Supernatural Review: All in the Family (Season 11 Episode 21)

So, is Chuck the new Sinbad? It sure feels that way, seeing as how he’s a comical house guest for the Winchesters while tensions are at an all-time high.

Supernatural has always done things unconventionally. So naturally, when God is introduced as an actual character it won’t be what’s expected.

We know and love Chuck already, so adding that layer of holiness to him doesn’t really CHANGE much.

But it does paint God in a very different light than the way we’ve seen him portrayed on other series, or even from the way he’s been painted in the Winchesters’ world prior to this.

Chuck is kicking around the bunker, drinking beer, watching porn, taking showers, stealing bathrobes…far from the God that the Angels have described over the years on the series.

While Chuck is behaving a lot more like the Carver Edlund that we met way back in the way and a lot less like the creator of heaven and earth, Dean puts everything into perspective, reminding the audience of the weight that is attached to this new turn of events.

Dean is mad. He’s not going to let Chuck avoid owning up to the ways he has personally affected the Winchester boys. Dean’s tears, as he questioned God’s presence and some of the things he allowed to happen to the brothers, were heartbreaking.

While both brothers have been put through the ringer by God, it’s clear to anyone that Dean’s role in this mystical Celebrity Death Match between Heaven and Hell is larger than Sam’s.

Dean was personally pulled out of Hell by Castiel. He represented for Team Michael. He wore the Mark of Cain, and now he’s bonded to God’s sister by some force that no one seems to understand.

So yeah, Dean’s well within his right to pick a fight with Chuck. If there is anyone in that bunker who deserves answers, it’s Dean.

Sam, meanwhile, just wants to geek out over meeting God. Sam’s optimism is so refreshing in contrast to Dean’s anger. Even though Sam knows Chuck, like, REALLY knows him, he’s still just excited to be in the presence of God.

Amara’s connection to Dean is apparently getting stronger, and he knows it. She’s got a hold on him in a way that no other villain has ever had. It’s hard for me to totally buy into this, though.

With so many Monster of the Week episodes this season, and scenes between Dean and Amara so few and far between, I can’t help but feel very lukewarm about their entire “connection.” Amara feels more like a crazy ex-girlfriend in her interactions with Dean than like a dark force that could swallow up the world.

The setup that Dean might actually abandon Sam for Amara seems preposterous to me.

Also preposterous? The idea that Chuck would sacrifice himself in the cage, allowing Amara to take over and relying on people to take her down.

Excuse me, but…people?

The Winchesters remind us nearly every episode that it took an army of archangels to put Amara into the cage to begin with. If this is really the way God wants this to go down, then I side with Dean. It’s a crazy notion to expect humanity to work without God.

The MVP of the episode is Metatron.

There’s a sentence I never saw coming.

Metatron knows exactly what Chuck is planning, and he alerts the Winchesters, and helps break Lucifer out of Amara’s hostage situation. And when someone needs to stay behind to ensure Lucifer’s safe passage out, Metatron steps up to bat, sacrificing himself.

Metatron meeting his end feels bittersweet. While I didn’t enjoy his character, his redemption over the last two episodes allows him to leave on a really good note. I only wish that story began sooner.

We are also treated to a brief cameo from Kevin Tran, the only way that Chuck could think to prove to the Winchesters that he is God. While it’s wonderful to have closure on Kevin, I almost feel that seeing him again really ruins the effectiveness of his death and the way it drove Dean. But, you know, I’m glad Kevin’s moved on up.

So what happens now? The stage is set for an epic showdown between God and his sister, the ultimate battle of good versus evil. Will God succeed in sacrificing himself, or will the Winchesters and Lucifer make that sacrifice unnecessary?

And most importantly…will we ever see Castiel again?

What did you think of “All in the Family”? Hit up the comments section below!

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