This was undoubtedly our episode’s central theme for nearly every character.
Cas is lured away back to Heaven to try and see the outcome of a situation (how the other angels see him) he has no control of.
The first hellhound is loose and out of control.
Sam has no control over the Impala getting damaged and he has surrendered control of his actions over to the BMOL, Dean later does the same.
Dean is reminded by Crowley of the time he lost control under the MOC when Crowley jokes that he’s “rubbed all over Dean”.
Dean comments on how Crowley surrenders his control to the Winchesters by calling him “soft” for his actions to help him.
Lucifer has been bound and is now controlled by Crowley, who has warded his vessel.
Gwen has been controlling her boyfriend in a way since she has not been honest with him.
It’s not just the loss of control here, it’s how it’s involuntary that’s the focus. Before he smites stunt demon #2, Lucifer even comments how the demon’s surrender to this loss is weird. No one should WANT to surrender control of their life to another is the lesson of the episode, yet this is exactly what Sam and Dean do by working with the BMOL and it is what Cas does by going to Heaven. Crowley stops his work to help the Winchesters, again, but he does showcase that he’s in control of Hell still, by chaining Lucifer. He is rewarded with control for thinking ten steps ahead. Let’s all hope Sam, Dean, and Cas can do the same because right now… they are in control of NOTHING.