Supernatural Review: Lily Sunder Has Some Regrets (Season 12 Episode 10)

I don’t know if Lily Sunder really has regrets – but after this hour, Castiel definitely does.

Supernatural Season 12 Episode 10, “Lily Sunder Has Regrets,” is one of those gems that comes along every season, that one episode that feels so perfect that it becomes an instant classic.

If there are any regrets to be had about “Lily Sunder,” it’s that this wasn’t the series’ 250th landmark episode. (That title went to Supernatural Season 12 Episode 9, “First Blood.”)

“Lily Sunder Has Regrets” not only makes us care about a brand new character in a deep and personal way, but it ties her story into the current one between Castiel and the Winchesters, who are having some trouble communicating since the deal with Billie fell through.

After all, there will be cosmic consequences. Oh, and there’s a nephilim baby to be dealt with.

Dean can’t quite forgive Castiel for breaking the Winchester sacrifice. He thinks that Castiel had a “knee-jerk” reaction and didn’t totally consider what the price would be for his actions.

But let’s be clear – Dean isn’t upset that Castiel cares about the Winchesters. He just fears what will happen next.

Castiel has a bigger problems than Dean’s pouting and passive aggressive snipes.

That’s where Lily Sunder, and her regrets come into play.

Guest-star Alicia Witt is tremendous in her Supernatural debut. She instantly cements her place in the show’s universe with a backstory that the Winchesters can deeply connect to – and one that leaves the audience feeling more than a little emotional.

Lily seeks revenge on all of the Angels who were a part of her daughter’s death, because they were told that the child was a nephilim – just like the baby that Kelly is carrying as a result of her affair with Lucifer.

Obviously the Winchesters relate to Lily’s story on a grand level – they, too, have lost family because of someone carrying out “orders.” Because of deals, and circumstances beyond their control. They’ve also done everything in their power to exact justice for those deaths.

Sam, Dean, and Castiel are getting a peek into the life of a mother who’s had her child taken from her, murdered because it’s an “abomination.” It leaves them all considering what exactly they’ll do when they find Kelly. Can they really kill a baby?

Castiel stands out in this hour, because we get such a great picture of his growth over these past eight seasons.

The Castiel we met long ago was a soldier for God – he had very clear black and white lines. He followed orders and commands without thinking. Everything he did was for the bigger picture.

After spending years with the Winchesters, Castiel has realized that the world isn’t black and white. There are other things and people to consider. Not every order is given out of pure intentions.

This is why Castiel didn’t hesitate to kill Billie.

And it’s why after sharing the story of his history with Lily, Ishim, Benjamin, and the other Angels, he’s starting to have some regrets.

He played a part in murdering an innocent child, because he blindly followed orders – that’s not something that he takes lightly. And his remorse runs deep in his apology to Lily.

Castiel: I’m sorry. I was wrong. While it’s true that I didn’t know we were killing an innocent, ignorance is no excuse. I truly can’t imagine the depths of your loss. This was your child. I can’t imagine the pain. So if you leave here and you find that you can’t forgive me, I’ll be waiting.

Maybe Castiel is going to think twice from here on out. Maybe he sees that there’s a gray place between acting on orders and acting on emotion.

If there was ever a time to put that into practice, it would be now.

“Lily Sunder Has Some Regrets” is easily one of the strongest episodes of the season, moving the emotional pieces in place for the back-half of Season 12. The Winchesters have a lot to consider when they finally do find Kelly.

And those “cosmic consequences” that Dean is so worried about? Yeah, those are still looming over the Winchesters.

I have this theory about Billie’s death; Death has to come back into the picture now, right? I mean, it’s been a while since we’ve seen him. There’s no doubt he wants a Winchester, if not all three. And they’ve broken a major deal.

These consequences shouldn’t be handed out by just anyone. Shouldn’t it be the big man himself?

Maybe I’m reaching, and I just really want Death back.

Anyway – we’ve still got time before anyone meets these consequences. The Winchesters, for now, live to solve another case.

What did you think of this episode of Supernatural? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Supernatural airs Thursdays at 8/7c on The CW.

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