As much as I like the ideas that were set up in this episode, it's also an example of the sloppiness of the writers in the later seasons: Cas should *not* have been surprised that the bar was full of demons. It's one thing to consistently power him down, but it's another to forget or momentarily write out one of the abilities unique to all angels.
I really like Cas and Jack's interaction in this episode. Cas thinks that he is worth something only when he's being usefel. But when Jack struggles with the same problem, Cas begins to understand through Jack how important self worth is. Like of course Cas thinks Jack is more than his powers, so maybe Cas can be valued too even when he's useless. I think it's really beautiful and wish it was explored more. Bringing Nick back was certainly a choice. I didn't care that it's not Lucifer anymore, his face, at that point, was enough to annoy me unbearably. I swear, Singer and Bucklemings had a crush on Pellegrino, it's the only explanation why he is still here.
Everything about Nick got on my nerves! First off, the entire explanation for him even being alive was complete BS and we all know it. Second, personally it felt like Sam not killing him at the start was a slap in the face of Dean's sacrifice. Dean gave up his freedom to make sure Lucifer was gone for good and Nick being around brings up the possibility of the devil coming back, even if its only a theory its not completely impossible. But that doesn't fit with Sam's character, and this does offer some story potential. Plus Mark's acting did make Nick feel sympathetic.
I was surprised how much I enjoyed this premier. Sam forming a hunter league is pure genius and feel like the right step after season 12, hell it's been a perfect idea since the brothers got the bunker in the first place! Though my one issue from season 12 still remains, that I while I like Sam in the role of leadership I would've liked for that story arc to have had more development, but I still enjoyed it all the same. One of the things that kept me from watching this season was because it felt like it would be too much like season 10 at least with the first episode, but this is an improvement in my books. While in both cases Sam was frantically searching for Dean here he still had his own thing and a set up for his own arc, one of my complaints with season 10 was Sam not having anything or arc of his own to do. And while I'm still not of fan of Michael possessing Dean (Dichael) I have to admit Jensen did well as Michael and he is stating to become more of an interesting villain and I'm curious about his plans. Also personally I found Dichael far less offensive to Dean than DeamonDean was.
The one thing I didn't like in this episode that had no good spin to it like the Nick stuff, was Cas going on his own without telling Sam and despite having limited Grace he should've been able to tell the bar was full of demons. Cas going off on his own has become an issue lately especially when he doesn't keep the brothers in the loop
