History Recap / SupernaturalS02E21AllHellBreaksLoosePartOne

* HinduMythology: In the folklore of India, [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acheri Acheri]] is the spirit of a child who come down from the mountains at night, bringing illness to others.

* SickeningCrunch: When Jake punches Sam's shoulder.

* CallBack:
** The lines the Yellow-Eyed Demon and Sam exchange about the whereabouts of Dean are almost the same as the ones Sam exchanged with the Shapeshifter in [[Recap/SupernaturalS01E06Skin "Skin" (S01, E06)]].
-->'''Sam:''' Where’s my brother?
-->'''Yellow-Eyed Demon:''' Quit worrying about Dean. I'd worry more about yourself.
** The scene of Mary seeing someone beside Sam's crib and [[MistakenIdentity thinking it is John]], followed by her realizing it is not her husband and returning [[AdultFear in fear]] is replicated from the [[Recap/SupernaturalS01E01Pilot pilot]]. But this time, we see that Mary recognized the Yellow-Eyed Demon when he turned around and she saw his eyes. We again see the silhouette of a man with his jacket collar turned up beside the crib. The [[PropRecycling yellow moon nightlight, crib, and baseball mobile]] seem to be the same in both episodes, but some of the other details are different. The dialogue is almost the same between the two episodes, except for Sam's unheard interruptions, Mary says "okay" instead of "all right," and the addition of Mary's "It's you!"
-->'''Mary:''' John? Is he hungry?
-->'''Past Yellow-Eyed Demon:''' Shh.
-->'''Mary:''' Okay.
** Mary is wearing [[LimitedWardrobe the same]] [[WomanInWhite white nightgown]] with a lace collar, rose ribbon, and lace-trimmed short sleeves that she was wearing in the [[Recap/SupernaturalS01E01Pilot pilot]], [[Recap/SupernaturalS01E09Home "Home" (S01, E09)]], and [[Recap/SupernaturalS02E20WhatIsAndWhatShouldNeverBe "What Is And What Should Never Be" (S02, E20)]].

For this episode = [[spoiler:At least 10 humans, including the death of Sam Winchester, which is the first death of either of the Winchester brothers in the series, but the third death of a Winchester family member. 4 of the humans who died were Special Children. At least 2 of the humans who died were hunters. The number of deaths may be higher because the total number of casualties at the Harvelle Roadhouse is unknown.]]

For the series so far = At least 199 humans, 15 ghosts, 5 vampires, 2 shapeshifters, 2 werewolves, 1 demon, 1 djinn, 1 god, 1 rakshasa, 1 rawhead, 1 shtriga, 1 wendigo, and 1 zombie.

* AbsurdlySharpClaws: The Yellow-Eyed Demon cuts open his wrist with his own thumbnail.
* AffablyEvil: The Yellow-Eyed Demon.

** Dean calls Sam "Sammy" 4 times in this episode, and the Yellow-Eyed Demon also calls Sam "Sammy".
** The Yellow-Eyed Demon also calls Sam "Tiger" after Sam says he will tear the demon to shreds.
* AgentScully: Dean initially thinks he had a stress headache and scoffs at the idea that he would have a vision.
* AllYourBaseAreBelongToUs: Dean and Bobby are just in time to find that [[spoiler:the Roadhouse]] has been burned to the ground by demons.
* AnachronismStew:
** The "Push" sign on the door to the cobbler's shop seems out of place in a town which seems to have been abandoned in the latter half of the 19th century.

* AnyoneCanDie: [[spoiler: Ash, Andy, Ava and Sam]].

-->'''Jake:''' It doesn't just sound it.

* BadassFingersnap: When the Yellow-Eyed Demon snaps his fingers he and Sam are transported to Sam's nursery on the night of Sam's 6-month birthday. He snaps his fingers again and the dream ends.
* BadassMustache: Jake.
* BarehandedBarBending: Sam tries to loosen one of the spokes from the steel tractor wheels by repeatedly banging on it with the fireplace poker from the schoolroom. Jake simply grabs the spoke with his bare hand and pulls it off the wheel.

* BeautyIsNeverTarnished[=/=]BulletProofFashionPlate: Ava has been in a ghost town, presumably without a change of clothes or running water, for 5 months, but her hair is clean and curled and her clothes appear clean and undamaged.
* TheBechdelTest: Failed. Ava and Lily do not have a conversation.
* BeneathTheMask: Jake recognizes how scared Sam really is.

* BigBrotherInstinct: Dean is desperate to find Sam, while Sam finds himself having to step into the big brother role for the others.

* BigNo:
-->'''Dean:''' ''[holding Sam]'' No. No, no, no, no, no, no. Oh, God. Oh, God.

* [[BitchInSheepsClothing Bitch In Sheep's Clothing]]: Ava.
* [[spoiler: BlackDudeDiesFirst]]: [[InvertedTrope Inverted]]. Jake [[spoiler:outlives all the other psychics, ''including'' Sam]].
* BlessedWithSuck: Lily is pissed that the other Special Children gets powers like {{Precognition}} and SuperStrength when hers is that she kills anyone she touches. [[AccidentalMurder Including her girlfriend]].

* BloodFromTheMouth: Andy, when the Acheri demon attacks him.
* BloodMagic: The Yellow-Eyed Demon's blood transformed the Special Children when he fed it to them as infants. It also appears that when a demon takes a vessel, the vessel's blood takes on the demon's magical properties, as the Yellow-Eyed Demon is shown cutting his vessel's wrist to feed baby Sam.
* BorrowedCatchphrase: Sam usurps Dean's line when Sam says "You son of a bitch." to the Yellow-Eyed Demon,
* BrokenMasquerade: The Special Children learn about demons and the source of their powers.
-->'''Anndy:''' Give me a minute. I'm still working through "demons are real".

* CallBack:
** The lines the Yellow-Eyed Demon and Sam exchange about the whereabouts of Dean are almost the same as the ones Sam exchanged with the Shapeshifter in [[Recap/SupernaturalS01E06Skin "Skin" (S01, E06)]].
-->'''Sam:''' Where’s my brother?
-->'''Yellow-Eyed Demon:''' Quit worrying about Dean. I'd worry more about yourself.
** The scene of Mary seeing someone beside Sam's crib and [[MistakenIdentity thinking it is John]], followed by her realizing it is not her husband and returning [[AdultFear in fear]] is replicated from the [[Recap/SupernaturalS01E01Pilot pilot]]. But this time, we see that Mary recognized the Yellow-Eyed Demon when he turned around and she saw his eyes. We again see the silhouette of a man with his jacket collar turned up beside the crib. The [[PropRecycling yellow moon nightlight, crib, and baseball mobile]] seem to be the same in both episodes, but some of the other details are different. The dialogue is almost the same between the two episodes, except for Sam's unheard interruptions, Mary says "okay" instead of "all right", and the addition of Mary's "It's you!".
-->'''Mary:''' John? Is he hungry?
-->'''Past Yellow-Eyed Demon:''' Shhh.
-->'''Mary:''' Okay.
** Mary is wearing [[LimitedWardrobe the same]] [[WomanInWhite white nightgown]] with a lace collar, rose ribbon, and lace-trimmed short sleeves that she was wearing in the [[Recap/SupernaturalS01E01Pilot pilot]], [[Recap/SupernaturalS01E09Home "Home" (S01, E09)]], and [[Recap/SupernaturalS02E20WhatIsAndWhatShouldNeverBe "What Is And What Should Never Be" (S02, E20)]].
* CallingCard: Dean finds sulfur at the diner.

* CassandraTruth: Minutes after the other Special Children tell Sam he is crazy for believing in demons, Jake is attacked by a demon.
* CatapultNightmare:
** When Sam wakes up in Cold Oak, he gasps, sits up, and then looks around confused.
** When Sam wakes up from the dream with the Yellow-Eyed Demon, his head snaps up and his eyes are wide.
* CatScare: As Sam explores the abandoned town, he hears a creaking noise. Sam picks up a wooden plank and starts to swing as [[FriendOrFoe someone]] walks around the corner. Sam halts his swing as he realizes the person is [[DontSneakUpOnMeLikeThat Andy, who ducks, terrified]].
* CellphonesAreUseless: There is no reception in Cold Oak, South Dakota.
-->'''Sam:''' I'd give my arm for a working phone.
* ChekhovsGun: After Ash hangs up the phone, a nervous Ash wipes his face and then looks at his watch. The camera {{zoom}}s in on Ash's Nixon Super Hero watch, which we will see again.
* ChekhovsSkill: Andy's ability to beam images into another person's mind.
* AChildShallLeadThem: The Yellow-Eyed Demon intends that the strongest of the Special Children shall lead [[TheLegionsOfHell his army]] in the Apocalypse.
* TheChosenMany: The Special Children.

-->'''Jake:''' And--and we've been picked?

* CommonalityConnection:
** Andy introduces himself to Ava as "Andy. Also freaking out."
** Sam points out that they were all brought together by the Yellow-Eyed Demon and have special abilities, and, whether they like it or not, they are going to have to work together.
-->'''Sam:''' But I know one thing. I know what the three of us have in common.
** Later Sam points out that Lily is not the only one who has lost someone and that they are "all in bad shape".
* ConsummateLiar: Ava brushes off a concerned Sam by pretending to be dizzy from not having eaten, and gets a smile from him when she jokes about their situation. However, she really had been holding her head because she summoned the Acheri demon to kill Lily.

-->'''Ava:''' What? Some kind of freaky vision thing? No, more like I'd kill for a sandwich. I haven't eaten since...well, who knows? No, don't worry. I'm fine. Except for every single thing that's happening.
* ContinuityNod:

** Lily describes Andy's power as "So, you go, 'Simon says give me your wallet', and they do?". This is likely a reference to the title of the episode where Andy first appears, [[Recap/SupernaturalS02E05SimonSaid "Simon Said" (S02, E05)]].
** Bobby is driving the 1968 Ford F-350, which is painted baby blue and has a towing hook and chain on the front bumper, which was previously seen in [[Recap/SupernaturalS01E22DevilsTrap "Devil's Trap" (S01, E22)]].
* ConvenientlyTimedAttackFromBehind: The Acheri demon has Jake cornered in the schoolroom when Sam comes from behind with the iron poker.
* CorruptTheCutie: [[spoiler: Ava Wilson]] ''was'' nice in [[spoiler: her]] first appearance.
* {{Cowboy}}: Ash is disturbed when a man wearing a cowboy hat with the brim covering his eyes and a jacket with a shearling collar walks by as Ash is talking to Dean on the phone. Later, we see this charred cowboy hat among the ruins of the Roadhouse.
* CowerPower: When they find Lily's body, Ava covers her mouth as if she is going to be sick, and Andy hugs his arms around himself. They both have trouble looking at the body, while Jake and Sam are unflinching and seem to stand taller.
* CreatorProvincialism: When trying to search for Sam, Bobby and Dean look at an interstate map of the United States and bemoan the lack of any demonic activity. Evidently, they did not consider looking for demonic activity in other countries or consider that a demon from Hell may take Sam over national borders. Also, unless the Yellow-Eyed Demon is performing separate trials in other nations, it seems that all of the Special Children are Americans.
-->'''Dean:''' ''[to Ash]'' Oh, come on, man! You've gotta give us something. We're looking at a three-thousand-mile haystack here.

* CrocodileTears: [[spoiler:Ava pretends to break down into hysterical sobbing to fool the others and keep them from knowing that she's the killer among them]]. After Sam wises up, [[spoiler:Ava gets eerily calm, wipes away her fake tears, and starts talking about how she'd had him going for a 9while there]].
* CurseCutShort[=/=]KilledMidSentence: Andy's LastWords were "What are you doing? Holy..."
* TheDarkSideWillMakeYouForget: Ava has given into the dark side as she learned to use her powers.

