*WARNING: Contains Spoilers!*
I love when I’m right. In my review of the eighth season opener of Supernatural, I made the following prediction: “let’s start with the explanation of Dean’s escape from Purgatory and the relation between him and the man whom he presumably rescued. Another point that likely will be approached is the whereabouts of Castiel as he is presumed dead. He’s come back before so why should now be any different. Fans are gonna help out with his return. Since Dean tried the ‘slice of apple pie’ life, why not Sam? I see his relationship with the woman shown earlier and how they came to live together further explained. Will she meet the same fate as his past loves? This seems to be the pattern so it might be likely but I also see this to be unlikely as Sam leaves before anything hits the fan. However, the big focus is the presence of a second tablet written in the word of God and its information on closing the Hell Gates permanently. How could Dean and Sam, after all that has happened to them courtesy of the demons, resist a chance to banish all demons from the world for good? I see some head-butting between them over this as well as whatever dealings Dean has with the man named Benny.”
I am happy to say that all of the above has happened. Dean’s escape from Purgatory was courtesy of a vampire named Benny. Their bond was the focus of last night’s episode. A killing has happened in Louisiana and Benny is to blame. A hunter named Martin said that he has witnessed the attack. Sam and Dean pay him a visit after Sam receives his call and informs his brother that he had Martin keep watch over Benny much to Dean’s dismay. The Winchesters have always been at odds over one another’s decisions so it was only inevitable that there would be discrepancy over Benny and Dean’s friendship and the fact that Benny’s a vampire. For the last couple episodes, Castiel and his return were the centerpieces of those previous episodes, taking nice deterrent from the brother’s constant squabbles. Dean and Sam’s trust in each other is tested as the episode progresses to the point where they will feel betrayed.
Dean does what he can to protect Benny from his brother and Martin who was last seen as a patient in a mental institution. Something told me this guy would make a return appearance even if it was for a short visit. His sanity comes into question by Dean more so than Sam given his fragile psyche. Martin is shown just how unstable he is as he is willing to take a hostage (is this case, Benny’s granddaughter) just to get the job done. He’ll even turn on those who were once his friends. This point is illustrated when Dean proclaims Benny to be innocent and Martin, who has exercised his prejudice toward vampires, knocks the elder Winchester brother unconscious and sets out with Sam to kill Benny despite being asked not to by Dean.
Hunter Martin provides the role of a loose cannon
The trust issue with Sam and Dean is tested first when Sam secretly has Benny followed despite Dean’s wishes. He doesn’t really care whether Benny saved his brother from Purgatory or not. Benny’s a vampire and, if I recall correctly, Sam still has a little angst towards the blood suckers ever since one of them turned Dean. However, this contradicts an incident way back in Season 2 when Sam encountered a group of vampires who have sworn off of human blood, turning to animals as an alternative food group. An argument over whether the things they hunt are truly evil ensued immediately after the vampires were granted amnesty. Dean wanted to kill the vamps but Sam defended them. On a side note, let’s not forget about Ruby. Sam stayed by her side during the end of Season 2 and most Season 3 more so than Dean who outright objected to the relationship. Oh and there was Sam’s werewolf girlfriend whom he was reluctant to (but eventually did) kill though Dean had no apprehensions about performing the deed himself. Now the tables have turned since Dean has a monster buddy and Sam is the one holding a torch and pitchfork.
My new prediction: With their brotherly trust now broken, Sam and Dean take a break to cool their jets before something happens that pulls them back into the fold. I see Benny returning before the season is out and maybe Sam will listen to his side of what happened with Martin…big maybe. But first, with Amelia meeting Sam at the end of the fall finale, I wonder what this will mean. Maybe he’ll give a full explanation to her as to why he left. I felt that that situation was left unfinished. Also, expect Castiel to be back and maybe we’ll get the real deal on Naomi and her deal with Castiel. Kevin Tran and Crowley will return later on as well, but I don’t see Garth, who is currently hiding the Trans, making it to the end. If he does, he’ll be one lucky son of a gun. I wouldn’t mind seeing Bobby just once more. Keeping my fingers crossed for this.
For my Season 8 premiere recap, click HERE!!
