Supernatural 13×14 reunites us with Mary and Jack on the apocalyptic Earth and gives us a short treatise on furry loincloths

After a two week hiatus due to the Olympics, Supernatural is finally back! “Good Intentions” picks up roughly where the previous episode left off. Sam (Jared Padalecki), Dean (Jensen Ackles), and Castiel (Misha Collins) are looking for a spell to open a portal to the apocalyptic Earth. The goal remains the same: rescue their mother (Samantha Smith) and Jack (Alexander Calvert) from the Archangel Michael (Christian Keyes). Donatello (Keith Szarabajka), the Prophet, continues to translate the Demon Tablet to unlock the ingredients to cast the spell. Unfortunately, for the Winchesters, Donatello’s lack of a soul (recall that Amara consumed it) causes the tablet to corrupt him and he gives them the wrong ingredients. After being led astray and almost killed by Donatello’s actions, Castiel takes matters into his own hands and forcibly extracts the knowledge from Donatello, which leaves the prophet brain dead.

On the apocalyptic Earth, Jack and Mary escape from Michael’s clutches and run into Bobby (Jim Beaver). After learning that Jack is a Nephilim, Bobby demands that Jack leave the human resistance camp since he sees him as a threat. Zachariah and several other angels arrive in the camp. Jack unleashes his powers on the angels, destroying them. He decides to put a stop to Michael once and for all by vowing to kill him.

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“Good Intentions” brings back Jim Beaver as Bobby Singer. While he’s technically playing a different Bobby than the one we came to know over the course of the series, the character’s usual brand of sarcasm mixed with cynicism and wisdom is on full display throughout the episode. After many years of both being on the show, Samantha Smith and Jim Beaver finally get several scenes together. Jack’s immense power is also demonstrated throughout the episode and helps set the stage for a major confrontation with Michael. Is Jack powerful enough to take on the highly experienced archangel?

Castiel also returns to his warlike mentality in this episode by forcibly extracting information from Donatello. He obtains the necessary information for the spell but he leaves the Prophet brain dead and on life support. The power of human souls is also on full display in this episode as it’s revealed that they help filter the Word of God and protect the human reading it from going insane.

Supernatural didn’t waste any time jumping back into the main story this week, and our roundtable guests were blown away by the sheer number of subplots and developments. So let’s meet our guests for “Good Intentions” and see what they have to say!

Lena (@lenastiel) – Hopeful optimist and lover of peanut butter who is passionate about Supernatural and its amazing cast members.

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

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

Mery (@Sasstiel_) – Italian fangirl maybe a little too obsessed with Supernatural.

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

1. “Good Intentions” had a lot of moving parts and several subplots. Which subplot was your favorite and why? Least favorite?

Lena (@lenastiel): I really love the part when Castiel immediately volunteered to do the dangerous task of retrieving the Gog and Magog ancient warriors’ hearts, and then Dean simply refused to let him go alone. The following action scenes afterward are both hilarious and epic! “I will kill the pretty one.” “They’re both equally pretty.” “The small one then–” – this part is certainly the highlight! It’s actually difficult to choose the best part since this episode is filled to the brim with many wonderful scenes. I can’t choose which one is my least favorite. All of the scenes and subplots are important, moving and character-defining.

Tricia (@tricia_16_): My two favorite characters are Dean and Castiel, so I really enjoyed when they went off to fight Gog and Magog. Dean being all giggly over the loincloths and then rolling his eyes behind Castiel made me laugh out loud. The way Jensen and Misha play off each other is always hilarious for me! I didn’t like that Donatello knocked Sam out with that bottle. Sam’s been having a rough go this season and I would’ve liked to see that situation handled differently.

Ashly (@Proud_Mother85): I like the idea of Jack being the one to kill Michael. I think it’s a good way to show what Jack is truly capable of and how strong he could be. Plus like he’s seen from Sam and Dean, he’s willing to do whatever it takes to protect the ones he cares about.

Mery (@Sasstiel_): I don’t have a least favorite subplot, I liked all of them, but if I have to choose my favorite, I’d say the human camp in the Apocalypse world, because you see these humans fighting mythical creatures like angels by just living. It’s powerful in some way.

Cat Bow (@Pathryn34): My favorite subplot was Jack and Mary. I loved seeing them together. Mary proved her intelligence, integrity, loyalty, and overall goodness. “Let him kill me.” “If he goes I go.” Then Jack coming back to save the camp that had given him so much joy because Sam and Dean would. Least favorite was the Donatello subplot. I hated seeing him go evil and hurting both Sam and Dean. And also, this pushing Castiel to do what he swore he would never do. The Asmodeus sleeper agent plot reduced to a rationalization for Cas’ actions.