-->'''Ava:''' Who we are, Sam. If you'd just quit your hand-wringing and open yourself up, you have no idea what you can do. The learning curve is so fast, it's crazy, the switches that just flip in your brain. ''[laughs]'' I can't believe I started out just having dreams. Do you know what I can do now?
* DeadGuyOnDisplay: After sneaking away from the rest of the group, Lily is found hanging dead from a windmill. Jake climbs up and gets her down off-screen.
** According to episode writer Sera Gamble, it was [[WhatCouldHaveBeen supposed to be]] a [[BloodierAndGorier more gruesome sight]], with Lily having been hung by ''her own intestines'', but they nixed that idea.
* DeadlyDodging: Sam ducks out of the way as Jake punches, resulting in Jake's fist going through a wooden trough and getting stuck.
* DeadlyGraduation: The Yellow-Eyed Demon wants only one of his students to complete the training.

-->'''Yellow-Eyed Demon:''' Soldiers in a coming war? That's true. You are. But, here's the thing: I don't need soldiers. I need ''soldier''. I just need the one.
* DeadlyLunge: The Acheri demon leaps at Andy and rips open his stomach.
* DeggansRule: Failed. Jake is the only non-white character.
* DevilButNoGod: We see Hell's plan being put into motion for the Apocalypse, but there does not seem to be any powerful force of Good to oppose the demons. This is [[LampshadeHanging lampshaded]] by Ava.
-->'''Sam:''' Oh, my God.
-->'''Ava:''' Don't think God has much to do with this, Sam.
* DiedInYourArmsTonight: [[spoiler: Sam in Dean's arms]].
* DiesWideOpen: The cook at the diner.

* DisposingOfABody: AvertedTrope. Besides [[spoiler:Sam's body]], we [[WhatHappenedToTheMouse never know what happens]] to all the bodies at the diner, Roadhouse, and Cold Oak. We do not see Dean or Bobby alerting the authorities or burning/burying any of the bodies.
* {{Dissolve}}: As Dean shouts for his brother outside of Sunnyside Diner, the scene dissolves into a shot of his brother lying upside down outside.
* DoubleDontKnow: Sam's answers to Andy's questions.

-->'''Andy:''' Where are we?!
* DontGoInTheWoods: Lily does not heed this advice.
* DramaticThunder: Thunder rumbles overhead when Jake leaves the other Special Children and walks by the schoolroom. There is another rumble when they find the bell with an engraving of a tree on its side.
* DullSurprise: After Sam chases off the demon in the schoolhouse, the other Special Children stand quietly with their eyes wide and their mouths open. Jake adds some hyperventilation to his panicked expression.
* EiffelTowerEffect: An InUniverse example, where Sam and Bobby recognize the bell with the icon of an oak tree on its side, and they realize they are in [[NoCommunitiesWereHarmed Cold Oak]], South Dakota.
* [[ElectromagneticGhosts Electromagnetic Demons]]: The static on the radio is Dean's first sign that something is wrong at the diner.
* EmpathicEnvironment: As Dean and Bobby realize there are no demonic omens to follow in order to rescue Sam, rain drops fall on the empty map and on both of them.
* EnfantTerrible: The Acheri demon first appears as a little girl with [[YouthfulFreckles freckles]], [[HairOfGoldHeartOfGold long blonde hair]], a lace ribbon in her hair, and a tan dress with a floral print. Before she attacks, her [[NightmareFace face transforms]] and she grows [[AbsurdlySharpClaws long claws]].
* EpicInstrumentalOpener: Music/{{Boston}}'s "Foreplay" is heard over [[PreviouslyOn The Road So Far]] with the guitar chords punctuating the action.
* EpicRocking: Music/{{Boston}}'s "Foreplay" plays through The Road So Far, and "Long Time" seamlessly starts to play as TheTeaser begins.
* EruditeStoner: Both Ash and Andy have mellow, laid-back attitudes, but Ash uncovered information on the Yellow-Eyed Demon, and Andy developed his abilities enough to send telepathic images.
* EverythingsBetterWithMonkeys: When the scene of Ash calling from the Roadhouse opens, the camera scans over a chipped figurine of an OrganGrinder monkey, who has a [[CymbalBangingMonkey creepy smile]], sitting next to the salt and pepper shakers. The monkey is seen among the debris after the Roadhouse is consumed by fire.
* EvilMentor[=/=]StealthMentor: The Yellow-Eyed Demon has been manipulating the lives of the Special Children since they were infants to make them strong enough to serve his purpose.
* EvilSmellsBad: Andy smelled sulfur when he was abducted.
* {{Expy}}: Lily, with her black leather jacket, long hair, and brooding attitude, has many similarities with [[Film/XMen Rogue]], which go beyond their power to kill with a touch. Although according to Sera Gamble, the character motivation is [[Characters/TheBreakfastClub Allison Reynolds]] from ''Film/TheBreakfastClub''.
* EyeColourChange: The Acheri demon's eyes change to a clouded gray when she reveals her demonic form.
* FaceHeelTurn: What happened to [[spoiler:Ava in the five months she was gone]].
* FadeToWhite: Before Dean's visions.
* FaintingSeer: When Dean gets the first vision, he grabs his head and leans against the car. When the second, stronger, vision occurs he holds his head and collapses to his knees.

-->'''Jake:''' Now, I can get out of here. I get close to the demon, I can kill the bastard.

** When it comes to Ash's death, Dean reacts with anger born of loss saying "Oh, Ash, damn it!" when he finds Ash's wristwatch.
** When [[spoiler:Sam dies]], Dean initially seems to be in denial telling him it is not that bad, and then dissolves in depressed tears.
-->'''Dean:''' Hey, look at me. It's not even that bad. It's not even that bad, all right? Sammy? Sam! Hey, listen to me. We're gonna patch you up, okay? You'll be good as new. Huh? I'm gonna take care of you. I'm gonna take you care of you. I've got you. That's my job, right? Watch out for my pain-in-the-ass little brother? Sam? Sam! Sam! Sammy!
* FlyawayShot: The camera rises above Sam and Dean as Dean holds Sam's body.
* ForbiddenZone: Sam has heard the stories of Cold Oak.

* ForcedToWatch: SubvertedTrope. Before Mary bursts into flames the Yellow-Eyed Demon says, "I don’t think you wanna see the rest of this." He then snaps his fingers, and Sam wakes up.
* ForWantOfANail: If you ''really'' think about it, [[spoiler:Jake killing Sam caused the rest of ''Supernatural'' to happen]].

* GhostTown: Cold Oak, South Dakota.
* GigglingVillain: The Acheri demon never speaks but has an innocent child-like giggle.
* GondorCallsForAid: The Winchester brothers seek out other allies when they find themselves separated. Dean first seeks out Bobby for help, and when this fails he calls Ash. Sam tries to convince the Special Children to work together.
* GoodGunsBadGuns:

** When Bobby and Dean gear up to go into Cold Oak, they both grab sawed-off shotguns.
* GoodIsDumb: Sam, who puts down his knife and trusts Jake.

* GoryDiscretionShot: The blood splatter on the window and Andy's face as the Acheri demon attacks Andy.

* GratuitousFrench: The cook at the diner lay dead with his arm resting on Kirkland Signature Towel Essuie-tout.
* GreasySpoon: The Sunnyside Diner, which offers "all-day breakfast, lunch, & dinner". The menu includes omelet, cereal, scone, muffin, burger, hot dog, regular and large fries, juice, ice cream cone, fresh lemonade, and a wide selection of pies.
* GrenadeLauncher: A [[http://www.policeproducts.com/deftec-37mm-composite-stock-multilauncher-p-313.html?manufacturers_id=35 Def-Tec 37mm Composite Stock Multi-Launcher]] is shown in the weapons locker in the trunk of the Impala.
* GrossUpCloseUp: There is a close-up of an arm with the skin burnt off, exposing the muscle in the forearm, among the debris of the burnt-down Roadhouse.
* GuttedLikeAFish: Andy's stomach is torn open, exposing bloodied tissue.
* HairTriggerExplosive: AvertedTrope. The gas pump and gas tank surrounded by barrels is untouched despite being only about 100 feet from the completely burnt-down Roadhouse.
* HatesBeingTouched: Lily. [[JustifiedTrope Justified]], [[TouchOfDeath obviously]]. It's not so much that she would mind a little physical contact with somebody (since she was up for touching her girlfriend), it's just that she doesn't want to anybody else to die because they touched her. Lily tends to hang back from the others and keeps her arms crossed against her body with her sleeves pulled down over her hands.
* HeKnowsTooMuch: [[spoiler: Ash]].
* HellIsThatNoise: The clicking sound as the windmill blades turn becomes sinister after Lily's death.
* HesDeadJim: Dean seems to assume the customer and staff at the diner are past saving, as he does not check a pulse or perform basic first aid before leaving them for dead.
* HinduMythology: In the folklore of India, [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acheri Acheri]] is the spirit of a child who come down from the mountains at night, bringing illness to others.
* HoldingYourShoulderMeansInjury: After the bone-cracking noise when Jake punches Sam in the right shoulder, Sam keeps that arm against his side and holds that shoulder with his left hand.
* {{Homage}}:
** Jake Talley's last name may be an allusion to the Talley family from the play ''[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifth_of_July Fifth of July]]'', which deals with the difficulties Vietnam veterans faced on returning from war.

* [[spoiler: HopeSpot: Sam knocks out Jake, Dean and Bobby show up to save Sam...]]
* HouseFire: At the Roadhouse.
* HyperAwareness: Sam sees the break in the salt line and works out who the killer is.

-->'''Sam:''' I'll tell you what I think. Five months. You’re the only one with all that time you can't account for. And that headache you got? Right when the demon got Lily.
* IconicOutfit: Bobby Singer is wearing a trucker's hat with a white front and green bill, which he previously wore in [[Recap/SupernaturalS01E22DevilsTrap "Devil's Trap" (S01, E22)]] and [[Recap/SupernaturalS02E01InMyTimeOfDying "In My Time Of Dying" (S02, E01)]]. Bobby is also wearing a sweatshirt with a deer on it, a gray hunter's vest, and jeans.

* IdiotBall: While they were gathering supplies, it seems stupid that they would not have collected water from the well and stored it in the safe room. It also would have made sense to have some sort of accommodation in the safe room for [[NobodyPoops those who need to relieve themselves]].
* IJustWantToBeNormal: Ava acts as if she wants to get back to her old life.
-->'''Ava:''' I just can't wait for this all to be over so I can just pretend it never happened. I just wanna curl up with Brady and watch bad TV.
* ImHavingSoulPains: Dean describes receiving the vision as "about as fun as getting kicked in the jewels".
* ImprovisedWeapon: The Special Children fight with whatever they can find in Cold Oak.
** CarryABigStick: Sam picks up a wooden plank when he hears a creaking noise and almost hits Andy with it.
** ColdIron:
*** Sam swings an iron poker, which was beside the pot-bellied stove, at the Acheri demon. She dissolves into black smoke, but there is a flash of flame where the poker slices through her.
*** Jake pulls an iron spoke off a wheel on a [[http://www.tractordata.co.uk/hart_parr/ Hart-Parr 18-36 tractor]], which was built of channel and cast iron.

