Over the years,
Supernatural has tended to introduce big, status-quo shattering resets at the
start of its season, only to discard those twists within an episode or two
(like Season 8’s truncated trip to Purgatory and Season 10’s shortlived Demon
Dean arc). But Season 14 – at least for now – seems intent on following through
with its huge decision to have Michael take control of Dean’s body – a plot
point that has been teased since as far back as Season 4, when Zachariah
extolled the virtues of Dean’s Biblical destiny in front of a huge,
foreshadow-y painting of the archangel.
Supernatural has tended to introduce big, status-quo shattering resets at the
start of its season, only to discard those twists within an episode or two
(like Season 8’s truncated trip to Purgatory and Season 10’s shortlived Demon
Dean arc). But Season 14 – at least for now – seems intent on following through
with its huge decision to have Michael take control of Dean’s body – a plot
point that has been teased since as far back as Season 4, when Zachariah
extolled the virtues of Dean’s Biblical destiny in front of a huge,
foreshadow-y painting of the archangel.
Showrunner Andrew
Dabb has described Michael as the season’s Big Bad, which would seem to imply
that he’s sticking around for a while, creating a very personal foe for Sam,
Castiel, Mary and the rest of their allies, but also altering the very
foundations of the show, which has always been anchored by the bond between the
Winchester brothers. It’s a risky strategy, but a show in its fourteenth season
can afford a little experimentation – and Supernatural has always thrived on
tackling stories no other shows would dare touch, from animated Scooby Doo
crossovers to metatextual mockeries like “The French Mistake.”
Dabb has described Michael as the season’s Big Bad, which would seem to imply
that he’s sticking around for a while, creating a very personal foe for Sam,
Castiel, Mary and the rest of their allies, but also altering the very
foundations of the show, which has always been anchored by the bond between the
Winchester brothers. It’s a risky strategy, but a show in its fourteenth season
can afford a little experimentation – and Supernatural has always thrived on
tackling stories no other shows would dare touch, from animated Scooby Doo
crossovers to metatextual mockeries like “The French Mistake.”
Some
fans relish the Monster of the Week aspect of the show far more than the
serialized arcs, but for my money, it’s better to really let the audience and
the characters feel that loss, so that the eventual solution feels earned,
rather than simply tying things up in a neat bow to get back to standalone
shenanigans – especially for a storyline that has been on the backburner for so
long. Still, while absence makes the heart grow fonder, it would be agonizing
to be without Dean’s snark for the whole season, so fingers
crossed he at least finds ways to break free from Michael’s control here and
there.
fans relish the Monster of the Week aspect of the show far more than the
serialized arcs, but for my money, it’s better to really let the audience and
the characters feel that loss, so that the eventual solution feels earned,
rather than simply tying things up in a neat bow to get back to standalone
shenanigans – especially for a storyline that has been on the backburner for so
long. Still, while absence makes the heart grow fonder, it would be agonizing
to be without Dean’s snark for the whole season, so fingers
crossed he at least finds ways to break free from Michael’s control here and
there.
It’s certainly jarring to
have an episode of Supernatural with Dean completely absent, even though Jensen
Ackles cuts an imposing (and sharply-dressed) figure as Michael – who’s
apparently paying visits to angels, demons, holy men, and humdrum humans across
the world to try and figure out what makes them tick, in search of creatures
with pure and simple motives. It seems that humans, angels and demons alike are
all reluctant to share their deepest desires with him (or themselves), but it
makes sense that a vampire – driven only by hunger – would be the kind of
zealot Michael can work with.
have an episode of Supernatural with Dean completely absent, even though Jensen
Ackles cuts an imposing (and sharply-dressed) figure as Michael – who’s
apparently paying visits to angels, demons, holy men, and humdrum humans across
the world to try and figure out what makes them tick, in search of creatures
with pure and simple motives. It seems that humans, angels and demons alike are
all reluctant to share their deepest desires with him (or themselves), but it
makes sense that a vampire – driven only by hunger – would be the kind of
zealot Michael can work with.
Dean’s absence is keenly felt
(which is kind of the point), but it does create narrative space for the show
to embrace a more ensemble feel – something Supernatural has struggled to pull
off since the beginning. In the Season 14 premiere, we see how each member of
Team Free Will is coping: Sam, who has already lost Dean countless times, seems
to have resigned himself to the idea that his brother might be gone for good
just to try and spare himself from further heartbreak, while Mary – in typical mom
fashion – is determined to keep hope alive (the scene between them in the
Impala is gut-wrenching to watch, and a poignant showcase for Jared Padalecki
and Samantha Smith). Castiel is willing to put himself into treacherous
situations in pursuit of a lead on Dean, while Jack is struggling with his own
helplessness now that he’s lost his own powers. It’s also nice to see Bobby and
the other survivors from Apocalypse World filling the bunker and creating a new
network of hunters – Sam may be a reluctant leader, but he’s obviously an
inspiring one.
