Why Dean going to the Apocalypse World alone was actually character development on Supernatural
Supernatural Season 13, Episode 17 saw Dean leave Sam behind as he went through the rift to the Apocalypse World. While some will see it as the same mistake yet again, there’s actual character development in there.
Dean and Sam have separated on Supernatural Season 13. As Sam remains in the bunker to deal with the Gabriel issue, Dean has taken Ketch to the Apocalypse World. Every season of Supernatural has seen the brothers on separate sides of an argument or separating for some reason, so this decision wasn’t that much of a surprise.
It does initially seem like the same-old-same-old when it comes to the Winchesters. However, there’s character development in there for both brothers. Sure, Dean is still the same protective big brother (and that should realistically never change) but he hasn’t gone into the Apocalypse World without his brother just for the sake of it.
There wasn’t an argument in Supernatural Season 13, Episode 17
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Let’s make one thing clear. Usually, when the Winchesters separate, they’ve had some sort of argument. They decide on different ways to tackle a problem or they lose trust in one another. This has happened all the way back in Supernatural Season 1.
Remember when Sam wanted to search for John but Dean wanted to follow orders? They separated but, eventually, Sam realized what his brother was doing and returned just in the nick of time. Supernatural Season 9 saw Dean walk away from Sam and Cass, leading to him getting the Mark of Cain.
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It was only in Season 12 that the two brothers were finally able to move past their opinions on how to handle situations. When Sam wanted to (mistakenly) trust the British Men of Letters, it looked like another split. However, Dean decided to give his brother support with a condition: the first sign of something going wrong, they both split from the BMoL together. And they both agreed and stuck to that!
Supernatural Season 13 has continued that development in their relationship. Now when one loses faith, the other is right beside them. They’ve had arguments on how to handle situations, but pulled through together.
Sam supported his brother’s decision
Now it all comes to this decision to go through the rift. Dean didn’t make the decision just to be protective. He had an extremely good reason to step through alone. If something goes wrong (if Dean doesn’t make it back), Sam is on the other side ready to help. He’ll be able to open another rift and step through. He’ll also be able to tell Cass everything that’s happened, rather than just leaving Cass to figure it out himself.
And Dean hasn’t gone through entirely alone. He’s with Ketch. Sure, Ketch is a little sketchy (hell, his name is in that word), but Ketch is better than nobody at all. It does seem like Ketch wants to side with the Winchesters (at least for the time being).
Sam could have easily put up a fight and stepped through the rift anyway, but he agreed to stay behind. The two saw eye-to-eye; saw reason. This is major development for these two and something we’ve wanted for years.
Next: Supernatural Season 13, Episode 17 review: The Thing
What did you think about Dean’s decision to go through the rift with just Ketch? Did you spot the character development between the Winchesters? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Supernatural Season 13 airs Thursdays at 8/7c on The CW. Follow SPN Hunters on Twitter for more opinion pieces straight to your feed.