Sam survives. But why he does is a secret that the elder Winchester will hold on to -- and one which may cause a rift between the brothers. “You're going to find Dean, in the beginning of this season, in a slightly different position, one where it's his decision driving great importance and weight on their relationship,” previews executive producer Jeremy Carver. “It's a heavy weight to bear, and it has a great effect on their relationship.” There's also angel mayhem on Earth for the brothers to contend with, including “a lot of players for the throne of who's going to rise to the fore here,” including Battlestar Galactica alum Tahmoh Penikett's injured warrior angel. Cas, meanwhile, is adjusting to life as a human by “eating, defecating and fornicating,” deadpans his portrayer Misha Collins. On the more quirky side, Felicia Day's Charlie returns in Episode 4, which goes back in time to reveal “the first Men of Letters ever to occupy the bunker,” teases Carver. So what were they up to? You know, the usual -- like “learning the truth behind the events that lead to The Wizard of Oz books. It's a lot of fun and heartfelt.”
TVLINE BONUS SPOILER | Penikett's Ezekiel isn't the only heavenly creature we'll be meeting. "We're really delving into the individual characters here, and we found really interesting, really neat angels," says Carver. "Wherever we can dive into Biblical references, we do and then we turn that the way that we need. Some of the angels that we see...have deep roots in angel mythology.