Supernatural 13×13 was the last new episode for 3 weeks and it wasted no time throwing surprises our way

In this week’s Supernatural, Lucifer (Mark Pellegrino) went in search of angels to help restore his diminished grace. This led him to a faith healer who called herself Sister Jo (Danneel Ackles). To prevent herself from being killed by Lucifer, Jo, who was actually the angel Anael, made an agreement with him that would give him small amounts of her grace over time. This eventually led to Lucifer having a run-in with some of the remaining angels. He offered to help repopulate heaven and restore the angels’ wings. In exchange, the angels would have to follow his leadership. With their numbers greatly depleted and the threat of Michael invading from the parallel universe, the angels ended up agreeing.

Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) reunited with Castiel (Misha Collins). Donatello (Keith Szarabajka) showed up at the Bunker and began helping the Winchesters translate the Demon Tablet in an attempt to find a spell to open a portal to the alternate universe to save their mother. Unknown to them, Asmodeus (Jeffrey Vincent Parise) began impersonating Castiel to manipulate Donatello to help him achieve his own goals. Ketch (David Haydn-Jones), who appeared to be manipulating both Asmodeus and the Winchesters, returned as well. Asmodeus, on the other hand, revealed a plan to Ketch to kill Michael. He obtained an archangel blade and has the Archangel Gabriel (Richard Speight, Jr.) prisoner.

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Danneel Ackles, Jensen Ackles’ wife, made her Supernatural debut in this episode as Sister Jo/Anael. While she did have a few scenes with Jensen Ackles, most of her scenes were spent with Lucifer. Lucifer and Anael’s grace sharing ended up causing both of them to appear to become addicted to it, which isn’t something we’ve seen before in the Supernatural universe. Richard Speight, Jr., who hadn’t been seen since season nine, also made a surprise return as the Archangel Gabriel. With Lucifer now in control of heaven and the threat of Michael invading, we’re rapidly approaching what will likely be a large confrontation between heaven, hell, and the parallel world.

With Asmodeus, Lucifer, Anael, Michael, and more in play, Supernatural really threw a lot of characters at us this week. Naturally, that also means we have a lot to talk about. So let’s get started and meet this week’s roundtable!

Ashly (@Proud_Mother85) – My kids are my priority, Supernatural and cast fanatic, music and animal lover

Tricia (@tricia_16_) – Wayward wife and mother of two who found my people, my passion, and myself through Supernatural and its fandom

Lindsay (@lindieface) – Beleaguered grad student, unrepentant fangirl, whiskey aficionado

Cat Bow (@Pathryn34) – Wife and mother who tries to be loving and kind, but traffic…

Snowlantern (@sisselauisk) – Swedish translator, TV enthusiast and lifelong nerd.

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1. Danneel Ackles made her Supernatural debut tonight as Sister Jo/Anael! What did you think of her first appearance on the show?

Ashly (@Proud_Mother85): I really loved and enjoyed watching Danneel. I loved meeting Sister Jo/Anael. Watching her interactions with Lucifer and how she made a deal with him to keep him from killing her was interesting. I would love to see more of her on the show! And if she is helping Lucifer, for the time being, I’m sure we will.

Tricia (@tricia_16_): She absolutely killed it! I haven’t seen anything she’s acted in before (bad fan, I know!) so while I was excited, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. But she knocked it out of the park! There wasn’t a single moment when she was on screen that I was thinking, “Ha! She’s Jensen’s wife!” I was just thinking that she was badass and totally stealing the show!

Lindsay (@lindieface): I thought Danneel was fantastic! I’ve wanted to see her on the show for years, so I’m thrilled it finally happened. Sister Jo – or should we say Anael? – is really fascinating so far. I love that she’s a bit morally grey, and I definitely feel like she’s playing Lucifer. She’s a clever person, and I’d love to see her get the better of him before this is all over. I can’t wait to see her back on the show and next time, I really hope she has more screentime with Jensen, Jared, and Misha. *crosses fingers*

Cat Bow (@Pathryn34): With the admitted bias of loathing Lucifer, I hated that her character is in league with him and helped him take over Heaven. Her acting, however, was amazing. She is so layered: opportunistic, conniving, but with a respect for humanity. But, the times with her and Lucifer was hard to watch and made me uncomfortable. I, personally, wish it had been different.

Snowlantern (@sisselauisk): Fun! Sister Jo was a holy healer, then shrewd businesswoman, then seductress, then sincere (or acting like it) about the state of humans, then companion behind the throne. Danneel did all of it seamlessly and made it feel like one cohesive character. She instantly felt like a true part of the Supernatural universe. Plus she got to throw Sam around! I’m looking forward to seeing more of her.

