Supernatural Season 9, Episode 11
Supernatural is by far one of my favorite television series. The show has managed to captivate audiences with it's two handsome demon hunting siblings Dean and Sam Winchester; as well as, its many references to biblical text. Of course, the name alone invokes a sense of awareness and maintains a transcendent quality that keeps viewers begging for more. Well, this viewer anyway. Supernatural is defined as, of or relating to God or a god, demigod, spirit, or devil (Merriam Webster). Such a broad spectrum of a realm beyond our human understanding and existence has given writers the capability to explore questions and answers in a seemingly pragmatic sense. My allusion deals with the episode entitled, "First Born". The bible is notorious for it's firstborns. One of the most infamous, controversial and earliest, besides Adam of course, is Cain, whom is also the firstborn alluded to in Season 9, Episode 11. While this episode does encompass two different story lines, my focus will be on the one that follows Dean, played by Jensen Ackles.
Before I plunge further, allow me a chance to quickly recap the happenings until this moment. An Angel by the name of Metatron, (Curtis Armstrong) has cast every angel from heaven while a knight of hell, Abaddon, (Josie Sands) seeks to destroy not only the brothers but the king of hell, Crowley. Meanwhile, recently possessed by an angel and newly exorcised Sam, played by Jared Padelecki, 
and yes I just couldn't resist, is with another angel Castiel, (Misha Collins) searching for a way to bring down Metatron. It is while Castiel is healing Sam that he realizes a fragment of grace has been left behind by the angel who possessed him, Gadreel (Tahmoh Penikett), and if he can extract enough from Sam there is a spell that will aid them in tracking Gadreel, whom is working for Metatron. One would think, "Where is God?" Well, according to Metatron and other angels, God just left and hasn't returned in the better part of a millennium. Interesting! There is biblical evidence to support God's separation from mankind when it becomes too impure.
and yes I just couldn't resist, is with another angel Castiel, (Misha Collins) searching for a way to bring down Metatron. It is while Castiel is healing Sam that he realizes a fragment of grace has been left behind by the angel who possessed him, Gadreel (Tahmoh Penikett), and if he can extract enough from Sam there is a spell that will aid them in tracking Gadreel, whom is working for Metatron. One would think, "Where is God?" Well, according to Metatron and other angels, God just left and hasn't returned in the better part of a millennium. Interesting! There is biblical evidence to support God's separation from mankind when it becomes too impure.
So, why are Sam and Dean separated? Dean is seeking redemption for allowing Sam to be possessed and teams up with Crowley to seek a knife. Crowley explains it is the only instrument able to defeat Abaddon because it was used to execute the 'Knights of Hell'. He persuades Dean to search the family vault for what he calls the "The First Blade". Dean reluctantly goes to the vault but does locate information about the blade and the name of a woman who can help them locate it, Tara. After finding Tara, she shows them a location spell but is missing one ingredient. Of course, Crowley is able to retrieve it and voila, the blade is somewhere in Missouri... on a farm? What's up with these people and spells? I don't remember any spells being used in the Old Testament. When Dean and Crowley finally make it to the farm, a beekeeper can be seen walking amongst the hives, whom Crowley readily identifies as Cain, played by Timothy Omundson.
Rewind. Cain? How old is this guy? First, let's address the honeybees and the fact that the father of murder is the beekeeper.
Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey; but I will not go up among you, lest I consume you on the way, for you are a stiff-necked people.” Exodus 33:3
This could explain why God has been absent for so long. Not to mention, Dean's character has always been stubborn and rash as well as violent. Cain also makes the statement, 'Without bees, mankind would cease to exist. Honey, in this case, is indicative to fertility. When looking back to the separate story lines of this episode, on one hand there is grace remaining inside of Sam and on the other Dean is seeking redemption for his actions. The writers not only establish a fine line between redemption and grace, they also are insinuating that Dean is close to the proverbial promise land. Once again, God hasn't been around, so is it even possible to have all three without His blessing? Crowley seemingly acts as if he wants no part in asking Cain for any assistance and begs Dean to leave. However, reluctance has never been a strong suit for Dean to wear. Dean demands that Cain give them the blade. Cain states that he no longer has the blade. Besides it was he who built the Knight's of Hell. It was also Cain, who slaughtered them. In a very interesting exchange of words between two firstborns, Cain and Dean, the audience is given an entirely different view on what really took place the day Cain killed Abel.
Cain: We're Kindred Souls.
Dean: Except for I didn't kill my brother.
Cain: No. You saved him.
This is the biblical rendition of what happened that dark day in history. Genesis 4: 1-16 expresses that Adam and Eve conceived and Cain was the firstborn. They conceived again and Eve bore another son Abel. Abel was a keeper of sheep and Cain worked the ground. When presenting to the alter, Cain gave an offering of fruit but Abel gave an offering of the firstborn of his flock and the fat portions. God was happy about Abel's offering but not Cain's. When God witnessed Cain's fallen countenance:
The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.” Genesis 4: 6,7
Cain eventually went to his brother and spoke to him. He rose up to kill him while in the field. God later comes to Cain questioning him about his brother. Cain then replies in the most infamous line, " I do not know. Am I my brother's keeper?" Genesis 4:9
God then curses Cain.
Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment is greater than I can bear. Behold, you have driven me today away from the ground, and from your face I shall be hidden. I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.” Then the Lord said to him, “Not so! If anyone kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold.” And the Lord put a mark on Cain, lest any who found him should attack him. Then Cain went away from the presence of the Lord and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden. Genesis 4:13-17
Well, this is the biblical story and the mark of Cain stands true even in the fictional version. There is an actual mark on the forearm of Cain. In Supernatural, Cain; however, tells the story with a twist.
