As I am wont to do, I rewatch episodes and last night, I rewatched Phantom Traveler. As I am also wont to do, I take notes. Most of my Phantom Traveler notes revolved around demonic possession, as this is the first time we see it in the series. Contains spoilers up through and including 2.14, Born Under A Bad Sign
The Eyes Have It
Phantom Traveler is the first instance of having black eyes as a sign of demonic possession. It recurs multiple times, as recently as 2.14 Born Under A Bad Sign, and has become almost *the* signature cue of a character's demonic possession. We also see the demon enter through the eyes. The colored eyes themselves go all the way back to genre staple Evil Dead and it's sequels, in which possessed characters were given white eyes with solid sclero contact lenses.
Smoke If You Got 'Em
Phantom Traveler is also the first instance of demons presented as black smoke entities. We see the demon in smoke form multiple times as it moves to possess different individuals, and when it is exorcised. We also see what becomes the standard demonic exit; a cloud of black smoke through the mouth.
Hellfire And Brimstone
Demonic possession leaves behind a sulfuric or brimstone residue (as opposed to spirits, who apparently leave behind a strong ozone residue, as seen in Hook Man). Not surprising, considering that demonds come from, and return to, Hell, and Hell is composed of brimstone and fire. I don't know that this residue shows up again, but it's always a clue to look for and hold in reserve whenever sulfur is mentioned.
A Chink In The Armor
Demonic possession can only occur when there is a weakness in the possessed individual. Emotional turmoil and addiction are texutally cited, as is Dean's nervousness and fear of flight. This is highly important, as it surfaces again in 2.14 Born Under A Bad Sign. Sam is obviously in turmoil (as shown in previous episodes) over the news of his impending destiny (revealed in Hunted) and his father's death, both of which could be (and obviously were) exploitable chinks for demonic possession. As always, it may be that the Yellow-Eyed-Demon is exempt from this and is strong enough to overpower anyone's guard, because the YED is able to possess John Winchester (Devil's Trap) although the argument could be made that John's worry and concern for his children is the chink in his armor (which is the point raised in both Shadow and Dead Man's Blood)
Exorcizandis Obsessis A Daemonio
Although it's obviously a given, Phantom Traveler has the first demonic exorcism of the series. Spoken in Latin, the exorcism rite in general has its roots in early Christian theology, where Latin was the language of the Church and clergy. Sam mentions the Rituale Romanum, which is the accepted (to this day) Roman-Catholic exorcism ritual, and--as Sam points out--irrevocably returns the demon to Hell. While we never see the Traveler demon return, the Meg!Demon is exorcised by this same ritual, and later returns in Born Under A Bad Sign. However, it may be that lesser demons remain trapped while more powerful demons can and do eventually escape. It's also possible that it's merely an assumption that the banishment to Hell is forever.
What does all that mean? Not a clue. But, there it is!
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