There are some really great elements that come together in this episode to make it one of the best episodes so far in this Season (not one of your top ten ever, but definitely one to sit back and enjoy). (1) The story got big. Not big as in: huh God's sister, but big in a human real way we can understand. As in: eeeek Lucifer's in the President, how the hell are you going to deal with that boys!? (2) the episode had a great combination of atmosphere and action. I loved the creepy old-school-horror start, inverting crosses and violently slain church men, moving swiftly on to secret service and James-bond toys, then back to classic Angel, Witch, King-of-Hell, Hunter - team up. What's not to love?! (3) Mr Ketch - I have high hopes for this character. The uber Britishness can be annoying, but a well played suave psychopath can be a joy to watch. (4) the spawn-of-Satan: a new potential big-bad?? We will have to wait and see. (5) the cliffhanger ending. I won't give too much away, but when not over used a cliffhanger is a great tactic to keep us hooked for next week. And it definitely worked here. I can't wait to see how the boys get out of this one. Well done all. Good episode.
8 Reviews
low on character - fun on action drama
proudhotkin23 December 2016
Warning: Spoilers
There are some very interesting characters and a few good themes so far this season. Unfortunately all of the most interesting of them have been of new and not so established characters. The rock star which Lucifer possessed was a more interesting character than Lucifer. Dean's mother is more interesting than Dean. The psychic girl from episode 4 ' American Nightmare' this season is more interesting than Sam. etc. etc. Let's look at the main villain so far this season, Lucifer
Spoilers:
It's no surprise that this season Sam and Dean would have to deal with Lucifer and would be in conflict. Even though Lucifer is very dangerous, he feels unlike he has in past seasons. In the past Lucifer was like a force of nature, an archetype similar to the darkness, who had a plan and philosophy which differed from God's. Yes, he had a gripe too. No doubt Lucifer is still a powerful character but he's been given a downgrade. Lucifer has been turned into a dark knight's joker like character who can be defeated with Men of Letter's magical technology. While I think it perhaps natural to level the playing field a little bit this way to make Lucifer not stand as huge a threat for all future seasons, I am disappointed in the character change.I was glad to see Lucifer last season. It looks like they are finding a new role for Lucifer to fill. But to me this new Lucifer no longer presents an ideology and is no longer a force for it in his own right even if it's a twisted ideology. One can say he always was but he wasn't always ONLY throwing a tantrum. Now Lucifer's destruction is getting old.
Other than the only thing interesting going on character-wise being with new characters it was an otherwise engaging episode with an interesting man of letter's. His introduction in this episode was pretty awesome. I did quite enjoy the conflict that Lucifer having the presidency introduced and I am looking forward to the struggle presented in this "spawn of Lucifer" story. Again, while main characters like Lucifer are the focal point of the action and conflict, the most interesting inner struggles and character arcs are all coming from those introduced who are new. The show seriously has to find something more creative and fitting to do with established characters.
Spoilers:
It's no surprise that this season Sam and Dean would have to deal with Lucifer and would be in conflict. Even though Lucifer is very dangerous, he feels unlike he has in past seasons. In the past Lucifer was like a force of nature, an archetype similar to the darkness, who had a plan and philosophy which differed from God's. Yes, he had a gripe too. No doubt Lucifer is still a powerful character but he's been given a downgrade. Lucifer has been turned into a dark knight's joker like character who can be defeated with Men of Letter's magical technology. While I think it perhaps natural to level the playing field a little bit this way to make Lucifer not stand as huge a threat for all future seasons, I am disappointed in the character change.I was glad to see Lucifer last season. It looks like they are finding a new role for Lucifer to fill. But to me this new Lucifer no longer presents an ideology and is no longer a force for it in his own right even if it's a twisted ideology. One can say he always was but he wasn't always ONLY throwing a tantrum. Now Lucifer's destruction is getting old.
Other than the only thing interesting going on character-wise being with new characters it was an otherwise engaging episode with an interesting man of letter's. His introduction in this episode was pretty awesome. I did quite enjoy the conflict that Lucifer having the presidency introduced and I am looking forward to the struggle presented in this "spawn of Lucifer" story. Again, while main characters like Lucifer are the focal point of the action and conflict, the most interesting inner struggles and character arcs are all coming from those introduced who are new. The show seriously has to find something more creative and fitting to do with established characters.
Outstanding Chapter !
joeyportelli-930789 December 2016
Warning: Spoilers
Without a doubt, one of the best episodes of this season.In this episode we conjoin the entire cast with our beloved hunters,the fallen Angel,the King of Hell and our favorite witch Rowena.Together, they plan to defeat Lucifer.
Without getting in depths of detail, I had my doubts on how the writers were gonna manage to get around the story of Lucifer possessing the President but I can gladly say, that they still managed to do a marvelous piece of work.As a proud fan from my views I can still say that even though after all these years this series keeps me on edge still.This episode gave us more valuable information about the British Men of Letters and how this season is evolving.By putting out this cliffhanger the writers are going to keep the audience wanting more from the upcoming episodes.
Without getting in depths of detail, I had my doubts on how the writers were gonna manage to get around the story of Lucifer possessing the President but I can gladly say, that they still managed to do a marvelous piece of work.As a proud fan from my views I can still say that even though after all these years this series keeps me on edge still.This episode gave us more valuable information about the British Men of Letters and how this season is evolving.By putting out this cliffhanger the writers are going to keep the audience wanting more from the upcoming episodes.