Cain:
Abel wasn't talking to God. He was talking to Lucifer. Lucifer was gonna make my brother into his pet, I couldn't bear to watch him be corrupted, so I offered a deal — Abel's soul in Heaven for my soul in Hell. Lucifer accepted... as long as I was the one who sent Abel to Heaven. So, I killed him. Became a soldier of Hell — a knight.
This is why Supernatural's Cain said he and Dean were kindred souls. Sam made a deal in a prior season. The difference was Dean took on the burden so his brother wouldn't die. Dean went to hell so Sam could live. Sam living, is the reason there was some grace remaining. Cain isn't even able to toil the earth, yet, he is still a earthbound spirit; regardless of him being a demon. He only wants to be left alone, even in this episode, and has sworn off any violence after his dearly departed fiance begged him to stop. Supernatural creators use many references to biblical text but this is by far the best. The idea that Cain is a semi good guy who remains to this day is remarkable. Remember, the mark of Cain was placed on Cain in the event those who found him should attack him. I absolutely love the fact that the blade works with the 'Mark'. Cain tells Dean where the blade can be found and transfers the 'Mark', which could only be transferred to someone Cain deemed worthy. This is done in the heat of attack upon Cain's house by some unruly demons working for Abaddon. Cain places Dean and Crowley safely outside of the house and tells Dean to do what he needs to do. The scene ends with Cain surrounded by Demons and a bright red light emanating from the house as the screams and cries of Demons hunt our auditory nerves.
Please excuse the language, as it is not my own. Enjoy!
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Rewind. Cain? How old is this guy? First, let's address the honeybees and the fact that the father of murder is the beekeeper.Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey; but I will not go up among you, lest I consume you on the way, for you are a stiff-necked people.” Exodus 33:3
This could explain why God has been absent for so long. Not to mention, Dean's character has always been stubborn and rash as well as violent. Cain also makes the statement, 'Without bees, mankind would cease to exist. Honey, in this case, is indicative to fertility. When looking back to the separate story lines of this episode, on one hand there is grace remaining inside of Sam and on the other Dean is seeking redemption for his actions. The writers not only establish a fine line between redemption and grace, they also are insinuating that Dean is close to the proverbial promise land. Once again, God hasn't been around, so is it even possible to have all three without His blessing? Crowley seemingly acts as if he wants no part in asking Cain for any assistance and begs Dean to leave. However, reluctance has never been a strong suit for Dean to wear. Dean demands that Cain give them the blade. Cain states that he no longer has the blade. Besides it was he who built the Knight's of Hell. It was also Cain, who slaughtered them. In a very interesting exchange of words between two firstborns, Cain and Dean, the audience is given an entirely different view on what really took place the day Cain killed Abel.
Cain: We're Kindred Souls.
Dean: Except for I didn't kill my brother.
Cain: No. You saved him.
This is the biblical rendition of what happened that dark day in history. Genesis 4: 1-16 expresses that Adam and Eve conceived and Cain was the firstborn. They conceived again and Eve bore another son Abel. Abel was a keeper of sheep and Cain worked the ground. When presenting to the alter, Cain gave an offering of fruit but Abel gave an offering of the firstborn of his flock and the fat portions. God was happy about Abel's offering but not Cain's. When God witnessed Cain's fallen countenance:
The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.” Genesis 4: 6,7
Cain eventually went to his brother and spoke to him. He rose up to kill him while in the field. God later comes to Cain questioning him about his brother. Cain then replies in the most infamous line, " I do not know. Am I my brother's keeper?" Genesis 4:9
God then curses Cain.
Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment is greater than I can bear. Behold, you have driven me today away from the ground, and from your face I shall be hidden. I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.” Then the Lord said to him, “Not so! If anyone kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold.” And the Lord put a mark on Cain, lest any who found him should attack him. Then Cain went away from the presence of the Lord and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden. Genesis 4:13-17
Well, this is the biblical story and the mark of Cain stands true even in the fictional version. There is an actual mark on the forearm of Cain. In Supernatural, Cain; however, tells the story with a twist.
Cain:
Abel wasn't talking to God. He was talking to Lucifer. Lucifer was gonna make my brother into his pet, I couldn't bear to watch him be corrupted, so I offered a deal — Abel's soul in Heaven for my soul in Hell. Lucifer accepted... as long as I was the one who sent Abel to Heaven. So, I killed him. Became a soldier of Hell — a knight.
This is why Supernatural's Cain said he and Dean were kindred souls. Sam made a deal in a prior season. The difference was Dean took on the burden so his brother wouldn't die. Dean went to hell so Sam could live. Sam living, is the reason there was some grace remaining. Cain isn't even able to toil the earth, yet, he is still a earthbound spirit; regardless of him being a demon. He only wants to be left alone, even in this episode, and has sworn off any violence after his dearly departed fiance begged him to stop. Supernatural creators use many references to biblical text but this is by far the best. The idea that Cain is a semi good guy who remains to this day is remarkable. Remember, the mark of Cain was placed on Cain in the event those who found him should attack him. I absolutely love the fact that the blade works with the 'Mark'. Cain tells Dean where the blade can be found and transfers the 'Mark', which could only be transferred to someone Cain deemed worthy. This is done in the heat of attack upon Cain's house by some unruly demons working for Abaddon. Cain places Dean and Crowley safely outside of the house and tells Dean to do what he needs to do. The scene ends with Cain surrounded by Demons and a bright red light emanating from the house as the screams and cries of Demons hunt our auditory nerves.
Please excuse the language, as it is not my own. Enjoy!
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