Difference between revisions of "5.17 99 Problems"
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|Infobox= | |Infobox= | ||
{{InfoboxEpisode | {{InfoboxEpisode | ||
| − | |image= [[Image: Promo517.jpg| | + | |image= [[Image: Promo517.jpg|350px]] |
|title= 99 Problems | |title= 99 Problems | ||
|episode= Season 5, Episode 17 | |episode= Season 5, Episode 17 | ||
|firstaired= April 8, 2010 | |firstaired= April 8, 2010 | ||
|director= [[Charles Beeson]] | |director= [[Charles Beeson]] | ||
| − | |writer= | + | |writer= [[Julie Siege]] |
| − | |imdb= http://www.imdb.com/title/ | + | |imdb= [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1588255/ 99 Problems] |
| − | |download= [http:// | + | |download= [http://itunes.apple.com/us/tv-season/99-problems/id329061978?i=366896751 iTunes], [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003GAJLGA Amazon.com] |
| − | |outline= | + | |outline= Outnumbered by [[demons]], [[Sam]] and [[Dean]] are saved at the last minute by a [[hunter]] and his very religious townspeople -- all of them aware of the [[Apocalypse]] and trained to kill demons! |
| − | |motw= [[Whore | + | |motw= [[Whore of Babylon]]<br>[[Demons]] |
| − | |timeline= | + | |timeline= |
|location= [[Blue Earth, Minnesota]] | |location= [[Blue Earth, Minnesota]] | ||
| − | |map= | + | |map= |
| − | + | |prevep= 5.16 Dark Side of the Moon | |
| − | + | |nextep= 5.18 Point of No Return | |
}} | }} | ||
|Synopsis= | |Synopsis= | ||
| − | The episode opens with [[Sam]] and [[Dean]] driving away from unknown enemies, both heavily injured and desperately trying to escape. They find the road blocked by a burning truck and are set upon by a group of demons. At the last minute, they are saved by some hunters who use a hose to douse the demons in holy water and utter [[Enochian]] words that exorcise the demons instantly. The Winchesters convince the hunters, members of the Sacrament Lutheran Militia, to take them back to their refuge (a church) where they discover that people have gathered together in preparation of the Apocalypse, many of them marrying while they still have the chance. The town is seemingly led by [[Pastor Gideon]] but they soon discover that the hunters are guided by what they believe to be the will of Heaven via [[Leah]] | + | The episode opens with [[Sam]] and [[Dean]] driving away from unknown enemies, both heavily injured and desperately trying to escape. They find the road blocked by a burning truck and are set upon by a group of [[demons]]. At the last minute, they are saved by some hunters who use a hose to douse the demons in [[holy water]] and utter [[Enochian]] words that [[exorcise]] the demons instantly. The Winchesters convince the hunters, members of the Sacrament Lutheran Militia, to take them back to their refuge (a church) where they discover that people have gathered together in preparation of the Apocalypse, many of them marrying while they still have the chance. The town is seemingly led by [[Pastor Gideon]] but they soon discover that the hunters are guided by what they believe to be the will of [[Heaven]] via [[Leah Gideon]], who receives prophetic visions from the angels. |
| − | Leah has a vision of several demons inside a house on the outskirts of town | + | Leah has a vision of several demons inside a house on the outskirts of town. [[Pastor Gideon]], Dean, Sam, Rob, Jane, Dylan, and Paul go to the house and kill/exorcise about 15 demons. Afterwards, Dylan (son of Rob and Jane) asks to ride with the Winchesters but is dragged under the [[Impala]] and is killed by a demon. The mother subsequently blames the boys during the funeral and Leah receives another vision, claiming that in order for them to reach paradise they must follow the Angels' commandments without reservation (such as no premarital sex, no gambling, no drinking etc...). Dean asks Leah about Paradise, and she informs Dean that after there is a major battle, the planet will be handed over to the Chosen, where there will be no monsters, disease, or death but only peace. She also tells him that he is one of the Chosen to inherit Paradise, where he will be with the people that he loves. Sam visits Paul, the local barman who seems unconvinced by the Angels' plans and the two get drunk together. Sam staggers back to the hotel and informs Dean of the extremist lengths the people are going to to fulfill the Angels' wishes. |
