99 Problems - Recap

Near Blue Earth, Minnesota, demons are chasing Sam and Dean down the road. The demons set up a barricade and force them to stop, and then smash through the windows. However, the nearby townspeople suddenly show up, spray the demons with holy water from a fire hose, and use Enochian exorcism rituals to banish the demon essence from the host bodies. The leader, Rob, casually tells the brothers that their attackers were demons and that his group, the Sacrament Lutheran Militia, will handle them. He's skeptical when the Winchesters say that they're monster hunters, but accepts their story when they show him the Impala trunk full of weapons. He drives them into Blue Earth, which is barricaded with barbed wire and covered by devil's traps.

Rob takes them to the local church where Pastor David Gideon is performing a marriage. Rob notes there have been many since the demons started attacking the down. Afterward, Gideon talks with the brothers and shows them the church basement where the townspeople are gearing up for a major war on demons. Gideon explains that the demons have congregated in t his part of Minnesota but they don't know why. When the brothers wonder why he hasn't contacted the authorities, Gideon says that "someone" told him not to, but refuse to clarify further. His daughter, Leah comes in and assures everyone that the Winchesters are safe. When they wonder how she knows, Leah explains that she's a prophet and can hear the angels talking to her.

After leaving a message for Castiel, Sam and Dean go to the local bar, owned by Paul. Sam isn't happy that the angels are training the townspeople as holy warriors, but Dean figures that they're better off fighting than cowering when it's time to die. Sam wonders why he's suddenly so comfortable with letting people die. The church bell rings, summoning everyone to the church. Paul and the others leave and the brothers tag along. Gideon informs everyone that Leah has received a message from the angels of a nearby demon hideous. Rob, his son Dylan, Paul, Dean, and Sam all volunteer to go along.

At the house, the brothers work with the townspeople to fight the demons, and end up saving each other's lives. In the aftermath, Rob and the others head back to town but Dylan asks his father for permission to stay and share a beer with the Winchesters. As they celebrate, a demon hiding beneath the Impala grabs Dylan, yanks him underneath, and kills him before the brothers can kill it.

Gideon holds a funeral service for Dylan. Rob and his wife Jane blame the Winchesters. However, Leah interrupts the service to tell everyone that she's had another vision. The angels have promised that the townspeople will be ushered into Paradise and reunited with their dead loved ones, including Dylan. However, they have commandments for the townspeople to follow. Leah informs them that gambling, drinking and pre-marital sex are all forbidden. Sam objects but Dean isn't interested, noting it's none of their business. He goes to see Leah in her father's office, and asks if she's telling the truth about the Angels. Leah admits that things are going to get bad, but the angels have assured her that Good will triumph and Earth will become a Paradise. Dean isn't impressed, and Leah observes that he has lost all hope despite being the vessel of Michael.

The bar is now empty because of the angelic ban on drinking. Sam visits Paul to commiserate and the bartender notes that he's never been particularly religious. Most of the townspeople pray to God, but Paul refuses to be a hypocrite by praying to a God who he doesn't believe exists.

Later, a somewhat drunk Sam goes back to the motel before the new curfew starts. Dean is there, relaxing, and Sam warns that a new angelic ban has gone into effect and all cell tower and Internet access have been cut off. Sam insists that the angels are toying with the townspeople, but Dean isn't interested and doesn't think there's any point in fighting. When Sam tries to argue further, Dean goes for a walk.

At the church, Leah tells her father and the others that the angels have informed her that some are disobeying the rules and no one will ascend to Paradise unless the sinners are dealt with.

While Sam waits for Dean, he's surprised to discover Castiel at the door. The angel staggers in and admits that he drank an entire liquor store after he was informed that God has refused to help. Sam tells him about Leah, but Castiel explains that she isn't one of the prophets.

Dean hears the townspeople go into the bar and checks things out. Rob and Jane are trying to force Paul out, while Pastor Gideon is trying to settle things peacefully. When Paul refuses to leave, Dean throws a punch at Rob. Jane shoots and kills Paul.

The next morning, Dean enters the motel room and washes Paul's blood from his hands. He tells Sam and Castiel what happened, and the angel tells them what's happening. Leah is the Whore of Babylon, a harbinger of the Apocalypse who takes human form and bears false prophecy. The demon killed Leah and took her body, and all of the information she's given the townspeople about demon killing is false. The demons have played along with the Whore so that she can lure the townspeople into actions that will bring them to Hell. Disgusted, Dean decides that it's time to fight.

At the church, the disguised Whore tells Dylan's parents that they did what they had to so their son will be returned to them. Pastor Gideon doesn't believe it and the Whore tells him that they all have to have faith in the angels' words.

Castiel informs the Winchesters that the Whore can only be killed by a stake of Babylonian cypress wood. However, only a true Warrior of God can use it to kill the Whore, and none of them are true to God.

The Whore calls another church meeting and tells the townspeople that they must purge the sinners from within. When Pastor Gideon tries to object, the Whore privately tells him that if he interferes, she'll denounce him as well. Gideon leaves and Castiel approaches him. The pastor doesn't believe he's an angel until Castiel teleports him to the hotel. They explain that they need him as a true Warrior of God, but Gideon can't bring himself to kill the demon in his daughter's body.

As the group prepares for battle, Dean goes outside and finds Castiel recovering from his hangover. He offers the angel an entire bottle of angel and sympathizes, saying he knows about deadbeat dads. Castiel can only look at him and wonder how he copes, but Dean doesn’t have an answer.

Rob, Jane, and the other townspeople who are “good” round up the “sinners” and lock them in a room at the church. The Whore tells them to set the room on fire, and even Jane and Rob hesitate briefly. However, when the Whore reminds them it’s the only way to be reunited, they go to get the gasoline.

The Whore goes back to the pastor’s office and the group attacks her. Castiel immobilizes her long enough for Gideon to drive the cypress stake, but the pastor hesitates at the sight of his daughter. The Whore performs a chant that agonizes Castiel, breaking his grip, and she flees into the basement after telekinetically knocking the Winchesters aside. The Whore tells the townspeople to start the fire and attack Gideon and the others. As they fight, Rob goes to start the fire and the Whore chokes Dean. He manages to grab the discarded stake, but the Whore boasts that there’s nothing he can do. Undeterred, Dean drives the stake into her heart… and kills. Rob, Jane, and the others share in shock as the demon inside of Leah’s body is destroyed. A stunned Jane wonders how they will get to Paradise now, and Dean warns her that she’ll be going the other way.

Sam and Dean haul Gideon and Castiel outside and Sam wonders how Dean could kill the whore. Dean admits he doesn’t know, and Sam wonders if he’s going to do something Michael stupid. They get to the motel and tend to Gideon’s wounds. Dean goes out, claiming they need bandages, but he drives away in the Impala before Sam can stop him.

After a long drive, Dean arrives at the new house where his former girlfriend, Lisa Braeden, now lives. He tells her that he can’t stay, but he wanted her to know that all he wanted for a happy life was her and her son, Ben. She asks him to stay and have a beer, but Dean tells her that things are going to get bad. He assures her that he’s going to make arrangements with the people he’s going to deal with to make sure that she’s protected, in return for giving them what they want. He kisses Lisa and walks away.

Share this article with your friends