Supernatural5x19 "Hammer of the Gods" spoilerish/discussion

[Bad Atom]

Definitely a mixed bag, I'd probably give it a C. It'll be interesting to see how they wrap this entire storyline up in the next three episodes. (Of course that wouldn't have been necessary if the writers hadn't wasted so much time earlier this season...)

We can't blame the writers for that. The splitting the season into stand alones with myth arc sprinkled throughout is the most serialized the show is allowed to do. Thats a studio mandate. And one of the reasons some episodes are jammed packed with two much material, as they aren't allowed to spread them out more. The more serialized the story typically the poorly performance both in syndication and in overseas sales. And with a show that performs so poorly in the US the studio has no real choice but to keep the show profitable.

But if they are going to do standalones then make them good episodes not a stitched together mish-mash of predictability and staleness.

I love a great standalone--heck one of my favorite shows TNG did them so well year in and year out from seasons 3-6. There were no arcs, no epic storytelling, not a lot of eye candy just a modest ensemble and good writers that could tell a good story on a regular basis with a nice mix of different story types. I hate SN's inconsistency. That sort of unevenness drove me up the wall with VOY--several weeks of mediocrity or awfulness just to get to a good solid or great episode. It just doesn't encourage loyal viewing. I don't want to tune into a series where it could be 50/50. I want to feel pretty confident that most weeks I'm going to walk away having enjoyed what I've just watched.

CW is such a crappy network and their reigning in of the budget and the mandate to limit serialization has hurt SN in my opinion.

The show is getting excellent ratings in syndication so far and the DVD sales are also pretty good from what I hear. That's where the real money is being made.

If I blamed the writers for anything, I'd blame them for starting an apocalypse and not being able to do much of interest with it. Yes, the budget has always been a problem, but that's no reason to limit the imagination in the scripts. Instead, we've been treated to more comedy episodes and meta-humor than ever before. And the dramatic episodes have often lacked focus and dramatic momentum.

 

[Snaploud]

I assume Kali survived as a means to further explain to Dean and Sam (as well as the audience) the relationship between western and eastern religions. Though, it is a little confusing (one reference to western religions not having the only gods and then another reference from Gabriel indicating that eastern gods were the western god's toys).

 

[DeadmeatDiggory]

"Don't monk my world turtle!" Greatest Line Ever.

I really enjoyed this episode, and the God's especially, although I would have liked a little more of them sprinkled throughout the season. Reminded me in part of Neil Gaiman's "American Gods".

I gotta say I'm loving the Horsemen so far. We've gotten say real cool ideas for each of them, except maybe for War (I'll have to watch his episode again to be sure. But that said I'm really digging Matt Frewer's Pestilence. I can't wait to see Death.

Oh, and bring on the Ghostfacers spin-off. If "The Lone Gunmen" can have their own show, so can the 'facers.

B+

 

[Vendikarr]

"You're not the only god. We were here first." Glad to see that the Judeo-Christian supernatural entities are not the only ones existing on this planet. I did fail to understand, though, why the JC entities were supposedly so much more powerful than the rest? Lucifer went through them like butter - what exactly is it that makes him so much stronger?

"Lucy... I'm home!"

My guess - the number of worshipers. The Capital G god has the combined worship of the Jewish, Christian and Muslim faiths. That is a significant portion of the population.

Comparatively speaking most of the pagan gods depicted here have few, if any, worshipers anymore.

 

[Checkmate]

Another entertaining episode. It felt a bit rushed and they really should have drawn out the pagan gods and their antics throughout the season at the very least, but it's nice that they at least got some mention.

Pestilence made me show my "eww" face more than once, which is awesome.

 

[Othello]

This was an above average episode with some great scenes and decent ones. Also, Changing Channels was a damn good episode.

 

[Snaploud]

"You're not the only god. We were here first." Glad to see that the Judeo-Christian supernatural entities are not the only ones existing on this planet. I did fail to understand, though, why the JC entities were supposedly so much more powerful than the rest? Lucifer went through them like butter - what exactly is it that makes him so much stronger?

"Lucy... I'm home!"

My guess - the number of worshipers. The Capital G god has the combined worship of the Jewish, Christian and Muslim faiths. That is a significant portion of the population.

I think Kali (?) referred the "Judeo-Christian" god, so perhaps Allah (the muslim god) still isn't represented.

 

[AJBryant]

Anyone else think the Ghostfacer's promo was part of the episode? I was thinking WTF? How the hell does THIS fit in?

I thought that too. I was like, Lucifer went through them like butter - what exactly is it that makes him so much stronger?

Because they're the REAL ones. The other guys were only "pretenders to the throne" as it were.