| − | Dean is uninterested, however, and wishes to leave the townsfolk to it. Sam does not accept this and urges Dean to help him stop them. Dean goes out to clear his head and a very drunk [[Castiel]] arrives after Sam left him a message on his voice-mail earlier. Meanwhile, Leah receives word from the Angels: they are furious, for some people are not abiding by their rules and must be dealt with in order for the others to go to paradise. Dean walks by the bar and find several townsfolk hassling | + | Dean is uninterested, however, and wishes to leave the townsfolk to it. Sam does not accept this and urges Dean to help him stop them. Dean goes out to clear his head and a very drunk [[Castiel]] arrives after Sam left him a message on his voice-mail earlier. Meanwhile, Leah receives word from the Angels: they are furious, for some people are not abiding by their rules and must be dealt with in order for the others to go to paradise. Dean walks by the bar and find several townsfolk hassling Paul, resulting in Jane shooting him dead "for the greater good". Pastor Gideon does not believe this to be just, but Leah assures him that it is necessary for them to reach salvation. Upon returning to the motel, Dean learns from Castiel and Sam that Leah is in fact dead, and that the creature taking her form is the [[Whore of Babylon]]; a creature that manifests during the Apocalypse with the sole purpose of damning humans to [[Hell]]. |
| − | Castiel explains that she can only be killed with a cypress branch wielded by a true servant of Heaven. The boys logically assume that Pastor Gideon is the only one who fits the bill and succeed in convincing him to kill his daughter's | + | Castiel explains that she can only be killed with a cypress branch wielded by a true servant of Heaven. The boys logically assume that Pastor Gideon is the only one who fits the bill and succeed in convincing him to kill his daughter's impostor, who is at that moment about to burn the "sinners" alive, including innocent children. Sam, Dean, Castiel, and the Pastor try to kill the Whore, but she utters an incantation that cripples Castiel temporarily and uses a mild form of telekinesis to keep Sam and Dean at bay. Pastor Gideon tries to impale her with the branch, but is thrown aside whilst she tries to kill Dean, but he grabs the branch and stabs her through the heart, killing her instantly. |
| − | The boys, Castiel and | + | The boys, Castiel and Pastor Gideon escape the church, leaving Sam wondering how Dean was able to kill the Whore if he didn't have any faith in Heaven. He fears that Dean is considering saying "yes" to [[Michael]], but Dean claims otherwise. At the motel, however, Dean drives off to visit [[Lisa Braeden]]. He tells her that, in an ideal world, he would want nothing more than to live in peace with her and her son Ben, but knows that this is impossible. He warns her that in the next few days, things are going to get really bad, but not to worry, because the people he is going to see next will not get anything from him unless they promise to make arrangements for their safety. Dean does not explain his intentions, but heavily implies his intention of accepting Michael's proposal. |
|Characters= | |Characters= | ||
| Line 34: | Line 34: | ||
* [[Dean Winchester]] | * [[Dean Winchester]] | ||
* [[Castiel]] | * [[Castiel]] | ||
| + | * [[Lisa Braeden]] | ||
* [[Pastor Gideon]] | * [[Pastor Gideon]] | ||
| − | * [[Leah]] | + | * [[Leah Gideon]] / [[Whore of Babylon]] |
| − | + | * Paul | |
| − | * | + | * Rob & Jane |
| − | * Rob | + | * Dylan |
| − | * | ||
|Pad_of_Definitions= | |Pad_of_Definitions= | ||
| − | * [[ | + | * [[Acting in Unison]] |
| + | * [[Alcohol]] | ||
* [[Angel Lore]] | * [[Angel Lore]] | ||
| + | * [[Apocalypse]] | ||
| + | * [[Castiel's Cell Phone]] | ||
| + | * [[Dean's Leather Jacket]] | ||
| + | * [[Demon-Killing Knife]] | ||
| + | * [[Demon Smoke]] | ||
* [[Demonology]] | * [[Demonology]] | ||
| + | * [[Devil's trap (symbol)|Devil's Trap]] | ||
* [[Enochian]] | * [[Enochian]] | ||
| − | * [[ | + | * [[Exorcism]] |
| − | * [[ | + | * [[Gank]] |
| + | * [[Green Cooler]] | ||
