Supernatural Season 12 Episode 1 Review: Keep Calm and Carry On
Sean McKenna
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Supernatural is on its 12th season. Count it. 12.
It’s a remarkable feat that the series has managed to have such a staying power. Sure, there have been hiccups and missteps along the road so far, but the adventures of Sam and Dean Winchester have proven to be an entertaining ride.
But I was nervous about things going forward after Supernatural Season 11. Not only was I wondering where the story could go after the brothers faced off against probably their most powerful foe in the Darkness, but Supernatural Season 11 Episode 23 was disappointing and anti-climactic.
Sure, Sam and Dean are fantastic characters you want to watch, and it helps that both Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki still seem to enjoy playing their roles, but I was cautiously optimistic about Supernatural Season 12 Episode 1.
The most interesting aspect of the hour had to be the return of Mary Winchester and her trying to cope with her new world.
There was something about watching her try and take it all in (seriously, Sam and Dean have been through so much that it would probably be a lot for anyone) in addition to getting used to how much the world has changed. So often characters are told about the supernatural and they just sort of go with it, but Mary’s reaction just felt genuine, and she’s from a family of hunters.
And it wasn’t even just the talk about angels, time travel and God’s sister that was jarring for her, but it was playing catch up on just how times have changed from seeing her adult son to all the technology.
Though, her comfort in seeing the Impala turned out to be a great comedic moment as Dean realized just what his mom was thinking about when they were looking at the back seat. A priceless reaction for both of them.
I wasn’t as on board with her return initially, but I already like how she’s fitting in, and it does bring a new dynamic to the table. And on top of that is her getting involved with monster hunting again, something she abandoned long ago.
And I loved hearing Dean discuss his role as a monster hunter and how he thinks he and Sam make the world a better place with what they do. They save people, hunt things, the family business.
I’m curious to see where her storyline is headed, and I can’t help but wonder if there are consequences with her return. There’s bound to be some twist in there, right?
However, I’m a bit unsure about the new antagonists in the British Men of Letters. Do they really just want to work together with American hunters?
It’s a good change in direction to bring the battle back to a more human scale rather than the main focus being on something that is super powerful. But they want to torture Sam for info on other hunters so they can find them and teach them?
If they are so good at finding Sam and Dean, why can’t they be just as good at finding other hunters on their own?
There’s got to be more to the story to go through all the trouble to give Sam a sexy shower, blow torch his feet and then make him go through some mind-bending trials.
Though kudos to the writers for coming up with answers as to where these Men of Letters have been this whole time and why they haven’t helped. Sure, it sounded convenient, but I am interested to learn more about this new group and the boss of Toni.
Hopefully, a few more episodes can really sell these new characters, but I’m not 100 percent sold on them or their plan.
But can anyone explain how the heck Lucifer survived? I thought he was killed in the battle with the Darkness?
I have enjoyed Lucifer as a character on this series, but I just hope that bringing him back means they have a great new plan for him. And for Crowley for that matter.
I can do without the board meetings and corny interactions between the demons.
And I thought Sam was the only vessel Lucifer could inhabit without the body falling apart? I guess I’m just skeptical about bringing his character back and where he will play a part in the season’s story.
Ultimately, the season premiere didn’t blow me away, but it does have me interested in the new journey for the Winchester brothers. It’s definitely a fresh start with a new direction, and hopefully, when things really kick into gear, we'll get an excellent Supernatural Season 12.
What did you think of the premiere? Are you glad to see Mary? What do you think of Toni? Sound off below, and be sure to catch all Sam and Dean's adventures when you watch Supernatural online.
NOTE: Supernatural Season 12 Episode 2, "Mamma Mia," airs Oct. 20 at 9 p.m.
Sean McKenna was a TV Fanatic Staff Writer. He retired in May of 2017. Follow him on Twitter.