** WeaksauceWeakness: Andy finds two bags of rock salt.
* INeedYouStronger: The Yellow-Eyed Demon has been working to make Sam stronger as part of his EvilPlan.
* IntangibleTimeTravel: The Yellow-Eyed Demon takes Sam back to the night of Sam's 6-month birthday in a dream. No one is able to see or hear them, and they can not impact the events as they play out.
-->'''Yellow-Eyed Demon:''' Relax, Sam, this is just a [[PensieveFlashback hi-def instant replay]]. Enjoy the show.
* InTheBack: [[spoiler: How Sam dies]].
* InvoluntaryBattleToTheDeath: The Yellow-Eyed Demon convinces the Special Children to fight to the death.
-->'''Jake:''' S--Sam, he's not letting us go. Only one. Now, if we don't play along, he'll kill us both. Now, I--I like you, man. I do. But do the math here. What good's it do for both of us to die?
* ItGetsEasier: [[spoiler:Ava's view of murder. She used to find it hard to do, but now she thinks it's kind of fun]].
-->'''[[spoiler:Ava]]:''' I had no choice. It's me or them. After a while, it was easy. It was even kind of fun. I just stopped fighting it.
* IWillFindYou: Dean is desperate to find his little brother and frustrated by the lack of a trail.
-->'''Dean:''' ''[to Bobby]'' Well, how are we supposed to look for Sam? What, do we just close our eyes and point?
* IWorkAlone: Jake, until he runs into his first demon.
-->'''Jake:''' The only thing I've gotta do is stay away from whack-jobs, okay? I've heard enough. I'm better off on my own. FYI, so are you. ''[indicates everyone but Sam]''
* JustBetweenYouAndMe: [[spoiler:Ava]] can't help bragging a little before [[spoiler:she]] decides to kill Sam.
-->'''[[spoiler:Ava]]:''' Had you going, though, didn't I? ''[wiping away tears]'' Yeah. I've been here a long time. And not alone, either. People just keep showing up. Children, like us. Batches of three or four at a time.

-->'''[[spoiler:Ava]]:''' I'm the undefeated heavyweight champ.
* KickThemWhileTheyAreDown: PlayedStraight when Jake quite literally kicks Sam in the side while he is lying on the ground. Subverted when Sam knocks Jake out--Sam raises his arm to strike Jake again, but then lowers his arm and throws the piece of iron away.
* KillTheOnesYouLove: Lily accidentally touched her girlfriend.
* KungFoley: The cracks and whacks accompanying Sam and Jake's fight.

* LetsYouAndHimFight: The Yellow-Eyed Demon manipulates the Special Children to fight each other.
* LimitedWardrobe: All of the characters remain in the same clothes throughout this episode, spanning two days. This is a JustifiedTrope as those at Cold Oak have no option and Dean, who is wearing his [[http://hells-half-acre.livejournal.com/117439.html blue jacket]], [[http://hells-half-acre.livejournal.com/140656.html red plaid shirt]], and [[http://hells-half-acre.livejournal.com/143783.html a gray Henley]], is too concerned with finding his brother to worry about changing clothes.

* TheLostLenore: Ava's fiancé was killed by demons, which certainly reminds Sam of how Jessica was killed before they could become engaged.

* MilitarySuperhero: Jake.
* MindOverMatter: The Yellow-Eyed Demon slams Mary against the wall and then pulls her to the ceiling with telekinesis.

* MisplacedVegetation: A forest in South Dakota is portrayed with [[TheOtherRainforest moss-covered Redwood trees and a fern-covered forest bed]].
* MissingTime:
** PlayedStraight. When Sam disappears it is around dinner time and is dark outside in Iowa. When he wakes up in the neighboring state of South Dakota, it is daylight.
** SubvertedTrope. Ava acts as if she does not realize that five months have passed. She says that she [[Recap/SupernaturalS02E10Hunted just saw Sam]] two days ago, but [[spoiler:is lying to deflect suspicion. She spent those five months training her abilities and learning to kill under the sway of the Yellow-Eyed Demon]].

-->'''Ava:''' Okay, that's impossible, because I saw you two days ago.
* MoodDissonance: We go from a smiling Andy holding the bags of salt over his head, where you think things might just work out, to finding Lily's body hanging from the windmill. Then we have a [[Creator/DavidHasselhoff Hasselhoff]] joke.
* MotivationalLie:
** Sam tries to get the others ready to fight the demon by pretending things will be all right if [[DividedWeFall they work together]], but he has his own doubts. Jake realizes this.

** The Yellow-Eyed Demon says he didn't come out and say that he only intended to select one of the Special Children and the others would be killed because he "had to let everyone think they had a fighting chance".

* NeckSnap: [[spoiler:Ava's death]].

* NeverFoundTheBody: Bobby and Dean do not find Ellen's body among the debris of the roadhouse.

-->'''Eric Kripke:''' It's so funny. We have a job and it's like, "Okay, now we're going to drip all this fake blood in a baby's mouth..." Like, "Dammit it, the baby won't do it!" It's hilarious to me that that's an obstacle.
-->'''Robert Singer:''' And before you even get there you have to go through, "Well, it's a baby..What can we actually put in there? What sort of liquid is okay that looks like blood?" It's endless. Getting her up the wall was a lot easier than getting blood in the baby's mouth.
* NewPowersAsThePlotDemands: This is a JustifiedTrope, as the Special Children develop their powers with training and use. Andy has developed the ability to project images into another person's mind. [[spoiler:Ava has learned to control demons]].
* NightmareFace: Before the Acheri demon attacks, her skin becomes blotchy and gray with [[CreepyShadowedUndereyes dark circles around her eyes]]. Her eyes become [[ProphetEyes gray and clouded]], and she has a mouthful of [[FangsAreEvil sharp fangs]].
* NoCommunitiesWereHarmed: South Dakota [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ghost_towns_in_South_Dakota has its share of ghost towns]], but Cold Oak, South Dakota, "a town so haunted, every single resident fled" does not exist.

-->'''Sam:''' My generation?
-->'''Yellow-Eyed Demon:''' Well, there’s other generations, but let's just worry about yours.
* NoSell: Andy's mind control ability does not work on the other Special Children.
* NoTellMotel: AvertedTrope. This is the 12th episode of ''Series/{{Supernatural}}'' where we do not see the boys at a cheap motel.
* NotAZombie: When Jake sees the blonde little girl all alone in the ghost town, he initially tries to help her, thinking she is lost and telling her not to be afraid. She lures him into the schoolroom and transforms into [[UndeadChild a demonic form with claws and fangs]].
* TheNthDoctor: We first see the Yellow-Eyed Demon in the vessel of the janitor from the hospital in [[Recap/SupernaturalS02E01InMyTimeOfDying "In My Time Of Dying" (S02, E01)]], played by [[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0499791/?ref_=ttfc_fc_cl_t4 Fredric Lehne]]. However, in the dream where they see what happened in Sam's nursery, the Yellow-Eyed Demon is in a different vessel who has a mole under his right eye and another mole on his left cheek.

* OffscreenTeleportation: Ava goes missing from the salt-lined room with three other people in it with no one noticing. Considering everyone was at least half asleep, that one could be excusable. However, we then see her sneaking from behind a building, and she just appears in the salt-lined room without Andy, who is ''standing in the doorway'', noticing.
* TheOner: When Jake enters the schoolroom, the camera pans across the empty chalkboard and then pans around the schoolroom in a circle until the chalkboard is seen again, but now the chalkboard is covered with the sentence "I will not kill" written over and over again. This is all one shot with no cuts.
* OpenSaysMe: Sam picks up a rock and uses this to smash the padlock on the shed to release Ava.
* OurDemonsAreDifferent: The [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acheri Acheri]] demon differs from other demons we have seen in that it seems to take the form of a child, but this form disappears when it [[SuperSmoke dissolves into black smoke]], suggesting this is not a [[MeatPuppet vessel]] but [[ShapeShifting a transformation]], which the demon likely [[AFormYouAreComfortableWith undergoes to trick humans]]. The Acheri demon still has the SuperStrength and SuperSpeed associated with other demons, as well as the same weaknesses of being [[WeaksauceWeakness unable to cross a line of salt]] or [[ColdIron touch iron]].
* PartyScattering: Sam is carried away to Cold Oak, South Dakota. Dean is left behind with no idea where his brother is.
* PermaShave: Despite Sam and Dean being too busy to change their clothes, they still look clean-shaven.
* PermaStubble: Ash.
* PlaceOfProtection: Ava and Sam place a line of salt along the thresholds of the doorway and windows of a room, creating a boundary that demons cannot cross.
* PoliteVillainsRudeHeroes: The Yellow-Eyed Demon with Sam.

-->'''Yellow-Eyed Demon:''' ''[chuckles]'' When you wake up, Tiger, you give it your best shot.
* ProductPlacement:
** The body of the diner's cook lay near a dozen cans of [[http://www.neiljonesfoodcompany.com/brand/san-benito San Benito]] tomatoes, [[http://www.hunts.com/products/tomatoes/tomato-sauce Hunt's]] tomato sauce, and rolls of [[http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/appliances/laundry-and-cleaning/paper-towels/paper-towel-ratings/models/overview/kirkland-signature-premium-big-roll-costco-99049845.htm Kirkland Signature]] paper towels.

* PstandardPsychicPstance:
** Ava puts her hands to her temples after Sam finds the knife. Sam is concerned she is having a vision, but she says she is just hungry. Later, when she is alone with Andy and when Sam confronts her, she does the same thing.
** Dean grabs the sides of his head, first with his right hand but then with both hands, when he gets the visions. They do come with a wicked headache, though, and Dean originally denies visions as a possibility.

* QuieterThanSilence: After the radio cuts out, we hear the rain hitting the windshield of the Impala. A ScareChord plays as Dean notices that he no longer sees the waitress through the window of the diner.
* QuipToBlack: The way scene one ends before the commercial break.
-->'''Sam:''' ''[holding an iron poker]'' Just so you know. That was a demon.
* RagnarokProofing: While there are a few missing roof shingles and a broken fence, most of Cold Oak seems intact, despite being abandoned for over 100 years. The glass panes are unbroken in the windows which are covered by lace curtains. The painted wood signs are perfectly legible.
* ReactionShot: When Jake says he went to sleep in Afghanistan, Ava [[FascinatingEyebrow raises her eyebrows]]. She does this again when Sam says it was a demon that brought them to the ghost town. Both Ava and Lily look disturbed when Andy describes beaming gay porn into another man's mind.
* RedHerringMole: Initially Lily seems to be holding the VillainBall, as she is unknown to Sam, wears [[ExcessiveEvilEyeshadow a lot of eyeliner]], and has a [[LonersAreFreaks standoffish attitude]]. In addition, she has [[BadPowersBadPeople the power to kill by touching]], which is the same power the cat-killing Scott had. [[spoiler:However, Ava is the true villain]].

* RunningGag: Dean once again does not get the pie. There is a menu on the wall of the Sunnyside Diner listing Janice's pies which include banana cream, Boston cream, coconut cream, lemon meringue, and apple. A slice of pie costs $1.65 and you can get it à la Mode for 50 cents. Dean was too distressed to think about pie after Sam's disappearance. Previously in [[Recap/SupernaturalS01E11Scarecrow "Scarecrow" (S01, E11)]], the sheriff made Dean leave town before he had a piece of the apple pie he ordered.
-->'''Dean:''' Hey, see if they've got any pie. ''[Sam slams the car door]'' Bring me some pie! [[ThinkingOutLoud I love me some pie]].
* {{Sadist}}: [[spoiler:Ava]] seems to take pleasure in watching Andy suffer and die.
* SawedOffShotgun: Bobby carries a sawed-off Remington Model 870. Dean carries a sawed-off Zabala 12-gauge side-by-side shotgun.
* SayMyName: Dean saying "Sam" is heartbreaking.
* SceneryGorn: The destroyed Roadhouse. We see the charred monkey figurine, destroyed shotguns, and burnt clothes in the debris. We also see at least three badly burnt bodies, including a close-up on one leg wearing an intact work boot and an arm with the skin peeling off.
* ScreamingWoman:
** Andy and Sam hear a scream and find Ava locked in a building. Later, Ava screams [[spoiler:right after she has the Acheri demon kill Andy]].
** Mary screams as she is pulled up to the ceiling.
* ScrewThisImOuttaHere: Lily thinks "the only sane thing to do here is get the hell out of Dodge". When Sam reminds her that they are surrounded by miles of woods, she says it "beats hanging out with demons".

