In the third season premiere, bracing themselves for the possibility of an apocalyptic war, Sam and Dean realize they have an enormous task: hunting down the hundreds of demons that escaped from the Devil's Gate. Dean decides to live life to the fullest and exhibits a carefree attitude that troubles Sam, who is trying to find a loophole in the deal.

Dean pressures Sam into traveling to Cicero, Indiana, to visit Lisa, with whom he had a tryst nine years ago. Lisa's 8-year-old son, Ben, bears a striking resemblance to Dean. When Ben goes missing, Sam and Dean discover that a changeling—a demonic parasite—is snatching kids and taking on their form. Meanwhile, a woman named Ruby contacts Sam and reveals startling information about his mother.

Sam and Dean discover that a cursed rabbit's foot was stolen from their dad's secret storage room in New York and call Bobby for help. He warns them anyone who touches it receives an extreme amount of good luck—but once it is lost, that person will die. Unfortunately, Sam already handled the foot, but a thief, Bela, steals it from Sam, causing his luck to plummet and putting his life in danger.

Sam and Dean investigate a rash of violent deaths in Elizabethville, Ohio, a once-sleepy town that has become a haven for gamblers and drinkers. Dean discovers that demons have infiltrated Elizabethville and are using powers of persuasion to make the townspeople succumb to their basest instincts. Meanwhile, Ruby helps Bobby rebuild the Colt from scratch, and stuns him with some news.

Sam and Dean investigate a small town that has been plagued by a number of strange murders resembling fairytales like Little Red Riding Hood, Snow White and Hansel and Gretel. Meanwhile, Sam summons the Crossroad Demon (SANDRA McCOY) and threatens to kill her with the newly rebuilt Colt unless she releases Dean from his deal.

Sam and Dean investigate the mysterious demise of drowning victims who were nowhere near water at the time of their death. Each of the victims saw a ghost ship shortly before they died. Upon investigation, Sam and Dean cross paths with Bela, who's being paid handsomely by one of the murder victim's family members to solve the case. The guys warn her to stay out of the way, but she has other plans.

The guys discover that Dixon, a male vampire, is feeding human blood to unsuspecting females in bars, telling them it is the "latest drug" and turning them all into vampires. Meanwhile, Gordon Walker escapes from jail and goes after Sam—and after being turned into a vampire by Dixon, Gordon's a much more formidable adversary.

It's Christmas time and, as Sam and Dean investigate a series of murders where the victims have been pulled up through the chimney, Sam realizes they are dealing with a sort of anti-Santa, a demon with roots in pagan lore. Meanwhile, Dean knows this is his last Christmas and wants to celebrate the old-fashioned way; Sam refuses, not wanting to accept that Dean won't be around next year.

Sam and Dean travel to Sturbridge, Massachusetts, and discover a coven of witches that has killed two people. Ruby (recurring guest star KATIE CASSIDY) warns the brothers to stay away; the demon that controls the witches is very powerful, and Ruby fears the demon will try to kill them. Ignoring her plea, Sam and Dean go in after the coven and confront the head witch, who reveals Ruby's past.

When Bobby falls into a coma and can't be awakened, Sam and Dean race to his side. While unconscious, Bobby battles his personal demons, and it is revealed why he became a hunter. Sam and Dean discover someone poisoned Bobby with a potion that will kill him if he doesn't wake soon. The brothers decide to take the potion themselves to enter Bobby's dream and try to save him.

While Sam and Dean are investigating the disappearance of a man from a tourist location, Dean is shot and killed. Sam is devastated; but, when he wakes up the next morning, he finds Dean alive and well. As the day unfolds, Sam realizes he is reliving the previous day and tries to prevent Dean's death, but to no avail. Dean dies again and Sam must learn to live life without his brother by his side.

Sam and Dean break into Bela's apartment to get the Colt back, but she tipped off Agent Henricksen, and the brothers are arrested. Sam and Dean are locked up when a demon breaks in, kills some of the sheriff's men and possesses Henricksen. After Sam and Dean vanquish the demon, Henricksen prepares to release the guys. Ruby warns Sam and Dean that a band of demons is surrounding the jailhouse.

Sam and Dean stumble into starring roles on a gritty reality show called "Ghostfacers," which chronicles the pursuit of the paranormal, created by Ed Zeddmore and Harry Spengler. Every four years, the Morton Mansion becomes one of the most haunted places in America. The show's team get picked off in grisly manner and soon realize they are in over their heads.

Dean is stunned after he receives a phone call from his dad, John (recurring guest star JEFFREY DEAN MORGAN), who says he has a solution to get Dean out of his deal. Sam and Dean fight because Sam is skeptical that it is really John on the other end of the phone and warns Dean not to listen to him. Dean disagrees and sets off on his own path to follow his father's orders.

As time runs out for Dean, Sam convinces him to investigate a possible zombie case. Instead, they discover Doc Benton, a real-life doctor who, in 1816, abandoned his medical practice to follow his obsession with finding the key to eternal life by drugging people and stealing their vital organs. Meanwhile, Bobby finds out where Bela is hiding, and Dean heads out to confront her.

Dean's deal with the crossroads demon is up in 30 hours and Dean, Sam and Bobby search for Lilith, who holds the contract. Sam summons Ruby for help, despite Dean's protests. Ruby warns them that they aren't yet ready to fight Lilith, but they steal her knife and depart for New Harmony, Indiana. Sam, Dean and Bobby take on Lilith and all her demons in a last ditch effort to save Dean's life.