The midseason finale of Supernatural left us with a cliffhanger. Sure, you can all point to the fact that the watch stopped ticking as proof that Bobby's time ran out, but I don't think that's the case. I think the point of the ending was it was meant to be ambiguous and we'll (hopefully) learn Bobby's fate when Supernatural returns tonight.
But that ending has got me thinking - and agonizing - for the last month. What did happen to Bobby? And, depending on what did happen, what could happen to Bobby going forward?
I really enjoyed the Supernatural poll I posted a few weeks ago, asking readers to vote on how Misha Collins and Castiel would return to the show, and I think Bobby's fate is an opportune time to examine the possibilities and have all of you share your thoughts and vote on the outcome. But this has to be a two-part poll. Because before we look at what could happen to Bobby in the future, we have to vote on his current state. So here we go:
Update: The episode airs and we know exactly what happened to Bobby. For all the details (including my own thoughts) read our episode 7.11 recap and review.
Question #1: What is Bobby's Current State of Being?
He's Dead: This is my least favorite possibility, although it's made worse depending not on whether he's dead, but whether we ever see him again. If this is the case, then Bobby chose to move on, secure in the knowledge that he helped raise the Winchesters right and gave them the leviathan information (even if it doesn't really make sense right now).
He's Brain Dead and/or in a Coma: The reaper said that Bobby had a choice - he could either be reaped or remain behind, trapped inside his own head. To me, that means that his body is being kept alive by machines, even if he's brain dead. Frankly, I just don't see Bobby choosing to die, because while he's obviously proud of the men that Sam and Dean have become, I just don't see him choosing to leave them. Bobby's seen enough crazy stuff in his life to know that there's always some way the Winchesters could find to save him, even if he's stuck in a coma.
He was Miraculously Healed and Now He's Fine: This is the least likely possibility, but it's the one my inner fangirl is hoping for. Maybe the doctors did an experimental brain transplant (is that even possible?). I don't know. But sometimes we have to hold on to a shred of hope in an otherwise dismal world. Still, I don't see this happening.
Those are the three possibilities about what happened to Bobby at the end of Supernatural's midseason finale, so make sure to vote on your choice in the first poll below. Now that we've examined his present state, let's take a guess as to what might happen to Bobby in the future.
Question #2: What Could Happen to Bobby in the Future?
He's Dead/Comatose, But Could be Saved in the Time Travel Episode: This is one possibility that I've seen floating around the interwebs. We know that the January 13 episode of Supernatural will have the God of Time (played by Jason Dohring), who sends Dean back to 1944. But could the God of Time also do something to the past to save Bobby? Gerrie, who helped me with this article, wondered if that would create a time paradox. And I say "they did it in Back to the Future, so why not here?!"
He's Dead/Comatose, But Could be Healed/Resurrected by Castiel When He Returns: This might be the possibility that a lot of fans are hoping for. Not only would Castiel return, but he'd save Bobby too. This scenario would take Bobby out of commission for the next 6 episodes, and have him return in episode 7.17 when Misha Collins is scheduled to return. Of course, for this scenario to actually happen Castiel would have to return as an angel or another supernatural being capable of healing or resurrection. The truth is, we don't even know whether that's a possibility yet.
He's Dead/Comatose, But Could be Healed/Resurrected by Someone Else: Maybe the Winchesters are able to make a deal (without selling their souls) to bring Bobby back from the dead. Maybe they find a witch or another supernatural being who could heal Bobby if he's in a coma. Maybe God finally leaves that beach he's been chilling on and gets back into the game and saves Bobby. The possibilities of who could actually save Bobby or bring him back are endless. It doesn't have to be Cas or the God of Time who actually help in this case.
He's Dead/Comatose Forever, But We Could See Him in Flashbacks or as a Ghost: A lot of people speculated that Bobby could go the route of most deceased Supernatural characters and simply appear as a ghost or in a dream or alternate reality going forward. But I absolutely loathe this possibility. There has never been another deceased Supernatural character who has been as long-lasting or important to the Winchesters as Bobby (Cas comes a close second and John should be taken out of the equation because he only lasted one season). For the show to kill him off or leave him brain dead forever and only have him appear as a ghost/in a dream is a horrible plan and, I think, would be insulting to one of the show's most important secondary characters.
