Supernatural: Proverbs 17:3

Posted by: Kyle Tetarenko  •  November 14, 2019 @ 11:26pm

Filed under: Recaps & Reviews

Old foes, new bodies.

When some people are strangely killed by mountain lions in Colorado, Dean has spotted another case for the Winchesters. After arriving in tin, the boys talk to the local sheriff who points them to the one survivor from the attack, Ashely Monroe. Ashley tells Dean that she saw a man with fangs and claws and can even identify him – if he can protect her. Knowing the description of a werewolf when he hears it, Dean brings Sam up to speed before the two of them head out to confront the killers. Sam is suspicious as the case feels all too convenient but Dean thinks he's overreacting. It all happens quickly but the Winchesters manage to save Ashley from the werewolves...until she falls onto antlers and dies. It's a terrible tragedy until she stands up and uses magic to instantly heal her wounds. Ashley isn't the camp survivor they thought she was but is the resurrected Lilith, the former seal that held Lucifer in his cage.

Falling somewhere between average and "that can occupy fourty-four minutes", Proverbs 17:3 started well enough but a continued reliance on old villains isn't doing the final season of Supernatural any favours. Making her first appearance in season three, Lilith is an obstacle devoid of any personal motivation. She original purpose was to literally be the final seal that held Lucifer in his cage and she returned to serve Chuck and protect him from the Winchesters. Both instances in service to a guy where it seems like she gets nothing out of it. Lilith is a plot device that isn't connected to any single actor – a factor that doesn't help the case. Nostalgia in a long running series is great but not for its own sake. I would rather see Lilith return as a character, free from the influence of Lucifer and deciding what she wants rather than being under the will of another all-powerful being.

On the upside, Sam's nightmares are finally having an interesting payoff. Rather than simple premonitions, Sam understands that his dreams are a link to the mind of Chuck and that he's seeing the possible endings that God has laid out for the end of the Winchesters. Obviously, this will play a major role in the final season but it's great to see that set up early enough to have an impact moving forward. We're a quarter done the final season of Supernatural and it's best to get these in as early.

Lastly, the closing moments between Sam and Dean in the bunker were both emotional and well done. Earlier, when Dean was answering Ashely's (Lilith's) questions, he said that he liked being a hunter and helping people. He sounded confident and had far fewer worries than he had in quite some time, After learning they are up against God, who has a personal grudge against them, Dean was broken. The odds are stacked against them more than they have ever been before and they have no way of taking down the creator of existence.

Proverbs 17:3 started well enough but was anchored on a weak villain in the hopes that nostalgia would be enough. If Supernatural wants us to become invested in these villains all over again, we need a better reason than a more powerful man told them to do it. Maybe next week's episode, Golden Time will be an improvement.

Tags: Supernatural, Dean Winchester, Sam Winchester, Jensen Ackles, Jared Padalecki

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