(NIGHT) - Dean is pushing the Impala up past 90 MPH in a dark night, a wounded Sam begging him to go faster. I can't, says Dean. They come across a fire blazing in the middle of the road, forcing Dean to screech to a stop. Eyes wide with terror, Dean turns the car around--and the demons are upon them, breaking the Impala's windows, yanking Sam from the car. Suddenly, a truck with a tank on top appears. Men with hoses are spraying the demons with holy water. A man chants a very brief exorcism th... read more (NIGHT) - Dean is pushing the Impala up past 90 MPH in a dark night, a wounded Sam begging him to go faster. I can't, says Dean. They come across a fire blazing in the middle of the road, forcing Dean to screech to a stop. Eyes wide with terror, Dean turns the car around--and the demons are upon them, breaking the Impala's windows, yanking Sam from the car. Suddenly, a truck with a tank on top appears. Men with hoses are spraying the demons with holy water. A man chants a very brief exorcism through a Megaphone, sending the demons fleeing from their hosts. Sam and Dean stare at their saviors. "That's somethin' you don't see everyday," says Dean. One of the men asks, "You two all right?" Peachy, Dean replies. Be careful around here, the man warns. Dean asks who they are. "The Sacrament Lutheran Militia," the man replies, "I hate to tell you, but those were demons and this is the apocalypse, so, buckle up." Dean stares at him in disbelief. read less

Title

The brothers show the group the inside of their trunk. They're colleagues, in the same business. A young kid with the other two gazes admiringly at the Impala. Dean notes the leader of the group carrying a police-issued shotgun, and calls their truck "inspired"--where did they pick up all this crap? We pick things up along the way, says one of the guys, reluctant to tell the strangers their secrets. Dean points out that the whole corner of this state is nuts with demon omens, they just want to h... read more The brothers show the group the inside of their trunk. They're colleagues, in the same business. A young kid with the other two gazes admiringly at the Impala. Dean notes the leader of the group carrying a police-issued shotgun, and calls their truck "inspired"--where did they pick up all this crap? We pick things up along the way, says one of the guys, reluctant to tell the strangers their secrets. Dean points out that the whole corner of this state is nuts with demon omens, they just want to help. We're on the same team, says Sam in his convincing manner--just talk to us. Follow us, says the leader. They arrive at a heavily guarded church. A redhead greets her son and walks into the church with him. Sam and Dean enter. A wedding is going on, the pews flanked with people holding guns. "Whoever thought the apocalypse could be so romantic?" asks the priest. "Wedding? Seriously?" mutters Sam to Dean. "We've had eight this week," says one of the men who helped save the brothers. Outside, as the congregation sees the happy couple off, the priest says he understand they hunt demons--"You missed a few." Noting the father is packing, Sam asks if he knows why the demons are here. He doesn't know, but, "They sure seem to like us." They follow the preacher into the church, down into the basement, and he explains the fact that he wears a gun as "Strange times." Downstairs, everyone, from kids to grandparents, is preparing salt rounds, holy water bottles--the whole town pitches in, explains the preacher. A whole town full of hunters?--Dean doesn't know whether to scream or buy a condo. They have to do something, says the preacher, and they were told not to call the National Guard. He's reluctant to reveal WHO told them, but Leah, his daughter, tells him it's OK--they're Sam and Dean Winchester, the angels told her they're OK. Angels, awesome, says Dean sarcastically. They can't see you here, Leah assures them--the symbols Castiel cast on their ribs. Angels told her the snappy Enochian exorcism spell and tells her where the demons will be so they can fight back. "She's never wrong," says the father, "she's very special." Remembering Chuck, Dean says before she gets a vision, she sees flashing lights and gets a migraine? How did you know? asks Leah. You're not the first prophet we've met, but you are the cutest, says Dean. Seeing the look he gets from Leah's father, Dean adds, "I mean that with total respect." (HEH!) (BAR) - Sam, trying to