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2. Ketch returned in this episode. He even saved the Winchesters and Castiel from Lucifer. He claimed that he “just missed” Lucifer but we know that’s a lie. Is there a chance he might actually be working against Asmodeus?

Ashly: It seems like Ketch really is not liking working with Asmodeus. He seems to be genuine in that he wants to help Sam, Dean and Cas stop Lucifer as well as prevent AU Michael from coming into their world. We also know that Ketch is capable of anything and can’t be really trusted, but we’ll see.

Tricia: Honestly, who knows with Ketch!? He seems to be the kind of guy who just goes where he thinks he can last the longest. If he thinks the Winchesters are going to kill Asmodeus and Lucifer, I definitely think he would be loyal to them…while they hold the power. It comes across to me that there’s something about the Winchesters he really wants to be a part of. I just don’t know what it is yet.

Lindsay: Eh, I’m not sure. I don’t trust Ketch further than I can throw him, and there are so many other characters I would prefer to see back instead. That being said, he could surprise us all – but I’m not expecting it. I think he’s out for himself, and any tenuous partnership he forms with our heroes is going to end badly for them.

Cat Bow: I can completely see him working against Asmodeus, but as to what purpose, I am unsure. I think Asmodeus was just a means to an end and Ketch doesn’t have any allegiance to him. The question I have, is what is motivating him? Does he want to prove himself to be good? Is he in love with Mary? Part of me thinks, yes. In his own way.

Snowlantern: I don’t understand why or how he came to be working for Asmodeus in the first place, or what Ketch ultimately wants. Originally he was Men of Letters, but in his quest to root out the supernatural he worked with Crowley. Will he take orders from anyone as long as he gets to kill? He’s a true dark horse for me. The only thing I feel sure of is that he’s unredeemable. At heart, he’s a simple thrill murderer.

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3. Anael began allowing Lucifer to slowly absorb some of her grace. They appeared to become addicted to that process. Do you think Anael has a backup plan for when Lucifer eventually decides he doesn’t need her anymore?

Ashly: Being that Anael is a smart business woman, I’m sure she already has a plan in place to get away from Lucifer should he decide that she’s expendable. She has no intentions of letting him kill her.

Tricia: She seemed to have at least some measure of control over the situation. So although we aren’t in on the plan, I’m positive she’s thought it through and has some sort of plan for that scenario.

Lindsay: Oh, definitely. Like I mentioned earlier, she’s clever, she’s shrewd, and it appears that she’s got excellent self-preservation instincts. Hopefully she chooses a side other than Lucifer’s ultimately, because she’s a character I would definitely like to stick around – and perhaps become an ally to our boys, too. Now, as to what Anael’s plan is? No clue. But I know she’s got to have one.

Cat Bow: Of course, she does. She seems to be the kind that plans many steps ahead. And she is also quick thinking. I think she is already working on it with her helping take over Heaven. She is getting him what he wants, while simultaneously getting to stick it to the angels that didn’t see her worth.

Snowlantern: I think her backup plan is already in motion. She seduced him with her grace, with her body and with her companionship. She got him to open up in a way he probably hasn’t since he fell from Heaven, about his daddy issues and his parenting issues. She got him to tell the other angels “She’s with me”. She’s standing behind the throne. He’s becoming dependent on her in more ways than one.

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4. Lucifer promised the angels that he’d be able to help create more of them as well as being able to restore their wings. In exchange, they appear to be worshiping and/or working for him now. Regardless of whether he’ll actually follow through with his promises, do you think Lucifer is powerful enough to do those things?

Ashly: I don’t think he’s quite yet powerful enough to make good on the promises he made with the angels. But with him eating a little of Anael’s grace at a time, I’m sure he could be soon enough. Of course, it could have all been a lie just to get himself into Heaven and onto the throne. Then again, he did make the Princes of Hell.

Tricia: Hmmm. Thought provoking questions this week! I don’t think he has the power to give the angels back their wings. I don’t know if he knows he doesn’t have that power or not, but now that they’ve already pledged their allegiance to Lucifer and he’s back up in Heaven, I don’t think it really matters. He has control again anyway.

