The Bad Place

This episode was fantastic! The writer of this episode is honestly one of the few writers on the show I truly feels knows these characters and their stories and actually writes them well. Also, the alternate universe this episode took us too was VERY interesting to say the least. (no spoilers!) Kaia, Kaia, Kaia! LOVE HER. Kaia is an amazing character and I cannot wait to see more of her hopefully on Supernatural, but also as one of the leads on Wayward! I'm really excited to see her team up with Donna, Jody, Claire, Alex, and Patience in the pilot in January. If this episode was just a taste of what's to come with Bobo's writing and the cast in Wayward, I CAN NOT WAIT.

Ok now I was just reviewing the last episode with 5 cuz its getting boring and Sam and Dean getting dumper and dumper

well, this episode just revived supernatural

I give it a 9 cuz I still don't like how Dean is still an ahole but his desperation is understandable

and this episode just added a new variety to Supernatural although the hooded figure is looking like "Grimm" kinda thing but I am still getting excited cuz its been a long time that I can not guess what would happen next

I loved the introduction of the new character Kaia. I loved the elements of reality that were blended in with her character, and I can't wait to see her again (and hopefully in the spin off as well)! I am excited for the infinite possibilities for alternative universes, I think it will help keep the show fresh, and I realllllly hope we get to see dinosaurs! I knocked one star off because I really didn't care for the way that Dean threatened Kaia... I know he was desperate in that moment, but I didn't care for that moment at all. Maybe that's not worth knocking one star off for, but there you go!

Somebody better give that damn boy a hug or I will.

"The Bad Place," the ninth episode and midseason finale of Supernatural's thirteenth season, directed by Phil Sgriccia and written by Robert Berens, is a tense, ambitious, and visually striking chapter that propels the season's mythology forward while introducing new characters and supernatural concepts. The episode deftly balances action, suspense, and emotional stakes, using its narrative complexity to set up high drama for the back half of the season. It stands out not only for its breakneck pacing and bold cliffhanger but also for its willingness to push the boundaries of the show's established universe.

The episode opens with a mysterious murder: Derek Swan, a dreamwalker, is killed after using his abilities to access other worlds. This crime draws Sam and Dean into an investigation that quickly spirals into a hunt for Jack, who has gone missing while searching for a way to rescue Mary Winchester from the Apocalypse World. Jack's quest leads him to Kaia Nieves, another dreamwalker, whose abilities are key to opening a rift between universes. Kaia's introduction is compelling; she is a reluctant, traumatized young woman whose visions of "the Bad Place" have left her emotionally scarred. Yadira Guevara-Prip delivers a nuanced performance, capturing Kaia's fear, resilience, and eventual courage as she is drawn into the Winchesters' mission.

Jack's motivation is rooted in a desperate need for acceptance and redemption. He believes that by saving Mary, he can prove to Sam and Dean that he is good and in control of his powers. This theme of self-worth and chosen family runs throughout the episode, with Jack's actions serving as both a catalyst for the plot and a source of moral ambiguity. His use of force to break Kaia out of a treatment center is a moment that underscores both his power and his naivety-he wants to do good but is still learning the consequences of his choices.

The narrative structure is tight and propulsive, intercutting between the Winchesters' search for Jack, Jack and Kaia's fraught partnership, and the looming threat of angels who want to capture Jack for their own ends. The episode's standout set piece is the climactic confrontation at a derelict shipyard, where Sam, Dean, Jack, and Kaia are besieged by angels. The location-a decaying, rain-soaked industrial landscape-adds a cinematic quality to the action, with dynamic camera work and moody lighting amplifying the tension. Jack's display of power, including telekinetically forcing an angel to kill himself, is both awe-inspiring and unsettling, reinforcing the uncertainty about his true nature.

A parallel subplot follows Patience Turner, the psychic introduced earlier in the season, as she struggles with visions of impending doom for Jody Mills. Patience's journey is one of self-acceptance; she chooses to embrace her abilities and warns Jody, setting up the crossover with the "Wayward Sisters" backdoor pilot. This narrative thread is woven seamlessly into the main plot, highlighting the expanding scope of the Supernatural universe and the show's commitment to developing its supporting cast.

The episode's pacing is relentless, with little downtime between revelations and confrontations. Sgriccia's direction maintains a sense of urgency, while the editing ensures that each storyline receives adequate attention without feeling rushed. The visual effects-particularly the depiction of the Bad Place, with its alien landscapes and monstrous footprints-are ambitious for network television, hinting at Lovecraftian horrors and expanding the show's visual vocabulary.

Performances throughout are strong. Alexander Calvert continues to bring depth to Jack, balancing innocence and latent menace. Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki anchor the episode with their portrayals of Dean and Sam, whose desperation to save their mother and protect Jack drives much of the emotional tension. Guevara-Prip's Kaia is a standout, her vulnerability and strength making her a compelling addition to the cast.

Despite its many strengths, the episode is not without flaws. Some viewers noted that the rapid escalation of events-particularly the sudden alliance between Jack and Kaia-felt a bit rushed, and the "dreamwalker" concept, while intriguing, is not fully explained. The camera work in some action scenes was criticized for being disorienting, though others found it heightened the sense of chaos. Additionally, the episode's cliffhanger, which strands Sam and Dean in the Bad Place and leaves their fate uncertain, is undeniably effective but may frustrate viewers with its lack of immediate resolution.

"The Bad Place" succeeds as a midseason finale by raising the stakes, deepening character arcs, and expanding the show's mythology in bold new directions. The episode's willingness to embrace cosmic horror, introduce new heroes, and leave its protagonists in genuine peril exemplifies Supernatural's enduring appeal and creative restlessness. As the screen fades to black on monstrous shadows and an unknown world, the series invites viewers to reflect on the dangers-and possibilities-of venturing into the unknown, both for its characters and for the show itself.