Review: Supernatural Episode 1519, “Inherit the Earth”

Despite some convenient plotting, the penultimate episode of Supernatural slays us with its nostalgia and poetic sense of finality.

Defeated and alone, the Winchesters and Jack face Chuck for one final showdown, two angelic brothers return to add a dash of dissension and betrayal, and Jack finds a grand new purpose. Throw in a plot twist for good measure and you have the base ingredients of “Inherit the Earth,” Supernatural’s penultimate episode.

My feelings towards this installment, which could easily have been mistaken for the finale, are overwhelmingly positive. Granted, it wasn’t the calamitous clash I had envisioned. In fact, both of this episode’s cosmic confrontations were largely underwhelming. However, there’s no denying that poetic justice was ultimately served.

This show has always centered around the Winchesters, so perhaps that’s why the choice to focus on their wits and resourcefulness instead of grand displays of power and wrath worked in the end. The episode’s biggest strengths were in its cunning and emotional impact.

Lucifer (yay!), played by Mark Pellegrino; and Michael (meh) portrayed by Jake Abel, returned for a confrontation that was all fizzle, no bang. I was overjoyed to see Pellegrino reprise the role, he’s always brought his special brand of devil-may-care humor to the character. Their return was crucial to the plot, but it was also more short-lived than I would’ve liked.

Additionally, the episode did the thing where events happen off-screen or are only shown to viewers as flashbacks later on so it can preserve the element of surprise. It seemed like a case of “what the audience doesn’t see, Chuck doesn’t see either” because in the past, the Winchesters unsuccessfully tried to guard against him discovering their plans. This was a serviceable way to pull the wool over the all-knowing Chuck’s eyes, I suppose.

The episode opens with scenes of desolate cities around the world: the Winchesters and Jack truly are by their lonesome. Dean drives into Hastings, Minnesota as Sam and Jack wander the empty streets. Surveying the barren town, they struggle to come to terms with the monumental loss. Dean tells Sam that Chuck is the responsible party, not Billie, and breaks the news about Castiel’s sacrifice. Of Castiel’s feelings towards him, he says nothing. Still wrestling with the current reality, Sam tries to call a few of their friends and gets their voicemails — so very alone.

While Sam and Dean enter an empty café, talking about whether they’re the only ones left, a heartbroken Jack sits outside and utters one word: “Cas.” When he gets up to enter the café, all the potted plants wither and die as he passes. As previously thought, this ends up being immensely significant.

Sam feels it’s all his fault. Had he not resisted and given Chuck what he wanted, the world wouldn’t have had to pay this price. Dean and Jack try to stay positive but as Sam points out, “there’s no one left to save, everybody’s gone.” He’s given up.

Later that night, after summoning Chuck, Sam and Dean wait for him to arrive. When the smug Almighty appears, they concede defeat, saying they’ll give him what he wants. Sam will kill Dean, Dean will kill Sam or they’ll kill each other, Chuck can pick, as long as he brings everyone and everything back, including Castiel. The Winchesters were written into a corner, and when they surrendered, I heard the dying screams of the show grinding away all its momentum.

While Mr. Shurley appreciates their capitulation, it comes too late. As it turns out, he’s really enjoying watching them rot on a lifeless planet, drowning in their eternal shame and loneliness. In other words, he thinks the new story is lit!

Back at the Bunker, Dean lies passed out on the floor after a drinking binge — and why not, he’s basically out of a job — while Sam opts for coffee. When Jack enters and tells them he’s sensing another presence, they set out, but not before questioning how he’s able to do so without any power.

As we learn towards the end of the episode, they had seen the plants dying when Jack passed by, and it registered as strange to both of them. That, together with this newfound ability, must’ve gotten them talking about what it could all mean. We’re never shown this, but it must have happened, because much of the plan they come up with hinges on this knowledge.

They pull up at a service station to refuel and Dean makes a startling discovery: a dog! After naming him Miracle, he excitedly tells Sam that maybe Chuck didn’t get everyone and that Miracle is going home with them. That’s right, the dog’s sitting in the Impala! “Believe it or not, you’re the best thing that’s happened in the last few days,” he says, stroking Miracle. Chuck the Cruel and Petty appears in a nearby field, making Miracle disappear along with all Dean’s joy.

