All Hell Breaks Loose (Supernatural)

"All Hell Breaks Loose" is the two-part season two finale of the CW television series Supernatural. It comprises episodes 21 and 22 of the season. The episodes deal with the escalating demonic activity foreshadowed throughout the second season, culminating in a mass opening of the Devil's Gate.

Summary:

Part 1 (Episode 21) focuses on Sam Winchester's increasing psychic abilities and a kidnapping by a mysterious entity. Several other individuals with similar powers are also abducted and pitted against each other in a deadly competition orchestrated by the Yellow-Eyed Demon, Azazel. The goal is to find the "strongest" of these psychic children to lead Azazel's army of demons. Sam is eventually killed by Jake Talley, one of the other chosen individuals.

Part 2 (Episode 22) centers on Dean Winchester's desperate attempt to resurrect Sam. He makes a deal with a crossroads demon, trading his own life for Sam's revival. As a consequence, Dean is granted only one year to live. Meanwhile, Jake opens the Devil's Gate in Wyoming, releasing hundreds of demons into the world. With the help of other hunters, including Bobby Singer and Ellen and Jo Harvelle, the Winchesters manage to close the gate, but not before Azazel is confronted and ultimately killed by Dean using the Colt pistol. The ending introduces the threat of Lucifer, whose imprisonment the Devil's Gate was helping to maintain.

Significance:

"All Hell Breaks Loose" is a pivotal point in the Supernatural storyline. It marks the death and resurrection of Sam, the introduction of Dean's demonic pact and impending death, the defeat of the primary antagonist of the first two seasons (Azazel), and the foreshadowing of the larger conflict involving Lucifer. It significantly raises the stakes for the Winchester brothers and sets the stage for the events of season three and beyond. The Devil's Gate incident also dramatically increases the demonic population and activity on Earth, fundamentally changing the landscape of their hunting. The episodes also solidify the importance of the supporting characters in the brothers’ lives and their reliance on the hunting community.