reach Cas on the phone, gets his voicemail, which says, "I don't understand, why do you want me to say my name?" Sam leaves a message to come to Blue Earth, MN. He sits at the bar. Paul, the bartender says that since the end started, it's been like one long last call. He gives Sam a free beer. Sam sits down with Dean, says he thinks he left Cas a message. Why all the demon hits? they wonder. Gank the girl prophet, Dean speculates. The angels are sending these people to do their dirty work, says Sam, when they can rip them to shreds. "We're all gonna die in a month," says Dean, "maybe two. This is the end of the world, and these people aren't freaking out--they're running to the exits in an orderly fashion--I don't know that that's such a bad thing." "Who says they're all gonna die?--whatever happened to us saving them?" demands Sam. The church bell begins to ring, and everyone exits the bar. "Somethin' I said?" asks Dean. Paul tells them Leah's had another vision. Wanna go to church? asks Sam. You know me, downright pious, says Dean, downing his beer. (CHURCH) - Five miles off Talmadge Road, demons have gathered, the preacher tells them, asking for volunteers. Paul and Rob, the same two who saved the brothers, raise their hands. Sam and Dean volunteer, also. The preacher offers a prayer for them--"Father in heaven." "Not so much," mutters Dean to Sam." Paul isn't praying, and Rob gives him a look. The brothers notice the exchange. Paul drinks from a flask, toasting the mission in his own way. The father, the redhead and her son go along, too. They break into a cabin, and it's a marvelous action scene, filled with lots of shooting, beating, exorcising, Sam stabbing with his demon-killing knife, the brothers working like a finely tuned violin. As the smiling group walks away together, Sam says, "That's what it's like--to have backup." The redhead's young kid, Dylan, wants to ride back in the Impala. "You saved my ass twice," says Dean, "once more and you can drive." As the others leave, Dean throws the kid a beer: "You earned it, don't tell your mom." Dylan vows not to, takes his first gulp. Sam and Dean clink cans. A leftover demon grabs Billy's legs and drags him under the Impala. Sam grabs her out and kills her with the DKK, but they're too late; when Dean pulls Billy out from the other side, his throat has been slit and he's dead. "Oh no!" cries Dean, his voice rough with grief. read less

(CHURCH) - At Dylan's service, Jane, his mother, blames the brothers for her son's death. The preacher says he has no idea why any of this is happening. Leah falls down in a fit of some sort and says, "Dylan's coming back!" She stands before the congregation and assures Rob and Jean, Dylan's parents, that when Judgment Day comes, he'll be resurrected and they will be together again--all of them will, for they have been chosen. The angels have chosen them, and they will be given paradise on earth... read more (CHURCH) - At Dylan's service, Jane, his mother, blames the brothers for her son's death. The preacher says he has no idea why any of this is happening. Leah falls down in a fit of some sort and says, "Dylan's coming back!" She stands before the congregation and assures Rob and Jean, Dylan's parents, that when Judgment Day comes, he'll be resurrected and they will be together again--all of them will, for they have been chosen. The angels have chosen them, and they will be given paradise on earth--all they have to do is follow the angels' commandments. Walking out of the church, Sam counts them off on his fingers--no drinking, gambling, pre-marital sex--they outlawed 90% of Dean's personality. Hey, when in Rome, says Dean, and while he's not cool with it, he's no prophet, it's not his call. Sam looks at him as if to say, where's my brother? Dean returns to the church to talk to Leah. He asks if she's on the level about paradise--what are the angels telling her--everything--skip the rainbows. There's going to be a prize-fight, she explains, it's going to get bad, but after we win, and we will, the planet gets handed over to the chosen, and it's finally peaceful--no monsters, disease or death--you're just with the people you love. That's if you can get past the velvet rope, says Dean--must be nice, being chosen. You're chosen, she points out. More like cursed, he says. Must be hard, she says, being the vessel of heaven and having no hope. He stares at her, pondering that. Sam enters the empty bar. Now