Once again, the writers for “Supernatural” demonstrate how a focus on character can lead to the best plot twists. None of what happens in this episode would have the impact it has without the long, methodical psychological exploration that came before it. We needed to see Dean’s conflict and emotional strife so that this revelation about his father’s final request could be understood. In fact, Dean has been living with that duty long enough (and plainly enough) that it doesn’t feel like a revelation at all.

More to the point, the writers could have given Dean the full story, direct from his father, and he could have explained everything about the demon’s plans right then and there. Other shows have fallen into that kind of exposition trap, and it can be hard to avoid. Instead, the writers give the expected information by letting it come out naturally. The result is a massive complication in the world of the Brothers Winchester.

A number of things that could have been simple have become far more questionable. Up to this point, Dean had his suspicions about Sam and his supposed destiny, but he had good reasons to object to Sam’s assumption that he was inherently pre-disposed to an evil purpose.… Read More