Supernatural Season 2, Episode 8 recap: The Winchesters learn their father’s fate
After months of speculation, John Winchester’s fate was finally revealed. The Winchester brothers learned of the reality of hellhounds.
Big black dogs are considered death omens to some. They’re also viewed as the devil’s dog, with some hounds being viewed as the creatures who drag people to hell. That’s the lore Supernatural ran with in Season 2, Episode 8. “Crossroad Blues” included real history once more with an unnatural twist.
Robert Johnson is known as one of the fathers of blues. Many of his songs reference the devil and hellhounds, making many people believe that he once made a pact with the devil. It’s a legend Eric Kirpke developed for this particular episode and he did it in style.
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A trip to the past
In 1930, Robert Johnson made a deal with a crossroads demon. All he wanted was to be the greatest blues guitarist in the world and he was willing to sell his soul for it. With a kiss, the deal was sealed and eight years later we would find him in Lloyd’s Bar, performing his music.
During his playing, he hears barking and he knows exactly what that means. When he gets home, he takes refuge in his house and his last words are about black dogs.
It’s clear that black dogs and crossroads demons are going to be the monster of the week. However, Supernatural takes it a step further, linking it back to that certain deal John Winchester made for Dean’s life.
The Winchesters learn of the black dogs
While investigating the mysterious death of architect Sean Boyden, they learn that he had seen a dog in one of the buildings he designed. Instantly, the brothers believe they’re dealing with a supernatural black dog, so do a little more digging. While working at Lloyd’s Bar 10 years earlier, Sean suddenly became an overnight success and it’s clear there’s something unnatural going on.
Sure enough, Sam and Dean learn that there are more mentions of black dogs around. One of those was Dr. Silvia Pearlman, a surgical legend who has ran away. Dean finds out that she’d been at Lloyd’s 10 years earlier.
In a motel room, Dr. Pearlman is attacked by an invisible dog. This is definitely a case for the Winchesters.
When the Winchesters finally get to Lloyd’s Bar, they realize it’s at a crossroads. Yarrows surround the crossroads, making it clear that this is a site for rituals. Sure enough, when they dig in the middle they find a small box with tools for summoning a crossroads demon and a photo of a man called George Darrow. It’s time to get to the bottom of this.
Dean learns the truth about John’s deal
The Winchesters pay George a visit, who admits that he made a deal for artistic talent. He wanted the demon to leave after that, but she stuck around and made other deals. The last on the list was Evan Hudson. With George happy to die, the Winchesters go off to save Evan.
Evan had made a deal for his wife’s life. Dean is instantly angry, feeling like this may link to his miraculous recovery months earlier. Initially he doesn’t want to save Evan, but he decides that he will try. He’ll summon and trap the crossroads demon with a threat to exorcise it if she doesn’t let Evan out of the contract.
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Sam isn’t happy with the plan, but agrees. And so off Dean goes. He parks over a devil’s trap, but the crossroads demon sees it and walks away. She then finds herself trapped underneath a water tower, where Dean planted enough devil’s trap. Dean manages to make a deal—Evan’s soul for her release. After she tells him that John made a deal and is in Hell suffering for Dean and offering him a chance to switch the cards around, she agrees and releases Evan from his bond. Sure enough, the hellhounds leave Evan alone.
Dean initially goes to break the deal and exorcise her, which the demon comments on—as if the demon is the one holding up her side of the contract. If he does this, she’ll make sure Evan is killed. Dean decides to release her, giving her chance to taunt Dean about John again and then leave.
In the end, Dean tells Sam the truth about John’s deal. When Sam asks if Dean would have made the deal to bring John’s back, Dean doesn’t answer. He certainly thought about it.
The episode foreshadowed things to come. It was clear that the crossroad demons would come back in Supernatural Season 2.
Next: Supernatural Season 2, Episode 7 recap: The Usual Suspects
Did you love the real connection to Robert Johnson? What was it about this episode that pulled you in? Leave us a comment below!
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