| + | * [[Grenade Launcher]] | ||
| + | * [[Holy Water]] | ||
| + | * [[Holy Water in the Face]] | ||
| + | * [[Prophets]] | ||
|Music= | |Music= | ||
| − | + | * "Too Hot to Stop" by Marc Ferrari and Steve Plunkett | |
| − | Marc Ferrari and Steve Plunkett | + | :''(plays when Sam and Dean are in the town bar)'' |
|Quotes= | |Quotes= | ||
{{TriviaQuote |Text= | {{TriviaQuote |Text= | ||
| − | ''' | + | '''Dean:''' A whole town full of hunters. I don’t know whether to run screaming or buy a condo. |
}} | }} | ||
{{TriviaQuote |Text= | {{TriviaQuote |Text= | ||
| − | ''' | + | '''Dean:''' And let me guess. Before you see something, you get a really bad migraine, you see flashing lights?<br> |
| − | ''' | + | '''Leah:''' How’d you know?<br> |
| + | '''Dean:''' ‘Cause you’re not the first prophet we’ve met. But you are the cutest... I mean that with total respect, of course. | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{TriviaQuote |Text= | {{TriviaQuote |Text= | ||
| − | ''' | + | '''Voicemail:''' You have reached the voicemail box of:<br> |
| − | ''' | + | '''Castiel:''' I don’t understand why, why do you want me to say my name? |
}} | }} | ||
{{TriviaQuote |Text= | {{TriviaQuote |Text= | ||
| − | ''' | + | '''Sam:''' No drinking, no gambling, no premarital sex. Dean, they basically just outlawed ninety percent of your personality. |
| − | |||
}} | }} | ||
{{TriviaQuote |Text= | {{TriviaQuote |Text= | ||
| − | '''Castiel:''' | + | '''Castiel:''' I got your message. It was long, your message. And I find the sound of your voice grating.<br> |
| − | ''' | + | '''Sam:''' What’s wrong with you? Are you…drunk?<br> |
| + | '''Castiel:''' No!... Yes.<br> | ||
| + | '''Sam:''' What the hell happened to you?<br> | ||
| + | '''Castiel:''' I found a liquor store.<br> | ||
| + | '''Sam:''' And?<br> | ||
| + | '''Castiel:''' And I drank it. Why’d you call me? | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{TriviaQuote |Text= | {{TriviaQuote |Text= | ||
| − | '''Castiel:''' | + | '''Castiel:''' It’s starting.<br> |
| − | '''Dean:''' | + | '''Dean:''' What’s starting? Where the hell have you been?<br> |
| − | '''Castiel:''' | + | '''Castiel:''' On a bender.<br> |
| + | '''Dean:''' Did he—did you say 'on a bender?'<br> | ||
| + | '''Sam:''' Yeah. He’s still pretty smashed. | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{TriviaQuote |Text= | {{TriviaQuote |Text= | ||
| − | ''' | + | '''Sam:''' Well, for starters... Leah is not a real prophet.<br> |
| − | '''Castiel:''' | + | '''Dean:''' Well, what is she, exactly?<br> |
| − | '''Dean:''' | + | '''Castiel:''' The whore.<br> |
| + | '''Dean:''' Wow. Cas, tell us what you really think.<br> | ||
| + | '''Castiel:''' She rises when Lucifer walks the earth. 'And she shall come, bearing false prophecy.' This creature has the power to take a human’s form, read minds. Book of Revelation calls her 'the Whore of Babylon.'<br> | ||
| + | '''Dean:''' Well, that’s catchy. | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{TriviaQuote |Text= | {{TriviaQuote |Text= | ||
| − | '''Dean:''' | + | '''Dean:''' And the Enochian exorcism?<br> |
| − | ''' | + | '''Castiel:''' Fake. It actually means, “you, um, breed with the mouth of a goat.” It’s funnier in Enochian. |
| − | |||
}} | }} | ||
{{TriviaQuote |Text= | {{TriviaQuote |Text= | ||
| − | ''' | + | '''Dean:''' Whatever happens, you’re gonna be okay.<br> |
| − | ''' | + | '''Lisa:''' What do you mean? What are you talking about?<br> |
| − | ''' | + | '''Dean:''' The people that I’m gonna see next, they’re not gonna get anything from me without agreeing to a few conditions.<br> |
| − | ''' | + | '''Lisa:''' Just... just come inside. Please. And whatever you’re thinking of doing, don’t do it.<br> |
| − | ''' | + | '''Dean:''' I have to.<br> |
| − | ''' | + | '''Lisa:''' Just stay an hour. At least say bye to Ben.<br> |
| + | '''Dean:''' It’s better if I don’t. Bye, Lisa. | ||
}} | }} | ||
| + | |||
| + | |Trivia_References= | ||
{{TriviaQuote |Text= | {{TriviaQuote |Text= | ||
| − | '' | + | The title of the episode refers to the Jay-Z song ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/99_Problems 99 Problems]''. Watch the video [https://www.anonymouscontent.com/work/us/music-videos/anonymous/mark-romanek/jay-z-99-problems/ here]. It is also the 99th episode of ''Supernatural''. |
