Leviathans

There are thing much older than souls in Purgatory. Long before God created Angels and man he created the first beasts: Leviathans. I personally found them entertaining but he was concerned they'd chomp the entire Petri dish. So he locked them away. Why do you think he created Purgatory? To keep those clever, poisonous things out. – Death, 7.01 Meet The New Boss

History

Leviathans, also called the Old Ones, are beasts that pre-date the creation of humans and angels, as well as the soul itself. They would also pre-date any beings with souls, such as monsters. They are therefore among the first creations of God.

Death describes them as immensely powerful and hungry. Before God went on to create more creatures, however, He felt that the Leviathans threatened to consume and destroy everything 'in God's petri dish'. For this reason, Death states that God created Purgatory and sealed the Leviathans inside to contain them and their hunger.

When Castiel opened the door to Purgatory and took in the power of the souls stored there, he also took in the Leviathans. With the help of Sam, Dean and Bobby, Castiel finally expels the souls back to Purgatory, but some of the Leviathans "held on". Castiel's Vessel is taken over by the Leviathans, and claim that Castiel is dead and no longer in control.

Episodes

File:Leviathan.jpg

Leviathans manifest

7.01 Meet The New Boss

Whilst ingesting all the souls from Purgatory to became the new God, Castiel also had to take in the Leviathans. The Leviathans struggled for control, briefly taking control of Castiel's Vessel to smite people that even the now-wrathful Castiel didn't intend to, and causing his vessel to physically deteriorate and potentially explode.

With the assistance of Dean, Sam and Bobby, Castiel returns the souls to Purgatory. But "some" of the Leviathans hold on behind, and assumed control of Castiel's vessel. Stating Castiel as dead, the Leviathans attack Dean and Bobby with manic delight, remarking: "Oh this is going to be so much fun."

7.02 Hello, Cruel World

After having revealed themselves to Dean and Bobby, the Leviathans quickly realise they cannot remain inside Castiel's vessel as it begins to rapidly burn up and are forced to leave for the time being; promising to return and finish what they started. Castiel/Leviathan staggers out into the open and submerge themselves in a nearby municipal water source, abandoning the vessel, leaving only Castiel's bloody trenchcoat behind.

The Leviathans then disperse to take separate vessels of their own by various means of exposure to the tainted water; the primary one taking a girl whilst she drank from a public water fountain, for example. Two of the creatures infect a pair of gym students and use them to kill and devour two other students, leading Dean to their whereabouts. The creature possessing the girl meets with another Leviathan to discuss their next move and the "boss" they take their orders from.

The girl comes up with a plan to solve their feeding problem and steals the form of a doctor at Sioux Falls Hospital. It then abuses the position to acquire easy meals for itself and other Leviathans, two of which tale on the forms of members of staff. Their acts of cannibalism are witnessed by Sheriff Jodie Mills, who escapes the hospital with Bobby's help. Bobby investigates one of the bodies and is confronted by the lead Leviathan, who recognises him from before.

Bobby subsequently escapes the confrontation and races back home, informing the boys of his discoveries along the way. When they return to his house they discover it burned down and Bobby missing, however. Sam and Dean are then attacked by another Leviathan and succeed in defeating it by dropping a car on it. Both suffer severe injuries, however, forcing Dean to call for an ambulance. Whilst being taken away, the EMT mentions they're heading for Sioux Falls Hospital, despite Dean's protests.

Leviathans in Lore

• In the Judeo-Christian tradition a Leviathan is a giant sea monster, described in the Book of Job Source
• The Talmud Baba Batra 75b states that the archangels Michael and Gabriel will be the ones who slay the Leviathan. Other legends say God will slay the beast. Source: Leviathan in Judaism
• Death also refers to the Leviathans as "The Old Ones" a term used by H.P. Lovecraft in the Cthulhu mythos to describe ancient powerful alien beings who come to Earth. A race called the Old Ones also features in Stephen King's Dark Tower Series.
• In Binsfeld's Classification of Demons, Leviathan is the name of Envy, one of the Seven Deadly Sins

References

• Sera Gamble and Bob Singer talk about Leviathans with AOLTV