‘Supernatural’ season 12 episode 13 spoilers and recap: The Winchesters, MacLeods at war in ‘Family Feud’

Mark Sheppard as Crowley in "Supernatural" season 12 episode 13 "Family Feud" The CW Television Network

“Supernatural” season 12 episode 13 could have been better. “Family Feud” touched on squabbles within three families: the Winchesters, the MacLeods and Lucifer’s “devil baby mama drama,” but it was still lacking.

Spoiler alert for ‘Supernatural’ season 12 episode 13 episode ‘Family Feud.’ The following contains spoilers and review of the latest episode.

While Castiel (Misha Collins) was still out looking for Kelly Kline (Courtney Ford), who is carrying Lucifer’s spawn, Crowley (Mark Sheppard) had Lucifer chained in hell as his prisoner. As Crowley recounted, he added a little ingredient to Rowena’s (Ruth Connell) spell when they were attempting to trap Lucifer in “LOTUS” (12x08). So when Sam and Dean Winchester (Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles) banished Lucifer from the US president’s body, the devil was pulled into his known vessel, Nick (Mark Pellegrino), who was shackled in hell.

Kelly, meanwhile, was saved by another Prince of Hell, Dagon, from two angels who tried to kill her. Knowing angels were after her, Kelly went with Dagon, who offered her protection.

Dagon, who is occupying a female body, is the third prince of hell that has appeared in the show so far. The last one, Asmodeus, is yet to appear, while Azazel was killed in season 2 of the show by Dean, and Ramiel was killed in the previous episode by Sam.

Crowley vs Gavin and Rowena MacLeod

In season 9, Gavin MacLeod (Theo Devaney), who was supposed to die in a sunken ship in the 1700s, was taken to the 21^st century by Abbadon as a chip against his father, Crowley. After Abaddon was defeated, Sam and Dean told Crowley that they must take Gavin back to his time and allow him to die in the ship as what was supposed to happen. Crowley, who had some lingering humanity, instead teleported him away so his son could start a new life in the present time.

In this episode, Sam and Dean located Gavin with the help of his grandmother, Rowena, after the Winchesters found out that a vengeful spirit killing people was from Gavin’s old ship, the Star. It turned out that the ghost was his fiancée Fiona Duncan (Christine Gavin-Bartlett), who stowed away in his ship in a bid to see him in 1723. But because Gavin was transported to the 21^st century before he set foot in the ship, he had survived. Fiona, on the other hand, did not. She was raped by the crew. Her spirit was now killing teachers because it was a teacher who encouraged her treatment.

When Sam and Dean suggested that Gavin return to his original timeline so he could prevent Fiona’s rape, Gavin agreed, saying that’s actually what he had in mind. Rowena acted lovingly, supporting Gavin’s decision because she claimed Gavin believed in love, unlike her and Crowley.

Crowley, on the other hand, tried to stop his son from going back to his time and dying. However, he was held helpless after being thwarted by Rowena, who later admitted to him that she only encouraged Gavin because she wanted Crowley to suffer seeing his son die. She really did not care about Gavin as she had shown; she only wanted her own son to feel the pain she did when she killed the love of her life in season 10.

With a modified spell from Rowena, Sam and Dean drew a sigil to bring Gavin back to his own time. Fiona’s spirit materialised to bring her fiancé with him to the 1700s.

Mary Winchester vs Sam and Dean

As Mary continued working with the British Men of Letters, Arthur Ketch (David Haydn-Jones) suggested to her that she distance herself from her sons. She did not agree, and instead later admitting to Sam and Dean her affiliation with the BMoL. Sam and Dean were taken aback, reminding her that they tortured Sam before. Mary tried to convince them that the BMoL can help them, but the brothers didn’t appear to accept it, instead just remaining quiet.

“So where does that leave us?” Dean asked his mum. “As always, family,” Mary answered. “Just hear me out,” she pleaded with her sons.

Lucifer and his spawn

With Lucifer shackled and unable to do anything, his baby mama and his unborn spawn were hiding from angels trying to kill them. But Lucifer turned out not to be as helpless as he appeared. It was revealed that he was communicating with Dagon all along. That probably meant he ordered Dagon to find and protect Kelly to ensure his nephilim would live.

‘Family Feud’ review

It was not a totally bad episode but it’s not up there with the best ones this season. The vengeful ghost part was bland. It felt like a last-minute addition so the writers could bring back Gavin and further reiterate the wedge between Crowley and Rowena.

Rowena’s motive for faking affection for his grandson is understandable and even expected. She has been a selfish character from the start, though she has somewhat softened up in the last few episodes. It’s a reminder that even though Rowena is can be an ally to the Winchesters, she is still a scheming and vengeful witch who will hurt her closest kin just to exact revenge.

Crowley being powerless to stop his son from his tragic fate proves that there’s still humanity left in him. He used to hate his son so much (season 6), but after he was almost turned back into human in season 8, he started to care for his son, even going against the Winchesters just to save Gavin.

If Castiel is the most physically abused character in season 12, Crowley is the worst ill-treated. He has been a powerful and effective ally for the Winchesters, often helping them even if there’s nothing in it for him. He even saved Cas last episode by breaking archangel Michael’s lance, the one thing that he could use to torture Lucifer. It would have been his chance to get back at his former tormentor, but he chose to save the angel’s life. And yet, he doesn’t get the love that he deserved.

If Sam and Dean were in Crowley and Gavin’s position, the Winchesters would move heaven and earth to save each other. They would never agree to have the other transported back to 1700s to die. They would kill anyone who would even suggest it. So it’s a bit hypocritical of the brothers to stop Crowley from saving his son. A teary-eyed, frozen and helpless Crowley was a distressing sight. That incident might push him to forget his alliance with the Winchesters and go against them.

But Crowley needs to stop talking on the phone while Lucifer is within hearing distance. For a smart character, the incumbent King of Hell makes questionable actions sometimes.

As for Mary, it’s actually good that she had come clean to her sons now. If she had waited until much later, she would have been discovered sooner, and Sam and Dean would feel even more betrayed (like what Cas did in season 6). Her sons already felt betrayed, which is understandable since they knew Mary was aware about the BMoL’s role in Sam’s torture. Her priorities and reasons may be skewed, but at least she came clean immediately.

The BMoL’s vision of a supernatural-free world sounds familiar. In “Charmed,” another US TV show that ended in 2006, a group of magical beings called Avatars wanted to create an evil-free world. It was an appealing concept at first, but it turned out to be flawed because it would eliminate free will. And this calls to mind BMoL’s plan. It would perhaps end up being an ambitious but flawed plan.

Kelly and Lucifer’s nephilim doesn’t appear to be a popular storyline among fans. It’s a tired plot, one that doesn’t make sense as well.

On the upside, Dagon (Ali Ahn) looks like a promising character. She has this Meg vibe to her, a strong female character that “Supernatural” needs more of.

“Supernatural” airs Mondays on Eleven in Australia. It first airs in the US on Thursdays on The CW.