Supernatural offered a rest from the mythology of The Darkness with an episode featuring Sheriff Jodie Mills and her teen wards, Alex Jones and Claire Novak.

This article contains spoilers so if you haven’t seen the episode, please do not continue reading.

“Don’t You Forget About Me” was ripe with potential as a possible Supernatural spin-off.  Characters Jodie Mills, Alex Jones and Claire Novak have already been introduced into the Supernatural universe and each have their own set of hunting experience with battle scars to prove it.

The episode focused on Claire Novak, the daughter of Castiel’s vessel Jimmy, who has become obsessed with hunting monsters, much to Sheriff Jody Mills’ chagrin.  Claire has gotten into trouble with her attacking people she believes to be supernatural threats.  Because Jody is the sheriff, Claire has avoided any jail time for her actions.

Meanwhile, former vampire lure Alex is now a popular girl on campus and is in line to become prom queen.

When Sam and Dean receive a call from Claire about monster attacks, they head for Sioux Falls.  Jody Mills believes they made a trip for nothing.  Sam and Dean do get a rare, home cooked meal.  But are also subjected to an awkward dinner table conversation involving sex and condoms.

Sam gives a good speech to Claire about not throwing a normal life with family away in favor of hunting, which will always be there. While Dean reminds Claire that she should be grateful to Jodie for giving her a home and family.

Throughout the episode, viewers were given parallels to John, Sam and Dean with Jodie, Alex and Claire.

However, when a teacher is found strung up on the school’s flagpole, it becomes a real case.  We later learn that the culprit is vampires.

The twist is that these aren’t just vampires in town to feed.  The head vampire is the school custodian who is seeking revenge against Alex for ruining his life.  Back when she was living with the vamps, Alex was responsible for him getting turned.  Additionally, the popular boy Alex now dates is also a vampire that was turned by the custodian.

If Claire is portrayed as the Dean character obsessed with hunting, Alex is definitely Sam.  She wants a normal life and has one with school and a boyfriend.  But she also has blood on her hands. Whereas Sam always felt guilt for the deaths of his mother and Jessica, Alex has guilt for the people she put in danger by helping the vampires.

It becomes obvious that Jody, Alex and Claire are a family when Alex agrees to go back to the vampires if Jodie and Claire are spared.

In the end, the vampires are defeated due to the teamwork of Alex and Claire, true sisters in every sense of the word.

Alex wrestles with putting her new family in danger (like Sam) and considers staring over somewhere else.

I really enjoyed “Don’t You Forget About Me”.  Kim Rhodes (Jody), Katherine Ramdeen (Alex) and Kathryn L. Newton (Claire) have amazing chemistry and could definitely carry a series of their own.

I know that there may be some viewers who felt that Sam and Dean weren’t figured as prominently in the episode but for me, it was a change of pace and a chance for secondary characters to shine.

What did you think of Supernatural “Don’t Forget About Me”? Sound off in the comments.  Or tweet @thenerdygirlexp and @stacyamiller85 .