He's Dead/Comatose Forever and We'll Never See Him Again: A lot of people might claim that this is the one that should happen, since Bobby's send-off episode was so well done. I addressed this at the end of our big Supernatural midseason review. I don't think it will take away from the emotional journey of the episode for Bobby to live or be resurrected, but that's my opinion. However, I think this is the absolute worst possibility of what could happen. Killing another one of the Winchester father figures only to have him disappear forever is basically the equivalent of what happened to John (barring his brief season 2 finale reappearance) and I think both the Winchesters and the fans would be devastated.
Those are all the possible future options that have popped into my head, although the circumstances involved in several of them could result in any number of possibilities. Did we miss your theory? Vote "other" below and share it in the comments.
Don't forget to vote in both polls below and don't miss a new episode of Supernatural tonight at 9:00 p.m. ET on The CW (view photos, a trailer and a sneak peek).
My imagined trajectory for the rest of the season is that at the end of this season, wherein they've lost everything, everything will be returned to them. That includes Baby, Cas, Bobby – however, I fear Sam's laptop is gone for good. Damn it, what's the URL for bustyasianbeauties.com?
As much as I'd love to see Castiel come back and resurrect Bobby, I doubt it's gonna be that pat. I think there's a chance we might see a force of nature – some archetype, be it Fate or Death or something – take the Leviathans down a peg.
Sounds good to me!
After watching the episode there may be a possibility that Bobby chose to stay instead of pass on. Therefore He would become a spirit! In the newest episode it showed the beer gone possibly bobby's spirit drank it?
This is what I think also. The beer disappeared and I think we will find out later it was Bobby. They just skipped over it tonite
I took the reaper's choice as being his body would die but Bobby would stick around as a ghost.
I interpreted it the other way and that he could remain behind trapped inside his head alone forever. But that sucks too :(
That's so simple! Crowley comes and saves him because he hates Leviathans and knows that our guys are the most probable to get rid of them :-D
He's also in love with Bobby, but that's for another post ;-)
There's no such thing as dead in Supernatural, so I expect he'll be back. A spirit watching over them, a guardian angel, or even brought back to life. We shall see.
I know this goes against just about everyone, but frankly, I never really cared for the character of Bobby. Please refrain from pouncing on me, it's just a personal opinion and the last time I checked we were all entitled to them. I'm hoping they'll bring back Missouri.
I think he'll choose to remain in the coma and Sam and Dean will realize they need to do something to save him. Bobby can't be dead.
Bobby coming back as the boys' new guardian angel. "Touched by Bobby"
i like that idea bobby the angel. can be mine anytime
He’s in purgatory and it hooks into the leviathan story, they have to be sent back, he has to come out.
I’m holding onto the idea that season 7 will turn out to have been a bad dream. It began when blacked out in the ER after having his leg reset& being given morphine. Like Bob Newhart’s 2nd show, Dean will wake up to tell Sam, Bobby & Cas about the weird dream he just had. Maybe it is Cas who has to go in to rescue Dean from his dreamscape. It would help to explain things like why Sam tried using a defense strategy he saw on “The Good Wife”. When did Sam start watching primetime?
I think it would be apropriate to kill Bobby's character for good after last episode. It sure looked like they're saying goodbye. But it's possible that we will see him in flashbacks or some supernatural scenes (for ex. in Dean's head). But it would be strange to try to bring him back, I hope they won't go down that road.
If he was supposed to die but somehow managed to live, according to canon, his life in the future wouldn't be good…Reaper!Dean episode anyone? But if Death came and brought Bobby back, he might have a shot.
If Bobby dies (and does not return to the show) I will not watch Supernatural again. Next to the boys, Bobby is my favorite character. Somebody needs to keep Dean and Sam in-line (not to mention keeping them from killing each other). So I will continue to watch until the fate of Bobby is revealed. I do not want to see him back as a spirit or guardian angel because Bobby's character is way to good for that. Who else is gonna call Dean an "igit" and get away with it? Dean and Sam will bring Bobby back. They have to or I will be forced to look for something else to watch on Friday night (and let's be honest there is close to nothing worth watching anymore!)
I think he is a complex and amazing actor. I saw him in a lifetime move the Ken and Barbie killers (true story) and he was convincing. He was also on episodes of 24 and Law and Order. Then he does the 180 and plays the good angel. GREAT!
One thing to remember is that Sam tells the captured hunter’s daughter that Bobby passed away. And he mentions to Dean that they need to notify people that Bobby knew-past tense. I think the theory that Bobby will stick around as a ghost explains the disappearing beer perfectly. I can’t imagine they would let his character vanish completly.
i love bobby bring him back sam and dean need him i was gutted not seeing bobby supernatural is the best series ever i love it big supernatural fan keep going on and make more