* [[spoiler: SeekingTheMissingFindingTheDead: Dean finds his brother only to watch him murdered by Jake moments later.]]
* SheatheYourSword: Sam convinces Jake to put down his weapon after Sam puts down his knife. But this was a SubvertedTrope, as Jake was not convinced and didn't really need a weapon with his SuperStrength.

* ShoutOut:

** Lily says the only sane thing to do is to [[Series/{{Gunsmoke}} "get the hell out of Dodge"]].

** When a sobbing Ava says they should leave, Andy says, "[[StealthPun I second that emotion]]." Likely a reference to the ''WesternAnimation/{{Futurama}}'' [[Recap/FuturamaS2E1ISecondThatEmotion episode]] with the same [[PunBasedTitle name]].
** Jake says he is not Franchise/{{Superman}}.

** The Yellow-Eyed Demon says "Welcome to the Miss America pageant", comparing the competition among the Special Children to a BeautyContest.
* ShowDontTell: Initially when Dean has the vision, he was going to say, "I'm not a freakin' psychic." But they decided to change this line to "Come on, I'm not some psychic", as it seemed like Dean was being harsh on his brother. Instead, Dean's facial expression and voice tells the audience that Dean is not comfortable with the idea that he may be a freak.
* SickeningCrunch: When Jake punches Sam's shoulder.
* SingleTear:

** The episode ends with Dean holding Sam while a single perfect tear runs down Dean's left cheek.

* SleevesAreForWimps: Ash wears a sleeveless flannel shirt over a sleeveless T-shirt with a mug of beer on the front, revealing [[TattooAsCharacterType his tattoo]] on his right shoulder.
* SpecialEffectsEvolution: In later seasons, most of the solid-color eyes we see on demons are CGI, but actors portraying the Yellow-Eyed Demon wore colored contacts that made them nearly blind. Despite this, Fredric Lehne does a great job hitting his marks in the scene with Sam.
* SpreadingDisasterMapGraphic: InvertedTrope when Bobby shows Dean an interstate map of the United States with no notes or marks and says this represents all demonic signs and omens in the last month. Dean and Bobby realize that the absence of any demonic activity, including low-level activity like exorcisms, [[NothingIsScarier cannot be a good sign]] and leaves them with no way to track Sam.
* StealthHiBye: The Acheri demon disappears when Jake sees her through the window of the schoolhouse.
* StonersAreFunny: Andy, who was doing his fourth bong load when abducted, provides comic relief.

-->'''Andy:''' Well, hopefully there's food in your world, because I'm frickin' starving.
* AStormIsComing: The rain when Sam and Dean arrive at Sunnyside Diner in the teaser. It has rained so much that the diner almost seems to be surrounded by a shallow moat.
* SummonMagic: [[spoiler:Ava Wilson]] learns how to summon and control the Acheri demon using [[spoiler:her]] psychic abilities.
* SuperhumanTransfusion: The Yellow-Eyed Demon cuts open his wrist and drips his blood into infant Sam's mouth.
-->'''Sam:''' What the hell are you doing to me?
-->'''Yellow-Eyed Demon:''' Better than mother's milk.
* SupernaturalGoldEyes: The Yellow-Eyed Demon, which is how Mary recognizes the figure beside Sam's crib.
* SuperSmoke: The Acheri demon dissolves into black smoke when Sam swings the poker. When [[spoiler:Ava]] breaks the line of salt, the black smoke pours through this break in the line on the windowsill and reforms into the monstrous form of the little girl. After Sam confronts [[spoiler:Ava]], the black smoke again starts to pour through the broken line of salt, but disappears when Jake snaps [[spoiler:Ava]]'s neck.

-->'''Yellow-Eyed Demon:''' What do you say you and I take a little walk?

* {{Telepathy}}: Through meditation, Andy has developed the ability to project images into people's minds.
* ThemedAliases: This is the fourth episode in a row where this is an AvertedTrope.

* TheyDiedBecauseOfYou: The Yellow-Eyed Demon confirms that he did not want to kill Mary, and that the only reason he killed her was because she interrupted him while he was feeding Sam his demon blood.

-->'''Yellow-Eyed Demon:''' It wasn't about her. It was about you. It's always been about you.
* TheyWereHoldingYouBack: The Yellow-Eyed Demon says that Jessica was killed to make Sam stop [[IJustWantToBeNormal mooning over normalcy]] and force him back on the road to sharpen his hunting skills.
-->'''Yellow-Eyed Demon:''' I mean, sweet little Jessica[[note]]While Jessica certainly seemed sweet, at five-foot-eleven she was more of a StatuesqueStunner than "little"[[/note]]--she just had to die. You were all set to marry that [[HairOfGoldHeartOfGold little blonde thing]], become a tax lawyer [[NuclearFamily with two kids]], a [[RetiredBadass beer gut]], and [[CutAndPasteSuburb a little McMansion in the suburbs]]. I needed you [[InHarmsWay sharp, on the road, honing your skills]]. Your gifts.
* ThisIsNoTimeToPanic: Sam tries to get Andy to calm down, but either [[TheStoner despite]] or [[DrugsAreBad because]] [[ProperlyParanoid of]] the fact that Andy is stoned, he has trouble not freaking out.

-->'''Andy:''' I can't calm down! I just woke up in freaking Frontierland!
* TimeshiftedActor: 6-month-old Sam is played by an uncredited baby.
* TitledAfterTheSong: A [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9G4LQ9H_50&feature=kp song]] by Music/TheMisfits.

-->'''Sam:''' Dude, I'm the one whose gonna have to ride in the car with your extra onions. ''[Dean grins; Sam sighs]''
* TokenMinority: Jake is the only non-white Special Child.
* TookALevelInBadass: [[spoiler:Ava, who in the five months she was missing, kills other psychics and develops the power to control demons]]. Andy, to a lesser extent.

* TrashTheSet: The Roadhouse is completely destroyed. Part of the storefront remains, including part of the burnt-out neon sign showing only the letters "ROA", but behind this is only charred wood and other debris. The nearby phone booth, windmill, gas tank, and RV covered by a blue tarp did survive the fire.
* TravelingAtTheSpeedOfPlot: In one day Dean and Bobby travel from Iowa to Nebraska, and then arrive in Cold Oak, South Dakota, just in time to watch [[spoiler:Sam get stabbed in the back]].

* TwoDecadesBehind:

* UnexplainedAccent: When Dean asks Sam to bring him some pie, he slips into a southern accent as he says "pi-ah".
* UninhibitedMusclePower: This is a DiscussedTrope. When Jake first lifts a vehicle off of a guy it was dismissed as "a fluke adrenaline thing", but he realizes he has SuperStrength when he bench-presses 800 pounds "stone cold calm".
* UrbanLegend:
** Cold Oak is likely inspired by the ghost stories surrounding [[http://www.toursofjerome.com/spirits-of-jerome-tour/ Jerome, Arizona]], and [[http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/americas-coolest-ghost-towns/1 America's many other western ghost towns]].
** According to the DVDCommentary, [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dudley_Town Dudley Town]], an abandoned settlement in Connecticut, was an inspiration for Cold Oak. Originally, there were references to Dudley Town in the script, which ended up being cut. According to local legend, Dudley Town was founded by a cursed family, who went insane, reporting seeing demons before killing themselves.
* VaguenessIsComing: Sam says he is not sure if he believes they are going to make it and says, "I mean, the size of what's coming–-it's bigger than anyone has ever seen. I mean, it's gonna get bad." But Sam doesn't really flesh this out further.
* [[CaliforniaDoubling Vancouver Doubling]]:

* VisibleInvisibility: As Lily walks through the forest, she hears a young girl's giggle, and we see movement of the tree branches accompanied by a MotionBlur and ScareChord.
* VillainTakesAnInterest: The Yellow-Eyed Demon sees himself as Sam's [[TheMentor mentor]] and Sam as his creation. Sam sees the Yellow-Eyed Demon as his ArchEnemy.

-->'''Yellow-Eyed Demon:''' The cost of doing business, I'm afraid.
* WakeupMakeup: Even though Mary just woke up and went to check on Sam, she is wearing eye shadow and lipstick. Her hair is also perfectly styled and curled.
* WakingUpElsewhere: Sam and the other Special Children wake up in Cold Oak with no explanation. Before waking up, Sam was in a diner in Iowa. Andy was in Guthrie, Oklahoma. Ava was in Peoria, Illinois. Lily was in San Diego, California. Jake was in Afghanistan.

-->'''Andy:''' Honestly? My fourth bong load.
* WallOfWeapons: Before Bobby and Dean set off on foot, they open the weapons locker in the Impala's trunk and take out ammo, flashlights, and sawed-off shotguns. Inside the locker we see a grenade launcher, flashlights, an ax, a tank of gasoline, a can of salt, and various types of ammunition shells. We also seen a sawed-off Ithaca 37.
* TheWarOnTerror: Jake Talley is wearing an [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Army_combat_uniform Army Combat Uniform]] with the rank insignia of a private, and he says he "went to sleep last night in Afghanistan".
* WatchingTroyBurn: Dean and Bobby are clearly moved when they see the ruins of the Harvelle Roadhouse and search for Ellen and Ash among the debris.
* WeakButSkilled: Andy.
* WeirderThanUsual: Jake says that learning about his super powers while serving in Afghanistan was "just too crazy". Sam replies, "Crazy is relative." Jake, realizing they are in a ghost town preparing to fight a demon, says, "I'm starting to get that."
* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: We never hear more about the other generations of Special Children which the Yellow-Eyed Demon mentions.
* WhiteShirtOfDeath: The white button- up shirt of the waitress and the white apron and white T-shirt of the cook at the diner make a striking contrast with the [[RustproofBlood pools of blood]] spreading from their throats.
* TheWildWest: Cold Oak has a saloon, dry goods store, white steepled church, single-room schoolhouse, and a windmill. Sam looks through the window of a cobbler's shop which promises "Expert Repairs" next to a picture of a boot. We also see a wagon wheel leaning against a porch, tipped-over bucket, and hitching posts.
* {{Wipe}}: The scene of Lily alone in the forest transitions to Sam finding the knife in the trunk with a horizontal wipe.
* WorstAid: Dean does nothing to try to stabilize Sam. Given Jake's strength, it is possible that the knife went right through the spine and severed the thoracic aorta, where Sam would have likely bled out very quickly. But Jake seemed to angle the blade upward and Sam may be unconscious due to a puncture of the chest wall resulting in an open pneumothorax, where applying a plastic dressing sealed on three sides may help to keep air from continuing to enter the wound. It would have made sense for Dean to at least apply pressure to the wound and try CPR if Sam loses his pulse.
* WoundedGazelleGambit: Used to great effect by [[spoiler:Ava]], who pretends WomenAreDelicate.
-->'''[[spoiler:Ava]]:''' ''[pouting and wide-eyed]'' Gear up? Well, I'm not a soldier. I can't do that!
-->'''Sam:''' Look, if you want to stay alive, you're gonna have to.
* WritingLines: The Acheri demon has filled the chalkboard in the one room schoolhouse with the line "I will not kill" written over and over again. She does not seem to have learned her lesson.
* YouAllMeetInAnInn: Or rather a creepy abandoned GhostTown called Cold Oak.