Lucifer's interesting plan!
rimailbox22 May 2020
Warning: Spoilers
This is a must to watch. This episode really excites me, a big new problem arises, development of this story is so interesting, since watching all the Supernatural episodes, I forget the fact about most horror films where how scary the demons are, which can only be done with exorcism by reading holy books, so this episode reminds me of ordinary life outside Supernatural's world.
Combination of all my favorite characters contributes to the story makes me enjoy it more. Two of everyone's favorite hunters, the eccentric king of hell, an unusual witch aunt, and a naive fallen angel with a flat face. Plus the British man from Men of Letters who appeared with all the attributes of modern inventions and all his explanations looks so promising.
Lucifer's lunge plan in the story is getting more curious, he gets a very special vessel and he has to learn to adjust his new role which is not easy, haha. I laughed sadly at everything that happened to Lucifer with a new vessel. The Lotus issue so thrilling to think about what will happen the next, and Lucifer's plan will be realized smoothly, right.
Combination of all my favorite characters contributes to the story makes me enjoy it more. Two of everyone's favorite hunters, the eccentric king of hell, an unusual witch aunt, and a naive fallen angel with a flat face. Plus the British man from Men of Letters who appeared with all the attributes of modern inventions and all his explanations looks so promising.
Lucifer's lunge plan in the story is getting more curious, he gets a very special vessel and he has to learn to adjust his new role which is not easy, haha. I laughed sadly at everything that happened to Lucifer with a new vessel. The Lotus issue so thrilling to think about what will happen the next, and Lucifer's plan will be realized smoothly, right.
Wow i thought the soap opera drama in 9 was bad
shwetafabm26 July 2020
Warning: Spoilers
What is this show right now? I just don't care about anything that is happening. I think Lucifer's intentions are fine, they make sense but i just don't care, they got him back in the cage? Men of letters deus machina with an object. The constant teaming up of our 4 guys. Its exhausting and i hope something actually happens now because damn i have never been this disappointed with this show. Watching this on normal speed was torture.
And why won't the president remember anything? Oh right so Dean and Sam won't get bailed out.
Exactly what are Castiel's powers? He can do mund control, sense when someone is lying? What. He couldn't do anything to get the truth out of that rock guy...seriously tho what the hell are his powers...
Probably the earliest work that Trump's election colored
CubsandCulture26 June 2021
I don't think I would have ever liked the central conceit of this episode. That is Lucifer jumping inside the US president. The decision does not really track with the show's edge of society, drifter vibe. The POTUS is too power and too central in real life to be something that Supernatural takes on. Furthermore, the show never-a few potshots aside-overtly deals with politics at all; any themes dealing with the political are concerned with the basic structure of American society and not electoral partisanship. When the show is topical-as in "It's a Terrible Life!"-it is never done to take a position per se but to try to ground the Winchesters in lived reality. The choice of president feels off for the show in general, let alone the bizarre political era we are in.
This episode does not deal with 2016 election per se but given its ill timed release (in Dec. Of 2016) along with the strong implication that the fictional President is a Republican the shadow of Trump, Trumpism hangs over the proceedings. In that way the episode does not really work. The scare of the episode is the Devil is the president but that rings hollow given who held Article 2 power at that time. The development cannot unnerve in the show because the reality was already unnerved. This flaccid vibe remains even watching the episode in the first few months of the Biden administration.
I think most of these issues could have been resolved by having Lucy jump into a governor instead of POTUS. But that ship sailed. It is rather unfortunate as this episode is so key to the Jack years and the other basic plot development in the episode greatly focuses the remaining seasons of the show.
This episode does not deal with 2016 election per se but given its ill timed release (in Dec. Of 2016) along with the strong implication that the fictional President is a Republican the shadow of Trump, Trumpism hangs over the proceedings. In that way the episode does not really work. The scare of the episode is the Devil is the president but that rings hollow given who held Article 2 power at that time. The development cannot unnerve in the show because the reality was already unnerved. This flaccid vibe remains even watching the episode in the first few months of the Biden administration.
I think most of these issues could have been resolved by having Lucy jump into a governor instead of POTUS. But that ship sailed. It is rather unfortunate as this episode is so key to the Jack years and the other basic plot development in the episode greatly focuses the remaining seasons of the show.
It's my child!
anujp-3655210 February 2024
Warning: Spoilers
This single dialogue ruined the whole damn thing for me. She's a smart woman, proven by where she works but a dumb idiot. After learning that her child is the offspring of Lucifer himself, "I'm it's mother. It's my child", she says.
It should've been allowed in the show for the lead cast to take out humans in certain situations. If it were, this girl would take the cake for the easiest choice.
Also, seriously how weak is the POTUS security? At least take the effort to look like secret service. 5 foot tall guy in a slick suit with earphones in one of his ears does not make a secret service agent. Poor casting there.
And, the meeting at the Motel? Seriously? How dumb was the agent who said he'll wait in the car. Bruh, in the case of an emergency, opening the door, getting out, drawing the weapon, THATS THREE EXTRA STEPS IN PROTECTING THE RPESIDENT. How lazy were the writers in this season.
It should've been allowed in the show for the lead cast to take out humans in certain situations. If it were, this girl would take the cake for the easiest choice.
Also, seriously how weak is the POTUS security? At least take the effort to look like secret service. 5 foot tall guy in a slick suit with earphones in one of his ears does not make a secret service agent. Poor casting there.
And, the meeting at the Motel? Seriously? How dumb was the agent who said he'll wait in the car. Bruh, in the case of an emergency, opening the door, getting out, drawing the weapon, THATS THREE EXTRA STEPS IN PROTECTING THE RPESIDENT. How lazy were the writers in this season.
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