Timothy Omundson, Jensen Ackles
Supernatural, Season 10, Episodes 12 to 17
Airs Wednesdays at 9 pm ET on The CW
When Cain gave Dean the Mark in Season Nine, he added the caveat that when Dean had killed Abaddon, he was to circle back and finish off Cain as well. However, with Dean’s increased resolve to not feed the Mark, fulfilling that promise became less likely than before. The past few episodes saw Cain tip Dean’s hand by trying to eliminate his bloodline at all costs, in an enjoyable yet frustrating set of episodes.
The fight between Cain and Dean is one of the highlights of the season, and the episode as a whole is simultaneously a strength and a weakness of the season. The story of Cain trying to wipe out his entire bloodline, and his mix of ruthlessness and self-loathing, makes for a compelling watch. However, the storyline being introduced and resolved in the same episode makes it feel under-developed and somewhat rushed. This is particularly noticeable in a season that has struggled to come up with a compelling arc, as the story of the brothers and Castiel pursuing Cain, while exploring Cain’s animalistic killing side, could have been covered over a few episodes. Not only would this allow for a deeper exploration of the conflict in both Dean and Cain over the mark, it would also help establish the latter as a more formidable foe, and add extra weight to the showdown between the two bearers of the Mark. The lack of resolution regarding the Mark, however, combined with the death of Cain, is somewhat worrisome. With the only viable source for removing the Mark now gone, and Rowena and Metatron both appearing to be busts, the show appears to be pushing Dean down the same path he trod in Season 3, when he had the shadow of the Crossroads deal hanging over his head. While Dean’s open and honest fear about dying does mark a change of pace, the seeming inevitability of death, as well as his refusal to search for a way out, both carry the shadow of familiarity. The stakes are also somewhat minimised by the fact that both Winchesters are aware of what happens to Dean when he dies, and have conquered this problem before. Unless the season’s last few episodes brings in an eleventh-hour twist, this will seem like a case of the show simply repeating itself.
Ruth Connell
The storyline of Rowena and the Grand Coven is similarly frustrating due to the lack of room the writers provide to let it breathe. Rowena entered the season as a very compelling character, and the possibility of having someone who was more devious than Crowley in play, one who also could operate in his blind spot, was a story that had a lot of potential. Unfortunately, that potential has largely been squandered this season, as Rowena has hit many of the same beats when manipulating Crowley, and her actual intentions with regards to Hell remained unclear until Crowley kicked her out, whether she wanted to usurp Crowley and take his place, or be the proverbial devil on his shoulder. Any poignancy in the scene where Crowley distances himself from Rowena could be credited solely to the work done by Mark Sheppard and Ruth Connell, rather than the show building to this moment. The writers also had an opportunity to give Rowena a meatier storyline in her feud with the Grand Coven, which also conveniently gets resolved in one episode. While the Grand Coven being not as formidable a foe as Rowena thought fits in with how easily Olivette is taken down, the troubling aspect of this storyline is that much of it happens offscreen. The Grand Coven’s discovery of Rowena’s presence, their hunt for her, Rowena’s decision to try and take the fight to them, and Crowley’s capture of Olivette all happen offscreen, as if the writers were insistent on burning through the story as quickly as possible, and thus jumped around, hitting only the important beats. While this might have been understandable in an overstuffed season, this season of Supernatural has been anything but, and allowing the plotline to have some time onscreen would have helped both flesh out Rowena further and provide a glimpse at another force nestled in the show’s world. Hopefully, now that Rowena has a vested interest in going up directly against the Winchesters, the issues with the character will get somewhat ironed out by the end of the season.
Despite the issues with the major storylines, however, the past few episodes have still made for a fun watch. Dean’s reversal into a teenage version of himself, along with being amusing, also made for an insightful look at how much of what the Winchesters’ method of fighting creatures relies on a physical presence, or some degree of strength. It was good to see Bobby return, and the easy way he fit into the show’s current dynamic, as well as his reminiscing of simpler times, was a delight to see. Cole’s return was unexpected, and helped add a degree of personal stakes to an otherwise average episode, elevating it in the process. However, Cole as a character also suffers from two major concerns, not getting enough screentime to be effectively developed, and feeling like a rehash of Agent Henricksen. However, his return in subsequent episodes would be a welcome one, particularly if he ends up partnered with Sheriff Mills or Sheriff Hanscum. Sister Mathias is a very promising guest character, on the other hand, and hopefully this isn’t the last the Winchesters have seen of her. Her ability to soothe ghosts and have them open up to her is a particularly useful trait, and one the brothers and Hunters in general could use. Castiel’s reduced presence over the past few episodes has also been somewhat concerning, particularly given his own storyline with his diminishing grace, and hopefully his search for the latter with Metatron plays a bigger onscreen role in affecting whatever events unfold as the season draws to a close.
– Deepayan Sengupta