* FiveManBand: The five Special Children at Cold Oak fall into these roles rather neatly.
** TheHero[=/=]TheLeader: Sam. He's TheHero of the group, the most heroic as well as the only many-episode character in a muddle of one- and two-off characters. As the member of the group with the most experience and knowledge of the supernatural world by far, he also falls into the role of TheLeader, trying to keep them everybody safe, informed, and relatively calm. His job is not easy.
** TheLancer: Jake assumes this role, first by acting as the voice of dissent against Sam (when nobody believes Sam about demons) and then by becoming his unofficial NumberTwo.
** TheSmartGuy: [[{{Adorkable}} Andy]] is actually the ''least'' combat-capable of the psychics and is by and large used for [[PlayedForLaughs comedic relief]]. He's also pretty smart (as was previously implied in his [[Recap/SupernaturalS02E05SimonSaid other episode]]) and ends up being the one who figures out a way to contact Dean.
** TheBigGuy: Sam ''and'' Jake. Sam is the most combat-capable of the psychics against the Acheri, having been trained a hunter. Jake is a US soldier, making him almost on par with Sam in terms of fighting ability and vastly superior to all the rest of the psychics in terms of pure [[SuperStrength strength]]; while he isn't stupid, he is quieter than the others.
** TheHeart[=/=]TheChick: Sam ''and'' Ava. Sam works to keep them together and connects with each of them emotionally. Helping him is that he has preestablished relationships (or at least acquaintances) with two of the other psychics. [[DistaffCounterpart Ava]] is perhaps most emotionally connected to him (which is why [[spoiler:her betrayal came as such a shock]]) and is the most emotional in general of the group.
** TheSixthRanger: Unlike Andy and Ava, Sam didn't meet Jake and Lily in a previous episode and so they are complete strangers to him and the viewers.
** [[spoiler:TheMole: Ava's true place in the FiveManBand]].

* DeadlyGraduation: The Yellow-Eyed Demon wants only one his students to complete the training.

'''[[Recap/{{Supernatural}} Recap]] of Series/{{Supernatural}}'''\\

* [[ShowDonttell Show Don't Tell]]: Initially when Dean has the vision, he was going to say, "I’m not a freakin’ psychic." But they decided to change this line to "Come on, I'm not some psychic", as it seemed like Dean was being harsh on his brother. Instead, Dean's facial expression and voice tells the audience that Dean is not comfortable with the idea that he may be a freak.

* SlashedThroat: The waiter, cook, and customer, at the diner all had their throats cut.
* SleevesAreForWimps: Ash wears a sleeveless flannel shirt over a sleeveless t-shirt with a mug of beer on the front, revealing [[TattooAsCharacterType his tattoo]] on his right shoulder.
* SpecialEffectsEvolution: In later seasons most of the solid color eyes we see on demons are CGI, but actors portraying the Yellow-Eyed Demon wore colored contacts that made them nearly blind. Despite this, Fredric Lehne does a great job hitting his marks in the scene with Sam.
* SpreadingDisasterMapGraphic: This is an InvertedTrope when Bobby shows Dean an interstate map of the United States with no notes or marks and says this represents all demonic signs and omens in the last month. Dean and Bobby realize that the absence of any demonic activity, including low level activity like exorcisms, [[NothingIsScarier can not be a good sign]] and leaves them with no way to track Sam.

* StonersAreFunny: Andy, who was doing his 4th bong load when abducted, provides comic relief.
-->'''Sam:''' It’s a brave new world.
-->'''Andy:''' Well, hopefully there’s food in your world, because I’m frickin’ starving.

* SummonMagic: Ava Wilson learns how to summon and control the Acheri demon using her psychic abilities.

-->'''Yellow-Eyed Demon:''' Better than mother’s milk.

* SuperSmoke: The Acheri demon dissolves into black smoke when Sam swings the poker. When Ava breaks the line of salt, the black smoke pours through this break in the line on the windowsill and reforms into the monstrous form of the little girl. After Sam confronts Ava, the black smoke again starts to pour through the broken line of salt, but disappears when Jake snaps Ava's neck.
* SuperStrength: Jake's power is that he can lift vehicles and bench press 800 pounds.
* SympatheticMagic: Andy says he needs something of Dean's or something Dean has touched in order to be able to send Dean a mental image.[[note]]But, considering Andy's disappointment when Sam said his brother wasn't with him, and Andy's admission that he is quite versed in gay porn, it may be that he just [[HoYay wanted an item of Dean's]].[[/note]]

-->'''Sam:''' Jake! Behind you! [Jake does not react.]
-->'''Yellow-Eyed Demon stepping around Jake:''' Howdy, Sam.
-->'''Sam:''' I’m dreaming.

-->'''Yellow-Eyed Demon:''' It wasn’t about her. It was about you. It’s always been about you.

-->'''Yellow-Eyed Demon:''' I mean, sweet little Jessica[[note]]While Jessica certainly seemed sweet, at 5 feet 11 inches she was more of a StatuesqueStunner than "little".[[/note]] – she just had to die. You were all set to marry that [[HairOfGoldHeartOfGold little blonde thing]], become a tax lawyer [[NuclearFamily with two kids]], a [[RetiredBadass beer gut]], and [[CutAndPasteSuburb a little McMansion in the suburbs]]. I needed you [[InHarmsWay sharp, on the road, honing your skills]]. Your gifts.

-->'''Andy:''' I can’t calm down! I just woke up in freaking Frontierland!
* TimeshiftedActor: 6 month old Sam is played by an uncredited baby.

-->'''Dean handing Sam some cash:''' Hey, don’t forget the extra onions this time, huh?
-->'''Sam:''' Dude, I’m the one whose gonna have to ride in the car with your extra onions. [Dean grins. Sam sighs.]

* TookALevelInBadass: Ava, who [[spoiler:in the five months she was missing, kills other psychics and develops the power to control demons]]. Andy, too, to a lesser extent.

* TrashTheSet: The Roadhouse is completely destroyed. Part of the storefront remains including part of the burnt out neon sign showing only the letters "ROA", but behind this is only charred wood and other debris. The nearby phone booth, windmill, gas tank, and RV covered by a blue tarp, did survive the fire.
* TravelingAtTheSpeedOfPlot: In one day Dean and Bobby travel from Iowa to Nebraska, and then arrive in Cold Oak, South Dakota, just in time to watch [[spoiler: Sam get stabbed in the back.]]
* TryingToCatchMeFightingDirty: Jake pretends to agree with Sam and puts down his iron spoke, before he sucker punches Sam across the yard.

** Andy is wearing [[TheNineties ear cuffs, a denim jacket with zippers and hoodie over a graphic tee, and acid washed jeans]].
** Ash has [[EightiesHair a mullet]], [[MetalHead a tattoo on his right shoulder, a pierced left ear, a silver skull and crossbones on a chain around his neck, and a sleeveless flannel shirt over a t-shirt]].

* UninhibitedMusclePower: This is a DiscussedTrope. When Jake first lifts a vehicle off of a guy it was dismissed as "a fluke adrenaline thing", but he realizes he has SuperStrength when he bench presses 800 pounds "stone cold calm".

** Cold Oak is likely inspired by the ghost stories surrounding [[http://www.toursofjerome.com/spirits-of-jerome-tour/ Jerome, Arizona,]] and [[http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/americas-coolest-ghost-towns/1 America's many other western ghost towns.]]
** According to the DVDCommentary, [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dudley_Town Dudley Town,]] an abandoned settlement in Connecticut, was an inspiration for Cold Oak. Originally there were references to Dudley Town in the script, which ended up being cut. According to local legend, Dudley Town was founded by a cursed family, who went insane reporting seeing demons before killing themselves.
* VaguenessIsComing: Sam says he is not sure if he believes they are going to make it and says, "I mean, the size of what's coming –- it's bigger than anyone has ever seen. I mean, it's gonna get bad." But, Sam really does not flesh this out further.

** Shot at [[http://www.supernaturallocations.com/season2locationslist.htm various locations in British Columbia]] with the scenes in Cold Oak, South Dakota, being shot on the [[http://www.virtuestudioranch.com/locations/bordertown.php Bordertown location at Virtue Studios.]]
** A postcard next to the Roadhouse phone shows a painting by Vancouver artist [[http://nvartscouncil.ca/user/496 Sharon Quirke.]]

-->'''Yellow-Eyed Demon:''' That’s why I’m here, Sam. I wanna give you the inside track. You’re tough. You’re smart. You’re well-trained, thanks to your daddy. Sam – Sammy – you’re my favorite.

-->'''Yellow-Eyed Demon:''' The cost of doing business, I’m afraid.
* WakeupMakeup: Even though Mary woke up and went to check on Sam, she is wearing eye shadow and lipstick. Her hair is also perfectly styled and curled.
* WakingUpElsewhere: Sam and the other special children wake up in Cold Oak with no explanation. Before waking up, Sam was in a diner in Iowa. Andy was in Guthrie, Oklahoma. Ava was in Peoria, Illinois. Lily was in San Diego, California. Jake was in Afghanistan.
-->'''Andy:''' I just woke up in freaking Frontier Land!
-->'''Sam:''' What’s the last thing you remember?

* WallOfWeapons: Before Bobby and Dean set off on foot, they open the weapon's locker in the Impala's trunk and take out ammo, flashlights, and sawed off shotguns. Inside the locker we see a grenade launcher, flashlights, axe, tank of gasoline, can of salt, and various types of ammunition shells. We also seen a sawed off Ithaca 37.

* WeirderThanUsual: Jake says that learning about his super powers while serving in Afghanistan was "just too crazy". Sam replies, "Crazy is relative." Jake realizing they are in a ghost town preparing to fight a demon says, "I'm starting to get that."

* WhiteShirtOfDeath: The white button up shirt of the waitress and the white apron and white t-shirt of the cook at the diner make a striking contrast with the [[RustproofBlood pools of blood]] spreading from their throats.
* TheWildWest: Cold Oak has a saloon, dry goods store, white steepled church, single room schoolhouse, and a windmill. Sam looks through the window of a cobbler's shop which promises "Expert Repairs" next to a picture of a boot. We also see a wagon wheel leaning against a porch, tipped over bucket, and hitching posts.

* WorstAid: Dean does nothing to try to stabilize Sam. Given Jake's strength, it is possible that the knife went right through the spine ad severed the thoracic aorta, where Sam would have likely bled out very quickly. But Jake seemed to angle the blade upward and Sam may be unconscious due to a puncture of the chest wall resulting in an open pneumothorax, where applying a plastic dressing sealed on 3 sides may help to keep air from continuing to enter the wound. It would have made sense for Dean to at least apply pressure to the wound and try CPR if Sam loses his pulse.
* WoundedGazelleGambit: Used to great effect by Ava, who pretends WomenAreDelicate.
-->'''Ava pouting and wide eyed:''' Gear up? Well, I'm not a soldier. I can't do that!

* WritingLines: The Acheri demon has filled the chalkboard in the one room schoolhouse with the line “I will not kill” written over and over again. She does not seem to have learned her lesson.

