Difference between revisions of "7.17 The Born-Again Identity"

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|Infobox=
 
|Infobox=
 
{{InfoboxEpisode
 
{{InfoboxEpisode
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|image= [[File:Sn717promoresized.jpg]]
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|image= [[File:Sn717promoresized.jpg|350px]]
 
|title= The Born-Again Identity
 
|title= The Born-Again Identity
 
|episode= Season 7, Episode 17
 
|episode= Season 7, Episode 17
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|director= [[Robert Singer]]
 
|director= [[Robert Singer]]
 
|writer= [[Sera Gamble]]
 
|writer= [[Sera Gamble]]
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|imdb= http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1995109/
+
|imdb= [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1995110/ The Born-Again Identity]
 
|download=   
 
|download=   
−
|outline=
+
|outline= [[Sam]] reaches his breaking point and [[Dean]], desperate to save his brother, finds a healer with a very familiar face.
−
|motw=[[Lucifer]]<br>[[Demonology|Demons]]<br>[[Ghost]]   
+
|motw= [[Hallucifer]]<br>[[Demonology|Demons]]<br>[[Ghost]]   
−
|timeline=
+
|timeline=  
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|location= Colorado, Northern Indiana.
+
|location= Colorado<br>Northern Indiana<br>Whitefish, Montana
 
|map=  
 
|map=  
 
{{EpisodeMap
 
{{EpisodeMap
−
|Locations=  
+
|Locations=  
−
}}
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Colorado, USA;
 +
Indiana, USA;
 +
Whitefish, MT, USA
 +
}}  
 +
|prevep= 7.16 Out with the Old
 +
|nextep= 7.18 Party On, Garth
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
|Synopsis=  
 
|Synopsis=  
−
[[Sam]] has been awake for five days, tormented by [[Hallucifer]], who tells Sam he'll only survive another week without sleep. He tries in vain to use drugs to pass out and in his sleep-deprived state, is hit by a car. He winds up in the locked psychiatric ward at [[Northern Indiana State Hospital]], being treated for a broken rib, lacerations, and what [[Dr Kadinsky]] tells [[Dean]] is a full-blown psychotic episode. The doctors have administered several sedatives, but Sam remains conscious. Dean goes to see Sam in his room, where Hallucifer sits playing cat's cradle, and tells Sam he'll find him help. Sam is skeptical, saying they always knew putting his soul back would end badly.  
+
[[Sam]] has been awake for five days, tormented by [[Hallucifer]], who tells Sam he'll only survive another week without sleep. He tries in vain to use drugs to pass out and in his sleep-deprived state, is hit by a car. He winds up in the locked psychiatric ward at [[Northern Indiana State Hospital]], being treated for a broken rib, lacerations, and what [[Dr. Kadinsky]] tells [[Dean]] is a "full-blown psychotic episode." The doctors have administered several sedatives, but Sam remains conscious. Dean goes to see Sam in his room, where Hallucifer sits playing cat's cradle, and tells Sam he'll find him help. Sam is skeptical, saying they always knew putting his soul back would end badly.  
  
−
Dean leaves and heads to [[Rufus's Cabin]], where he calls some of [[Bobby |Bobby's]] contacts. He's getting nowhere, though, and he leaves Bobby's journal on the table and goes to the fridge for a beer. He's across the room when the journal topples to the ground and a card for Mackey's Taxidermy falls out. Dean calls the number and leaves a message.  
+
Dean leaves and heads to [[Rufus's cabin]], where he calls some of [[Bobby]]'s contacts. He's getting nowhere, though, and he leaves [[Bobby's Journal|Bobby's journal]] on the table and goes to the fridge for a beer. He's across the room when the journal topples to the ground and a card for Mackey's Taxidermy falls out. Dean calls the number and leaves a message.  
 
   
 
   
−
Meanwhile, Sam is still awake because of Hallucifer, who comments that he and Sam being in a locked ward together is just like the Cage. Sam ignores him and later tries to eat a sandwich, but when he looks at it it's full of maggots. He drops it on the ground and backs away, then notices another patient watching from his door. She leaves without saying anything.
+
Meanwhile, Sam is still awake because of Hallucifer, who comments that he and Sam being in a locked ward together is just like [[Lucifer's Cage|the Cage]]. Sam ignores him and later tries to eat a sandwich, but when he looks at it it's full of maggots. He drops it on the ground and backs away, then notices another patient watching from his door. She leaves without saying anything.
  
−
At the cabin, Dean is looking for information online when he receives a call from a hunter named [[Mackey]]. Mackey tells him about a healer named Emmanuel in Colorado. He claims that Emmanuel passed all of his monster tests and then healed his damaged eye with one touch. Encouraged, Dean goes to Emmanuel's house in Colorado. He meets a man who claims to be Emmanuel at the front door, but sees a woman tied up in the house. When he looks back, the man's eyes are black as he throws Dean into the front door. Dean reminds the demon about Crowley's "hands-off memo," but the demon laughs and says that because Dean hasn't managed to kill [[Dick Roman]], Crowley will want Emmanuel more than he wants Dean. Dean quickly kills the demon with [[Ruby's knife]], and then looks up to find Emmanuel, who is the spitting image of [[Castiel]], watching him.  
+
At the cabin, Dean is looking for information online when he receives a call from a hunter named [[Mackey]]. Mackey tells him of a healer named Emanuel in Colorado. He claims that Emanuel passed all of his [[monster]] tests and then healed his damaged eye with one touch. Encouraged, Dean goes to Emanuel's house in Colorado. He meets a man who claims to be Emanuel at the front door, but sees a woman tied up in the house. When he looks back, the man's eyes are black as he throws Dean into the front door. Dean reminds the [[demon]] about [[Crowley]]'s "hands-off memo," but the demon laughs and says that because Dean hasn't managed to kill [[Dick Roman]], Crowley will want Emanuel more than he wants Dean. Dean quickly kills the demon with [[Demon-Killing Knife|the demon-killing knife]], and then looks down to find Emanuel, who bears remarkable resemblance to [[Castiel]], watching him.  
  
−
Emmanuel doesn't recognize Dean, has no knowledge of demons, and no memory of being an angel. He thanks Dean for saving his wife, [[Daphne Allen|Daphne]], and then says that he saw the real face of the man Dean killed. Dean tells him that it was a demon and that he's there because he needs help for his brother.
+
Emanuel doesn't recognize Dean, has no knowledge of demons, and no memory of being an [[angel]]. He thanks Dean for saving his wife, [[Daphne Allen|Daphne]], and then says that he saw the real face of the man Dean killed. Dean tells him that it was a demon and that he's there because he needs help for his brother.
  
−
Meanwhile in the locked ward, the patient who saw Sam's reaction to his sandwich brings him a stolen chocolate bar. Sam thanks her and learns her name, [[Marin]], but can't get further than introductions because Hallucifer is tormenting him with a loudspeaker. Later, Hallucifer continues to torture Sam, lighting firecrackers in the ward. An orderly, [[Marcus]], brings Sam his meal, and Sam asks Marcus about Marin. Marcus doesn't tell him much, only that unlike him, she wasn't brought to the psychiatric ward because of an accident.
+
Meanwhile in the locked ward, the patient who saw Sam's reaction to his sandwich brings him a stolen chocolate bar. Sam thanks her and learns her name is [[Marin]], but can't get further than introductions because Hallucifer is tormenting him with a loudspeaker. Later, Hallucifer continues to torture Sam, lighting firecrackers in the ward. An orderly, [[Marcus]], brings Sam his meal, and Sam asks Marcus about Marin. Marcus doesn't tell him much, only that unlike him, she wasn't brought to the psychiatric ward because of an accident.
  
−
Dean and Emmanuel talk in the car on the way to Indiana. Emmanuel tells him that a few months ago, Daphne found him by a river, "drenched, confused, and unclothed." He had no memory, and Daphne claimed God wanted her to find him. Dean mentions the possibility that Emmanuel was a bad guy, but Emmanuel says he doesn't feel like a bad person. Emmanuel tells Dean he can cure illnesses of a spiritual origin and should be able to help Sam. Dean goes on to tell him that he is unable to forgive his friend Cas, who betrayed him and caused Sam's illness. Emmanuel, who still has no memory, comments that Cas is an odd name.
+
Dean and Emanuel talk in the car on the way to Indiana. Emanuel tells him that a few months ago, Daphne found him by a river, "drenched, confused, and unclothed." He had no memory, and Daphne claimed [[God]] wanted her to find him. Dean mentions the possibility that Emanuel was a bad guy, but Emanuel says he doesn't feel like a bad person. Emanuel tells Dean he can cure illnesses of a spiritual origin and should be able to help Sam. Dean goes on to tell him that he is unable to forgive his friend Cas, who betrayed him and caused Sam's illness. Emanuel, who still has no memory, comments that Cas is an odd name.
  