Lindsay: I think Lucifer thinks he could be powerful enough again to do those things. However, I gleefully hope that Cas stabbing him last episode did some kind of damage to him. Hopefully, enough to keep him weak enough for Team Free Will and Pals to finally take him down. I can’t believe the J. Crew angels (I mean, come on, they’re all so casual-chic!) actually let him come back to heaven, though. This is why Cas can never go back to heaven – first, his home is with the Winchesters, and second…he’s way smarter than the rest of his brethren.

Cat Bow: I really hope not, as well as doubt it. It’s not the first time he has lied to get what he wants. He is the great deceiver. He is out of the Cage because he convinced first Sam talking to him was the right thing to do by pretending to give him messages from God, and then by convincing Cas that he could defeat Amara. Which, he couldn’t. With making new angels, he admitted to only seeing it done. But considering his other creations and how much a threat winged angels are, I hope he’s overselling again.

Snowlantern: This making more angels thing was mentioned earlier this season. I think the angels told Cas that they needed an archangel to make more of them (though they were talking about AU!Michael). So yes, it seems like Lucifer can probably do that. Restoring their wings? That’s a whole new claim. Lucifer is a destroyer, not a healer, so I kind of doubt it. They really should have asked for a demonstration before falling to their knees before him. But I guess they’re not all shrewd businesspeople like Sister Jo. If anyone can restore angel wings, my guess is it would be Jack.

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5. Donatello returned in this episode as well, and Asmodeus is using him to unlock the secrets of the Demon Tablet. While he obviously has nothing good in mind, what do you think he’s planning to use it for?

Ashly: If he gets the spell and the ingredients for the spell, he could bring Michael over and try to team up with him, let him be ruler over Heaven and Earth while Asmodeus continues to rule Hell.

Tricia: I’m not sure that he has a plan in mind yet. I think he just doesn’t want the Winchesters to get there first to maybe have some sort of control over the situation. Perhaps he’s wanting to have something to use as leverage against them?

Lindsay: I’m not sure, honestly. Probably some kind of demonic shenanigans – maybe creating more demons? Hoping to use it against Jack somehow? Or some other unsavory business?

Cat Bow: Though there are many things he could use the demon tablet for, I think he is currently most interested in the creation of portals. He is preparing for Michael. So maybe he wants to take the fight to him. He could also be worried that the Winchesters will cause issues. But, honestly, I think he just wants Jack. I found the new power to turn Donatello into a sleeper agent very interesting. But the fact that Asmodeus has access to the prophet who is reading the demon tablet is worrisome. The angel tablet made Metatron godlike. What would the demon tablet do?

Snowlantern: Asmodeus bores me to death, and Donatello isn’t much better. I can’t think of anything interesting that Asmodeus could be planning. He’s a 0-dimensional character that actually kind of makes the whole show look cheesy, and I can’t wait for him to be swiftly disposed of.

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6. Asmodeus revealed that the Archangel Gabriel is still alive and he has been holding him prisoner. What do you think of this development? Is he our Gabriel or is he from another universe?

Ashly: I think it’s our Gabriel. I think he was able to fake his death like before. He could’ve just been in a weakened state and thus end up captured. He was able to hide on Earth for many years without anyone in Heaven finding out about him. Archangels are powerful and I don’t think an angel blade would kill Gabriel, it certainly won’t kill Lucifer. He may not be powerful enough to fool God but if he’s been imprisoned since “Hammer of the Gods,” no one would even know he was alive because no one would think to check Hell’s prisons, probably wouldn’t even be able to sense him.

Tricia: What did I think of the development!? HOLY CRAP!!!! I literally squealed when they showed him at the end of the episode! I do think it’s the original version of Gabriel, and I think his return only means good things for us. The idea of Gabriel getting to gank Lucifer for good with the Winchesters, Castiel, Jack, and Mary by his side is pretty much a dream come true!

Lindsay: Whether it’s our Gabriel or AU!Gabriel, I am so pumped to see him back. Sure, his mouth is sewn shut at the moment and he doesn’t look thrilled to be back, but I’d love to see a showdown between Gabe and Lucifer – and a reunion between Cas and Gabe. I always love seeing those two in scenes together.

Cat Bow: I AM SO HAPPY GABRIEL IS BACK!!!!!! I truly think this is our Gabriel since Asmodeus has not been able to create a portal to another reality yet. But, judging by Gabriel’s clothes, it might be Gabriel from a different time. Abaddon proved that demons can time travel. Maybe that’s what Asmodeus did. That was his errand: go to a time with Gabriel and kidnap him. It would be an interesting way for him to be our Gabe, but not. I do hate to see Gabriel so hurt though.

