In season 9, Supernatural introduced Biblical figure Cain, and he returned in season 10’s “The Executioner’s Song.” We look at our top five reasons to love the Father of Murder.
Introducing Cain seemed like a no-brainer for Supernatural, it is perhaps the most famous of sibling stories. Supernatural loves to add its own twist to infamous mythologies, and in that vein we learned in season 5 that the Winchester bloodline descends directly from Cain and Abel. And when Cain finally did appear, Timothy Omundson’s portrayal was one that elevated the character to fan favorite despite him only appearing in two episodes.
So what was so great about the first murderer? We’re glad you asked.
His protective instinct
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Cain’s legend begins when he makes a deal with Lucifer, who was attempting to sway Abel to his side. Lucifer agreed to an arrangement of Abel in Heaven and Cain in Hell, so long as Cain was the one to kill Abel. Cain became a Knight of Hell through his quest to protect his brother. (Sound familiar?) Besides, it wouldn’t be Supernatural without a twist on a familiar tale.
His sense of honor
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When we’re first introduced to Cain in season 9’s “First Born,” Crowley and Dean find him on an isolated farm where he was tending to bees and keeping to himself out of respect of his late wife’s wish that he no longer kill. Cain honored that wish for over a century before Dean came a-knocking. And, when giving Dean the Mark, part of the deal was that Dean kill him when the day came that Cain was past saving.
Another measure of Cain’s twisted sense of honor was that after he fell back under the sway of the Mark, Cain had a specific list of people to kill: his descendants, whom he saw as tainted by his murderous legacy. Those not on his list were in no danger from him. He’s surprisingly complicated for such an infamous figure.
His strength
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Cain is old and incredibly powerful. He trained the Knights of Hell. He’s impervious to Ruby’s demon-killing blade and angelic powers. He’s got telekinesis and the killing with a touch thing down. Oh, and he rendered Crowley, the King of Hell, mute with a thought. Bad. Ass.
His twisted sense of caring
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Cain killed his brother to protect him from Lucifer’s influence. He was also prepared to kill Dean in “The Executioner’s Song” because he knew the Mark better than anyone and foresaw Dean eventually killing Sam. Cain believed he was saving Dean from the same fate that befell him: being utterly destroyed by the murder of his brother.
His sense of drama
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His entrance at the prison in “The Executioner’s Song,” taking lights down with him as he walked down the hall, was all kinds of awesome. Definitely worthy of the man, the myth, the legend.
Bonus: That glorious mane
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It’s not often we see someone with a head of hair to rival Sam’s, but when Cain returned, he brought some luscious locks with him. And boy, were they pretty. Because the Father of Murder is worth it.
Supernatural returns with new episodes on Wednesday, March 18 at 9:00 p.m. ET on The CW.