 
That same night, Marin brings Sam another chocolate bar. She tells Sam that she's been in the ward for 5 weeks and that the doctors think she's suicidal. He asks her for the truth, and she tells him that she hears her dead brother's voice. He wants her to kill herself to be with him, and if she doesn't, he'll do it for her. He's already started a fire to try to kill her. After confessing, she leaves, upset.
 
That same night, Marin brings Sam another chocolate bar. She tells Sam that she's been in the ward for 5 weeks and that the doctors think she's suicidal. He asks her for the truth, and she tells him that she hears her dead brother's voice. He wants her to kill herself to be with him, and if she doesn't, he'll do it for her. He's already started a fire to try to kill her. After confessing, she leaves, upset.
 
   
 
   
−
The next morning, Dean goes into a convenience store and is confronted by three demons. He kills one and then is knocked back, losing Ruby's knife. Thankfully, [[Meg]] shows up and kills one demon while the other flees. Dean is surprised to see her, and she tells him that she's there because of rumors about a wandering healer, who she's shocked to learn is "poor dead Castiel." She has an ongoing feud with [[Crowley]] and, like Dean, doesn't want him to know about Cas. Although they don't trust each other, they both need friends, so Dean agrees to let her come with them to Indiana as long as she doesn't remind Castiel of his true identity yet. The three of them leave together.
+
The next morning, Dean goes into a convenience store and is confronted by three demons. He kills one and then is knocked back, losing the demon-killing knife. Thankfully, [[Meg]] shows up and kills one demon while the other flees. Dean is surprised to see her, and she tells him that she's there because of rumors about a wandering healer, who she's shocked to learn is "poor dead Castiel." She has an ongoing feud with Crowley and, like Dean, doesn't want him to know about Cas. Although they don't trust each other, they both need friends, so Dean agrees to let her come with them to Indiana as long as she doesn't remind Castiel of his true identity yet. The three of them leave together.
  
−
Back in the locked ward, Sam apologizes to Marin for upsetting her. Then he tells her that he believes her about her brother and wants to help. From his questions, Sam learns that Marin feels cold before her brother talks to her, and that she's heard him in more than one place despite the fact that he's cremated. Sure that he's a ghost, Sam tells her that he can put her brother to rest, and then asks her if she has anything of his. She wears a bracelet he made for her with an injured hand - it's likely he bled on it. Sam tells her what they need, and she brings back salt and a lighter she stole from Marcus. They make a ring of salt and stand inside it, and when Sam asks her for her bracelet, the ghost of Marin's brother appears. He breaks the lights in the room and pleads with Marin not to do it. She gives Sam the bracelet and he burns it, causing her brother to go up in flames. Marin thanks Sam, and he tells her to go. She leaves quickly just before orderlies enter the ward to restrain Sam. Dizzy, Sam looks up to see Hallucifer standing over Dr Kadinsky's shoulder as the doc explains to Sam that they cannot give him any more medication and should try surgery instead.
+
Back in the locked ward, Sam apologizes to Marin for upsetting her. Then he tells her that he believes her about her brother and wants to help. From his questions, Sam learns that Marin feels cold before her brother talks to her, and that she's heard him in more than one place despite the fact that he's cremated. Sure that he's a [[ghost]], Sam tells her that he can put her brother to rest, and then asks her if she has anything of his. She wears a bracelet he made for her with an injured hand — it's likely he bled on it. Sam tells her what they need, and she brings back [[salt]] and a lighter she stole from Marcus. They make a ring of salt and stand inside it, and when Sam asks her for her bracelet, the ghost of Marin's brother appears. He breaks the lights in the room and pleads with Marin not to do it. She gives Sam the bracelet and he burns it, causing her brother to go up in flames. Marin thanks Sam, and he tells her to go. She leaves quickly just before orderlies enter the ward to restrain Sam. Dizzy, Sam looks up to see Hallucifer standing over Dr. Kadinsky's shoulder as the doc explains to Sam that they cannot give him any more medication and should try surgery instead.
  
−
Dean, Meg, and Emmanuel finally arrive at Northern Indiana State Hospital that night. They can't get inside, though, because it's surrounded by demons. Meg and Dean retreat to talk in private, and Meg insists that they remind Cas who he is so he can destroy the demons. Dean warns her that after what Cas did, he could snap and disappear. Emmanuel overhears Dean and tells him that he wants to know who he is. Dean is hesitant, but Meg tells him he's an angel and that he and Dean were best friends who used to fight together. Emmanuel realizes that he must be the "Cas" that Dean told him about, and he apologizes. Then he resolves to fight the demons in front of the hospital, even though he doesn't remember how.
+
Dean, Meg, and Emanuel finally arrive at Northern Indiana State Hospital that night. They can't get inside, though, because it's surrounded by demons. Meg and Dean retreat to talk in private, and Meg insists that they remind Cas who he is so he can destroy the demons. Dean warns her that after what Cas did, he could snap and disappear. Emanuel overhears Dean and tells him that he wants to know who he is. Dean is hesitant, but Meg tells him he's an angel and that he and Dean were best friends who used to fight together. Emanuel realizes that he must be the "Cas" that Dean told him about, and he apologizes. Then he resolves to fight the demons in front of the hospital, even though he doesn't remember how.
  
−
He approaches the demons, who are shocked to see him alive. Before they can do anything, Castiel puts his hand on one of them and exorcises it with a blast of light. As he exorcises the rest of them, his memories come back to him, assaulting him with images of his partnership with Crowley and his betrayal of Dean. Once the demons are taken care of, Meg and Dean approach him. He tells them that he remembers them&mdash;he remembers everything. He's disgusted with himself and moves to leave, but Dean chases after him. When it seems like he's trying to defend Castiel's past acts, Castiel tells him he deserved to die for the things he did. He doesn't think he can fix anything, but Dean believes he can. He reaches into the trunk of his [[Dodge Charger|car]] and pulls out [[Castiel's Trench Coat|Castiel's trench coat]].
+
He approaches the demons, who are shocked to see him alive. Before they can do anything, Castiel [[Smiting|smites]] them all. His memories come back to him in the process, assaulting him with images of his partnership with Crowley and his betrayal of Dean. Once the demons are taken care of, Meg and Dean approach him. He tells them that he remembers them&mdash;he remembers everything. He's disgusted with himself and starts to leave, but Dean chases after him. When it seems like he is trying to defend Castiel's past acts, Castiel tells him he deserved to die for the things he did. He doesn't think he can fix anything, but Dean believes he can. He reaches into the trunk of his [[Dodge Charger|car]] and pulls out [[Castiel's Trench Coat|Castiel's trench coat]].
  
−
Meanwhile, Sam is strapped down and wheeled into electroshock therapy. He starts to panic and asks for his brother, but the orderly ignores him and sticks a rubber mouthguard between his teeth. He says that he's going to start Sam off on a high setting, just as his eyes flash black. Sam struggles, but can't escape, and the demon electrocutes him. He's about to turn up the setting again when Castiel appears behind him, trench coat on, and exorcises him. Castiel then unhooks Sam from the electroshock machine and reaches out to heal him, but it doesn't work. Sam still sees Hallucifer.
+
Meanwhile, Sam is strapped down and wheeled into electroshock therapy. He starts to panic and asks for his brother, but the orderly ignores him and places a rubber mouth guard between his teeth. He says that he's going to start Sam off on a high setting, just as his eyes flash black. Sam struggles, but can't escape, and the demon shocks him. He's about to increase the electrical setting again when Castiel appears behind him with his old trench coat on before smiting him. Castiel releases Sam from the electroshock machine and reaches out to heal him, but it doesn't work and Sam still sees Hallucifer.
  
−
Back in Sam's room, Castiel tells Dean that he can't rebuild the wall in Sam's mind because it's completely crumbled. Dean is upset, and Castiel tells him that he can't make the problem disappear… but he might be able to shift it. Dean is confused, and Castiel approaches Sam's bedside, telling him that it's better this way. He apologizes to Sam and then puts his hand on his head. Red light emanates from around Sam's eyes and then runs up Castiel's arm and into his eyes.  
+
Back in Sam's room, Castiel tells Dean that he can't rebuild the wall in Sam's mind because it is completely crumbled. Dean is upset, and Castiel tells him that he can't make the problem disappear, but he might be able to shift it. Dean watches in confusion as Castiel approaches Sam's bedside, telling him that it's better this way. He apologizes to Sam and then puts his hand on his head. Red light emanates from around Sam's eyes and then runs up Castiel's arm and into his eyes, effectively transferring Sam's hallucinations to his own mind.
  
