Supernatural Review: The Bad Seed (Season 11 Episode 3)

So an angel and a demon walk into a bar…

Heaven and Hell don’t even know what to make of what’s happening in Supernatural’s world ever since the Darkness has taken over.

This simple meeting in “The Bad Seed,” may seem like a throw-away, or an unnecessary scene for the episode. It’s important to scale back and consider the real meaning of the moment when two lackeys from each side drink together.

The Darkness is large. The Darkness is a big deal. If the angels and the demons aren’t sure what to do about it, and both sides are shaking in their boots, what are the odds that the regular Winchesters will be able to stop it? Even the King of Hell is finding himself in some trouble.

Not-so-breaking news! Crowley is a dick, and he’s up to something.

Sam describes Crowley’s usual stasis perfectly on the “The Bad Seed.” Crowley’s predicament seems to be a great place to dive in. He’s doing everything in his power to teach Dark Amara about evil, from allowing her to dive into Dante’s Inferno to watching Hitler’s old addresses.

Crowley is cocky enough to believe that he can control Amara, which surprises me. How is it that Crowley continues to be so stupid? He’s the King of Hell, yet he’s not smart enough to realize that the Darkness is bigger than him.

Amara’s dark soul is older than Crowley; faster than him and wiser than him. He honestly believes that he’s teaching her something but truth be told, he’s not feeding her any information that she doesn’t already know. She’s intuitive and astute. And still hungry for souls.

Shakespeare sums up Amara. “And though she be but little, she is fierce.”

Theology on Supernatural has always been a strong suit. Any time that the Winchesters explore God and Lucifer, and break down the hierarchy of Heaven and Hell, it’s a treat that leaves those invested in the mythos salivating.

Amara’s question to Crowley i one that even the greatest theologians can’t completely answer.

Amara: God made a world where people have to suffer and then they die?
Crowley: Unfortunately.
Amara: But frankly, why would they want to live in such a world?

This leads Crowley to try and convince Amara that a world full of evil and Darkness is the answer. Amara responded with a question. Does Crowley really want to live in a world where everyone is evil?

It’s an excellent illustration of the mythos I just mentioned. The Darkness relies on the light’s existence for balance.

So what is Amara’s plan now that she’s had her share of souls to become a Sweet Sixteen? Don’t ask Uncle Crowley. He has no idea.

The other plot in, “The Bad Seed,” revolved around the Winchesters, Hulk Castiel, and Rowena, who can’t form a Mega-Coven to save her life, literally.

When Rowena was introduced in Season 10, I admit that she was not my favorite. She was a hindrance on Crowley, made him behave uncharacteristically, and their family ties just bored me, frankly.

My thoughts here, after watching her attempts to hilariously create that Mega-Coven, because you know, it’s better than the GRAND coven that she used to be a part of, were that Rowena may have been mis-introduced.

Had Rowena just been a plucky witch with a scheme, one with aspirations and no maternal ties to Crowley, I may have enjoyed her far more last season.

I enjoyed her scenes with Sam and Dean, especially the scene in which she shares that she and Sam made a deal to remove the Mark of Cain from Dean. Dean was angry; Sam kept this from him, even after his big secrets and change speech in Season 11 Episode 1.

In defense of Sam, they’ve had a lot going on since the Mark has been gone. I’m sure he would have shared it with Dean, eventually.

Though they have had plenty of time to watch Asian porn. So really, who’s right?

Seeing the Winchesters back in action, working a case like in the old days was so pleasant. It made me remember why Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles are so charming as the hunting brothers. Their chemistry when they keep things a little more lighthearted is unlike any other bromance on television.

What was that? I said, “bromance” and didn’t mention Dean and Castiel’s big forgiveness moment?

If you recall, in Season 10, Dean, under the influence of the Mark, beat Castiel to a bloody pulp. The bestie bro’s have not been feeling very friendly ever since. On, “The Bad Seed,” Castiel, under the influence of Rowena’s spell, beat Dean to a bloody pulp.

When a newly-cured Castiel tried to heal Dean, he stopped him. (RIP Hulk Castiel.) 

Dean: No, it’s okay. I had it coming.

Jensen Ackles deserves a few additional accolades for his direction of this episode. Whenever he is at the helm, he finds ways to insert small pieces of the original humor of Supernatural. (ie. The Asian porn and the way Dean stopped mid-case to hit on the female passing by.)

There’s always something special about an actor who is completely connected to the story taking on episode direction. After over a decade, no one understands the plights of the Winchesters and the subtle nuances of Dean better than Jensen Ackles.

Where will the Darkness lead the Winchesters? That’s the big story that Supernatural is aiming to tell with their biggest villain yet. After three episodes, I can assuredly say that Season 11 feels big, and that I do feel those winds of change.

What will Amara do to Crowley? Will she let him teach her, or will he become her student? Rowena has eluded the Winchesters again, but will she finally create her Mega-Coven? Sound off in the comments!

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Supernatural airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on The CW.