Lazarus Rising (Supernatural)

Last updated
"Lazarus Rising"
Supernatural episode
Lazarus Rising.png
"Lazarus Rising" marks the first appearance of Castiel portrayed by Misha Collins
Episode no.Season 4
Episode 1
Directed by Kim Manners
Written by Eric Kripke
Production code3T7501
Original air dateSeptember 18, 2008 (2008-09-18)
Guest appearances
Episode chronology
 Previous
"No Rest for the Wicked"
Next 
"Are You There, God? It's Me, Dean Winchester"
Supernatural season 4
List of episodes

"Lazarus Rising" is the fourth season premiere of the CW television series Supernatural . The episode originally aired on September 18, 2008, and was written by series creator Eric Kripke and directed by executive producer Kim Manners.

Contents

The episode is set four months after Dean goes to hell in No Rest for the Wicked at the end of season 3. The narrative follows the brothers Dean (Jensen Ackles) and Sam Winchester (Jared Padalecki) as Dean returns from hell and tries to discover how he came back to life. The episode is perhaps most significant for introducing the angel Castiel (Misha Collins).

Plot

The episode begins with Dean's (Ackles) painful memory of his time in Hell. He wakes up in a coffin and starts digging himself out. Dean then notices some paranormal traces around his grave. When he walks into a gas station and grabs supplies, he finds out that he has fully recovered from the hellhound attack save for a hand-shaped burn on his left bicep. Before he leaves the store, Dean notices some unusual activities implying supernatural power. Dean tries to call Sam (Padalecki), but his number is no longer connected. He then calls Bobby Singer (Jim Beaver), but Bobby hangs up because he does not believe Dean is still alive. Dean then steals a car and drives to Bobby's. Bobby and Dean take time to make sure that Dean is alive and is still him, and they go to find Sam in a hotel.

At first, Sam also does not believe that Dean is back and tries to attack him. After confirming that Dean is really back, the brothers hug and reunite. However, Sam swears that he did not bring Dean back from Hell and states that he is upset because he "was unable to save Dean".

In order to find out who saved Dean from Hell, Bobby takes Dean and Sam to a psychic friend, Pamela Barnes (Traci Dinwiddie). Barnes senses someone named Castiel, the being who rescued Dean and she tries to reveal his true identity. Castiel warns Pamela that she should stop, but Pamela refuses and keeps trying. She then screams and falls down, and her eyes are burned out.

Later, when Sam and Dean are at a diner, the waitress and two other men reveal themselves as demons that Sam was looking for. They do not harm the brothers, but they seem to know nothing about Dean coming back from Hell. Dean deduces that only something more powerful than a demon, also capable of destroying them, could pull him out of Hell and the demons were too afraid to attack Dean in case they encounter the unknown creature's wrath. The Winchesters decide to leave without killing the demons. However, later that night, Sam comes back to the diner by himself and finds a body with eyes burned out. The waitress - also with eyes burned out - attacks him, but he uses his mind to exorcise the demon inside her, but not before the demon warns him that what caused the devastation is "the end." Then Ruby (Genevieve Cortese) comes into the diner and reveals the fact that she and Sam are trying to improve Sam's power.

Bobby and Dean decide to perform a summoning ritual in a secluded warehouse to find out who saved Dean from Hell, lying about it to Sam. A mysterious man (Misha Collins) appears, walks through all of the traps the two men set up, and is unaffected by their weapons. Identifying himself as Castiel, he knocks Bobby unconscious to talk to Dean alone. Castiel reveals himself to be an Angel of the Lord to a disbelieving Dean, but proves it by showing Dean the shadows of his wings. Castiel explains to the shocked Dean that the noise in the gas station was him trying to communicate with Dean and his true form and voice can be damaging to humans which is why Dean experienced pain and Pamela blindness. Now Castiel has taken on a vessel, a devout man who agreed to possession to communicate with Dean. As Dean remains skeptical of why an angel would rescue him from Hell, Castiel realizes that Dean believes he doesn't deserve to be saved and explains he rescued him as God ordered it and Heaven has work for Dean to do.

Reception

"Lazarus Rising" was watched by 3.96 million viewers when it originally aired on September 18, 2008, on The CW. [1] These were higher than any episode of the second and third season and the highest rated show since the first season finale.

