Supernatural Season 2, Episode 9 recap: A demon virus is released

“Croatoan” introduced the virus that would sort of turn people into zombies. In an episode that felt like a one-off, it introduced the bigger plot point for Supernatural Season 2 and the Special Children.

Zombie viruses are nothing new to the world of fiction. Whether you’re watched World War Z or 28 Days Later, you’ll know all about how one bad virus can turn into a deadly, highly contagious disease that wipes out the majority of the popular.

“Croatoan” introduced that for Supernatural Season 2, Episode 9. It brought out the idea of the end of the world and a major health threat, but also added to the lore of Special Children. Here’s a look at the recap to remind yourself of the episode.

Sam’s vision leads to a demonic virus

When Sam’s latest vision shows a man, who is tied to a chair, being killed at Dean’s hand, the Winchesters have to head to River Grove, Oregon. While there, they find the world “Croatoan” carved into one of the telephone poles, which brings up the lore of Roanoke Colony. At first, it looks like the lore of Roanoke is about to be brought up and fully touched on, but that’s not the case.

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Instead, they find people in the town have been infected with a demonic virus and all lines of communication have been cut. On top of that, the infected locals have created a roadblock to prevent anyone from leaving.

The Winchesters end up at the local medical center, with the doctor, the nurse and ex-marine “Sarge.” The doctor realizes that there are traces of sulfur in the blood, which makes Sam instantly jump to the idea of a demon creating this virus.

Photo credit: Supernatural/The CW bySergei Bachlakov, Aquired via CW PR /

Sam searches John’s journal

Of course, there’s a link to Croatoan in John’s journal. Croatoan is the name of a demon that has been linked to pestilence and plague, suggesting “demonic germ warfare.”

That’s when Duane Tanner, who Sam saw in his vision, turns up. He’d been fishing and learned his family have been infected with the virus. Everyone in the medical center believes he’s been infected too and decide to restrain him. Sam needs to convince his brother not to kill Duane, since they don’t actually know if he’s infected or not.

After locking Sam in a room, Dean realizes that he’s not actually able to kill this potentially innocent man. Instead, they decide that they can create explosives to help them escape the town. While putting their plan together, the nurse attacks Sam, infecting him with the virus. Dean kills the nurse, but it’s too late and Sam wants Dean to kill him too.

Sam can’t be infected

The rest of the people in the medical center take the keys to the Impala and leave. Dean remains with his brother, which is when he explains how tired he is of everything that’s going on. The doctor returns, cutting Dean’s monologue off, to share that the townsfolk have gone. Once Sam is sure he’s not been infected, the Winchesters leave.

Photo credit: Supernatural/The CW bySergei Bachlakov, Aquired via CW PR /

In the end, Duane and Sarge are leaving the town and Duane gets Sarge to pull over to make a call. Sure enough, Duane is a demon and slits Sarge’s throat in the way Meg Masters did back in Season 1 to communicate with someone (presumably Azazel). Duane sends a message that Sam is definitely immune and no more tests are necessary.

Back with the Winchesters, Dean finally tells Sam the big secret John had told him in the Season 2 premiere.

Next: Supernatural Season 2, Episode 8 recap: Crossroad Blues

Were you shocked at Sam being immune to the virus? What did you think it meant for him? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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