All in the Family (Supernatural)

Last updated
"All in the Family"
Supernatural episode
Episode no.Season 11
Episode 21
Directed by Thomas J. Wright
Written by
  • Eugenie Ross-Leming
  • Brad Buckner
Production code4X6271
Original air dateMay 11, 2016 (2016-05-11)
Running time41 minutes
Guest appearances
Episode chronology
← Previous
"Don't Call Me Shurley"		Next →
"We Happy Few"
Supernatural season 11
List of episodes

"All in the Family" is the twenty-first episode of the paranormal drama television series Supernatural 's season 11, and the 239th overall. The episode was written by co-executive producers Eugenie Ross-Leming & Brad Buckner and directed by Thomas J. Wright. It was first broadcast on May 11, 2016 on The CW. In the episode, Sam and Dean set to find Lucifer/Castiel as he continues being tortured by Amara while God has a new strategy as Metatron finds a new Prophet. The title is a reference to the hit TV show All in the Family .

Contents

The episode received critical acclaim, with critics commenting on Metatron's choice and the new Prophet.

Plot

Picking up where the previous episode left, Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) are astounded to find Chuck (Rob Benedict). He then transports them to the bunker where He invokes the spirit of Kevin Tran (Osric Chau) and then sends him to Heaven. Now realizing Chuck is God, Sam is a bit excited but Dean is mad at Him for having abandoned humanity when they were in trouble though Chuck tells him to stop shifting his issues with his father on Him. Meanwhile, Amara (Emily Swallow) continues torturing Lucifer/Castiel (Misha Collins) as a way to lure God.

Amara appears to Dean in an hallucination to show him Lucifer's health state. That night, another fog attacks a town called Lewis in Oklahoma and kills everyone in the town, except for a professor named Donatello Redfield (Keith Szarabajka). Metatron (Curtis Armstrong) is informed by this in a bar and notices Sam and Dean during a report of Hope Springs. He contacts Sam and Dean to find Donatello. When they interrogate him, Donatello reveals he suffered visions (the same Kevin showed when he was chosen as a Prophet), and they come to realize that Donatello is a Prophet.

Metatron then shows Sam and Dean God's autobiography, which is in fact a suicide note as he will sacrifice himself battling Amara. Dean confronts him on this choice as God tells them that he will be protecting his creations this way before stating if he failed, Sam and Dean will take over. Dean then tells him he shouldn't sacrifice himself, as God considers it.

While Sam, Metatron and Donatello rescue Lucifer from Amara's hideout, Dean tries to distract her. Eventually, she discovers Dean has met God and that they're planning on freeing Lucifer from her. Metatron stays behind and tries to hold back Amara but she's too powerful for his cast and he is imploded into nothingness. She catches Sam, Lucifer and Donatello while trying to free and tries to kill them, when they're transported by God to the Bunker.

God and Lucifer finally meet face to face for the first time in millennia and God heals Lucifer's wounds. Sam and Dean send Donatello back home and Dean states to Sam that Amara has plans for him.

Reception

Viewers

The episode was watched by 1.75 million viewers with a 0.7/2 share among adults aged 18 to 49. [1] This was a 13% increase in viewership from the previous episode, which was watched by 1.54 million viewers. [2] This means that 0.7 percent of all households with televisions watched the episode, while 2 percent of all households watching television at that time watched it. Supernatural ranked as the second most watched program on The CW in the day, behind Arrow .

Critical reviews

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
IGN 8.3 [3]
TV Fanatic4.2 [4]
Den of Geek Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svg [5]

"All in the Family" received critical acclaim. Matt Fowler of IGN gave the episode a "great" 8.3 out of 10 and wrote in his verdict, "'All in the Family' seemed to work, in the end, getting everyone (who survived) on the same page regarding the Darkness. It wasn't a flat episode, but it also wasn't the most thrilling. Once again, Chuck had to snap his fingers and save our heroes in the end, which helped demonstrate how formidable Amara is. Though Chuck's fickleness about most everything makes him more of a wild card than an ally." [3]

