Normally at this time of year, we’re gearing up to see exactly how Sam and Dean Winchester will get themselves out of whatever jam the midseason finale of Supernatural left them in. Actually, we’re in that situation yet again, but this time around, they’re going to need some major help from outside parties.
Incidentally enough, said help will come in the form of Jody Mills (Kim Rhodes), Claire Novak (Kathryn Love Newton), Donna Hanscum (Brianna Buckmaster), Alex (Katherine Ramdeen) and the recently introduced Patience (Clark Backo) – as well as newcomer Kaia (Yadira Guevara-Prip), thus setting up the hopeful Wayward Sisters spinoff.
And unlike the Bloodlines fiasco from a few years back, this backdoor pilot looks to feel much more organic, even beginning with Jody telling Claire that “The boys have been on a hunting trip and haven’t been home in a few days,” which echoes what Dean said to Sam in Supernatural‘s very first episode.
In fact, co-lead Jensen Ackles had this to say to TV Line about that very topic:
“I love that aspect of it, that the genesis of both of them are very similar in that aspect. Obviously, the stories will be a little different, but it is this gathering of characters to go and save their friends or their family. So right then and there, that’s a great foundation to build stories on.”
Of course, most of you reading this are wondering if there’ll be any overlap between the two series if indeed Wayward Sisters gets picked up. Well, according to co-showrunner Andrew Dabb, “should Wayward go forward, we’d like some cross-pollination, and Jack could certainly be a part of that.” In other words, Lucifer’s son might be around for the long haul.
Supernatural returns with new episodes on Thursday, January 18 on The CW.