TV episode review
US airdate 15 May 2008 (The CW)

There are 30 hours to go until Dean is sent to hell, but using information that the doomed Bela supplied, Bobby locates the demon that holds the contract - Lilith. With one last chance to find a solution, Sam calls on Ruby. She assures him that she can teach him to use the powers he still has, but Dean won’t stand for it. They take her knife, and with Bobby insisting he comes too, they go off after Lilith…

Whoa – this episode not only caps the season perfectly, but points to several new intriguing directions for the next season. And on top of that, the whole scenario depicting Lilith's depravity is just nailbiting.

This season of Supernatural has been compelling not just in terms of action and horror, but in the emotional portraits of the characters. The episode plays with the latter in tantalising ways that don’t bode well for Sam, let alone Dean. The ending is exquisitely painful, if not a little bewildering. The gaps in the narrative and the stunning final shot should keep viewers on tenterhooks until the next season opener and no doubt beyond. Brigid Cherry

VERDICT: 9/10

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