Supernatural begins its run towards the season finale with an episode that is, if nothing else, a bit unusual.  I suppose this was one way to bring back Gabriel and give some of the fans another taste of our onetime Trickster.  But for all that it sets the stage for the finale, it also exposes just how odd and disjointed the plans for this season have been.

 

Most know by now that the showrunner, Jeremy Carver, had a three-season arc in mind when he took the reins back at the start of the eighth season.  That makes the ninth season the middle chapter, and it’s pretty clear that moving the pieces on the board for the final showdowns and resolutions in the tenth season has not produced the kind of high-intensity drama that the writers were hoping.

 

Beyond giving the Castiel fanfic writers a bit of a tease and tweak for a good chunk of the episode, there was clearly an attempt to explore the notion that every villain is the hero of his own story.  And given how Metatron was introduced, it makes sense for him to feel as though he has taken control of the script, and thus has taken on the role of God.  But given that he consulted the “Winchester Gospels” first and tried to emulate them, one has to wonder if there is another layer of authorship over his head.

 

In theory, I like this exploration of Metatron’s fatal flaw, because the Brothers Winchester are dealing with about 17 different versions of the “Hero’s Journey” all at once.  It makes sense for them to tackle someone with Metatron’s power set, just as they should be dealing with someone of Abbadon’s level.  Metatron has the arrogance of the villain who thinks he’s in total control, and perhaps has reason to think so.  But setting Castiel on the path to take command of the rebelling angels is not the same in every circumstance.  In true classical form, Castiel doesn’t take up the mantle for his own desires, but rather, because he must, even knowing the alternatives.  Metatron might be writing the text, but he’s not seeing the subtext.

 

That’s not to say it will be easy.  The end of the second act is usually when things look the worst for the heroes, so I imagine Metatron will be putting the hurt on Castiel’s Army by the end of the season.  And just because Dean recognizes that he is losing control and regrets letting Gadreel possess Sam doesn’t mean that the all-but-fated showdown between the brothers isn’t still on the docket.  Dean needs Sam more than ever, so hearing once again that Sam is willing to let Dean go can’t be sitting well.

 

The problem isn’t the message itself or the events that transpired.  It’s more than the episode is meant to be seen through the overly self-aware perspective of Metatron, and frankly, it’s just not that different from what has been the norm for the ninth season.  So are we supposed to believe that the entire season has been playing out from Metatron’s perspective?  If that’s the case, then the writers may have been too subtle for their own good.