| − | ''' | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{TriviaQuote |Text= | {{TriviaQuote |Text= | ||
| − | ''' | + | '''Dean:''' Yeah, well, whatever. When in Rome. |
| − | + | :''"When in Rome, do as the Romans do" is a saying attributed to Ambrose. It means when visiting another country, you should behave like the people in that country.'' | |
| − | '' | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{TriviaQuote |Text= | {{TriviaQuote |Text= | ||
| − | '''Sam:''' | + | '''Sam:''' At what point does this become too far for you? Stoning? Poisoned Kool-Aid? The angels are toying with these people! |
| + | :''Poisoned Kool-Aid is a reference to the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonestown Jonestown] massacre, where members of the People's Temple were given Kool-Aid laced with cyanide.'' | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{TriviaQuote |Text= | {{TriviaQuote |Text= | ||
| − | '''Dean:''' | + | '''Dean:''' Since the angels got the only lifeboats on the Titanic. I mean, who exactly is supposed to come along and save these people? It was supposed to be us, but we can’t do it. |
| + | :''The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titanic RMS Titanic] was the most famous ocean liner of its day and sank on its maiden voyage after hitting an iceberg in the North Atlantic. 1,517 of the 2,223 passengers and crew on board died, in large part because there were not enough lifeboats to save everyone on the ship.'' | ||
}} | }} | ||
| + | |||
| + | |Minutiae= | ||
{{TriviaQuote |Text= | {{TriviaQuote |Text= | ||
| − | ''' | + | '''Filming Locations:''' [https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=13mWhx-z7tJSJbG0eik0rlMwq23toIWvb&usp=sharing Map of known filming locations.] |
| − | |||
}} | }} | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
{{TriviaQuote |Text= | {{TriviaQuote |Text= | ||
| − | + | At [[Comic Con 2007]], [http://blogs.trb.com/network/cwsource/2007/08/comiccon_2007_supernatural_rou.html Jensen suggested] “You know, we ought to just mount one of those old-style sprinkler systems on top of the Impala and have it spit out holy water.” | |
}} | }} | ||
{{TriviaQuote |Text= | {{TriviaQuote |Text= | ||
| − | [[Pastor Jim]] | + | [[Pastor Jim]], the [[hunter]] friend of the Winchesters, was also based in [[Blue Earth, Minnesota]]; and it was here that he was killed by [[Meg]] in [[1.21 Salvation]]. |
}} | }} | ||
{{TriviaQuote |Text= | {{TriviaQuote |Text= | ||
| − | + | '''Sam:''' I got one thing, one thing, keeping me going. You think you’re the only one white-knuckling it here, Dean? I can’t count on anyone else. I can’t do this alone. | |
| − | + | :''This line echoes when Dean said the same thing to Sam in [[1.01 Pilot]].'' | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | '' | ||
| − | |||
}} | }} | ||
| + | |||
|Sides_Scripts_Transcripts= | |Sides_Scripts_Transcripts= | ||
* [[5.17 99 Problems (Transcript)]] | * [[5.17 99 Problems (Transcript)]] | ||
| + | |||
|Promotion= | |Promotion= | ||
| − | + | * [https://web.archive.org/web/20091221072549/http://www.spoilertv.com/2009/12/supernatural-episode-517-your-time-is.html Episode title] | |
| − | * [http://www.spoilertv.com/2009/12/supernatural-episode-517-your-time-is.html Episode title] | + | * [https://web.archive.org/web/20100115054808/http://www.spoilertv.com/2010/01/supernatural-episode-517-99-problems.html Title and casting call] from spoiler tv. |
| − | * [http://www.spoilertv.com/2010/01/supernatural-episode-517-99-problems.html Title and casting call] from spoiler tv. | ||
* [http://bit.ly/3sEGt Casting spoiler], [http://www.tvguidemagazine.com/kecks-exclusives/hawkman-swoops-into-supernatural-3842.html more info on casting spoiler] | * [http://bit.ly/3sEGt Casting spoiler], [http://www.tvguidemagazine.com/kecks-exclusives/hawkman-swoops-into-supernatural-3842.html more info on casting spoiler] | ||
| − | * [http://www.tvguidemagazine.com/supernatural/sam-and-deans-freaky-february-3774.html Comments from Sera Gamble] on this episode (spoilers through to 5.17 in interview) | + | * [https://web.archive.org/web/20100122084956/http://www.tvguidemagazine.com/supernatural/sam-and-deans-freaky-february-3774.html Comments from Sera Gamble] on this episode (spoilers through to 5.17 in interview) |