A while later, they arrive at a Church where Jack believes the presence is coming from, and are surprised by Michael. He tells them he took refuge in the church when the rapture first began, and because he’s sure daddy dearest knows he sided with the Winchesters, he’s had to stay off Chuck’s radar. In light of recent events, however, he’s decided he’s ready to help them.

When they return to the bunker, they present Chuck’s death book to Michael in the hopes that he’ll be able to open/read it. But he cannot. Because he’s not Death.

Chilling down in the despondent dumps with Sam once more, Dean gets a call from Castiel’s phone and hears his voice: “Dean, I’m here, I’m hurt. Can you let me in?” Dean opens the door and is greeted by Lucifer’s “Wassupppp?” He promptly slams it shut in his face, but not before our sly Luci teleports himself inside, saying they would never have opened if they knew it was him. Hi Luci, welcome back!

Supernatural — “Inherit the Earth” — Image Number: SN1519a_0363r.jpg — Pictured (L-R): Jake Abel as Michael, Alexander Calvert as Jack, Jensen Ackles as Dean and Jared Padalecki as Sam — Photo: Bettina Strauss/The CW — © 2020 The CW Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

The last time we saw Lucifer, Jack foiled his resurrection from The Empty. He says that after Chuck murdered the world, The Empty kicked him out, ordering him to find and use Chuck’s book to destroy him. Naturally, the Winchesters don’t trust him and are wholly against working with him. As a token of good faith, Lucifer manifests a restrained reaper named Betty, kills her and waits for her to become the new Death, who is now able to read the book. Of course I want things to work out for the boys, but the ease and speed of these new developments didn’t sit well with me.

While Betty locks herself away with the book, Lucifer and Michael have a prickly family reunion. “Wow, look at you, bro, the almost mighty,” patronizes Lucifer. Michael questions if the Winchesters are actually going to trust Lucifer, but let it be known that not for a moment did Sam and Dean let their guards down.

Lucifer taunts Michael, saying that he understands why he’s bitter. After everything Michael did for his father, he was still treated no better than him. “I did what I did because it was the right thing to do, not to get his love,” counters Michael. Lucifer retorts that that’s good because God had no love to give to anyone, not even to humanity.

They’re interrupted by Betty, who informs them she’s read the book and she knows how Chuck ends. You can see the desperate hope on Sam’s face as he asks if she’s sure. “Of course I’m sure, I’m Death,” she says. “You’ve been Death for an hour,” Dean points out, so she proceeds to open the book and reads: “Behold, in the end, there is the ending of He who created the beginning, and thus it will be…”

Unfortunately, she doesn’t get to complete the sentence because Lucifer snaps his fingers, decimating her, and takes possession of the open book. He reveals his true purpose: Chuck was the one who freed him from The Empty and sent him to obtain the book.

After bragging that he’s now God’s favorite and incensing Michael with further taunts, he sends the Winchesters flying across the room (typical). Michael and Lucifer go head to head in what has to be the most unimpressive display of power I’ve ever seen. Michael blasts one unremarkable blue ball of energy at his brother, which he dodges, and Lucifer fires one equally unexceptional bolt at Michael, knocking him out, all while holding the book in his other hand. Battle over.

Lucifer then tries to talk Jack into ditching the Winchesters and joining him and Chuck, adding it’s the only way he’ll survive as he’s no longer strong enough to take on his poppa.

However, his chit-chat with Jack gives Michael enough time to pick himself up from the floor and use the archangel blade, which Sam gave him, to kill Lucifer. Chuck’s still-open book falls to the floor and Jack does some heavy breathing on his side of the room. Once again, we find out why later.

Bye Luci, I’ll miss ya! This entire subplot felt far too rushed and convenient.