** When Dean enters the diner, he is packing his nickel plated engraved Colt MKIV [[{{Handguns}} M1911A1]] with a pearl grip. We [[ContinuityNod previously saw]] Dean use this gun in [[Recap/SupernaturalS01E06Skin "Skin" (S01, Ep06)]], [[Recap/SupernaturalS01E17HellHouse "Hell House" (S01, Ep17)]], [[Recap/SupernaturalS01E22DevilsTrap "Devil's Trap" (S01, Ep22)]], [[Recap/SupernaturalS02E03Bloodlust "Bloodlust" (S02, Ep03)]], [[Recap/SupernaturalS02E04ChildrenShouldntPlayWithDeadThings "Children Shouldn't Play With Dead Things" (S02, Ep04)]], [[Recap/SupernaturalS02E05SimonSaid "Simon Said" (S02, Ep05)]], [[Recap/SupernaturalS02E09Croatoan "Croatoan" (S02, Ep09)]], [[Recap/SupernaturalS02E14BornUnderABadSign "Born Under a Bad Sign" (S02, Ep14)]], and [[Recap/SupernaturalS02E17Heart "Heart" (S02, Ep17)]]. Sam used this gun in [[Recap/SupernaturalS01E16Shadow "Shadow" (S01, Ep16)]] and [[Recap/SupernaturalS01E18SomethingWicked "Something Wicked" (S01, Ep18)]].
** When Bobby and Dean gear up to go into Cold Oak, they both grab sawed off shotguns.

* GoryDiscretionShot: The blood splatter on the window and on Andy's face as the Acheri demon attacks Andy.

* GrenadeLauncher: A [[http://www.policeproducts.com/deftec-37mm-composite-stock-multilauncher-p-313.html?manufacturers_id=35 Def-Tec 37mm Composite Stock Multi-Launcher]] is shown in the weapon's locker in the trunk of the Impala.
* GrossUpCloseUp: There is a close up of an arm with the skin burnt off exposing the muscle in the forearm among the debris of the burnt down Roadhouse.
* GuttedLikeAFish: Andy's stomach is torn open exposing bloodied tissue.
* HairTriggerExplosive: AvertedTrope. The gas pump and gas tank surrounded by barrels is untouched despite being about 100 feet from the completely burnt down Roadhouse.

* HeKnowsTooMuch: [[spoiler: Ash]]
* HellIsThatNoise: The clicking sound as the windmill blades turns becomes sinister after Lily's death.

* HoldingYourShoulderMeansInjury: After the bone cracking noise when Jake punches Sam in the right shoulder, Sam keep that arm flexed against his side and holds that shoulder with his left hand.

** Jake Talley's last name may be an allusion to the Talley family from the play ''[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifth_of_July Fifth of July,]]'' which deals with the difficulties Vietnam veterans faced on returning from war.
** Jake has a unit patch which reads 27 IN crossed by a yellow lightning bolt. This may be a tribute to the [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/27th_Infantry_Regiment_%28United_States%29 27th Infantry Regiment,]] the Wolfhounds, of the United States Army, who were featured in the film ''[[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0049257/ Three Stripes In The Sun.]]'' This regiment was repeatedly deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan in the recent wars, but has a distinct insignia featuring a wolfhound instead of a lightning bolt.

* HouseFire: At the Raodhouse.

-->'''Sam:''' Andy wouldn’t do that. Ava, that line wasn’t broken when I left. Ava.
-->'''Ava:''' What? You don’t think that I -
-->'''Sam:''' I’ll tell you what I think. Five months. You’re the only one with all that time you can’t account for. And that headache you got? Right when the demon got Lily.
* IconicOutfit: Bobby Singer is wearing a trucker's hat with a white front and green bill, which he previously wore in [[Recap/SupernaturalS01E22DevilsTrap "Devil's Trap" (S01, Ep22)]] and [[Recap/SupernaturalS02E01InMyTimeOfDying "In My Time Of Dying" (S02, Ep01)]]. Bobby is also wearing a sweatshirt with a deer on it, a gray hunter's vest, and jeans.

-->'''Ava:''' I just can’t wait for this all to be over so I can just pretend it never happened. I just wanna curl up with Brady and watch bad TV.

* ImprovisedWeapon: The special children fight with what they find in Cold Oak.
** CarryABigStick: Sam picks up a wooden plank when he hears a creaking noise and almost hits Andy with this plank.

*** Jake pulls an iron spoke off of a wheel on a [[http://www.tractordata.co.uk/hart_parr/ Hart-Parr 18-36 tractor,]] which was built of channel and cast iron.
** AbsurdlySharpBlade: Dean finds an old Bowie knife with a swirled pattern resembling wood on the handle in a trunk.

* IntangibleTimeTravel: The Yellow-Eyed Demon takes Sam back to the night of Sam's 6 month birthday in a dream. No one is able to see or hear them, and they can not impact the events as they play out.

* InTheBack: [[spoiler: How Sam dies.]]

-->'''Jake:''' S-Sam, he’s not letting us go. Only one. Now, if we don’t play along, he’ll kill us both. Now, I-I like you, man. I do. But do the math here. What good’s it do for both of us to die?
* ItGetsEasier: [[spoiler:Ava's view of murder. She used to find it hard to do, but now she thinks it's kind of fun.]]
-->'''Ava:''' I had no choice. It's me or them. After a while, it was easy. It was even kind of fun. I just stopped fighting it.

-->'''Dean to Bobby:''' Well, how are we supposed to look for Sam? What, do we just close our eyes and point?

-->'''Jake:''' The only thing I’ve gotta do is stay away from whack-jobs, okay? I’ve heard enough. I’m better off on my own. FYI, so are you.
* JustBetweenYouAndMe: Ava can't help bragging a little before she decides to kill Sam.
-->'''Ava:''' Had you going though, didn’t I? [wiping away the tears which had been running down her cheeks] Yeah. I’ve been here a long time. And not alone, either. People just keep showing up. Children, like us. Batches of three or four at a time.

-->'''Ava:''' I’m the undefeated heavyweight champ.
* KickThemWhileTheyAreDown: PlayedStraight when Jake quite literally kicks Sam in the side while he is lying on the ground. Subverted when Sam knocks Jake out, Sam raises his arm to strike Jake again, but then lowers his arm and throws the piece of iron away.

* LetsSplitUpGang: When Ava disappears, Jake goes to search the barn and hotel, Sam goes to search the houses, and Andy remains in the salt lined room.
* LetsYouAndHimFight: The Yellow-Eyed Demon manipulates the special children to fight each other.
* LimitedWardrobe: All of the characters remain in the same clothes throughout this episode spanning 2 days. This is a JustifiedTrope as those at Cold Oak have no option and Dean, who is wearing his [[http://hells-half-acre.livejournal.com/117439.html blue jacket,]] [[http://hells-half-acre.livejournal.com/140656.html his red plaid shirt,]] and [[http://hells-half-acre.livejournal.com/143783.html a gray Henley,]] is too motivated to find his brother to worry about changing clothes.

* MindRape: Andy admits to beaming sexually explicit images into another guy's brain at all hours of the day because he thought the guy was a dick. This is [[BlackComedyRape played for comedy]] as the images consist of [[Main/DoubleStandardRapeMaleOnMale gay porn]].
* MisplacedVegetation: A forest in South Dakota is portrayed with [[TheOtherRainforest moss covered Redwood trees and a fern covered forest bed]].

** SubvertedTrope. Ava acts as if she does not realize that five months have passed. She says that she [[Recap/SupernaturalS02E10Hunted just saw Sam]] two days ago, but Ava is lying to deflect suspicion. She spent those five months training her abilities and learning to kill under the sway of the Yellow-Eyed Demon.

-->'''Sam:''' Well, you’ve been gone for five months. My brother and I have been looking for you everywhere.
-->'''Ava:''' Okay, that’s impossible, because I saw you two days ago.

-->'''Ash:''' I can’t talk over this line, Dean.
-->'''Dean:''' Come on, I don’t have time for this!

-->'''Eric Kripke:''' It’s so funny. We have a job and it's like, “Okay now we’re going to drip all this fake blood in a baby’s mouth…” Like, “Damnit it, the baby won’t do it!” It’s hilarious to me that that’s an obstacle.
-->'''Robert Singer:''' And before you even get there you have to go through, “Well it’s a baby… What can we actually put in there? What sort of liquid is okay that looks like blood?" It’s endless. Getting her up the wall was a lot easier than getting blood in the baby’s mouth.
* NewPowersAsThePlotDemands: This is a JustifiedTrope as the Special Children develop their powers with training and use. Andy has developed the ability to project images into another person's mind, Ava has [[spoiler:learned to control demons.]]

* NoCommunitiesWereHarmed: South Dakota [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ghost_towns_in_South_Dakota has its share of ghost towns,]] but Cold Oak, South Dakota, "a town so haunted, every single resident fled" does not exist.
* NonAnswer: The Yellow-Eyed Demon is very good at deflecting Sam's questions or only answering with an answer that he wants Sam to have.

-->'''Yellow-Eyed Demon:''' Well, there’s other generations, but let’s just worry about yours.

* NotAZombie: When Jake sees the blonde little girl all alone in the ghost town, he initially tries to help her, thinking she is lost and telling her not to be afraid. She lures him into the schoolroom and transforms into [[UndeadChild demonic form with claws and fangs]].
* TheNthDoctor: We first see the Yellow-Eyed Demon in the vessel of the janitor from the hospital in [[Recap/SupernaturalS02E01InMyTimeOfDying "In My Time Of Dying" (S02, Ep01)]], played by [[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0499791/?ref_=ttfc_fc_cl_t4 Fredric Lehne.]] However in the dream where they see what happened in Sam's nursery, the Yellow-Eyed Demon is in a different vessel who has a mole under his right eye and another mole on his left cheek.
* NuclearCandle: Most of the later scenes have only one light source. There is the kerosene lamp in the tractor barn, a group of 3 candles in the salt lined room, and a very bright moon.
* OffscreenTeleportation: Ava goes missing from the salt-lined room with 3 other people in it with no one noticing. We then see her sneaking from behind a building, and she just appears in the salt-lined room without Andy who is standing in the doorway noticing.

* OurDemonsAreDifferent: The [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acheri Acheri]] demon differs from other demons we have seen in that it seems to take the form of a child, but this form disappears when it [[SuperSmoke dissolves into black smoke]] suggesting this is not a [[MeatPuppet vessel]] but [[ShapeShifting a transformation]] which the demon likely [[AFormYouAreComfortableWith undergoes to trick humans]]. The Acheri demon still has the SuperStrength and SuperSpeed associated with other demons, as well as the same weaknesses of being [[WeaksauceWeakness unable to cross a line of salt]] or [[ColdIron touch iron]].

* PermaShave: Despite Sam and Dean being to busy to change their clothes, they still look clean shaven.

* PlaceOfProtection: Ava and Sam places a line of salt along the thresholds of the doorway and windows of a room, creating a boundary that demons cannot cross.

-->'''Yellow-Eyed Demon:''' You’re awfully quiet, Sam. You’re not mad at me, are you?
-->'''Sam:''' I’m gonna tear you to shreds, I swear to —
-->'''Yellow-Eyed Demon:''' [chuckles] When you wake up, Tiger, you give it your best shot.

** Once Sam finds himself in Cold Oak, he pulls his Verizon Motorola Q8 phone out of his pocket, but [[DestroyTheProductPlacement there is no reception]]. Sam had [[ContinuityNod the same]] model of phone in [[Recap/SupernaturalS02E18HollywoodBabylon "Hollywood Babylon" (S02, Ep18)]] and [[Recap/SupernaturalS02E20WhatIsAndWhatShouldNeverBe "What Is And What Should Never Be" (S02, Ep20)]].
** Ash is wearing a Nixon Super Hero II SS Tide Watch. Who knew Ash was a surfer? Perhaps even stranger than Ash wearing a watch that has tide information programmed for your local beach in Nebraska, Ash seems to be wearing the watch in dual time mode and assuming he is using central standard time for his primary time, his second time of 1:09 a.m. (17 hours ahead of his first time of 8:09 a.m.) puts him in the [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UTC+11:00 UTC +11 time zone,]] which includes Vladivostok, the Solomon Islands, and part of South East Australia during Daylight Savings Time.
* PropheticNames: Ash, considering the [[GallowsHumor state of his remains]].

