Don't you just hate that feeling that Satan's sitting on your shoulder?...

"Hello, Cruel World"

Warning: spoiler heavy content below

After my controversial review of last week's episode, I'd like to emphasise a point. I am - and have been for some time - a huge fan of both Supernatural and its fine creative cohort, and would defend the show and its viability to my last breath. However, my 'attack', as it was perceived, on last week's season opener was one I felt necessary at the time, as I was unsure that, within the 40 or so minutes I had just witnessed, Sera Gamble and her team had done the show justice.

After watching episode two, I'd now like to publicly apologise to Miss Gamble and the rest of her fine creative executives, and promise never to doubt them or the show again...

So what of the episode? Well, as expected, Dean (Jensen Ackles), Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Bobby's (Jim Beaver) leviathan problem got a hell of a lot worse. After internally molesting the hell out of their Angel host - everyone's favourite, conflicted spirit, Castiel (Misha Collins) - this sea-faring beast decided to seek more familiar shores. Unfortunately for the boys (just how much can go wrong for the Winchesters? I mean really...), they settled on the public water supply, giving them full access to the town and its population...great.

But Dean's got bigger problems. A friend went in, and a trench-coat came out - it's hard to believe but, for the time being at least, Castiel's gone. While it remains to be seen how Gamble etal will address this in the long run - in Cas, Dean has lost his emotional support, personal guardian and, most importantly, best friend - but it's certainly emotional. Yet, in true Dean "I've got some deep, disturbing issues" Winchester fashion, this is swept aside (rather poorly) so as to focus intently on their prince of hell problem.

And what of Sam you ask? Well, remember that wall that Death erected; the one built to keep him sane, and distance the disturbing thoughts and memories of hell? Well, it's crumbling; scrap that, its disintegrating around him. Hell - and, from what Sam can tell, Lucifer - are metaphorically sledge-hammering the hell out of it, and he can't hide it any more. Instead of flashbacks and painful memories, Sam now has Lucifer himself whispering sweet-nothings into his ear; ensuring him that everything around him is a carefully crafted fantasy, a deliciously evil ploy to slowly send him insane - and boy, is it working.

Meanwhile, the Leviathan infection is spreading. After hijacking a number of various human hosts - including a mechanic, two members of a teenage swim team and a little girl - a hierarchy begins to appear from within. As was the case with the Skinwalkers (S6E8: "All Dogs Go To Heaven"), said hierarchy is eager to keep a low profile, so random attacks and feeding's are frowned upon. So, after a coincidental viewing of a ridiculous, medical drama, the Leviathan's soon decide to set up camp in a hospital. One surgeon meat suit later and the population has a plentiful, confidential source of human organs to feed on.

However, when Bobby receives a call from Sheriff Jodie Mills (a Supernatural convert and close friend after witnessing her town become a zombie-haven) informing him that her surgeon is feasting on his patients, the boys catch their first break; at least now they know where the Leviathan are setting up base. Unfortunately, our hellish infestation never forget a face, and Bobby is soon recognised while snooping around.

And of course, when he needs them the most, the boys are unavailable. Sam's finally lost it, and Dean is fully focused on reeling him back in; but as the cracks continue to appear, this proves easier said than done. Fortunately, Dean manages to convince 'Sammy', and both set off to rendezvous with Bobby back at the house...and this, my friends,is where the s**t really does hit the fan.

Their home - safe-house against one and all in their continually morbid existence - has been torched, and there is no sign of Bobby. Furthermore, the boys soon encounter the Leviathan's earth-bound leader, and are extremely lucky to escape alive. Put simply, the boys are in trouble, and this time there's no Castiel to call.

So there we have it. An eventful episode - one worthy of the Winchester/Singer reputation - and one that has once again renewed my faith in Miss Gamble. Sam's vulnerability is sure to bring the boys closer, filling the void that Castiel has left within Dean. While he may still be grieving, his attention must now fall solely upon his younger brother 'Sammy'. Heck, a number of times throughout I just wanted Dean to tell Sam he loved him - after all, one of Supernatural's strongest foundations is this relationship between the brothers.

While I'm sad to see Castiel leave us, I can sense a greater purpose beginning to unravel. Just as God sacrificed himself for mankind, so too must Castiel for the Winchesters. And yet something tells me that this is more of a short term hiatus, rather than a permanent exit - after all, one of the shows finest qualities is their ability to run a number of parallel story-lines simultaneously, before intersecting each path into a climatic finale.

Finally, one has to wonder about Bobby. For me, the arrival of Sheriff Jodie Mills seems all too convenient, and I'm beginning to wonder whether there may be a slight love interest around the corner for Mr. Singer. That said, we're going to have to find him first; but like the Winchesters, Bobby has a remarkable ability of avoiding death, so I feel his disappearance will also be short lived.

Great episode; great prospects; great show - Supernatural is well and truly back...

See also:

Supernatural S7E3 review

Supernatural S7E1 review

Supernatural Season 7 details revealed

Supernatural: Coyote's Kiss review

Top 10 Episodes of Supernatural

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