Recap:

On a stormy night, Dean and Sam watch a man and a trenchcoat walk into an alleyway. They split up and follow him, and Dean spots the man leaning over a body, glowing with a red light. He throws himself at the man and they both disappear in a burst of energy as Sam arrives.

Two days earlier, Dean and Sam are at a motel. Sam is sleeping while Dean does research on Dick Roman. The phone ring and Dean has Sam answer it. It’s Sheriff Mills, who tells Sam that a corpse turned up mummified in Canton, Ohio, and thought they’d be interested. Sam agrees and they hang up, and Sam points out that Dean will get nowhere reading about Dick over and over.

Sam and Dean arrive in Canton and set up in an old abandoned house. They then go to talk to the man who saw the assault. The witness, who was self-medicating, reluctantly explains that he was out medicating when he heard fighting. Durbin was arguing with a man dressed in an old-style suit and fedora, who grabbed Durbin’s neck. Red energy passed through Durbin into the hat guy and the victim aged to death in seconds. The brothers thank him for his help and head back to the house to check their info sources. Sam confirms that a lot of weird dead bodies turn up in Canton going back to 1928. In each case, the victims died the same way as Durbin, each time in groups of three. Dean taps into the local feeds, explaining that Frank taught him how to do it, and accesses the camera near the gas station where Durbin died. They spot the man in the old-style suit and Sam points out that the same man is in photos of the older murders.

The brothers talk to Terry Cervantes, who was a young girl and found one of the mummified corpses decades ago. She recognizes the man in the photo as Ethan Snider, who lived on her parents’ street. The Winchesters go there and wait, and finally spot Snider coming out of a house. He walks down an alleyway and the brothers split up to follow him, and Dean sees Snider killing another victim. He throws himself at the man and they struggle, and Dean catches a glimpse of his ring, with an infinity symbol on it. Snider manages to get away and runs off. When Dean goes after him, he finds himself on a street in 1944. Two cops spot him with his gun and order him to surrender, and a surprised Dean immediately does so.

Down at the station, Dean tries to pass himself off as a FBI agent without success. The investigating officer can’t figure out what his cell phone is and figures that he’s a German spy. Dean finally realizes that he’s in 1944. A man comes in and the local cop hastily leaves, and the newcomer demands answers. Dean tells him exactly what happens and the newcomer apparently believes him, asking him more about the red light. Surprised, Dean realizes that the man is a hunter. After a moment he admits it and introduces himself as Eliot Ness.

In the present, Sam is putting up clippings of the deaths when Jody calls him. She insists on helping and he asks her to come help him drive and lift heavy boxes.

—–

Ness gets some files and comes back to the holding room. Dean admits that time travel isn’t common where he came from, and they figure they’re hunting the same thing in different centuries. Ness shows him photos of two dead men who were mummified, and figures that the third victim will be killed soon. He takes Dean out but insists that he has to get some new clothing. They stop at a tailor, Ezra Moore, and set up Dean with a suit and fedora.

Jody arrives at the house after stopping at one of Bobby’s storage lockers and picking up the boxes.

—–

Dean puts on his new suit and slicks back his hair. Ness tells Ezra that they need her help and their hunting a time traveler.

—–

Sam and Jody go over photos of the crime scenes and spot Snider, and Sam recognizes the symbol on the ring.

—–

Ezra identifies the symbol on the ring and explains that it belongs to Cronus, the God of Time.

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Sam explains that the ancient gods aren’t what they used to be and are really pissed.

—–

Ezra figures Cronus is killing people for their “time-juice.”

—–

Sam tells Jody that they need to find a way to summon a god.

—–

Ezra tells Ness that she’ll find something to stop Cronus, and Dean and Ness head to Snider’s house. Ness kicks in the door and they go inside, guns drawn. There’s no sign of Cronus but the house is expensively appointed. Dean finds Cronus’ appointment book and realizes that Cronus is making money by betting on races he already knows the outcome. They find initials belonging to Lester Young, the local bookie, and track him down and interrogate him. The two men play good cop/bad cop and Lester admits that Cronus was a creepy guy. He finally tells them that Cronus gets his payoffs at a diner and gives them the address.

