Out of the Darkness, Into the Fire

Last updated
"Out of the Darkness, Into the Fire"
Supernatural episode
Episode no.Season 11
Episode 1
Directed by Robert Singer
Written by Jeremy Carver
Production code4X6252
Original air dateOctober 7, 2015 (2015-10-07)
Running time42 minutes
Guest appearances
Episode chronology
← Previous
"Brother's Keeper"		Next →
"Form and Void"
Supernatural season 11
List of episodes

"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 .

Contents

The episode received critical acclaim, with critics praising the tone for the season and the new threat as well as the character development.

Plot

The season picks up exactly where it left off; Dean (Jensen Ackles) finds himself surrounded by the black smoke and finds a mysterious woman (Emily Swallow), revealed to be The Darkness. She tells him that's she's finally free, even going far as to say she didn't even know what The Death was and that they will always help each other as they're bound together. Sam (Jared Padalecki) wakes up in the Impala, where the black smoke is gone. He looks for Dean and finally discovers him in a field.

They soon drive to a highway where they discover dead police and medical officers. They are attacked by a medical officer, who's gunned down by a sheriff's deputy named Jenna Nickerson (Laci J. Mailey). She states that people began attacking each other like rabid dogs, revealing to have black veins in their necks. As she is injured, they take her to the hospital, where the administrators are also dead. Sam discovers an infected man trying to kill a person in a closet. The infected man dies and the man, is holding a newborn baby he just received when his wife died.

Meanwhile, Crowley (Mark A. Sheppard) evades Castiel's (Misha Collins) attack by leaving his vessel. Castiel is also feeling guilty about his actions and is being attacked by a family of hunters where he stood the past hours. Crowley takes on a female vessel. Crowley later retains his true vessel and is notified by his employees that The Darkness has been unleashed and that everyone on Hell heard a warning coming from Lucifer's Cage. That night, Castiel prays for help as police officers are cornering him. Two angels arrive to take Castiel for custody but they instead kidnap him for torture.

The infected man, Mike (Aaron Hill), states that he's infected too, but Dean speaks in private with Sam and Jenna to kill Mike before he morphs and kills them. When more infected people arrive, Sam decides to stay in the hospital to distract them while Dean and Jenna leave with the baby at Mike's request, also calling the baby Amara. Sam manages to attack the infected people but discovers he's infected too. Dean and Jenna stop in a shop, and while Jenna changes Amara's diaper, it's revealed the baby is carrying the Mark of Cain, revealing that the baby is The Darkness.

Reception

Viewers

The episode was watched by 1.94 million viewers with a 0.9/3 share among adults aged 18 to 49. [1] This was a 12% increase in viewership from the previous episode, which was watched by 1.73 million viewers; [2] but was a 23% decrease in viewership from the previous season premiere, which was watched by 2.50 million viewers. [3] This means that 0.9 percent of all households with televisions watched the episode, while 3 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 8.4 [4]
TV FanaticStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [5]

"Out of the Darkness, Into the Fire" received universal acclaim. Amy Ratcliffe of IGN gave the episode a "great" 8.4 out of 10 and wrote in her verdict, "The stakes seem to get bigger with every season of Supernatural, and they've effectively raised them with The Darkness. The Winchesters need to get back to their core mission of saving people, and this is already set up as the big bad that could unite them – but they ruined some of what they set up by having Sam hide something from Dean. The episode didn't pack quite the punch it could have, but it did a fine job of setting the stage and showing us that the Winchesters might be going back to their roots." [4]

Hunter Bishop of TV Overmind, wrote, "The brothers have to change, and they have to change now. I suspect they'll defeat The Darkness, or at least corral it; they are, after all, the closest things to real superheroes as you'll ever find. But if they are faced with the choice of living a life without the other, and letting the world burn, they have to choose the former. For the show's sake, for the people on it, and for the audience that has devoted 11 years to it, the Winchesters have to change. Or else all these bodies, and all this blood, and all of those broken homes mean nothing. Let's hope Sam and Dean learn that sooner rather than later, and end the story as the heroes, instead of the ones who destroyed everything." [6]

Samantha Highfill of EW stated: "Welcome back, everyone! Yes, I'm welcoming you back to a world that's covered in literal darkness and where Sam has once again found a way to put his life in danger — but still, feels kind of good, right? Overall, this hour reminded me a lot of the apocalypse days, or even the Croatoan virus — the deserted town, the infected individuals, the general sense of death and destruction. So let's break down what happened this week, or as I like to call it: The Winchester Boys and the Case of the Mysterious Darkness." [7]

Sean McKenna from TV Fanatic, gave a 4.4 star rating out of 5, stating: "Overall, this was an engaging episode that did a good job of focusing on the brothers and setting up what feels like a compelling new direction with the Darkness. I know it's early, and Supernatural usually does premieres well, but I can't help but be excited to get back on the road with Sam and Dean." [5]

MaryAnn Sleasman of TV.com wrote, "I'm so happy, you guys. Hellatus was long and cold and sad. It was fraught with worry and doubt—what if Supernatural returned and it was terrible? Don't lie, you know it to be true. The utter disappointment that was 'Exile on Main Street' still stings when I think about it. The Js and the writers and Jeremy Carver himself have been saying all summer long that Season 11 will herald a return to basics for Dean and Sam. I wasn't sure how to take this news initially. After all, the Winchesters have evolved too far to simply go back to the good old days of prank wars and credit card fraud." [8]

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.

