The Winchesters just brought back another Supernatural character in episode 7, with Gil McKinney reprising his role as Henry Winchester — though his presence created a Supernatural plot hole. The last time audiences saw Henry was in a flashback in Supernatural season 9, and though many thought he’d make a cameo in The Winchesters, nothing was ever confirmed. The heartfelt cameo came as a surprise, but it was also just what John needed to get over the intense anger he was feeling throughout the previous few episodes.
In the scene, John is mad about the failed séance he and his friends performed to get information about the Ostium, the magic box found in The Winchesters episode 1, from his father who had written about it as a part of the Men of Letters. John embraces his anger toward his father, which finally allows Henry to show up. The interaction seems to give both John and Millie some sense of closure, but that creates a plot hole for later in Supernatural canon when Sam and Dean meet Henry.
Henry Winchester's Cameo Goes Against What Sam & Dean Said In Supernatural
Henry Winchester’s appearance in The Winchesters episode 7 contradicts what Sam and Dean had known about their grandfather. John had told his sons that Henry had abandoned him and his mother when he was only four, which is why John held resentment towards him. This anger is seen in The Winchesters; however, John learned that his father was killed as a member of the Men of Letters.
After the interaction in The Winchesters episode 7, John seems more at peace with Henry leaving and had gotten some closure. This strays from what Sam and Dean knew of their grandfather, which calls into question whether or not something else happened to John to cause his hatred. While John may still hold resentment towards Henry for leaving, that intense anger Sam and Dean had described no longer makes sense.
Henry's Cameo In The Winchesters Was Worth Its Supernatural Plot Hole
Despite the plot hole The Winchesters episode 7 created with John and Millie seeing Henry, the moment did provide these characters with some peace. Not to mention that it also brought Gil McKinney back onscreen as Henry, with him wearing the same suit he wore when he met Supernatural's Sam and Dean. This interaction with Henry hopefully helps John learn to cope with his seemingly out-of-control anger. Having Henry tell John that he’s proud of him is reassuring and a sign that John may be ready to move on.
While audiences know how John changes after the death of Mary in Supernatural, it would be nice to see the character enjoy some happiness, as a reprieve from his anger towards his father. The Winchesters episode 7 may be the first big step towards John and Mary getting back together and falling in love. Hopefully, this isn’t the last time audiences see Gil McKinney as Henry Winchester, and that showrunners can find a way to bring him back in flashbacks or through another séance. Either way, The Winchesters episode 7 might be the most important so far in connecting what audiences already know from Supernatural to what they’re witnessing in The Winchesters.