Catching his breath in the kitchen, Michael tells Dean that he hasn’t been in a battle like that for centuries. Setting a really low bar for battles, Mikey. Dean says he’s glad Michael was there and points out that Chuck is getting desperate if he sought Lucifer out for help. Michael seems upset that Chuck reached out to Lucifer and not him, although he claims it’s definitely not something he would’ve wanted.

He surmises that the book is once again rendered useless without Death to read it. However, Dean says that at least it’s open, and because Sam thinks he recognized some of the symbols as a form of Enochian, he’s going to try to decode the ending using The Book of the Damned.

A long while later, Sam emerges with good news: He was able to piece it together. It? A spell, he announces. He explains the details of the spell — they must go to a specific location, at an exact angle from the sun, and the spell will release an unstoppable force that will find and destroy Chuck — and my first thought was, “That’s it? Sammy, that is so made up!” They’ve performed far more dangerous, death-defying spells to take down foes far less formidable than Chuck in the past.

They head out to a beautiful spot on the lake and use what looks like pantry herbs to perform the spell, sending shooting blue rays into the sky. It was all very picturesque. Suddenly, the spell seems to backfire and before you can say “Michael’s a traitor,” Chuck appears and flings the Winchesters and Jack across the sand. Always expect to see them being flung!

Chuck proceeds to thank Michael for warning him about the plan. “It’s always been my destiny to serve you,” says the spineless backstabber. However, no good deed goes unpunished, and Chuck is still salty about Michael siding with the Winchesters. And so, Michael meets his explosive end. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out, pal!

Chuck turns his attention to Sam and Dean, saying that while their eternal pain and suffering looks good on paper, it’s boring to watch. “We’re done, I’m cancelling your show,” he says. Sam takes the opportunity to give Chuck a hefty punch, “one for the road,” before Chuck uses his power to bring them to their knees in agony.

Instead of snapping his fingers and ending it quickly, he decides to get his hands dirty, and I had to sit through what felt like hours of my boys taking a brutal beating. One at a time, they keep coming and Chuck lands painful, bloody blow after blow, breaking arms and legs while he’s at it. He keeps urging them to stay down, but battered and broken, they keep coming, which frustrates Chuck. Eventually, arm in arm and bloodied, they stand up together with huge grins on their faces. “Why are you smiling?” demands Chuck. “Because, you lose,” laughs Sam, and he motions to Jack.

Chuck warily approaches Jack and tries to snap him out of existence but nothing happens. After a few more frantic and unsuccessful snaps, Jack’s over it. His eyes light up, he places his hands on Chuck’s head, absorbing the last of his power. Then, with a snap of his fingers, he heals Sam and Dean.

Powerless and cowering on the ground, Chuck wants answers. The Winchesters finally disclose their clever little scheme through a series of revealing flashbacks. First, however, Sam shows Chuck the pages of his book, which are empty. “There’s nothing there,” says Chuck. Sam informs him that there is but, all together now, only Death can read the book!

Supernatural — “Inherit the Earth” — Image Number: SN1519a_0015r.jpg — Pictured (L-R): Jensen Ackles as Dean and Jake Abel as Michael — Photo: Bettina Strauss/The CW — © 2020 The CW Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

After Lucifer’s death, they picked up the open book and realized they still couldn’t read it. Thus, they came up with a Plan B, which Dean says was easy when they took into account that Michael is a “daddy’s boy.” They noticed his displeasure when Lucifer was taunting him and anticipated his desperation to be Chuck’s favorite again. They made up the story about the spell, knowing Michael would go running to his old man.

Next, we learn that the spell that turned Jack into a bomb has now resulted in him becoming a power vacuum. He wasn’t killing the plants, he was absorbing their power, something Sam and Dean realized earlier on. When Michael and Lucifer, two archangels, were — and I use the word loosely — fighting, it charged Jack right up.

The Winchesters knew Michael would betray them and knew Chuck would show up. When Chuck killed Michael and when he was beating the Winchesters to a pulp, he was releasing God-power that, once again, Jack was absorbing, making him unbeatable.

