Review/Recap: “Meta Fiction” Sets Up a Dramatic “Supernatural” Finale
Emily Dunbar ’17 / Emertainment Monthly Staff Writer
First, Castiel (Misha Collins) has finally returned! And Cas has finally yelled at Dean (Jensen Ackles) for accepting the Mark of Cain! After seeing Dean’s inner battle in the bathroom as to whether or not he should kill Gadreel (Tahmoh Penikett), it was clear that it was time for someone with actual knowledge about the Mark to weigh in on the situation. Unfortunately, because Dean is in one of the sourest moods fans have ever seen, he’s not currently in the position to listen to anyone. He’s back to attempting to drink himself into a coma, and generally, he doesn’t even seem to be worrying all that much about Sam (Jared Padalecki). Hopefully in the coming episodes, Cas will really lay it all out and explain to Dean what the Mark is going to mean for him, as time goes on. The Winchesters (rather, the viewers) really need to know how much this gift/curse is going to affect them.
Most exciting in this episode, however, was Gabriel’s return! The archangel (portrayed by fan favorite, Richard Speight Jr.) arrived in the same way he left: a porno. As Cas (hilariously) bristled at the inappropriateness of his hotel’s choosing to air Casa Erotica ’14, the audience sat with bated breath, knowing that the only way the writers could get away with this bit would be to bring back the legend himself. It was a really smart and fun way to bring Gabe back from the dead, leaving fans with the ever-present question: When (if ever) will the Trickster be seen again?
Episodes with Gabriel are built upon tricks and plot twists, so they require a lot more attention to detail from the writers and the viewers. Gabriel’s return was bogged down because it was mixed in as a subplot, and this became especially more apparent as his reasons for returning grew increasingly muddled. It would have been great if all three members of Team Free Will had been part of his return, as well, and fans can only hope that he’ll come back in another episode to engage in some banter with the Winchesters and fully explain what his role is regarding the new plan for Heaven and earth.
Infuriatingly, the brothers somehow still haven’t officially made up. However, there were some great moments when Sam looked genuinely concerned about Dean and a classic “You’re too close to this, man!” from Dean to Sam. Cas’s foreboding about Sam keeping an eye on Dean not only seems to foreshadow that something terrible is in store for the eldest Winchester, but also suggests that a brotherly heart-to-heart is coming up the pike fast. This is something really needed, and if it doesn’t happen before season nine’s finale, season ten is going to be pretty rough.
There is some uproar within the deepest corners of the Internet (as there always is) about how next week’s episode will be “filler.” It’s true that next week’s episode seems to be taking a break from the overarching plot and is going to be more Monster-of-the-Week, but look on the bright side: there will be more from Sheriff Jody Mills (Kim Rhodes), who hasn’t been seen in quite some time!
Now’s the time, people! Grab your angel blade and your exorcism spell, your GED and your give-‘em-hell attitude! There are only five episodes left in season nine, and it’s clear that the ending is going to be a doozy. Hitch a ride in the Impala next Tuesday at 9 pm, when the CW’s Supernatural returns with, “Alex Annie Alexis Ann.”