Supernatural Review: Galaxy Brain (Season 15 Episode 12)
Everyone expected Supernatural‘s final season to be a sort of victory lap. Old characters return, dangling plot threads wrapped, and a satisfying ending for the Winchesters and Team Free Will.
Supernatural Season 15 Episode 12, “Galaxy Brain,” speaks exactly to those expectations. The Winchesters are joined by Jody Mills (guest star Kim Rhodes) as Earth-2’s Kaia returns to wrap the arc originally opened in the cancelled “Wayward Sisters” spin-off.
The premise of the episode is that the OG Kaia (killed by the Earth-2 version) is actually still alive, and Kaia-2 wants to switch places with her. The fact that she’s still alive ignites that Winchester guilt, especially in Jack.
More than anything, returning to the “Wayward Sisters” arc is comforting. Though it’s a reminder at what could have been, it’s also a good way to bring Jody back for an encore and wrap a dangling thread. It isn’t perfect, but overall it’s satisfying.
Really what makes this story great is that it shows the true character of Sam, Dean, and Jack. Even though their best play against Chuck is to stay put, they insist on taking action because Kaia is out there and it’s the right thing to do.
Sam Winchester: Doing the dumb, right thing. Feels like we’re back.
It even works to reveal Cas’ character. He insists Jody stay behind for Claire (who is perhaps most affected by Kaia’s ‘death’).
“Galaxy Brain” works on multiple levels. For one, even as a standalone story it’s heartfelt and satisfying, and wraps the Wayward arc nicely.
However, it also works in the larger battle against Chuck. Not only is Jack at risk when using his powers, but Chuck is actively destroying the other worlds he’s created, including the one on which Kaia is stranded. This creates a sense of urgency and a place in the larger story for this arc to wrap.
As a long-time Supernatural fan, there’s almost nothing to complain about here. “Galaxy Brain” brings back Jody and Kaia (and Billie), contains plenty of Easter Eggs, and propels the story of the final arc forward.
It’s a well made episode that’s heartfelt, comforting, and does well to get fans excited about what’s to come. It isn’t perfect, but it doesn’t need to be.
A few stray thoughts:
- Easily the most off-putting piece of “Galaxy Brain” is that it feels like a wrap to Claire Novak’s arc, without using her. Kathryn Newton is a busy actress now, and the CW should have locked her down while they had the chance.
- Shoutout to the voice cameo by Alex (Katherine Ramdeen), another of the Wayward Sisters.
- We all knew that Sam, Dean, Jack, and Cas would have roles to play in God’s story, but the closer that comes to fruition, the more exciting the show gets.
- “Sir, this is a Radio Shed” is a fantastic line. Supernatural still bringin’ the humor in the end of days.
- Anyone else get a little misty eyed at the archive clip of Dean and Death?
What did you think of this episode of Supernatural? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Supernatural airs Mondays 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.