When we last left, Sam Winchester was being held hostage by a crazy man looking to kill Sam's brother Dean (For reasons we don't know yet). In the beginning of this episode, we flashback to 2003 where a young boy finds his dad dead in their living room having been killed by Dean. Back in the present, we find out that the guy keeping Sam hostage was the boy in the story. Cole (the guy holding Sam hostage) is telling the story of why he has a vendetta against Dean. Cole is trying to talk Sam into helping him kill Dean. Sam refuses and explains to him that there are monsters out there and there had to be a reason Dean killed his dad. Cole pulls out some "tools" and begins to torture Sam until he tells him where he is.
Sam continues to resist. While Sam is being tortured, Dean is at a strip club having a good time. He asks the stripper for a little more than a dance, when she leaves because she is creeped out. The bouncer interjects and Dean beats the hell out of him. As Dean hits the bouncer, Cole hits Sam. This continues for a bit. Dean eventually leaves and Crowley tells him it's time to discuss what he is going to do next.
In the middle of the torture, Cole gets a phone call from his family and this gives Sam an opportunity to find a way out of his restraints and call Castiel. Sam tells him that he has to get to North Dakota. Sam admits to Castiel that Dean is a demon. Sam hot wires a truck and goes on his way to get Dean. Castiel along with his angel partner Hannah head off to make there way to get Dean. On the way there, Castiel, who is still getting used to being somewhat mortal, falls asleep at the wheel causing them to crash into a tree. They eventually get a tow and the woman who gives them a tow offers them a place to stay. Castiel passes out on the couch and Hannah smiles at him while he sleeps.
Back at a bar, Crowley explains that it's time Dean kills someone. He tells him that it's time to feed that need and that Crowley will help him. He will point him at the people who deserve to be killed. First target was a cheating woman. Not only did she cheat, but she wanted a divorce and wanted half of his stuff. So he sold his soul to have his wife killed. Dean agrees, but there was one thing Crowley says that he needs to know before hand. Dean heads to go kill her, when her husband pulls up to look it happen. Dean gets in the car and tells him he deserves it because he cheated first. The husband tells him "Do your job you freak" and then Dean stabs him. Meanwhile, Sam is hot on Dean's trail finding out he was at the strip club. Unfortunately, Cole is following Sam right to Dean.
Crowley is having a meeting on what appear to be improvements on hell. He is bored out of his mind. When the phone rings and it's Sam saying that he's close. Dean comes in and tells him that the guy is dead. Crowley is pissed because he can't get the soul unless the contract is fulfilled. Dean pushes Crowley down and Crowley is a bit confused and honestly looks a bit scared. Crowley says Dean doesn't know what he want and tell him to pick a side. To which Dean says "or what? Take a shot and see how it ends. I ain't your freaking bestie and I'm not taking orders. When I need to kill, I'll call. Until then, stay out of my way.". Crowley begrudgingly agrees and says we're done. Crowley finds Sam and is willing to give up Dean, but there's a finders fee.
Castiel's Hannah leaves Castiel in the car while she makes her way to Heaven to talk to Metatron. She wants to give Castiel his grace back. Metatron obviously wants out of jail. Metatron says he will give her his grace and he will leave Earth and even the galaxy. Castiel stops her before she could make the deal. He says it's not worth it even if he dies. Castiel says he's made peace with his fate.
Sam finally catches up with Dean in a bar. Dean tells him that if he wanted to be cured, he wouldn't have left. Sam pleads with him, but Dean explains he doesn't want his help and he should leave. Sam continues to try and talk him into letting him help him saying that he's his brother and is here to take him home. Dean laughs at Sam, mocks him and pours himself a drink. The guy looking for Dean throws tear gas into the bar and Sam leaves and get knocked out upon entering. Cole. Cole and Dean meet up and Cole with his gun drawn explains that he let him live so Sam would lead him right to Dean. Cole explains why he did it. Dean doesn't really care. Cole puts his gun away and pulls out a knife saying that his is real payback. Cole tries his damnedest, but he just can't beat Dean. Before Dean could leave, Sam throws holy water on Dean and cuffs him with handcuffs with demon restraint spells.
Back from break, Sam gives Crowley the First Blade. Apparently that was the deal. Dean is in the backseat and gives Crowley the look letting him know payback is at hand. Cole heads to the library demanding everything on demons.
Back in the car on the road, Sam says there has to be some humanity left in him because he let Cole live. Dean explained that it wasn't mercy. He let him live knowing that the guy he spent his who life trying to find and kill couldn't be taken down. That's worst than killing him. Dean tells him that what he's going to do to him, won't be merciful.
Rating: 9.5
This gets such a high rating because this didn't turn into Dean saying he couldn't control the demon. Dean is really gone (until the halfway point of the season or when Cole kills him). Finally the brothers are really separated. Good writing, well timed humor, and a good amount of violence.