There could be some cosmic consequences on the horizon.

Should we be worried about Castiel then?

Supernatural Season 12 Episode 9 may have been focused on Sam and Dean’s lockup and then escape, but the end is where things really took a turn.

But was it an outstanding midseason premiere or simply lackluster.

TVFanatic staff writers Sean McKenna and Christine Laskodi and The Winchester Family Business’ Alice and Nightsky are here to talk all about “First Blood.”

So take break from chow time and join in the latest Supernatural Round Table!

What was your favorite scene or quote?

Alice: My favorite by far was the scene on the bridge with Billie. The whole episode before that was lackluster, and it felt like they were going through the motions. Then that scene happened and we finally got some worthwhile drama. 

I love how each Winchester was willing to sacrifice themselves and then boom, Castiel got all riled up and took matters into his own hands. 

The sacrifice thing is getting a bit ridiculous by now, and he had the right to chew them out about that. It’s about time he showed some balls. 

Christine: Agreed 100 percent with Alice. So much of the episode fell flat for me.

While I didn't love the motions that brought the Winchesters to Billie, Castiel stabbing her, and his follow-up speech about protecting the Winchesters was completely worth it.

And bonus: Cas finally did something! Yay!

Nightsky: I agree with Alice that the scene where Cas killed Billie was outstanding.

I’m going to pick a favorite quote, though — well two, actually.

Dean’s line of “We’re not trapped out here with you. You’re trapped out here with us” put a whole new perspective on the brothers’ situation.

What we have here is a failure to communicate. We’re not trapped out here with you. You’re trapped out here with us.

Dean

• Permalink: What we have here is a failure to communicate. We’re not trapped out here with you. You’re...

It’s about darn time they got to show off their hunting prowess! I loved that entire Rambo action from both brothers.

It was also deeply satisfying to hear Sam recognize and brag (for lack of a better word) about the thankless work that they do, “We’re the guys that save the world.” Amen and Hallelujah!

Sean: I actually liked Crowley not choosing to help Castiel. It was a small moment but at least it illustrated that Crowley is a bad guy and isn’t going to help Sam and Dean in every situation.

Were you surprised that Sam and Dean called Billie to help get them out of prison?

Alice: Not at all. Dean has pulled the reaper card before, even as recently as Supernatural Season 11.

What I’m trying to figure out is what was with the midnight deal? So they could call Castiel and find him and Mary just in time to say goodbye?

What if they didn’t find them in time? Why couldn’t they have asked for a little more time? Ah well, it was clever. 

Christine: I was! I know Dean has pulled the reaper card, but it's really off to me that after EVERYTHING the Winchesters have done, including going to Hell and being tortured by Lucifer, that solitude is that thing that would make them crack like that. Really?

Dean would have found a way to use that tiny screw to get himself out, not to count the days he's in prison. It just didn't ring true to me.

Nightsky: Yes. I didn’t anticipate that at all. It was set up well earlier in the Supernatural Season 12 so I should have seen it coming, but I was so focused on Cas, Mary and Crowley’s rescue, or the boys escaping themselves, that I was blindsided by a deal with a reaper.

I’m not sure I buy that they broke in just six weeks, but Dean is not a patient man.

I totally accept that he spent those six weeks thinking strategies, tactics and options. Once this idea occurred to him, I’m not surprised he didn’t wait long to pull the trigger.

Sean: I was surprised but also that they couldn’t call Castiel, Crowley or anyone else. Only Billie could be contacted in there?

Plus, them breaking in six weeks wasn’t believable. It just wasn’t.

With Castiel killing Billie, does that mean the deal with Sam and Dean is no longer is in effect?

Alice: Not at all! Remember Billie’s last words, breaking a blood oath has consequences on a cosmic scale. 

I’m not sure exactly what that means though.

Think about it, these are the guys that killed Death (supposedly) and released God’s sister. What could be more cosmic than that? 

I think whatever it is, it’s going to be very anticlimactic, like maybe a bitch slap or something. 

Christine: Nope. Cosmic consequences. I don't think it matters WHO broke the deal. The deal is broken, and not only that - Billie is dead.

Someone's going to be pissed. This seems like a good time for Death to come back.

I could also see him wanting to re-collect Mary.

Nightsky: I truly don’t know. “Cosmic consequences” would give Castiel his next plotline and would give the British Men of Letters another reason for a hostile takeover, maybe even reactivate Lady Bevell (remember her?). 

The only reason I’m hesitating is that a cosmic threat is inconsistent with Andrew Dabb’s promise that this season would get back to basics. I think they could take it either way.

Sean: Probably not. Consequences will happen.

It’s just disappointing that Billie wound up being a waste of a character.

Will there be consequences for Castiel for killing Billie?

Alice: Yes, that’s where the fallout is going to happen. He’s the one that interfered with a cosmic oath, whatever that means. 

What I don’t get about Castiel is all this is happening because he felt useless? 

He walked around for six weeks feeling all worthless and depressed instead of busting heads for information and being the badass angel he’s supposed to be.  That’s a waste of a great character.

I think this is the end for Castiel because the writers have finally conceded that they have no idea how to write for him.

Christine: Goodness, I hope so. And again, to echo what Alice said, I think they just don't know how to write for Cas.

I was also a bit confused by his actions in the six weeks. He just spent all those months hunting Lucifer with Crowley. He knows how to be a fake FBI Agent and question witnesses. He's a freaking Angel.

If he can't kill a lil' ol' demon, having taken on the devil himself, there's a much bigger problem with Castiel that needs to be addressed.

Nightsky: I hope so, actually. I like “cosmic” myth arcs. 

Castiel’s character also needs new definition. I don’t understand what they’re doing with Castiel at all. He literally said he “ran away”!

This is our fierce angel?

Maybe Dabb is trying to reset/restart his character?

Sean: Again, consequences. I just wonder what that will truly mean and if they will stick.

Thoughts on Mary wanting to work with the British Men of Letters?

Alice: It makes sense to me. She sees the toll hunting monsters takes on people, especially her own family.  A better way might not be so bad. 

It might finally give her sons the future she wanted for them.

She’s dealt with the British Men of Letters a couple of times now, and they have been very helpful. Why not give them a shot? 

Mary’s not stupid though. She’s not going to blindly trust either. She’ll be going into this with suspicions.

Christine: It makes sense, but it's still not a compelling enough reason for me to get on board with the British Men of Letters story.

I guess I'm waiting to see what her thoughts are, and how they treat her in the coming weeks. Maybe that will be the shift the show needs to get folks interested in this British Men of Letters arc.

I'm still so uncertain of what their purpose is and how they fit into the bigger picture.

Nightsky: Again, I agree with Alice. I welcome Mary’s move. It adds depth both to her character and the plotline. She’s a smart hunter.

I think it makes sense that she would understand the futility of the American struggle with a perspective those in the trenches may not have.

She is also strategic. Dean recognized her skills when he said a few weeks ago, “you were good at this weren’t you?” to which she replied, “Very”.

She has seen both the great harm and the great good they can do so she may simply want to learn more to draw them out.

Sean: I’m curious how this one will play out. I’m a bit surprised but I guess I could see where she’s coming from.

Bet she doesn’t tell Sam and Dean. Or maybe she will?

Either way, it will be interesting to see where this path takes the show.

Sean McKenna was a TV Fanatic Staff Writer. He retired in May of 2017. Follow him on Twitter.