 
When Castiel lets go of Sam, Sam becomes lucid. He sees Dean and then notices that Castiel is next to him. He says his name, but Castiel doesn't answer him because, instead of Sam, he sees Hallucifer laying on Sam's bed. He retreats in fear.
 
When Castiel lets go of Sam, Sam becomes lucid. He sees Dean and then notices that Castiel is next to him. He says his name, but Castiel doesn't answer him because, instead of Sam, he sees Hallucifer laying on Sam's bed. He retreats in fear.
  
−
When Sam and Dean leave the hospital, they leave without Castiel, who is now a member of the locked psychiatric ward himself. The only demon who knows where he is is Meg, who's insinuated herself onto the ward's staff as a nurse. Sam is reluctant to leave Cas in her hands, but Dean tells him that it's the only option they have.
+
When Sam and Dean leave the hospital, they leave without Castiel, who is now a member of the locked psychiatric ward himself. The only demon who knows where he's being kept is Meg, who's insinuated herself onto the ward's staff as a nurse. Sam is reluctant to leave Castiel in her hands, but Dean tells him that it's the only option they have.
  
 
|Characters=
 
|Characters=
 
* [[Sam Winchester]]
 
* [[Sam Winchester]]
 
* [[Dean Winchester]]
 
* [[Dean Winchester]]
−
* [[Castiel]] aka Emmanuel Allen
+
* [[Castiel]] aka Emanuel Allen
 
* [[Lucifer]]
 
* [[Lucifer]]
 
* [[Meg]]
 
* [[Meg]]
 +
* [[Hallucifer]]
 
* [[Marin]]
 
* [[Marin]]
 
* [[Daphne Allen]]
 
* [[Daphne Allen]]
 
* [[Mackey]]
 
* [[Mackey]]
−
* [[Dr Kadinsky]]
+
* [[Dr. Kadinsky]]
 
* [[Marcus]]
 
* [[Marcus]]
  
 
|Pad_of_Definitions=
 
|Pad_of_Definitions=
−
* [[Hallucifer]]
+
<div style="-moz-column-count:2; -webkit-column-count:2; column-count:2;">
 +
* [[Alcohol]]
 +
* [[Aliases]]
 +
* [[Bobby's Journal]]
 
* [[Castiel's Trench Coat]]
 
* [[Castiel's Trench Coat]]
 +
* [[Clarence]]
 +
* [[Dean's Cell Phone]]
 +
* [[Demon-Killing Knife]]
 +
* [[Demon Smoke]]
 +
* [[Demonology]]
 +
* [[Dodge Charger]]
 +
* [[Drugs]]
 +
* [[Ghost]]
 +
* [[Healing]]
 +
* [[John's Journal]]
 +
* [[Northern Indiana State Hospital]]
 
* [[Rufus's Cabin]]
 
* [[Rufus's Cabin]]
−
* [[Northern Indiana State Hospital]]
+
* [[Salt]]
−
* [[Demonology]]
+
* [[Smiting]]
 +
* [[Son of a Bitch]]
 
* [[Star Wars]]
 
* [[Star Wars]]
−
* [[Dodge Charger]]
+
</div>
  
 
|Music=
 
|Music=
−
Wake Up Little Susie - Everly Brothers ''plays when Hallucifer lights firecrackers in the ward''<br>
+
* "Good Morning"
−
 
+
:''(sung after the sleeping pills Sam takes fail to get rid of Hallucifer)''
−
Turn into Earth - The Yardbirds ''plays during Castiel's flashback montage.''
+
* "Wake Up Little Susie" by The Everly Brothers  
−
+
:''(plays when Hallucifer lights firecrackers in the ward)''
 +
* "Turn into Earth" by The Yardbirds  
 +
:''(plays when Cas smites the demons and regains his memory)''
  
 
|Quotes=
 
|Quotes=
 
{{TriviaQuote |Text=
 
{{TriviaQuote |Text=
−
'''Hallucifer:''' Tell the nice tweaker you’d be sleeping right now if the devil would leave you alone...
+
'''Hallucifer:''' Tell the nice tweaker you’d be sleeping right now if the devil would leave you alone.
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{TriviaQuote |Text=
 
{{TriviaQuote |Text=
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}}
 
}}
 
{{TriviaQuote |Text=
 
{{TriviaQuote |Text=
−
'''Emmanuel/Castiel:''' Your friend's name was Cas? That's an odd name.
+
'''Emanuel/Castiel:''' Your friend's name was Cas? That's an odd name.
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{TriviaQuote |Text=
 
{{TriviaQuote |Text=
−
'''Marin:''' I saw you yesterday, you didn’t look too happy with your in flight meal.  
+
'''Marin:''' I saw you yesterday, you didn’t look too happy with your in-flight meal.  
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{TriviaQuote |Text=
 
{{TriviaQuote |Text=
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}}
 
}}
 
{{TriviaQuote |Text=
 
{{TriviaQuote |Text=
−
'''Dean:''' This ain’t going to go well.<br>
+
'''Dean:''' This ain’t gonna go well.<br>
 
'''Meg:''' I dunno, I believe in the little tree topper.
 
'''Meg:''' I dunno, I believe in the little tree topper.
 
}}
 
}}
 +
 
|Trivia_References=
 
|Trivia_References=
 
{{TriviaQuote |Text=
 
{{TriviaQuote |Text=
−
The episode title "The Born-Again Identity" is a play on the 2002 spy thriller movie [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0258463/ The Bourne Identity] (which was based a novel of the same name by Robert Ludlum). In the film, the main character Jason Bourne, played by Matt Damon, finds himself suffering from amnesia, and his attempts to discover who he is. Along the way he finds he has a number of skills – speaking multiple languages, proficiency in hand-to-hand combat – that give him clues to his identity. The film was previously referenced in [[6.22 The Man Who Knew Too Much]].}}
+
The episode title "The Born-Again Identity" is a play on the 2002 spy thriller movie ''[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0258463/ The Bourne Identity]'' (which was based on a novel of the same name by Robert Ludlum). In the film, the main character Jason Bourne, played by Matt Damon, finds himself suffering from amnesia, and attempts to discover who he is. Along the way, he finds he has a number of skills – speaking multiple languages, proficiency in hand-to-hand combat – that give him clues to his identity. The film was previously referenced in [[6.22 The Man Who Knew Too Much]]. The title is also a play on the Christian term [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Born_again "born again Christian".]
 +
}}
 
{{TriviaQuote |Text=
 
{{TriviaQuote |Text=
−
'''Hallucifer:''' Tell the nice tweaker...
+
'''Hallucifer:''' Tell the nice tweaker you’d be sleeping right now if the devil would just leave you alone for five seconds.
 
:''Tweaker is a slang term for someone who is addicted to crystal meth.''
 
:''Tweaker is a slang term for someone who is addicted to crystal meth.''
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{TriviaQuote |Text=
 
{{TriviaQuote |Text=
−
The bar through the windscreen is reminiscent of the death scene in [[2.13 Houses of the Holy]] where a pole bounces through a windscreen and impales a man.
+
It is not possible to die from lack of sleep (unless you have a rare neurodegenerative prion disease known as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fatal_insomnia fatal insomnia]). However, severe mental and physical disturbances do occur. The record for the longest a person has gone without sleep without stimulants is [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randy_Gardner_(record_holder) Randy Gardner]. His record is 264.4 hours (11 days 24 minutes).  
−
}}
 
−
{{TriviaQuote |Text=
 
−
'''Doctor:''' You're Sam Smith's brother?
 
−
:''Dean and Sam are using the aliases given to them by [[Frank]] in [[7.06 Slash Fiction]].''
 
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{TriviaQuote |Text=
 
{{TriviaQuote |Text=
 
'''Dean:''' It's not like the guy's freaking Norman Bates.
 