* [http://www.newsarama.com/tv/Shanks-Hawkman-Smallville-JSA-100203.html Interview with Michael Shanks] | * [http://www.newsarama.com/tv/Shanks-Hawkman-Smallville-JSA-100203.html Interview with Michael Shanks] | ||
| − | * [http://scifiwire.com/2010/02/why-michael-shanks-thinks-stargate-sg-1-is-history.php Another Michael Shanks interview] | + | * [https://web.archive.org/web/20100307214559/http://scifiwire.com/2010/02/why-michael-shanks-thinks-stargate-sg-1-is-history.php Another Michael Shanks interview] |
| − | * [http://blog.mishasminions.com/?p=153 Fan pic, video and report] from shooting on location | + | * [https://web.archive.org/web/20100407024020/http://blog.mishasminions.com/?p=153 Fan pic, video and report] from shooting on location |
| − | * [http://www.spoilertv.com/2010/03/supernatural-episode-517-99-problems.html Synopsis] from SpoilerTV | + | * [https://web.archive.org/web/20100322201221/http://www.spoilertv.com/2010/03/supernatural-episode-517-99-problems.html Synopsis] from SpoilerTV |
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxMdnL0K8eY Promo clip] | * [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxMdnL0K8eY Promo clip] | ||
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_Z9z6SPPCU Scene Promo] | * [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_Z9z6SPPCU Scene Promo] | ||
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjSZQ_ywDCc Space TV promo] | * [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjSZQ_ywDCc Space TV promo] | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | [[Category:Canon]][[Category:Episodes]][[Category:Season 5]] | + | ==Episode Meta== |
| + | *[https://bardicvoice.livejournal.com/64775.html 5.17 99 Problems: Must Be Hard, Being The Vessel Of Heaven And Having No Hope] by bardicvoice (April 2010); [https://web.archive.org/web/20190816011142/http://bardicvoice.livejournal.com/64775.html archive link], [https://spn-heavymeta.livejournal.com/325623.html spn-heavymeta] | ||
| + | *Bond, Silvia. 2010. A Good Man is Good to Find: "99 Problems" Season 5, Episode 17. ''Pink Raygun'', April 13; [https://web.archive.org/web/20120326112136/http://www.pinkraygun.com/2010/04/13/supernatural-99-problems/ archive link], [https://spn-heavymeta.livejournal.com/324425.html spn-heavymeta] | ||
| + | *Chan, Suzette. 2010. [http://www.sequentialtart.com/article.php?id=1704 Supernatural Talk: Tarts talk about SPN 5.17: 99 Problems]. ''Sequential Tart'', May 24; [https://web.archive.org/web/20190421010501/http://www.sequentialtart.com/article.php?id=1704 archive link], [https://spn-heavymeta.livejournal.com/349768.html spn-heavymeta] | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Category:Canon]][[Category:Episodes|0517]][[Category:Season 5]] | ||
Revision as of 06:16, 21 January 2023
| |
| Title | 99 Problems |
| Episode # | Season 5, Episode 17 |
| First aired | April 8, 2010 |
| Directed by | Charles Beeson |
| Written by | Julie Siege |
| On IMDB | 99 Problems |
| Outline | Outnumbered by demons, Sam and Dean are saved at the last minute by a hunter and his very religious townspeople -- all of them aware of the Apocalypse and trained to kill demons! |
| Monster | Whore of Babylon Demons |
| Timeline | |
| Location(s) | Blue Earth, Minnesota |
| « Previous Episode | Next Episode » | |
Contents
Synopsis
The episode opens with Sam and Dean driving away from unknown enemies, both heavily injured and desperately trying to escape. They find the road blocked by a burning truck and are set upon by a group of demons. At the last minute, they are saved by some hunters who use a hose to douse the demons in holy water and utter Enochian words that exorcise the demons instantly. The Winchesters convince the hunters, members of the Sacrament Lutheran Militia, to take them back to their refuge (a church) where they discover that people have gathered together in preparation of the Apocalypse, many of them marrying while they still have the chance. The town is seemingly led by Pastor Gideon but they soon discover that the hunters are guided by what they believe to be the will of Heaven via Leah Gideon, who receives prophetic visions from the angels.
