3.04 Sin City

Title	Sin City
Episode #	Season 3, Episode 4
First aired	October 25, 2007
Directed by	Charles Beeson
Written by	Robert Singer Jeremy Carver
On IMDB	Sin City
Outline	Sam and Dean investigate strange happenings in Elizabethville, Ohio, and find a town full of sin.
Monster	Demons
Timeline	Two months after 2.22 All Hell Breaks Loose: Part Two
Location(s)	Elizabethville, Ohio
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Synopsis

While Dean helps Bobby work on the Colt, Sam finds some demonic omens and two unusual deaths in Elizabethville, Ohio. The brothers investigate, posing as insurance agents as they speak to Father Gil, who witnessed one of the deaths – a suicide in his church. They find the town full of people partying and gambling.

As they check into a hotel, they run into Richie, a hunter Dean has worked with before. On a tip from him, they go to check out a bar owned by Trotter, a local businessman. While in the bar, one man shoots another for sleeping with his wife, but he is not possessed. After the kerfuffle dies down, they discover Richie has disappeared. Casey, a bartender at Trotter’s, has taken Richie to the basement in a home owned by her parents, where she kills him. She is possessed.

Meanwhile, Bobby is testing the Colt when Ruby arrives and offers to help him make it capable of killing demons again. While Dean searches for Richie, Sam investigates Trotter, breaking into his office. He splashes Trotter with holy water, but he appears to be just a human, and Sam leaves to find Dean. Dean has gone with Casey to her basement. He discovers that she killed Richie and he traps her with a devil's trap hidden under a rug. Dean tries to exorcise the demon from her but she destroys the exorcism book and then traps him in the basement with her by causing a cave-in at the entrance.

She reveals to him that she only encouraged Trotter to introduce things like gambling and prostitution - the behavior in Elizabethville is mainly due to humans’ natural instincts. She also tells him that the Yellow-eyed Demon was actually Azazel. Since his death, the demon hordes that escaped the Devil's Gate in Wyoming are in chaos, since Sam did not take on the role Azazel had planned for him: to lead the demon army. She tells Dean that demons believe in a higher power – Lucifer. Dean and Casey continue to talk, and she develops some respect for Dean.

Sam finds out where Casey lives and searches the house without finding Dean, but there are traces of sulfur, indicating a demonic presence. He calls Bobby to tell him about this before returning to Trotter’s bar, where he enlists the help of Father Gil to find Casey and Dean, not realizing that the priest is also possessed by a demon.

When Sam and Father Gil arrive, Dean tries to warn Sam about him. Bobby arrives, but Father Gil attacks him and then Sam. Father Gil breaks into the basement and releases Casey, revealing they have been lovers for centuries. He is about to kill Dean, despite Casey’s protestations, when Sam arrives and kills him and Casey with the Colt.

Afterward, the town hasn’t changed much. Dean confesses to Bobby what Azazel told him – that Sam came back ‘not quite right’, but Bobby rejects his concerns. As Sam prepares to leave, Ruby appears and congratulates him on killing the demons. Sam reminds her that he killed two people in the process, and this upsets him. When he threatens her with the Colt, she again reminds him she can help with Dean’s deal.

Characters

• Sam Winchester
• Dean Winchester
• Ruby
• Bobby Singer
• Casey
• Father Gil
• Trotter
• Richie

Definitions

• Alcohol
• Aliases
• Bobby's Hats
• The Colt
• Costumes & Disguises
• Dean's Amulet
• Dean's Leather Jacket
• Demonology
• Devil's Trap
• Exorcism
• Fictional Locations
• Gank
• God
• Hell
• Holy Water
• Hunters
• Impala
• Lucifer
• Magic Fingers
• Possession
• Sammy
• Singer Salvage Yard
• Succubi
• Sulfur
• Table of Death

Music

• "Run Through the Jungle" by Creedence Clearwater Revival

(plays over the entire scene when Dean and Sam go to the bar for the first time, up until Dean stops the shooter)

• "Bad Seed" by Brimstone Howl

(plays while Dean and Sam talk in the bar; Dean is worried about Richie)

• "Nikki" by Sasquatch

(plays when the woman tries to pick Dean up at the bar)

• "Did You See It?" by Mother Superior

(plays in the bar when Sam is looking for Dean)

Quotes

Dean: So you find anything in this town, anyway?

