‘Supernatural’ Season 15, Episode 9 ‘The Trap’ Review: A Bleak Future

See, this episode is why that seeing the future trope never works out. It never ends well! But, that’s exactly the path Supernatural has taken in its comeback episode. After Chuck/ God (Rob Benedict), this awful being, traps Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Eileen (Shoshannah Stern), he takes Sam on a trip to the future. And, of course, it’s much more painful than the post-apocalypse world.

On the other hand, Dean (Jensen Ackles) and Cas (Misha Collins) go back into purgatory to get the Leviathan blossom for the spell Michael gave them. And simply put, it has one of Ackles’ best performances for the books. Seriously, this guy is good. Here, Ackles gives one of his most emotional performances and hands out one of the most heartbreaking scenes in Supernatural.

All in all, this has been one of the best episodes of the season. It’s emotional, it’s well-written, and it definitely sets higher stakes for Supernatural’s last shebang as if the stakes weren’t high enough in the beginning. Also, there’s another little pleasant surprise at the end of the episode. If you loved the Rowena come back, you’ll definitely love this one even more. So, without further ado, here’s what went down in this week’s episode of Supernatural.

Chuck Plan Number One

After Chuck’s nasty surprise, Sam and Eileen wake up in Chuck’s arcade. And as it turns out, God’s plan A is to dig into Sam’s wound hoping to get whatever it is connecting them both out. Unfortunately, he can’t do it. As Sam aptly puts it, he can’t do the dirty work. He only likes to watch. So, Chuck gets Eileen to do it. But, no matter how deep she drives the knife in, nothing happens. Sam doesn’t even crack. Soon enough, Chuck realizes that its hope that’s powering this defiance and somehow keeping them connected.

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A few minutes earlier, Eileen managed to call Dean and alert them that they’re in trouble. Chuck quickly snuffed it out though. Now, Dean’s ready to march to that little arcade to retrieve his little brother. Before he could though, Cas reminds him that they’d be walking in there powerless against Chuck. However, if they could retrieve the Leviathan blossom and cast the spell, they’d have a better chance of saving Sam and the world. So, they head out to purgatory.

Flowers in Purgatory

It’s almost funny how Cas and Dean are looking for something so dandy in a place so dark. But, well, that’s what they gotta do to save the world. Down in purgatory, they manage to capture a Leviathan who tells them that this Leviathan blossom grows after a Leviathan dies. And in return for his life, he offers to take them to a place where they can find one.

While marching out, Dean asks the Leviathan if he knew Benny. The man did as well as everybody else in the place. Apparently, Benny was famous as the guy who got out and came back in again. Sadly, the second time around Benny arrived, his own kind ripped him apart.

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Later on, Cas offers his condolences knowing how close Dean was to the old vamp. Then, the topic of guilt comes up. At first, Dean thought Cas was apologizing for Mary again. But, Cas was actually talking about Jack. As he tells Dean, “I already apologized to you. You just refused to hear it.” Dean tries to pin the blame back on Cas saying that he left them. However, Cas’ burning response makes it clear that this was a weak argument. As Cas retorts, “I left but, you didn’t stop me.”

When they arrive at the place, they find several Leviathan blossoms ready for the picking. As soon as Cas steps closer, however, he finds himself glued to the place. With dawning horror, both he and Dean realize they’ve been set up and just walked into a huge angel trap. Soon enough, several Leviathans emerge from the shadows claiming revenge for Eve. One of them knocks out Dean. And when he wakes up, Cas is gone and all the Leviathan flowers have been burnt to a crisp.

A Chuck-less Future

Back at the arcade, Chuck admits that Sam and Dean could actually win. But, they might not want to. To prove his point and to start chipping away at Sam’s hope, Chuck drags him to a snippet of the future. In the first future set on April 17th, 2020, Sam watches himself chilling with Eileen, Cas, and Dean on a normal night. Suddenly, he receives a call from Jody (Kim Rhodes). And with barely any life left in her voice, Jody tells them that Claire is dead. They tried to clear out a vamp nest but, they were outnumbered and only Jody got out alive. Mind you, this isn’t the first death in this future of Supernatural.