“This is why you’re my favorite,” says an awestruck Chuck, adding that for the first time, he has no idea what happens next. “Is this where you kill me? I mean, I can never think of an ending where I lose but this, after everything that I’ve done to you… to die at the hands of Sam Winchester, of Dean Winchester, the ultimate killer, it’s kinda glorious.”

However, Dean says that’s not who they are. After Jack confirms Chuck’s power won’t ever come back because it’s not his anymore, they say his ending will be one where he’s just like them, and like all the other humans he forgot about. It’s the ending where he grows old, gets sick and dies. “And no one cares, and no one remembers you. You’re just forgotten,” concludes Sam.

Chuck is left to plead after them as they drive away, human, alone and desperate. Interesting indeed. Billie called it. This, in itself, was a victory for the Winchesters as they stayed true to their characters. Of all the possible endings for Chuck, this was a worthy one. Chuck the writer went out in literary irony.

Back in town, Jack the new Almighty returns everyone to Earth and no one’s the wiser. Everything picks up exactly where it left off as Jack, Sam and Dean look on in delight. They’ve done it, the Winchesters have finally won! Jack also reveals that Amara is with him and they’re in harmony.

Flushed with victory and excitement and sure of Jack returning with them, Dean discusses all the plans he has to spruce up the bunker. However, Jack informs them that he’s not going back home. “In a way, I’m already there,” he says. “Where,” Dean asks. “Everywhere,” says Jack.

He reassures them, saying he’ll always be around, in every aspect of nature and of creation. Dean sees it as him bailing at a really bad time, especially since people will have many questions. “And those answers will be in each of them. Maybe not today, but someday. People won’t need to pray to me or to sacrifice to me. They just need to know that I’m already a part of them and to trust in that. I won’t be hands-on. Chuck put himself in the story. That was his mistake. But I learnt from you and my mother and Castiel that when people have to be their best, they can be. And that’s what to believe in,” answers Jack, sounding more wise and benevolent by the second. “I’m really as close as this,” he says, gesturing to his heart, before saying goodbye, walking away and disappearing as the Winchesters look on tearfully. “See ya, Jack,” says Sam.

It was an emotional, poignant farewell to Jack, and I was moved to see him fulfill an even bigger destiny. It’s a fate his mother and Castiel always wanted for him, and whether this outcome was always the intention of the writers or not, it felt like providence.

The rules governing the Supernatural universe have always seemed fluid, applying only when the writers needed them to. In theory, what’s to stop Jack, for example, from bringing Castiel back, now that he has the power? This is why I appreciated Jack saying he won’t be hands-on. It seems to imply that order and harmony, the ebb and flow, life and death will truly be allowed to follow their natural courses without his interference. Castiel’s sacrifice will never lose its emotional intensity or be cheapened by another resurrection…I hope. (Although I really would love to see John Winchester in the series finale. Jack?)

After everything, the Winchesters share a beer in the bunker, no doubt processing the victory. They drink to everyone they’ve lost along the way. Sam also realizes that with Chuck no longer writing their story, they’re free to live their own lives, just the two of them, going wherever the story leads. “Finally free,” says Dean, and the tears I’ve been suppressing flow freely as they get up and walked towards the camera. Together.

They hit the road. While driving, we’re shown flashbacks of episodes and characters from across the seasons. The nostalgia absolutely slayed me. I was overwhelmed by emotion and I don’t know how I’m going to make it through the two-hour finale with my heart in one piece.

But what does the finale have in store when this episode felt so conclusive? Co-showrunner Andrew Dabb told TV Line that the finale “is more character-based and is more concerned with Sam, Dean and this family they’ve built around them than it is with figuring out the Case of the Week.” He also said that “Sam and Dean started this journey together, and they are ending this journey together”. Yep, I’m unlikely to survive it emotionally.

The finale airs Thursday, November 19 at 9/8c on The CW, following a retrospective special at 8:00 p.m.

Super highlights

When Dean discovered the dog, the happiness on his face made me tear up. But it also brought back amusing memories of his notorious dislike towards dogs, which only changed after season 9’s “Dog Dean Afternoon.” This was a great addition.

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