With the penultimate episode, we close the door on the Chuck storyline in a satisfying way and feel like we could have closed to the door on the series as well. I am pleased with the Winchester journey past and present. Onward to the last goodbye.
Note: This recap may contain spoilers!
Chuck has dealt a devastating blow to the world. We see glimpses of different cities, all empty of people, as Sam and Jack witness the aftermath of God’s destruction. And apparently Dean did finally pick up the phone when Sam called because he soon joins them in Hastings, Minnesota to figure out where they go from here. I am curious about how they got through that conversation without Dean admitting about Cas’ fate, because he only does so when he’s there in person and Jack asks directly. It was an honorable death, but still one that’s hard to accept. And it’s hard to accept that the world has been wiped clean as well. Hopelessness is their constant companion now.
The burden of whose fault it is weighs on them all. If Sam had let Dean go through with the killing of Chuck, if Jack had fulfilled his purpose, if Dean hadn’t been blinded with the need for revenge, then perhaps they wouldn’t be in this situation. They are both willing to die, to even kill each other, if Chuck will bring everyone back. But, of course, Chuck isn’t going to accept their defeat so willingly. Instead, he will enjoy watching them suffer as they live on a rotting world and know it’s their fault.
But when there is no hope, the Winchesters find a way. Or at least attempt a plan after wallowing in misery and an alcohol-fueled haze for a while. Jack can feel something out there, an indication that they might not be alone, so to the search they go. First Dean finds a dog at an abandoned gas station, a ray of hope in this bleak situation, but alas Chuck cruelly poofs him away, too, right in front of Dean’s eyes. Next they find a church, St. Michael’s, and a potential archangel ally. Michael’s been hiding out there, taking refuge since the rapture happened. Adam has been obliterated, leaving behind only the archangel. And though he ignored their calls before, things are different now. He’s willing to step up and try to destroy Chuck. Or so he says.
They bring Michael back to the bunker and show him God’s Death Book. They’re hoping Michael might be able to open it, but unfortunately the power is too strong. The Winchesters retreat to the kitchen, defeated, to talk about the situation, but the danger and twists are just beginning. First Dean gets a call from what looks to be Cas, saying he’s hurt and wants to be let in, and Dean races to his friend. But it’s just one more mind trick thanks to Lucifer, who pops into the bunker with the story that the Empty booted him out in order to find God’s Death Book. My suspicions rose at that, both in the mission Lucifer claimed he was on and also the fact that no one should trust Lucifer for anything.
Lucifer’s mission soon became clear as he brought forth the Reaper Betty and stabs her, thus making her the first to die since Billie and therefore the new Death. She can read the book and tell them what God’s final ending is. Nice plan, but Lucifer has his own. Once she starts to read from the book, Lucifer burns her and grabs the book for himself. It wasn’t the Empty that sent him, but dear old Dad himself. As Lucifer offers Jack the choice to join him in the new world, Michael manages to sneak up on him and stab him in the stomach, thus ending Lucifer for hopefully a final time.
Now we get into some double-crossing and Winchester ingenuity. Sam takes the opened Death book and says he’s deciphered the symbols in the book enough to figure out a spell that can be performed to locate Chuck. So, they head out to a specific location in order to perform it, and the spell does the job. Chuck arrives, knocks Jack, Sam, and Dean aside, and focuses his attention on Michael. The archangel’s been playing for Daddy’s favor the entire time. But, once again, it’s too little too late for Chuck and he destroys his son.
And we arrive at what is expected to be the final showdown between Chuck and the Winchesters. He wails on them, breaking their bones and bloodying them up, but Sam and Dean will not stay down. They’re not going to because these boys are determined to die on their feet and fight until their last breath. Thankfully, that ending will not come today because Sam and Dean are a lot smarter than Chuck gave them credit for. He is going to lose because they have a secret weapon – Jack. All those times he’s been causing plants to die, it’s a sign that he’s been absorbing power wherever he goes. The boys saw it and knew what that meant. All the power God just let loose on them, Jack has absorbed it all. And he takes hold of Chuck then, pouring his power through him until Chuck collapses to the ground.
Then the revelations start coming out. Sam throws the book so Chuck can see that there’s nothing there, as only Death can read it. They knew Michael would betray them, so Sam made up a story about the spell. And while Chuck is ready for his glorious ending at the hands of Sam and Dean, they will not give him the satisfaction. Instead, they just walk away. Jack’s sucked away all God’s power, it’s not going to come back. Chuck will have to live his life without anyone caring about him or remembering him. He will be forgotten. It’s a very satisfying ending to Chuck’s wrath.
Later, Jack uses his power to bring back everyone in the world. It’s a glorious time and one that opens the door to Jack’s new path. Amara is within him now, both of them living in harmony, and he is taking up the mantle as the new God. Although he cannot return to the bunker with Sam and Dean, he is everywhere and always with them. And he will take some well-earned lessons from what his mother and three fathers taught him. People can be their best when they have to be, and that’s how Jack wants to go forward. He will be hands-off, unlike Chuck, and let people make the choices they need to. I love that he has this renewed purpose. A great ending for Jack.
The last scene is one that could well serve as a series finale, to be honest. Back at the bunker, Sam and Dean toast to everyone they lost along the way. Now that Chuck’s not writing their story anymore, they are finally free. And we get a flashback of multiple scenes from the series, a tribute to how far they’ve come and a renewed sense of wonder at where they can go now. I am curious what the next, final episode might hold. I’ve gotten my closure already, so where will the road lead the Winchesters next time?
Rating: 5 / 5 Stars
