Supernatural's demons come in all kinds of different eye colors, but why does Crowley - Sam and Dean's favorite hell-dweller - have red eyes?
There's a specific reason Crowley had red eyes in Supernatural - and it's nothing to do with late nights partying in Hell. Played by Mark Sheppard, Crowley made an inauspicious debut during Supernatural season 5. Starting out as a humble crossroads demon - the kind people summon when they wish to master the guitar or resurrect a dead brother - Crowley gradually softens his evil edge the longer he spends chasing down/flirting with Sam and Dean Winchester. Crowley would eventually join the brothers and Castiel as a main cast member, before heroically sacrificing himself against Lucifer in Supernatural season 12.
Much to the annoyance of Sam and Dean, Supernatural's demons can perfectly blend among human society by inhabiting living bodies. Whenever Hell-folk do wish to reveal themselves, their eyes will flicker from the human host's regular peepers to an opaque, smoky black. The color of a demon's eyes denotes their status and rank in Hell's hierarchy. Black-eyed demons are Supernatural's standard sort. The oldest, most powerful demons like Lilith and Alastair possess white eyes, while Princes of Hell all have the infamous yellow tint that John Winchester saw the night his wife died.
Crowley's eyes are red in Supernatural because that's the specific eye color shared by crossroads demons. They may not be as old as white-eyed demons or as powerful as the yellow-eyed variety, but crossroads demons still enjoy more perks, more abilities, and more status than Supernatural's run-of-the-mill kind. As a result, they're afforded an eye color all of their own, setting them apart from the pack. Plenty other crossroads demons have been shown possessing red eyes in Supernatural, including Guy, Jael, and, er... Snooki? These deal-makers are capable of harvesting souls in exchange for devilish perks, giving them more clout than their black-eyed colleagues. Crossroads demons such as Crowley also call in their Hellhounds when a client defaults on their due payment. Visually, Supernatural uses red eyes to differentiate these crossroads demons from the rest.
Why Crowley's Smoke Is Also Red In Supernatural
Crowley's red eyes in Supernatural are easily explained by his crossroads demon status... but what about his red smoke form? When roaming on Earth, Supernatural demons take the form of smoke. This smoke then enters a human host (usually straight through the mouth) as a "meat-suit" to walk around in. Unlike a demon's eyes, their smoke form is almost always black - and this seems to apply regardless of rank, with even the strongest Hellspawn sticking to the standard color. The only obvious exception is, indeed, Crowley, who boasts a crimson red smoke form to match his dreamy eyes.
Supernatural hasn't actually explained why Crowley is the show's only red smoke demon. His crossroads job isn't to blame, since other Supernatural villains of this rank have appeared with red eyes but black smoke, proving the two features aren't inherently connected. The most logical explanation is probably Crowley's rather unique career progression throughout Supernatural. He begins as a crossroads demon (the King of the Crossroads, no less) but soon gets promoted to King of Hell. No other rulers of Hell received the red smoke treatment, but maybe Mark Sheppard's Crowley graduating from King of the Crossroads to King of Hell somehow dyed his gaseous form a new color. Alternatively, Supernatural hinted that powerful demons could control the appearance of their smoke, with Azazel's taking the shape of a skull. As trivial as it sounds, purposely shaking up his smokey wardrobe would be very "on-brand" for Supernatural's Crowley.
Related Topics About The Author
Recommended Articles
ncG1vNJzZmirk6eyprrRmqWtZpOkunDDx7JknKqfrLmmxYydnKannmKyurHSZqmenF2owrGx0aeYra2ilrluvsSaqqimXw%3D%3D