that the angels have banned the good stuff, business is bad, says Paul, asking him to help kill some inventory. Paul grew up here, loves this town, but he isn't the praying type, and neither are half those guys. A couple of months back, they were all in here, getting wasted, bangin' the nanny. He pours them a couple of shots, and they down them. Paul is no hypocrite; he never prayed before and he isn't starting now; if he's going to hell, he's going honest. I believe, says Sam, but I'm pretty sure God stopped caring a long time ago. They chuckle ruefully. Sam returns to their room and confesses to Dean he's been drinking (you rebel, teases his brother), and would have had more, but it was curfew. They cut down the cell towers, reveals Sam--no cable, internet--total cutoff from corruption of the outside world--they're turning this place into some kind of fundamentalist compound. Dean doesn't care. Sam is incensed, sitting across from Dean on the other bed--at what point does this become too far for you?--stoning, poisoned Kool-Aid--the angels are TOYING with these people! Angel world, angel rules, says Dean, standing. And since when is that OK with you? demands Sam, incredulous. Since the angels got the only lifeboats on the Titanic, says Dean--who is supposed to save these people; it was supposed to be us, but. . . Are we supposed to stop fighting, roll over?" asks Sam. I don't know, maybe, says Dean, pouring coffee. Upset, Sam stands. You can't do this--to me--you think you're the only one white-knuckling it here?--I can't count on anyone else--and I can't do this alone. (Brings back memories of Dean saying the same thing to Sam when he went to him at Stanford years ago.) Dean heads for the door. Sam calls his name. I'm gonna clear my head, says Dean, and exits. It's past curfew, warns Sam, twice, looking like his head is about to explode. (CHURCH BASEMENT) - Leah enters, sobbing--they're not going to paradise! Why? demands Jane. The angels say some people aren't following the commandments, says Leah. Who? asks Rob, all action. (MOTEL) - A very drink Castiel appears to Sam, complaining that he finds the sound of Sam's voice very grating. He found a liquor store--and drank it! Sam steadies the weaving angel and asks if he's OK. Cas whispers in Sam's ear, don't ask stupid questions. Sam tells him what's been going on with the angels, demons, and Leah Gideon. Cas assures Sam the names of all the prophets are seared into his brain, and Leah Gideon is NOT one of them. Then what is she? asks Sam. Hearing commotion, Dean races to the bar, where Paul tells Dean his friends are trying to run him out of town. Rob insists Paul has to go--for everyone's sake. Paul reminds Rob they grew up together, he stood up at his wedding! That was then, says Jane, but now you're standing against the flock. This is my home, insists Paul, you want me out of here, drag me out. Dean ends up punching Rob, who is advancing on Paul, but Jane finishes it quickly--she shoots Paul and says, "No one's going to stop me from seeing my son again!" Dean and Father Gideon run to the fallen Paul, but he's dead. Dean gazes with horror at the self-righteous Jane, still standing with the gun held ready to fire again. read less

(MOTEL) - Dean reports to Sam and Cas that Jane shot Paul. It's starting, says Cas. Where the hell have you been? demands Dean. On a bender! shouts Cas. He still pretty smashed, says Sam. Not of import, says Cas, they need to talk about what's happening here--Leah is the whore. Wow, Cas, tell us what you really think, says Dean. She rises when Lucifer walks the earth, says Cas, reading from a book spread out on the coffee table, and she shall come, bearing false prophecy--this creature has the p... read more (MOTEL) - Dean reports to Sam and Cas that Jane shot Paul. It's starting, says Cas. Where the hell have you been? demands Dean. On a bender! shouts Cas. He still pretty smashed, says Sam. Not of import, says Cas, they need to talk about what's happening here--Leah is the whore. Wow, Cas, tell us what you really think, says Dean. She rises when Lucifer walks the earth, says Cas, reading from a book spread out on the coffee table, and she shall come, bearing false prophecy--this creature has the power to take human form, read minds--Book of Revelations calls her the Whore of Babylon. The real Leah was probably killed months ago, says Sam. The demons attacking the town are under her control, says Cas, and