Richie: Ah, no. I got nothing. Oh, wait a minute. You mean as in demons and whatnot?
Dean: Yeah.

Richie: No, I got nothing.

Dean: I don't know about you guys, but I'm gonna do a little investigating with that bartender.

Dean: What are you laughing at, bitch? You're still trapped.
Casey: So are you... bitch.

Dean: All you demons have such smart mouths.

Casey: It's a gift.

Dean: Yeah, well. Let's see if you're smiling when I send your ass back to Hell.

Casey: You don't get it. All you got to do is nudge humans in the right direction. Some whiskey here, a hooker there, and they'll walk right into Hell with big, fat smiles on their faces. Your kind is corrupt, Dean. Weak. Our will's stronger. That's why we'll win.

Dean: Hey, speaking of downstairs... what's it like down there?

Casey: What, Hell?
Dean: Yeah.

Casey: That's right. You booked a one-way ticket with that deal. You're not gonna like it, Dean. And, um, judging from the trouble you've caused, I don't think you'll be getting the presidential suite. No, it's a pit of despair. Why do you think we want to come here?

Dean: A demon likes me. Sorry, I don't know how to respond to that.

Casey: You could say thanks... That deal you made to save Sam — a lot of others would mock you for it, think it was weak or stupid. I don't.

Dean: It's been kind of liberating, actually. Y’know, what's the point in worrying about a future, when you don't have one?

Casey: Why, Dean, if I didn't know better, I'd say that was lust in your eyes. Well, it would be one way to spend the time... but I don't think you'd respect me in the morning.
Dean: That's okay. I mean, hey, I barely respect you now.

Dean: So, the gate opened. The demon army was let out. What now, huh? I'm not seeing a big, honking plan here.

Casey: Honestly, there was a plan. Azazel was a tyrant, but... he held us all together.
Dean: Azazel?
Casey: What, you think his friends just called him 'yellow eyes'? He had a name. After you did him in, it all fell apart.
Dean: Sorry about that. So, what? No chain of command?
Casey: There was. It was Sam. Sam was supposed to be the grand pooh-bah and lead the big army, but... he hasn't exactly stepped up to the plate, has he?
Dean: Thank God for that.

Casey: Again with God. You think this is a good thing? Now you've got chaos, a war without a front, hundreds of demons all jockeying for power, all fighting for the crown. Most of them gunning for your brother. For the record, I was ready to follow Sam.

Ruby: I don't have to justify my actions to you, Sam. If you don't want my help, fine. Then give me the gun and I'll pass it on to someone who will use it.

Sam: Maybe I'll just use it on you.
Ruby: Go ahead, if that makes you happy. It's not gonna do much for Dean, though. So, what's it gonna be, hmm? Ah hah. That's my boy. This won't be easy, Sam. You're gonna have to do things that go against that gentle nature of yours. There'll be collateral damage... But, it has to be done.
Sam: Well, I don't have to like it.

Ruby: No. You wouldn't be Sam if you did. On the bright side, I'll be there with you. (Sam swallows nervously, looking unhappy.) That little fallen angel on your shoulder.

Trivia & References

"Sin City" is a term used for various cities that cater to vices. Sin City is also a comic title by Frank Miller (a movie adaptation was done in 2005). In the comic Sin City is the nickname of the fictional Basin City which is ruled over by sex workers and shady characters. Sin City is also the name of an AC/DC song on the 1978 album Powerage.

Dean: There's got to be a demon or two in South Beach.

Sam: Sorry, Hef. Maybe next time.

"Hef" refers to Hugh Hefner, founder of the Playboy empire. Jensen Ackles once dated a Playboy model -- Joanna Krupa.

The guy who Sam says went "postal in a hobby shop" and Dean describes as a "psycho scrapbooker" is revealed by Father Gil to be Tony Perkins. Tony Perkins was the actor who starred as Norman Bates in the Alfred Hitchcock horror classic Psycho.

Sam: Two months ago, we open up the Devil's Gate, all of a sudden this town turns into Margaritaville? It's no coincidence.

"Margaritaville" is the name of a Jimmy Buffet song, about a lazy tropical life full of cocktails and pretty girls.