Lucifer sure brought some Gotterdamerung down on Odin. Not much Fenris-ish about Lucy, but, hey.

"Lucy... I'm home!"

Best line in the series.

 

[Snaploud]

Anyone else think the Ghostfacer's promo was part of the episode? I was thinking WTF? How the hell does THIS fit in?

I thought that too. I was like, Lucifer went through them like butter - what exactly is it that makes him so much stronger?

Because they're the REAL ones. The other guys were only "pretenders to the throne" as it were.

Lucifer seemed to think that the eastern gods were in charge at one point.

 

[Dream]

I liked it. But I thought all the humor scenes felt too out of place.

I thought it was a little silly how easily Lucifer slaughtered the other gods. At least have him breathing hard after killing those guys! They really are killing all the mytharc characters quickly aren't they? I'm a little worried about Cas now.

 

[Snick27]

So its that easy to kill an angel and even an arch angel? Just stab him with that sword and its dead ala vimpire.

So all Dean had to do was after he shot Satan in the head with the Colt was then stab him with Castiel Sword and this would all be over?

Heck why didnt some of the demons just grap one of those swords and go around killing all angels then?

Sorry but this is stupid, to be able to kill an angel so dam easy. Makes them so weak and easy to kill satan. Just set up a gun that shoots those little swords at him and dead.

Well is clear how this season is going to wrap up. Just trap satan and lock him back in his cage. Satan wont ever be able to get back out cause Lilith is no more.

What a waste and im so disappointment.

 

[Checkmate]

They'd have to get an archangel's sword to do it. And as you may have noticed, even the one archangel that actually was willing to help wouldn't relinquish his sword.

You may have noticed that most of the angels know how to fight pretty well, too. Sure, we see a lot of them die quickly on-camera, but that's more of a dramatic license than an accurate portrayal, I'd imagine. Hell, Castiel -- a subordinate angel -- kicks major ass even against multiple equals and betters. You think Lucifer or any of the other archangels would be that easy to take out except against one another?

 

[Lt. Trull]

there are 12 archangels...
Hmmm... makes me wonder... Castiel could be elevated to the level of a archangel...
especially if god smiles upon him because of his work with sam and dean.
there are archangel job openings....

 

[Checkmate]

Supernatural seems to be leaning more towards only four archangels. Uriel, for instance, is commonly referenced as one (one of the very common ones at that) but he clearly wasn't one on the show.

Castiel wasn't elevated to one either. If he had been, he'd have way more power. At best he just has his Father's blessing, even if he's all but forsaken Him himself.

 

[Dorian Thompson]

Also, Changing Channels was a damn good episode.

Othello, my man. High five. The CW site still doesn't have the damn episode up. Yes, it's an archangel's sword needed to kill Lucifer. Not the angel swords we've been seeing. Checkmate is correct.

 

[Lt. Trull]

I'm not saying he was elevated; I said it would be a fitting reward.

 

[Snick27]

Yes, it's an archangel's sword needed to kill Lucifer. Not the angel swords we've been seeing. Checkmate is correct.

OH ok, thats better then. So Dean was able to kill Zachariah with Castiel sword. I just thought Zach was higher up the food chain. Still if Castiel lost his or got attacked by bunch of Demons and they grabed it, then angels would be in for some trouble.

Still if this season is ended by Satan going back into his cage, wouldnt it be a disappointment? They came this whole way for nothing. Either kill him or make him turn face or have god show up and let them have it out, or something else.


Or have Satan kidnap God and have season 6 the search for God.

Just if satan goes back into cage then everything happened for nothing so whats the point in it all viewing wise?

 

[mswood]

Actually I really, really like the idea of just returning Lucifer to the Pit. I always hated the idea of either ending Lucifer, or having him win.

Castiel and Zach are both regular Angels, but yes Zach is his superior, just as Anna and Uriel were. But still normal Angels.

As to the other gods and their level of power, the show has already talked about it going back to the delicious season three episode A Very Supernatural Christmas (perhaps even season one when they faced their first pagan god) as the gods admit that as their worshippers shrank so did their powers. Thus most of those assembled would be child's play (as they have exceptionally few worshippers left), though of course there were a couple that had millions still, but in the face of a being who is believed to exist by billions, you are still going to be out classed.

 

[Dream]

Actually I really, really like the idea of just returning Lucifer to the Pit. I always hated the idea of either ending Lucifer, or having him win.

I never liked the idea of killing the devil either. It should be Sam that that traps Lucifer, since he was the one that (accidently) released the guy in the first place.

 

[Lt. Trull]

they mention here that cassiel is the speed of god...
whatever that job description is....
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Who_were_the_12_arch_angels