Supernatural Review: The British Invasion (Season 12 Episode 17)

The “code” is what separates us from the monsters, or at least, that’s what the British Men of Letters have always led us to believe they stood for.

On Supernatural Season 12 Episode 17, “The British Invasion,” we get a glimpse into what’s happening internally amongst the British hunters – and discover that it’s not prim and proper at all.

It’s tough to decide where to start breaking this down, so I’ll just go with the obvious story, the one involving Mick.

You know, for weeks now I’ve struggled with my feelings about Mick. I don’t necessarily trust him. I can’t figure out what his motives are.

On Season 12 Episode 16, Mick killed a teen girl who was in the process of transforming into a werewolf, knowing that there was an experimental vaccine that could potentially save her life. It seemed to be the final straw for me, and helped me decisively choose to stand against Mick and all of his dirty actions.

On “The British Invasion,” however, it becomes clear to me that Mick has spent his entire life as a slave to the code that was instilled in him as a child, one that forced him to murder his friend and sent him on a path that he blindly walked down, unsure of where it would lead him in the end.

It’s a shame that the writers held their cards about Mick until this episode, the one that he wouldn’t live to see the end of.

Mick’s alliance with the Winchesters taught him that there is a way to achieve success in the mission that includes love, compassion, and caring. Unfortunately, he learns this lesson too late, and although he does stand up to the Dolores Umbridge of the British Men of Letters, he’s too late.

He has already become a threat to the mission and he is eliminated, but not before he makes sure that Ketch and ol’ Umbridge know the level of respect he has for the Winchesters and what they stand for.

Although it should be the very last thought in the moments that end the episode, I can’t help but consider the road we’ve taken with the BMoL this season on Supernatural.

We started with Toni, who has seemingly disappeared somewhere along the way. Mick seemed like her big, bad partner. I thought no one would be worse…

Until we met Mr. Ketch, who was more ruthless and fearsome before we saw his face and he started crushin’ on Mary Winchester. (More on that in a moment.)

I still can’t quite follow the trail of the British Men of Letters, why they’re bad, and why we’ve endured an entire season of their shenanigans.

But I can say that when the emotional gut punch is needed regarding Mick, the writers do a great job of making me suddenly care.

Now I’m kind of sad to see Mick go.

Though, I still don’t see how the BMoL will correlate to Lucifer’s spawn, which is the big bad story I care far more about.

Of course Lucifer is stronger than he’s let on! He’s freaking Lucifer. Duh.

I love the way that Lucifer and Dagon are working together to ensure the safety of the lil’ devil growing in Kelly’s belly.

I bet Kelly’s wishing that she had taken the advice of the Winchesters now, in retrospect.

There’s also some major growth for Dean in the moment when he quickly talks down the BMoL from shooting Kelly. It’s brief, and blink-and-you’ll-miss-it. But it’s there.

I really want to see what happens after Kelly gives birth. I think Lucifer’s child is going to be everything that we wanted The Darkness to be, but with a better payoff. (Lock it in now – I’ve made my prediction!)

Although, this storyline could go the Angel route, and lil’ “Jasmine” Lucifer could make me hate everything I’ve ever loved about Supernatural. We’ll just have to wait and see how that plays out.

I’m just going to come out and say it.

WHY IS MARY SLEEPING WITH KETCH?!

Come on! This is Supernatural, not a daytime soap opera! I don’t want this stupid nonsense invading my one, ‘shipless, void of romance, space.

Because of course I’m ‘shipping it.

And I HATE that I’m ‘shipping it.

Ketch has always seen something special in Mary, admiring her abilities and what she has to offer as a compassionate hunter.

Obviously, that would turn into romantic tension.

But that’s why I hate that Ketch is the one who pulls the trigger on Mick – because while Mick was affected by the Winchester boys, Ketch has been equally as affected by the woman who gave them life.

I’m hoping that this story becomes one of redemption for Ketch (who I remind you, also killed a teen).

It’s all that I can hope for when Ketch is given the blind orders to eliminate the Winchesters, all of them. He can’t take out the woman he’s grown to care for and her sons. And as much as Mary wants to tell Ketch not to read into their dalliances, there’s no way he isn’t.

Because I’m not.

Ketch is 1000% correct: Mary Winchester is drawn to danger. She’s attracted to danger. She thrives on it. And right now, there’s no one more dangerous in her life than Mr. Ketch.

I’m a bit annoyed that Castiel is MIA for another week.

While I appreciate the updates on his whereabouts, I also find it odd that he’d not be reunited with his “family” after almost losing Claire. Jimmy Novak’s daughter means more to Castiel than that, despite the fact that she isn’t his own flesh and blood.

Because in another way, she totally is, and it’s odd to me that he’s still not with the Winchesters.

I do enjoy reuniting with Eileen, though.

I hope we see her again. She’s such a great companion for Sam, not necessarily in a romantic sense (though, I’d ‘ship that too!), but more in a kindred spirits sense.

I think they’d have a great shot at a deep friendship if their jobs weren’t revolved around risking their lives each day.

The countdown to baby Lucifer is on! I can’t wait to see what happens next.

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

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

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