Why Did the 'Supernatural' Writers Kill Castiel Only To Revive Him Later?

2023/11/07

Castiel's Death Was Cruel and Unnecessary in 'Supernatural' Season 15

Prior to his death, Castiel confessed his love for , and the timing of this confession was too close to his ultimate demise. The means of cutting off a potential queer storyline through an abrupt and almost thoughtless death was a disservice to Collins' dedication to

. Castiel's character development followed his transformation from a celestial being unsure of how to live as a human to a demon hunter who set out to save humanity. He was given the opportunity to embrace free will, and he proved that his purpose was more than to just pull Dean from Hell. To follow Castiel's emotional monologue to Dean, concluded with an "I love you," by sending him — a now openly gay character — to Super Hell is a choice made in immensely questionable taste by

's showrunners.

The decision to take a moment that's been longed after by fans and just throw it away is baffling, and truly a great disservice to how far Cas has come on screen. Perhaps the element of Castiel going to Hell, especially after he confesses his love for Dean, is not a great look when taking that particular context into account. This consummate fate for Castiel seems especially harsh. It's ironic, really, that a character whose initial role in the

was to save others from Hell was sent to an equivalent (of sorts) himself. Ultimately, Castiel's death was completely unsatisfactory and uninspired (despite being able to let the angel finally affirm his feelings).