Meet the New Boss

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"Meet the New Boss"
Supernatural episode
Episode no.Season 7
Episode 1
Directed by Phil Sgriccia
Written by Sera Gamble
Production code3X7052
Original air dateSeptember 23, 2011 (2011-09-23)
Running time41 minutes
Guest appearances
Episode chronology
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"The Man Who Knew Too Much"		Next →
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Supernatural season 7
List of episodes

"Meet the New Boss" is the first episode of the paranormal drama television series Supernatural 's season 7, and the 127th overall. The episode was written by showrunner Sera Gamble and directed by Philip Sgriccia. It was first broadcast on September 23, 2011 on The CW. In the episode, Castiel decides to go fix the world's problems as their new "God". However, he is being taunted by new evil forces known as the Leviathans. Meanwhile, Sam is now having hallucinations about his time in Lucifer's Cage.

Contents

Plot

Picking up exactly where the season 6 finale finished, Castiel (Misha Collins) proclaims himself to be the new God and tells Sam (Jared Padalecki), Dean (Jensen Ackles) and Bobby Singer (Jim Beaver) to bow and profess their love for him or be killed. When he sees that they only do it out of fear, he leaves to fix wrongs in the world. Sam begins to suffer hallucinations due to the torture he endured in Lucifer's Cage.

Castiel goes to Heaven and kills all the angels that sided with Raphael, before starting to chastise false preachers and hear voices in his head. He goes to Crowley (Mark A. Sheppard) to make a trade, he will receive souls and he will reinstate Crowley's position as King of Hell. Seeing he can't refuse, Crowley accepts. In an attempt to stop Castiel, the Winchesters and Bobby summon Crowley to give them information to attempt to bind Death (Julian Richings) so he can kill Castiel.

The ritual takes place and Death is bound. Castiel then appears, ready to kill them for their betrayal. Death then explains to Castiel that he consumed the Leviathans from the Purgatory, the first beasts created by God but locked in Purgatory as they were a threat to humanity. Castiel then disappears and while trying to punish a senator, the entities make him kill her entire staff. Death decides to help them stop Castiel, stating he will cause an eclipse to open a door to Purgatory so the souls can return.

Realizing his powers are beyond his control, Castiel goes to Sam and Dean for help. While alone, Sam is taunted by Lucifer (Mark Pellegrino), who tries to convince Sam that he never left the Cage and he's currently giving him false hope through mental torture. Dean and Bobby open the door to the Purgatory as Castiel lets out the souls. Once the door closes, Castiel returns to normal, but the Leviathans are revealed to have remained inside his body. Castiel, now possessed by the Leviathans, attacks Dean and says, "this is going to be so much fun".

Reception

Viewers

The episode was watched by 2.01 million viewers with a 0.8/3 share among adults aged 18 to 49. [1] This was a 5% decrease in viewership from the previous episode, which was watched by 2.11 million viewers and it was also a 31% decrease from the previous season premiere, which was watched by 2.90 million viewers. [2] [3] This means that 0.8 percent of all households with televisions watched the episode, while 3 percent of all households watching television at that time watched it. Supernatural ranked as the most watched program on The CW in the day, beating Nikita .

Critical reviews

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
IGN 8.5 [4]
The A.V. Club B+ [5]
TV FanaticStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svg [6]

"Meet the New Boss" received generally positive reviews. Diana Steenbergen of IGN gave the episode a "great" 8.5 out of 10 and wrote, "I needn't have worried. 'Meet the New Boss' was far more entertaining than expected and that is tough to pull off for a show entering its seventh season. If the rest of the season can continue the way it started, then we are in for a good year." [4]

Zack Handlen of The A.V. Club gave the episode a "B+" and wrote, "Seven years is long in the tooth indeed, and what's really cool is how well Supernatural is holding up. Eric Kripke, the series' creator, left after season five, and while last year showed definite signs of wobbling, it wasn't the sort of season you get from a show that's creatively dead. And as premieres go, 'New Boss' isn't bad at all. It's a little abrupt in some ways, which has me worried the season will burn through plot too quickly (that sounds silly; given how long Supernatural has been on the air, the writers should have some idea how to pace things, but one of last season's big frustrations was a lot of aimless wandering), but we do get an idea of some of the big problems the Winchesters and their surrogate father Bobby will have to deal with down the road. The episode hit many of the expected beats, from Sam and Dean bickering to magic spell recipes to The Car rising slowly from the dead. In some places, it was maybe a little too familiar, but it's good to have these guys back on my television." [5]

Sandra Gonzalez of EW stated: "Monsters are nothing special on Supernatural. Over six seasons, we've encountered the ugliest uglies, the baddest baddies and, let's face it, some really disgusting things. But last night's premiere chilled me to the bone like no episode ever has." [7]

Sean McKenna from TV Fanatic, gave a perfect 5 star rating out of 5, stating: "Overall, it was a fantastic start to the season that already has the wheels of the show off to a speedy start. Glad to see that even with seven years under the belt, Supernatural remains fresh, exciting, and destined for big things." [6]