the Enochian exorcism is fake; it actually means "you breed with the mouth of a goat." Cas grins at them, but when they don't return the smile, says it's funnier in Enochian. (I LOVE Cas drunk!) So the humans smoking out, that's just a con? asks Dean--why, what's the end game? What you saw, says Cas, innocent blood spilled in God's name. You heard all that heaven talk, says Sam, she manipulates people. To slaughter and kill and sing peppy little hymns, says Dean, awesome. Her goal is to condemn as many souls to hell as possible, says Cas, and it's just beginning--she's well on her way to dragging this whole town into the pit. How do we go all pimp of Babylon all over this bitch? asks Dean. Sam and Cas look at each other. (CHURCH) - Did I make it worse?--Did I make the angels angry? sobs Jane to Leah, clutching her hands. The angels understand what you did was for the greater good, Leah assures her, taking Rob's hand in hers, too. We all liked Paul, but he was a sinner, and he would have taken us down with him--you saved us. Father Gideon enters, overhearing what his daughter has said. How can that be OK? he demands--she killed him--that sin is so much greater. . . It's not a sin to strike down evil, insists Leah. How can the angels. . .? asks her father. You always taught me to have faith, Leah reminds him. He gazes at her, wondering. Cas shows the brothers a stake made from a cypress tree in Babylon. Dean wants to go ventilate her, but Cas says only a true servant of heaven can do the deed, and none of them qualify. He calls Sam an abomination, which is both funny, yet sad (hey, God let him into heaven, don't forget that)! Cas drinks a glass of water and says they must find someone else. (CHURCH) - Leah stands before the congregation with the biggest angel news yet--at midnight will come the final judgment, and they must do this right--sinners. Everyone looks at everybody else. Father Gideon warns his daughter she's scaring these people. She tells them not to panic, but they must hurry, she's been given instructions, names. . . Wait, urges her father. He takes her aside, warning that she's going to get somebody killed. Leave me alone, she warns, or the next sinner I name may be you. (BRRRRR!) read less

Cas appears before Pastor Gideon, calling himself an angel of the Lord. Gideon doesn't believe--until Cas touches him and they end up in Sam and Dean's hotel room and the latter assures him it's true. At first, Gideon refuses to believe Leah is the thing that killed his daughter, but when Sam says that, deep down, he knows it's true, and that if Gideon doesn't do this, she's going to kill a lot of people and damn the rest to hell. Cas explains him that Gideon is a servant of heaven and Cas a poo... read more Cas appears before Pastor Gideon, calling himself an angel of the Lord. Gideon doesn't believe--until Cas touches him and they end up in Sam and Dean's hotel room and the latter assures him it's true. At first, Gideon refuses to believe Leah is the thing that killed his daughter, but when Sam says that, deep down, he knows it's true, and that if Gideon doesn't do this, she's going to kill a lot of people and damn the rest to hell. Cas explains him that Gideon is a servant of heaven and Cas a poor example of an angel. Dean tosses the hungover Cas a bottle of aspirin, advising him to take the whole bottle. He's been there, a big expert on deadbeat dads--I get it, know how you feel. How do you manage it? asks Cas miserably. On a good day, you get to kill a whore, answers Dean. (CHURCH BASEMENT) - Friends begging for mercy are being rounded up like animals by Jane and Rob and forced into the storage unit, per Leah's instructions. Jane tells her that's everyone. Get the kerosene, orders Leah. Jane hesitates--there are kids in there. The angels named them for a reason, says Leah, your son needs you to do this. That spurs on Jane, and more slowly, Rob. Leah enters a room by herself, looks in a mirror and shows off her whore face for a moment. Cas grabs her from behind to hold her steady and Gideon comes at her with the stake. Daddy, don't hurt me! she cries. Sam and Dean, behind him, urge him on, but she speaks a few words to Cas, sending him to the floor in agony, then pushes away her father and the Winchesters with waves of her hands and escapes. Gideon picks up the stake and chases after her. Cas lies writhing on pain on the floor. Leah tells the townspeople her father is a demon, so