Point Of No Return

Dean: Screw destiny right in the face. I say we take the fight to them, do it our way.

Sam: Sounds good.

Written by Jeremy Carver.

Directed by Philip Sgriccia.

Air Date: April 15, 2010.

Sam and Dean's half-brother Adam has been resurrected by the angels, who have told him that he is going to be Michael's vessel and save the world. Sam, Cas, and Bobby hold Adam at Bobby's house, along with Dean, who has lost all hope and intends to say yes to Michael as soon as he can. Dean is locked in the panic room, but he manages to escape. He goes to the nearest missionary and tries to call Zachariah, but Cas finds him first. Furious, he gives Dean a good smackdown before taking him back to Bobby's.

Meanwhile, Adam has spoken to Zachariah in a dream and has been zapped away to the angelic green room. Zachariah explains that Adam is nothing but bait for the other two brothers, who he expects will put aside their differences for the rescue. Sam and Dean do exactly that. Dean is skeptical and warns Sam that he will say yes, but Sam says that he trusts Dean will do the right thing. Cas tells them there are five angels there along with Adam, and goes in first to take out the four guards. He carves the angel-banishing sigil into his chest with a box cutter, kills the first guard, and banishes the other three, taking himself with them. The way clear, Sam and Dean break into the green room, and Zachariah begins killing Sam and Adam to force Dean to say yes. Dean does, but then tells Zachariah that one of his conditions is that Michael kill Zachariah first. In the resulting confusion, Dean stabs Zachariah and kills him. Sam and Dean escape, but Adam gets left behind as Michael arrives and the room falls apart.

Body count

For this episode = 6 humans and 4 angels.

For the series so far = At least 385 humans (of which 6 were witches), 61 demons, 33 ghosts, 19 zombies, 11 vampires, 9 angels, 9 hellhounds, 6 changelings, 4 gods, 3 shapeshifters, 2 ghouls, 2 werewolves, 2 dogs, 1 crocotta, 1 djinn, 1 rakshasa, 1 rawhead, 1 reaper, 1 rugaru, 1 shtriga, 1 siren, 1 wendigo, 1 whore of Babylon, and 1 wraith.