Related Research Articles

Supernatural is an American television series created by Eric Kripke. It was first broadcast on September 13, 2005, on The WB, and subsequently became part of successor network The CW's lineup. Starring Jared Padalecki as Sam Winchester and Jensen Ackles as Dean Winchester, the series follows the two brothers as they hunt demons, ghosts, monsters, and other supernatural beings. The series was produced by Warner Bros. Television, in association with Wonderland Sound and Vision. Along with Kripke, executive producers have been McG, Robert Singer, Phil Sgriccia, Sera Gamble, Jeremy Carver, John Shiban, Ben Edlund, and Adam Glass. Former executive producer and director Kim Manners died during production of the fourth season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dean Winchester</span> Fictional character

Dean Winchester is one of the two protagonists from the American drama television series Supernatural, along with his younger brother Sam. He is portrayed primarily by Jensen Ackles. Other versions of the character having been portrayed by Hunter Brochu (toddler), Ridge Canipe (child), Nicolai Lawton-Giustra (pre-teen), Brock Kelly and Dylan Everett (teen), and Chad Everett (elderly).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sam Winchester</span> Fictional character

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Meg Masters</span> Fictional demon in the TV series Supernatural

Meg Masters is a fictional character on The CW Television Network's drama and horror television series Supernatural. Created by the series' writers to develop a story arc for the first season, Meg is an unnamed demon who assumes the name of the host she possesses and begins antagonizing the series protagonists Sam and Dean Winchester. Nicki Aycox portrays her in the first season. Meg returns in the second season, possessing Sam and as such, was played by Jared Padalecki. The writers wanted Aycox to reprise the role in later seasons, but ultimately cast Rachel Miner for storyline purposes. Miner's incarnation evolves into an ally of the Winchesters and the angel Castiel over the course of the sixth, seventh, and eighth seasons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bobby Singer</span> Fictional character in the TV series Supernatural

Robert Steven Singer is a fictional character in The CW Television Network's horror-drama television series Supernatural portrayed by Jim Beaver. Named after the show's executive producer, Bobby first appears in the first season finale "Devil's Trap." Although Beaver believed his role would merely be a "one-shot deal," Bobby has become a recurring character on the series, and is one of three characters who has appeared in every season of the show. The character, a "rough but warmhearted" working-class man who hunts supernatural creatures, has evolved over time into a father figure for series protagonists Sam and Dean Winchester. Critics have responded favorably to the character.

Castiel (<i>Supernatural</i>) Character from American TV series Supernatural

Castiel is a fictional character portrayed by Misha Collins on The CW's American fantasy television series Supernatural. An Angel of the Lord, he first appears in the fourth season and is used to introduce the theme of Christian theology to the series. In the series, Castiel brings Dean Winchester back from Hell and frequently helps him and his brother, Sam, in their battles with various demons and angels along the way. During his travels with the Winchesters, Castiel develops friendships with both men. As an angel, he possesses a number of supernatural abilities, including the ability to kill demons. Initially, the character demonstrates complete devotion to God and little emotion. However, his interactions and experiences with Dean and Sam, as well as certain revelations about God and his fellow angels, have a humanizing effect on him. This, despite the stress and harm it causes his character, allows him to develop an independent will as the series progresses and helps the show address topics related to free will.

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"Mamma Mia" is the second episode of the paranormal drama television series Supernatural's season 12, and the 243rd overall. The episode was written by Brad Buckner & Eugenie Ross-Leming and directed by Thomas J. Wright. It was first broadcast on October 20, 2016, on The CW. In the episode, Dean, Mary and Castiel are getting closer to Sam's location. Sam, meanwhile, is continued to being tortured by Toni, looking for information on the American hunters. Meanwhile, Crowley has finally found Lucifer, who is now in a new vessel: a faded rock star named Vince Vincente and sets off with Rowena to send him back to the Cage. The episode marked the debut of Rick Springfield on the recurring role of Lucifer's vessel.

"LOTUS" is the eight episode and midseason finale of the paranormal drama television series Supernatural's season 12, and the 249th overall. The episode was written by Eugenie Ross-Leming and Brad Buckner and directed by Phil Sgriccia. It was first broadcast on December 8, 2016, on The CW. In the episode, Lucifer possesses influential people, going as far as to possess the President of the United States. Using his new power, he tries to stop Sam and Dean from catching him.

References

  1. ↑ Baron, Steve (September 26, 2011). "Friday Final Broadcast TV Ratings: No Adults 18-49 Adjustments, Plus 'Fringe' & 'A Gifted Man' 15 min. Ratings". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on September 28, 2011. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
  2. ↑ Baron, Steve (May 23, 2011). "Tuesday Final Ratings: 'Kitchen Nightmares' Adjusted Up, No Adjustments To 'Supernatural' Finale". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on May 26, 2011. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
  3. ↑ Baron, Steve (September 27, 2010). "Friday Finals: Supernatural Up; Dateline Down". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on November 26, 2010. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
  4. 1 2 Steenbergen, Diana (September 24, 2011). "Supernatural: "Meet the New Boss" Review". IGN . Retrieved June 22, 2016.
  5. 1 2 Handlen, Zack (September 23, 2011). "Supernatural: "Meet The New Boss"". The A.V. Club . Retrieved June 22, 2016.
  6. 1 2 "Supernatural Season Premiere Review: Kiss Your Cass Goodbye". TV Fanatic. 24 September 2011.
  7. ↑ "'Supernatural' season 7 premiere: Was this the scariest episode ever?". Entertainment Weekly . September 24, 2011. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
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