"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.

"Brother's Keeper" is the twenty-third episode and season finale of the paranormal drama television series Supernatural's season 10, and the 218th overall. The episode was written by showrunner Jeremy Carver and directed by executive producer Phil Sgriccia. It was first broadcast on May 20, 2015, on The CW. In the episode, Dean kills a hunter and decides to summon Death to help him with the Mark of Cain as Sam tries to stop him. Meanwhile, Castiel and Crowley meet with Rowena in an attempt to destroy the Mark of Cain.

"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.

"Black" is the first episode of the paranormal drama television series Supernatural's season 10, and the 196th overall. The episode was written by showrunner Jeremy Carver and directed by executive producer Robert Singer. It was first broadcast on October 7, 2014, on The CW. In the episode, Sam begins looking for Dean and Crowley after discovered Dean returned to life as a demon. Meanwhile, Castiel is dealing with his dying grace while Hannah asks him for help in a mission.

"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.

"Soul Survivor" is the third episode of the paranormal drama television series Supernatural's season 10, and the 198th 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, 2014 on The CW. In the episode, Sam has now captured Dean and is trying to cure him to become human again. Meanwhile, Castiel and Hannah are attacked by Alina, an angel who wants revenge after they killed her friend, Daniel.

"Baby" is the 4th episode of the paranormal drama television series Supernatural's season 11, and the 222nd overall. The episode was written by Robbie Thompson and directed by Thomas J. Wright. It was first broadcast on October 28, 2015 on The CW. Shown entirely from within the Impala, the bottle episode follows Sam and Dean as they travel across America to hunt a previously undocumented species of monster.

"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.

"Thin Lizzie" is the 5th episode of the paranormal drama television series Supernatural's season 11, and the 223rd overall. The episode was written by Nancy Won and directed by Rashaad Ernesto Green. It was first broadcast on November 4, 2015 on The CW. In the episode, Sam and Dean Winchester investigate murders that were associated with Lizzie Borden.

"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.

"Mamma Mia" is the second episode of the paranormal drama television series Supernatural's season 12, and the 243rd overall. The episode was written by Brad Buckner & Eugenie Ross-Leming and directed by Thomas J. Wright. It was first broadcast on October 20, 2016, on The CW. In the episode, Dean, Mary and Castiel are getting closer to Sam's location. Sam, meanwhile, is continued to being tortured by Toni, looking for information on the American hunters. Meanwhile, Crowley has finally found Lucifer, who is now in a new vessel: a faded rock star named Vince Vincente and sets off with Rowena to send him back to the Cage. The episode marked the debut of Rick Springfield on the recurring role of Lucifer's vessel.

"The Foundry" is the third episode of the paranormal drama television series Supernatural's season 12, and the 244th overall. The episode was written by Robert Berens and directed by Robert Singer. It was first broadcast on October 27, 2016, on The CW. In the episode, Sam, Dean and Mary Winchester investigate a case where a couple were killed when they heard a baby crying in a house. They soon realize that there are ghosts in the house from the spirits of the dead kids but the spirit of the father of one of the kids possesses Mary. Meanwhile, Castiel is forced to team up with Crowley to find Lucifer, who wants Rowena to help him make him stronger.

"LOTUS" is the eight episode and midseason finale of the paranormal drama television series Supernatural's season 12, and the 249th overall. The episode was written by Eugenie Ross-Leming and Brad Buckner and directed by Phil Sgriccia. It was first broadcast on December 8, 2016, on The CW. In the episode, Lucifer possesses influential people, going as far as to possess the President of the United States. Using his new power, he tries to stop Sam and Dean from catching him.

References

  1. ↑ Baron, Steve (October 8, 2015). "Wednesday Final Ratings: 'Empire,' 'SVU' and others adjusted up, 'Arrow' holds, 'Nashville' adjusted down". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on October 8, 2015. Retrieved May 12, 2016.
  2. ↑ Baron, Steve (May 21, 2015). "Wednesday Final Ratings: 'Survivor', 'Survivor: Reunion' & 'Modern Family' Adjusted Up". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on May 22, 2015. Retrieved April 8, 2016.
  3. ↑ Baron, Steve (October 16, 2014). "Revised Tuesday, October 7 Final Ratings: 'Selfie', 'Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.' & 'Forever' Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on October 18, 2014. Retrieved May 12, 2016.
  4. 1 2 Ratcliffe, Amy (October 7, 2015). "Supernatural: "Out of the Darkness, Into the Fire" Review". IGN . Retrieved May 12, 2016.
  5. 1 2 "Supernatural Season 11 Episode 1 Review: Out of the Darkness, Into the Fire". TV Fanatic. 8 October 2015.
  6. ↑ Bishop, Hunter (October 7, 2015). "Supernatural Season 11 Episode 1 Review: 'Out of the Darkness, Into the Fire'". TV Overmind . Retrieved May 12, 2016.
  7. ↑ "'Out of the Darkness, Into the Fire': What do you get when you combine the Winchesters, a demon baby, and the Darkness?". Entertainment Weekly . October 7, 2015. Retrieved May 12, 2016.
  8. ↑ "Supernatural Season 11 Premiere Review: Croatoan 2.0". 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.