(which is kind of the point), but it does create narrative space for the show
to embrace a more ensemble feel – something Supernatural has struggled to pull
off since the beginning. In the Season 14 premiere, we see how each member of
Team Free Will is coping: Sam, who has already lost Dean countless times, seems
to have resigned himself to the idea that his brother might be gone for good
just to try and spare himself from further heartbreak, while Mary – in typical mom
fashion – is determined to keep hope alive (the scene between them in the
Impala is gut-wrenching to watch, and a poignant showcase for Jared Padalecki
and Samantha Smith). Castiel is willing to put himself into treacherous
situations in pursuit of a lead on Dean, while Jack is struggling with his own
helplessness now that he’s lost his own powers. It’s also nice to see Bobby and
the other survivors from Apocalypse World filling the bunker and creating a new
network of hunters – Sam may be a reluctant leader, but he’s obviously an
inspiring one.
Some fans relish the Monster of the Week aspect of the
show far more than the serialized arcs, but for my money, it’s better to really
let the audience and the characters feel that loss, so that the eventual
solution feels earned, rather than simply tying things up in a neat bow to get
back to standalone shenanigans – especially for a storyline that has been on
the backburner for so long. Still, while absence makes the heart grow fonder,
it would be agonizing to be without Dean’s snark for the whole season,
so fingers crossed he at least finds ways to break free from Michael’s control here
and there.
show far more than the serialized arcs, but for my money, it’s better to really
let the audience and the characters feel that loss, so that the eventual
solution feels earned, rather than simply tying things up in a neat bow to get
back to standalone shenanigans – especially for a storyline that has been on
the backburner for so long. Still, while absence makes the heart grow fonder,
it would be agonizing to be without Dean’s snark for the whole season,
so fingers crossed he at least finds ways to break free from Michael’s control here
and there.
It’s certainly jarring to have an episode of
Supernatural with Dean completely absent, even though Jensen Ackles cuts an
imposing (and sharply-dressed) figure as Michael – who’s apparently paying
visits to angels, demons, holy men, and humdrum humans across the world to try
and figure out what makes them tick, in search of creatures with pure and
simple motives. It seems that humans, angels and demons alike are all reluctant
to share their deepest desires with him (or themselves), but it makes sense
that a vampire – driven only by hunger – would be the kind of zealot Michael
can work with.
Supernatural with Dean completely absent, even though Jensen Ackles cuts an
imposing (and sharply-dressed) figure as Michael – who’s apparently paying
visits to angels, demons, holy men, and humdrum humans across the world to try
and figure out what makes them tick, in search of creatures with pure and
simple motives. It seems that humans, angels and demons alike are all reluctant
to share their deepest desires with him (or themselves), but it makes sense
that a vampire – driven only by hunger – would be the kind of zealot Michael
can work with.
Dean’s absence is keenly felt (which is kind of the
point), but it does create narrative space for the show to embrace a more
ensemble feel – something Supernatural has struggled to pull off since the
beginning. In the Season 14 premiere, we see how each member of Team Free Will
is coping: Sam, who has already lost Dean countless times, seems to have
resigned himself to the idea that his brother might be gone for good just to
try and spare himself from further heartbreak, while Mary – in typical mom
fashion – is determined to keep hope alive (the scene between them in the
Impala is gut-wrenching to watch, and a poignant showcase for Jared Padalecki
and Samantha Smith). Castiel is willing to put himself into treacherous
situations in pursuit of a lead on Dean, while Jack is struggling with his own
helplessness now that he’s lost his own powers. It’s also nice to see Bobby and
the other survivors from Apocalypse World filling the bunker and creating a new
network of hunters – Sam may be a reluctant leader, but he’s obviously an
inspiring one.
point), but it does create narrative space for the show to embrace a more
ensemble feel – something Supernatural has struggled to pull off since the
beginning. In the Season 14 premiere, we see how each member of Team Free Will
is coping: Sam, who has already lost Dean countless times, seems to have
resigned himself to the idea that his brother might be gone for good just to
try and spare himself from further heartbreak, while Mary – in typical mom
fashion – is determined to keep hope alive (the scene between them in the
Impala is gut-wrenching to watch, and a poignant showcase for Jared Padalecki
and Samantha Smith). Castiel is willing to put himself into treacherous
situations in pursuit of a lead on Dean, while Jack is struggling with his own
helplessness now that he’s lost his own powers. It’s also nice to see Bobby and
the other survivors from Apocalypse World filling the bunker and creating a new
network of hunters – Sam may be a reluctant leader, but he’s obviously an
inspiring one.