Richie: Oh, you like this? Try Thai silk — Canal Street. You'd have to pay $300 for threads like these, easy. Cost to me — fuggedaboutit.

Sam: How much is "forget about it?"
Richie: Ah, forget about it.

In the movie Donnie Brasco about an FBI agent who infiltrates the mob, an FBI technician asks what "forget about it" means, Donnie explains:

"Forget about it is like if you agree with someone, you know, like Raquel Welch is one great piece of ass, forget about it. But then, if you disagree, like a Lincoln is better than a Cadillac? Forget about it! you know? But then, it's also like if something's the greatest thing in the world, like mingia those peppers, forget about it. But it's also like saying Go to Hell! too. Like, you know, like 'Hey Paulie, you got a one inch pecker?' and Paulie says 'Forget about it!' Sometimes it just means forget about it."

Casey: I make a mean hurricane.

Dean: I guess we'll see about that.
Sam: You drink hurricanes?
Dean: I do now.

A hurricane is a sweet alcoholic drink made with rum and fruit juice, syrup, or grenadine.

Dean: Just be cool. Poor jerk. Only thing possessing him was a sixer of Pabst.

"Pabst" refers to Pabst Blue Ribbon.

Ruby: Are you gonna stand there like a pantywaist, or are you gonna shoot me?!

"Pantywaist" means a weak or effeminate man.

Casey: Sure. You Winchester boys are famous. Not Lohan famous, but, you know...

A reference to the actress who often features in the tabloids, Lindsay Lohan. She was previously mentioned in 2.09 Croatoan.

Casey: Me and Trotter. He had a cheeseburger, I had a salad, and I just pointed out the money that could be made with a few businesses that cater to harmless vice. So Trotter built it, and, man, did they come. Supposedly God-fearing folk, waist-deep in booze, sex, gambling. I barely lifted a finger.

A reference to the movie Field of Dreams where an Iowa farmer, Ray Kinsella, hears a voice in his corn field that tells him, "If you build it, he will come." He interprets this message as an instruction to build a baseball field on his farm, upon which appear the ghosts of eight Chicago White Sox players.

Casey: Well, I don't see how you and your God have done such a bang-up job. War, genocide-- It's only getting worse. I mean, this past century, you people racked up a body count that amazed even us.

Casey's referring to the fact that most experts believe the 20th century was the bloodiest and most violent century in human history.

Casey: So, you see? Is my kind really all that different than yours?

Dean: Well, except that, uh, demons are evil.
Casey: ...and humans are such a lovable bunch. Dick Cheney.
Dean: He one of yours?
Casey: Not yet. Let's just say he's got a parking spot reserved for him downstairs.

A reference to then U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney. Dean later made reference to him in 4.03 In the Beginning.

Casey: Sam was supposed to be the Grand Poobah.

"Grand Poobah" is a satirical term derived from the name of the character Pooh-Bah in Gilbert and Sullivan's 1885 comic opera The Mikado. The name has come to be used as a mocking title for someone self-important or locally high-ranking and who either exhibits an inflated self-regard or has limited authority whilst taking impressive titles.

Ruby: Everything in its own time, Sam. But there’s a quid pro quo here. We're in a war.

A Latin phrase, meaning "something for something," famously used by Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs.

Minutiae

Filming Locations: Map of known filming locations.

The establishing aerial shot of the Impala traveling through green fields dotted with livestock was also used in 1.06 Skin.

Aerial shot first used in 1.06 Skin.

This episode is the only one in which Bobby and Ruby interact.

This is also the first reference to Lucifer in the series, and that some demons worship him as their higher power. Also this is the first time the Yellow-Eyed Demon's name is revealed to be Azazel.

Sides, Scripts & Transcripts

• 3.04 Sin City (transcript)
• Sin City script (Production Draft)
• Sin City script (Blue Revisions only)
• Casting Sides for Father Gil
• Casting Sides for Iggy - renamed Ritchie
• Casting Sides for Ruby

Promotion

• Promo

Episode Meta

• SPN Heavy Meta Season Three Meta Index
• 3.04 Sin City: All You’ve Gotta Do Is Nudge Humans in the Right Direction by bardicvoice (November 2007); archive link, spn-heavymeta
• Bond, Silvia. 2007. Sam's City: "Sin City" Season 3, Episode 4. Pink Raygun, October 29; archive link