—–

Jody and Sam finally find a summoning ritual, but they realize that they have to summon Cronus at the exact moment he’s touching Dean or Sam’s brother will be lost forever. As they consider the matter, Jody finds a bottle of whiskey that Rufus gave to Bobby to pay off a bet. She admits she had no idea about much of Bobby’s history and figure that they should drink it in his honor, and Sam agrees.

—–

Ness and Dean go to the diner and spot Cronus. As they wait for him to make a move, Ness takes a drink and admits that he’s not the Boy Scout that history made him out to be. He explains that he became a vampire when vampires showed up in Cleveland, and that he hunts because it makes him feel free. Dean explains that he doesn’t know why he’s doing much of anything anymore, but Ness calls him a nancy and tells him that everyone dies and the best anyone can do is enjoy it.

Both men ogle a waitress, Lila Taylor, as she leaves the diner. Cronus follows her down the street and into an alleyway. Ness goes to his trunk and an arsenal of weapons, and they both grab weapons and prepare to fire as Cronus grabs the woman. However, he kisses her and nothing happens.

Ness and Dean follow the woman out into the country and Ness confirms that Lila owns a nearby house and lives alone. Ness stands watch while Dean drives back to find out what Ezra has. She has a thousand-year-old olive branch soaked in blood, and tells Dean he has to stab it in Cronus’ heart. However, Dean realizes that he’ll be trapped in the past. Ezra says that it isn’t so bad, grabs Dean, and kisses him, assuring him that 1944 isn’t so bad. Dean is less than thrilled with the kiss and prepares to leave, but notices a bundle of envelopes on the counter and gets an idea.

Ness is outside the house when Cronus comes after him. He explains that he already stopped by the police station to take care of Dean and realized that Ness was onto him. They fight and Cronus easily knocks him down and through the nearby barn wall. Lila comes out, doesn’t see Ness, and Cronus pretends that he’s a normal man, since she doesn’t know what he really is. When she goes back inside, Cronus realizes that Ness has slipped away. Cronus goes back inside and tells Lila that she should pack a bag. He invites her to come with him and insists that everything is fine, including her.

Dean goes to the house where they’re staying in 2012 and tells the owner that he has to do an inspection for termites. The owner lets him in and Dean goes to the bedroom and moves the bed. He lies where Sam lies in 2012 and spots the floorboard he needs.

—–

Jody comes back and discovers that Sam has fallen asleep. She sends him into the bedroom to sleep and he lies down on the spot where Dean was working. Sam spots his name carved into the floorboard and pulls it loose, and finds a message from 1944 from Dean. He shows it to Jody and they realize that Dean knows what is going on and is going after Cronus. The letter is dated and they know what date Dean touched Cronus. Now they need the time, and track down a now-elderly Lila at the retirement home. They ask her about Cronus and she recognizes him as her lover, Snider. She tells them that the last time she saw Snider was at 11:34 in November 5 when every clock in the house stopped. Lila tells them that Snider said awful things and then strangled one of the two policemen that came to arrest him. Sam shows her a photo of Dean and she identifies him as the man that Snider strangled.

—–

Dean goes to Lila’s house with the olive stake and calls for Ness without getting an answer. He then goes into the house and Snider grabs him. They struggle but Ness comes in with Lila as a hostage.

—–

Sam and Jody prepare the ritual.

—–

Snider begs Ness not to hurt Lila. He explains that he’s a god and that he’s only killed for Lila. As the time approaches 11:34, Dean tells Lila that Cronus kills three people to travel through time, and Cronus admits that he used to wander, killing three people each time. However, he met Lila and fell in love. When Ness mentions the people that Cronus killed, Lila realizes that one of them was a customer from the diner and calls Cronus a monster. Dean tries to stab him with the stake and Cronus starts strangling him while Ness shoots him to no effect.

—–

At 11:34, Sam casts the ritual.

—–

Cronus begins to glow with a red light. He disappears and Dean goes with him. As they disappear, Ness tosses Dean the stake.

—–

Dean reappears and Cronus throws him aside. Sam attacks him and manages to stab him with the olive stake. As he dies, Cronus tells them that their future is nothing but black ooze and it’s everywhere.

Source: TV.com

Sam: I can’t believe I’m about to say this, but I hope you’re watching cartoon smut, because reading Dick Roman crap over and over again is just self punishment.
Dean: It’s called anime. And it’s an art form.

