Supernatural Review: Hell’s Angel (Season 11 Episode 18)
Can someone hand Mischa Collins all of the awards for his performance as Castiel/Lucifer this season?
Supernatural gets back to business in “Hell’s Angel” and makes sure that we understand that although the major story has been absent, it’s still serious business.
While the hour’s main focus relies heavier on the mythos that the series has become known for, it’s also an hour that gives the supporting characters who’ve been recently sidelined a chance to shine.
Sam and Dean desperately try to exorcise Lucifer out of Castiel, with less than desirable results, and they also seek help from Crowley, a character I’ve sorely missed in recent Monster of the Week episodes.
And surprise! Rowena is resurrected to help Amara, but switches sides, as usual, and we’re right back where we started.
The horn doesn’t work against the Darkness, even in the hands of Lucifer. This is a conundrum that the Winchesters didn’t bank on, nor did Castiel when he gave Lucifer access to his skin.
And from where we leave Lucifer and Amara, it looks like he’s taking quite a beating from the Darkness.
So what WILL defeat Amara? What is going to turn the tables and give the Winchesters the win? That’s the million-dollar question at hand.
My guess only leads to Chuck, who we’ve not seen since the series’ 200th episode, back at the beginning of Season 10. And I remind readers that the high speculation amongst Supernatural‘s longtime fans is that Chuck is, indeed, God.
It makes sense for God to show up now, doesn’t it? He’s been a character on the series since the Angels story line began over 7 years ago. He stood at the sidelines while Dean and Sam fought Lucifer, not actually showing up to show his support. Wouldn’t it make sense, now, for him to make an appearance as the Winchesters do everything in their power, sacrificing a great deal to overthrow Amara?
I say yes. In fact, I’ve been awaiting God’s arrival since the revelation that Amara is his sister.
While Lucifer tries to rally the angels in Heaven, unsuccessfully, we get a great glimpse into what’s actually happening inside of Castiel when Crowley steps inside the vessel.
Castiel is just passing the time watching television while Lucifer does his work. It’s an amazing scene where we are treated to a cameo by Mark Pellegrino as Lucifer and we see that Castiel is still warmed by Dean’s loyal friendship to him.
Sam is really the one who continues to keep the perspective throughout the hour as Dean brainstorms ways to free Castiel of Lucifer. Sam reminds his brother that Castiel CHOSE this. He gave Lucifer permission to use him as a vessel, completely under the guise that Lucifer has the ability to beat Amara, simpley because he’s done it before.
But he can’t defeat her this time despite every effort he puts forth.
It’s a moment when I feel oddly sad for Lucifer. I do honestly believe that Lucifer thinks he can take on the Darkness and win on his own. Lucifer is a cocky sumbitch. Of course he thinks he can.
But damn, the bra-less wonder Amara strikes again, striking down anyone and anything that stands in her way. She’s so bad-ass that it hurts.
Fortunately, there was nothing romantically uncomfortable between Amara and Dean to delve into, but I’m sure that there will be as the weeks progress.
For now though, it seems that everyone is right back at square one.
It’s not a bad place for the Winchesters to be in, but it’s a place I’d prefer that the writers stick with before giving us another filler episode.
The episodes that feature the ensemble are really the best that Supernatural has to offer. While filler episodes are fun, they do grow tiresome, especially with a villain as fabulously fun as Amara is.
Where will Sam and Dean go from here when they return on April 27th? Well, here’s a preview for you:
Yep, it looks like we’re in for another filler episode. We have, however, been fooled before by promos, so fingers crossed, this one will still give us a healthy dose of the bigger story at hand.
What did you think of this episode of Supernatural? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Supernatural airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on The CW.
Christine Laskodi
Christine is guilty of watching Hart of Dixie more times than the average human will in their lifetime. She's the host of Long Live the Hart: A Hart of Dixie Podcast (available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!) as well as co-host on The Shipping Room, a podcast devoted to television's greatest relationships. You can find some of her older television reviews at TV Fanatic and IGN. Christine eagerly anticipates every cheesy holiday movie that networks can throw at her, and current favorite shows include The Good Place, The Resident, Shark Tank, and All Rise.
One thought on “Supernatural Review: Hell’s Angel (Season 11 Episode 18)”
I don’t know, I really liked this episode but Misha seems to be channeling Metatron instead of Lucifer. I know it is the way he is being written but Metatron is not my favorite character (the endless mugging and monologue’s are just tedious) and Lucifer is/was one of the best written and most menacing characters ever created for SPN. Now he is being played like a smarmy game show host.
For this writing team where expectations were very low the episode came out much better than I thought it would. Crowley (and Mark Shepard was outstanding) was awesome, Amara wasn’t as annoying as usual and I was glad to see Rowena back. I was interested from beginning to end..
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