they attack, viciously beating him. Leah orders the townspeople in the storage room burned. Sam prevents Rob from lighting the fire, then turns to fight with Jane so she won't finish what her husband began. Leah ends up on top of Dean, choking him. Fortunately, the stake is not far from him, so he reaches for it while she's mocking him about why her team is going to win--since he's not a servant of heaven or a great vessel, but a pathetic, self-hating, faithless. . .it's the end of the world, and you're just gonna sit back and watch it happen. He gets hold of the stake, smacks her across the face with it, then plunges it into her heart--AND IT WORKS! "Don't be so sure--whore," says Dean. He shoves it in, deep. Everyone watches as smoke, then flame rushes from the wound as she convulses, her face twitching between normal and whore mode, then her entire body goes slack. I don't understand, says Jane, how are we supposed to get to paradise now? I'm sorry, says Dean, I'm pretty sure you're headed in a different direction. (GET HER, DEAN!) Sam lifts up an injured Father Gideon. "Gotcha," he says. The four of them, Dean helping Cas, Sam helping Gideon, exit up the basement steps. "Dean," asks Sam, "how did you do that?" "Long run of luck held out, I guess," answers Dean. "Last I checked, she could only be ganked by a servant of heaven." I saw a shot, I went for it, says Dean. They load the two men into the back seat. Over the top of the Impala, Sam asks his brother, "Are you going to do something Michael-stupid?" "C'mon, Sam, give me a break," says Dean. They drive off. At a hotel, Sam bandages Gideon's wounds while Castiel recovers on the bed. "You'll be OK," Dean assures Gideon. "No," says the preacher. When Dean heads out "to get some clean bandages from the truck," Sam instantly asks where he's going. Dean, however, takes off in the Impala. Hearing the motor start, Sam races out. DEAN! he screams, but his brother is gone, leaving Sam standing there, gasping, hands on his head, fearing the worst. read less

Dean drives in the night, arrives in daylight at someone's door. He knocks, Lisa answers, surprised to see him. He asks about Ben. He's good, at baseball, she says. You moved, notices Dean, nice house, but Lisa knows he isn't there to discuss real estate. "You all right?" she asks, looking at his downcast face. "Not really," he says, "look, I have no illusions. I know the life I live, I know how that's going to end for me, whatever, I'm OK with that, but I wanted you to know that when I do pictu... read more Dean drives in the night, arrives in daylight at someone's door. He knocks, Lisa answers, surprised to see him. He asks about Ben. He's good, at baseball, she says. You moved, notices Dean, nice house, but Lisa knows he isn't there to discuss real estate. "You all right?" she asks, looking at his downcast face. "Not really," he says, "look, I have no illusions. I know the life I live, I know how that's going to end for me, whatever, I'm OK with that, but I wanted you to know that when I do picture myself happy, it's with you, and the kid." He smiles, then gazes down sadly and adds, "You don't have to say anything." "I know, I know," she says, "I mean, I want to. . .come inside, let me get you a beer." "I wish I could," says Dean, "take care of yourself, Lis." "No, wait, wait," she says, "you can't just drop a bombshell like that and then leave!" "I know, I'm sorry," he says, "but I don't have a choice." "Yeah, you do," she says, "you can come inside and let me get you a beer, we can talk. . ." He stops her and says, "Things are about to get really bad. Next few days the things you're going to see on TV are going to be downright trippy. Scary, but I don't want you to worry, because I'm making arrangements for you and Ben--whatever happens, you're gonna be OK--the people I'm gonna see next, they're not gonna get anything from me without agreeing to a few conditions." "Just come inside, please," begs Lisa, "and whatever you're thinking of doing, don't do it." He holds her hand in both of his. "I have to," he insists. "You can stay an hour," she says, "at least say goodbye to Ben." "Nah, it's better if I don't," says Dean, a catch in his voice. She nods, hating this. Dean presses a long, long kiss to her left temple as a tear slides down her cheek. "Goodbye, Lisa," he says. Sadly, she watches him climb into the Impala, leaving her life--and perhaps life altogether. read less

Credits