Sam: What, you going to look at more anime or are you strictly into Dick now?

Dean: Does this mean that I’m an Untouchable now?

Sam: What’s the plan here?
Dean: Don’t die.

Eliot: Why do you think I went after Capone in the first place? Guy made the best hooch in Chicago.

Eliot: Let’s go kill that bastard. Because that…
Dean: (Imitating Sean Connery) Is the Chicago way.
Ezra: Chicago way?
Eliot: Who the hell talks like that?Dean: Sean Connery.

Eliot: So enjoy it while it lasts, kid, ’cause hunting’s the only clarity you’re gonna find in this life. And that makes you luckier than most.

Chronos: You want to know your future? I know your future. It’s covered in thick black ooze. It’s everywhere. They’re everywhere. Enjoy oblivion.

The episode title plays of the phrase “time after time,” which has been used for a number books, TV shows and films about time travel. It was also the title of Cyndi Lauper’s 1984 smash hit song.

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In an interview with the LA Times, Sera Gamble said that Chronos was inspired by the 2003 novel “The Time Traveler’s Wife,” Audrey Niffenegger, about a man with a genetic condition that causes him to time travel. Gamble said the show’s writers found “a compelling starting point in the notion of time jumping that can’t be controlled.”

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Eliot Ness was a real law enforcement officer who joined the U.S. Treasury Department in 1927, working with the Bureau of Prohibition, in Chicago. He was involved in targeting gangster Al Capone. His refusal to accept a bribe, led to Ness’ team becoming known as “The Untouchables.”

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This is the first time both Supernatural composers – Jay Gruska and Christopher Lennertz have worked together on an episode, bringing in musicians specially for the score (Source). According to DVD extras the music was composed by Gruska and Lennertz and played by a local LA band called the California Feetwarmers. The band was recommended by director Phil Sgriccia.

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Other Supernatural episodes to involve time travel are:

• 4.03 In the Beginning
• 5.04 The End (although strictly speaking this is an alternate reality)
• 5.13 The Song Remains the Same
• 6.17 My Heart Will Go On
• 6.18 Frontierland
• 11.14 The Vessel

Nicholas Lea, who plays Eliot Ness, worked with Kim Manners when he played Alex Krycek on The X-Files.

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The police report on the death of Charles Durbin lists the Medical Examiner as Lee Anne Elaschuk, who was a graphic designer in the Supernatural art department, and states that Durbin’s roommate Kevin Parks (Supernatural First Assistant Director) reported him missing.

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The car that Eliot Ness drives is a classic Plymouth, likely a 4-door 1940 Plymouth Roadking, with Ohio plates 8M71-XR.

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Dean: It’s called anime. And it’s an art form.

Dean was also seen watching anime in 7.01 Meet the New Boss.

5.05 Fallen Idols, which featured the god Leshii, was also set in Canton, Ohio.

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Dean: Nothing that turns a dude into a Cryptkeeper.

The Cryptkeeper was the wizened zombie host of the horror TV show Tales from the Crypt. “Kripkeeper” is also a fandom nickname for Eric Kripke.

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Dean: How does paper beat a rock? It’s stupid.

Sam and Dean play “Rock, Paper, Scissors” to decide who gets the bedroom in the house they’re squatting in. Traditionally, Sam always wins because Dean only throws ‘scissors’ (as seen in 2.17 Heart and 4.19 Jump the Shark; in the alternate reality of 6.17 My Heart Will Go On Sam’s losing is an indicator of history having changed. This time, Sam appears to study Dean’s face carefully before choosing; we don’t see the actual throw, but the next scene clearly indicates that Sam predicted Dean would use “rock” for the first time ever.

Sam and Dean use the aliases made for them by Frank Devereaux – Agents Smith and Smith.

The Line “Agent Smith and Smith. No relation” is likely a riff on the line “Agent Johnson and Johnson. No relation” from Die Hard.

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Dean: Alright, well I am twelve monkeyed no matter what I say so here goes.

12 Monkeys is a 1995 movie by Terry Gilliam about a man sent to the past to collect a virus.

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Dean: I gotta tell you Untouchables is like one of my favorite movies ever. I must’ve seen it like 50 times.

