from his crypt, Dean determines that a shape-shifter demon is terrorizing the town as iconic monsters from the old Hollywood movies.
406 Yellow Fever Writer: Andrew Dabb and Daniel Loflin Director: Phil Sgriccia 10/23/08 #66 406
DEAN IS INFECTED BY A GHOST DISEASE - Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) investigate the mysterious deaths of several men who apparently dropped dead of fright. They visit one of the victims in the morgue, and Dean becomes infected with the illness which starts as a general anxiety, then moves on to full-blown terror that eventually stops the heart. Sam and Bobby (guest star Jim Beaver) must find the root of the disease before Dean dies and is sent back to Hell.
407 It's the Great Pumpkin, Sam Winchester Writer: Julie Siege Director: Charles Beeson 10/30/08 #67 407
IT'S HALLOWEEN AND CASTIEL RETURNS WITH URIEL, A SPECIALIST ANGEL - It's a few days before Halloween and Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) investigate two mysterious deaths in a small town. The brothers find hex bags and deduce a witch is sacrificing people to summon a dangerous demon named Samhain. Castiel (guest star Misha Collins) arrives in town and tells Sam and Dean the freeing of Samhain is one of the Seals that will lead to freeing Lucifer, so Castiel has brought a specialist angel named Uriel (guest star Robert Wisdom) to smite the entire town.
408 Wishful Thinking Writer: Ben Edlund and Lou Bollo Director: Robert Singer 11/06/08 #68 408
A WISHING WELL THAT REALLY WORKS BRINGS CHAOS - Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) investigate a small town where the wishing well really works. A teddy bear comes to life, someone wins the lottery and the town geek gets a hot girlfriend. The brothers realize that while everyone is happy now, the end result will be disastrous.
409 I Know What You Did Last Summer Writer: Sera Gamble Director: Charles Beeson 11/13/08 #69 409
SAM AND DEAN MEET ANNA, A GIRL WHO CAN HEAR THE ANGELS - Ruby (guest star Genevieve Cortese) tells Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) that a powerful demon named Alastair (guest star Mark Rolston) is searching for a girl named Anna (guest star Julie McNiven) who can hear the angels' conversations. The three set out to find Anna but once they do, Alastair attacks them and Ruby escapes with the girl. Believing they were set up, Dean lashes out at Sam for trusting Ruby, so Sam tells him what happened during those months Dean was in Hell and how Ruby saved his life. Castiel (guest star Misha Collins) and Uriel (guest star Robert Wisdom) return and demand to be taken to Anna but not for the reason Dean thinks.
410 Heaven and Hell Writer: Eric Kripke and Trevor Sands Director: J. Miller Tobin 11/20/08 #70 410
ANGELS VS DEMONS - Anna (guest star Julie McNiven) remembers her past and Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) finally understand why Castiel (guest star Misha Collins) and Uriel (guest star Robert Wisdom) want her dead. However, they disagree with the angels' orders and try to help Anna restore an important part of her past so she can be saved. Meanwhile, Alastair (guest star Mark Rolston) and his demons continue to close in on Anna and the brothers.
411 Family Remains Writer: Jeremy Carver Director: Phil Sgriccia 1/15/09 #71 411
THE WORST KIND OF MONSTER - Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) investigate the appearance of a young female ghost in an abandoned house, but things become more complicated when a family moves in. The brothers fail to get the family to leave, but when the son is kidnapped though the walls, they look to Sam and Dean to rescue the boy.
412 Criss Angel Is A Douchebag Writer: Julie Siege Director: Robert Singer 1/22/09 #72 412
TV VETERANS BARRY BOSTWICK, JOHN RUBINSTEIN AND RICHARD LIBERTINI GUETS STAR - A mysterious death draws Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) to a town full of old-school magicians. Their investigation leads them to Charlie (guest star John Rubinstein), Jay (guest star Barry Bostwick) and Vernon (guest star Richard Libertini), three friends who were famous magicians in their day but have now been replaced by flashier, younger magicians. One of them has made a deal to acquire real magical powers, but the price was extremely high. Sam and Dean must figure out a way to reverse the spell before others are harmed.
Afterschoolspecial After School Special Writer: Andrew Dabb and Daniel Loflin Director: Adam Kane 1/29/09 #73 413
A FLASHBACK EPISODE TO YOUNG SAM AND DEAN IN HIGH SCHOOL - Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) go undercover to investigate a string of murders at their old high school. The case causes them to flashback to their time there recalling how Sam was picked on by the school bully while Dean was Mr. Popular.
