Supernatural Season 16 Can’t Work Without Bringing Back 1 Dead Supporting Character

Although there’s no definitive confirmation yet, Supernatural season 16 could only work if one dead character makes a return. Over its 15 years, Supernatural became the go-to fantasy series about monsters and demons. The show followed Dean (Jensen Ackles) and Sam (Jared Padalecki) as they navigated heaven, hell, and everything in between to keep the world and each other safe from supernatural threats. However, the Supernatural series finale left many fans dissatisfied because Dean, the same hunter who cheated death and got resurrected numerously, died in a run-of-the-mill vampire hunt.

Although the Winchester brothers reunited in heaven after Sam lived a long, hunting-free life with his son and wife, the finale still didn’t appease fan expectations. With word that Padalecki and Ackles have new projects for the franchise brewing, hope for a reboot or follow-up season has increased. A Supernatural revival could fix some of the criticisms about the finale, as well as expand on an already beloved universe. Additionally, season 16 could correct the unfortunate short-lived Supernatural prequel The Winchesters where popular characters made cameo appearances, such as Dean, Jack (Alexander Calvert), and Bobby (Jim Beaver).

Supernatural Season 16 Wouldn’t Work Without Bringing Castiel Back From The Dead

Castiel’s importance to Team Free Will means he must appear in a new season of Supernatural

While fans can only hope, if season 16 happens, Castiel (Misha Collins) should return. Aside from being a fan favorite, Castiel’s role on Team Free Will became integral to the story from his first appearance in season 4 when he pulled Dean back from hell. He was originally only meant to appear in three episodes and stayed until the end of the series, proving the character’s impact. His importance was arguably equivalent to Sam and Dean’s. For instance, his earlier appearances involved him informing the Winchesters about angel lore, such as when they’re in heaven and he told them to look for Joshua to talk to God.

Most notably, Castiel sacrificed himself when he submitted to The Empty to defeat Billie and save Dean. While he got to have a final monologue of candor and vulnerability, Castiel’s absence from the series finale added to fans’ disappointment with the ending and further suggests why his presence in a subsequent season is needed. Additionally, Castiel provided essential support for Sam and Dean. For instance, he helped retract leftover grace from Sam after Gadreel’s possession, and he shifted Sam’s mental anguish after Lucifer’s torture to his own mind so Sam could recover. Despite his mistakes, Castiel deserved more than a mention in the series finale.

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Jack Kline As God Makes Castiel’s Return In Season 16 Possible

Castiel has been resurrected before by God

During Chuck/God’s defeat in season 15, Jack absorbed his powers, making him the new God. In the series finale, Bobby mentioned to Dean in the afterlife that Jack resurrected Castiel to help him reshape heaven. Chuck repeatedly brought Castiel back to life in previous seasons, confirming Jack should be able to do the same with identical abilities. Jack’s role in Castiel’s return would also give fans more on-screen moments of their dynamic, especially since Jack viewed Castiel as a father.

Jack had a strict no interference rule as God, which he addressed in The Winchesters season 1, episode 13. However, his previous boyish humor and fierce care for the Winchesters cropped up when Dean justified his meddling as a way to ensure Sam got to have his long, happy life and to protect their world. This suggests that Jack would bring back Castiel if there were a logical or plausible reason to do so. Since Castiel was helping rebuild heaven, he could theoretically provide any other help needed on Earth if resurrected.

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Castiel’s Return Could Give Supernatural Fans A Sense Of Closure

Castiel’s last scene in Supernatural had no real response from Dean

While Castiel’s final monologue before being pulled into The Empty may have been closure for his character, it was a let-down for many fans. Castiel divulged that he viewed Dean as “the most selfless, loving human being” and confessed his love for the hunter. The show didn’t confirm whether this was meant platonically or romantically. However, after the series ended, Collins expressed that Castiel is, in fact, gay and his proclamation to Dean was romantic.

While Collins’ statement confirmed what many fans already believed to be true, there was still the issue of Dean not addressing Castiel’s words before he died. Dean’s care for Castiel was not in question. For example, in “The Trap,” Dean prayed to Castiel in Purgatory and forgave him for not mentioning Jack’s missing soul and demonstrated awareness of his anger issues. However, no direct response to Castiel’s confession called into question whether Dean felt the same way or not. Even if his feelings were platonic, Supernatural season 16 has the chance to give fans closure about Destiel and bring back multiple of its most loved characters, like Castiel.