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Still, Sam refuses to give in to Chuck. So, Chuck grants him more future scenarios that he can access with a special pocket watch. Despite his wariness, Sam gives in to his curiosity. The next date he stops by is on January 6th, 2021. Here, he and Dean are driving away bloodied and bruised from a burning mess after not being able to save anyone. Upset, Sam mentions “If Cas was still here, he could’ve healed them.” And without missing a beat, Dean drops the bomb that well, he’s not anymore.

Afterward, Sam hops to November 3rd, 2021. He’s preparing for a vampire hunt. But, Dean has had enough. After losing everyone they loved, after Cas went crazy from the mark, and after Dean had to bury him in a Malik box, Dean is done. However, since Sam’s still adamant about the mission, Dean comes along.

Seeing his brother give up like that shakes Sam to the core. Even with Chuck practically purring out their end beside him, Sam refuses to believe. Desperate, he turns the hands of the watch further into the future. But, it refuses to move further from December 9, 2022. It’s the end of the line.

Dean’s Prayer

Meanwhile, Dean scours purgatory for Cas to no avail. 30 minutes before the portal closes, he still can’t find one damn clue where Cas is. Desperate, he prays. “I should’ve stopped you. You’re my best friend, but I just let you go because it was easier than admitting I was wrong,” Dean says. “I forgive you, of course, I forgive you. I’m sorry it took me so long. I’m sorry it took me ’til now to say it. Cas, I’m so sorry.” See, when Dean cries on Supernatural, it breaks your heart. But, this time, the heartbreak is incomparable.

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Thankfully, the two reunite just as Dean heads back to the portal. As it turns out, Cas got away from his captors and even managed to snag a Leviathan blossom along the way. Dean could barely contain his relief and joy as he pulls Cas in for a hug. And it seems that Cas also heard his friend’s prayer.

Back at the bunker, Cas and Dean cast the spell. It involves a mysterious mark that’s probably like the mark of Cain that Cas takes on. Because of this, he can’t be the one to break the spell bomb on Chuck. With their sole weapon on hand, they rush to the arcade. But, Sam has given up.

Hopeless

Dec. 9, 2022 – that’s when it all ends for the Winchesters in a Chuck-less world. The worst part of it all is that they end as monsters, vampires to be specific. It seems that that last mission was also their end as hunters. And the people who end their lives are none other than their own family and friends. This scene was quite sad, but trust me, it also showed why Sam and Dean fit better as hunters. I swear them fanging out is just plain weird if not a little funny.

That end right there wasn’t even what broke Sam. He even thought it was better than the Cain and Abel stuff he glimpsed in Chuck’s mind. As Chuck reveals, however, those weren’t just thoughts. They were memories of other Sam and Deans in other worlds. Yet, that’s not even the headline of it all.

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Mercilessly, Chuck clears all the distractions and drives the point home: Monsters. Without him, the forces of evil would overrun the world. Sam and Dean would have to keep fighting. And even then, they won’t be able to save the people they love and everyone else. That’s why when the spell bomb lands in his hands after a scuffle, Sam can’t do it. Not only does his hopelessness cost them their only chance, but it also cuts his connection to Chuck and heals both their wounds. But, of course, even if he’s back to full power, Chuck doesn’t dust them. He still has a grand finale so, he just disappears.

With everything that happened, Eileen leaves the bunker. But, Sam doesn’t let her leave without showing his feelings for her through a kiss. Now that their only chance to defeat God is gone, Sam, Cas, and Dean have to find another way. Meanwhile, Billie visits the Empty to fetch someone. Jack.

Supernatural continues on Thursday, January 23rd, with “The Heroes’ Journey” at 8/7c on the CW.