Lower Decks

Supernatural
“When The Levee Breaks”
Originally Broadcast Thursday, May 7th, 2009

In my review of last week’s episode (“The Rapture”) I stated that the final showdown between Sam and Dean Winchester was finally here. I may have been a bit premature. There was a showdown between the brothers in “When the Levee Breaks” but whether or not it was the final showdown remains to be seen. The season finale airs next week. We’ll see how things stand when it ends.

As for “When the Levee Breaks,” it was an episode more concerned with setting things up for the finale than resolving anything. That’s understandable. But it made for a really boring episode.

As has been the case time and time again this season, the lighting in this episode was terrible. I don’t know why the cinematography is so darn dark all the time. It’s often difficult, if not impossible, to see more than shapes on any of my televisions. I have to say that really detracts from the enjoyment of watching the series.

Because so much of “When the Levee Breaks” consisted of talking, and the sound on my television works just fine, I don’t think I missed much of anything. The episode opens with Sam still trapped in Bobby’s demon-proof silo. He starts hallucinating that he’s being tortured by Alastair, converses with his younger self and later his mother, and argues with Dean.

I’m not sure whether Alastair was actually responsible for the hallucinations or if Sam was simply in the throes of withdrawal. Either way he wasn’t having a pleasant time. Dean strikes a deal with Castiel whereby he’ll be the “chosen one” to avert the Apocalypse and Sam, supposedly, will be fine. Bobby, though, wonders if Sam is only way to stop Lilith. Dean is adamant: he doesn’t want his brother turning into (more) of a monster. He’d rather let Sam die.

Sam is able to escape after his restraints are opened by Castiel. When Anna shows up to confront Castiel about letting Sam go he says he was simply following orders and Anna is taken away by a pair of angels. Sam, meanwhile, meets up with Ruby, gets another hit of demon blood and learns that there are only two or three seals left. But the final seal can only be opened by Lilith so if Dean can kill her the Apocalypse will never come.

Unfortunately, Dean is able to track down Sam and the two start yelling at one another. Dean is willing to go with Sam to try to take down Lilith but only if Ruby doesn’t come along. Sam insists Ruby is needed. Ruby leaves and the brothers fight. Sam eventually overpowers his brother and nearly strangles him to death before explaining that Dean never truly knew him and never will.

Dean is able to spit out that if Sam leaves he better not come back. Sam walks out the door and the stage is set for the season finale. There are several possible ways for the episode to play out. Sam and Ruby can successfully take down Lilith and prove to Dean that everything Sam has done was necessary. Or, Lilith can overpower the two and Dean will have to save the day. Maybe he’ll be forced to chose saving the world and saving his brother.

Or perhaps Sam will be overtaken by his demon blood and turn to the dark side, joining Lilith, and setting up Season Five. We’ll see. I’m not sure there’s any way the season can end that will make up for some of the missteps taken over the past year. But maybe Supernatural will surprise me.