Sean McKenna from TV Fanatic, gave a 4.2 star rating out of 5, stating: "If anything, this hour had its moving parts, but it was a stepping stone toward getting to that big match. I'm invested and intrigued by what's to come, but I just hope there's some solid payoff when all is said and done." [4]

Bridget LaMonica from Den of Geek , gave a perfect 5 star rating out of 5, stating: "God, Lucifer and Amara, oh my! This episode took off right where the last left off, with Dean and Sam staring in shock at the former Prophet Chuck. His credibility was accounted for by bringing Kevin forward, and sending him on his way to Heaven. Be still, my heart." [5]

Samantha Highfill of EW wrote, "Ever since the apocalypse story line in seasons 4 and 5, I've hoped and, quite fittingly, prayed that this show would eventually get back around to one of the things it does best: using religion to tell its story. And one could make the argument that this season uses it more than any other, considering the official introduction of God. Regardless, this week's episode was yet another reminder of why those stories work so well for this show. Because if this show specializes in family drama, there's no better family drama than that of God, his sister, and all of his children." [6]

MaryAnn Sleasman of TV.com wrote, "Well, they can't all be mind-blowing, mythology-smashing, head-canon-confirming buckets of awesome. 'All in the Family' was a textbook example of the perils of mediocrity. Had it not aired on the coattails of last week's OMFG 'Don't Call Me Shurley,' 'All in the Family' would have — could have - landed a spot as one of the stronger episodes of the season and been a welcome return to the dominant storyline. Don't get me wrong: 'All in the Family' was not a bad episode by any means. It's just that compared to the episode that preceded it, 'All in the Family' was, well, kind of boring." [7]

Related Research Articles

Supernatural is an American television series created by Eric Kripke. It was first broadcast on September 13, 2005, on The WB, and subsequently became part of successor network The CW's lineup. Starring Jared Padalecki as Sam Winchester and Jensen Ackles as Dean Winchester, the series follows the two brothers as they hunt demons, ghosts, monsters, and other supernatural beings. The series was produced by Warner Bros. Television, in association with Wonderland Sound and Vision. Along with Kripke, executive producers have been McG, Robert Singer, Phil Sgriccia, Sera Gamble, Jeremy Carver, John Shiban, Ben Edlund, and Adam Glass. Former executive producer and director Kim Manners died during production of the fourth season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dean Winchester</span> Fictional character

Dean Winchester is one of the two protagonists from the American drama television series Supernatural, along with his younger brother Sam. He is portrayed primarily by Jensen Ackles. Other versions of the character having been portrayed by Hunter Brochu (toddler), Ridge Canipe (child), Nicolai Lawton-Giustra (pre-teen), Brock Kelly and Dylan Everett (teen), and Chad Everett (elderly).

Castiel (<i>Supernatural</i>) Character from American TV series Supernatural

Castiel is a fictional character portrayed by Misha Collins on The CW's American fantasy television series Supernatural. An Angel of the Lord, he first appears in the fourth season and is used to introduce the theme of Christian theology to the series. In the series, Castiel brings Dean Winchester back from Hell and frequently helps him and his brother, Sam, in their battles with various demons and angels along the way. During his travels with the Winchesters, Castiel develops friendships with both men. As an angel, he possesses a number of supernatural abilities, including the ability to kill demons. Initially, the character demonstrates complete devotion to God and little emotion. However, his interactions and experiences with Dean and Sam, as well as certain revelations about God and his fellow angels, have a humanizing effect on him. This, despite the stress and harm it causes his character, allows him to develop an independent will as the series progresses and helps the show address topics related to free will.

"Swan Song" is the fifth-season finale of The CW television series Supernatural. It is the 22nd episode of the fifth season, and is the show's 104th episode overall. Steve Boyum directed the episode with teleplay written by series creator Eric Kripke and story written by Eric Gewirtz. The episode aired on Thursday, May 13, 2010, and concluded the series' originally slated storyline. The narrative follows the series' protagonists Sam and Dean Winchester —brothers who travel the continental United States hunting supernatural creatures—as they attempt to stop the Apocalypse.

