Warning: This post contains spoilers for the Supernatural season 12 winter premiere, “First Blood.” If you haven’t watched it yet, jump into the Impala and drive away.

Freeze frame. Record scratch. You’re probably wondering how we got here… I’d pay at least a few dollars to see an episode of Supernatural open that way. Crazier things have happened on the series about the Winchester brothers, like them managing to escape from a super secret and super secure facility. Season 12 of Supernatural returned with “First Blood” on Thursday night, and of course, the Winchesters found a way.

That the Winchesters managed to escape their cells wasn’t a shock. From a practical point of view, the story has to move on. The idea of spending the next three weeks watching Dean and Sam eat unpalatable food and carve tick marks int0 the wall isn’t what I would call appealing. At the same time, it couldn’t be cake for them to get out. The solution the writers came up with to extricate the Winchesters from their predicament was clever but needed a little something.

They used a montage to establish the passage of time. Dean and Sam were in lock up for over six weeks. From the scenes and performances, it was apparent the brothers were going stir crazy. But why didn’t they try to make some Enochian or demonic or whatever symbols with their blood on the walls to summon a way out? We should have seen them try some of the tricks in their bag before they both died to escape.

Yes, died. I wondered if they managed to somehow fake death with an herb or spell, but no, Dean called upon Billie. She has to be the most patient reaper of them all. She has her limits though and made a binding deal with the brothers; she’d help them die and come back for the price of one Winchester, permanently dead. I didn’t see her role coming, and I like being surprised. Then, I fully expected Mary to sacrifice herself. Castiel’s save the day and the Winchesters action floored me.

This is when I stop focusing on the Winchesters and move on to the most consistent bright spot in the show: Castiel. He has put himself on the line for Dean and Sam more times than I can recall without looking to a fan wiki to jog my memory. But I think “First Blood” showed me a side of Castiel I haven’t seen before, and Misha Collins made it poignant.

Cass felt guilty for the Winchesters being caught. Collins did a tremendous job at conveying every nuance of despair and frustration Cass was experiencing with his facial expressions. When Castiel told Mary how he tried to do the brothers’ job and failed, Collins’ performance just about broke me. He seemed so lost. All of his emotions came to a head when Billie came to collect.

I gasped when Cass killed the reaper and almost cried when he proclaimed the world needs every Winchester it can get and he wouldn’t let anything happen to them. I’m worried about the repercussions, but at the same time, I’m moved by Cass’ extreme action. The guy knows how to make a statement.

Am I going to mention the Men of Letters before I go? I included a picture of them, so I guess I should. They’re not nice people. The end. Okay, but I can sort of see why Mary’s talking to Mick. Now I’m done. Really.

What did you think about “First Blood?” Did you see the reaper twist coming? Talk to me in the comments.

Images: The CW