Snowlantern: I’m ashamed to say I hadn’t even thought of that possibility, an AU!Gabriel. That probably makes the most sense. Explaining how our Gabriel could be alive and where he’d been all this time would be a tall order. We saw Gabriel’s burnt wing marks after Lucifer killed him. Burnt wing marks have ALWAYS indicated that an angel is REALLY dead.

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7. With so many players in the mix ‒ Asmodeus, Ketch, Anael, Lucifer, Rowena ‒ there’s a lot of potential for any one of them (or all of them) to cause major complications when trying to rescue Mary and Jack from Michael. Where do you see things going next?

Ashly: We know that Lucifer wants to stop AU Michael, and with Anael showing her loyalty to Lucifer (for now at least), I doubt she’d want him to cross over. They’ll try to build up the angels to have their own army against him. Asmodeus I think will try to play his hand with Michael if he crosses. I see Ketch teaming up with the Winchesters, Cas, and Jack to stop AU Michael, going as far as to help Gabriel escape and snag the archangel blade. Rowena could be a big asset as well in stopping Michael. It’s hard to predict what is gonna happen, could go a lot of ways.

Tricia: This season has been all over the place. As to who’s going to get Jack and Mary back first, I would put my money on Castiel. How they’re going to end up getting there and who’s going to end up taking out Michael? I couldn’t even begin to guess, but I’m certainly looking forward to seeing how it all goes down!

Lindsay: I think things will be quiet on the Lucifer and Anael front – and I’m not sure we’ll see Rowena back in the immediate future. I think Asmodeus will continue to be an evil Colonel Sanders in his quest to get hold of Jack, and I feel like Ketch is going to die again before the season is out. As for Team Free Will, Jack, and Mary, we shall see. The next episode looks great. (Sidebar: I’m really glad Dean apologized to Cas. I think that was something he needed to hear, since Dean didn’t initially realize anything was wrong. Glad to know he would have helped if he knew!)

Cat Bow: I think the first person that’s gonna cause issues is Asmodeus via Donatello. I believed Asmodeus is going to have Donatello intentionally botch it. Donatello, who is under Asmodeus’ control, would be the one to have the most control over this. However, with all the people mentioned, I’m excited to see how this season plays out.

Snowlantern: Jack will try to open a portal again, and of course, parts of Team Free Will, say Dean and Cas, will get stuck in another dimension. Sam will turn to Rowena for help. Donatello will inform Asmodeus that Jack is back and Asmodeus will try to trick him. Asmodeus will also try to sic Gabriel on Lucifer. I hope all of Asmodeus’ plans backfire spectacularly and he gets smote to bits, freeing up time for the villains that are actually interesting. Rowena with her recent power-up, Lucifer with an angel army, AU!Michael with HIS angel army. THOSE are the ones I want to see duke it out!

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Final Verdict: With Lucifer in control of heaven, Asmodeus in possession of an archangel, and Michael doing Chuck knows what, Supernatural threw everything but a flamethrower at us this week

“Devil’s Bargain” was loaded with plot developments, returning characters, and Danneel Ackles’ highly anticipated debut on the show. Her character, Anael, was brilliantly played as a complicated and multi-layered character, who appears to have quickly gained the upper hand over Lucifer. She may not have had many scenes with her real-life husband, but her character looks like she’ll be around for a while. Sam, Dean, and Castiel were also reunited in this episode and now have a plan for rescuing Mary and Jack.

The return of Gabriel was both unexpected and exciting. Fans of the character will likely be very pleased that he’s back and will have a role moving forward. Lucifer’s takeover of heaven also adds a lot of interesting story potential for the rest of the season. Is he capable of creating more angels? Can he restore their wings? How will that impact the coming war with Michael?

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Not everyone will be happy with how Danneel Ackles’ screen time was used. While she had a lot of it, most of it was spent with Lucifer. Some fans may find this disappointing if they wanted her and her husband to share more scenes together. Anael was setup to be a recurring character, however. So there may be more opportunities in the future for the two actors to work together. The return of Arthur Ketch may not go over well with everyone either.

Supernatural might be going on a short hiatus during the Olympics, but it gave us more than enough to get excited for and think about for when it returns. How will all of the powerful forces being introduced collide? Will Jack and Mary reunite with the Winchesters and Castiel? Will Asmodeus be successful at capturing Jack? Will Lucifer? There are many ways for these storylines to intersect and we can’t wait to find out how it’ll all play out.

SUPERNATURAL returns THURSDAY, MARCH 1st at 8/7c on THE CW.