2. The alternate universe Bobby finally returned in this episode! Despite being even more cynical than the Bobby we knew, he appears to have a lot of similar traits. What did you think of his expanded role in this episode?

Lena: Bobby seems to be a sort of wise mentor and main protector to the humans in the shelter. Absolutely can’t blame him for being way more cynical than our Bobby. He’s been through unimaginable horrors that the show’s universe would thankfully never experience – thanks to two hunters and their guardian angel. I think he will play a big part in saving his own apocalypse-torn universe because, by the end of the episode, we saw him starting to see Jack in a new light – in a newfound hope I dare say.

Tricia: It was great to see Bobby again! There was a lot of things he said that screamed Original Bobby, but the biggest difference I noticed was how quick he was to judge Jack for being half angel and half human. Original Bobby seemed to give angels/monsters a chance before automatically assuming they were bad. I really hope we get to see more of AU Bobby as the season moves on.

Ashly: I really enjoyed seeing Bobby again and him having a bigger role in this episode. Being in this AU has made this Bobby harder than our Bobby but he’s still Bobby. I enjoyed when he told Mary about Sam and Dean offering to take him to their world and he told them no ’cause that world needed him. I think he’s gonna play a big part in the fight against Michael.

Mery: I liked it. I missed Bobby and Jim Beaver and seeing him again after all these years brings a sense of nostalgia and hope because I always saw Bobby like that, hope.

Cat Bow: I love Bobby! I love this Bobby. He is a hero, a leader. He takes his responsibilities seriously, he won’t leave those who depend on him. Just like our Bobby. He offered shelter, even though Mary said she was being followed. His cynicism is well earned. He was betrayed and people are being slaughtered. He didn’t hurt Jack, even though Jack’s powers brought the angels. He is a good man.

3. It took a long time but Samatha Smith and Jim Beaver finally had several scenes together in this episode. What did you think of their scenes together? Would you like to see Mary and Bobby get to know each other better?

Lena: Samantha and Jim bounced off each other very well in all of their scenes. Their dynamics are quite interesting since Bobby saw Mary through a nostalgic lens of his past friendship/relationship with Mary Campbell, while Mary was a weary hunter desperate to get home. Yes, definitely. I would love to see Mary and Bobby get to know each other better. The AU world and the show’s universe are about to be more intertwined with each other as Michael’s plan progresses, so I think we will see more of Mary-Bobby dynamic soon.

Tricia: It was nice to see Mary and Bobby meet each other, and even better to see Samantha and Jim finally act together. I may be in the minority here, but I don’t think there’s much of a point to the two of them getting to know each other better. Bobby’s not going to come to our world, so nothing good can come of it.

Ashly: I loved the Bobby-Mary scenes! And I would definitely love to see more scenes with them and them getting to know each other more. They’re both strong characters and could help lead armies in this war against the angels.

Mery: I’ve waited for them to have scenes together, being both Bobby and Mary like childhood, if not for Sam who never had the chance to meet his mother until last year, for Dean at least. I’d like to see them bond somehow.

Cat Bow: I unabashedly ship it. I even have a ship name Maringer. He, a hardened soldier was so tender toward her. And, when he told her that she made the right choice with the demon deal, she really needed to hear that. She feels so guilty for causing her sons pain. And, she still does, but now she sees that it was better for so many. I just loved their scenes together.

4. Jack demonstrated extraordinary power in “Good Intentions.” So much power that he was able to kill angels. Now he wants to kill Michael. While a Nephilim created by an archangel is theoretically powerful enough to take on an archangel, do you think Jack is ready for that?

Lena: If we’re talking about power, it’s possible that Jack has enough mojo to defeat an archangel. However, we must remember that Jack is only a 6-month old Nephilim who is still learning to control his powers and his place in the world. He’s conflicted most of the time, yet Jack consciously struggles to make the right choices under Sam, Cas, and Dean’s guidance. I don’t think Jack would be ready to kill, even though the kill would be justified. The first and hopefully last time Jack accidentally killed someone, he was a mess. I hope it won’t come to that. A lesson learned from watching 13 seasons of Supernatural: doing everything alone doesn’t usually end well. Jack needs his family.

Tricia: Noooo! I don’t! I think it’s only going to end badly. Yes, Jack is more powerful, but he doesn’t have anywhere near the experience that Michael has. Michael is not only evil, but vindictive as well, and I don’t think Jack stands a chance against him. Hopefully, Sam, Dean, and Cas will make it to the AU before Jack attempts to take Michael on.

