Supernatural Review: The Gamblers (Season 15 Episode 11)
If you’re a fan of Supernatural, you were probably expecting a few new hunts, returning characters, and emotional payoffs.
Supernatural Season 15 Episode 11, “The Gamblers” has a bit of all three. There’s a new segment of lore uncovered, the boys inspire people, and emotional reunions abound.
“The Gamblers” recognizes Sam and Dean going on a hunt as one of the pillars of Supernatural.
And after 15 seasons, there are few things that the boys haven’t discovered about the unnatural world. But “The Gamblers” uncovers something new – a pool hall and bar that gambles with people’s luck. Once their luck runs out…so do they.
Turns out – this place is run by a Roman goddess and her son, and all the people there are prisoners. The boys have uncovered mythological beings before – but this one is new and presents a new angle. Which is surprising given the length of the show’s run.
Still, the pool hall works on most levels. The lore, the story, and it even brings the show back to its roots, referencing Sam and Dean as pool hustlers so they could eat.
Among the surprising parts of “The Gamblers” is that Sam and Dean’s will to fight God inspires Fortuna, the Roman Goddess of Luck, into supplying them with more luck and freeing her prisoners. An unexpected but welcome surprise is the goddess betting on Team Free Will.
But of course, the real emotional backbone of “The Gamblers” comes from the not altogether unexpected return of Jack. Castiel works to track him down and is worried that he’s become a killer.
Jack, of course, proves otherwise. Death waited to bring Jack back until God was off-world, and she herself has joined in the effort to defeat God by helping Jack get his powers back.
Supernatural has nailed the emotional beats lately, but very few as well as Castiel’s rescue and embrace of Jack. This moment is followed closely by Sam and Dean’s reunion with him. All these moments are nearly wordless, and yet carry such incredible emotional weight.
I’ve believed all along that Jack is the key to defeating God…looks like I might be right about that!
Overall, “The Gamblers” knows when to hold ’em, fold ’em, and walk away. By that terrible joke I mean they are able to balance the forward motion of the plot with the emotional payoffs that come with any final season.
A few stray thoughts:
- “Don’t play his game. Make him play yours.”
- I expect that if the Winchesters are going to fight, they’re going to start assembling some high-profile troops to stand behind them and their surrogate son.
- Death and Fortuna are pretty powerful allies. I’m envisioning God lining up against those two, the Winchesters, Michael, and Jack. Sounds pretty epic.
- Very excited to have Alexander Calvert back in the fold! The last 9 episodes should be epic!
What did you think of this episode of Supernatural? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Supernatural airs Mondays starting in March at 8/7 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.