How About That Ruby?
So, last week, in Malleus Maleficarum –which, by the way means “Hammer of [the] Witches“, film at eleven- we caught a big eyeful of Ruby origins.
I thought this was fascinating, and just another pile of evidence of why Supernatural is one of the top dramas on television. Eric Kripke has led us, inch by inch, into Ruby’s little world. First, we had no idea who this crazy, Sam-stalking, demon-killing knife wielding woman was. Then, she reveals she’s a demon. Now, in Malleus, we find out how she came to be the demon that we know today. We also know –or so we think- why she wants to help the boys so much. She has really become the more likable character over Bela. Katie Cassidy’s acting is spot on for this role, too.
[Spoiler alert...]
So, like I was saying, I find Supernatural’s new take on demon origins very interesting. It’s similar to Buffy, in that many (or even all) demons are said to be former humans who made a deal. In Buffy, Anya had become a demon at the call or favor of a higher-order demon, D’Hoffryn. Ruby, we now know, gained demon status, after being a witch who served a demon. According to the story, all witches gain their power from a demon. It was unclear whether there are many demons who empower witches, but I would almost assume so. Now, we know that Ruby was a witch in the time of the plagues, and was granted demon status by the demon she served.
The best part, though, is Ruby’s explanation of what happens in Hell. She seemed to imply that some demons develop as humans cast into the darkness. After a while, they forget what it was like to enjoy life. They forget being human. All that’s left is a shell that can only think of evil. This came when she warned Dean that this was his fate. He was doomed to Hell, if he doesn’t find a way out of his deal. Once there, he’ll lose all of his humanity, and become just another one of the evil beings that he has spent his life fighting. This is a bigger deal, now, knowing that Dean’s not only losing his life, but losing all of his humanity.
Interestingly, though, Dean’s dad, John Winchester made a similar deal to save Dean’s life, just the year before. When he returned in the finale of Season Two, he didn’t seem to have lost his humanity. Did he not go to Hell, like Dean is supposed to? What does this mean? I’m going to have to re-watch some episodes and piece this together.
Besides John Winchester’s continued humanity, Ruby reveals, in contrast to her fervent warnings to Dean, that she still remembers what it’s like to be human. What is up with that?
There is definitely too much to figure out in three more episodes.
What did you think of Ruby and all the extraordinary revelations about her, demons, Dean, and evil? Discuss it in the comments below.
3 Comments
if dean doesnt weasel himself out of this ,and ends up going to hell(which i hope he doesnt) that would be the end of jensen playing dean,because his dad escaped from *hell* and we havent seen him since,so really u cdnt let dean escape,but now for the plot (1yr deal)i have a good idea this is going to happen,
just a notion,but sam will kill dean and that means no more contract between him and the demon at the crossroads then sam goes to the crossroads bargain and bring him back to life
[...] Ruby Kickin’ some butt. [...]
I am simply fascinated by Ruby after some of the latest events and I like how we are always given tidbits of knowledge but never the full story. About your thoughts on how John Winchester came back with his humanity intact it’s because it takes a couple of centuries. Ruby said in her talk with Dean “might take centuries but sooner or later hell will burn away your humanity”. So I’m thinking that’s why, after all John wasn’t in hell that long. I think that might be why Ruby still remebers what it was like to. But that’s just my guess. Like your scoops btw.