'''Dean:''' It's not like the guy's freaking Norman Bates.
−
:''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman_Bates Norman Bates] was the serial killer in the Hitchcock movie [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0054215/ Psycho], who killed his mother, kept her corpse in his house and assumed her identity. Previously mentioned in [[5.19 Hammer Of The Gods]].''
+
:''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman_Bates Norman Bates] was the serial killer in the Hitchcock movie [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0054215/ Psycho], who killed his mother, kept her corpse in his house and assumed her identity. Previously mentioned in [[5.19 Hammer of the Gods]].''
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{TriviaQuote |Text=
 
{{TriviaQuote |Text=
−
'''Dean:''' Quit being Dalai-friggin-Yoda about this. Get pissed!<br>
+
'''Dean:''' How're you feeling?
−
:''Dean has mashed up the names of two individuals known for their equanimity in the face of challenges - the spiritual leader of Tibet [http://www.dalailama.com/ Dalai Lama] (whose name he mispronounces) and Jedi master [http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Yoda Yoda].''
+
'''Sam:''' Maybe you should cancel my UFC fight.
 +
:''UFC (or Ultimate Fighting Championship) is a mixed martial arts entertainment company.''
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{TriviaQuote |Text=
 
{{TriviaQuote |Text=
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}}
 
}}
 
{{TriviaQuote |Text=
 
{{TriviaQuote |Text=
−
'''Sam:''' Last faith healer we hooked up with had a reaper on a leash.
+
'''Dean:''' Quit being Dalai-friggin-Yoda about this, okay? Get pissed!<br>
−
:''Sam is referring to the events of [[1.12 Faith]], in which he tried to find a faith healer for the stricken Dean.''
+
:''Dean has mashed up the names of two individuals known for their equanimity in the face of challenges — the spiritual leader of Tibet [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dalai_Lama Dalai Lama] (whose name he mispronounces) and Jedi Master [http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Yoda Yoda].''
 +
}}
 +
{{TriviaQuote |Text=
 +
'''Hallucifer:''' Narcissistic personality disorder. Okay, now this one I could have.
 +
:''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narcissistic_personality_disorder Narcissistic personality disorder] is a condition characterized by egocentrism, arrogance, entitlement, a desire for control, and a lack of empathy. It is thought to be a way of compensating for a severe sense of personal imperfection and unworthiness. In [[5.11 Sam, Interrupted]], which took place in a mental hospital, Dean's hallucinated doctor tells him he is a "paranoid schizophrenic with a narcissistic personality disorder and religious psychosis".''
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{TriviaQuote |Text=
 
{{TriviaQuote |Text=
−
'''Hallucifer:''' Narcissistic personality disorder. Okay, now this one I could have.<br>
+
Hallucifer is reading from the DSM-IV-TR — the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diagnostic_and_Statistical_Manual_of_Mental_Disorders Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders]. It is used by psychiatrists and psychologists as a handbook to diagnosing and treating mental illnesses and disorders.  
−
:''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narcissistic_personality_disorder Narcissistic personality disorder] is a condition characterized by egocentrism, arrogance, entitlement, a desire for control, and a lack of empathy. It is thought to be a way of compensating for a severe sense of personal imperfection and unworthiness. In [[5.11 Sam, Interrupted]] which took place in a mental hospital, Dean's hallucinated doctor tells him he is "paranoid schizophrenic with a narcissistic personality disorder and religious psychosis".''
 
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{TriviaQuote |Text=
 
{{TriviaQuote |Text=
−
While Dean is trying to find help for Sam, Bobby's journal inexplicably falls on the floor, and a card for "Mackey's Taxidermy" falls out. Mackey in turn leads Dean to Castiel. This is the third time such an event has occurred - a possible hint that [[Bobby]]'s ghost is around. The other two events were Dean's beer disappearing in [[7.11 Adventures In Babysitting]] and a helpful paper moving to the top of a pile in [[7.13 The Slice Girls]].
+
Castiel's journey between [[7.02 Hello, Cruel World]] and this episode has a few similarities with the life of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus Jesus Christ] in the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bible Bible.] Castiel walking out of the river could be seen as a baptism of sorts — much like Jesus was baptized in the river Jordan.<sup>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%203%3A13-17&version=NIV source]</sup> [[Mackey]] mentions that "Emanuel" roamed around a lot healing the sick — as did Jesus. Lastly, Castiel was given the name "Emanuel" — Jesus is given the symbolic name [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immanuel "Immanuel"] (meaning 'God with us') when his birth is prophesized.<sup>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+1%3A23&version=NIV source]</sup>
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{TriviaQuote |Text=
 
{{TriviaQuote |Text=
−
Emmanuel's wife Daphne may be a reference to Daphne from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scooby-Doo Scooby-Doo]. Dean mentioned her in [[2.11 Playthings]].
+
Emanuel's wife Daphne may be a reference to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daphne Daphne], a nymph in Greek mythology who was unwillingly pursued by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo Apollo]. Out of desperation, Daphne prayed to be turned into a laurel tree so as to escape his advances. As her "marriage" to Emanuel is not referred to again after this episode, this could allude to it being entirely a ruse to ward off strangers and not draw attention.  
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{TriviaQuote |Text=
 
{{TriviaQuote |Text=
−
'''Emmanuel:''' ''(about a demon)'' I saw his face. His real face.<br>
+
'''Marin:''' Who is it? Like Charlie Manson, or the Devil?
−
:''In [[3.16 No Rest For The Wicked]], Dean, in the last 24 hours of the year he was given after his crossroads deal, could see demons' real faces:''<br>
+
:''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Manson Charles Manson] was a cult leader and musician.''
−
::'''''Dean:''' I could see its face, its real face, under that one.''
 
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{TriviaQuote |Text=
 
{{TriviaQuote |Text=
 
'''Meg:''' Dean, Dean, Dean. You got some 'splaining to do!
 
'''Meg:''' Dean, Dean, Dean. You got some 'splaining to do!
−
:''"Lucy, you've got some 'splainin to do!" was a catchphrase of Lucy's husband Ricky Ricardo in the 50/60s sitcom [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0043208/ I Love Lucy] starring Lucille Ball.''<br>
+
:''An oft-misquoted line, "Lucy, you've got some 'splainin to do!" is a catchphrase that many people (and forms of media since) misremember Lucy's husband Ricky Ricardo in the '50/'60s sitcom [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0043208/ I Love Lucy] having. [https://www.metv.com/lists/9-famous-tv-catchphrases-that-were-never-actually-said-on-their-shows Read more about it here]''<br>
−
:''Luci is a fandom nickname for Lucifer, first used by [[Gabriel]] in [[5.19 Hammer Of The Gods]].''
+
:''Luci is also a fandom nickname for Lucifer, first used by [[Gabriel]] in [[5.19 Hammer of the Gods]].''
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{TriviaQuote |Text=
 
{{TriviaQuote |Text=
 
'''Meg:''' You sure we wouldn't be safer travelling with a full-throttle angel?
 
'''Meg:''' You sure we wouldn't be safer travelling with a full-throttle angel?
−
: A reference to the 2003 movie [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0305357/ Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle]
+
:''A reference to the 2003 movie [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0305357/ Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle], which was directed by ''Supernatural'' executive producer [[McG]].''
 +
}}
 +
{{TriviaQuote |Text=
 +
'''Meg:''' ''(to Cas)'' That was beautiful, Clarence.
 +
:''A reference to angel Clarence from [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0038650/ It's A Wonderful Life]. The name was previously used by Meg in [[5.10 Abandon All Hope...]].''
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{TriviaQuote |Text=
 
{{TriviaQuote |Text=
−
One of Sam's hallucinations is that his sandwich is full of maggots. In [[3.09 Malleus Maleficarum]], a witch's target nearly chokes to death after discovering that his burger is full of maggots.
+
'''Hallucifer:''' ''[about The Three Little Pigs]'' I see that third little pig was smart. Went out and got some bricks.
 +
:''In [[3.05 Bedtime Stories]], a man survived an attack that killed his two brothers by hiding next to some concrete blocks in a violent recreation of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Three_Little_Pigs Three Little Pigs fable.]''
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{TriviaQuote |Text=
 
{{TriviaQuote |Text=
−
[[Marin]], the patient who is being haunted by her brother, is played by [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3821782/ Kacey Rohl], the daughter of [[Mike Rohl]] who had directed ten episodes of Supernatural at the time of airing.
+
'''Sam:''' This whole "enemy-of-my-enemy-is-my-friend" thing feels kinda like a demon deal.<br>
 +
'''Dean:''' It's not a deal, it's... mutually assured destruction.
 +
:''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mutual_assured_destruction Mutual assured destruction] is a principal deterrence that theoretically prevents the use of nuclear weapons between countries of equal power. If both countries have nuclear weapons, the other is less likely to attack given the threat of destruction to them via counterattack.''
 
