“The past, where you came from is important, but it’s not as important as the future and where you’re going.”
In sports, one of the biggest clichés (albeit very true) is that good players don’t allow a bad performance affect their next chance to make a play. No matter how epically bad it can get (0-4 with 4 strikeouts or 4 interceptions) when the chance at redemption comes, the good ones take advantage of it, reminding those watching that the awful performance was nothing more than an aberration.
How does this relate to Supernatural? It’s not a stretch to say that last week’s Season 14 premiere was one of the biggest opening season disappointments in the show’s history. Now, when a show is closing in on 300 episodes, it’s bound to have more than a few duds; it’s simple numbers. However, like those players—whether it be Lebron or Brady or Trout, or even those not on the superstar level—the next time there’s a chance to show out, Supernatural does just that.
It’s starting to become unsettlingly obvious that, despite lauded as the archangel to take down Lucifer, De’Michael’s ideology is more like his brother than previously thought. His plan, though not 100% clear just yet, seems to focus on empowering the monsters of the world in order to better cull what he sees as the vermin that is humanity. It’s a curious decision albeit one that makes some sense, considering his last attempts left the world a barren wasteland. It seems like he wants to create a better world, one populated with those he deems worthy and it’s pretty obvious that humanity is not on his list of preferable guests. Taking into account his goals and the expected opposition from Bobby and the Winchester Gang (what a great name for a band), one has to wonder, would Michael really let Dean go? Or is his plan to infiltrate the resistance? Considering his power levels, it’s curious as to why he would do either but at least something is in motion and we’ll just have to wait and see what that is.
Though De’Michael’s plotline is an improvement over last week, the heart of “Gods and Monsters” are two characters who find themselves adrift, unable to reconcile the past horrors and the things they have lost. Nick is traumatized and permanently scarred by the horrors Lucifer wrought using his body. Worse still is that those memories had shrouded the death of his family. Initially rudderless, he finds purpose in investigating cold case of his family’s murder. Unfortunately, that need to discover the truth drives him to horrid lengths where Nick himself becomes the murderer and one can’t help but wonder as Castiel does at one point…just how much of Lucifer’s influence is still floating around in Nick’s psyche.
Not quite as angry or shattered as Nick, is Jack. After being helpless in the demon brawl, he’s more anxious than ever to have his Grace return. It’s understandable considering that, in less than a year’s time, he’s gone from one of the most powerful beings in creation to a normal young man with no skills in survival or the art of combat. More to the point is that he’s alone and that particular hurt is somewhat sated by paying a visit to his grandparents. It’s a touching scene, one that gives us a greater understanding of his humanity. That’s wonderfully juxtaposed against his practicality. Though Sam and the others’ first priority is saving Dean, Jack understands that stopping Michael is the goal above all others, including saving Dean. As cold as his words may be, he’s right. If they lose the fight trying to break Dean free and Michael’s able to succeed because of it, then what was the point of fighting all this time? More importantly, would Dean want them to risk everything for him?
At one point in Infinity War, Captain America says “We don’t trade lives.” It’s been a code that Sam and Dean have embraced as it pertains to family throughout Supernatural’s amazing run. Heartfelt as it may be, there are circumstances so extraordinary that the sacrifice one believes is more agonizing than losing, must be made. If it comes to that, will Sam and Mary have the strength to make that call?
Let’s hope they don’t have to.
The Good
- A much better showing than last week, De’Michael’s plan is starting to take shape. But the curveball—whether it was doing his best ‘Dean’ acting job or actually letting the hunter free—is a mysterious one. What does he need from the team that would warrant this sort of infiltration?
- It was such a wonderful surprise to see Mark Pelligrino return, even sans his spectacular Lucifer persona. And yet, after seeing the aftermath of his brutal murder of a former neighbor and “the Snap”—a staple Lucifer action—that question of “is Lucifer really and truly dead?” starts to gain a bit more traction.
The Bad
- Not a bad for this episode, per se, rather this season’s direction. How long are we going to be drawn along with the De’Michael dynamic? Is there a point in time where the Archangel finds another host? Or will that final battle against Michael be in Dean’s body? The idea brings us back to Jack’s truth and that is, no matter what the cost, they have to stop Michael. Even if it means killing Dean.
The Supernatural
- It can’t be good for hunters (or humanity) that De’Michael as found a way to upgrade monsters. He wants to use them as his exterminators, to wipe the virus of humanity from the earth. He seems to believe that by living their truths, monsters are more worthy of the world, not like the sometimes deceitful and vile nature of humanity. It’s somewhat of a rudimentary way of
Supernatural—“Gods and Monsters”
3.75 out of 5