More Mysteries are About in CW's "Supernatural:" A Televsion Review ("What's Up, Tiger Mommy")

*there are spoilers below.

Director: John Showalter.

Writers: Andrew Dabb and Daniel Loflin.

Cast: Jared Padalecki, Jensen Ackles, Misha Collins, Mark Sheppard, Osric Chau, Ty Olsson and Lauren Tom.

Mother knows best in CW's latest episode of "Supernatural." In ""What's Up, Tiger Mommy?" Mrs. Tran (Lauren Tom), Kevin's mother, shows that she can stand for herself, make some very tough decisions, and show that she has a mean right hook. To see this series explore Kevin's family connections and develop this character even further is great, but it is sadly short-lived. By the episode's end, the Trans take a hike.

For viewers interested in Kevin Tran's (Osric Chau) journey, that tale will one day continue. In what gets revealed so far, Kevin is nothing like his mom and maybe dad—if he ever gets featured. To see what the entire Tran family is like as a cohesive unit could be interesting. It may help show what the young prophet was like before his world was shaken apart.

It might even suggest what the Winchester family could have been if their own mother was saved from the Yellow-Eyed Demon Azazel and their father, John, was more family-oriented.

But with Crowley (Mark Shepperd) hot on Kevin's heels, either the prophet continues running or make a stand. The boy shows that he has yet to grow a backbone, and perhaps later episodes will show him becoming used to the role. Mother proves that she is everything Kevin is not; but when she gets incapacitated by the demon possessing her, Kevin may well get the character development that is needed. At some point in the series, he will be the messiah of the new world. But until he can translate the tablet that the Crowley possesses, or get it back, the Winchester boys are required to save the day as usual.

That is difficult when Dean has to battle his own demons—more flashbacks show viewers what happened to him in Purgatory. They seem to materialize just like Sam's spells (when he had Lucifer stuck in his head). Dean has his memories flash before him whenever he  feels like he's ready to go berserk and they look at what happened between Dean and Castiel (Misha Collins) while in Purgatory. A rift has happened to cause them to not be as saintly to each other as before. Cas tries to explain his departure when Dean finally finds him, but viewers may well feel more puzzled more than ever. 

Other than the Leviathans, just what other monstrosities lurk in this grey swamp that can threaten Dean? Since their leader is dead, the sea dwellers have a blood grudge to fulfill and Cas' only interest is to keep Dean safe. This episode does not give away any details yet about why the angel was left behind, and the answer may not necessarily come the next episode.

A new mystery presents itself with this episode that might persist throughout the season. At the episode's start, before the display of the title card, Plutus, the Greek God of Wealth (Gerald Plunkett), makes a withdrawal of a frost giant's tooth at a bank. Also, little do audiences know, he also possesses The Word of God that he decides to put up for a netherworld auction. The suggestion that the demigods and monsters of earth are trading in ancient artifacts must mean that they are up to no good. But with this act downplayed in seriousness and played up for comedy, the Winchesters do not realize the gravity of the situation when Thor's hammer even turns up.

Too many puzzle pieces are appearing, and nothing is going to fall into place until much later, perhaps not until next year. From the last episode, the issue of whether Sam's girlfriend is still around needs addressing. A week or two must have passed since Sam walked out on her in the middle of the night. Will the two brothers resume their hunting duties, or will Sam pay a visit to the girlfriend too, only to have Crowley not too far behind? With fewer characters to deal with now, hopefully some assembling of the puzzle pieces will appear by the halfway mark of the season. Who knows, maybe even Thor may put on an appearance.

Overall: 6.5 out of 10.

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