In front of Castiel’s return to Supernatural in tonight’s episode, “Goodbye Stranger,” Misha Collins previews Castiel’s angelic programming, his reunion with the Winchesters, and directing in season 9. Spoilers ahead!
Castiel is ‘thoroughly programmed’ when he returns
“Sam and Dean can tell there’s something a little off with him,” he adds, “but it doesn’t seem like he’s full robot.”
As for whether Castiel will try to fight the mind control, Collins previews that “[p]art of what we’ll see” in tonight’s episode “is the losing side of Castiel’s head fighting against the programming.”
This fight will take “a psychological and physical toll” on the angel. Collins adds, “I was going to say I’m surprised he’s still alive. But he shouldn’t be. He’s been killed four or five items now on the show. But yes, as per usual, there will be some scar tissue,” including an inability to tell what’s real and what’s not, which is “something that we will learn even more about in subsequent episodes.”
On Castiel reuniting with the Winchesters
Collins describes the Winchesters’, Dean’s in particular, reaction to Castiel’s reappearance after a long absence as cautious, skeptical, and even angry. “It’s not exactly a warm welcome, but they have a shared objective, which they collaborate [on] to achieve,” he says.
“In spite of the fact that Sam and Dean don’t trust Cas and are pissed at him, they know that he’s a valuable ally in pursuing this objective.” Meanwhile, some of Castiel’s “lying will come to light,” though “[t]here will be some resolution.”
Castiel and other guest stars
Collins, however, was evasive about whether Castiel and Benny will cross paths again, as the vampire is set to return in a future episode.
On directing in season 9
Shifting gears, Collins also discussed his return as a series regular in season 9, in which he is also slated to direct an episode. “What excites me most…is that I get to direct an episode of a show where the whole crew is going to be really supportive and I know them,” he says.
“They’re going to be happy to help me along the way. To me, it’s very comforting to know that I’ve got an entire crew that has my back.”
However, he jokes, “What’s stressful about it is that, unfortunately, Sam, played by Jared Padalecki, is in every episode. I’m going to have to direct Jared, and he’s going to do everything in his power to make my job a living hell.”