}}
 
}}
 +
 +
|Minutiae=
 
{{TriviaQuote |Text=
 
{{TriviaQuote |Text=
−
'''Meg:''' ''(to Cas)'' That was beautiful, Clarence.  
+
'''Filming Locations:''' [https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1Z9h7YgM5Kqd55z390StmdzPFiN34d2HC&usp=sharing Map of known filming locations.]
−
: ''A reference to angel Clarence from [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0038650/ It's A Wonderful Life]. The name was previously used by Meg in [[5.10 Abandon All Hope]].''
+
}}
 +
{{TriviaQuote |Text=
 +
[https://twitter.com/WinchesterBros/status/183240199092973569 #WelcomehomeMisha] trended on [[Twitter]] before the episode.
 +
}}
 +
{{TriviaQuote |Text=
 +
In the beginning of the episode, [[Hallucifer]] says that [[Sam]] has been awake for five days.
 +
}}
 +
{{TriviaQuote |Text=
 +
The bar through the windscreen is reminiscent of the death scene in [[2.13 Houses of the Holy]] where a pole bounces through a windscreen and impales a man.
 +
}}
 +
{{TriviaQuote |Text=
 +
'''Dr. Kadinsky:''' You're Sam Smith's brother?
 +
:''Dean and Sam are using the aliases given to them by [[Frank Devereaux]] in [[7.06 Slash Fiction]]. Coincidentally, [[Samantha Smith|Sam Smith]] is the name of the actress who played [[Mary Winchester]], their mother. In the episode [[4.17 It's a Terrible Life]], Dean Smith is the name Dean was given by [[Zachariah]]. Both that episode and this one were written by [[Sera Gamble]].''
 +
}}
 +
{{TriviaQuote |Text=
 +
'''Sam:''' Last faith healer we hooked up with had a reaper on a leash.
 +
:''Sam is referring to the events of [[1.12 Faith]], in which he tried to find a faith healer for Dean who'd been told he was dying.''
 +
}}
 +
{{TriviaQuote |Text=
 +
Dean's phone number is 785-555-0128. 785 is the Area Code for the northern half of Kansas, including Lawrence (the boys' birthplace).
 +
}}
 +
{{TriviaQuote |Text=
 +
Some of the names Dean has written down to contact include ''Supernatural'' crewmembers' names:
 +
* P. Hunter — [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1982876/ Peter Hunter] (cameraman)
 +
* L. Gillis — [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0319301/ Lori Gillis] (set decorator)
 +
* K. Bruhm — [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1528885/ Kelly Bruhm] (costume supervisor)
 +
* D. Riopel — [[Dave Riopel]] (dolly grip)
 +
}}
 +
{{TriviaQuote |Text=
 +
While [[Dean]] is trying to find help for [[Sam]], [[Bobby's Journal|Bobby's journal]] inexplicably falls on the floor, and a card for "Mackey's Taxidermy" falls out. [[Mackey]] in turn leads Dean to [[Castiel]]. This is the third time such an event has occurred — a possible hint that [[Bobby]]'s [[ghost]] is around. The other two events were Dean's beer disappearing in [[7.11 Adventures in Babysitting]] and a helpful paper moving to the top of a pile in [[7.13 The Slice Girls]].
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{TriviaQuote |Text=
 
{{TriviaQuote |Text=
−
'''Hallucifer:''' ''(about "The Three Little Pigs")'' I see that third little pig was smart. Went out and got some bricks.
+
When [[Bobby's Journal|Bobby's journal]] drops onto the floor, it opens on an address page and listed on the pages are the names of a few ''Supernatural'' writers and directors including:
−
: ''In [[3.05 Bedtime Stories]], a man survived an attack that killed his two brothers by hiding next to some concrete blocks in a violent recreation of the Three Little Pigs.''
+
* [[Eric Kripke]]
 +
* [[Sera Gamble]]
 +
* [[Phil Sgriccia]]
 +
* [[Serge Ladouceur]]
 +
* [[Andrew Dabb]]
 +
* [[Robbie Thompson]]
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{TriviaQuote |Text=
 
{{TriviaQuote |Text=
−
'''Doctor:''' Welcome to the team, Nurse Masters.
+
One of Sam's hallucinations is that his sandwich is full of maggots. In [[3.09 Malleus Maleficarum]], a [[witch]]'s target nearly chokes to death after discovering that his burger is full of maggots.
−
:''Meg is using the name of her Season 1 [[meatsuit]], Meg Masters.''
 
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{TriviaQuote |Text=
 
{{TriviaQuote |Text=
−
[http://www.storify.com/superwiki/the-born-again-identity  Tweets from] producer [[Jim Michaels]] during the episode.
+
[[Marin]], the patient who is being haunted by her brother, is played by [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3821782/ Kacey Rohl], the daughter of [[Mike Rohl]] who had directed ten episodes of ''Supernatural'' at the time of airing.
 
}}
 
}}
−
|Minutiae=
 
 
{{TriviaQuote |Text=
 
{{TriviaQuote |Text=
−
#WelcomehomeMisha trended on Twitter before the episode [https://twitter.com/#!/WinchesterBros/status/183240199092973569/photo/1 source]
+
Emanuel lived in Colorado.
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{TriviaQuote |Text=
 
{{TriviaQuote |Text=
−
In the beginning of the episode, Hallucifer says that Sam has been awake for five days.
+
'''Emanuel:''' ''[about the demon]'' I saw his face. His real face.
 +
:''In [[3.16 No Rest for the Wicked]], Dean, in the last 24 hours of the year he was given after his crossroads [[Deals and Pacts|deal]], could see demons' real faces:''<br>
 +
::'''''Dean:''' I could see its face, its real face, under that one.''
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{TriviaQuote |Text=
 
{{TriviaQuote |Text=
−
Dean's phone number is 785-555-0128.
+
Despite the actual name for the website Emanuel got his name from being "''bouncy''babynames.com" in the script, it is frequently misheard as bouncingbabynames.com. If you visited bouncingbabynames.com in 2012, you would be met with a game titled [https://64.media.tumblr.com/064a18ee03fd84c0bbba2fcc2e75f0d5/1f6d5b13b9280183-f1/s500x750/428fa2ddfd379db720c9ac174375c3e2deaaefa0.pnj 'How many times can you make Baby Emanuel Bounce?']. The game involved making a picture of Misha Collins bounce. Attempting to access the website a while later would give you a 403 error from the Web Server at [[GISHWHES]], suggesting that Misha had bought the domain name. Sometime before 2014, the domain name expired and — as of October 2023 — an unknown fan has clearly bought it and it now redirects you to a Supernatural Review and Commentary thread in InterstellarMessages messageboards by user 'Chatwoman' for some reason. The domain was registered in July 2023 despite the thread not having been updated since 2022.
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{TriviaQuote |Text=
 
{{TriviaQuote |Text=
−
Emmanuel lived in Colorado.
+
At [[Jus In Bello Italy 2012]], [[Jensen]] [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bd18P0rGpz8 talked about] the trench coat scene, describing it as "awkward," pointing out that the jacket was in a stolen car, that Dean wouldn't have folded it that nicely, describing the written dialogue as, "It was so bad," and saying that he and [[Misha]] ended up changing the dialogue.<br>
 +
One fan who won a copy of the script from Misha [https://archive.ph/rj6q0 posted the relevant pages on Tumblr]. The removed lines have Dean saying, of the trench coat he's holding, "Dumb to keep. I know. I saw you-- dissolve or whatever. But, just in case. 'Cause I never stopped wanting to fix it either. So we got something in common. Just-- take it. Please." <br>
 +
Though, there may have been an earlier version of the script that Jensen was referring to, as he [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQTq-9kHYxc talked with Misha at Jus In Bello 2012], and they mentioned Castiel having a line that they changed, and Dean having a line that referenced something like the smell of the coat or Dean cuddling up to it. Jensen said Misha had called the scene "gay" in a previous panel, and Jensen referred to it as "unmanly" saying, 'Which would make sense because ([[Sera Gamble]], the writer) is a girl. (...) She writes amazing, but sometimes there are some effeminate lines (like) "I guess I really hoped you'd come back someday."' This last line — "part of me always believed that you'd come back." — was actually filmed and can be heard [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXZdBwHkFLs in the promo for the episode.]
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{TriviaQuote |Text=
 
