“Supernatural” 11.1, “Out of the Darkness, Into the Fire;” Starring Jensen Ackles, Jared Padalecki, Misha Collins, and Mark Sheppard; Written by Jeremy Carver, Directed by Robert Singer.
Season eleven, can you believe it? When last we left the Brothers Winchester, Sam and Dean were at odds over Mark removal, Cas was at Rowena’s beck and call, and Crowley was red mist soaring through the aether. Oh, and the boys managed to release an evil older than Death – The Darkness.
Currently, they are dealing with the aftermath of the Darkness’s release. Dean had some sort of vision quest during the wave, and as revealed through flashbacks, he and the Darkness are “bound.” She’s rocking the Mark of Cain, which is super interesting. Several characters have explained that the Darkness is the oldest presence in existence, older than God and even Death. That she sports the same scar that caused the first evil, er – I guess technically the second evil, ever sets a pretty specific tone for the severity of this season’s Big Bad. And I just love it when this show spins a new fiction and mythology into established traditions. They show more respect when it comes to “accuracy” for the classic stuff than any other genre work I’ve ever seen.
Once reunited, Sam and Dean travel to the nearest town where they find that a bunch of veiny dudes went apeshit and murdered the whole lot. They find a deputy, a dude, and a newborn – but sadly, the dude’s got some veins a-creepin’ and isn’t long for the non-rage-monster world. They deduce that the Darkness is responsible for the phenomenon, have a moment, and decide that Dean will save the deputy and the baby while Sam creates a diversion so that they might try to find a cure for the veiny stuff. Sam unfortunately takes a mouthful of tainted bodily fluids in the kerfuffle, and by episode end was showing signs of contamination.
Cas woke up on some random farm, still suffering the effects of Rowena’s spell, as well as a wicked case of conjunctivitis. He’s so desperate to end his violence that he prays, and when the angels show up Cas thinks he’s about to be imprisoned in Heaven. Alas, they have other plans and we’re left with Castiel’s fate hanging in turmoil.
Crowley is definitely winning in the season premiere. Not only did he vape out before Cas could smite him, he escaped into a suburban haus frau. He then proceeded to defile his meatsuit’s husband and another couple from their church in what had to have been the pastiest orgy ever and that whole scenario was deliciously dark and hilarious. His minions arrive, he’s restored to his rightful dead sexy body, and the minions give him their report on the comings and goings of Hell during his absence. The demon population is a bit on edge after rumors of the Darkness’s release, and in the high point of the episode, a minion disclosed that there were even rattlings from the Cage that felt like a warning. You guys! They mentioned the Cage! Do I dare hope for the return of Lucifer, or even a return to the forgotten plot of Adam’s eternal torment? You know, there’s actually always been one thing about meatsuits that perturbs me: Why do they never retain their host’s accent? Anyway.
The episode ended on a pretty heavy reveal. Deputy lady and baby Amara are safe in a neighboring town. During a diaper change, the camera reveals that Amara had a teensy weensy birthmark on her chest – in the shape of the Mark of Cain. *cue dramatic horn hits* There are many instances throughout several cultures of a Goddess named Amara, and almost all of them refer to her as “eternal,” and some of them go with “witchy” to boot. The Darkness has inserted herself into a human host, and since the vein monsters don’t attack infected people it’s pretty obvious she’s working on an army, too.
Ye’ tho’ it occurred without beers and Baby, we definitely had a Brotherly Moment this episode. It took place much earlier in the story than usual, and I hope to all saints that it’s setting the Winchester dynamic for the season. After the old hat of an “I’m right/no I’M right” argument, the brothers agree to compromise on a hunt and not go guns blazin’ into destruction and death. I want nothing more than a return to the earlier relationship and an utter disposal of the “Sam and Dean at Odds” trope.
After writing about television for enough time, I’ve realized it’s actually kind of difficult to review season premieres. They’re almost always nothing but exposition out of necessity, and frequently there are few (if any) unknowns to discuss. A series premiere is way easier because all the info you’re processing is something new. “Supernatural” did a great job with this premiere; the pacing was quick, the humor sharp. It thoroughly set up the tone for the villain and challenges facing our protagonists and made me really eager for next Wednesday. I’m a happy hunter.