It seems that the plan going forward for Supernatural is to eliminate the sidekicks. By “sidekicks” I mean the recurring cast members who join the Winchester boys in their hunting exploits, as good guys. Jo, Ellen, Castiel, Rufus and, of course, Bobby. As of right now, they’re all gone! Is this basically just the countdown to the end of the series, where it’s just Sam and Dean left to fend for themselves?
As I was watching this episode, I couldn’t help but think that possibly the girl hunter was going to be brought in as another member of the Supernatural squad. Like maybe her dad would be killed off, and the boys would feel compelled to take her in. It’s weak, I know, but it came from what I just mentioned: where are the people who’ll help the boys? It can’t just be Frank, who’s kinda fun to have around right now, but as a recurring guy who’s someone the guys can count on? Not likely.
It’s been established already that Castiel will be coming back on I believe the 17th episode of this season (this was number 11), but it hasn’t been made clear of what’s become of Jim Beaver’s (Bobby) participation for the rest of this season. It’s been reported that Beaver’s possibly slated to do a seven-or-more episode arc on FX’s Justified, so that may mean we won’t be seeing Bobby for a while. But if Bobby really is dead, what was the purpose of it, other than possibly contract issues? What’s the point of the story, to have him gone? Is it as I said — that they’re just working to eliminate the sidekicks?
As for this episode, it was a fun one that thankfully brought the Leviathan story back into focus. I didn’t care for the quick solution to the numbers Bobby brought the boys, and that the one missing number couldn’t have been one of the other nine digits that would have still worked out to be coordinates. It was also nice to see Dean in the spotlight a bit, and his interaction with Frank and the girl was fun. Hopefully we won’t suddenly lose the trail of the Leviathan story come next week, because I’d really love for them to settle and bury it once and for all so we can get to a better arc for next season.
Clacked by Keith McDuffee 
on Jan 06, 2012 @ 22:40 EST5EDT
The question remains why Bobby had to die right now, but everyone who has been a helpful sidekick of the Winchester brothers has died — you forgot Ash, Chuck, Ruby and even Bela (for better of worse). You could even argue for their dad being included in this list, or at least the catalyst for initiating Sam and Dean into the pattern.
That’s definitely been a thing throughout the series, so I decided although I adore Bobby and will miss him desperately, his days were probably numbered. Oh, how I wish he could have gone out in the series finale, Anya-style. … But I have to accept that this is a series-long pattern that has a purpose, and put my trust in the writers (that trust has faltered a bit this season, but not before).
I know I’m always gushing about the acting on this show, but Dean’s final scene, when he was taking Frank’s advice and attempting to put on the fake smile, was spectacularly heartbreaking — exactly as it should have been.
I forgot to say how seamlessly the whole “hunters die” theme worked in the monster of the week story. Saving that one family certainly doesn’t make up for losing Bobby and all of the others, but it does give a glimmer of hope to the bleakness that seems to surround the Winchesters, especially this season.
True about the first one you wrote/comment. Also, back in the season 5 episode 16 “Dark Side of the Moon” What about the two guys who shot Sam and Dean, when they woken up in their hotel with two men with shut guns? I thought Dean.W. said, “Once I come back, I’ll be p??sed.” It didn’t happen yet, why can they ran into them in Season 7 in the upcoming episodes. Their are more actors back in those seasons they’d missed, it’s time for old freinds to return.
One more thing, what about “Joshua” the angel who listens to God? Theirs another fun fact, what if he was the one who raise Jimmy Novak and Castiel returns to Heaven. And he returns in Season 7 Episode 17th, that’s the rumor.