Supernatural Review: The Rupture (Season 15 Episode 3)
Supernatural is taking no prisoners during the final season. None at all. But it IS killing people off like mad.
Supernatural Season 15 Episode 3, “The Rupture,” certainly proves that they are committed to the finality of Season 15. The crack in the ground is finally closed, but much damage has already been done.
When the Season 14 finale revealed Chuck’s true colors, it seemed at the time that the rupture would be a little more relevant, or at least last longer. Certainly they’ll be dealing with the fallout all season long, but the fact that it’s closed already could be either really good or really bad for the show.
That said, “The Rupture” had a nice build and an exciting conclusion, even if it broke the hearts of many fans.
There are many spoilers ahead, so tread lightly.
First off, it comes as no shock that Belphagor is not a benevolent demon, but rather someone who wants to take advantage of the vacuum and become the all-powerful ruler of hell. During the final play, Belphagor reveals his plans but Castiel gets the drop on him and smites him. That’s one character down, but hopefully we haven’t seen the last of Alex Calvert.
More than anything, Belphagor getting this far suggests that Sam, Dean, and Castiel were so distracted and devastated by the loss of Jack that they let their guard down to someone wearing his skin. To me, it suggests they haven’t fully grieved, but might now that Belphagor is gone.
Far more devastating are the losses of Ketch and Rowena. While the losses are a huge blow to the show, the facts surrounding them send a strong message about the show and Sam and Dean at the center.
Ketch’s death would have meant nothing to viewers a year or so ago. His turn from jerk Men of Letters soldier to American hunter, friend, and ally came as a welcome surprise, and David Haydn-Jones nails every nuance that comes along with it.
The impact that Sam and Dean’s (and lest we forget, Mary’s) crusade had on Ketch is a remarkable one. If anyone had predicted his dying a hero’s death after his first introduction, it wouldn’t be believed.
But not only does Ketch die a hero, he doesn’t give up his friends “at any price.”
In the same episode, Supernatural dispatches with another foe-turned-friend in Rowena. With a little magic and some help from Sam, Rowena is able to absorb some power and close the rupture. Unfortunately, the cost is her own life.
The loss of Rowena is devastating, but the fact that she too is given a hero’s death says something more about the show as a whole. It places serious emphasis on the examples that Sam and Dean have set as heroes fighting the good fight. Without Sam and Dean as examples, Ketch and Rowena would never have put gigantic thorns in the sides of evil.
Yet in the same episode Rowena and Ketch give their lives for the greater good. As a result, “The Rupture” is filled with powerful scenes that could make even the manliest men shed a tear.
Really, the only concerning part of losing Rowena and Ketch so early in the season is what’s planned going forward. If one-by-one your recurring players go down in favor of saving Sam and Dean and stopping the impending apocalypse, what does that say?
My vision for a final season certainly included returning characters, but certainly in a different way. Perhaps bringing characters back from the dead to join in the fight, as they give Sam and Dean their strength. Instead, Supernatural has gone a bit of the opposite direction: giving characters like Kevin, Ketch, and Rowena a stunning, emotional final bow.
Since it’s Supernatural, we may yet see these characters again, but assuming the purpose of multiple deaths in an episode is to shift the focus to Sam and Dean, this could be the last we’ve seen of Ruth Connell and David Haydn-Jones’ characters (insert thunderous applause here).
Quibbles on the plot aside, the execution of “The Rupture” is excellent, and to approach the rest of the season with the same boldness will be to the show’s benefit.
A few stray thoughts:
- My fingers are still crossed for final season swan-songs of Mary, John, Bobby and Charlie (the real ones), Jo, Ellen, Ash, etc. Oh, and Crowley.
- Castiel leaving at the end is yet another indicator that Sam and Dean will be the central focus of the final season.
- I’m still thinking about what it’s going to take to get Jack back.
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.