414 Sex and Violence Writer: Cathryn Humphris Director: Charles Beeson 2/05/09 #74 414
A SIREN PITS BROTHER AGAINST BROTHER - Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) enter a small town in Iowa, where three men have inexplicably beaten their wives to death. The guys realize that behind the murders is a Siren, a creature that can take different forms and desperately needs love and compels people to destroy themselves as a show of devotion. The Siren eventually puts Sam and Dean under their spell and pits the two brothers against each other in a fight to the death.
415 Death Takes A Holiday Writer: Jeremy Carver Director: Steve Boyum 3/12/09 #75 415
SAM AND DEAN HEAD INTO THE SPIRITUAL WORLD - Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) investigate a small town where people are cheating death. They discover the Reapers have gone missing so they turn to Pamela (guest star Traci Dinwiddie) for help. She sends them into the spiritual world to find answers and they come face to face with Alastair (guest star Christopher Heyerdahl), who has been kidnapping all the Reapers in order to break another seal.
416 On The Head Of A Pin Writer: Ben Edlund Director: Mike Rohl 3/19/09 #76 416
SOMEONE'S KILLING ANGELS - Someone found Lucifer's sword and is using it to kill angels. Castiel (guest star Misha Collins) and Uriel (guest star Robert Wisdom) have captured Alastair (guest star Christopher Heyerdahl) and ask Dean (Jensen Ackles) to use the torturing skills he learned in Hell to extract information from him so they can stop the murders. Sam (Jared Padalecki) is concerned Dean can't handle the job but Dean agrees to do it. However, when Alastair reveals some shocking information, Dean's world is shattered.
417 It's A Terrible Life Writer: Sera Gamble Director: James L. Conway 3/26/09 #77 417
IF THE WINCHESTERS WEREN'T HUNTERS - Dean (Jensen Ackles) and Sam (Jared Padalecki) are living very normal and separate lives. Dean is a corporate man who enjoys health drinks and listens to news radio vs. rock stations. He works at a company called Sandover Bridge & Iron Company alongside Sam (Jared Padalecki) who is in Tech Support. It seems as if the two do not know each other. However, after co-workers start committing suicide at an alarming rate, the two find themselves working side by side to solve the murders.
418 The Monster at the End of This Book Writer: Julie Siege and Nancy Weiner Director: Mike Rohl 4/02/09 #78 418
A VERY META SUPERNATURAL - Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) are shocked to discover a series of comic books titled "Supernatural" that accurately detail their lives as demon hunters. They track down the writer, Carver Edlund (guest star Rob Benedict), who explains he has visions of the brothers that he then turns into comic books. Chuck reveals that Lilith (guest star Katherine Boecher) is coming and she has a plan for Sam.
419 Jump the Shark Writer: Andrew Dabb and Daniel Loflin Director: Phil Sgriccia 4/23/09 #79 419
ANOTHER WINCHESTER BROTHER EMERGES - A 19-year-old boy named Adam (guest star Jake Abel) calls Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) looking for John Winchester, claiming to be his son. Dean and Sam meet Adam, assuming he's a demon trying to lure then into a trap. However, they find out that John was indeed the boy's father and Adam tells them of his "normal" upbringing, which infuriates Dean.
420 The Rapture Writer: Jeremy Carver Director: Charles Beeson 4/30/09 #80 420
CASTIEL RETURNS TO HIS HUMAN FORM - Castiel (guest star Misha Collins) appears to Dean (Jensen Ackles) in a dream and says he has something important to tell him but they need to meet somewhere private. Dean and Sam (Jared Padalecki) go searching for Castiel but instead find Jimmy, Castiel's human vessel, who has only a spotty recollection of being an angel. Jimmy wants to return to his family and normal life, but Dean and Sam are concerned about his safety.
421 When the Levee Breaks Writer: Sera Gamble Director: Robert Singer 5/07/09 #81 421
DEAN AND BOBBY TRAP SAM IN THE PANIC ROOM - Dean (Jensen Ackles) and Bobby (guest star Jim Beaver) lock Sam (Jared Padalecki) in Bobby's panic room so he can detox from the demon blood. However, as Bobby sees more seals are being broken he tells Dean they should let Sam out to help them fight the impending apocalypse. Dean disagrees and goes to Castiel (guest star Misha Collins) for help. Sam and Dean have a big blowout confrontation.
422 Lucifer Rising Writer: Eric Kripke Director: Eric Kripke 5/14/09 #82 422
THE BATTLE BEWTEEN HEAVEN AND HELL BEGINS - The apocalypse is coming, and Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) prepare for the fight in very different ways. Sam joins Ruby (guest star Genevieve Cortese) on a final run to kill Lilith (guest star Katherine Boecher), while Castiel (guest star Misha Collins) and Zachariah (guest star Kurt Fuller) tell Dean it's time to play his part in stopping Lucifer.

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