"Hell's Angel" is the eighteenth episode of the paranormal drama television series Supernatural's season 11, and the 236th overall. The episode was written by co-executive producers Brian Buckner & Eugenie Ross-Leming and directed by executive producer Phil Sgriccia. It was first broadcast on April 6, 2016 on The CW. In the episode, Lucifer tries to reach Heaven in an attempt to ascend to power while Crowley states to Sam and Dean that there's a way to lock Amara away.

"Don't Call Me Shurley" is the twentieth episode of the paranormal drama television series Supernatural's season 11, and the 238th overall. The episode was written by co-executive producer Robbie Thompson and directed by executive consultant Robert Singer. It was first broadcast on May 4, 2016 on The CW. In the episode, after Amara unleashes another attack, Sam and Dean look through a way to stop her while the prophet Chuck Shurley returns to face her. The episode finally confirmed the theories among the series' fans that speculated that Chuck was God. The title is a reference to the phrase "Don't call me Shirley" from the 1980 film Airplane! in a dialogue between Robert Hays and Leslie Nielsen.

"Out of the Darkness, Into the Fire" is the first episode of the paranormal drama television series Supernatural's season 11, and the 219th overall. The episode was written by showrunner Jeremy Carver and directed by executive producer Robert Singer. It was first broadcast on October 7, 2015 on The CW. In the episode, Sam and Dean have to deal with the consequence of having freed The Darkness into the world while Crowley recovers after Castiel's attack. With this episode, Supernatural became the longest-running science fiction TV show in North America, surpassing Smallville.

"We Happy Few" is the twenty-second episode of the paranormal drama television series Supernatural's season 11, and the 240th overall. The episode was written by co-executive producers Robert Berens and directed by John Badham. It was first broadcast on May 18, 2016 on The CW. In the episode, God assembles a team of angels, demons and witches in an attempt to lock Amara away using the Mark of Cain to be transferred to Sam.

"Alpha and Omega" is the twenty-third episode and season finale of the paranormal drama television series Supernatural's season 11, and the 241st overall. The episode was written by co-executive producer Andrew Dabb and directed by executive producer Phil Sgriccia. It was first broadcast on May 25, 2016, on The CW. In the episode, God is severely wounded while Amara is now going ahead with her plans to destroy the world while Sam and Dean have a last chance to stop her. The episode is the last episode in the tenure of showrunner Jeremy Carver as he departed the show at the conclusion of the season, being replaced by Andrew Dabb and Robert Singer in the role of showrunners. The episode also introduces Elizabeth Blackmore as Lady Antonia "Toni" Bevell, who was announced to have a recurring role in the show's twelfth season.

"Reichenbach" is the second episode of the paranormal drama television series Supernatural's season 10, and the 197th overall. The episode was written by Andrew Dabb and directed by Thomas J. Wright. It was first broadcast on October 14, 2014 on The CW. In the episode, Sam escapes from his captor, Cole Trenton, who is holding a vendetta against Dean for something that happened 12 years ago while Crowley begins to lose control of Dean. Meanwhile, Hannah notices Castiel's health and decides to ask Metatron for help.

"Form and Void" is the 2nd episode of the paranormal drama television series Supernatural's season 11, and the 220th overall. The episode was written by Andrew Dabb and directed by executive producer Phil Sgriccia. It was first broadcast on October 14, 2015 on The CW. In the episode, Dean takes Jenna to her grandmother's house with the baby Amara, unaware that she is the Darkness, whom Crowley is looking for so he can use her power. Meanwhile, Sam works on a cure for the virus while Castiel is tortured by angels for Metatron's whereabouts.

"The Bad Seed" is the 3rd episode of the paranormal drama television series Supernatural's season 11, and the 221st overall. The episode was written by Brad Buckner & Eugenie Ross-Leming and directed by main cast member Jensen Ackles. It was first broadcast on October 21, 2015 on The CW. In the episode, Sam and Dean are looking for Rowena while Crowley begins to take care of Amara so he can use her for his purposes.

