Supernatural – All In The Family

By: Stacy Miller

The story of God and whether he intends to help with his sister before she destroys the world continued in the “Supernatural” episode All In the Family.

Sam and Dean (Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles) are speechless to say the least when the amulet’s bright glow leads them directly to Chuck. For one thing, they believed Chuck (Rob Benedict) to be dead all these years and for another, Castiel had indicated that the amulet was a sort of God EMF. So does that mean Chuck is God? Yes, Sam and Dean. You don’t believe it? Let’s discuss this back at home. And with a snap of Chuck’s fingers, Sam and Dean are back in the Men of Letters bunker. Boys, still not convinced? Well, here’s Kevin (Osric Chau)! Chuck produces the former Prophet of the Lord, now the cutest little ghost this side of Casper. And Kevin finally gets his reward (or punishment depending on who you ask) which is to go to Heaven. Apparently, Kevin had been in the veil of these years. As it looks like Sam and Dean are finally convinced, it’s time for that long awaited talk with God.

Sam can’t believe they are actually talking with God! And in true Sam Winchester fanboy fashion, he starts babbling. You’ll recall how Sam first reacted upon meeting Castiel, his first angel, back in the Season 4 episode “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Sam Winchester.” Dean, on the other hand, is more annoyed than impressed. Where has God been? And why hasn’t he helped? But for once, Dean avoids the angry words preferring not to be smited. God, who tells the Winchesters to call him Chuck, explains that he was once a hands-on deity trying to fix all the problems his creations made. But then he decided it would be better to step back and let them handle their own mistakes. What better way to teach your child? “I know you had a complicated upbringing, but don’t confuse me with your dad,” Chuck says. Wow, did God just insult John Winchester and his parenting skills? Dean asks Chuck about having Lucifer’s help in stopping Amara the last time, but God doesn’t want Lucifer’s help this time. He also “thanks” Sam and Dean for letting Lucifer out of his cage in the first place. Now, he has to go take a shower. After all, cleanliness is next to Godliness!

In another location, Amara (Emily Swallow) continues with her torture of Lucifer (currently Misha Collins). She wants him to lure God out of hiding with his screams of pain, but Lucifer refuses. Frustrated, Amara knocks Lucifer out and then appears to Dean. She tells him about her torturing of Lucifer. And why should he care? Because Lucifer is wearing his good friend Castiel so Amara knows Dean will do anything to save him.

Sam and Dean hear God singing in the shower and can’t believe that God takes showers and sings folky songs. God doesn’t like Classic Rock? Chuck returns from his shower wearing Dean’s robe and eating a donut. God also likes bacon. And watches porn, commenting on Dean’s extensive collection.

After hearing about a survivor of one of Amara’s killer fogs in Oklahoma, Sam and Dean go to talk with the man. His name is Donatello (Kevin Szarabajka) and, of course, Dean thinks he was named after the Ninja Turtle. Dean is so not a Renaissance man. After hearing the man’s story and what happened to him afterwards, Sam and Dean realize it’s similar to Kevin Tran’s story, which means they are dealing with a new prophet.

Arriving with Donatello back to the Men of Letters bunker, Sam and Dean give him the Season 11 recap all about Prophets, Angels, Lucifer, God and his sister. This is overwhelming for Donatello, to say the least, since he used to be an atheist. The Winchesters get a call from Metatron (Curtis Armstrong), who wants to meet.

When Donatello meets God, he admits he didn’t believe in him. “That’s okay, I included free will in the kit,” Chuck says.

Sam and Dean go to a bar and meet with Metatron. He knows they know about God so he shows them Chuck’s manuscript God. An Autobiography. He encourages them to read it. The book isn’t God’s life story, it’s actually a suicide note.

The next day at a playground, Dean talks with Chuck who reveals his plan: He intends to offer himself up to Amara to be caged so humanity will be saved. If the deal falls through, Chuck is certain that his creations will step up to the plate, people like Sam and Dean. “Why do you think I saved you? You are the firewall between light and darkness,” Chuck tells Dean. Killing a vampire? No problem. But this is way above Dean’s pay grade.

Later at the Men of Letters bunker, Metatron meets Donatello and offers his help in the retrieval of Lucifer from Amara. Donatello knows where Amara is (the perks of being a prophet) so Sam, Metatron and Donatello go to rescue Lucifer while Dean keeps Amara busy.

Amara tells Dean she wants to become “boundless” with him. I don’t know exactly what that means, but I hope Dean doesn’t agree to it. Sam, Metatron and Donatello rescue Lucifer, but Donatello senses Amara’s arrival. “I’ve got this,” Metatron says, staying behind while Sam, Metatron, Donatello and Lucifer rush out. When Amara arrives, Metatron tries to use a sigil. It fails and Amara destroys him in a cloud of smoke. At least Metatron finally got to be a hero.

The team is making their getaway in a speeding Impala when Amara appears in front of the car. Before she inflicts her wrath, the Impala ends up back at the Men of Letters bunker. “I do occasionally answer prayers,” says Chuck. Father and son share a moment with each, commenting how the other had changed. Chuck also heals Lucifer’s wounds.

Sam and Dean put Donatello in a taxi home and Dean tells Sam about Amara wanting to join with him…

Only two episodes remain until the season finale. Can Amara be defeated? I have a feeling Dean is going to sacrifice himself. As Lilith once put it, “Sacrifice is the Winchester way.”