No Dean Winchester? Supernatural's wildest episode ditches it's leading man

It's quite difficult to imagine an episode of Supernatural without the main protagonists, Dean and Sam Winchester. For 15 seasons, the fantasy horror drama thrived on the unbreakable bond between Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean Winchester (Jensen Ackles).

So, when in the Supernatural Season 14 premiere episode 'Stranger in a Strange Land', fans couldn't locate Dean, they were quite shocked. In one of the boldest creative decisions, the makers decided to keep Jensen Ackles, not as Dean Winchester, but as archangel Michael's avatar. Yes, you heard that right, in the Supernatural Season 13 finale, after Dean Winchester killed Lucifer, his body was possessed by Michael, who was on a quest to find beings worthy of his new world order.

A world without Dean Winchester: Supernatural Season 14 Episode 1

Supernatural Season 14 Episode 1 begins three weeks after Dean's body is possessed by Michael, leaving Sam alone on the journey. Without Dean Winchester's charm, the episode certainly feels off balance, however, Jensen Ackles delivers a masterclass in menace as Michael. His performance as Michael is so breathtaking that it almost makes up for Dean's absence.

The episode leans into its ensemble cast, with Sam stepping into a reluctant leadership role while battling his fears about his brother's fate. Meanwhile, the subplot story involves that of Jack (Alexander Calvert), Castiel (Misha Collins), and a deranged Nick, adding layers of tension to the episode. However, the true essence of Supernatural- the brotherly dynamic- remains missing throughout.

Supernatural Season 14 Episode 1: A quick recap

Supernatural Season 14 premiere begins with Sam Winchester driving solo-symbolizing the absence of Dean Winchester, whose body is possessed by archangel Michael. For more than three weeks, Micahel travelled all across the globe, questioning humans, angels, and demons about their motives. However, after not being satisfied with their answers, he concludes that none are worth saving. He even confronts Sister Jo, exposing her longing for family and possessing human-like emotions. Finally, by the end of the episode, Michael finds out that vampires might be suitable candidates for his 'real world'.

At the Men of Letters bunker, Sam returns from a false lead in Atlanta. The basement is filled with survivors of Apocalypse World. Mary and Bobby help coordinate, while Jack, still human and powerless, struggles while training under Bobby's guidance. Meanwhile, Castiel's meeting with a demon named Kipling in Detroit doesn't yield any result, and he soon finds himself trapped. Kip desires to be Hell's ruler and proposed an alliance with the Winchesters.

Sam mounts a rescue mission with Mary, Bobby, Jack, and Maggie. Eventually, Sam kills Kip and declares no rulers will rise. Sam then pays a visit to Nick- Lucifer's vessel, who survived and remembers quite little about the incident. However, he reveals that he remembers Michael telling Lucifer he intends to 'do it right this time.'

The episode ends with Jo calling Sam, saying that Michael has found his first recruit for his plan in the form of the vampires. With the archangel's war beginning, Dean Winchester remains trapped. By the end of the episode, it looks like the hunt for Dean had finally begun.

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Also read: 5 reasons why Supernatural Season 16 does not seem likely

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