** Ava puts her hands to her temples after Sam finds the knife. Sam is concerned she is having a vision, but she says she is just hungry. Later when she is alone with Andy and when Sam confronts her, she does the same thing.
** Dean grabs the sides of his head, first with his right hand but then with both hands, when he gets the visions.
* PunchedAcrossTheRoom: One punch from Jake sends Sam across the yard and through a fence.

-->'''Sam holding an iron poker:''' Just so you know. That was a demon.

* RedHerringMole: Initially Lily seems to be holding the VillainBall, as she is unknown to Sam, wears [[ExcessiveEvilEyeshadow a lot of eyeliner]], and has a [[LonersAreFreaks standoffish attitude]]. In addition, she has [[BadPowersBadPeople the power to kill by touching]], which is the same power the cat-killing Scott had. However, [[spoiler: Ava]] is the true villain among their midst.

* RunningGag: Dean once again does not get the pie. There is a menu on the wall of the Sunnyside Diner listing Janice's pies which include banana cream, Boston cream, coconut cream, lemon meringue, and apple. A slice of pie costs $1.65 and you can get it à la Mode for 50 cents. Dean was too distressed to think about pie after Sam's disappearance. Previously in [[Recap/SupernaturalS01E11Scarecrow "Scarecrow" (S01, Ep11)]], the sheriff made Dean leave town before he had a piece of the apple pie he ordered.
-->'''Dean:''' Hey, see if they’ve got any pie. [Sam slams the car door.] Bring me some pie! [[ThinkingOutLoud I love me some pie.]]
* {{Sadist}}: Ava seems to take pleasure in watching Andy suffer and die.
* SawedOffShotgun: Bobby carries a sawed off Remington Model 870. Dean carries a sawed off Zabala 12 gauge side by side shotgun.

* SceneryGorn: The destroyed Roadhouse. We see the charred monkey figurine, destroyed shotguns, and burnt clothes in the debris. We also see at least 3 badly burnt bodies, including a close up on one leg wearing an intact work boot and an arm with the skin peeling off.

** Mary screams as she is pulled on to the ceiling.
* [[ScrewthisImouttahere Screw This, I'm Outta Here!]]: Lily thinks "the only sane thing to do here is get the hell out of Dodge". When Sam reminds her that they are surrounded by miles of woods, she says it "beats hanging out with demons".
* SecurityCling: Once Sam releases Ava from the locked shed, she [[TheGlomp flings herself at him in an embrace]] [[CryIntoChest sobbing against his chest]].

* SheatheYourSword: Sam convinces Jake to put down his weapon after Sam puts down his knife. But this was a SubvertedTrope as Jake was not convinced and didn't really need a weapon with his SuperStrength.

** Andy refers to Cold Oak as [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frontierland "Frontierland",]] a reference to one of the themed lands at Ride/DisneyThemeParks.

** When a sobbing Ava says they should leave, Andy says, "[[StealthPun I second that emotion.]]" Likely a reference to the ''WesternAnimation/{{Futurama}}'' [[Recap/FuturamaS2E1ISecondThatEmotion episode]] with the same [[PunBasedTitle name]].

** Ava says, "If not for bad luck, we'd have no luck at all." This may be reference to Music/RayCharles's song "If It Wasn't For Bad Luck", but it could also be an allusion to the often covered [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Born_Under_a_Bad_Sign_%28song%29 song]] by [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_King Albert King]] [[Recap/SupernaturalS02E14BornUnderABadSign "Born Under a Bad Sign"]] as these lyrics are repeated in the chorus.
** The Yellow-Eyed Demon says "Welcome to the Miss America pageant," comparing the competition among the Special Children to a BeautyContest.

-->'''Sam:''' We’re looking for iron, silver, salt –- any kind of weapon.

-->'''Sam:''' It’s a brave new world.

Sam is transported to [[NoCommunitiesWereHarmed Cold Oak]], [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Dakota South Dakota,]] by the Yellow-Eyed demon. Dean is desperate to find his brother.

* [[YMMV/SupernaturalS02E21AllHellBreaksLoosePartOne Your Mileage May Vary (YMMV) Items.]]

** The "Push" sign on the door to the cobbler's shop seems out of place in a town which seems to have been abandoned in the later half of the 19th century.
** The tractor which Sam and Jake pull apart is a [[http://hartparrtractors.tripod.com/1836.html Hart-Parr 18-36,]] which were manufactured between 1926 and 1930, making it unlikely to be found in a town that was probably abandoned in the 1890's or earlier.
* AnyoneCanDie: [[spoiler: Ash, Andy, Ava and Sam.]]

-->'''Ava:''' Sam, I’m sorry. Psychics and spoon-bending is one thing, but demons?
-->'''Sam:''' Look, I know it sounds crazy, but —
-->'''Jake:''' It doesn’t just sound it.

* BadassFingersnap: When the Yellow-Eyed Demon snaps his fingers he and Sam are transported to Sam's nursery on the night of Sam's 6 month birthday. He snaps his fingers again and the dream ends.

* BarehandedBarBending: Sam tries to loosen one of the spokes from the steel tractor wheels by repeatedly banging on it with the fireplace poker from the schoolroom. Jake simply grabs the spoke with his bare-hand and pulls it off the wheel.
* BareYourMidriff: We have a male example, with Sam's [[http://hells-half-acre.livejournal.com/183224.html striped button up shirt]] and t-shirt riding up as he lays unconscious to reveal the top of his black briefs above his jeans.

* BigBrotherInstinct: Dean is desperate to find Sam. While Sam finds himself having to step into the big brother role for the others.

-->'''Dean holding Sam:''' No. No, no, no, no, no, no. Oh, God. Oh, God.

* [[BitchINSheepsClothing Bitch In Sheep's Clothing]]: Ava.

* BlessedWithSuck: Lily is pissed that the other special children gets powers like {{Precognition}} and SuperStrength when hers is that she kills anyone she touches. [[AccidentalMurder Including her girlfriend.]]
* BlondesAreEvil: The Acheri demon.

* BloodMagic: The Yellow-Eyed Demon's blood transformed the Special Children when he fed it to them as infants. It also appears that when a demon takes a vessel, the vessel's blood takes on the demon's magical properties as the Yellow-Eyed demon is shown cutting his vessel's wrist to feed baby Sam.
* BorrowedCatchphrase: Sam usurps Dean's line, when Sam says "You son of a bitch." to the Yellow-Eyed Demon,

-->'''Anndy:''' Give me a minute. I’m still working through, “Demons are real”.
* BuryYourGays: [[LipstickLesbian Lily]] is the first of the Special Children to die in this episode.

** The lines the Yellow-Eyed Demon and Sam exchange about the whereabouts of Dean are almost the same as the ones Sam exchanged with the Shapeshifter in [[Recap/SupernaturalS01E06Skin "Skin" (S01, Ep06)]].

-->'''Yellow-Eyed Demon:''' Quit worrying about Dean. I’d worry more about yourself.
** The scene of Mary seeing someone beside Sam's crib and [[MistakenIdentity thinking it is John]] followed by her realizing it is not her husband and returning [[AdultFear in fear]] is replicated from the [[Recap/SupernaturalS01E01Pilot Pilot]]. But this time, we see that Mary recognized the Yellow-Eyed Demon when he turned around and she saw his eyes. We again see the silhouette of a man with his jacket collar turned up beside the crib. The [[PropRecycling yellow moon nightlight, crib, and baseball mobile,]] seem to be the same in both episodes, but some of the other details are different. The dialogue is almost the same between the two episodes, except for Sam's unheard interruptions, that Mary says "okay" instead of "all right", and the addition of Mary's "It's you!".

** Mary is wearing [[LimitedWardrobe the same]] [[WomanInWhite white nightgown]] with a lace collar, rose ribbon, and lace trimmed short sleeves, that she was wearing in the [[Recap/SupernaturalS01E01Pilot Pilot]], [[Recap/SupernaturalS01E09Home "Home" (S01, Ep09)]], and [[Recap/SupernaturalS02E20WhatIsAndWhatShouldNeverBe "What Is And What Should Never Be" (S02, Ep20)]].

-->'''Ava:''' But… that makes no sense. That’s not—oh my God! My fiancé, Brady! If I’ve been missing for that long, he must be freaking out!
-->'''Sam:''' Well…

* CatScare: As Sam explores the abandoned town, he hears a creaking noise. Sam picks up a wooden plank and starts to swing as [[FriendOrFoe someone]] walks around the corner. Sam halts his swing as he realizes the person is [[DontSneakUpOnMeLikeThat Andy, who ducks terrified]].

* [[ChekhovSGun Chekhov's Gun]]: After Ash hangs up the phone, a nervous Ash wipes his face and then looks at his watch. The camera {{zoom}}s in on Ash's Nixon Super Hero watch, which we will see again.

-->'''Jake:''' So, we’re soldiers in a demon war to bring on the Apocalypse?
-->'''Sam:''' When you put it like that—
-->'''Jake:''' And, and we’ve been picked?
* CloseupOnHead: We see Sam lying with his eyes closed [[DramaticWind as the wind plays with his hair.]] The camera pulls back to show that Sam is lying on a broken wooden structure surrounded by abandoned buildings.
* ComboPlatterPowers: While most of the Special Children have PsychicPowers, some also have SuperStrength or TouchOfDeath.

** Sam points out that they were all brought together by the Yellow-Eyed Demon and have special abilities, and whether they like it or not, they are going to have to work together.

-->'''Sam:''' Are you sure it’s not some kind of —
-->'''Ava:''' What? Some kind of freaky vision thing? No, more like I’d kill for a sandwich. I haven’t eaten since… well, who knows? No, don’t worry. I’m fine. Except for every single thing that’s happening.

** Andy is wearing the same beaded necklace and a medallion and dog tag on a leather strap, which he wore in [[Recap/SupernaturalS02E05SimonSaid "Simon Said" (S02, Ep05)]].
** Lily describes Andy's power as "So, you go, 'Simon says give me your wallet', and they do?". This is likely a reference to the title of the episode where Andy first appears, [[Recap/SupernaturalS02E05SimonSaid "Simon Said" (S02, Ep05)]].
** Bobby is driving the 1968 Ford F-350, which is painted baby blue and has a towing hook and chain on the front bumper, which was previously seen in [[Recap/SupernaturalS01E22DevilsTrap "Devil's Trap" (S01, Ep22)]].
* ConvenientlyTimedAttackFromBehind: The Acheri demon has Jake cornered in the schoolroom, when Sam comes from behind with the iron poker.

* {{Cowboy}}: Ash is disturbed when a man, wearing a cowboy hat with the brim covering his eyes and a jacket with a shearling collar, walks by as Ash is talking to Dean on the phone. Later, we see this charred cowboy hat among the ruins of the Roadhouse.
* CowerPower: When they find Lily's body, Ava covers her mouth as if she is going to be sick, and Andy hugs his arms around himself. They both have trouble looking at the body. While Jake and Sam are unflinching and seem to stand taller.
* CreatorProvincialism: When trying to search for Sam, Bobby and Dean look at an interstate map of the United States and bemoan the lack of any demonic activity. Evidently they did not consider looking for demonic activity in other countries or consider that a demon from hell may take Sam over national borders. Also unless the Yellow-Eyed Demon is performing separate trials in other nations, it seems that all of the Special Children are Americans.
-->'''Dean to Ash:''' Oh, come on, man! You’ve gotta give us something. We’re looking at a three thousand-mile haystack here.
* CreepyChild: The Acheri demon preying on the special children. It appears as a little girl, but when it's about to attack, its face changes, its teeth and nails grow long and sharp, and its eyes turn demonic. It never talks, but can be heard giggling in some scenes.
* CrocodileTears: [[spoiler:Ava pretends to break down into hysterical sobbing to fool the others and keep them from knowing that she's the killer among them.]] After Sam wises up, [[spoiler:Ava gets eerily calm, wipes away her fake tears, and starts talking about how she'd had him going for awhile there.]]