The episode received critical acclaim. In his list of the top 100 television episodes of 2008, BuddyTV writer John Kubicek ranked "Lazarus Rising" seventh, noting its introduction of angels into the series and its "haunting opening scene". However, his favorite part of "Lazarus Rising" was the opening montage; he explained that, "There is no show on TV that can get a viewer that pumped up for an episode." [2]

In Joseph M. Valenzano III and Erika Engstrom's paper, "Cowboys, Angels, and Demons: American Exceptionalism and the Frontier Myth in the CW's Supernatural", they study how by creating characters like angels and demons, Supernatural celebrates human power and emotions: "Kripke himself reveals that Supernatural relies on a certain pro-American, pro-exceptionalist stance. He also intimates that humanity trumps all supernatural forces, including the more religious entities like God, gods, angels, demons, and the Devil." [3]

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).

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

Samuel "Sam" Winchester is a fictional character and one of the two protagonists of the American drama television series Supernatural along with his older brother, Dean. He is portrayed primarily by Jared Padalecki. Other versions of the character have been portrayed by Alex Ferris and Dylan Kingwell (child), Colin Ford (teenager), and Colton James.

John Winchester (<i>Supernatural</i>) Character from the television series Supernatural

John Eric Winchester is a fictional character on The CW's series Supernatural and the protagonist of the comic book spin-off series Supernatural: Origins. Developed by series creator Eric Kripke, the character is mainly portrayed by Jeffrey Dean Morgan. John is the father of Sam and Dean Winchester, the show's protagonists.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Meg Masters</span> Fictional demon in the TV series Supernatural

Meg Masters is a fictional character on The CW Television Network's drama and horror television series Supernatural. Created by the series' writers to develop a story arc for the first season, Meg is an unnamed demon who assumes the name of the host she possesses and begins antagonizing the series protagonists Sam and Dean Winchester. Nicki Aycox portrays her in the first season. Meg returns in the second season, possessing Sam and as such, was played by Jared Padalecki. The writers wanted Aycox to reprise the role in later seasons, but ultimately cast Rachel Miner for storyline purposes. Miner's incarnation evolves into an ally of the Winchesters and the angel Castiel over the course of the sixth, seventh, and eighth seasons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bobby Singer</span> Fictional character in the TV series Supernatural

Robert Steven Singer is a fictional character in The CW Television Network's horror-drama television series Supernatural portrayed by Jim Beaver. Named after the show's executive producer, Bobby first appears in the first season finale "Devil's Trap." Although Beaver believed his role would merely be a "one-shot deal," Bobby has become a recurring character on the series, and is one of three characters who has appeared in every season of the show. The character, a "rough but warmhearted" working-class man who hunts supernatural creatures, has evolved over time into a father figure for series protagonists Sam and Dean Winchester. Critics have responded favorably to the character.

Ruby (<i>Supernatural</i>) Fictional character in Supernatural

Ruby is a demon on The CW Television Network's Supernatural portrayed mainly by actresses Katie Cassidy and Genevieve Cortese. Created by the writers to expand on the characterization of demons within the series, she first appears in the third season, wherein she assists series protagonists Sam and Dean Winchester in fighting her fellow demons. By the fourth season, she has won Sam's trust and begins training him to kill demons with his psychic powers, though Dean remains fearful of ulterior motives. The character is killed at the end of the fourth season. In the fifteenth season, Ruby returns through flashbacks and a visit to the Empty, the angels' and demons' afterlife.

<i>Supernatural</i> season 4 Season of television series

The fourth season of Supernatural, an American dark fantasy television series created by Eric Kripke, premiered September 18, 2008, and concluded on May 14, 2009, on The CW.

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.

Uriel is a fictional character primarily portrayed by Robert Wisdom on The CW Television Network's drama and horror television series Supernatural. An angel who utilizes force and destruction to fulfill his various orders from Heaven, he has a recurring role in the fourth season. Uriel's lack of regard for humanity often leads to tension with series protagonists Sam and Dean Winchester, and even with his fellow angels Anna Milton and Castiel. Though shocked at how his character differed from typical portrayals of angels in the media, Wisdom was impressed by the depth in Uriel's characterization and felt honored to have been chosen to play him. Wisdom was universally praised by critics for his portrayal of the character.

Alastair (<i>Supernatural</i>) Fictional character

Alastair is a fictional character on The CW Television Network's drama and horror television series Supernatural, appearing in its fourth season. A particularly infamous demon and torturer in Hell, he is portrayed in succession by actors Mark Rolston, Andrew Wheeler, and Christopher Heyerdahl due to his demonic ability to possess human hosts.