{{TriviaQuote |Text=
−
Emmanuel said he got his name from bouncingbabynames.com. Attempting to access the website will give you a 403 error from the Web Server at [[GISHWHES]].
+
'''Doctor:''' Welcome to the team, Nurse Masters.
 +
:''Meg is using the name of her season 1 [[meatsuit]], [[Meg Masters]].''
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
|Sides_Scripts_Transcripts=
 
|Sides_Scripts_Transcripts=
 
* [[7.17 The Born-Again Identity (Transcript)]]
 
* [[7.17 The Born-Again Identity (Transcript)]]
 +
* [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GNxy6WxS2BhJhHshiWOc9YalmEdWvXpL/view The Born-Again Identity Script] (Studio/Network Draft)
 +
 
|Promotion=
 
|Promotion=
 +
Filming
 +
* [http://twitpic.com/8dtajp Misha arrives with family in Vancouver]
 +
* [http://twitpic.com/8dt87z Rachel Miner arrives] in Vancouver
 +
 +
Episode Info
 
* [http://www.spoilertv.com/2012/01/supernatural-season-7-upcoming-episode.html Episode titles 7.13 to 7.19]
 
* [http://www.spoilertv.com/2012/01/supernatural-season-7-upcoming-episode.html Episode titles 7.13 to 7.19]
−
* [http://www.aoltv.com/2011/12/05/exclusive-misha-collins-castiel-supernatural-return/?a_dgi=aolshare_twitter/ Guest star] by AOLTV
 
−
* [http://www.tvline.com/2011/12/supernatural-scoop-misha-collins-returning/ Misha Collins will return to Supernatural] for one episode, with the possibility of two beyond that. The internet exploded with fannish glee. Misha commented "It's true. I'm going to be back on the reality show about the two brothers who drive around testing out seedy motels. Any questions?" [https://twitter.com/#!/mishacollins/statuses/143910127601328128 Source].
 
−
* [http://twitpic.com/8dtajp Misha arrives with family in Vancouver]
 
−
* [http://twitpic.com/8dt87z Guest star arrives] in Vancouver
 
−
* [https://twitter.com/#!/CamillaBug/status/165921957454426112/photo/1 Page from Misha's copy] of [[7.17 Unaired Episode]] at [[Salute to Supernatural Nashville 2012]]
 
−
* [https://twitter.com/#!/SuperWiki/media/slideshow?url=http%3A%2F%2Flockerz.com%2Fs%2F181690425 Possibly spoilery pic]
 
 
* [http://www.ksitetv.com/supernatural/supernatural-7-17-spoilers-the-born-again-identity/12232 Synopsis] from ksitetv
 
* [http://www.ksitetv.com/supernatural/supernatural-7-17-spoilers-the-born-again-identity/12232 Synopsis] from ksitetv
−
* [http://www.tvguide.com/News/Supernatural-Misha-Collins-1044574.aspx Misha talks about his return] to TVGuide
+
 
−
* [http://inthesupernaturalhunt.wordpress.com/2012/03/12/episode-7-17the-born-again-identity-promo-pics/ Promo pics]
+
Interviews
−
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=MXZdBwHkFLs Promo clip]
+
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20111208041548/http://www.tvline.com/2011/12/supernatural-scoop-misha-collins-returning/ ''Supernatural Scoop: Misha Collins Returning!''] by TVLine
−
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=rZSPINLenw4 Webclip #1]
+
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120118063237/http://www.aoltv.com/2011/12/05/exclusive-misha-collins-castiel-supernatural-return/ ''EXCLUSIVE: Misha Collins on Castiel's 'Supernatural' Return''] by Laura Produm for AOLTV
−
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QlTdgJduDI Webclip #2]
+
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120310042409/http://www.tvguide.com/News/Supernatural-Misha-Collins-1044574.aspx ''First Look: Misha Collins Returns to Supernatural''] by Ileane Rudolph for TVGuide
−
* [http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2012/03/misha-collins-on-his-return-to-supernatural-castiel-can-tell-that-deans-a-dangerous-guy.html Misha talks about his return] with Zap2it
+
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120324063216/http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2012/03/misha-collins-on-his-return-to-supernatural-castiel-can-tell-that-deans-a-dangerous-guy.html ''Misha Collins on his return to 'Supernatural': Castiel 'can tell that Dean's a dangerous guy'''] by Carina Adly MacKenzie for Zap2it
−
* [http://tvline.com/2012/03/22/supernatural-season-7-episode-17-misha-collins-preview/ Misha talks about his return] with Vlada Gelman
+
* [https://tvline.com/interviews/supernatural-season-7-episode-17-misha-collins-preview-313295/ ''Misha Collins Previews His Supernatural Return and the ‘Wildly Different’ Castiel to Come''] by Vlada Gelman for TVLine
−
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8drDcQpWvsg Misha interview on MTV about his return]
+
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-6VfZrTWWA Misha interview about his return] for MTV's 10 On Top
−
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTmlgD4wDq4 Bob Singer] previews the episode
+
* [https://www.eonline.com/news/303456/supernaturals_misha_collins_dishes_on ''Supernatural's Misha Collins Dishes on His Highly Anticipated Return and Castiel's "Guarded" Reunion With Dean!''] by Tierney Bricker for E!Online
−
* [http://au.eonline.com/news/watch_with_kristin/supernaturals_misha_collins_dishes_on/303456 Misha talks about the episode to Eonline]
+
* [https://www.givememyremote.com/remote/2012/03/23/supernatural-sera-gamble-teases-the-born-again-identity/ ''SUPERNATURAL: Sera Gamble Teases ‘The Born-Again Identity’ and Beyond''] by Marisa Roffman for Givememyremote
−
* [http://www.givememyremote.com/remote/2012/03/23/supernatural-sera-gamble-teases-the-born-again-identity/ Sera talks about Misha's return] with Givememyremote
+
 
 +
Tweets
 +
* [https://twitter.com/mishacollins/status/143910127601328128 Misha on returning to ''Supernatural'']: "It's true. I'm going to be back on the reality show about the two brothers who drive around testing out seedy motels. Any questions?"
 +
 
 +
Promo Clips and Photos
 +
* [https://inthesupernaturalhunt.wordpress.com/2012/03/12/episode-7-17the-born-again-identity-promo-pics/ Promo pics]
 +
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXZdBwHkFLs Promo clip]
 +
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zSgEUEUt2I Webclip #1], [https://web.archive.org/web/20120322015840/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QlTdgJduDI Webclip #2]
 +
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IwKXiahZ18 Bob Singer] previews the episode
 +
 
 +
Podcasts
 +
* [http://www.blogtalkradio.com/mediablvd/2012/03/24/winchester-radio-supernaturals-the-born-again-identity Winchester Radio's podcast for this episode]
 
}}
 
}}
−
[[Category:Canon]][[Category:Episodes]][[Category:Season 7]]
+
 
 +
[[Category:Canon]][[Category:Episodes|0717]][[Category:Season 7]]

Latest revision as of 09:04, 24 March 2024


Sn717promoresized.jpg
Title The Born-Again Identity
Episode # Season 7, Episode 17
First aired March 23, 2012
Directed by Robert Singer
Written by Sera Gamble
On IMDB The Born-Again Identity
Outline Sam reaches his breaking point and Dean, desperate to save his brother, finds a healer with a very familiar face.
Monster Hallucifer
Demons
Ghost
Timeline
Location(s) Colorado
Northern Indiana
Whitefish, Montana
« Previous Episode | Next Episode »

Synopsis

Sam has been awake for five days, tormented by Hallucifer, who tells Sam he'll only survive another week without sleep. He tries in vain to use drugs to pass out and in his sleep-deprived state, is hit by a car. He winds up in the locked psychiatric ward at Northern Indiana State Hospital, being treated for a broken rib, lacerations, and what Dr. Kadinsky tells Dean is a "full-blown psychotic episode." The doctors have administered several sedatives, but Sam remains conscious. Dean goes to see Sam in his room, where Hallucifer sits playing cat's cradle, and tells Sam he'll find him help. Sam is skeptical, saying they always knew putting his soul back would end badly.

Dean leaves and heads to Rufus's cabin, where he calls some of Bobby's contacts. He's getting nowhere, though, and he leaves Bobby's journal on the table and goes to the fridge for a beer. He's across the room when the journal topples to the ground and a card for Mackey's Taxidermy falls out. Dean calls the number and leaves a message.