Leah has a vision of several demons inside a house on the outskirts of town. Pastor Gideon, Dean, Sam, Rob, Jane, Dylan, and Paul go to the house and kill/exorcise about 15 demons. Afterwards, Dylan (son of Rob and Jane) asks to ride with the Winchesters but is dragged under the Impala and is killed by a demon. The mother subsequently blames the boys during the funeral and Leah receives another vision, claiming that in order for them to reach paradise they must follow the Angels' commandments without reservation (such as no premarital sex, no gambling, no drinking etc...). Dean asks Leah about Paradise, and she informs Dean that after there is a major battle, the planet will be handed over to the Chosen, where there will be no monsters, disease, or death but only peace. She also tells him that he is one of the Chosen to inherit Paradise, where he will be with the people that he loves. Sam visits Paul, the local barman who seems unconvinced by the Angels' plans and the two get drunk together. Sam staggers back to the hotel and informs Dean of the extremist lengths the people are going to to fulfill the Angels' wishes.
Dean is uninterested, however, and wishes to leave the townsfolk to it. Sam does not accept this and urges Dean to help him stop them. Dean goes out to clear his head and a very drunk Castiel arrives after Sam left him a message on his voice-mail earlier. Meanwhile, Leah receives word from the Angels: they are furious, for some people are not abiding by their rules and must be dealt with in order for the others to go to paradise. Dean walks by the bar and find several townsfolk hassling Paul, resulting in Jane shooting him dead "for the greater good". Pastor Gideon does not believe this to be just, but Leah assures him that it is necessary for them to reach salvation. Upon returning to the motel, Dean learns from Castiel and Sam that Leah is in fact dead, and that the creature taking her form is the Whore of Babylon; a creature that manifests during the Apocalypse with the sole purpose of damning humans to Hell.
Castiel explains that she can only be killed with a cypress branch wielded by a true servant of Heaven. The boys logically assume that Pastor Gideon is the only one who fits the bill and succeed in convincing him to kill his daughter's impostor, who is at that moment about to burn the "sinners" alive, including innocent children. Sam, Dean, Castiel, and the Pastor try to kill the Whore, but she utters an incantation that cripples Castiel temporarily and uses a mild form of telekinesis to keep Sam and Dean at bay. Pastor Gideon tries to impale her with the branch, but is thrown aside whilst she tries to kill Dean, but he grabs the branch and stabs her through the heart, killing her instantly.
The boys, Castiel and Pastor Gideon escape the church, leaving Sam wondering how Dean was able to kill the Whore if he didn't have any faith in Heaven. He fears that Dean is considering saying "yes" to Michael, but Dean claims otherwise. At the motel, however, Dean drives off to visit Lisa Braeden. He tells her that, in an ideal world, he would want nothing more than to live in peace with her and her son Ben, but knows that this is impossible. He warns her that in the next few days, things are going to get really bad, but not to worry, because the people he is going to see next will not get anything from him unless they promise to make arrangements for their safety. Dean does not explain his intentions, but heavily implies his intention of accepting Michael's proposal.
Characters
- Sam Winchester
- Dean Winchester
- Castiel
- Lisa Braeden
- Pastor Gideon
- Leah Gideon / Whore of Babylon
- Paul
- Rob & Jane
- Dylan
Definitions
- Acting in Unison
- Alcohol
- Angel Lore
- Apocalypse
- Castiel's Cell Phone
- Dean's Leather Jacket
- Demon-Killing Knife
- Demon Smoke
- Demonology
- Devil's Trap
- Enochian
- Exorcism
- Gank
- Green Cooler
- Grenade Launcher
- Holy Water
- Holy Water in the Face
- Prophets
Music
- "Too Hot to Stop" by Marc Ferrari and Steve Plunkett
- (plays when Sam and Dean are in the town bar)
Quotes
Dean: A whole town full of hunters. I don’t know whether to run screaming or buy a condo.