"Meet the New Boss" is the first episode of the paranormal drama television series Supernatural's season 7, and the 127th overall. The episode was written by showrunner Sera Gamble and directed by Philip Sgriccia. It was first broadcast on September 23, 2011 on The CW. In the episode, Castiel decides to go fix the world's problems as their new "God". However, he is being taunted by new evil forces known as the Leviathans. Meanwhile, Sam is now having hallucinations about his time in Lucifer's Cage.

"Our Little World" is the 6th episode of the paranormal drama television series Supernatural's season 11, and the 224th overall. The episode was written by Robert Berens and directed by John Showalter. It was first broadcast on November 11, 2015, on The CW. In the episode, Sam, Dean and Castiel begin looking for Metatron as he may have the key to the answers of The Darkness while Crowley loses control of Amara.

"The Devil in the Details" is the 10th episode and midseason premiere of the paranormal drama television series Supernatural's season 11, and the 228th overall. The episode was written by Andrew Dabb and directed by Thomas J. Wright. It was first broadcast on January 20, 2016 on The CW. In the episode, Lucifer shows Sam his memories in an attempt for him to say yes to be his vessel. The title is a reference to the phrase "The devil is in the detail", meaning a mystery or loop on a detail.

"Beyond the Mat" is the 15th episode of the paranormal drama television series Supernatural's season 11, and the 233rd overall. The episode was written by John Bring and Andrew Dabb and directed by Jerry Wanek. It was first broadcast on February 24, 2016 on The CW. In the episode, Sam and Dean investigate the case of the death of one of their favorite wrestlers, which may involve another wrestler.

"Sacrifice" is the twenty-third and final episode of the paranormal drama television series Supernatural's season 8, and the 172nd overall. The episode was written by Jeremy Carver and directed by Phil Sgriccia. It was first broadcast on May 15, 2013 on The CW. In the episode, Sam makes the ultimate sacrifice in order to complete the trials to lock the demons from Earth with the last trial being Crowley himself. Meanwhile, Dean allies with Castiel and Metatron ordered to finish the Heaven trials but they were ambushed by Naomi and her Angels, finally finding out what will happen when the spells are finished.

"Keep Calm and Carry On" is the first episode and season premiere of the paranormal drama television series Supernatural's season 12, and the 242nd overall. The episode was written by new showrunner Andrew Dabb and directed by executive producer Phil Sgriccia. It was first broadcast on October 13, 2016, on The CW. In the episode, Dean finds that his mom was resurrected by Amara and along with Castiel, discover that Sam has been kidnapped and set off to find him. Meanwhile, Crowley goes with him to find Lucifer, who was exiled from Castiel's vessel and is looking to find a new one.

"Rock Never Dies" is the seventh episode of the paranormal drama television series Supernatural's season 12, and the 248th overall. The episode was written by Robert Berens and directed by Eduardo Sanchez. It was first broadcast on December 1, 2016, on The CW. In the episode, Sam and Dean find that Lucifer is using Vince Vincente as a way to start his new career with worshipers. They along with Castiel and Crowley seek to stop him from killing the audience at one of his concerts.

References

  1. ↑ Porter, Rick (May 12, 2016). "Wednesday final ratings: 'Empire' and 'The Goldbergs' adjust up, 'Black-ish' and 'Nashville' adjust down". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on May 13, 2016. Retrieved May 12, 2016.
  2. ↑ Porter, Rick (May 5, 2016). "Wednesday final ratings: 'Chicago PD' and 'Heartbeat' adjust up, 'Nashville' adjusts down". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on May 6, 2016. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  3. 1 2 Fowler, Matt (May 12, 2016). "Supernatural: "All in the Family" Review". IGN . Retrieved May 11, 2015.
  4. 1 2 "Supernatural Season 11 Episode 21 Review: All in the Family". TV Fanatic. 12 May 2016.
  5. 1 2 "Supernatural: All in the Family Review". TV Fanatic. 12 May 2016.
  6. ↑ "Supernatural 'All in the Family' Recap: The Winchesters learn the truth about God (and his plan)". EW .
  7. ↑ "Supernatural "All in the Family" Review: This Is Team Free Will". TV.com .
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.