‘Supernatural’ episode ‘The Devil in the Details’ recap: Sam and Dean fight off Lucifer, Castiel gives in [VIDEOS]

“Supernatural” season 11 started the year with a strong episode. “The Devil in the Details” (episode 10) saw Sam and Dean Winchester (Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles) and their loyal angel Castiel (Misha Collins) joining forces to defeat Lucifer (Mark Pellegrino). It’s also the end of the line for Crowley’s (Mark A. Sheppard) manipulative mother Rowena (Ruth Connell).

Viewers learnt from last episode that the Darkness is God’s sister, and that the visions Sam had been seeing in his head wasn’t from God, but from Lucifer. As Lucifer explained, a crack in the cage, which the release of the Darkness caused, allowed him to contact his vessel. Amara (Emily Swallow) appeared to have been smote by God. She, of course, did not die, as the following episode can attest.

The Devil in the Details (Spoilers ahead)

The episode started off with a comical Christmas scene, in which there’s a child-like Crowley, who received a Pop Funko Sam Winchester toy as present, a bored Rowena in a reindeer headgear and blinking nose, and Lucifer in a Santa Claus costume. It turned out to be Rowena’s recurring dream for months. It also revealed that the centuries-old witch was in cahoots with Lucifer from the start.

Back in the cage, Lucifer still courted Sam to become his vessel. Sam appeared vulnerable but determined not to be used again. Lucifer then took Sam to flashbacks of his life. He saw himself as a teenager (the returning Colin Ford, who noticeably grew up from last he appeared in the show), as Sam living a normal life with Amelia and her dog, and as Lucifer’s vessel just before he jumped to the cage to imprison the fallen angel (season five ender).

Meanwhile, Crowley learnt of his mother’s deception. He shouldn’t have been surprised anymore since Rowena had always been a traitor. Rowena thought that once Lucifer regained heaven, she would be his right hand. As she said, Lucifer could easily beat the Darkness. Realising that Lucifer getting out of the cage would demote him from his throne, the King of Hell called Dean and confessed Sam was with Lucifer inside the cage.

In the end, Sam wisely realised that even though Lucifer could help them beat the Darkness, a loose Lucifer would be another problem they would be left with. So for once, he listened to his brother and declined Lucifer’s tempting offer with a resounding no.

Castiel, following his talk with the angel Ambriel, who made him realise of his true value (he’s expendable; Sam and Dean are the true heroes), figured out that he should save Sam from Lucifer. Although afraid of dying, he made a deal with Lucifer to use him (or more precisely, Jimmy Novak’s body) as a vessel instead.

Once again, Dean and Crowley teamed up to force Rowena to cast a spell and close the cage with Lucifer in it. It would take effect in about five minutes, but Dean and Castiel, who was sent to hell by the very much alive but a little woozy Amara to deliver a message, ran to the cage when they heard Lucifer beating Sam.

“Hey assbutt!” either Castiel or Dean shouted at Lucifer. Yes, that was the second “assbutt” of the episode, and the viewers were thrilled!

Sassy Lucifer couldn’t let their brawl be boring, though. He cued up “Heaven Must be Missing an Angel” before winking at the trio. As Dean helped Sam to his feet, Lucifer pounded Castiel and courted him at the same time. Apparently, Jimmy’s body is sturdy enough for both angels. The Winchesters and their best angel then teamed up to beat Lucifer, or at least they tried to.

With the witch catcher forcing Rowena to do Crowley’s bidding, the Scottish witch had no choice but to finish the spell. Lucifer then turned into a bright light before vanishing, leaving Sam, Dean and Castiel safe and out of the cage.

Castiel/Lucifer

Castiel seemed out of sorts when Lucifer vanished, and there’s a good reason for that. Apparently, it wasn’t Rowena’s spell that caused Lucifer to turn into a bright light. Castiel was able to give his “yes” to Lucifer before the spell was completed, allowing his older brother to use Jimmy’s body as vessel.

Rowena’s demise

Speaking of Rowena, the hard-to-kill witch was finally kaput. Just when she finally admitted to Crowley why exactly did she loathe him, a suave and overly confident Castiel/Lucifer appeared and, seconds later, snapped Rowena’s neck.

As for Rowena’s reasons, she gave Crowley three. First, seeing Crowley reminded her how ordinary she was before she turned into a witch. Second, when Crowley was born, his father returned to his wife, leaving Rowena to fend for herself and her son. And finally, she hated him because if she didn’t, she would love him, and that’s a weakness she wouldn’t allow herself to have.

The return of Adam and Michael

Adam, the forgotten brother, will (maybe) finally be remembered in the coming episodes. Executive producer Jeremy Carver recently told TV Line that the 11^th season will address the Winchesters’ long-lost (then found, then lost again) brother. It might not be something to get excited about since the show will “touch on it lightly.” Nevertheless, the Winchesters acknowledging that they have another brother is a treat for the fans already.

As viewers can remember (even if the Winchesters appeared to have not), the archangel Michael used Adam Milligan’s body as a vessel, and both were trapped inside the cage with Lucifer. The cage, as shown in this and the previous episode, didn’t see Adam/Michael inside, but that’s probably due to the cage being magical and not an ordinary one.

Next week’s “Into the Mystic” episode appears to be a filler but will expectedly drop important titbits about the boys’ main quest as well.