Warning: spoilers ahead for The Winchesters episode 12.
Dean Winchester’s return to the Supernatural franchise can explain how The Winchesters connects to the original show. In The Winchesters episode 8, Jensen Ackles' Dean Winchester was in one of Samuel Campbell’s (Tom Welling) pictures. No one believed that Dean or Sam Winchester would appear because this was before they were born. After this, fans speculated that Jensen Ackles could appear in a bigger capacity in the season finale. The Winchesters’ episode 13 promo reveals Dean will appear on the show.
How The Winchesters connects to Supernatural has been a big question mark that Robbie Thompson promised would be revealed in episode 13. The show was first advertised as the story of Sam and Dean’s parents. But John and Mary Winchester never hunted together, as far as Supernatural shows. But, Supernatural’s Apocalypse World storyline gives The Winchesters another possible answer to not mess with canon. If these are not Supernatural’s Dean and Sam’s parents, they could be from an alternate universe.
The Winchesters S1 Finale Will Explain Which Universe Dean Is From
With Dean Winchester showing up in the season 1 finale, he can explain what universe he’s from and what universe The Winchesters is set in. Unless all the Winchesters were mind-wiped, it seems pretty clear that The Winchesters is using the alternate universe storyline from Supernatural. Maybe Supernatural’s Dean has traveled back in time in Apocalypse World to change the future to ensure he and his brother are born and stop the apocalypse. It could also be another universe that was in Supernatural's final season, HunterCorp.
Since Robbie Thompson has promised all will be revealed in episode 13 and that Dean plays a significant role in the show, it makes sense that Dean would be the one to explain the connection. Episode 13 can also explain why the Akrida are afraid of him. Dean saves the world countless times in Supernatural, so it’s unsurprising that they would be scared even with what little they know about him. Jack could have also made Dean an Angel and sent him to this world to help John and Mary. Chuck intervened in Supernatural, so Dean intervening keeps true to the original.
How The Winchesters Already Proved Supernatural Took Place In Another Universe
In The Winchesters episode 11, one of the Akrida interrogates John Winchester about the man in the photo. John says, “nothing of this Earth can harm you, so if he’s a threat to you and nothing of this Earth can harm you, well, that would mean he’s not of this Earth.” That line means the Dean Winchester in the photos is not from The Winchester’s universe. It’s still unclear who is from what universe, but it’s clear that The Winchesters wanted this approach because it allows them more freedom to play with storylines, so it doesn’t mess with Supernatural canon.
Placing The Winchesters in an alternate universe means Millie, Carlos, and Lata don’t have to die to keep with the Supernatural canon. If there is a second season, Robbie and Jensen can do anything they want. They can more easily bring in Supernatural actors. Jared Padalecki could even make an appearance if he wanted. Even with such a departure from Supernatural, The Winchesters can continue to include Easter eggs from the mother ship.