Ashly: I believe that when it comes to the people he cares about and loves, Jack will do anything to protect them much like Sam, Dean and Cas would. To keep the apocalypse world and Michael from spilling over into their world and Sam, Dean and Cas from getting hurt or worse, Jack will kill Michael himself to protect everyone.

Mery: Jack is starting to know how to control his powers better, but I think he needs some training in hand on hand combat first, you can never know with Michael…

Cat Bow: His powers were amazing and slightly terrifying. I think he still needs more time and training. The raw power is there but his ability to utilize it may not be. Plus, Michael is crafty. He is in a place that is warded in such way to make Jack almost powerless. Michael also has years of experience. Jack needs to perfect the use of his powers and strategies or he will fail.

5. This episode introduced the concept of a human soul acting as a filter for prophets when reading the Word of God on tablets. What did you think of that development?

Lena: It makes sense. It’s a good continuity because Donatello’s soulless state was finally addressed and there are due consequences that were utilized cleverly as a plot point to drive the story forward. I think it also emphasized once again the importance of souls in the Supernatural universe, and it implied that human nature is inherently good if souls can act as a purifier to the corrupt influences of supernatural forces.

Tricia: I mean, it was interesting I guess, but I don’t think it’s going to end up having anything to do with the rest of the series.

Ashly: I think it makes sense, especially considering the prophets are the only ones who can mend the tablets if broken. Souls are powerful as are the tablets. Without a soul, as we saw we Sam in season 6 and more so with others in season 11, the human who lost it is easily corrupted by bad. The demon tablet I would say is full of bad things so, without his soul, Donatello was taken over by the evil within the tablet.

Mery: It was a weird notion at first, but then again, it makes sense since Kevin didn’t go crazy when he was the Prophet.

Cat Bow: This makes a lot of sense. We have seen repeatedly how a soul helps keep you good. I think back to 9.19 “Mother’s Little Helper” and how those people acted on id without their souls. Also, in 6.07 “Family Matters,” the Alpha Vamp wanted to turn soulless Sam because he wouldn’t have a pesky soul to get in the way of becoming a perfect killing machine. So I can definitely see the soul being able to keep the power and knowledge of the tablets from corrupting. I wonder if this is one reason tablets were made for humans and tapping into the angel tablet made Metatron so evil.

6. Castiel took matters into his own hands in this episode and forced Donatello to give him the information he needed. While Sam and Dean were rightfully horrified, do you think Castiel had a point? Were his methods necessary?

Lena: Castiel made the RIGHT decision for the RIGHT reasons. He literally made the tough call so that Sam and Dean wouldn’t have to, and because he – out of Team Free Will members – is the one who clearly understands the stakes of an impending war with AU!Michael and Lucifer being on the throne of heaven. Not to mention, Cas’s loved ones are in danger, not just Dean and Sam, but also Jack (who is like a son to Cas) and Mary. Sam and Dean said not to kill Donatello, so he extracted the spell and broke his brain instead. Asmodeus and Lucifer can no longer use the prophet nor obtain the dangerous information from the tablets. Donatello is also a danger to himself and to the world. Cas made the right call. This is incredibly tactical. The writing does Castiel justice like the master strategist of heaven he is reputed to be. Honestly, I don’t think Sam and Dean were rightfully horrified. They’ve done similar things in the past – and by the end of the episode, they understood why Cas had to do what he did.

Tricia: It was Dean who said they needed to get Mary and Jack back by doing, “Whatever it takes,” and not surprisingly, it seems Castiel took that to heart. Did I like it? Not a bit. I don’t like the idea of Soldier Cas coming back. I like my Cas being all heart and less “I did what I had to do,” but at the same time, I understand why he made the choice he made. If it was my son stuck in an AU, I’d be doing everything I could to be getting him back, too.

Ashly: I think while it was a horrible thing to do, it was the only thing left to do. Cas did what he felt he had to get the spell they needed to save Jack and Mary, the right spell. While he didn’t kill Donatello like Sam and Dean wanted, he probably should’ve since he’s now brain dead but maybe that opens the door for Amara to come back and give his soul back if she can?

Mery: Well, it turned out to be useful in the end and I think it gave us a glimpse of how powerful Cas really is, expanding, at least in my imagination, on who and what he was among angels.