Tropes

Abandoned Playground: Adam's dream takes place in one. It's the playground his mom used to take him on her day off.
Abandoned Warehouse: Turns out this is where Heaven's green room is. Dean is incredulous, as he figured it was on another planet or maybe inside a blade of grass.
Action Prologue: It seems like the episode is starting off quietly in a bar. Wait, Zachariah's there. Then Michael appears in his true form, causing earthquake-like vibrations and setting all the humans in the room on fire. Light Is Not Good indeed.
Beware the Nice Ones: "Word to the wise: don't piss off the nerd angels."
Berserk Button:
- "I REBELLED FOR THIS?! So you could surrender to them?!"
- Zachariah torturing Sam and Adam for his petty amusement wasn't a good idea either.
Back from the Dead: Adam is resurrected to serve as Michael's vessel, since Dean won't play ball. Except that's a complete lie.
The Bait/Relative Button: Adam is actually around to lure the Winchesters into a trap.
Blood from the Mouth: Adam and Sam, courtesy of Zachariah. Seems to be the bastard's MO.
Call-Back: Bobby's panic room is used to hold Dean this time.
Character Development: Sam's is Discussed.
Continuity Nod
- Adam appears again after being killed off in "Jump the Shark" (S04, E19).
- The scene around Adam's gravesite mirrors Dean's in "Lazarus Rising" (S04, E01).
- Adam is transported to the same green room (with the same beer and burgers) as Dean was in "Lucifer Rising" (S04, E22).
Zachariah: I see you and your brother share the same refined palate.
- Bobby is furious that Dean wants to say yes to Michael and essentially commit suicide, since Bobby himself is suicidal but chooses not to do himself in because he promised Dean he wouldn't.
Curb-Stomp Battle: Cas beating the crap out of Dean, who doesn't get to throw a single punch. Although Dean may have chosen not fight back, feeling badly about banishing Cas in the first place.
Death Seeker: Dean, big time. His plan to say yes to Michael is treated as suicide and his behavior, saying goodbye, packing up things and making arrangements for loved ones, is similar to someone planning to die. Additionally, when Cas, who could easily kill him, is beating him up, Dean doesn't fight back and dares Cas to do it.
Designated Bullet: Bobby has one set aside if he's ever Driven to Suicide.
Despair Event Horizon:
- Dean has gone over it and is willing to say yes to Michael. He's pulled back by the end of the episode.
- Having already crossed the horizon when it comes to God, Cas shows shades of this toward Dean near the end of the episode, when he bluntly tells Dean that he doesn't have faith in him, and that if he dies, at least he won't have to watch Dean fail. He still goes through with the plan, though.
Dissonant Serenity: Zachariah cheerfully sings and whistles as he leaves a bar that Michael is in the process of utterly destroying. This cements Zachariah's Jerkassery (if it wasn't already obvious).
Distinction Without a Difference: "We didn't lie. We just avoided certain truths to manipulate you."
Door Slam of Rage: When Sam asks Castiel to let him talk to Dean alone, Cas telekinetically slams the panic room's door shut in their face while glaring at Dean.
Dramatic Irony:
Stuart: [to Zachariah] What was your "crime against humanity"?
Drowning My Sorrows/A Shared Suffering: Stuart and Zachariah bond over getting screwed over by their bosses. Not enough for Zach to mind when Michael kills Stuart, of course...
The End Is Nigh: The Bible-holding man on the street whom Dean approaches in order to contact Zachariah.
Free-Range Children: Adam, since his mother had to work and John wasn't around.
From a Certain Point of View: Because Zachariah is a manipulative Jerkass.
He's Back!: The second Dean flashes that smirk of his, we all know he's finally come back to his senses.
Homoerotic Subtext/Belligerent Sexual Tension:
- Castiel furiously reminds Dean, after they discover Adam's been brought back as a potential Plan B, that Dean is planning to say yes to Michael:
  Dean: Alright, you know what? Blow me, Cas.
  - Blooper to the rescue!◊
- Dean sees Castiel glaring at him:
  Dean: Well, Cas, not for nothing, but the last person who looked at me like that—I got laid.
Human Notepad/Battle Strip: Cas carves the Enochian symbol of angel banishment into his own chest.
Iconic Item: Dean packs up his leather jacket, the keys to the Impala, and his Colt .45 in a box to mail to Bobby.
I Shall Taunt You: Dean can't take Zachariah in a straight fight, but he can provoke him into dropping his guard and getting within angel-sword range. It works.
It's All About Me: Zachariah.
Adam: You son of a bitch.
Zachariah: Hey, how do you think I feel? I'm the one that's gotta put up with that dumb, slack-jawed look on your face.
Killed Off for Real: Zachariah.
Literal-Minded: More Homoerotic Subtext.
"Blow me, Cas!" [Castiel gives Dean a puzzled look]
Meaningful Echo: What Zachariah says about Sam and Dean being each others' Achilles Heels.
Mood Whiplash: "Oh, when the saints go marching in."
Morton's Fork: Poor Zachariah's situation. Michael has given him one last chance to coerce Dean into admitting Michael into his body, with the clear condition that if he fails, he gets torched into nonexistence. Dean eventually caves and is willing to host Michael...if he first torches Zachariah into nonexistence. And the worst part is, Zach did this to himself by being a ruthless, petty, spiteful, condescending, overlord-ing Smug Snake at every available moment, and has only himself to blame for Dean hating him as much as he does and never thinking it might come back to bite him.
No-Holds-Barred Beatdown: Technically, Cas probably did hold back a bit, since Dean didn't die instantly, but he sure beats the hell out of him.
The Power of Love: Mentioned, jokingly. Although Dean not wanting to let down Sam keeps him from saying yes.
Sam: There's another way.
Adam: Great. What is it?
Dean: Well, we're working on "The Power of Love".
Adam: How's that going?
Dean: Mmm. Not good.
- Doubles as a Rewatch Bonus since Sam and Dean's love for each other is more or less what puts Lucifer back in the Cage.
Rage Breaking Point: Castiel is clearly angry at Dean for deciding to say yes to Michael, but limits his displeasure to sharp comments and silent glares. After Dean banishes him and escapes the panic room, however, Cas snaps and delivers a No-Holds-Barred Beatdown to Dean, railing at him the whole time for wanting to waste all that Cas has sacrificed.
Secret Message Wink: Dean is pretending to give in to the demands of the evil angel Zachariah to become the host for the Archangel Michael. While Zachariah recites a spell to summon Michael, Dean looks over at Sam and gives him a winking nod to assure him he's got an ace up his sleeve.
Screw Destiny: Dean uses the exact words at the end of the episode.
Shirtless Scene: A rather non-Fanservicy variation — Cas rips his shirt off to reveal his chest... which is covered in a bloody Enochian symbol that he carved into his chest with a box cutter.
Suddenly Shouting: Zachariah at one point.
Zachariah: Let me tell you something. I was on the fast track once. Employee of the month, every month, forever. I would walk these halls and people would AVERT THEIR EYES! I HAD RESPECT!
Thicker Than Water: Despite not really knowing Adam and Zachariah's warning that Dean and Sam would prioritize each other over Adam, the Winchester brothers attempt to save Adam from Zachariah's apocalyptic plan.
Trap Is the Only Option: Everyone knows that Adam is being used as The Bait, so they go in pretty prepared.
Ungrateful Bastard: Cas accuses Dean of being this before beating him up.
Castiel: I gave everything for you. And this is what you give to me.
Wham Episode: Double Subversion: Dean doesn't actually say yes, but Zachariah dies and Michael might have a new vessel anyway.
Wham Line:
Dean: I don't believe...in you.
What the Hell, Hero?: The rest of Team Free Will are pretty incredulous when they find out that Dean was willing to say yes to Michael despite all they've been through.
You Cannot Grasp the True Form: While true in every episode with angels, notably in this episode with Michael, as he kills several innocent humans in the beginning when talking to Zachariah. Considering he is supposed to be the Big Good in God's absence, this is one of the first signs that, despite his fancy speech in "The Song Remains the Same" (S05, E13), he is as much of a self-righteous dick as any other angel and view humans as nothing. Also near the end of the episode.
You Have Failed Me: Zachariah fully expects this at the beginning of the episode, but Michael gives him one more chance. Zachariah later notes that for angels, a "firing" is pretty literal.
You Have Outlived Your Usefulness: Dean declares that Michael can't have him unless he inflicts this on Zachariah. After all, who's more important to him now?
Zachariah: You listen to me - you are nothing but a maggot, inside a worm's ass. Do you know who I am?! After I deliver you to Michael?
Dean: Expendable.
You Wouldn't Like Me When I'm Angry!: Castiel learns that Dean intends to say yes to Michael. And for the first time in the series, Cas — who has barely reached Tranquil Fury a few times — completely loses his temper and beats the living shit out of Dean in a fit of rage.
You're Not My Father: Dean to Bobby. Adam when talking about John.

Recap / Supernatural S 05 E 18 Point Of No Return

Point Of No Return

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Recap / Supernatural S 05 E 18 Point Of No Return

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Point Of No Return

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