Supernatural Review: Game Night (Season 14 Episode 17)
Sometimes, Supernatural tips its hand a little bit. Well, either that, or after 14 seasons things are easier to anticipate.
Supernatural Season 14 Episode 17, “Game Night,” builds some serious momentum toward what promises to be an exciting conclusion, and takes a few left turns along the way.
My primary observation during “Game Night” is that as we go along, Jack becomes the key to the whole thing. Nick needs Jack to try and get Lucifer back, and Lucifer needs Jack if he’s going to make another go at destroying the earth.
Originally, it was beginning to look like Jack might be Season 14’s villain, setting up an Earth-1 Lucifer/Earth-1 Michael rematch for the 15th and final season.
Now it looks like Jack will be more of a tide-turning weapon in that promises to be a showdown of epic proportions.
Lucifer being waved away from Nick by Jack is a huge letdown. Season 14 has spent awhile building to it and hinting that it’s all along been their goal to bring him back, but that moment feels like it’s just delaying the inevitable. I’m not sure it will be impactful when it actually happens, now.
Dean: Nick’s cracked. He’s friggin’ Cocoa Puffs.
Though it is interesting, exciting, and a little terrifying, “Game Night” leaves me wanting more. The unfolding plot, while interesting, should be more supported by emotional depth.
Now “Game Night” isn’t without those emotional beats. Castiel desperately trying to contact God so that he can restore Jack’s soul, for instance, is devastating. Mary being stern but fair with Jack is both terrifying for her and so, so sweet.
You can really feel their family dynamic within some of the more somber moments, especially relating to Jack and his soul. Sometimes Supernatural really struggles with the family dynamic outside of Sam and Dean, but Mary, Castiel, and Jack carried that load on “Game Night,” and it works.
The most interesting element of “Game Night,” though, is the breadcrumbs leading you to the next pieces of the puzzle. So much of Season 14 prior to this has hinted at the attempt to bring Lucifer back and Jack turning from the Winchesters, and “Game Night” dropped a few hints about what’s to come.
There are an unusually large number of biblical references, like Joshua and Methuselah, Donatello speaking a Hebrew bible verse (even though Sam reads it from the New Testament which was written in Greek), and God being the sole soul (see what I did there?) restorer.
These breadcrumbs suggest that Supernatural is heading toward a biblical showdown of some kind. Their best stories have historically been related to Lucifer, Michael, and the apocalypse, so it stands to reason that since their days are numbered, they’d go back down that road.
A few stray thoughts:
- Mary being exceptionally affectionate suggests something bad was going to happen, and then she disappears. Coincidence? Never.
- I appreciate the new ways they’re able to use the lore, too, like using Donatello like a CB Radio with Lucifer.
- Always good to see Sister Jo/Anael, too. Underrated recurring character.
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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Nick Hogan
Nick Hogan is an experienced podcaster and writer (particularly on media topics), who loves discussion and analysis of TV and is always looking for new shows to watch. He is also a parent who loves buffalo wings, blowing raspberries, and his beloved Cincinnati Reds.