Supernatural’s final season has been all about final farewells, and the most recent episode included the return of two characters, and hints at two others that may pop up before the end: Benny and Crowley. So far, season 13 has seen a surprising number of fan-favorite (and fan-forgotten) characters come back into the Winchester’s world. Everyone from Arthur Tetch to Kevin Tran to Eileen have been crawling out of the woodwork - some to happier endings than others, of course. Now, it seems that a couple more are likely to make their appearances in the next few episodes.
This week, in ‘Our Father Who Aren’t In Heaven’, the Winchesters had two surprising reunions. On their journey to Hell and back to figure out where Michael is and ask for his help, they discovered that Rowena is now Queen of Hell, and that Michael is out, sharing Adam’s body nicely with its original occupant, and surprisingly willing to help - although that involves sending the boys on a trip to Purgatory.
The reappearance of Purgatory is the first clue that another familiar face may be showing up next week: Benny Lafayette. Dean originally met his vampire-friend in Purgatory (way back in season eight), when Benny helped him find his way out (in return for being brought with him). The two became friends along the way, and eventually, Benny agreed to return to Purgatory to help rescue Sam - and remains there. While Purgatory is huge, and the chances of Benny just bumping into the Winchesters on their latest quest is slim, it’s also almost guaranteed to happen. Benny has already had a brief appearance this season in one of Sam’s dreams, so fans can look forward to seeing him again for a Purgatory reunion.
The second familiar face hinted at this week was that of Crowley - a fan-favorite that has been expected to return for the final season since before it began. Crowley last sacrificed himself to try and save the world from Lucifer, but as everyone knows, death means essentially nothing in the Supernatural universe. Crowley was also mentioned this week by Rowena (more proof that death is meaningless, right there, especially given Rowena’s stirring death scene only a few weeks ago). While telling Dean and Castiel to make up, she told them that one of her only regrets was ‘everything with Fergus’ - her son, who grew up to become Crowley. Now that Mom is Queen of Hell, it seems likely that her son, the King of Hell, is going to show up at some point and having something to say about that… although the writers have only provided fans with tiny hints and references like this one so far.
While neither of these reappearances is guaranteed, both are extremely likely - and not just because of the breadcrumb trails that the writers are leaving for fans. This season has been designed as the final season for a while now, and it’s clear that every fan-favorite is getting a goodbye written in. Crowley, as one of the most-loved characters in the show, would be front of the line for a final cameo… and actor Mark Shephard did a little Instagram posting to suggest that this was definitely on the way, so now fans just have to wait and see when he’ll be back. Benny’s is a little more predictable; leave a friend of the Winchesters in Purgatory, send the Winchesters to Purgatory - it’s going to be a reunion.
Of course, there’s no way of telling how either of these reunions will go - Purgatory may have done strange things to Benny, or he may be less-than-thrilled to see Dean and Sam back there. Crowley may reappear in a surprising way (especially as Shephard’s post makes it sound like Supernatural has something up its sleeve for this one). However they return, though, fans will be happy to see that everyone important to the Winchesters gets a final goodbye before the show ends its fifteen-year run.
Supernatural season 15 continues January 16th on The CW.