Supernatural recap: Millennials and witchcraft don’t mix

Rowena returns in style in Supernatural, as Sam opens up about his true reasons for the darkness.

After Sam’s heartbreaking confessions in the last episode of Supernatural, the confessions get worse. “Various and Sundry Villains” brings back everything that has happened in the past, as Sam admits to seeing Lucifer’s true face still giving him nightmares. And why does that come up? Well, Rowena is scared for many of the same reasons as Sam.

Of course, the big question was how Rowena could be back after being supposedly killed off in the Season 12 finale. The writers answered the questions simplistically and in style, while also proving that Millennials and witchcraft definitely don’t mix.

A case of the love spells

The Plum sisters get their hands on the Black Grimoire and instantly start using love spells to get men to do their bidding. It seems like it’s all just for fun at first, since it’s to get money and food but then their attentions turn to Dean. They need him to help get the Black Grimoire from the Men of Letters bunker.

More from Supernatural

• Jensen Ackles and The Winchesters cast kick off #SaveTheWinchesters campaign
• Will The Winchesters be saved? (Can Supernatural fans save the prequel?)
• Did The Winchesters get renewed? (Is The Winchesters season 2 happening?)
• Is a new episode of The Winchesters on tonight? (March 14, 2023)
• The Winchesters Season1 finale explained: Did it connect to Supernatural?

Just how do they know about this and why do they need it? Well, their mom is a witch and has taught them (sort of) well. Maybe if they weren’t the stereotypical Millennials things would be a little better, but they don’t have two pennies to rub together between them. But as they are stereotypical Millennials, they need constant support and validation from each other and honestly it gets tiring.

When they get the Black Grimoire, they get the ingredients they need for the spell and point out that a lot of the ingredients are really old. They’ll just have to improvise and you can tell how that works out. Sure enough they bring their mom back but as a super zombie. Oh dear!

Rowena returns with a dark secret

While the Millennial Witches get on with their spell, Sam gets to work researching alternate worlds and how to get Jack and Mary back. Of course, his heart isn’t fully into it and he’s more concerned about the case at hand: why Dean is acting all love-struck. Reminding fans of the terrible, questionable storyline of Becky and the love spell, Sam follows his brother just in time to save his life.

The Plum sisters are able to get away while the brothers fight. Luckily, the hex bag falls out of Dean’s pocket and Rowena is able to step in to break the spell. It doesn’t take too long to find out that resurrection spell from before is exactly the reason she’s back. This time just took longer, since she was burned to a crisp.

She quickly learns about Crowley and is honestly upset. While they may not have got along, she would rather have an alive-but-hated son than a dead hero. From a parent point of view it’s definitely understandable. But the three need to focus with the case at hand. Rowena helps the Winchesters find out where the Plums are and will help stop them to get the Black Grimoire back. Oh, but she wants the book because she wants a spell from there that will protect her from Lucifer.

As Dean gets the address of the Plums, Rowena opens up to Sam. She’s scared. Not only is she living with the recent memory of being burned alive and having her skull crushed, but also the memory of Lucifer’s true face. She’s not alone, as Sam has seen it too and he still isn’t over it. Yes, seven seasons on and Sam still isn’t over seeing Lucifer’s true face. That’s how terrifying it is and the great thing is we can only leave it to our imaginations! Please keep it this way, Supernatural!

There’s some beautiful bonding between Rowena and Sam, but that comes to an end when Rowena decides to head off to the Plums alone.

The Plums turn on each other

It turns out Rowena was actually initially working with the Plums. When they ran off, Rowena decided to turn to the Winchesters instead. It’s a double (soon to be triple) cross. The Plums make it clear they no longer need Rowena’s help, when they show they resurrected their mother anyway, as some stereotypical zombie that resists magic. Rowena decides to lock herself in another room, trying to figure out what to do next.

Meanwhile the Winchesters get out of the “Stuck in the Mud” spell that Rowena put them under (without anyone running under their legs, by the way) and head off to the address. A fight breaks out since Dean thinks it’s wise to tell the sisters about the witch killing bullets he has, but it’s Rowena to the rescue. She kills Zombie Mom and then uses her own magic to get the Plums to turn on and kill each other. It’s a bloody end to a bloody episode.

Watch your favorite shows on fuboTV: Watch over 67 live sports and entertainment channels with a 7-day FREE trial!

Now it’s just time to get the book back to the bunker. Of course, feeling sorry for Rowena, Sam decides to let her take the spell she wanted. The Winchesters will take the rest of the book. Dean isn’t happy, but Sam makes it clear that he understands Rowena’s fear and won’t let her continue living like this.

Back at wherever Rowena is living now, she powers up her spell. It turns out to be some purple Echonian-filled armor, invisible to the naked eye.

Castiel and Lucifer break free

Meanwhile in Hell, Supernatural catches us up with Castiel and Lucifer. They discuss Jack from different cages, making Lucifer angry in the process. He realizes that his anger is just what he needs to control his powers for now and uses them to get himself and Castiel out of prison.

However, Castiel has learned from past mistakes. Rather than fighting with Lucifer, he stabs Lucifer in the gut with an angel blade. Is Lucifer really dead or does he have another trick up his sleeve?

Next: Supernatural recap: How much is Sam Winchester's heart worth?

What is Rowena’s next move? Can Dean help Sam deal with the horrors of Lucifer’s real face? Can Supernatural handle depression and PTSD at the same time? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Supernatural continues on Thursdays at 8/7c on The CW.