Meanwhile, Sam is still awake because of Hallucifer, who comments that he and Sam being in a locked ward together is just like the Cage. Sam ignores him and later tries to eat a sandwich, but when he looks at it it's full of maggots. He drops it on the ground and backs away, then notices another patient watching from his door. She leaves without saying anything.

At the cabin, Dean is looking for information online when he receives a call from a hunter named Mackey. Mackey tells him of a healer named Emanuel in Colorado. He claims that Emanuel passed all of his monster tests and then healed his damaged eye with one touch. Encouraged, Dean goes to Emanuel's house in Colorado. He meets a man who claims to be Emanuel at the front door, but sees a woman tied up in the house. When he looks back, the man's eyes are black as he throws Dean into the front door. Dean reminds the demon about Crowley's "hands-off memo," but the demon laughs and says that because Dean hasn't managed to kill Dick Roman, Crowley will want Emanuel more than he wants Dean. Dean quickly kills the demon with the demon-killing knife, and then looks down to find Emanuel, who bears remarkable resemblance to Castiel, watching him.

Emanuel doesn't recognize Dean, has no knowledge of demons, and no memory of being an angel. He thanks Dean for saving his wife, Daphne, and then says that he saw the real face of the man Dean killed. Dean tells him that it was a demon and that he's there because he needs help for his brother.

Meanwhile in the locked ward, the patient who saw Sam's reaction to his sandwich brings him a stolen chocolate bar. Sam thanks her and learns her name is Marin, but can't get further than introductions because Hallucifer is tormenting him with a loudspeaker. Later, Hallucifer continues to torture Sam, lighting firecrackers in the ward. An orderly, Marcus, brings Sam his meal, and Sam asks Marcus about Marin. Marcus doesn't tell him much, only that unlike him, she wasn't brought to the psychiatric ward because of an accident.

Dean and Emanuel talk in the car on the way to Indiana. Emanuel tells him that a few months ago, Daphne found him by a river, "drenched, confused, and unclothed." He had no memory, and Daphne claimed God wanted her to find him. Dean mentions the possibility that Emanuel was a bad guy, but Emanuel says he doesn't feel like a bad person. Emanuel tells Dean he can cure illnesses of a spiritual origin and should be able to help Sam. Dean goes on to tell him that he is unable to forgive his friend Cas, who betrayed him and caused Sam's illness. Emanuel, who still has no memory, comments that Cas is an odd name.

That same night, Marin brings Sam another chocolate bar. She tells Sam that she's been in the ward for 5 weeks and that the doctors think she's suicidal. He asks her for the truth, and she tells him that she hears her dead brother's voice. He wants her to kill herself to be with him, and if she doesn't, he'll do it for her. He's already started a fire to try to kill her. After confessing, she leaves, upset.

The next morning, Dean goes into a convenience store and is confronted by three demons. He kills one and then is knocked back, losing the demon-killing knife. Thankfully, Meg shows up and kills one demon while the other flees. Dean is surprised to see her, and she tells him that she's there because of rumors about a wandering healer, who she's shocked to learn is "poor dead Castiel." She has an ongoing feud with Crowley and, like Dean, doesn't want him to know about Cas. Although they don't trust each other, they both need friends, so Dean agrees to let her come with them to Indiana as long as she doesn't remind Castiel of his true identity yet. The three of them leave together.

Back in the locked ward, Sam apologizes to Marin for upsetting her. Then he tells her that he believes her about her brother and wants to help. From his questions, Sam learns that Marin feels cold before her brother talks to her, and that she's heard him in more than one place despite the fact that he's cremated. Sure that he's a ghost, Sam tells her that he can put her brother to rest, and then asks her if she has anything of his. She wears a bracelet he made for her with an injured hand — it's likely he bled on it. Sam tells her what they need, and she brings back salt and a lighter she stole from Marcus. They make a ring of salt and stand inside it, and when Sam asks her for her bracelet, the ghost of Marin's brother appears. He breaks the lights in the room and pleads with Marin not to do it. She gives Sam the bracelet and he burns it, causing her brother to go up in flames. Marin thanks Sam, and he tells her to go. She leaves quickly just before orderlies enter the ward to restrain Sam. Dizzy, Sam looks up to see Hallucifer standing over Dr. Kadinsky's shoulder as the doc explains to Sam that they cannot give him any more medication and should try surgery instead.

Dean, Meg, and Emanuel finally arrive at Northern Indiana State Hospital that night. They can't get inside, though, because it's surrounded by demons. Meg and Dean retreat to talk in private, and Meg insists that they remind Cas who he is so he can destroy the demons. Dean warns her that after what Cas did, he could snap and disappear. Emanuel overhears Dean and tells him that he wants to know who he is. Dean is hesitant, but Meg tells him he's an angel and that he and Dean were best friends who used to fight together. Emanuel realizes that he must be the "Cas" that Dean told him about, and he apologizes. Then he resolves to fight the demons in front of the hospital, even though he doesn't remember how.

He approaches the demons, who are shocked to see him alive. Before they can do anything, Castiel smites them all. His memories come back to him in the process, assaulting him with images of his partnership with Crowley and his betrayal of Dean. Once the demons are taken care of, Meg and Dean approach him. He tells them that he remembers them—he remembers everything. He's disgusted with himself and starts to leave, but Dean chases after him. When it seems like he is trying to defend Castiel's past acts, Castiel tells him he deserved to die for the things he did. He doesn't think he can fix anything, but Dean believes he can. He reaches into the trunk of his car and pulls out Castiel's trench coat.

Meanwhile, Sam is strapped down and wheeled into electroshock therapy. He starts to panic and asks for his brother, but the orderly ignores him and places a rubber mouth guard between his teeth. He says that he's going to start Sam off on a high setting, just as his eyes flash black. Sam struggles, but can't escape, and the demon shocks him. He's about to increase the electrical setting again when Castiel appears behind him with his old trench coat on before smiting him. Castiel releases Sam from the electroshock machine and reaches out to heal him, but it doesn't work and Sam still sees Hallucifer.

Back in Sam's room, Castiel tells Dean that he can't rebuild the wall in Sam's mind because it is completely crumbled. Dean is upset, and Castiel tells him that he can't make the problem disappear, but he might be able to shift it. Dean watches in confusion as Castiel approaches Sam's bedside, telling him that it's better this way. He apologizes to Sam and then puts his hand on his head. Red light emanates from around Sam's eyes and then runs up Castiel's arm and into his eyes, effectively transferring Sam's hallucinations to his own mind.

When Castiel lets go of Sam, Sam becomes lucid. He sees Dean and then notices that Castiel is next to him. He says his name, but Castiel doesn't answer him because, instead of Sam, he sees Hallucifer laying on Sam's bed. He retreats in fear.

When Sam and Dean leave the hospital, they leave without Castiel, who is now a member of the locked psychiatric ward himself. The only demon who knows where he's being kept is Meg, who's insinuated herself onto the ward's staff as a nurse. Sam is reluctant to leave Castiel in her hands, but Dean tells him that it's the only option they have.

Characters

Definitions

Music

  • "Good Morning"
(sung after the sleeping pills Sam takes fail to get rid of Hallucifer)
  • "Wake Up Little Susie" by The Everly Brothers
(plays when Hallucifer lights firecrackers in the ward)
  • "Turn into Earth" by The Yardbirds
(plays when Cas smites the demons and regains his memory)

Quotes

Hallucifer: Tell the nice tweaker you’d be sleeping right now if the devil would leave you alone.
Dean: If I don't find something...

Sam: Then I'll die.

Hallucifer: Oh - you're upsetting me!
Emanuel/Castiel: Your friend's name was Cas? That's an odd name.
Marin: I saw you yesterday, you didn’t look too happy with your in-flight meal.
Meg: You're an angel.
Castiel: I'm sorry - is that a flirtation?
Dean: This ain’t gonna go well.
Meg: I dunno, I believe in the little tree topper.

Trivia & References

The episode title "The Born-Again Identity" is a play on the 2002 spy thriller movie The Bourne Identity (which was based on a novel of the same name by Robert Ludlum). In the film, the main character Jason Bourne, played by Matt Damon, finds himself suffering from amnesia, and attempts to discover who he is. Along the way, he finds he has a number of skills – speaking multiple languages, proficiency in hand-to-hand combat – that give him clues to his identity. The film was previously referenced in 6.22 The Man Who Knew Too Much. The title is also a play on the Christian term "born again Christian".
Hallucifer: Tell the nice tweaker you’d be sleeping right now if the devil would just leave you alone for five seconds.
Tweaker is a slang term for someone who is addicted to crystal meth.
It is not possible to die from lack of sleep (unless you have a rare neurodegenerative prion disease known as fatal insomnia). However, severe mental and physical disturbances do occur. The record for the longest a person has gone without sleep without stimulants is Randy Gardner. His record is 264.4 hours (11 days 24 minutes).
Dean: It's not like the guy's freaking Norman Bates.
Norman Bates was the serial killer in the Hitchcock movie Psycho, who killed his mother, kept her corpse in his house and assumed her identity. Previously mentioned in 5.19 Hammer of the Gods.
Dean: How're you feeling?