Dean is referring to Brian De Palma’s 1987 film The Untouchables starring Kevin Costner, Robert DeNiro and Sean Connery, which was based on Eliot Ness’ memoir of the same name. Dean’s line “because that’s the Chicago way!” is a quote from Sean Connery in the movie. Dean also uses the alias “Agent Costner” (of the Department of Homeland Termite Invasion).

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The episode played with the evolution of slang to illustrate the differences between the time periods. Dean kept using the word awesome to indicate approval, or that something was good, whereas in the 1940s, the term was used more literally to describe something that inspired awe (i.e. reverence or fear). Dean also confused Ness when he said “talk to me” to mean “tell me what you’ve learned.”

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The characters from 1944 also used vernacular that is not in use anymore:

• Jerry and Kraut were terms for Germans during Word War II. The police officer uses “kraut-muncher” also to imply Dean is a German spy.
• Bunny means idiot or fool.
• Stoolie is a stool pigeon or informant
• “Snap your cap” means to get angry
• Ness says Dean “looks like some kind of bindlestiff.” Bindlestiff is another word for a hobo.
• “Take a powder” means to go away, to get lost.
• Ezra asks “Whats the rumpus, Eliot?” meaning “what’s going on?”
• Ness uses lettuce to refer to money.

Ness: I’m gonna stay here and keep my peepers on the Sheik and the Sheba.

Peepers are eyes. The 1921 film The Sheik starring Rudolph Valentino was a huge hit (particularly with women), and had a big impact on popular culture. The term “Sheik” came to mean a guy out looking for women, and “Sheba” was the term used for the object of his desire.

Sera Gamble said of Dean in this episode: “For such a practical, down-to-earth, macho hunter, he is a tiny bit of a clotheshorse.”

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Ezra: So what bucket of syrup did you two idjits step into?

Idjit was, of course, Bobby’s nickname for Sam and Dean.

Bobby’s storage unit, which Sheriff Mills collects all the boxes from, was last seen in 7.04 Defending Your Life.

Dean: He’s using the Biff strategy… Chronos is betting on races he already knows the outcome of.

In Back to the Future II, a Biff Tannen from 2015 gives a sports almanac to his younger 1955 self, who then uses it to make bets and become rich. Added trivia: Jim Michaels worked on Back to the Future II.

Dean: Back to the Future III! I need to borrow some paper.

In the movie Back to the Future III, Doc Brown gets trapped in 1885, and tells Marty whats happened by writing a letter and arranging for it to be delivered seventy years later. Technically, the delivery of the letter happens at the end of Back to the Future II, but the letter’s contents aren’t revealed until the third movie. Samuel Colt used a similar strategy to get the Phoenix‘s ashes to Sam and Dean in 6.18 Frontierland. Also, in the movie Frequency, characters in different times are able to exchange evidence of a crime by hiding it under a floorboard in a house they share.

Another connection is that in Back to The Future, Marty travels back to November 5, 1955. Dean’s letter to Sam is dated November 5, 1944.

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The spell Sam recites to summon Chronos is

O Krone, parakaloumen se, thespizein hemin hronon ton mellonta.

O Kronos, we beg you, foretell the future for us

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Sam and Dean previously encountered gods from other religions in 5.19 Hammer of the Gods. On page 24 of the Supernatural book Bone Key, Bobby tells Sam and Dean in response to their comment about killing two gods:

“Only reason the stake worked was ’cause nobody’d worshiped those two for centuries. Gods’re only powerful when people believe in ’em. You meet Zeus in a dark alley, he can probably muster up a lightning bolt, but a couple of thousand years ago? He’d fry you as soon as look atcha.”

The title of the episode appears as Time After Time After Time per the season 7 DVD set. The onscreen title is however “Time After Time”.

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Sam and Dean drink Margiekugel beer from Wisconsin, which is named after Production Designer Jerry Wanek‘s mom.

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Sam and Jody Mills find a bottle of Johnny Walker, payment of a bet from Rufus to Bobby. In a flashback in 11.16 Safe House, Bobby gets a bottle of Johnny Walker Blue from Rufus to satisfy an earlier bet, since Bobby was right: they weren’t dealing with a baku.