-->'''Ava:''' Who we are, Sam. If you'd just quit your hand-wringing and open yourself up, you have no idea what you can do. The learning curve is so fast, it’s crazy, the switches that just flip in your brain. (laughs) I can’t believe I started out just having dreams. Do you know what I can do now?

* DeadlyDodging: Sam ducks out of the way as Jake punches resulting in Jake's fist going through a wooden trough and getting stuck.

-->'''Yellow-Eyed Demon:''' Welcome to the Miss America pageant. Why do you think you’re here? This is a competition. Only one of you crazy kids is gonna make it out of here alive.
-->'''Sam:''' I thought we were supposed to be —
-->'''Yellow-Eyed Demon:''' Soldiers in a coming war? That’s true. You are. But here’s the thing: I don’t need soldiers. I need ''soldier''. I just need the one.

-->'''Ava:''' Don’t think God has much to do with this, Sam.
* DiedInYourArmsTonight: [[spoiler: Sam in Dean's arms.]]

* DirtForcefield: Initially [[AvertedTrope averted]], when Sam stands up from lying on the ground and has dirt smudges and dried grass stuck to the back of his [[http://hells-half-acre.livejournal.com/120687.html tan jacket.]] Later it is PlayedStraight, when Sam's jacket is perfectly clean (the dirt and grass stains having disappeared) throughout the rest of the episode. These stains are later replaced by a large blood stain when Jake stabs Sam in the back. This jacket has already recovered remarkably from the blood stains that covered it in [[Recap/SupernaturalS01E22DevilsTrap "Devil's Trap" (S01, Ep22)]] and [[Recap/SupernaturalS02E01InMyTimeOfDying "In My Time Of Dying" (S02, Ep01)]].
* DisposingOfABody: AvertedTrope. Basides [[spoiler:Sam's body]], we [[WhatHappenedtothemouse never know what happens]] to all the bodies at the diner, Roadhouse, and Cold Oak. We do not see Dean or Bobby alerting the authorities or burning/burying any of the bodies.

-->'''Sam:''' I don’t know.

-->'''Sam:''' I don’t know.

* [[DontGointheWoods Don't Go In The Woods]]: Lily does not heed this advice.
* DramaticThunder: Thunder rumbles overhead when Jake leaves the other Special Children and walks by the schoolroom. There is another rumble when they find the bell with an icon of a tree on its side.

* EpicRocking: Music/{{Boston}}'s "Foreplay" plays through The Road So Far, and "Long Time" seamlessy starts to play as TheTeaser begins.
* EruditeStoner: Both Ash and Andy have mellow laid back attitudes, but Ash uncovered information on the Yellow-Eyed Demon, and Andy developed his abilities enough to send telepathic images.
* [[EverythingsbetterWithMonkeys Everything's Better With Monkeys]]: When the scene of Ash calling from the Roadhouse opens, the camera scans over a chipped figurine of an OrganGrinder monkey, who has a [[CymbalBangingMonkey creepy smile]], sitting next to the salt and pepper shakers. The monkey is seen among the debris after the Roadhouse is consumed by fire.

* FaceHeelTurn: What has happened to Ava in the five months she was gone.

* FaintingSeer: When Dean gets the first vision, he grabs his head and leans against the car. When the second stronger vision occurs he holds his head and collapses to his knees.

* FiveManBand: The five special children at Cold Oak fall into these roles rather neatly.
** TheHero [=/=] TheLeader: Sam. He's TheHero of the group, the most heroic as well as the only many character in a muddle of one-off and two-off characters. As the member of the group with the most experience and knowledge of the supernatural world by far, he also falls into the role of TheLeader, trying to keep them everybody safe, informed, and relatively calm. His job is not easy.

** TheBigGuy: Sam ''and'' Jake. Sam is the most combat capable of the psychics against the Acheri, having been trained a hunter. Jake is a U.S. soldier, making him almost on par with Sam in terms of fighting ability and vastly superior to the rest of the psychics in terms of pure [[SuperStrength strength]]; while he isn't stupid, he is quieter than the others.
** TheChick: Also, Sam ''and'' Ava. Sam works to keep them together and connects with each of them emotionally. Helping him is that he has pre-established relationships (or at least acquaintances) with two of the other psychics. [[DistaffCounterpart Ava]] is perhaps most emotionally connected to him (which is why [[spoiler:her betrayal came as such a shock]]) and is the most emotional in general of the group.

** [[spoiler:TheMole: Ava's true place in the FiveManBand.]]

-->'''Dean:''' Hey, look at me. It’s not even that bad. It’s not even that bad, all right? Sammy? Sam! Hey, listen to me. We’re gonna patch you up, okay? You’ll be good as new. Huh? I’m gonna take care of you. I’m gonna take you care of you. I’ve got you. That’s my job, right? Watch out for my pain-in-the-ass little brother? Sam? Sam! Sam! Sammy!

-->'''Sam:''' I think I know where we are now - Cold Oak, South Dakota. A town so haunted, every single resident fled.
-->'''[[DeadpanSnarker Ava:]]''' Swell. Good to know we’re somewhere so historical.

* FreezeFrameBonus: Postcards, business cards, and a guest check, are stuck on the post next to the phone in the Roadhouse. These include a business card for Expresso Land, Broken Toys, who provides towing and scrap removal, and [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angela_James Angela James.]] There is also a postcard from [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oakland,_California Oakland]] and another postcard showing a painting by [[http://nvartscouncil.ca/user/496 Sharon Quirke.]]

* DeggansRule: Failed. Jake is the only non-white character.

* TheBechdelTest: Failed. Ava and Lily do not have a conversation.

** When Sam is teaching the others about fighting demons, he says, "It's a Main/BraveNewWorld."

Sam tells Jake that he thinks they can make it out of Cold Oak, now that Ava is no longer controlling the Acheri demon. Jake says he is sorry, but the Yellow-Eyed Demon spoke to him and he knows that only one of them will make it out. Sam says they can not listen to the Yellow-Eyed Demon and that Jake can trust him. Sam puts his knife on the ground. Jake puts his steel spoke on the ground, but as he stands up, he punches Sam across the field and through a fence. Jake goes to kick Sam in the side, but Sam manages to kick Jake and get up. They exchange blows, and Jake fractures Sam's left shoulder. Sam ducks one of Jake's blows, and Jake gets his fist stuck in a wooden trough. Sam is able to get the steel spoke and knocks Jake out. Sam lifts the spoke again preparing to strike the still Jake, but then drops the spoke. He hears Dean calling his name, and walks toward Dean and Bobby. Dean yells "Sam, look out!" as Jake stabs Sam through the back with the Bowie knife. Dean catches Sam as he collpses, and Bobby takes off after Jake. Dean tries to tell Sam it is not that bad, as Sam's eyes close and he slumps forward. A crying Dean continues to hold his little brother.

Sam tells Jake that he thinks they can make it out of Cold Oak, now that Ava is no longer controlling the Acheri demon.

* SayMyName

* SingleTear: Ava has one tear run down her right cheek after they find Lily's body.

* PunchedAcrossTheRoom

* GoodGunsBadGuns: Dean is packing his nickel plated engraved Colt MKIV [[{{Handguns}} M1911A1]] with a pearl grip. We [[ContinuityNod previously saw]] Dean use this gun in [[Recap/SupernaturalS01E06Skin "Skin" (S01, Ep06)]], [[Recap/SupernaturalS01E17HellHouse "Hell House" (S01, Ep17)]], [[Recap/SupernaturalS01E22DevilsTrap "Devil's Trap" (S01, Ep22)]], [[Recap/SupernaturalS02E03Bloodlust "Bloodlust" (S02, Ep03)]], [[Recap/SupernaturalS02E04ChildrenShouldntPlayWithDeadThings "Children Shouldn't Play With Dead Things" (S02, Ep04)]], [[Recap/SupernaturalS02E05SimonSaid "Simon Said" (S02, Ep05)]], [[Recap/SupernaturalS02E09Croatoan "Croatoan" (S02, Ep09)]], [[Recap/SupernaturalS02E14BornUnderABadSign "Born Under a Bad Sign" (S02, Ep14)]], and [[Recap/SupernaturalS02E17Heart "Heart" (S02, Ep17)]]. Sam used this gun in [[Recap/SupernaturalS01E16Shadow "Shadow" (S01, Ep16)]] and [[Recap/SupernaturalS01E18SomethingWicked "Something Wicked" (S01, Ep18)]].

* InvoluntaryBattleToTheDeath:

* SawedOffShotgun: Bobby carries a sawed off Remington Model 870.

Sam wakes up to Jake saying that Ava is missing. Sam and Jake rush outside, and Jake goes to search the barn and hotel while Sam goes to search the houses for Ava. They agree to meet back at the safe room in 10 minutes. Ava is seen sneaking back in the direction of the safe room. Andy stares outside the door of the room lined with salt. Ava appears behind him and draws her finger through the line of salt on one of the window sills. Andy turns around and is surprised to see Ava. Ava places her hands on her temples and concentrates. Black smoke pours through the broken line of salt on the windowsill and takes the monstrous child form of the Acheri demon. The demon attacks Andy, tearing open his stomach. Ava smiles down at Andy's body, and then screams. Sam hears the scream and runs back to the safe room. Ava says she just found Andy's body like this. But, Sam sees the broken line of salt on the windowsill and works out that Ava is using the Acheri demon to kill for her. When Ava realizes that Sam has figured this out, she wipes away the false tears on her cheeks and starts to gloat about how she has killed so many others, always arriving in groups of 3 or 4, and remains the champion. Once she stopped fighting it, her powers expanded and she began to have fun.

** Ava puts her hands to her temples after Sam finds the knife. Sam is concerned she is having a vision, but she says she is just hungry. Later when she is alone with Andy, she does the same thing.

* SuperSmoke: The Acheri demon dissolves into black smoke when Sam swings the poker. When Ava breaks the line of salt, the black smoke pours through this break in the line on the windowsill and reforms into the monstrous form of the little girl.

Sam wakes up to Jake saying that Ava is missing. Sam and Jake rush outside, and Jake goes to search the barn and hotel while Sam goes to search the houses for Ava. They agree to meet back at the safe room in 10 minutes. Ava is seen sneaking back in the direction of the safe room. Andy stares outside the door of the room lined with salt. Ava appears behind him and draws her finger through the line of salt on one of the window sills. Andy turns around and is surprised to see Ava. Ava places her hands on her temples and concentrates. Black smoke pours through the broken line of salt on the windowsill and takes the monstrous child form of the Acheri demon. The demon attacks Andy, tearing open his stomach. Ava smiles down at Andy's body, and then screams. Sam hears the scream and runs back to the safe room. Ava says she just found Andy's body like this.

-->'''Sam:''' Look, if you want to stat alive, you're gonna have to.

* ThereCanOnlyBeOne: The Yellow-Eyed Demon wants his psychics to kill each other until only one remains. The victor will go on to lead an armies from Hell and presumably start the [[EndOfTheWorld end of the world]].