The Future

They are just throwing in betrayals for nothing, recycled Dean gets mad then forgives antic, angels are a joke and Cass gets hypnotized?

I re-watched this today as I make my way through the final seasons for the 2nd (or 3rd, or nth) time after seeing final season in full. The episode in itself has a couple of clunky aspects, i.e. The car keys, but the episode in the larger context of the final years is remarkably strong. The final leg of the show is primarily about whether or not Jack is going to be a force for good, evil or what not. This episode manages to set-up that central conflict with a few graceful strokes, i.e. Kline being "saved", Jack "helping" Cas, that have acknowledged ambiguity to them. Add in the Dagon and Heaven season plots are efficiently wrapped, and this episode is among the most effective mythos plotting episodes of the final few years.

"The Future," the nineteenth episode of Supernatural's twelfth season, directed by Amanda Tapping, marks a crucial narrative pivot as it finally gives substance and emotional weight to the long-teased Nephilim storyline. The episode stands out for its tight pacing, visual boldness, and a script that injects new urgency into the season's mythology, while also delivering some of the most nuanced character work for both Kelly Kline and Castiel to date.

The episode opens on a bleak note, with Kelly Kline-pregnant with Lucifer's child and under the oppressive watch of Dagon-driven to a state of despair so profound that she attempts suicide in a bathtub. The scene is visually striking, with the stark contrast of red blood against the dim, dingy room conveying the depth of her misery and isolation. This moment, more than any before, humanizes Kelly, who until now had been a largely passive figure in the narrative. Her failed suicide attempt, thwarted by the supernatural intervention of her unborn child, catalyzes a transformation: she comes to believe her child is not inherently evil, but something special, perhaps even a force for good.

Meanwhile, Castiel returns after a long absence, bringing with him a new sense of purpose-and a plan from Heaven. The Winchesters, frustrated by Cas's lack of communication, are initially wary, especially Dean, whose abandonment issues are sharply triggered by Cas's recent behavior. This tension is palpable, with Dean's anger and Castiel's guilt playing out in a confrontation that is both raw and deeply felt. The episode excels in these moments, allowing the characters' emotional wounds to surface in ways that feel earned after a season of miscommunication and separation.

The plot quickly escalates as Castiel, acting on instructions from the angel Joshua, takes the Colt and kidnaps Kelly, intending to bring her and her unborn child to a celestial gate where their souls would ascend, erasing their earthly existence. This plan is complicated by Kelly's newfound conviction that her child is not a monster, and by Castiel's own crisis of faith. The dynamic between Cas and Kelly is one of the episode's highlights: their conversations probe questions of destiny, free will, and the possibility of redemption for even the most unlikely beings. Amanda Tapping's direction draws out subtle performances from both Misha Collins and Courtney Ford, making their evolving relationship feel both intimate and momentous.

Dagon, meanwhile, remains a menacing presence, her patience with Kelly's resistance wearing thin as Lucifer's wrath looms in the background. Mark Pellegrino's brief appearance as Lucifer is genuinely unsettling, a reminder of the character's capacity for terror when stripped of comic affectation. The episode's action crescendos when Sam and Dean track down Cas and Kelly, leading to a tense standoff with Dagon. The use of the Colt in this sequence is both a nod to the show's history and a source of heartbreak for fans, as the legendary weapon is destroyed in the fight-an event that sent ripples of mourning through the fandom.

The climactic confrontation is visually and emotionally charged. Dagon's death, delivered through a sudden surge of power from the Nephilim channeled through Castiel, is both shocking and cathartic. The moment is ambiguous: is Castiel empowered by the Nephilim, or is he being controlled? The episode wisely leaves this question open, heightening the sense of unease about the true nature of Kelly's child. The visual motif of glowing yellow eyes-traditionally a mark of evil in Supernatural-now signals something potentially redemptive, blurring the show's moral binaries in intriguing ways.

The episode's pacing is relentless, with Amanda Tapping's direction ensuring that the hour feels brisk and urgent, even as it juggles multiple plot threads. The editing is sharp, and the cinematography makes effective use of shadow and color to reinforce the episode's themes of despair, hope, and transformation. The writing, by Robert Berens and Meredith Glynn, is particularly strong in its dialogue, giving each character moments of vulnerability and agency that have often been lacking in recent episodes.

Performance-wise, "The Future" is anchored by Misha Collins's portrayal of Castiel, who moves from uncertainty to conviction as he embraces his new role as protector of the Nephilim. Courtney Ford finally gets to imbue Kelly with depth and complexity, moving from despair to hope in a believable arc. Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki provide strong support, with Dean's anger and Sam's pragmatism serving as emotional counterpoints to Cas's and Kelly's journey. The supporting cast, including Ali Ahn as Dagon and Mark Pellegrino as Lucifer, bring menace and gravitas to their roles, ensuring the stakes always feel high.

Despite its strengths, the episode is not without flaws. Some critics noted that the payoff for Castiel's time in Heaven felt rushed and anticlimactic, with the death of Joshua and the collapse of Heaven's plan resolved almost as an afterthought. The destruction of the Colt, while dramatic, also removes a beloved piece of the show's mythology, and Dagon's demise, though visually spectacular, may strike some as too abrupt for a villain of her stature. Nonetheless, these are minor quibbles in an episode that otherwise revitalizes the season's central arc and sets the stage for a dramatic endgame.

In conclusion, "The Future" is a standout episode that breathes new life into Supernatural's twelfth season, transforming a stagnant storyline into one charged with emotional and narrative momentum. Through bold direction, nuanced performances, and a script that refuses easy answers, the episode challenges viewers to reconsider the nature of destiny, evil, and redemption. By the end, Castiel's choice to protect the Nephilim-whatever the cost-signals a profound shift for Team Free Will, leaving the audience with a sense of both hope and foreboding. The episode's willingness to blur moral lines and embrace ambiguity is a testament to Supernatural's enduring capacity for reinvention, even this late in its run.