Cat Bow: Though visually appealing, I hated this part. Especially since it had catastrophic, lasting effects on Donatello’s health (why couldn’t he heal him afterward?). I do not believe his methods were necessary and they could have a found a different way. It’s easy, in times of desperation, to throw your morals out the window to do “whatever it takes.” It isn’t, however, the right way. Dean and Sam recently relearned this message with the loss of Kaia. If you become evil to defeat evil, evil still wins. The road to hell is paved with “good intentions.” Honestly, Cas should know this. It’s a recurring theme in his life. And I feel sad that it seems history may repeat itself.

7. With so many difficult to obtain components required for the spell to open the portal to the alternate universe, the chances of Sam, Dean, and Castiel obtaining them all quickly enough don’t seem very good. Do you think they’ll find an alternative way to open a portal? Or will they inadvertently end up giving that information to Asmodeus?

Lena: I don’t think the writers will introduce another alternative way to open a portal at this point. Even if they did, Sam, Dean, and Castiel would not be so quick to trust this new way after Donatello’s trickery. Based on the summary of “A Most Holy Man” (S13E15), the next episode after this one, it seems they did acquire the ingredients pretty quickly, except for one which they have to seek in a black market “where everything is not always as it seems”. I wouldn’t cross out the possibility that Asmodeus could be involved. We’ll have to wait and see.

Tricia: I think Sam, Dean, and Cas are going to be able to get the ingredients. Likely, they’ll split up to try to get them more quickly, and we’ll see that used as the reason not to have Castiel in the next episode. Without Donatello in the picture, I’m not sure how Asmodeus would end up with the ingredients unless the Winchesters tell Ketch and Ketch tells Asmodeus.

Ashly: I really doubt that Sam, Dean, and Cas will ever work with Asmodeus. I think they’d ask Lucifer before they ask the last Prince of Hell. I think they’ll find the ingredients that they need for the spell, if Michael can do it in an apocalyptic world than so can Sam, Dean, and Cas in their world. After all, they do have the advantage that they’re not living at the end of the world.

Mery: I think that Jack will open a portal first after he kills Michael. I don’t think they’ll let it slip. It’s important information and I know they’ll be extra careful with enemies like Asmodeus, or even Lucifer, being out there.

Cat Bow: I have an inkling that finding the ingredients will take up a few episodes at least, if not the rest of the season. Especially since they are convinced they need Lucifer’s grace and he is ensconced in Heaven with the angels. (Instead of working with Rowena to bring Michael up from the cage like she did with Lucifer in 11.09, but this time with proper warding so they can get his grace, then maybe send him back since we don’t need two Michaels.) I, honestly, don’t think they will find or even try to find a different way, but I feel AU Michael might.

Final Verdict: With so many entertaining subplots and story advancements, it’s difficult not to love “Good Intentions” even if Castiel might be slipping back into old habits

Supernatural is back and it isn’t playing around. “Good Intentions” is loaded with subplots and major developments related to the main story. One of the most noticeable highlights is the return of Jim Beaver as apocalyptic Earth’s Bobby Singer. Since the character’s death on the Winchester’s Earth back in the seventh season, Beaver has made multiple short guest appearances as the character. While he isn’t playing the version we’re familiar with, the version he is playing is similar enough that his inclusion feels incredibly nostalgic. Finally getting to see Jim Beaver and Samantha Smith in scenes together is another major highlight of the episode. Jack and Mary meeting and helping to move the story on the apocalyptic Earth forward is also greatly welcomed.

The story to find a way to reach Mary and Jack advances a fair amount in “Good Intentions.” Castiel, who perhaps best understands just how dangerous the threat of Michael is, takes matters into his own hands and reverts to his more warlike mindset. While Castiel justifies his actions against Donatello as being the only option, they raise important moral and ethical questions about what is and isn’t necessary during a time of war.

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Castiel reverting to his previous mindset might not sit well with everyone. The character has been down this route in the past and it’s never ended well for him. Castiel’s actions do make sense when looked at from his point of view but at the same time, there’s a real danger that he’ll end up repeating his past actions. Whether or not the show ends up rehashing parts of those earlier stories remains to be seen. However, there’s a chance it will go down that road.

With Mary and Jack out of Michael’s prison and Sam, Dean, and Castiel now in possession of a spell that can open a portal to the apocalyptic Earth, the stage is set for a major confrontation in the coming weeks. Will Jack be able to kill Michael or will he succumb to Michael’s immense power? How will Sam, Dean, and Castiel track down the ingredients needed for the spell? The stakes have never been higher this season!

SUPERNATURAL returns next THURSDAY, MARCH 8th at 8/7c on THE CW.