Dean: And let me guess. Before you see something, you get a really bad migraine, you see flashing lights?
Leah: How’d you know?
Voicemail: You have reached the voicemail box of:
Castiel: I don’t understand why, why do you want me to say my name?
Castiel: I don’t understand why, why do you want me to say my name?
Sam: No drinking, no gambling, no premarital sex. Dean, they basically just outlawed ninety percent of your personality.
Castiel: I got your message. It was long, your message. And I find the sound of your voice grating.
Sam: What’s wrong with you? Are you…drunk?
Castiel: No!... Yes.
Sam: What the hell happened to you?
Castiel: I found a liquor store.
Sam: And?
Castiel: It’s starting.
Dean: What’s starting? Where the hell have you been?
Castiel: On a bender.
Dean: Did he—did you say 'on a bender?'
Sam: Well, for starters... Leah is not a real prophet.
Dean: Well, what is she, exactly?
Castiel: The whore.
Dean: Wow. Cas, tell us what you really think.
Castiel: She rises when Lucifer walks the earth. 'And she shall come, bearing false prophecy.' This creature has the power to take a human’s form, read minds. Book of Revelation calls her 'the Whore of Babylon.'
Dean: And the Enochian exorcism?
Castiel: Fake. It actually means, “you, um, breed with the mouth of a goat.” It’s funnier in Enochian.
Castiel: Fake. It actually means, “you, um, breed with the mouth of a goat.” It’s funnier in Enochian.
Dean: Whatever happens, you’re gonna be okay.
Lisa: What do you mean? What are you talking about?
Dean: The people that I’m gonna see next, they’re not gonna get anything from me without agreeing to a few conditions.
Lisa: Just... just come inside. Please. And whatever you’re thinking of doing, don’t do it.
Dean: I have to.
Lisa: Just stay an hour. At least say bye to Ben.
Trivia & References
The title of the episode refers to the Jay-Z song 99 Problems. Watch the video here. It is also the 99th episode of Supernatural.
Dean: Yeah, well, whatever. When in Rome.
- "When in Rome, do as the Romans do" is a saying attributed to Ambrose. It means when visiting another country, you should behave like the people in that country.
Sam: At what point does this become too far for you? Stoning? Poisoned Kool-Aid? The angels are toying with these people!
- Poisoned Kool-Aid is a reference to the Jonestown massacre, where members of the People's Temple were given Kool-Aid laced with cyanide.
Dean: Since the angels got the only lifeboats on the Titanic. I mean, who exactly is supposed to come along and save these people? It was supposed to be us, but we can’t do it.
- The RMS Titanic was the most famous ocean liner of its day and sank on its maiden voyage after hitting an iceberg in the North Atlantic. 1,517 of the 2,223 passengers and crew on board died, in large part because there were not enough lifeboats to save everyone on the ship.
Minutiae
Filming Locations: Map of known filming locations.
At Comic Con 2007, Jensen suggested “You know, we ought to just mount one of those old-style sprinkler systems on top of the Impala and have it spit out holy water.”
Pastor Jim, the hunter friend of the Winchesters, was also based in Blue Earth, Minnesota; and it was here that he was killed by Meg in 1.21 Salvation.
Sam: I got one thing, one thing, keeping me going. You think you’re the only one white-knuckling it here, Dean? I can’t count on anyone else. I can’t do this alone.
- This line echoes when Dean said the same thing to Sam in 1.01 Pilot.
Sides, Scripts & Transcripts
Promotion
- Episode title
- Title and casting call from spoiler tv.
- Casting spoiler, more info on casting spoiler
- Comments from Sera Gamble on this episode (spoilers through to 5.17 in interview)
- Interview with Michael Shanks
- Another Michael Shanks interview
- Fan pic, video and report from shooting on location
- Synopsis from SpoilerTV
- Promo clip
- Scene Promo
- Space TV promo
Episode Meta
- 5.17 99 Problems: Must Be Hard, Being The Vessel Of Heaven And Having No Hope by bardicvoice (April 2010); archive link, spn-heavymeta
- Bond, Silvia. 2010. A Good Man is Good to Find: "99 Problems" Season 5, Episode 17. Pink Raygun, April 13; archive link, spn-heavymeta
- Chan, Suzette. 2010. Supernatural Talk: Tarts talk about SPN 5.17: 99 Problems. Sequential Tart, May 24; archive link, spn-heavymeta