Zachariah is a fictional character portrayed by Kurt Fuller on The CW Television Network's drama and horror television series Supernatural. An angel, he first appears in the fourth season and helps manipulate the series protagonist Sam Winchester into releasing Lucifer onto the Earth. In the fifth season, he attempts to convince Dean Winchester into serving as the human vessel for the archangel Michael to start the apocalypse. The opportunity to play an angel initially excited Fuller because he thought that it would give him the chance to break away from his streak of playing villains. Despite the character turning into an antagonist halfway through his appearances, the actor was very proud of the role. Critical reception for the character has been positive, with his sinister humor being of particular note. Kurt Fuller later reprised the role in the show's 300th episode "Lebanon" in season 14, playing the Zachariah from an alternate timeline created by the disappearance of John Winchester in 2003.

Dream a Little Dream of Me (<i>Supernatural</i>) 10th episode of the 3rd season of Supernatural

"Dream a Little Dream of Me" is the tenth episode of the paranormal drama television series Supernatural's third season. It was first broadcast on The CW on February 7, 2008. The narrative follows series protagonists Sam and Dean Winchester as they enter the dreamscape to rescue the comatose Bobby Singer.

No Rest for the Wicked (<i>Supernatural</i>) 16th episode of the 3rd season of Supernatural

"No Rest for the Wicked" is the sixteenth and final episode of the third season of The CW television series Supernatural, and the show's sixtieth episode overall. Written by series creator Eric Kripke and directed by Kim Manners, the episode was first broadcast on May 15, 2008. The narrative follows the series' protagonists Sam and Dean Winchester —brothers who travel the continental United States hunting supernatural creatures—as they attempt to save the latter's soul from damnation. Having made a year-long demonic pact in the previous season finale, Dean has just one day left to live. The brothers must track down the demonic overlord Lilith, who holds Dean's contract. Lilith, meanwhile, is entertaining herself by possessing a young girl and terrorizing her family, a homage to the Twilight Zone episode "It's a Good Life".

"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.

"The French Mistake" is the fifteenth episode of the sixth season of paranormal drama television series Supernatural. It was first broadcast on The CW on February 25, 2011. In this episode, Sam and Dean are sent to an alternate reality by the angel Balthazar, where they are called actors named "Jared Padalecki" and "Jensen Ackles" who play Sam and Dean in a television show that follows their lives named Supernatural. Furthermore, in this reality, nothing supernatural exists. Sam and Dean attempt to return to their reality, but are hampered by their lives as actors as well as the crew of their TV show.

Crowley is a fictional character on the American paranormal drama television series Supernatural, portrayed by actor Mark Sheppard, Known as the King of the Crossroads and the King of Hell in Lucifer's absence. Introduced in the fifth season, Sheppard appeared in a recurring role in the next few seasons, and was eventually promoted to series regular in the tenth season. His final appearance was at the end of the twelfth season. His portrayal of Crowley has been met with positive reception from both critics and fans of the series. His name is inspired by Aleister Crowley.

All Hell Breaks Loose (<i>Supernatural</i>) 21st and 22nd episodes of the 2nd season of Supernatural

"All Hell Breaks Loose" is the joint title for the two-part second-season finale of The CW television series Supernatural. It consists of the twenty-first and twenty-second episodes of the second season. "Part One" was first broadcast on May 10, 2007, and the second part aired the following week on May 17, 2007. The narrative follows series protagonist Sam Winchester —a young man who travels the continental United States with his brother Dean hunting supernatural creatures—as he is abducted by series villain Azazel and sent to an abandoned town. Azazel intends to find a leader for his demon army by having Sam and other psychic children like him fight to the death. Sam is eventually killed, but is resurrected after Dean sells his soul. The sole survivor, Jake Talley, is sent by Azazel to a cemetery protected against demons, where he opens a gateway to Hell. At the end of the episode, Azazel is finally killed by Dean with the mystical Colt revolver, but not before hundreds of demons are released into the world.

"Sympathy for the Devil" is the first episode of the fifth season of paranormal drama television series Supernatural and the 83rd overall. The episode was written by showrunner and series creator Eric Kripke and directed by executive producer Robert Singer. It was first broadcast on September 10, 2009 on The CW. In the episode, Sam and Dean watch the aftermath of Lucifer being freed from the Cage while the angels plan a new strategy to stop the Apocalypse.

"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.

References

  1. "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. September 23, 2008. Archived from the original on May 30, 2009. Retrieved November 2, 2009.
  2. "100 Best Episodes of 2008: #100-76". 6 January 2009.
  3. M. Valenzano, Joseph; Engstrom, Erika (October 2, 2014). "Cowboys, Angels, and Demons: American Exceptionalism and the Frontier Myth in the CW's Supernatural". Communication Quarterly. 62 (5). Routledge: 552–568. doi:10.1080/01463373.2014.949388. S2CID   144079885.