Sam: Maybe you should cancel my UFC fight.

UFC (or Ultimate Fighting Championship) is a mixed martial arts entertainment company.
Sam: It's all snake oil.
Snake oil is a derogatory term used to describe fraudulent medical practices.
Dean: Quit being Dalai-friggin-Yoda about this, okay? Get pissed!
Dean has mashed up the names of two individuals known for their equanimity in the face of challenges — the spiritual leader of Tibet Dalai Lama (whose name he mispronounces) and Jedi Master Yoda.
Hallucifer: Narcissistic personality disorder. Okay, now this one I could have.
Narcissistic personality disorder is a condition characterized by egocentrism, arrogance, entitlement, a desire for control, and a lack of empathy. It is thought to be a way of compensating for a severe sense of personal imperfection and unworthiness. In 5.11 Sam, Interrupted, which took place in a mental hospital, Dean's hallucinated doctor tells him he is a "paranoid schizophrenic with a narcissistic personality disorder and religious psychosis".
Hallucifer is reading from the DSM-IV-TR — the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. It is used by psychiatrists and psychologists as a handbook to diagnosing and treating mental illnesses and disorders.
Castiel's journey between 7.02 Hello, Cruel World and this episode has a few similarities with the life of Jesus Christ in the Bible. Castiel walking out of the river could be seen as a baptism of sorts — much like Jesus was baptized in the river Jordan.source Mackey mentions that "Emanuel" roamed around a lot healing the sick — as did Jesus. Lastly, Castiel was given the name "Emanuel" — Jesus is given the symbolic name "Immanuel" (meaning 'God with us') when his birth is prophesized.source
Emanuel's wife Daphne may be a reference to Daphne, a nymph in Greek mythology who was unwillingly pursued by Apollo. Out of desperation, Daphne prayed to be turned into a laurel tree so as to escape his advances. As her "marriage" to Emanuel is not referred to again after this episode, this could allude to it being entirely a ruse to ward off strangers and not draw attention.
Marin: Who is it? Like Charlie Manson, or the Devil?
Charles Manson was a cult leader and musician.
Meg: Dean, Dean, Dean. You got some 'splaining to do!
An oft-misquoted line, "Lucy, you've got some 'splainin to do!" is a catchphrase that many people (and forms of media since) misremember Lucy's husband Ricky Ricardo in the '50/'60s sitcom I Love Lucy having. Read more about it here
Luci is also a fandom nickname for Lucifer, first used by Gabriel in 5.19 Hammer of the Gods.
Meg: You sure we wouldn't be safer travelling with a full-throttle angel?
A reference to the 2003 movie Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle, which was directed by Supernatural executive producer McG.
Meg: (to Cas) That was beautiful, Clarence.
A reference to angel Clarence from It's A Wonderful Life. The name was previously used by Meg in 5.10 Abandon All Hope....
Hallucifer: [about The Three Little Pigs] I see that third little pig was smart. Went out and got some bricks.
In 3.05 Bedtime Stories, a man survived an attack that killed his two brothers by hiding next to some concrete blocks in a violent recreation of the Three Little Pigs fable.
Sam: This whole "enemy-of-my-enemy-is-my-friend" thing feels kinda like a demon deal.

Dean: It's not a deal, it's... mutually assured destruction.

Mutual assured destruction is a principal deterrence that theoretically prevents the use of nuclear weapons between countries of equal power. If both countries have nuclear weapons, the other is less likely to attack given the threat of destruction to them via counterattack.

Minutiae

#WelcomehomeMisha trended on Twitter before the episode.
In the beginning of the episode, Hallucifer says that Sam has been awake for five days.
The bar through the windscreen is reminiscent of the death scene in 2.13 Houses of the Holy where a pole bounces through a windscreen and impales a man.
Dr. Kadinsky: You're Sam Smith's brother?
Dean and Sam are using the aliases given to them by Frank Devereaux in 7.06 Slash Fiction. Coincidentally, Sam Smith is the name of the actress who played Mary Winchester, their mother. In the episode 4.17 It's a Terrible Life, Dean Smith is the name Dean was given by Zachariah. Both that episode and this one were written by Sera Gamble.
Sam: Last faith healer we hooked up with had a reaper on a leash.
Sam is referring to the events of 1.12 Faith, in which he tried to find a faith healer for Dean who'd been told he was dying.
Dean's phone number is 785-555-0128. 785 is the Area Code for the northern half of Kansas, including Lawrence (the boys' birthplace).
Some of the names Dean has written down to contact include Supernatural crewmembers' names:
While Dean is trying to find help for Sam, Bobby's journal inexplicably falls on the floor, and a card for "Mackey's Taxidermy" falls out. Mackey in turn leads Dean to Castiel. This is the third time such an event has occurred — a possible hint that Bobby's ghost is around. The other two events were Dean's beer disappearing in 7.11 Adventures in Babysitting and a helpful paper moving to the top of a pile in 7.13 The Slice Girls.
When Bobby's journal drops onto the floor, it opens on an address page and listed on the pages are the names of a few Supernatural writers and directors including:
One of Sam's hallucinations is that his sandwich is full of maggots. In 3.09 Malleus Maleficarum, a witch's target nearly chokes to death after discovering that his burger is full of maggots.
Marin, the patient who is being haunted by her brother, is played by Kacey Rohl, the daughter of Mike Rohl who had directed ten episodes of Supernatural at the time of airing.
Emanuel lived in Colorado.
Emanuel: [about the demon] I saw his face. His real face.
In 3.16 No Rest for the Wicked, Dean, in the last 24 hours of the year he was given after his crossroads deal, could see demons' real faces:
Dean: I could see its face, its real face, under that one.
Despite the actual name for the website Emanuel got his name from being "bouncybabynames.com" in the script, it is frequently misheard as bouncingbabynames.com. If you visited bouncingbabynames.com in 2012, you would be met with a game titled 'How many times can you make Baby Emanuel Bounce?'. The game involved making a picture of Misha Collins bounce. Attempting to access the website a while later would give you a 403 error from the Web Server at GISHWHES, suggesting that Misha had bought the domain name. Sometime before 2014, the domain name expired and — as of October 2023 — an unknown fan has clearly bought it and it now redirects you to a Supernatural Review and Commentary thread in InterstellarMessages messageboards by user 'Chatwoman' for some reason. The domain was registered in July 2023 despite the thread not having been updated since 2022.
At Jus In Bello Italy 2012, Jensen talked about the trench coat scene, describing it as "awkward," pointing out that the jacket was in a stolen car, that Dean wouldn't have folded it that nicely, describing the written dialogue as, "It was so bad," and saying that he and Misha ended up changing the dialogue.

One fan who won a copy of the script from Misha posted the relevant pages on Tumblr. The removed lines have Dean saying, of the trench coat he's holding, "Dumb to keep. I know. I saw you-- dissolve or whatever. But, just in case. 'Cause I never stopped wanting to fix it either. So we got something in common. Just-- take it. Please."

Though, there may have been an earlier version of the script that Jensen was referring to, as he talked with Misha at Jus In Bello 2012, and they mentioned Castiel having a line that they changed, and Dean having a line that referenced something like the smell of the coat or Dean cuddling up to it. Jensen said Misha had called the scene "gay" in a previous panel, and Jensen referred to it as "unmanly" saying, 'Which would make sense because (Sera Gamble, the writer) is a girl. (...) She writes amazing, but sometimes there are some effeminate lines (like) "I guess I really hoped you'd come back someday."' This last line — "part of me always believed that you'd come back." — was actually filmed and can be heard in the promo for the episode.
Doctor: Welcome to the team, Nurse Masters.
Meg is using the name of her season 1 meatsuit, Meg Masters.

Sides, Scripts & Transcripts

Promotion

Filming

Episode Info

Interviews

Tweets

  • Misha on returning to Supernatural: "It's true. I'm going to be back on the reality show about the two brothers who drive around testing out seedy motels. Any questions?"

Promo Clips and Photos

Podcasts

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