‘Supernatural’ season 11 finale: The best and worst of ‘Alpha and Omega’ [PHOTOS]
“Supernatural” season 11 finale has polarised fans, who either thought it was one of the best season enders ever or felt it was a complete letdown. “Alpha and Omega” wasn’t perfect, though it has more than a few commendable scenes. Here are the best and worst things about “Supernatural season 11 episode 23.
Spoilers are ahead for the recently concluded season 11 of the show
Supernatural season 11 may be one of the best seasons the show has aired. There was nothing spared on the build-up to the finale, with many of the show’s most memorable guest stars reprising their character. That’s why some fans have been disappointed with the relatively flat finale. It perhaps can be best described as ending not with a bang, but with a sizzle.
Nevertheless, “Alpha and Omega” delivered some heartbreaking and jaw-dropping scenes. It never strayed from the elements that made the show a resounding success to loyal fans. So while there were fans left frustrated and dissatisfied with the 23rd episode, there were also those more than pleased with the episode, which was written by incoming co-showrunner Andrew Dabb.
Best: Cinematography
It may be because of the sun dying, giving the Earth an almost sepia-ish glow, but the cinematography of “Alpha and Omega” was faultless. The lighting and even the angles have a film-like feel.
Worst: Castiel having no alone time with his dad
It’s hard to contest that Castiel (Misha Collins) has been a long-suffering servant of heaven from the start. He has endured a lot of physical injuries and emotional heartaches, even begging his dad, God (Rob Benedict), to show himself and help him at one time. In the season penultimate episode “We Happy Few,” viewers learnt that Castiel was not chilling in his head while Lucifer was using his vessel; he was suffering.
So what did God/Chuck, the father he has been searching for for so long, told him when Lucifer was banished from his vessel?
Nothing. There was no interaction between the father and son at all, not even for a few paltry seconds. We understand God’s favourite is Lucifer, but he must have loved Castiel, his seraph son, even just a little. He knew Castiel was suffering while his favourite son was using his vessel. So where’s the father-son talk that they were long due?
It appears Cas was reduced to a far second priority in the eyes of his father.
Best: Sam’s unwavering love for his brother
More than anything else, this show is about two brothers who will never give up on each other. Sacrificing oneself for the other is the recurring theme from day one. Although they constantly lie to each other, Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) will forever have each other’s back. But in this episode, Sam didn’t have a choice but to allow Dean to go on a suicide mission.
Let’s face it: Everyone knew Dean wasn’t going to die. But Sam didn’t know that. In fact, he was under the impression that his brother did die when the sun returned to its original brightness. So did that mean he finally gave up on Dean?
No, of course not. However, it’s the only one instance that he couldn’t sacrifice his own life for Dean. He knew there was no other way. That’s not Sam giving up, but Sam accepting the inevitable and, finally for once, respecting Dean’s heroic mission. It’s not the brotherly love fans are used to seeing from the Winchesters, but it’s love all the same.
Worst: Time devoted to Lady Toni Bevell v time devoted to Castiel
Viewers got to see Lady Antonia Bevell (Elizabeth Blackmore) from the London chapter of Men of Letters coming to her grand home, interacting with her servant, having tea, kissing her sleeping son goodbye and going on a connecting flight from her private plane. Those are all well and good since the character was new and viewers needed to grasp a little bit of her background before she was properly introduced.
However, it appeared director Phil Sgriccia and Dabb spent a little more time on her than, well, say Castiel. It’s confusing, not because Collins is a regular cast and therefore would require more screen time, but because his character Castiel still has some unresolved issues that would have been at least better handled if given more time.
If time crunch was the reason Castiel and Chuck didn’t have and alone time together, then how was it that it’s more crucial for Lady Toni to chit-chat with faceless servants than for Castiel to talk to his absentee father?
Best: Dean acknowledging Castiel is part of the family
The particular scene in which Dean and Castiel were riding in the Impala was more controversial to fans than expected. It’s a seemingly innocent ride, but Destiel fans – or those who want Dean and Castiel (“destiel”) to end up romantically together – called it “queer-baiting.”
Dean was trying to cheer a thoroughly defeated Cas by saying that even though Lucifer wasn’t able to beat Amara (Emily Swallow), the angel’s decision to allow Lucifer to use his vessel wasn’t stupid but right. He then told Castiel that he is his and Sam’s best friend and that they consider him their brother.
Being called a brother and best friend is the highest honour one can receive from Dean Winchester, a man of a few emotional words. However, some Destiel fans felt that the writers teased them with promise of a queer romance between the angel and hunter, only to take that away when Dean basically friendzoned Cas. Others, in contrast, felt Castiel was told flowery words but was still treated like a minor, expendable character.
Both have strong arguments. Nonetheless, a Dean and Castiel moment, regardless whether one ships a Destiel romance or not, is still a thing of beauty. There’s definitely nothing minor about the friendship between these two characters, and for Dean and Cas to have a tender moment together is something no fan should just disregard as trivial.
Worst: Sam shot by another Englishwoman
What is it with Englishwomen pointing their gun at Sam? Remember Bela Talbot (Lauren Cohen) from third season? They sure didn’t like Sam.
Best: Crowley and Billie
Did we just witness a new love team? For the first time ever, Crowley (Mark A. Sheppard) looked flustered, and that’s when the reaper Billie (Lisa Berry) gave him special acknowledgment. It would be great if Billie appears in season 12 again, if only to make Crowley blush again.
Worst: Where is Lucifer? What happened to Sam? Why banish Castiel?
Sam’s fate shouldn’t be a mystery. After all, Lady Toni only wanted to bring Sam and Dean to the UK to answer to the Men of Letters, she didn’t want to kill him. So it’s very likely she only shot him in the arm or some non-fatal part. But Castiel? What did Castiel ever do to anyone to warrant banishment? It’s not as if Cas didn’t suffer enough when Lucifer occupied his vessel.
Speaking of Lucifer, where was he? After Amara ripped him out of Castiel’s vessel, he has not been heard from or even mentioned again.
Best: Mary Winchester
The biggest surprise of the episode was perhaps the appearance of Mary Winchester (Samantha Smith). Would she be a regular or even a recurring character next season? Would she join her son Dean in looking for Sam? Whatever, mama Winchester is alive, and that’s a very good thing. Let’s just hope she’s not just a fragment of Dean’s imagination.
Best and Worst: Chuck and Amara shaking hands to end their sibling quarrel
Chuck and Amara making up and thus putting a stop to what could have been a big bang fight is the only sensible way to it. After all, other outcomes would have been either impossible or unacceptable.
However, with all the hype surrounding their impending clash, a handshake between the brother and sister was a bit of a downer. So in part it’s the best ending but it’s also the worst. It’s hard to decide which one is more dominant.
“Supernatural” season 11 episode 23 “Alpha and Omega” airs Monday at 8:30 p.m. on Eleven in Australia.
