"Meet the New Boss," the premiere episode of Supernatural's seventh season, directed by Philip Sgriccia and written by Sera Gamble, is a gripping and ambitious start to the season that delves into themes of power, betrayal, and the consequences of unchecked ambition. Picking up immediately after the events of Season 6's finale, the episode explores Castiel's (Misha Collins) transformation into a self-proclaimed God and the fallout from his decision to absorb the souls from Purgatory. With its mix of intense drama, supernatural intrigue, and emotional tension, "Meet the New Boss" sets a high bar for the season while introducing a terrifying new threat: the Leviathans.
The episode begins with Castiel declaring himself God and demanding loyalty from Sam (Jared Padalecki), Dean (Jensen Ackles), and Bobby Singer (Jim Beaver). Castiel's newfound arrogance is palpable as he begins punishing angels who opposed him and smiting corrupt humans in his quest to "fix" the world. Meanwhile, Sam struggles with hallucinations caused by the broken wall in his mind, leading to chilling encounters with Lucifer (Mark Pellegrino), who taunts him about being trapped in a mental prison. Dean and Bobby attempt to stop Castiel by summoning Crowley (Mark Sheppard) for information on binding Death (Julian Richings), hoping he can help neutralize Castiel's growing power.
Philip Sgriccia's direction effectively balances the episode's high-stakes drama with quieter moments of introspection. The cinematography by Serge Ladouceur uses stark contrasts between light and shadow to emphasize Castiel's descent into darkness, particularly during scenes where he smites false preachers or confronts Death. The editing ensures a steady pace, seamlessly transitioning between Castiel's escalating actions and Sam's psychological torment. However, some critics have noted that certain plot elements-such as Crowley's role-feel slightly underdeveloped given the episode's rapid pacing.
Misha Collins delivers an exceptional performance as Castiel, portraying his transformation with chilling intensity. His ability to convey both arrogance and vulnerability adds depth to his character, particularly as he begins to realize that he cannot control the Leviathans within him. Jensen Ackles excels as Dean, whose frustration and desperation are evident as he tries to protect his brother while grappling with their inability to stop Castiel. Jared Padalecki imbues Sam with a mix of determination and fragility, particularly during scenes where Lucifer manipulates his perception of reality. Julian Richings brings gravitas to Death, whose calm demeanor contrasts sharply with the chaos surrounding him.
Thematically, "Meet the New Boss" explores the dangers of unchecked power and the moral ambiguity of divine intervention. Castiel's belief that he can fix humanity reflects an arrogance that mirrors Lucifer's downfall-a parallel that underscores Supernatural's recurring theme of hubris leading to destruction. The episode also delves into loyalty and trust as Dean struggles to reconcile his love for Castiel with his fear of what he has become. Sam's hallucinations add another layer of psychological horror, raising questions about identity and reality.
One of the episode's standout moments occurs during Castiel's confrontation with Death. Their verbal sparring highlights their cosmic authority while emphasizing the fragility of humanity caught between these powerful beings. Another memorable sequence involves Dean performing the ritual to summon Death-a tense moment that underscores their desperation and vulnerability in facing a former ally turned adversary.
"Meet the New Boss" is a bold and compelling start to Supernatural's seventh season that successfully sets up its central conflicts while delivering strong performances and thought-provoking themes. While some pacing issues prevent certain subplots from fully developing, the episode remains engaging thanks to its exploration of power dynamics and moral ambiguity. By intertwining personal struggles with cosmic stakes, "Meet the New Boss" challenges viewers to reflect on how far one should go to impose order-and whether such actions are worth the inevitable cost.
